By Reginald A. Ray
Most of us sense that our bodies contain uncommon intelligence—we
“feel it in our bones” or notice it in our “gut instincts.” But is there
something far vaster here waiting to be experienced? With Somatic Descent, you are invited to tune into the natural wisdom of your body, refine and amplify it, and explore it fully.
In this program, pioneering
teacher Dr. Reggie Ray presents a fascinating audio program on this
rich dimension of Tibetan Buddhism: how to go beyond the veil of the
thinking mind to tap the wondrous yet wholly trustworthy domain of your
body.
Beyond Basic Mindfulness and into the Empowering Realms of the Soma
For those who've worked with basic breath and body-based meditations,
this course will be a revelation: step-by-step guidance into some of the
most transformative and powerful experiences charted by Buddhism's vast
maps of consciousness.
Drawing on decades of teaching and
scholarship, Reggie Ray shares a 13-CD curriculum of practices and
insights to access the deepest knowing enfolded in the Soma, the landscape of your physical body and the source of immediate and greatest fulfillment.
With him, you will learn: how your body is a field of infinite wisdom,
the origins of somatic descent practices and how they transform us on
both the neurological and non-physical levels, many meditations for
connecting with and embracing the Soma, and how to integrate these
profound changes into your daily life.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Your body as the field of infinite knowing
• How to explore the wisdom of the Soma
• Yin Breathing, Connecting with the Earth, and many other guided practices
• Over 13 hours of investigation into the somatic dimensions of awakening
Showing posts with label Tantra Metaphysics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tantra Metaphysics. Show all posts
Why Tantra is our Greatest Asset in Addressing Patriarchy and Creating Real Social Change
By Maya Yonika
Traditionally patriarchy has been defined as a system of society or government in which the father or eldest male is head of the family and decent is traced through the male line. Yet as woman have gained greater strength in the economic and political spheres, as well as where feminist movements have come to fruition, the defining lines of our social structure, at least in reference to gender, are clearly shifting. Yet patriarchy in essence still runs strong. Why? Read more
Tantra Illuminated
By Christopher D. Wallis
Tantra Illuminated takes the reader on a fascinating journey to the very heart of Tantra: its key teachings, foundational lineages, and transformative practices. Since the West s discovery of Tantra 100 years ago, there has been considerable fascination, speculation, and more than a little misinformation about this spiritual movement. Now, for the first time in the English language, Tantra Illuminated presents an accessible introduction to this sacred tradition that began 1,500 years ago in the far north of India. Using translations from primary Sanskrit sources and offering a profound look at spiritual practice, this book reveals Tantra s rich history and powerful teachings.....
Christopher D. Wallis (Hareesh) was introduced to Indian spirituality at the age of six and initiated into the practice of meditation and yoga at sixteen. While traveling around the world in his early twenties, he felt an inner inspiration to study, teach, and practice Indian spirituality as the focus of his life. A highly decorated scholar with a Masters of Philosophy in Classical Indian Religions from the University of Oxford, he is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Sanskrit at the University of California, Berkeley. He has received traditional yogic education at ashrams in India, Thailand, and New York. Hareesh teaches internationally on meditation, yoga philosophy, Sanskrit, and chanting, and he also offers spiritual coaching. He is the founder of the Mattamayura Institute for Studies in the Tantrik Arts and Sciences: mattamayura.org Christopher’s teaching balances accuracy with accessibility, profundity with clarity, and intellectual integrity with heart-expanding inspiration.
Tantra Illuminated takes the reader on a fascinating journey to the very heart of Tantra: its key teachings, foundational lineages, and transformative practices. Since the West s discovery of Tantra 100 years ago, there has been considerable fascination, speculation, and more than a little misinformation about this spiritual movement. Now, for the first time in the English language, Tantra Illuminated presents an accessible introduction to this sacred tradition that began 1,500 years ago in the far north of India. Using translations from primary Sanskrit sources and offering a profound look at spiritual practice, this book reveals Tantra s rich history and powerful teachings.....
Christopher D. Wallis (Hareesh) was introduced to Indian spirituality at the age of six and initiated into the practice of meditation and yoga at sixteen. While traveling around the world in his early twenties, he felt an inner inspiration to study, teach, and practice Indian spirituality as the focus of his life. A highly decorated scholar with a Masters of Philosophy in Classical Indian Religions from the University of Oxford, he is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Sanskrit at the University of California, Berkeley. He has received traditional yogic education at ashrams in India, Thailand, and New York. Hareesh teaches internationally on meditation, yoga philosophy, Sanskrit, and chanting, and he also offers spiritual coaching. He is the founder of the Mattamayura Institute for Studies in the Tantrik Arts and Sciences: mattamayura.org Christopher’s teaching balances accuracy with accessibility, profundity with clarity, and intellectual integrity with heart-expanding inspiration.
Convenient, easy and safe the Sri Lanka visa processed here to ensure 100% compliance of requirements.
How To Practice Tantra Breathing
By Acharya Subhojit Dasgupta
Article Source: EzineArticles
To learn tantra breathing, you first have to understand what the science and art of tantric breathing is all about. One can get a basic insight into it by attending a tantra for couples workshop. However, there is no substitute for studying it diligently under an accomplished tantra teacher, since tantric breathing is an integral part of the overall tantra mosaic. In fact - though it may not be immediately evident, it plays an important role in enhancing one's experience with sex and intimacy.
Essentially, tantra breathing is the diametric opposite of our normal, shallow type of respiration. A tantric breath can be perceived all the way down to the nether regions. Along the way, it ventilates and opens up every chakra, culminating with the stimulation of the chakras connected with sex.
For couples who are being initiated into tantra breathing by a tantra master, the experience can be somewhat disconcerting. In our day-to-day existence, we have learned to breathe superficially, unobtrusively and without any awareness of the process. This is all part of our instinctual desire to avoid drawing attention to ourselves.
Tantric breathing, on the other hand, is quite different. The drawing in of breath is a focused and conscious process, and is coupled with vivid visualization of what is happening. The exhalation of a tantric breath is an audible, sighing sound that has a lot in common with an orgasmic moan. In a tantra for couples setting, hearing and engaging in tantric breathing can initially be a source of discomfort to some new students. Others are okay with practicing it in a group setting, but are uncomfortable while practicing it only with their partners.
After he has helped his students overcome their initial uneasiness, the tantra master will proceed to introduce them to the next level of tantra breathing. Here, the couple engages in rhythmic tantric breathing while keeping their gazes fixed on each other. Their locked eyes must convey their desire and love for each other - each breath needs to emphatically communicate these emotions to the other. The process soon begins to stimulate their dormant sexual energy.
This awakening of the sexual core is indeed a powerful and experience. Many students of tantra are immediately seduced by it and proceed straight to sexual union.
However, your tantra teacher will caution you that the tantra energy generated by tantra breathing is meant to be harnessed and used to achieve the higher objective of sexual control. Gaining this control is what makes tantra sex the most fulfilling erotic experience you can ever have, and is a permanent and ever-appreciating gift. Squandering the energy released by tantric breathing in immediate sexual release is counter-productive and therefore discouraged by an experienced tantra teacher.
Acharya Subhojit Dasgupta is a Tantra Teacher with an in-depth knowledge of traditional Indian sciences and Sanskrit literature. Visit his tantra online guide for Tantra Lessons, kriyas and mudras from this young Tantra Master.
Essentially, tantra breathing is the diametric opposite of our normal, shallow type of respiration. A tantric breath can be perceived all the way down to the nether regions. Along the way, it ventilates and opens up every chakra, culminating with the stimulation of the chakras connected with sex.
For couples who are being initiated into tantra breathing by a tantra master, the experience can be somewhat disconcerting. In our day-to-day existence, we have learned to breathe superficially, unobtrusively and without any awareness of the process. This is all part of our instinctual desire to avoid drawing attention to ourselves.
Tantric breathing, on the other hand, is quite different. The drawing in of breath is a focused and conscious process, and is coupled with vivid visualization of what is happening. The exhalation of a tantric breath is an audible, sighing sound that has a lot in common with an orgasmic moan. In a tantra for couples setting, hearing and engaging in tantric breathing can initially be a source of discomfort to some new students. Others are okay with practicing it in a group setting, but are uncomfortable while practicing it only with their partners.
After he has helped his students overcome their initial uneasiness, the tantra master will proceed to introduce them to the next level of tantra breathing. Here, the couple engages in rhythmic tantric breathing while keeping their gazes fixed on each other. Their locked eyes must convey their desire and love for each other - each breath needs to emphatically communicate these emotions to the other. The process soon begins to stimulate their dormant sexual energy.
This awakening of the sexual core is indeed a powerful and experience. Many students of tantra are immediately seduced by it and proceed straight to sexual union.
However, your tantra teacher will caution you that the tantra energy generated by tantra breathing is meant to be harnessed and used to achieve the higher objective of sexual control. Gaining this control is what makes tantra sex the most fulfilling erotic experience you can ever have, and is a permanent and ever-appreciating gift. Squandering the energy released by tantric breathing in immediate sexual release is counter-productive and therefore discouraged by an experienced tantra teacher.
Acharya Subhojit Dasgupta is a Tantra Teacher with an in-depth knowledge of traditional Indian sciences and Sanskrit literature. Visit his tantra online guide for Tantra Lessons, kriyas and mudras from this young Tantra Master.
Article Source: EzineArticles
How To Understand And Practice Tantra Yoga
By Acharya Subhojit Dasgupta
Article source: EzineArticles.com
Tantra yoga is not a concept that has been clearly grasped by a majority of people. It is definitely not a series of sexual gymnastics, which is what the most common understanding of tantra yoga seems to be. It is difficult to describe this very important aspect of ancient tantra in laymen terms, but essentially it is a more spiritual version of kundalini yoga.
One significant difference between tantra yoga and kundalini yoga would be that the poses and techniques are usually performed by two partners who share or wish to share a deep emotional/spiritual connection. In kundalini yoga, these are performed solo, and for reasons of personal development rather than the development of a relationship or bond.
The basis of tantra yoga remains firmly rooted in the ancient Indian and Tibetan traditions. What is special about it is that, when learned and practiced under a qualified tantra master, it has the power to strengthen relationships and our connection with ourselves, each other and the universe.
It cannot be over-emphasized that tantra in any of its various manifestations does not focus solely on sex. While it does have the power to increase sexual intimacy, erotic pleasure and one's overall wellness quotient, the fundamental objective of tantra is to deepen the spiritual aspects of our relationships.
The ancient scriptures pertaining to yoga teach us that the spine is the seat of all our energy. By learning and practicing tantra yoga under the auspices of an experienced tantra teacher, you can learn how to strengthen and harness this energy and direct its flow to. Among other things, this will help you achieve your deepest sexual and spiritual objectives.
In a way, sexual intercourse could be seen as the ultimate tantra yoga technique, but it is not only about coitus. When practicing tantra yoga postures, partners maintain eye contact with each other and also maintain physical contact in many ways. In the process, they will have an opportunity to explore their own hang-ups and spiritual blockages towards that intimacy.
For instance, in the sacred embrace technique, the partners face each other without actual physical contact, practice tantra breathing with shut eyes and then open their eyes to gaze reverently and wordlessly at each other. The next step involves wrapping each other in a close embrace with the heads on each others' shoulders, staying in this pose for a prolonged moment. Invariably, most initiates will soon find themselves wishing to break the embrace.
At this point, their tantra master will train them to ask themselves what the reason for this is. These reasons are then explored and overcome with the practice of more advanced tantra yoga techniques and instructions, until the blockages are vanquished and greater intimacy is achieved.
Acharya Subhojit Dasgupta is a Tantra Teacher with an in-depth knowledge of traditional Indian sciences and Sanskrit literature. Visit his tantra online guide for Tantra Lessons, kriyas and mudras from this young Tantra Master.
One significant difference between tantra yoga and kundalini yoga would be that the poses and techniques are usually performed by two partners who share or wish to share a deep emotional/spiritual connection. In kundalini yoga, these are performed solo, and for reasons of personal development rather than the development of a relationship or bond.
The basis of tantra yoga remains firmly rooted in the ancient Indian and Tibetan traditions. What is special about it is that, when learned and practiced under a qualified tantra master, it has the power to strengthen relationships and our connection with ourselves, each other and the universe.
It cannot be over-emphasized that tantra in any of its various manifestations does not focus solely on sex. While it does have the power to increase sexual intimacy, erotic pleasure and one's overall wellness quotient, the fundamental objective of tantra is to deepen the spiritual aspects of our relationships.
The ancient scriptures pertaining to yoga teach us that the spine is the seat of all our energy. By learning and practicing tantra yoga under the auspices of an experienced tantra teacher, you can learn how to strengthen and harness this energy and direct its flow to. Among other things, this will help you achieve your deepest sexual and spiritual objectives.
In a way, sexual intercourse could be seen as the ultimate tantra yoga technique, but it is not only about coitus. When practicing tantra yoga postures, partners maintain eye contact with each other and also maintain physical contact in many ways. In the process, they will have an opportunity to explore their own hang-ups and spiritual blockages towards that intimacy.
For instance, in the sacred embrace technique, the partners face each other without actual physical contact, practice tantra breathing with shut eyes and then open their eyes to gaze reverently and wordlessly at each other. The next step involves wrapping each other in a close embrace with the heads on each others' shoulders, staying in this pose for a prolonged moment. Invariably, most initiates will soon find themselves wishing to break the embrace.
At this point, their tantra master will train them to ask themselves what the reason for this is. These reasons are then explored and overcome with the practice of more advanced tantra yoga techniques and instructions, until the blockages are vanquished and greater intimacy is achieved.
Acharya Subhojit Dasgupta is a Tantra Teacher with an in-depth knowledge of traditional Indian sciences and Sanskrit literature. Visit his tantra online guide for Tantra Lessons, kriyas and mudras from this young Tantra Master.
Article source: EzineArticles.com
Pilgrims to Openness: Direct Realization Tantra in Everyday Life
Many of the essays were written in response to questions from students to the author. "Do I need a Guru?" "What is suffering?" "Why am I doing spiritual practice?" These, along with topics such as "What is nonduality?", are offered in a lucid, gutsy and often humorous style. No subject is off limits, from difficult emotions, such as loneliness, to love relationships, death, kundalini, chakras, boredom, and how to wake up in the morning and for all time. The final pages offer detailed instructions for three key practices. Click here for more information or to order.
Shambhavi Sarasvati has trained for more than twenty years in the view and practices of direct realization Tantra Kashmir Shaivism. She is fortunate to have studied with several great teachers in both Indian and Tibetan nondual traditions. Born in the U.S., she offers teachings for contemporary people that are still uncompromisingly true to their origins. Her non-mystical view is that Tantra is a way to learn about and live in the fullness of Reality. This is Self-realization. Nothing more or less.
The Book of Secrets: 112 Keys to the Mystery Within
The book is perhaps the first in acknowledging a woman's status as an independent inquirer. Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva, asks him some of the most quintessential questions for unraveling the secrets of how meditation can bring about a complete mutation in human consciousness. Sex being the strongest desire there is, Shiva explains how the way of Tantra helps in understanding this desire and transcending it. Osho's insight is: "Tantra says, be aware of the desire; do not create any fight. Move into desire with full consciousness, and when you move into desire with full consciousness you transcend it."
Osho has provided an in-depth understanding of the differences between sex and Tantra, Tantra and Yoga, the views about sex in the East and the West, male and female polarity and how both can become mutually nourishing.
The core message of this incredible text on meditation is that, sex is essentially a mystery, it is a creative energy manifested in the entire universe. Tantra is helpful in the understanding of this energy and showing how to live a healthy and natural life with love and awareness. Osho's observation is: "...the days of tantra are coming. Sooner or later tantra will explode for the first time in the masses, because for the first time the time is ripe -- ripe to take sex naturally. It is possible that the explosion may come from the West, because Freud, Jung, Reich they have prepared the background. They did not know anything about tantra, but they have made the basic !ground for tantra to evolve." Click here for more information or to order.
Yoga Spandakarika: The Sacred Texts at the Origins of Tantra
Sexual Liberation, Tantra, & Sacred Activism
Tantra With Your Clothes On
By Tanja Diamond
Tantra is like the black sheep of the family, she's a really misunderstood being. Especially here in the west where we have bastardized the word to mean anything we want, but generally related to sex workers, or a type of erotic massage, or endless physical orgasm.
Tantra is a life philosophy, a school of thought, an intimate experience of your own body, soul and the universe. It is a solo practice especially at the start, and it is not a casual undertaking.
My definition of the concept of Tantra is: "Tantra is the ultimate love affair with yourself and all of your existence. In the process of igniting your internal flame, you come to experience all ordinary moments as extraordinary experiences. Immersed in that experience, you realize that you are the divine, there is nothing else to need or want, but that moment."
Only 3 percent of Tantra is even related to sex. Yes, you say, but sex is the part you want to learn about.
Well here's the thing. You can not have a truly spiritual sexual relationship with another until you have a truly spiritual life with yourself and others with your clothes on.
Most people are just plain getting it backwards.
Trying to be a master lover with technique alone is like being a mute singer. You may be able to form the muscles to make the sound, but no sound will be heard.
Most of Tantra is practiced with your clothes on. Even the extremely deep love making to another's soul can be accomplished without being naked. That's the beauty of learning Tantra, once you learn to utilize its principles you can do magick.
The endless orgasm and living in arousal that Tantra is famous for is really misinterpreted to be a physical response in the genitals when in actuality it is a full body, soul and divine ( God) experience.
Living In full arousal is experiencing living in the fullest expression you have as a human. It would be a sad thing for such an enormous expression to be so limited to only your crotch. That would be like the ocean only having one color, or a song with only one note.
Living in a state of full expression as a human is done by being dynamic, in all aspects of your range of emotional feelings and physical sensations. It has little to do with your head (simply a state of logic) or just pleasure in your lower body. Full body integration is a tough thing to understand in a world where we are so compartmentalized.
Our bodies, feelings, and souls are out of balance, and most people are leading with only one major expression at a time.
For example, every one knows that person with the soft touch. They tend to "fall in love" easily and never say no to anyone who needs help. They usually end up acting like a martyr because they are so out of balance. Then there is the cerebral person, who seems to posses no feelings, and makes all their decisions from logic. Usually this person seems cold and not very romantic (no heart), frequently they will have anger lurking beneath the surface from repressed emotions, once again out of balance.
The art of Tantra is way to rebalance the body, mind and soul. It is an exploration of self, and an opening to all the wonders that are in and outside of us, a way to connect fully with the universe.
Starting with the self you will learn to tune into your feelings, and physical sensations, learning to expand your capacity for both of these. Most of you are living a 2 on a scale to infinity in the amount of pleasure you can feel, both emotionally and physically.
Once you learn to expand in self you can start to look around with new wonder at all the things you have not noticed before. It is as if you are awakening to a new life, and new way of being, and you are.
Then once open to this path you will find you will not want to go back. You will want more and more of the full expression you are capable of.
From here you can start to experience the potential of loving in an entirely new way, physically and emotionally. Now all the techniques you know for love making are merely extension of your soul instead of physical manipulation. Just gazing at your lover with your clothes on will be more magnificent than any physical act you created before, ever was.
And that's just the tip of the ice berg of the art form of Tantra.
"Tanja Diamond The Tantra Teacher" is an international Sexual Intimacy Expert who's mission is to teach people how to love each other better. Visit her site for a free ebook and Mp3 LearningTantra.com.
Tantra is a life philosophy, a school of thought, an intimate experience of your own body, soul and the universe. It is a solo practice especially at the start, and it is not a casual undertaking.
My definition of the concept of Tantra is: "Tantra is the ultimate love affair with yourself and all of your existence. In the process of igniting your internal flame, you come to experience all ordinary moments as extraordinary experiences. Immersed in that experience, you realize that you are the divine, there is nothing else to need or want, but that moment."
Only 3 percent of Tantra is even related to sex. Yes, you say, but sex is the part you want to learn about.
Well here's the thing. You can not have a truly spiritual sexual relationship with another until you have a truly spiritual life with yourself and others with your clothes on.
Most people are just plain getting it backwards.
Trying to be a master lover with technique alone is like being a mute singer. You may be able to form the muscles to make the sound, but no sound will be heard.
Most of Tantra is practiced with your clothes on. Even the extremely deep love making to another's soul can be accomplished without being naked. That's the beauty of learning Tantra, once you learn to utilize its principles you can do magick.
The endless orgasm and living in arousal that Tantra is famous for is really misinterpreted to be a physical response in the genitals when in actuality it is a full body, soul and divine ( God) experience.
Living In full arousal is experiencing living in the fullest expression you have as a human. It would be a sad thing for such an enormous expression to be so limited to only your crotch. That would be like the ocean only having one color, or a song with only one note.
Living in a state of full expression as a human is done by being dynamic, in all aspects of your range of emotional feelings and physical sensations. It has little to do with your head (simply a state of logic) or just pleasure in your lower body. Full body integration is a tough thing to understand in a world where we are so compartmentalized.
Our bodies, feelings, and souls are out of balance, and most people are leading with only one major expression at a time.
For example, every one knows that person with the soft touch. They tend to "fall in love" easily and never say no to anyone who needs help. They usually end up acting like a martyr because they are so out of balance. Then there is the cerebral person, who seems to posses no feelings, and makes all their decisions from logic. Usually this person seems cold and not very romantic (no heart), frequently they will have anger lurking beneath the surface from repressed emotions, once again out of balance.
The art of Tantra is way to rebalance the body, mind and soul. It is an exploration of self, and an opening to all the wonders that are in and outside of us, a way to connect fully with the universe.
Starting with the self you will learn to tune into your feelings, and physical sensations, learning to expand your capacity for both of these. Most of you are living a 2 on a scale to infinity in the amount of pleasure you can feel, both emotionally and physically.
Once you learn to expand in self you can start to look around with new wonder at all the things you have not noticed before. It is as if you are awakening to a new life, and new way of being, and you are.
Then once open to this path you will find you will not want to go back. You will want more and more of the full expression you are capable of.
From here you can start to experience the potential of loving in an entirely new way, physically and emotionally. Now all the techniques you know for love making are merely extension of your soul instead of physical manipulation. Just gazing at your lover with your clothes on will be more magnificent than any physical act you created before, ever was.
And that's just the tip of the ice berg of the art form of Tantra.
"Tanja Diamond The Tantra Teacher" is an international Sexual Intimacy Expert who's mission is to teach people how to love each other better. Visit her site for a free ebook and Mp3 LearningTantra.com.
Renowned Goddess of Desire: Women, Sex, and Speech in Tantra
Although some today extol Tantra's liberating qualities, the role of women remains controversial. Traditionally there are two views of women and Tantra. Either the feminine is a metaphor and actual women are altogether absent, or Tantra involves the transgressive use of women's bodies to serve male interests. Loriliai Biernacki presents an alternative view, in which women are revered, worshipped, and considered worthy of spiritual attainment. Her primary sources are a collection of eight relatively modern Tantric texts written in Sanskrit from the 15th through the 18th century. Her analysis of these texts reveals a view of women that is generally positive and empowering. She focuses on four topics: 1) the "Kali Practice," in which women appear not only as objects of reverence but as practitioners and gurus; 2) the Tantric sex rite, especially in the case that, contrary to other Tantric texts, the preference is for wives as ritual consorts; 3) feminine language and the gendered implications of mantra; and 4) images of male violence towards women in tantric myths. Biernacki, by choosing to analyse eight particular Sanskrit texts, argues that within the tradition of Tantra there exists a representation of women in which the female is an authoritative, powerful, equal participant in the Tantric ritual practice.
The Generation Stage in Buddhist Tantra
You cannot do away with negativity until you recognize it, can you? Any kind of worldly intention is negative. All worldly intentions, such as hearing the teachings to obtain non-spiritual benefits, are considered negative. However negativities are expressed-through body, speech or mind-they should be eliminated.
All negativities are supported by the ten non-virtues. Of these ten non-virtues three relate to the body, four to speech, and three to the mind. The three that relate to the body are killing, stealing and adultery. The four corresponding to speech are lying, harsh speech, slander and gossip (idle words). The three of the mind are craving, ill will and incorrect view. If you don’t know how these non-virtues are accrued, you should study the teachings on cause and result.
A neutral intention is a state of dullness or lack of awareness which is devoid of positive intention. This is not necessarily a negative state, however. You just attend the teachings in a stupid state, following the way a dog follows its master, or perhaps the way that a small child follows its mother. With this attitude, you don’t really get anything out of what you are pursuing because you have no real intention or motivating force to begin with. Cultivating a positive motivation is a basic requirement to receive the teachings purely.
According to the Mahayana tradition of Buddhism, which is known as the greater spiritual pursuit, a positive motivation is the twofold intention to benefit oneself and others. This can also be expressed as having a single intention to cultivate the ten virtues, to perform all other virtuous deeds, and to achieve enlightenment, the level of ultimate realization, for the sake of benefiting oneself and others.
We call ourselves Mahayanists or practitioners of Mahayana Buddhism. Beyond that, we call ourselves dzogchen practitioners, or practitioners of atiyoga. Whatever we claim to be, whether Hinayanist, Mahayanist or dzogchen atiyoga practitioners, the main thing to remember is to develop and maintain the intention to hear and practice the teachings for the sake of oneself and all other beings.
Ngöndro, the preliminary practices that many of you perform on a daily basis, should not be thought of as mere "preliminaries." These practices begin with the Four Thoughts that Turn the Mind towards the spiritual path. These contemplations embody the essence of the Hinayana tradition of Buddhism, which is known as the lesser spiritual pursuit. The practices of refuge, bodhicitta, Vajrasattva, and mandala relate to Mahayana Buddhism, the greater pursuit, and the guruyoga practice relates to Vajrayana. All nine vehicles of Buddhism can be reduced to these three yanas, which are all practiced within the ngöndro. The ngöndro is a very profound practice that activates all three vehicles simultaneously. Because the three vehicles are all related, perhaps you can see the importance of contemplating the Four Thoughts and of cultivating compassion before you engage in Vajrayana techniques.
When Shakyamuni Buddha first gave teachings in this world of samsara, the very first thing he explained was that cyclic existence is a place of natural suffering. The realm of cyclic existence is by nature a place of suffering, turmoil and delusion. It is therefore essential that, before hearing the teachings and beginning any practice, you contemplate the Four Thoughts that Turn the Mind. Just as the Buddha chose to present these teachings before any others, similarly this is the first step in your own study of Dharma.
After considering the truth of suffering, proceed to cultivate an awareness that all other living creatures in the realms of samsara are in a state of delusion, just like yourself. All living creatures have, over the course of countless past lifetimes, been your own kind and loving parents, changing roles like players in a drama. All of these beings have brought you into the world at some time or another, and all of them, without exception, desire happiness and fulfillment. No one in this world of desire lacks the impulse toward happiness. They desire happiness; yet all the while, they create the causes for more suffering. What they desire and their actions of body, speech and mind are in direct opposition, but this irony remains unnoticed. In this way, like blind people, beings in samsara remain in bewilderment.
The Dalai Lamas on Tantra
The Lion's Roar: An Introduction to Tantra
The Perfect Matrimony: The Door to Enter into Initiation / Tantra and Sexual Alchemy Unveiled
"We have written this book with broad clarity; we have unveiled what was veiled. Now, whosoever wants to Self-realize in depth can rightly do so. Behold, here is the guide, here is the complete teaching. In this book we have lifted the veil of the Christic Mysteries. We have explained what the Christ-principle is. We have invited all human beings to follow the Path of the Perfect Matrimony in order to attain Christification." (Samael Aun Weor)
The Tantra Experience: Discourses on the Royal Song of Saraha
Sex, The Secret Gate to Eden - Alchemy, Tantra, and Kabbalah
The Tantra Connection: Healing Through Cosmic Interface
Monika Müller, originally German, has lived in Greece and in Mexico, and is now based in Montreal. In 1979, after completing her studies and having started a career as an adult educator in Germany, a serious intestinal ailment ravaged her colon to the point that even the specialists in Munich were astonished that she was still alive. At this threshold, rather than giving in to the fear of death, she chose to put into action what had already evolved as a concept within her work as an adult educator. As intertwined as they had been, she left her fears and taboos behind and took full responsibility for her decisions. This not only allowed her to heal her body, it set her on an unusual life-path from which she never wants to recover. She has also traveled extensively in Central and South America as well as Asia. During this period, Monika spent almost a year in solitude in the jungle. In 1984 she developed a healing technique based on the conscious use of Bio-Cosmo-Energy, a way of healing which is built on shamanic and tantric knowledge.
Tantra: The Cult of Ecstasy
Yoga, Bhoga and Ardhanariswara: Individuality, Wellbeing and Gender in Tantra
Using his personal praxis to inform his research, the author examines three core themes tantra: a ‘holonic’/mandalic individuality that conduces to the mystical experience; a positive valorisation of pleasure and play; and cultural attitudes of gender-mutuality and -complementarity as neatly encapsulated in the icon of Shiva as Ardhanariswara. This analysis —as captured by the tantric mandalas of deities in intimate union who vividly enact the three themes — leads to his compelling metathesis, that of tantra serving as a permanent counterculture within Indic civilisation.
This book should be of interest to those in anthropology, South Asian studies, religious studies, gender studies, psychology, and philosophy, as also the general reader.
Prem Saran is currently Commissioner of the Department of Science and Technology in the Assam State Government. He joined the IAS in 1978 and has since been working in the Assam cadre. Having taken initiation into a traditional tantric cult in 1981, he first obtained an MA in South Asian Studies from the University of Pennsylvania. He then completed another MA and a Ph.D. in Sociocultural Anthropology at the University of California at Santa Barbara. Dr. Saran’s first book Tantra: Hedonism in Indian Culture (1994) and is currently in its fourth reprint. He is also working on another book titled Indic Play Ethic.
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