GrandmasterP Posted September 16, 2014 Paul and Ringo ... it's down to those two, isn't it. huh. That new John's a wrong 'un and no mistake. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GrandmasterP Posted September 16, 2014 My friend....Have you received Shaktipat from a real Guru or Transmission from a Dzogchen master? You gain something alright = An understanding that this physical dimension is simply provisional. The Lord Jesus Christ loves you and heck so do I. Stefos......Blessed with transmission from Chogyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche and by God's manifesed presence That is a nice post Stefos. Kudos. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BaguaKicksAss Posted September 16, 2014 Hey this thread is supposed to be about empowerments, not about me.. . I'm rather private about my spiritual practices. HH Dalai Lama will be teaching in my city soon and is offering a Avalokiteśvara empowerment . I have been thinking about such things lately.... I saw it more as a losing false and/or limited concepts of said physical. Self too. Though perhaps in the future I may have a greater understanding of such things. Did I mention newbie here? Don't take my word for it anyone... hmmm though I guess I could say see for yourself lol. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vanir Thunder Dojo Tan Posted September 16, 2014 at large: i lost familial unity (long ago, actually, but only recently severed from it)at mid: i lost a place to call homeat minimum: i lost forms of entertainment not wholesome for my pursuits (video games, 12+ hours of internet per day, and video games, and more video games)I gained bagua instruction.I'd do it all again even if i knew i would have lost these things. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Infinity Posted September 16, 2014 but "disempowerment" would indicate that a person at one time had it, and then it got dissed, no? Or that he HAS it and he is disempowered because he now thinks he has not got it? ∞ 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
soaring crane Posted September 16, 2014 Or that he HAS it and he is disempowered because he now thinks he has not got it? ∞ I don't think my suggestion discounted the possibility of one dissing oneself :-) But now that you bring it up, I guess it does seem the more likely scenario. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stefos Posted September 16, 2014 (edited) No one can empower you. When you understand this, that's called "empowerment." When you don't understand this, that's called "disempowerment." Hello, I think you've fundamentally misunderstood what I've stated.........Let me REstate it: I received Guru Yoga Transmission by Chogyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche, NOT an empowerment. Transmission is NOT empowerment. One "empowers" things like lungta....Tantric Vajrayana practice entails the giving of "empowerments." NOT Dzogchen.....Dzogchen entails receiving transmission...A BIG difference sir. The purpose of transmission is to see the nature of the mind as it's called in Dzogpa Chenpo. Thank you and I love you...really (Please don't take that in a sexual manner, it is not meant as such!) Stefos Edited September 16, 2014 by stefos 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
9th Posted September 17, 2014 An empowerment sets in motion the underlying essence of a particular teaching, into your life. The teaching is empowered, not you. You receive the empowerment itself, you do not become "empowered". Each empowerment is specific to the particular teaching in question - its not like some kind of generic "power level increase" or something like that.. it has nothing to do with that. Traditionally, empowerments are given by teachers so that directly related practices will be effective for the student. Its like priming the pump. Setting them up for success, etc. And yes, transmission is something different as well. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
doc benway Posted September 17, 2014 As 9th implies, empowerment and transmission has much to do with the teaching. We may overemphasize the effect on the recipient. There is a real possibility of teachings having a negative impact on the recipient who is not ready or not suited to the teaching. Empowerment and transmission are methods of protecting the teachings from abuse or misunderstanding and protecting the inappropriate recipient from harm. It's only very recently that many of these teachings are available in such a widespread fashion. Certainly there are many benefits froms empowerments and transmission - there is much to be gained! Such as a boost in confidence, a more direct understanding, a feeling of direct connection with an unbroken direct personal transmission of truth. A feeling of intimacy and acceptance by the teacher, the teachings, and the lineage. A feeling of being part of something wonderful - a family, a tradition, a lineage that has produced wonderful teachings and masters who have achieved great understanding and acts of compassion, service, and wisdom. These things cannot be underestimated! One is likely to take teachings more seriously when received directly from a master rather than through a book. One is much more likely to devote oneself more completely and assiduously to teachings when one has traveled far, spent time and money and made sacrifices to receive them. Even more so when one develops a deep love for the teacher, the teachings, and the lineage. To be successful with these methods requires enormous energy and devotion, and all of these things improve the likelihood of success. There is much to be gained from empowerment and transmission, and much to be lost through steadfast devotion to the teachings until we are left with nothing... except that which is left when we let go of everything we have, know, and are. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brian Posted September 17, 2014 an "empowerment" could also be in the sense of being given enough help to see the truth of a situation or issue that one is dealing with. (in the best way that one can yet they are caught or stuck and need a hand) This has been very much the case for me in the last few years -- I have been offered opportunities which, taken, open doors. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BaguaKicksAss Posted September 17, 2014 OK, OK, so you do gain something from empowerments . (lose lots of stuff too though!) Thank you everyone for the great insights into these things. I'm glad I started the thread. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
idiot_stimpy Posted September 17, 2014 I could be wrong but I think empowerments are just permission slips that allows you with the blessings of the lineage, to perform a certain practice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BaguaKicksAss Posted September 30, 2014 You do gain something from empowerments, LOTS of homework! So an interesting question I had, how does it turn out that the right students show up for these things? What if someone isn't ready, but they paid their $50 online and showed up? 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
doc benway Posted October 1, 2014 You do gain something from empowerments, LOTS of homework! So an interesting question I had, how does it turn out that the right students show up for these things? What if someone isn't ready, but they paid their $50 online and showed up? I think this can largely be answered by considering karma 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites