To help others you must first perfect yourself, and to
perfect yourself you first have to cut these three ties: obeying important people, getting entangled in futile attempts to help others, and listening to what people say.
Trying to gratify important people only leads to emotional upheavals. Trying to help people with the things of this life only fuels the fires of samsara. At best, whatever satisfaction you may bring about in these ways will only be temporary; it won't help anyone at the moment of death.
These, in fact, are mistaken notions of compassion. True compassion is to establish beings in the deathless bliss of perfect Buddhahood."
~ Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche ~
Dieties Energies Names of Energies in Tantra
Kali is the Goddess of time, change, and destruction. She is the energy current inside of you that is wild, empowered and all loving. This energy is deeply involved in the life/death / life cycle to keep you growing and transforming, as does the rich practice of yoga.
The Dark Mother in all her love and ferocity will guide you through transformation by dissolving all forms and time. She will tear things up to help you see what is needing to die inside of you, such as self limiting beliefs or attachments to the past that prevent you from moving forward. These deaths then create a fertile field for growth and creation of the new.
She’s the darkness most of us fear. She is fierce. She is loving. She will transform you.
Kali is not an energy to invoke lightly but from personal experience, I can say she will make changes in your life where they are needed. Examples of how she transformed me were the following:
Destroying lifelong beliefs that my voice is not worthy or valuable
Dissolving intense bondages guarding me against vulnerability and authenticity
Opened me up to find a deep, meaningful love for myself
Transformed my habit of living in fantasy and instead helped me find a true love rooted in truth and reality
The courage to follow my dreams and run a yoga studio and yoga school in a far away, magical land
Not bad! My life has been completely transformed but don’t think for a second it was easy. Who I was even 1 year ago is completely different to who I am now and the person I was for so many years was hard to let go of. My life as I knew it completely changed and the pain that came with it was intense. So make no mistake, it’s not as if I named my studio after her, meditated on her a few times and that’s it. It took much more work than that!
Here are some reasons why you would invoke her:
Dissolving limiting beliefs
Self empowerment
Facing fears
Releasing egoic constructs/beliefs
Changing perspective on life and death
Liberating yourself from old attachments
Invite the wild, divine feminine into your life
Ways to invoke Kali:
Meditation - visualise her image and see what arises
Self reflection - ask yourself questions like, where are you suppressing your wild, feminine self? Or, is there somewhere in your life you are playing “nice” instead of expressing a more truthful, angry, enraged self?
Asana - Take goddess squat and let out several primal roars from the belly
Offer your negative beliefs to Kali. Visualise bowing down to her and offering her your limiting beliefs for her to destroy.
Journal with Kali - ask her the following questions: What do you have to teach me? How do you express yourself in my life? How are you suppressed? What do you think needs destroying in my life?
Remember, Kali is not an energy to take lightly but she is loving. If you are ready to come alive, wake up and live your life fully, She is a necessary force to guide you there.
Kali Tantric Collective
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It's interesting to think about the terms Right Hand Path and Left Hand Path in application to the Hindu Tantra from which these terms were adapted. The source terms for them are the terms "Dakshinachara" and "Vamachara", but these terms themselves have multiple meanings. They can each refer to different collections of Tantric sects who each had different practices but nonetheless the same goal, or they could refer specifically to different modes of worshipping Shakti, or they could even just be words for referring to "good" personal conduct (as "dakshinachara" does in the Mahabharata) versus "bad" personal conduct (as "vamachara" does in Pancaratra).
Dancing with the flames
As I gaze into the flames, I am mesmerized by their dance, mirroring the celestial stars above. Within their fiery embrace, I embark on a journey of transformation, feeling the heat and intensity rise between my thighs. My womb, the sacred vessel, readies itself to bring forth the next version of womanhood I am destined to embody.In the flickering glow, I witness the past dissipate into ashes, carrying away the remnants of who I once was. The flames consume the layers that no longer serve me, purifying my being and leaving space for the emergence of a new self. With each dance of the flames, I embrace the rebirth that awaits, embracing the wisdom and strength forged through the alchemy of the fire.In this sacred moment, I honor the cycle of destruction and creation, allowing the flames to guide me towards my true essence. Through their illumination, I embrace the transformation that unfolds within me, knowing that from the ashes of the past, a phoenix shall rise—a woman reborn, embodying her authentic power and grace.
DeviMEA Art & Chillosophy
Stoicism and Buddhism: A Comparative Analysis
Attraction to those close to you catches you in its currents; Aversion to those who oppose you burns inside; Indifference that ignores what needs to be done is a black hole. Leave your homeland — this is the practice of a Bodhisattva.
Cato hated excess. He hated finery. He hated luxury. He thought to indulge such things was weakness and stupidity. And so what did Cato think of his brother who was far less strict about these things? He loved him. In fact, he worshiped him.
It’s important to remember: The Stoic has strict standards. We have strong opinions on what’s right and what isn’t. But…and this is a big but…we have to be understanding and forgiving of those who have been, as Marcus Aurelius writes, cut off from truth.
Stoicism and Buddhism are two ancient philosophical nd spiritual traditions that have captivated the minds of countless individuals over centuries. While they have distinct cultural origins and historical backgrounds, a closer examination reveals intriguing similarities and differences in their core principles and approaches to life. In this essay, we will explore these two philosophies and shed light on their fundamental ideas, ultimately highlighting the common ground and disparities that define them.
**Stoicism:**
Stoicism, originating in ancient Greece, is a philosophy founded by Zeno of Citium around 300 BCE. It places a significant emphasis on rationality and virtue as the means to attain a tranquil and content life. Several fundamental tenets characterize Stoicism:
1. **Virtue as the Highest Good:** Stoics believe that the highest good is living in accordance with virtue. The four cardinal virtues of wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance are essential in guiding human actions.
2. **Acceptance of What Is Beyond Control:** A core Stoic teaching is the acceptance of things that are beyond one's control. Stoics argue that inner peace is achieved by recognizing and accepting that external events are beyond one's power, while one can control their own thoughts and actions.
3. **Emotional Resilience:** Stoics advocate for emotional resilience through reason and self-discipline. They view destructive emotions, such as anger and fear, as hindrances to a tranquil life and emphasize the importance of maintaining emotional equilibrium.
4. **Detachment from Material Possessions:** Stoicism encourages individuals to detach themselves from material possessions and not be attached to external outcomes or circumstances.
5. **Compassion and Justice:** While Stoics maintain strict standards and opinions about what is right, they also promote the development of a rational and compassionate attitude towards others, placing a strong emphasis on justice and fairness.
**Buddhism:**
Buddhism, founded by Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, in ancient India, is both a spiritual and moral philosophy that aims to address the problem of suffering and guide individuals toward enlightenment and liberation from suffering. Buddhism's key principles include:
1. **The Four Noble Truths:** Central to Buddhism is the recognition of suffering as an inherent aspect of human existence. The Four Noble Truths acknowledge the existence of suffering, identify its cause as attachment and desire, propose the possibility of cessation, and outline the Eightfold Path as the means to achieve liberation from suffering.
2. **Detachment from Desires:** Buddhism places a strong emphasis on detachment from desires and attachments as the primary source of suffering. By letting go of attachment to material possessions and craving, individuals can attain a state of equanimity.
3. **Mindfulness and Meditation:** Buddhism teaches the practice of mindfulness and meditation as essential tools for gaining insight into one's own mind and emotions. These practices help individuals transcend attachment to emotions and desires.
4. **Compassion and Loving-Kindness:** Buddhism promotes compassion (karuna) and loving-kindness (metta) as crucial virtues, encouraging the alleviation of suffering not only in oneself but also in all sentient beings.
5. **Karma and Rebirth:** Buddhism emphasizes the concept of karma, which suggests that one's actions have consequences. While Stoicism focuses on the present moment, Buddhism is concerned with the accumulation of good or bad karma, leading to different states of existence in the cycle of birth and death (samsara).
**Comparative Analysis:**
Both Stoicism and Buddhism share some fundamental principles despite their differing cultural origins. Notable points of comparison include:
1. **Emotional Control:** Both philosophies advocate for control over one's emotions. Stoics aim for emotional resilience through reason and self-discipline, while Buddhism teaches mindfulness and meditation to gain insight into and transcend emotions.
2. **Detachment:** Both philosophies emphasize detachment, whether from material possessions (Stoicism) or desires and attachments (Buddhism) as a means to find inner peace.
3. **Compassion:** While Stoics emphasize rational and compassionate attitudes toward others, Buddhism places significant importance on compassion and loving-kindness as virtues to alleviate suffering.
4. **Acceptance:** Stoicism teaches the acceptance of things beyond one's control, whereas Buddhism extends this idea to include the acceptance of the impermanence of all things.
However, they also differ in key ways:
1. **Virtue vs. Enlightenment:** Stoicism centers on the pursuit of virtue and living in accordance with it, while Buddhism is primarily concerned with attaining enlightenment and liberation from the cycle of suffering.
2. **Karma and Rebirth:** Buddhism incorporates the concepts of karma and rebirth, which Stoicism does not address.
3. **The Role of Desire:** Stoicism acknowledges the importance of controlling desires, while Buddhism posits that desires are the root cause of suffering.
**Conclusion:**
In conclusion, Stoicism and Buddhism are two profound philosophical and spiritual traditions that offer valuable insights into human existence, the pursuit of inner peace, and the cultivation of virtues. While they have distinct philosophical and cultural backgrounds, their shared emphasis on emotional control, detachment, and compassion reveals common threads in their teachings. By understanding and appreciating the principles of both Stoicism and Buddhism, individuals can draw upon a broader range of wisdom to navigate the complexities of life, seeking personal growth, self-awareness, and a path toward a more fulfilling and meaningful existence. These philosophies continue to inspire and guide individuals in their quest for a balanced and harmonious life.
Controversy
The Controversy of Symbolism in Tibetan Buddhism: Misunderstandings and True Interpretations
The profound symbolism and imagery in Tibetan Buddhism have often been a source of misunderstanding and controversy, particularly in the context of the union of wisdom and bliss, symbolized by Father (compassion) and Mother (wisdom) in intimate union. This controversy has historical roots, with early Western explorers, including British ones, misinterpreting these symbols and, in some cases, branding Tibetans as primitive or even demon-worshipers. However, a more nuanced understanding of these symbols and their true meaning reveals a deeper and more profound aspect of Tibetan Buddhism.
Historical Misunderstandings:
As little as a few decades ago, Western explorers and visitors to Tibetan Buddhist temples were shocked by the imagery and symbolism they encountered. The intimate union of Father (compassion) and Mother (wisdom) was often misinterpreted as sexual or lustful, leading to hasty judgments about Tibetan culture and spirituality. These misinterpretations resulted from a lack of cultural context and a superficial understanding of Tibetan Buddhism.
Western Perceptions:
Early Western perceptions of Tibetan Buddhism were influenced by these misinterpretations. Tibetans were often seen as primitive or shamanistic, which created a skewed image of their spirituality. It wasn't until the 1970s that a growing group of Western students and practitioners began to delve deeper into Tibetan Buddhism, seeking a more authentic understanding of its teachings and symbolism.
Attachment to Labels and Symbolism:
The controversy surrounding the symbolism in Tibetan Buddhism underscores the importance of understanding the concept of attachment to labels. The heart of Buddha's teachings on the Eightfold Path revolves around transcending attachments and delusions. Tibetan Buddhist teachers recognized the limitations of words in conveying profound truths and instead used visual symbols to represent these concepts.
True Interpretations:
The union of Father (compassion) and Mother (wisdom) in Tibetan Buddhism represents a deeply spiritual and symbolic concept. It symbolizes the harmonious integration of compassion and wisdom, with the male (compassion) and female (wisdom) aspects balancing and complementing each other. This union is not about physical intimacy but rather a representation of the union of essential qualities for spiritual enlightenment.
Furthermore, the symbolism of union in Tibetan Buddhism extends to skilful means (male) and insight (female) as well as relative truth (male) and ultimate truth (female). These symbols illustrate the interplay and integration of complementary qualities and aspects on the path to enlightenment.
In conclusion, the controversy surrounding the symbolism in Tibetan Buddhism highlights the challenges of cross-cultural interpretation and the importance of looking beyond surface appearances. The true view of these symbols emphasizes their spiritual and philosophical significance, rather than superficial, misinformed judgments. The union of Father and Mother in Tibetan Buddhism is a symbol of the profound balance between compassion and wisdom, and it serves as a reminder that understanding cultural and spiritual symbols requires a deep and open-minded approach.
Mahayana Pilgrim
How Are Mandalas Used in Tantric
Buddhism?
In Vajrayana (Tantric) Buddhism, a mandala represents a sacred space and a visualization tool for meditation. The word "mandala" comes from the Sanskrit word for "circle" and it refers to a circular diagram that represents the universe or a particular deity.
A mandala typically consists of a central deity or symbol surrounded by other deities, symbols, and geometric shapes arranged in a circular pattern. The deities and symbols represent different aspects of the enlightened mind, and the overall pattern represents the interconnectedness of all phenomena.
In Vajrayana Buddhism, the mandala is used as a meditation aid to help the practitioner focus their mind and visualize the enlightened state. By meditating on the mandala, the practitioner can gradually transform their perception of the world and develop a deeper understanding of the nature of reality.
Mandalas are also used in ritual practices, where they serve as a representation of the enlightened realm and as a means of offering prayers and making offerings to the deities. Mandalas may be constructed using materials such as sand, colored grains, or even precious stones, and are often created and then destroyed as part of the ritual practice, symbolizing the impermanence of all phenomena.
Overall, the mandala represents a powerful tool for spiritual transformation and realization in Vajrayana Buddhism.
**** Mantra knowledge from the Lazy Yogi
I always share and have shared my l9ve for Mantras, as they are sound and frequencies going through your body as you say them. I have one on ones practicing Mantras, doing sound filled tantric meditations
(Visit here if interested
Now onto a lil lazy yogi
A mantra is made from seed sounds. Each seed embodies a fundamental aspect of reality--not represents but embodies. Think of this as if universal dharma were to be filtered through synesthesia and then expressed as the vibrations that most of us then perceive as sounds.
We truly have no idea how far back the human use of mantras goes. I suspect it is tied into the origins of language.
There are a number of ways in which mantras can be used and I have benefited from several techniques, both tantric and non-tantric. It is worth noting that the use of mantra is a key defining feature of tantra.
Japa Dharana
Focusing on a mantra was the first form of meditation I ever practiced. It was also the first form of meditation that caused unexpected and permanent shifts in me.
Japa means repetition/utterance and dharana means concentration. Therefore japa dharana means focus or concentration on a repeated mantra.
All forms of meditation have dharana, in other words focus or attention. Some forms of meditation have you focus on a mantra, other forms have you focus on the breath.
This is a good way to learn how to overcome the momentum of the mind's continual chattering, reacting, daydreaming, etc. It would be difficult to just sit down and focus on silent awareness, especially if you've never consciously experienced silent awareness. As such, using a point of focus provides a support for your meditation.
I will often recommend this practice to beginners but it can benefit practitioners at all stages of their path.
Deity Yoga
Now we enter the realm of tantra. For japa dharana, you can use any mantra that you find appealing. The technique is that the mantra is a support for the focus of your attention. With tantric forms of practice, however, the various mantras will have specific purposes or layers of effects.
When it comes to deity yoga, the mantra is the deity. Everything that comprises the deity is embedded in the mantra and the mantra itself can embed the deity--whether that means embedding in your heart or in a statue of the deity or in an offering.
Deity yoga is often credited as an exclusively tantric practice but you will find examples of it within bhakti (devotional) based spiritual traditions as well.
The purpose of deity yoga is manifold. For bhakti yoga, it means to lose yourself in a form of the divine and therefore find yourself as divinity. For tantra, it means to become the deity in order to receive its wisdom.
For example, maybe we aren't the most compassionate person. Maybe we find compassion very difficult to feel or understand. But Avalokiteshvara the bodhisattva of compassion is the living personification of compassion itself.
Therefore we can undertake a deity yoga practice in which we dissolve and arise as Avalokiteshvara. Then as Avalokiteshvara, we do compassion meditation practices. At the end of the practice, Avalokiteshvara dissolves back into our mindstream and we return to our human form.
While this practice utilizes visualization, it is the use of Avalokiteshvara's mantra that facilitates connection with his blessings, or influence.
In most ways that it is taught within Buddhist Tantra, deity yoga emphasizes that the deities do not exist outside of our own mindstream. The deities are archetypal facets of enlightened wisdom and/or activity. This is why the practice works at all: it helps you to discover, cultivate, and integrate those enlightened aspects.
Guru Yoga
Similar to deity yoga except with enlightened humans, either living or dead. Use of a guru's mantra along with visualizations can be applied to receive the blessings and teachings of a guru, or to meditate in their presence.
Sacred Formulae
As I mentioned from the beginning, a mantra is made from seed sounds with varying qualities. These can be used alone or combined in endless ways to create mantric formulae.
Such mantras are then used in practices and rituals. For example, nyasa is a tantric practice in which parts of the body are blessed and divinized by means of mantra. It is a ritual of placing/awakening divinity within the body.
Mantras are used in homa fire offering ceremonies, initiations, or magic rituals.
There are examples of things similar to mantras in other religions and cultures around the world, of course. But since the word "mantra" is a sanskrit word, I am speaking to my understanding and practical experience with mantras in the context of sanatana dharma and buddhist tantra.
The Lazy Yogi
Dive into the art and Chillosophy at
Ramakrishna said: "Those who seek nirvana are selfish and small-minded. They are full of fear. They are like those parcheesi players who are always eager to reach home. An amateur player, once he sends his piece home, doesn't like to bring it out again. Such players are unskilled. But an adept player is never afraid of coming out again, if by doing so he gets the opportunity to capture an opponent. Then he rolls the right number and returns home once more. It seems that whenever he rolls the dice, the right number comes up for him. So do not fear. Play without any fear."
I asked, "Does it actually happen?" The Master replied: "Of course it happens. By Mother's grace everything takes place. Mother likes people to play. Take the game of hide-and-seek. [There is a granny, there is a thief who is blindfolded, and there are children trying to escape being caught by the thief.] The granny likes to have the children run about and make the game go on. She may extend her hand to help a child so he will not be caught by the thief, if she thinks it necessary. Similarly, the Divine Mother is not really pleased with those who seek nirvana, for they want to retire from the game. She wants the game to continue. That is why devotees do not seek nirvana. They say, 'O mind, it is not good to become sugar. I want to eat sugar.'
[…] "The practice of excessive physical mortification and of harming the body in any way stems from tamas [delusion]."
[…] One of the gentlemen said: "Sir, this body is the root of all evils. If it can be destroyed, all troubles will cease."
"The raw earthen pots when broken are made into pots again," the Master said, "but the burnt ones, once broken, can never be remade. So if you destroy the body before the attainment of Self-realization, you will have to be reborn and suffer similar consequences."
"But, sir," the gentleman objected, "why does one take so much care of his body?"
The Master answered: "Those who do the work of moulding, preserve the mould with care till the image is made. When the image is ready, it does not matter whether the mould is kept or rejected. So with this body. One has to realize the Supreme Self. One has to attain Self-knowledge. After that the body may remain or go. Till then the body has to be taken care of." The gentleman was silenced.
--Ramakrishna As We Saw Him
Tantra: An Unexplored Science, Basic Meaning Explained. How Is It Connected To Bhagawan Shiva? ||
In Hinduism, there are three ways to worship any Deity-
1. The satavik way- In which we show our devotion to a deity using satvik ways like ringing the bell, offering jal, prasad etc.
2. The rajasik way- In which we show our devotion by dressing up in a specific way, using fragrance, using ratnas, some yantra etc.
3. The tamasik way- In which we show our devotion by using some specific rituals, dead bodies, animal sacrifices, sex etc.
It is common for people to misunderstand tantra, but it shouldn't come as a surprise because everyone possesses different qualities within them, namely Sato (purity), Rajo (activity), and Tamo (darkness).
Tantra provides a pathway to worship the divine through the Tamo aspect of our nature. In essence, Tantra is a science of the mind, a form of psychological exploration that aims to expand one's perception. The term 'Tantra' originates from Sanskrit and has multiple interpretations. One explanation is that it is a play on the word 'sutra,' which means 'thread' or 'formula.' If sutras represent individual threads of thought, Tantra can be likened to a loom that weaves these threads together into a comprehensive system of thoughts.
Another understanding is that Tantra combines the words 'tattva,' meaning the science of cosmic principles, and 'mantra,' referring to the science of mystical sound and vibration. In this sense, Tantra delves into the knowledge of universal principles and the use of sacred sounds for spiritual purposes.
According to Hindu beliefs, at the beginning of Satyuga, Bhagawan Shiva appeared as Swacchandanatha, possessing five mouths representing his five energies: Consciousness Bliss Will Knowledge, and Action. Through these energies, Shiva revealed the Tantras, some spoken through each of his mouths and others simultaneously recited through multiple mouths. These Tantras fall into two main categories: Dualistic and Mono-Dualistic, known respectively as "Shiva Tantra" and "Rudra Tantra."
When these five energies of Bhagawan Shiva unite in a way that each holds the others simultaneously, they give rise to 64 Bhairav Tantras, which are purely Monistic (Advaitic) in nature. The philosophical teachings expounded in these Tantras are referred to as the "Trika" philosophy or Kashmir Shaivism.
The origins of the sacred Tantras are believed to involve teachings initially given by Bhagawan Shiva to his wife, which were then passed on to human sages like Matsendranath. It is crucial to understand that Tantra does not advocate promiscuity but rather emphasizes extreme discipline. It is viewed as a technology or method to harness the energies within the body and from the surroundings.
According to Tantra, every human being with limited mental vision is spiritually ill. The true state of health is attained by transcending the constraints of time, space, and causation. The ultimate goal of Tantra is to replace the limited personality with an unlimited and permanent one, facilitating spiritual liberation and profound transformation. Indeed, the practice of Tantra is deeply rooted in the tradition of receiving Guru Diksha or initiation from a qualified spiritual teacher.
As Bhagawan Shiva emphasized in the Kularnava Tantram, all the practices advocated by Tantras, such as Yoga, Dhyana (meditation), Puja (worship), Japa (chanting), and others, are considered futile without proper initiation (adikshata). Just as seeds sown on stones fail to grow into plants, similarly, the efforts of an uninitiated person in these practices may not bear fruit. It's crucial to understand that Tantra is a profound and intricate spiritual path that goes beyond the understanding of today's science. It is not synonymous with black magic or superficial spells (tona totka). Instead, it involves a deep exploration of the mind, energy, and spiritual consciousness.
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