#highest yogi

[talonabraxas]

Yab Yum in Tantra Talon Abraxas

the stages of outer inner, and other are united within the One Wisdom. This is the root of Vajrayana. It summarizes all.

EVAM Yab yum carries a deep symbolic significance. The deities in Yab Yum, or sexual union, symbolize masculine and feminine principles. These are fundamental and important concepts in tantric Buddhism, and they are pervasive throughout the practices.

E Vam is the essential seed syllable or linguistic, mantric representation of the union of masculine and feminine principles. E symbolizes the feminine and Vam, symbolizes the masculine.

Mipham Rinpoche refers to this as ‘coalescence’ – the union of relative and ultimate. Another method for accomplishing this is practicing the inseparability of wisdom and method. The idea is integral to both Mahayoga and Anu Yoga. It is contained in Anutaratantra practice.

Feminine Principle in Tantra

Feminine principle is the principle of wisdom. It is the most primordial essence of the universe. The wisdom mind is the self-existing reality. It is awareness that knows its own nature. Feminine principle is related strongly to jnana, or the insight that knows reality itself, the self-existing reality of all things.

It is also called the mother, as it gives birth to the Buddhas. Feminine principle is the liberating method. Through wisdom, the practitioner of this yoga is liberated from the stream of samsara.

The female deity is most frequently depicted with a kapala (skull cup) containing amrita in her left hand. In her right hand is typically a flower, symbolizing compassion, or a kartika (hook knife) symbolizing cutting through to innate purity of reality.

In Vajrayana Buddhism, the kapala, often held by deities like mahasiddhas and dakinis, symbolizes wisdom and knowledge. Practices involving the kapala include the melting of moon drops in the skull, creating a blissful sensation. The kapala is also a representation of lineage transmission during empowerments. Drinking blood from it, often associated with impurity, symbolizes non-discrimination and the yogi’s breakthrough into non-dualism. The dakini’s image, delighting in consuming blood, signifies a perfected yogi dwelling in non-duality, experiencing the union of emptiness and bliss— the highest enlightenment in Vajrayana Buddhism.

The kartika, with its distinctive crescent shape, is a ritual implement used in various Vajrayana practices. Its curved blade symbolizes the severance of attachment and delusion, cutting through the bonds that bind individuals to cyclic existence. In the context of the feminine principle, the kartika is often associated with the dakini, a mystical and enlightened feminine energy.

Dakinis, portrayed as fierce and compassionate, use the hook knife to cut through ignorance and ego, guiding practitioners towards spiritual awakening. The symbology of the kartika emphasizes the transformative power of the feminine principle in Tibetan Buddhism, depicting the dakini’s ability to remove obstacles, liberate beings, and reveal the path to enlightenment through the compassionate act of severing attachments.

Masculine Principle in Tantra

Masculine principle is upayas or skillful means. They are the manifestation of the Mahayana principle of compassion. When compassion enters the Vajrayana, it becomes skillful means. This is the method to liberate other beings, to wake them up to reality, to help them understand the trap of samsara and the path to liberation.

In Tantric Buddhism, the masculine principle is symbolized through ritual implements that play a crucial role in transformative practices. One such implement is the phurba, a ritual dagger or three-sided peg. The phurba, with its blade representing wisdom and its three faces embodying the trikaya (the three bodies of the Buddha), serves as a powerful symbol of the masculine energy’s capacity to conquer obstacles and pierce through ignorance.

Ritual implements, including the vajra and bell, are often used together to embody the union of the masculine and feminine principles in Tantric rituals. The vajra, representing indestructible and compassionate wisdom, is held in the right hand, symbolizing skillful means, while the bell, held in the left hand, symbolizes the feminine wisdom of emptiness. The harmonious use of these ritual implements in Tantric Buddhism signifies the integration of both masculine and feminine energies, leading practitioners towards a profound understanding of reality and the path to enlightenment.

Yab Yum Meditation

Yab Yum is actually a solitary meditation practice for the most part. The meditator, after ngondro and initiation, does the deity practice, visualizing themselves as the deity in yab-yum. (Not all deities are in union.) The practice is meant to purify ordinary conceptions of body and appearance.

Both the deities are considered to be the meditator. In this sense, union means the union of both masculine and feminine energies within the mindstream. If one has only the masculine, skillful means, the lack of wisdom will lead to incorrect action. It will likely reify the self. The feminine principle corrects this, providing wisdom and insight into emptiness.

If the meditator has only feminine principle, the skillful means will be lacking. They will be unable to benefit others properly. Therefore, the practice of yab-yum requires the union of both energies to be complete.

[vickyis-o]

Sadhguru: When we say Krishna, the essence of who he is, he is an irrepressible child, a terrible prankster, an enchanting flute player, a graceful dancer, an irresistible lover, a truly valiant warrior, a ruthless vanquisher of his foes, a man who left a broken heart in every home, an astute statesman and kingmaker, a thorough gentleman, a yogi of the highest order, and the most colorful incarnation.

Krishna has been seen, perceived, understood and experienced in many different ways by different people. For example, in Duryodhana’s words, Krishna is a “smiling rogue if there ever was one. He can eat, he can drink, he can sing, he can dance. He can make love, he can fight, he can gossip with old women, and play with little children. Who says he’s God?” That was Duryodhana’s perception

Krishna’s childhood lover Radhe, who became so big that you cannot talk of Krishna without Radhe – we don’t say “Krishna Radhe,” we say, “Radhe Krishna” – she said, “Krishna is with me. He is always with me wherever he is. Whoever he is with, he is still with me.” That was her perception.

Krishna leela

#desiblr #desi tumblr #desi aesthetic #just desi things #aesthetic #janmashtami #radhekrishna #desi dark academia #dark academia #vishnu #incarnation #desi tag

[crazycatsiren]

Chakras - What they really are

(I managed to salvage this post written by @rue-cimon from an old deactivated account. I copied it down here because this was too good a post to lose.)

Chakra literally means "wheel" or "circle" in Sanskrit. The concept of chakras originates from Hinduism in ancient India. These are focal points used in a variety of ancient meditation or yoga practices. These practices are collectively called "tantra".

Although the concept is frequently found in early traditions of Hinduism and are often mentioned in the Vedas, beliefs around chakras differ between various Indian religions. Buddhist texts consistently mention 5 chakras, whereas Hindu texts and sources speak of 6 or 7 chakras.

Early Sanskrit texts speak of them both as meditative visualizations combining flowers and mantras and as physical entities in the body. Within kundalini yoga, various breath exercises, visualizations, mudras, kriyas, and mantras are focused on manipulating the flow of subtle energy through chakras.

Chakras are also present in Ayurvedic traditions.

The belief behind chakras is that human life simultaneously exists in two parallel dimensions, one is the physical body and the other is psychological, emotional, mind, non physical (the subtle body).

The aforementioned subtle body is energy, while the physical body is mass. The psyche or mind plane corresponds to and interacts with the body plane, and the belief holds that the body and the mind mutually affect each other. The subtle body consists of energy channels connected by nodes of psychic energy called chakras.

The chakras - in Hindu and Buddhist texts - are said to be arranged in a column along the spinal cord, from its base to the top of the head, connected by vertical channels. Tantric traditions strive to awaken, master, and energize these chakras through yoga and often with the help of a teacher.

The esoteric traditions in Buddhism generally teach four chakras. In some early Buddhist sources, these chakras are termed as manipura (navel), anahata (heart), vishuddha (throat), and ushnisha kamala (crown). However, a system of five chakras is common among classes of tantra in Tibetan Buddhism. These five chakras are basal, abdominal, heart, throat, and crown, and each chakra corresponds with an element, a Buddha, and a bija mantra.

The more common and most studied chakra system incorporates six major chakras along with a seventh center generally not regarded as a chakra.

The chakras are traditionally considered meditation aids. The yogi starts from lower chakras and progresses to the highest chakra located in the crown of the head, in the journey of spiritual ascent.

In the Hindu kundalini and Buddhist candali traditions, the chakras are pierced by a dormant energy residing near or in the lowest chakra. in Hindu texts she is known as Kundalini, while in Buddhist texts she is called Candali or Tummo.

Some terms and definitions:

Tantra: Esoteric traditions in Hinduism and Buddhism that developed in India mainly during the middle of the 1st millennium CE. The term tantra, in the Indian traditions, also means text, theory, system, method, instrument, technique, or practice. A key feature of these traditions is the use of mantras.

Kundalini yoga: A type of yoga focused on channeling energy through the chakras.

Mudra: A symbolic or ritual gesture or pose in Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. Mudras have meaning in many forms of Indian dance and yoga. In hatha yoga, mudras are used in conjunction with pranayama (yogic breathing exercises), generally while in a seated posture, to stimulate different parts of the body involved with breathing and to affect the flow of prana and is associated with consciousness in the body. Mudras are also used in tantric practices.

Kriya: Practice within a yoga discipline meant to achieve a specific result. The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali defines three types of kriya, namely asceticism, study, and devotion. Such yoga is called kriya yoga. Kriya is a Sanskrit word that literally means "to do" or "to work".

Mantra: A sacred utterance, a sound, a syllable, word, or phonemes, or group of words in Sanskrit, Pali, and other languages. They hold spiritual and religious significance. At its simplest, the word "om" serves as a mantra. It is believed to be the first sound which was originated on earth. It creates a reverberation in the body which helps the body and mind to be calm. In more sophisticated forms, mantras are melodic phrases with spiritual interpretations such as a human longing for truth, reality, light, immortality, peace, love, knowledge, and action. Not all mantras have literal meanings but rather are simply uplifting.

Ayurveda: An alternative medicine system with historical roots in ancient India.

#chakras #hinduism #buddhism #witches of color #asian religions #eastern spirituality #ancient india #asian witches #buddhist witches

[its-wabby-stuff]

How Human is your Animal?

Based on animalistic representation in Media. Ranging from anthropomorphic to everyday pet.

A tier list for your convenience

S Tier- Humans don’t exist here

Qualifications: the world has no humans, animals tend to walk on hind legs and participate in human like societies, most likely anthropomorphic but not required

Zootopia, Kung Fu Panda, Sing, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Chicken Little, My Little Pony, Goofy Movie, Ducktales, Robin Hood, Angry Birds, Samurai Rabbit, Paws of Fury, Spiderhams Universe

A Tier- I see, a little co-op happening

Qualifications: the world has humans, humans acknowledge animals in some way, they can be hired/considered for jobs and/or are active in society. Might be considered mutants

Paddigton, Muppets, Stuart Little, The Bad Guys, Pinnocio, Shrek universe, Care Bears, the Bee Movie, Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 3, and subsequently the entire MCU, Monsters Inc, Storks, Looney Tunes, TMNT, MHA, Yogi Bear, We Bare Bears, Chip N’ Dale: Rescue Rangers (2022), Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Hop, Wonderland, James and the Giant Peach, Hoodwinked, Mr. Peabody and Sherman, Ichabod and Toad, Sonic Movie

B Tier- Your getting suspiciously close

Qualifications: act more human like, perhaps develop a hidden society or walk on hind legs or plan elaborate heists, it’s just not quite right for an animal

Madagascar, Ice Age, Shark Tale, Surfs Up, Snoopy, Rescuers, SpongeBob, Ratatouille, Horton Hears a Who, Free Birds, Great Mouse Detective, Chicken Run, Flushed Away, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Tom and Jerry, Secret of Nym, Tale of Desperaeux, American Tail, Once Upon a Forest, Garfield, Over the Hedge, Rango

C Tier- Communication is key in fostering animal relationships

Qualifications: Perhaps by magical transformation or special gift or something that has always been kept a secret until now, these animals are able to talk to you

Cinderella, Tarzan, Jungle Book, Epic, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Charlottes Web, Scooby Doo, Happy Feet, Snow White, Pete’s Dragon, Princess and the Frog, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, Spies In Disguise, Emperors New Groove, Enchanted, Sophia the First, Peter Rabbit, Meet the Robinsons, Anastasia, Swan Princess, Dr. Dolittle, Leo, Up

D Tier- Oh look, it’s gaining complexity

Qualifications: although animals have been known to convey emotions nothing is more complex than creating Shakespearean like storylines. Humans take to the sidelines

Lion King, Finding Nemo, 101 Dalmatians, Bambi, Land Before Time, The Secret Life of Pets, Bugs Life, Oliver and Company, All Dogs go to Heaven, Lady and the Tramp, Fox and the Hound, Aristocats, Migration, Bolt, Dinosaur, The Good Dinosaur, Super Pets, Dumbo, Home in the Range, G-force, The Wild, Spirit, Rio, Curious George

F Tier- It’s all okay, animals are just animals here

Qualifications: Imagine your pet in a movie, that’s prolly what fits here. The everyday dog, or cat, or shark. Likely plays a part in the plot progression of the movie

Babe, Jurassic Park, Milo and Otis, Old Yeller, Life of Pi, Sword in the Stone, Beethoven, A Dogs Purpose, We Bought a Zoo, Pokémon, Dolphins Tale, Homeward Bound, The Black Stallion, Marley and Me, Jaws, King Kong, How to Train Your Dragon

Z Tier- So it doesn’t work like other places, but it works for you

Qualifications: a Universe with its own set of rules, perhaps jumping into a place outside of their own where rules seem just a little different. Who can say if it was real, or a dream?

Mary Poppins, Spiderverse, Fantasia, Mario Bros, Song of the South, Alice in Wonderland (cartoon), Calvin and Hobbes

Each placing is based on the highest human to animal ratio in universe even if that is one exception. This is for fun, don’t take it too seriously. You’re welcome to fill in anything you think is missing. If I mentioned one of your favorite movies you have to reblog, I don’t make the rules.

😉

#animals #animals in media #wabbystuffpost #rottmnt #media analysis #movies #universe lore #Disney #old Disney #mainstream media #obscure media #dreamworks #anthropomorphic #sorry I forgot Thumbalina #disney renaissance #franchises #Shrek #Httyd #little mermaid #zootopia #marvel studios #Netflix #the bee movie #MHA #ratatouille #curious George #snoopy #Garfield #scooby doo #the strangest collection of tags to be sure

[blessed1neha]

Atmakarak Placement!

Saint Jaimini indicated some results of Navamsa for placement of Atmakaraka. For example, Atmakaraka in 1st house or Atmakaraka in all the 12 houses.

If Atmakaraka is in Navamsa Lagna, the native belongs to a royal family or he is of noble birth and lineage. If Navamsa Lagna Lord conjoins Atmakaraka, then the native, although of humble origin shall rise to a high rank equal to a king.The nature of strength of Rajyoga will depend on the position of Sun who is the Karaka of the first house.

If Atmakaraka is in the 2nd house, the native shall be very spiritual and a great saint. If Saturn is strong, the renunciation shall be complete. On the other hand, if Venus is strong the native shall perform severe austerities.

If Atmakaraka is in the 3rd house, the native shall be rich and successful in several undertakings. He shall be a friend of several powerful people.

If Atmakaraka is in the 4th house, the native shall be a Karma Yogi. If Moon and Jupiter are strong, the native shall have fame whereas if the Sun is strong Rajyoga and a strong Saturn indicates a hard working person. The native will exume all his Karma through hard work and will follow the path of Dharma. If Mercury and Jupiter are strong then it will be beneficial to the native.

With Atmakaraka in the 5th house the native obeys the laws of Dharma diligently and is straightforward. If Sun is strong, the horoscope shall have many good Yogas.The native will practice Sadhna, will be spiritual and spread the truth in the whole world.

If Atmakaraka is in 6th house, the native will suffer from diseases and will be troubled.The native faces several challenges related to his/her past life.The native should perform remedies for Saturn such as chanting Mantras and serving old people. The native should also do Satya Narayan Puja on a regular basis.

If Atmakaraka is in the 7th house, the native is blessed with a clean heart and happiness. If Venus is strong, marriage shall be a great blessing.The native will be popular with his/her in laws and business associates.

With Atmakaraka in 8th house, the native may be weak and may be troubled. The native will be defeated in war. Atmakaraka in eighth is the most undesirable position as the native will face physical problems. Native’s longevity will also be compromised.The native may face lot of obstructions in every field. To overcome this situation and get relief the native should chant Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra 108 times daily.

If Atmakaraka is in the 9th house, the native will be a very pious person. He/she will also be wealthy and fortunate.The native will be spiritually advanced.he is educationist believe in dharma and does all his karma for the truth and propagation of spirituality. Sun in this house will form a Rajyoga of the highest order.If Jupiter is placed in this house, the native will be a great teacher.

If Atmakaraka is in 10th house, the native will be blessed with a clean heart and a good home. The native shall be a pillar of support for his/her family and mother.The native will be blessed with immoveable property, vehicles and all sorts of luxuries for home. Moon placed in the tenth house will generate the best results for the native.

If Atmakaraka is in the 11th house, the native shall be brave, successful in war and capable of executing any task. If Mars is strong there shall be Rajyoga.The native will have a clear mind and will be able to solve many problems on account of his/her intelligence and has firm determination. The native will be respected in the society.

With Atmakaraka in the 12th house, the native will be very rich and will be blessed by Lakshmi.The native will enjoy all the wealth. Moreover if Jupiter, Mercury and Venus are also strong then the native will also be a learned person with immense knowledge.The native will be blessed by the Goddess Saraswati as well.

#atmakaraka #jaimini #astrology #vedic astrology #Vedic Jyotish Online

[templeofoccultpractices]

Energy Work

What is energy?

There are different definitions of energy depending on what you're talking about or who you talk to but in simple terms energy is what surrounds us. It is in everything living and nonliving. Energy can take on many different forms from elemental to emotional or even some believe in planetary energies.

in physics, energy is the quantitative property that is transferred to a body or to a physical system, recognizable in the performance of work and in the form of heat and light. the capacity for doing work. It may exist in potential, kinetic, thermal, electrical, chemical, nuclear, or other various forms. There are, moreover, heat and work i.e., energy in the process of transfer from one body to another. After it has been transferred, energy is always designated according to its nature. Hence, heat transferred may become thermal energy, while work done may manifest itself in the form of mechanical energy.—the law of conservation of energy states that energy can be converted in form, but not created or destroyed

What is energy work and how can I start?

Energy work is the practice of learning to feel the energy around you and how to work with it. It is important and fundamental to any spiritual practices.

Meditation

A simple meditation is a good start. Sit comfortably and relax your muscles. Breath in a count of four and breath out a count of eight. Do this until you have a clear mind. You can also practice counting from 1 to 100 to clear the mind. There are a few things you can do after.

Gathering and releasing energy

For this you can use visualization. Imagine gathering small bits of energy through a singular point on the body and releasing it back out.

You can also release emotional energy this way. Imagine that your releasing your emotions and transforming it into positive or usable energy. This is called transmuting energy.

Sit and imagine energy flowing from the earth to out the top of your head.

Sit and feel out the energy in the room. You can have a candle to practice feeling it's energy. Do be safe and put it on a table and far enough away you don't knock it over.

Psi ball/energy ball

Stand or sit comfortably. Relax. Hold your hands out in front of you, palms together. Close your eyes and visualize a small ball of light forming between your hands. Move your hands about an inch away from each other. Open your eyes and gently look at the space between your hands. Concentrate on that small ball of energy forming and feel the warmth. Push more energy through your hands and into the ball, feeding it and making it larger. Move your hands apart bit by bit.

Play around with this energy making it larger or smaller.

Regarding Chakras

Defining the word chakra

The Tantrik traditions, from which the concept derives, chakras (Sanskrit. cakra) are focal points for meditation within the human body. They are visualized as structures of energy resembling discs or flowers at those points where a number of nāḍīs (channels or meridians) converge. They tend to be located where human beings experience emotional and/or spiritual energy.

What is the chakra system?

There is no general agreement to how many chakras there are as the concept has evolved and been interpreted differently by various schools,sects, and spiritual traditions within Hinduism. Some traditions may follow the seven main chakras as described in Patanjali's Yoga Sutra, others may follow additional or a different number of chakras. There are so many different systems of chakras. The original purpose of chakras is to serve as a template for Nyāsa

The more common and most studied chakra system incorporates six major chakras along with a seventh center generally not regarded as a chakra. These points are arranged vertically along the channels. The Chakras are traditionally considered meditation aids. The yogi progresses from lower chakras to the highest chakra blossoming in the crown of the head, internalizing the journey of spiritual ascent.

New Age practices often associate each chakra with a certain color. In various traditions, chakras are associated with multiple physiological functions, an aspect of consciousness, a classical element, and other distinguishing characteristics; these do not correspond to those used in ancient Indian systems. The chakras are visualised as lotus or flowers with a different number of petals in every chakra.

Most original Sanskrit sources, Things are not being taught about the way things are, we are being given a specific yogic practice: we are to visualize a subtle object made of colored light, shaped like a lotus or a spinning wheel, at a specific point in the body, activating mantric syllables in it, for a specific purpose. The texts are prescriptive. they tell what you ought to do to achieve a specific goal by mystical means.

New age practice of physiological states associated with chakras

Many different websites books, it says that the mūlādhāra chakra is associated with survival & safety, that maṇipūra chakra is associated with willpower & self-esteem, and so on. The idea these associations chakras with psychological states is a modern Western innovation that started with Carl Jung. This won't be found in Sanskrit sources.

In Anodea Judith’s book Wheels of Life. Judith says that each chakra is associated with a certain bodily gland, certain bodily malfunctions, certain foods, a certain metal, mineral, herb, planet, a path of yoga, a suit of the tarot, a sephira of Jewish mysticism, and an archangel of Christianity. None of these associations are found in the original sources.

#beginner witch #beginner witchcraft #witchcraft #paganism #spirituality #occult #witchblr #witchtips #witch tips #energy work #baby witch #paganblr #baby pagan #occultblr

[mahayanapilgrim]

The pure nature of mind

-emptiness, lucidity

and intelligence without limit

- has always been inside us."

The four "faults" of natural awareness:

"So close vou can't see it.

So deep you can't fathom it.

So simple you can't believe it.

So good you can't accept it.

~ Kalu Rinpoche (1905-1989), was a mountain yogi in his youth, wandering in solitude among many uninhabited meditation spots for thirteen years. The fame of his spiritual accomplishments spread throughout Tibet.

Finally, Kalu Ripoche was persuaded to leave retreat and become the Vajra Master of one of the principal monasteries in Eastern Tibet.

Although supremely accomplished in all lineages of Tibetan Buddhism, Rinpoche was particularly renowned as a teacher of the profound Six Yogas of Naropa, of which he was considered to be the greatest living master.

Throughout his life, Kalu Ripoche gave teachings and empowerments to highest lamas, and to countless students around the world.

Exemplary in his non-sectarian views, the Ven. Kalu Rinpoche gave teaching and empowerments at centers in all of the major lineages of Tibetan Buddhism.

#buddha #buddhist #buddhism #dharma #sangha #mahayana #zen #milarepa #tibetan buddhism #thich nhat hanh #four noble truths #inner peace #padmasambhava #Kalu Rinpoche #amitaba #avalokiteshvara #Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche #shantideva #heart sutra #vajrayana #vipassana #mantra #mindfulness #mind training #medicine buddha #meditation #manjushri

[kinoyoga]

Sometimes I think it’s easier to say what yoga is not more than I think it’s possible to truly explain what yoga really is. Yoga is not just a physical practice. Yoga is a mirror that guides you to the truth self. Yoga asana is not an exercise or a stretch. Fitness and stretching are the byproducts of the practice. Yoga is not entertainment, distraction or denial even though yoga can be fun and joyful. Yoga is a spiritual discipline that seeks your highest liberation. What is yoga to you? What isn’t yoga to you? In this age of everything goes, some people are afraid of setting some guidelines about what is and isn’t yoga. Giving everyone permission to do everything and call it whatever they want may not truly serve their spiritual path. Sometimes what we need is a clear light to shine on the path so we can discriminate between what is true and what is untrue. But then again, I am an Ashtanga Yoga practitioner and I can’t help it if I believe at least a few guidelines are good for the practitioners and teachers to follow. Keep practicing 🙏 Next workshops: Mysore week and Adjustment clinic in February @miamilifecenter and then Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan and Cincinnati. Photo @ifilmyoga #yoga #yogapath #yogi #ashtanga #ashtangayoga #ashtangi #nyc #nycyoga #yoganyc #kinoyoga #omstars 💕 (at New York, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoYJr5FuGZ7/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#yoga #yogapath #yogi #ashtanga #ashtangayoga #ashtangi #nyc #nycyoga #yoganyc #kinoyoga #omstars

[radical-revolution]

Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse 🙏

KILLING ASSUMPTIONS

"A few years ago I saw a comic strip of some students approaching a yogi on a mountaintop. This yogi had a bottle of bourbon in front of him. With a look of surprise,

one student says, “Oh! The guru drinks bourbon too?” illustrating the assumption that gurus should set an example of virtue. Disciples are often surprised if a guru drinks alcohol, eats meat, or has girlfriends. But in the tantra, you cannot make assumptions. In fact, assumption is a weakness that tantric Buddhism will toy with and ultimately kill.

While some followers are put off by the Vajrayana’s incorporation of sexual imagery and wine, there are others who take the Vajrayana path because of these same things. Or because in their minds Vajrayana is less misogynistic than the other yanas. To them, the segregation of men and women in the Mahayana and Shravakayana traditions is a form of misogynistic fundamental religious extremism. You can’t really say one yana is wrong and another is right. But if you have strong feelings about how a guru should behave, you may not be fit for tantra. The reason Taylor loves Reggie can be the very reason Bon Bon despises Reggie. Likewise, all the personal qualities that attract you to a particular guru can very well be the qualities that turn others off.

Assumption is a mouse, and tantra is the cat.

When I told my Tibetan friend Wangchuk the story of watching His Holiness the Sixteenth Karmapa dipping tobacco and spitting the juice into carefully folded papers, I was full of praise because to me, the Karmapa was so elegant and majestic even when he did something so truck driver–like. His habit of popping this disgusting stuff into his mouth while sitting on the throne had such an impact on me, in a nice way. So many people feel nostalgic about his famous love of birds, but I was just as inspired by his snuff habit. It increased my devotion. But Wangchuk immediately denied that it ever happened. He insisted that the Karmapa would never use tobacco. When I finally convinced him, he implored me not to tell this story to anyone else. I had to say, “He’s not good enough for you now? You would prefer a Karmapa who doesn’t do snuff? And you want me to keep it a secret?” As if the Karmapa needs to be protected from a bad reputation.

It’s not just Wangchuk—we all want our leaders to be perfect.

When I recounted the same story about the Karmapa’s snuff habit to Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, he advised me to collect that spit in the envelope the next chance I had and make a life-protecting amulet from this precious substance. Unfortunately, I never had another chance.

If you think collecting spit is disgusting, there are still countless Buddhist paths to choose from. You may be “happier” on a spiritual path that confirms your beliefs, values, ethics, and morality. But if your goal is of the highest sort—not limited to saving the world or dismantling your own ego, but to liberate all beings—you could be perfectly ripe for Vajrayana. Instead of being a conformist and settling on a secure and safe path, you should dare to follow a path designed to unsettle you,

a path that will destroy your comfort zone. And you should be persistent in that daring.

The compassionate tantric guru’s function is to deconstruct your assumptions, so expect the unexpected."

~ from The Guru Drinks Bourbon?

"Choosing a guru and deciding to follow him or her to enlightenment is as precarious, exciting, rewarding and destructive as falling in love and getting married. You know it’s risky, but that’s the part that cracks you open. This is your journey. You are choosing the tantric path so that the cracking happens. . . . Our pride and our ego should always be on edge, not knowing what will happen next.”

[viviennelamb]

There is danger in frittering away your energies by taking up an idea only for its novelty, and then giving it up for another that is newer. Take one thing up, and then do it, and then see the end of it and before you have seen the end, do not give it up.

Those who take a nibble here and a nibble there will never attain anything. They may titillate their nerves for a moment, but there it will end. They remain slaves in the hands of nature and never get beyond the senses.

Take up one idea - make that one idea your life. Think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles and nerves and every part of your body be full of that idea and leave every other idea alone.

This is the way to success and this is the way every spiritual giant is produced. Others are mere talking machines. If we really want to be blessed and make others blessed, we must go deeper:

The first step is not to disturb the mind. Not to associate with persons whose ideas are disturbing. All of you know that certain persons, certain places, certain foods repel you - avoid them. Those who wish to go to the highest must avoid all company - good or bad.

Practice hard. Whether you live or die does not matter; you have to plunge in and work without thinking about the result. If you are brave enough, in six months you will be a perfect yogi. But those who take up just a little bit of it then a little of everything else make no progress.

Swami Vivekananda

#yoga #discipline #spirituality

[mysticalblizzardcolor]

Srila Prabhupada~

The Gopis' position is always transcendental. They are above karmis, yogis and jnanis. They did not even try to understand Krishna whether He was God or not, but their love for Krishna was unparalleled. So one can love Krishna without any inquiry; that is the highest perfection. To know Krishna as God is not so exalted a position as to love Krishna without knowing. That is the highest perfection. Knowledge means discrimination. The gopis loved Krishna without discrimination. They loved Him spontaneously as He was very beautiful in the view of the gopis. The objective being transcendental, all of the gopis' activities were transcendental. There is no comparison of worshiping of Krishna as conceived by the gopis—that is only to love Krishna without any purpose.

Hoping this will meet you in good health.

Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

April 24, 1971, Bombay

#hare krishna #iskcon #krishna #bhakti #srila prabhupada #vedic #bhagavad gita

[talonabraxas]

Soma Serpent

Soma has two meanings. One is the Moon; the other is the imagination that is associated with the moon. Soma is also that which when imbibed, the consciousness ascends to different levels, like the Soma which was drunk in the Vedic ages to transform the mind, to raise it from the ordinary state of consciousness to a higher state of consciousness. The real Soma is that which the yogi feels when his energies or his consciousness ascends to the highest center in the human body and it really intoxicates you, so much so, that you don’t need to go to a bar ever!

Shiva can be Shankara, as you see in form, or Shiva can be the absolute Supreme Brahman who is also called Som. In Kashmir Shaivism, Shiva has no image, He is the Supreme Being.

From:

[santoschristos]

Soma Serpent

Soma has two meanings. One is the Moon; the other is the imagination that is associated with the moon. Soma is also that which when imbibed, the consciousness ascends to different levels, like the Soma which was drunk in the Vedic ages to transform the mind, to raise it from the ordinary state of consciousness to a higher state of consciousness. The real Soma is that which the yogi feels when his energies or his consciousness ascends to the highest center in the human body and it really intoxicates you, so much so, that you don’t need to go to a bar ever!

Shiva can be Shankara, as you see in form, or Shiva can be the absolute Supreme Brahman who is also called Som. In Kashmir Shaivism, Shiva has no image, He is the Supreme Being.

From:

[calvinmyershealthandwellness]

The highest form of ignorance is when you reject something you don’t know anything about.🧘🏾‍♂️ #yogalife #yogalove #goodmorning #workout #yoga #meditation #yogainspiration #fit #health #personaltrainer #yogaeverydamnday #yogi #yogaeveryday #yogaeverywhere#yogapractice #yogachallenge #selfcare #selflove #loveyourself #lifestyle #positivevibes (at New York City, N.Y.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CiG4eL1sEVN/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#yogalife #yogalove #goodmorning #workout #yoga #meditation #yogainspiration #fit #health #personaltrainer #yogaeverydamnday #yogi #yogaeveryday #yogaeverywhere #yogapractice #yogachallenge #selfcare #selflove #loveyourself #lifestyle #positivevibes

[stoicbreviary]

Wisdom from the Bhagavad Gita 54

11. The Yogis striving for perfection behold Him dwelling in themselves; but the unrefined and unintelligent, even though striving, see Him not. 

12. The light which, residing in the sun illumines the whole world, that which is in the moon and in the fire—know that light to be Mine. 

13. Entering the earth with My energy, I support all beings, and I nourish all the herbs, becoming the watery moon. 

14. Abiding in the body of living beings as the fire Vaishvânara, I, associated with Prâna and Apâna, digest the fourfold food. 

15. I am centred in the hearts of all; memory and perception as well as their loss come from Me. I am verily that which has to be known by all the Vedas, I indeed am the Author of the Vedânta, and the Knower of the Veda am I. 

16. There are two Purushas in the world—the Perishable and the Imperishable. All beings are the Perishable; and the Kutastha is called Imperishable. 

17. But there is another, the Supreme Purusha, called the Highest Self, the immutable Lord, who pervading the three worlds, sustains them. 

18. As I transcend the Perishable and am above even the Imperishable, therefore am I in the world and in the Veda celebrated as the Purushottama, the Highest Purusha. 

19. He who free from delusion thus knows Me, the Highest Spirit, he knowing all, worships Me with all his heart, O descendant of Bharata. 

20. Thus, O sinless one, has this most profound teaching been imparted by Me. Knowing this one attains the highest intelligence and will have accomplished all one's duties, O descendant of Bharata. 

—Bhagavad Gita, 15:11-20

#bhagavad gita #hinduism #philosophy

[blessed1neha]

Does devotion to Vishnu mean letting go of our materialistic dreams and job and chanting his name?

Definitely not, because Shri Krshna Himself told Arjuna, in the Bhagavat Geeta, that one must perform Karma Yoga, with the intention of bhakti and attaining Paramaatma within one’s mind. One must be fully devoted to Bhagavaan and perform their prescribed duties as well.

Without performing karma, we cannot even survive or maintain our physical bodies!

(Shri Krshna said): “You should thus perform your prescribed duties, since action is superior to inaction. By ceasing activity, even your bodily maintenance will not be possible. Work must be done as a yajna to the Supreme Lord; otherwise, work causes bondage in this material world. Therefore, O son of Kunti, for the satisfaction of God, perform your prescribed duties, without being attached to the results.”

—Bhagavat Geeta, Adhyaaya 3, Shlokas 8 and 9

Further, in the fifth Adhyaaya, Krshna mentions that non-action is superior to performing actions. This may sound contradictory, but in his Bhagavat Geeta bhaashya, Shripaada Madhvacharya mentions that “sanyaasa” and “non-action” do not refer to becoming a monk and renouncing our job, family life, etc. It refers to being unattached to the results of our work and not being entangled in materialism. Even a monk must perform some karma in order to survive!

All our karma must be performed to please Bhagavaan and we must keep Him in mind always, even while performing our material duties.

For those who are completely engrossed in Bhagavaan, the offering is Brahman, the ladle with which it is offered is Brahman, the act of Yajna is Brahman, and the fire is also Brahman. Such persons can easily attain Him.

—Bhagavat Geeta, Adhyaaya 4, Shloka 24

Mahaaraaja Janaka, one of the most ideal Karma Yogi and bhakta too, has been said to have achieved the highest destination through Karma Yoga itself. Shripaada Madhvacharya explains in his Bhagavat Geeta bhaashya, Adhyaaya 3, Shloka 3:

There exist two types of men - those who renounce the ordained actions for family life and abide solely in wisdom like Sanaka, referred to as saankhyaanaam or those who though live the temporal life, yet abide in wisdom like Janaka, referred to as yoginaam (among the Yogis).

Therefore, Janaka Mahaaraaja is said to be the ideal devotee and Karma Yogi.

(Shri Krshna said): “By performing their prescribed duties, King Janaka and the others attained perfection. You should also perform your duties to set an example for the good of the world. Whatever actions great persons perform, common people follow. Whatever standards they set, all the world pursues.”

—Bhagavat Geeta, Adhyaaya 3, Shloka 20

To conclude, I would like to share the following quotation of Shripaada Madhvacharya, from the Padma Puraana:

तच्चोक्तम्- देवादीनामादिराज्ञां महोद्योगेपि नो मनः । विष्णोश्चलति तद्भोगोप्यतीव हरितोष(णम्)णः'' ॥ इति पाद्मे ॥४ ॥

“The Devas and many well known kings and princes, even though were ever engaged in karma, did not have their minds wavering from Shri Vishnu. Therefore even when they were engaged in material pleasures, Shri Vishnu was pleased,” thus, is stated in the Padma Puraana.

—Bhagavat Geeta Taatparya Nirnaya, Adhyaaya 3, Shloka 4

In the Bhaagavata Puraana, we can observe the story of Prajaapati Daksha’s son, who wished to renounce the kingdom, but was forced to rule it, due to the death of his brother. At that time, Devarshi Naarada instructed him to stay renounced from material life and simultaneously follow it — through engaging his mind in Vishnu bhakti and offering all his actions to Bhagavaan!

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