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What if practice is a lie?

Sun, 27 Aug 2006 15:19:00 GMT

Better yet, a sincere misunderstanding, begun long ago? A true intention, but crooked, not straight.
What if the truth is available freely, right now?
Do you want it?
What will you do to get it?
See how quickly the truth can be subjugated to serve some delusionary purpose?
How quickly illusionary hurdles arise between you and that?
Or is the root of the issue, this you I'm speaking too?
Is there really such a thing, as you?

posted in Full Enlightenment - 26 replies

HH Phakchok Rinpoche and the Chokling Tersar Lineage of the Great Perfection : An Introduction and 2008 Tour Notes

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 19:42:04 GMT

HH Phakchok Rinpoche and the Chokling Tersar Lineage of the Great Perfection : An Introduction and 2008 Tour Notes

Keywords: Esoteric Buddhist yoga ( buddhatantra ), Great Perfection / AtiYoga / dzogchen i.e. primordial awareness yoga, tantric Buddhist empowerment, non-sectarian tantric Buddhist practice ( Rimay ), HH Phakchok Rinpoche Tendzin Jigmey Drakpa, Orgyen Dorje Den Center ( San Francisco ), Chokling Tersar lineage ( Nyingma / Ancient School transmission of Indo-Tibetan vajrayana ).

NAMO GURU SRI PADMAKARAYE
Homage to Guru Padmasambhava.

This summer ( 2008 ) His Holiness Phakchok Rinpoche, a primary tantric Buddhist lineage holder, is on a major tour ( see below for events ), giving tantric Buddhist transmissions and teachings in the USA, Canada, and Europe. He is a younger major teacher in the Chokling Tersar tradition of Nyingma and Dzogchen ( see below ).

This lineage derives directly from Guru Padmasambhava, a most extraordinary Indian guru and a principal cofounder of the Buddhist tradition in Tibet. Today six million or more people practice teaching deriving from from Guru Padmasambhava, in for example the Tibetan traditions such as Sakya, Kagyu and Nyingma, including some millions of East Asians ( Chinese Buddhists of esoteric Buddhist lineage ).

This is a very magical, very powerful, and very yogic style of transmission, especially in terms of the inner practices. It is well supported by many independent practice lineages, of which the Chokling Tersar Foundation is an important example both in the USA and Europe. It is well established in California and Denmark, and several major teachers of this tradition give teaching tours.

This sangha ( spiritual fellowship ) is of major importance because Chokling Tersar Foundation has a translation / publishing organization called Rangjung Yeshe. This is one of the main sources worldwide for core Nyingma and dzogchen publications. I have and use quite a few Rangjung Yeshe practice and teaching texts. They are highest quality and indispensible for all Nyingma and dzogchen practitioners in particular, and broadly useful.

One of the most important books ever published for tantric Buddhists is
"Dakini Teachings", by Padmasambhava, and this is from Rangjung Yeshe.
Another key example, from the same source, is
"Light of Wisdom", by Padmasambhava and Jamgon Kongtrul.

For a general background on dzogchen, or "primordial awareness yoga", it is well worthwhile to obtain the book
"The Crystal and the Way of Light: Sutra, Tantra and Dzogchen", written by another important master of a parallel Nyingma lineage, Chogyal Namkhai Norbu. This is about the best place to start for a book introduction to the inner teachings, which is descriptive only, and not practice per se.

Esoteric Buddhist yoga ( buddhatantra ) and Great Perfection ( dzogchen awareness yoga ) depend fundamentally on transmission, and so it is necessary to see a real teacher. Without a major transmission from an authentic guru, much or most of the teaching - and all of the yoga sadhana - does not work. Therefore I take this opportunity to make an important introduction.

( Please note that I DO NOT have any authority to represent Chokling Tersar Foundation, HH Phakchok Rinpoche, or any activity associated with this line of transmission. I am simple conveying what I know in a clear and definite way, to support this lineage and those who may benefit from it. I cannot make any promises that any of what is said here, or this kind of transmission, will solve any particular problem or give any particular result. The results are very personal and individualized. )

HH Phakchok Rinpoche Tendzin Jigmey Drakpa is not yet well known to the public, but is already having a great influence in transmitting key innermost teachings of tantra and dzogchen. Therefore it is auspicious and appropriate to make known this teacher and the availability of these teachings.

The qualifications of HH Phakchok Rinpoche are vast and profound ( see below for his autobiography ). He has highest-level authorization to give primary transmissions in both the Nyingma and Kagyu lineages, and is one of the few people who has a complete cycle of Sakya School tantric empowerments.

Two years ago I received a major dzogchen empowerment from this teacher, from within the Chokling Tersar, and personally confirm that his transmission is powerful and effective, not only as a tantric blessing / psychic cleansing, but also as a functional teaching and transmission. He is very direct and engaging and extraordinarily generous in his teaching. He is here to teach core precepts, not just bestow blessings. That means actual, whole person practice.

HH Phakchok Rinpoche gave me his card at the one time I was able to attend his transmission, so he is willing to personally engage students in a longer term sense. At that time he did lay on those present the general but significant requirement to Do A Daily Tantric Buddhist Practice, which is in fact the requirement of Guru Padmasambhava.

A daily practice typically means mantra recitation, as well as upholding ethical precepts of the Mahayana and Tantra. ( See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhisattva_vows or better yet, the above book "Dakini Teachings" for teaching on outer and inner Buddhist ethics. ) A primary example of mantra discipline is Vajrasattva deity yoga, for which a short teaching is given at my tribe.net home under the Sanskrit picture for Hundred Syllable mantra.

A specific event listing for the Yangdak Heruka transmission and teaching to be given August 16, 17 & 18 follows. Orgyen Dorje Den can host at least 200 participants. This is a remarkably important group, and a "home fellowship" for me, though I have not seen them in many years. Their center teacher, Ven. Gyaltrul Rinpoche, is a great gift to the West. I have and use and recommend his books.

Basically, it is from the Eight Herukas Cycle which is associated with the Guhyagarbha Tantra, which was propagated as one of the primary practices of Guru Padmasambhava. This fully confers Vajrasattva, a key basic and continung practice, and *may* fully confer Great Perfection / Breakthrough as well ( no guarantee ).

Significant mantra teaching on the Eight Herukas is given in the remarkable book
"The Tibetan Book of the Dead: First Complete Translation (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition) (Paperback)", Publisher: Penguin Classics; Deluxe edition (January 30, 2007 ),# ISBN-10: 0143104942.

This is written in partial fulfillment of mahayana and tantric Buddhist teaching responsibilities, in support of His Holiness Phakchok Rinpoche, Orgyen Dorje Den and Ven. Gyaltrul Rinpoche, the Chokling Tersar lineage, and the benefit of as many people as possible.

Sarva mangalam! Siddhi rastu!

Acarya KT

http://www.phakchokrinpoche.org/events.htm
Events
H.H. Phakchok Rinpoche's 2008 Teaching Calendar
For more information on any of the below programs, please e-mail us at office@phakchokrinpoche.org.

San Francisco, California: Aug 15-19
Empowerments: Yangdak Heruka & Sangtik Korsum (Teaching and Advice)
Teachings: Advice and teaching on general Development Stage
Meditation Training - at Orgyen Dorje Den, Directions to Orgyen Dorje Den
Public Talks: The Great “I” (Berkeley Shambhala Center)
Great Longchenpa
E-mail: office@phakchokrinpoche.org

Toronto: August 27-Sept 1 – with H.E. Tsikey Chokling Rinpoche
Empowerment: Sangye Won
Teachings: Jewel Ornament of Liberation
Taklung Thangpa
Public Talk: The Great “I”

H.E. Tsikey Chokling Rinpoche
Empowerments: Vajrakilaya & Tara
Prosperity Vase Blessing & Tsok
Visit: Riwoche Society, riwoche.com
E-mail: pema@riwoche.com

Vancouver: September 5-7
Teaching: VajraYogini Program [ this is restricted to those who have the empowerment ]
Public Talks: The Great “I”
Meditation and Happiness
E-mail: Mara Shnay, mshnay@telus.net

Salt Springs Island: September 7-9
Empowerment: Medicine Buddha
Meditation Retreat
E-mail: Matthew, matthewphyllis@telus.net

Europe: Poland & Germany

Hamburg, Germany: Sept 20-21
Lamrim Yeshe Nyingpo (Light of Wisdom)
E-mail: Arne Schelling, arne.schellingatgmx.de

Menz, Germany: Sept 22
Public Talk on The Great “I”
E-mail: Arne Schelling, arne.schellingatgmx.de

Berlin, Germany: Sept 23-24
Life Stories of Yeshe Tsogyal and Machig Labdron
The Aspiration Prayer of Samantabhadra
E-mail: Anne Siml, annesiml@yahoo.de

Greifswald, Germany: Sept 25-27
Public Talk on Compassion
Mind Training
E-mail: Anne Siml, annesiml@yahoo.de

Rangjung Yeshe Gomde – Denmark: Sept 29-30
Lotus Essence Tantra
Heart Sutra
Questions and Answers for Meditators
Website: www.gomde.dk
E-mail: Erik Pema Kunsang, erik@gomde.dk

Warsaw, Poland: October 2-5
Kunzang Thuktig Preliminary Practice
Mind Training
E-mail: Julia E. Wahl, karmayeshetsomo@gmail.com
Mobile: +48 608 079 909

The following events will be at:
Orgyen Dorje Den
2244 Santa Clara Ave
Alameda, CA 94501
http://www.orgyendorjeden.org/
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coming this weekend, August 16, 17 & 18:
H.H. Phakchok Rinpoche, head of the Taklung Kagyu lineage and son of H.E. Chokling Rinpoche, nephew of H.E. Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, and grandson of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, is coming to the San Francisco Bay Area from August 15-19 to give teachings and empowerments. Please plan to attend and spread the word regarding these precious teachings.
See phakchokrinpoche.org.
And for biographical info: http://phakchokrinpoche.org/lineage.htm
http://phakchokrinpoche.org/historyofpresentPK.htm

HH Phakchok Rinpoche will be giving the following empowerments and teachings at ODD.
Yangdak Heruka empowerment and teachings.
August 16 from 10 am to 12 pm and 2 to 4 pm.
When asked for some brief info about Yangdak Heruka, Rinpoche, translating from a text, replied the following in a phone call:
"Yangdak Heruka is the secret heart essence practice of Mahapandita Vimalamitra & Guru Padmasambhava. As a method to repair mistakes, purify broken samaya and reverse bad karma it is greater than even Vajrasattva. According to Ratna Lingpa, it is a supreme method for yogis to fulfill the root & branch samaya of vinaya, mahayana & vajrayana precepts & it will enable the practitioner to receive the 2 siddhis and have a long life. It requires accumulated merit from past lives to meet with these teachings and through practice you will see how fast the siddhis will be received. This terma is a revelation of Chogyur Lingpa--it is a short lineage--he revealed it on Guru Rinpoche Day from a Big Boulder. It is part of the Sangtik Korsum, which is a cycle of practice which also includes Vajrasattva & Vajrakilaya." This is the first time Rinpoche is giving the Yangdak Heruka empowerment in the USA.

Teachings on Sangtik Korsum cycle of empowerments, instruction on general development stage, and meditation training:
August 17 from 10 am to 12 pm and 2 to 4 pm
August 18 from 10 am to 12 pm and 2 to 4 pm
These teachings will relate to the specific cycle, Sangtik Korsum, but will also be applicable to whatever sadhana practice one is engaging.

The suggested donation is $100 for the three days, $35/ day & $20 per session.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Orgyen Dorje Den
2244 Santa Clara Ave
Alameda, CA 94501
www.orgyendorjeden.org

From
http://www.riwoche.com/phakchok_rinpoche.html

Phakchok Rinpoche's emanation-basis is the Lord of Secrets Dharmevajra, the compiler of the teachings of the Great Secrets (Vajrayana) of all buddhas; the arhat Ananda, the foremost disciple of our teacher (Buddha Shakyamuni); Lhalung Palgyi Dorje, the direct disciple of the Second Buddha of Uddiyana (Padmasambhava); (Rechung) Dorje Drakpa, the lord of siddhas; and many others.
. . .
The reincarnation of this sublime master was the seventh Phakchok Rinpoche, Tendzin Jigmey Drakpa, born in the Year of the Iron Bird, 1981, of the seventeenth year cycle. The family he was born into is, among the six original clans, the Nangchen Tsangsar of the Khepaga line which were chiefly holders of the Barom Kagyü Dharma lineage, a family line who maintained an unbroken tradition of combining Kagyü and Nyingma.
. . .

Due to his outstanding brightness and inherent qualities from former training, he comprehended reading and writing, and when he later studied the topics of knowledge with Kungo Kalzang, Karma Urgyen Rinpoche's younger brother, he gained effortless understanding by simply hearing what was said.

Here is a description of the ripening empowerments and liberating instructions Phakchok Rinpoche has received from masters of the Sarma and Nyingma schools of all traditions:

From Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche he has received longevity empowerments, the Six Volumes of Jatsön Nyingpo, Gyachen Kadzö (of Jamgön Kongtrül).

From Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche he has received the empowerments of longevity.

From Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche he has received the empowerments for the Rinchen Terdzö, the complete empowerments and reading trans-missions for the Chokling Tersar, the Dzogchen Desum, the empowerments, reading transmissions and instructions for the Kunzang Tuktig, the empowerment of awareness-display and mind-instruction for Dzogchen, the complete empowerments and reading transmissions for the Root Volumes of Nyingtig, the Hundred Chö Empowerments, and the Namkha Gojey.

From Kyabje Taklung Shabdrung Rinpoche he has received the complete empowerments and reading transmissions of the Taklung Kagyü, and the complete empowerments and reading transmissions for the collected works and terma teachings of Jedrung Rinpoche.

From Kyabje Chobgye Trichen Rinpoche he has received the empowerments and reading transmissions for the Gyüdey Kündü.

From Sakya Dagtri Drölma Podrang he has received the complete Drubtab Kündü.

From his father, Tsikey Chokling Rinpoche, he has received the complete empowerments and reading transmissions for the Chokling Tersar.

From Dzongsar Khenchen Kunga Wangchuk he has received the reading transmission for the collected works of the Five Sakya Forefathers, the Prajñamula, Madhyamikavatara, and the 400 Verses, Sakya Pandita's Tsema Rigter, Tsema Namdrel, the Higher and Lower Abhidharma and other works.

From Kyabje Tenga Rinpoche he has received the reading transmission for the Tenngyur, the Great Collection of the Translated Treatises.

From Kyabje Penor Rinpoche he has received the complete empowerments for the Rinchen Terdzö.

From Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche he has received the complete reading transmissions for the Rinchen Terdzö.

From Arik Khenchen Petse Rinpoche he has received explanation to the Guhyagarbha Tantra and the Manjushri Nama Sangirti, as well as mind-instruction.

From Kyabje Trülshik Rinpoche he has received the complete empowerments for the Collected Works of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.

From Kyabje Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche he has received the Tögal Cycle of Khenpo Ngakchung's Hearing Lineage, as well as mind-instruction.

. . .

This was translated by Erik Pema Kunsang, at Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery, February, 2000.

www.choklingtersar.org

http://www.rangjung.com/gl/Chokling_Tersar.htm
Chokling Tersar, the New Treasures of Chokgyur Lingpa ( copyrighted )
During the ninth century, Buddhism was introduced from India into Tibet and its literature and culture has since been preserved in a way that has been unique in accuracy and truthfulness to tradition. Four decades ago, the occupation of Tibet by Communist China began an era of repression and systematic destruction of this thousand year old Buddhist culture. Shreds of this tradition reached the countries on the southern slopes of the Himalaya ranges - India, Nepal and Bhutan - in the hands of the few refugees who managed to escape alive. During the following years these areas have been the meeting-point and a forum of exchange between a large number of people from all countries of the world.

In response to the heart-wish of Kyabje Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, the Chokling Tersar Foundation was established. It is in the spirit of wishing to protect and preserve one of the important contributions to the world's cultural heritage, as well as responding to a growing demand within North America, that the members of Chokling Tersar Foundation support the foundation through donations of effort, money and prayers.

Chokling Tersar literally means the 'new treasures of Chokgyur Lingpa' and owes it name to the great Tibetan Buddhist master of the 19th century. Chokgyur Lingpa lived from (1829-1870) and was regarded by the most reputable living masters of his time as one of the major tertons (revealer of hidden treasures) in Tibetan history. His teachings are widely practiced by both the Kagyu and Nyingma schools of Tibetan Buddhism.

The collection of treasures revealed by Chokgyur Lingpa together with its connected teachings are contained in the Chokling Tersar, a body of literature filling more than forty large volumes. In English translation each of these volumes would be between seven and eight hundred pages and the total would amount to approximately 30,000 pages. The connected teachings included in these forty volumes were written over the last 150 years, chiefly by his contemporaries Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and Jamgon Kongtrul, as well as by the subsequent upholders of the lineage down until today.

Kangyur - the TripitakaThe Chokling Tersar literature is meant to be studied and practiced as an addition to the traditional canonical scriptures of Tibetan Buddhism. These traditional scriptures are found in the Kangyur and Tengyur, the written words of Buddha Shakyamuni and their commentaries by learned Indian Masters. These two collections occupy respectively 104 and 273 large volumes.

In these scriptures are found detailed instructions on how to take full advantage of and imbue human life with its fullest meaning. These revealed scriptures were concealed by the 9th century Buddhist saint Padmasambhava with the expressed wish to be uncovered at specific times in the future. Many of them contain predictions for those times and which particular spiritual practices would be most beneficial for the people of those times.

Centers practicing the New Treasures of Chokgyur Lingpa:

Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling monastery, Boudha, Nepal.
Lamas: Tsikey Chokling, Gyurme Dewey Dorje; Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche; Phakchok Rinpoche

Pema Ewam Chogar in Bir, Himachal Pradesh, India.
Lamas: Neten Chokling and Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche.

Tsikey Gompa in East Tibet.
Lamas: Chokling of Tsikey, Tsang-Yang Gyamtso; Tersey Tulku

Chokling Tersar Foundation, USA.

posted in Full Enlightenment - 1 reply

Ganesh ( Ganapati ) the Hindu Buddhist Deity : practices references and transmission

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 18:22:26 GMT

Hi FE'ers. Sorry I missed you earlier. Here it is. Still very useful.
Acarya KT

Keywords : Ganapati / Ganesh the Elephant Headed God of Classical India, Mantra and Praise of Ganapati, Deity yoga, Tantric empowerment, Overlapping Hindu / Buddhist mantra culture, Vedacarya Thomas Ashley-Farrand, Sakya Lineage and Sakya Monastery, Seattle Washington.

“To those for whom these village fires still have meaning:
Oh, may your own most beautiful Animal of Light come safely to you!”
from the Last Whole Earth Catalog

On 13 July in Seattle Washington a Ganapati empowerment will be offered at Sakya Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism. The guru bestowing this empowerment is the tantric master of Sakya Monastery, His Holiness Jigdal Dagchen Sakya Rinbochay. See www.sakya.org for more information.

For this reason it is timely and appropriate to provide some basic teaching and perspective on Ganapati, and in particular an esoteric Hindu Ganapati mantra and also a Sanskrit Buddhist praise of Ganapati. Many diverse teachings on this deity in Hindu form are available on the internet ( under both Ganapati and Ganesh ).

An excellent introductory summary for Ganapati / Ganesh is available online at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganesha

The Buddhist Ganapati is also referenced in the Tibetan Buddhist traditions of the Nyingma ( e.g. Longchen Nyingtik ) and Gelugpa lineages ( see practice texts for www.fpmt.org ). There is also Buddhist practice of Ganapati in the esoteric Buddhist Japanese tradition known as Shingon, which came East via China and not Tibet.

Briefly, Ganapati means Lord of the Troop, and Ganesh basically means Elephant Headed One. Ganapati is known by the title “Remover of Obstacles” or “Lord of Obstacles”. He carries or represents the enormous power of the Elephant. He is often accompanied by two female consorts Riddhi and Siddhi ( Magical Accomplishment and Spiritual Accomplishment ).

Ganapati is very prominent and even central in Hindu practice and is often evoked at the beginning of important engagements or projects, such as making a journey or starting employment, or beginning a meditation practice session. I have seen dance evocation of Ganapati at the beginning of a Hindu temple dance concert. Ganapati is one of the main practices of Hindu business people for success in their commercial ventures.

Ganapati is strongly associated with the “national spirit” or Mother India as well as her earliest roots. In the distant past elephants were used throughout India to clear land for agriculture, and also as war elephants. More recently, public Hindu celebrations were banned by the occupying British and the outlawed Ganapati ceremonies were brought forth, successfully, to rally India against foreign rule.

It is said that the long “History of India” was transcribed by the deity Ganapati as given by Rishi Visvamitra. Many of the key texts of Sanatana Dharma ( Hinduism ) were written down by Ganapati. So, this practice is a primary connection to Vedic Culture. Due to this, Ganapati is also practiced by students to help with their secular school exams.

Ganapati has a very ambivalent status in Buddhist tantra, the esoteric form of Buddhist meditation which relies on yoga, deity recitations and mystic practices in general. On the one hand, Ganapati is often considered unfriendly towards Buddhist practitioners in general, and propitiated or banished or subjugated so as to not cause problems. Thus, a subjugated Ganapati serves as the throne for the deity Mahakala in his Six Armed form. This reflects the fact that some but not all Hindu practice / culture affirms Buddhist teachings.

On the other hand, there are specifically Buddhist practices for Ganapati, as for other Hindu deities such as Shiva, Sarasvati and so forth. The Sakya lineage carries Buddhist deity yogas for the Hindu deities Uma Devi / Parvati and Garuda, as well as Ganapati. ( In Southern Buddhism, such as in Sri Lanka Theravada monasteries, it is common to propitiate the Hindu deity Visnu for outer or worldly benefits. )

More broadly, many Buddhist schools share with the Sanatana Dharma ( i.e. Hindu practice and culture ) a significant focus on Ayurveda, or spiritual medicine. The Buddhist deity Bhaisajyaguru, or Medicine Buddha, is a deity of Buddhist spiritual medicine and Ayurveda in both Hindu and Buddhist forms is more or less identical in practice, not just similar.

In the classical Sakya tradition, this Twelve Arm Ganapati is actually an emanation of Avalokitesvara, the beloved and universal Buddhist deity of liberating compassion. Thus, it is reasonable to view this empowerment as being a definite connection to Avalokitesvara and the general practices of Avalokitesvara.

It is also very important to note that with this ( or any ) tantric Buddhist empowerment comes the general set of universal Buddhist vows, such as the Ten Precepts ( rejection of harmfulness, theft, dishonesty, ill-will and so forth ), and the Bodhisattva vows. The Bodhisattva vows focus on active humanitarian service in the most broad and deep and long term ways, starting with rejection of limiting ideas such as racism, sexism, tribalism, and all cultural divisiveness.

For some basic teachings on Buddhist theory and practice, see the following at Asian Classics:
http://www.asianclassics.org/research_site/webdata/education.html

The Principal Teachings of Buddhism
Buddhist Refuge
The Vows of the Bodhisattva

For an excellent general introduction to Buddhist practice, with a focus on Buddhist tantra, see the following book by Kalu Rinpoche:
The Dharma: That Illuminates All Beings Like the Light of the Sun and the Moon, State University of New York Press, 1986, ISBN 0-88706-157-5

http://www.amazon.com/Dharma-Illuminates-Beings-Impartially-Light/dp/0887061575

This book is short, direct, accessible, classical and effective. It should be. It was transcribed as spoken directly to westerners by one of the greatest Buddhist masters of the last century.

To take the tantric Buddhist empowerment of Ganapati or any other is to take Mahayana Buddhist vows, as well as to become authorized to do magical kinds of practice, such as mantra recitation to develop the power of the deity. The point is that in this case, the Hindu/ Buddhist deity Ganapati is practiced within a classical Buddhist context, not otherwise. Thus the above mentioned Buddhist references are of central importance in this transmission and practice.

As a brilliant red deity aspect, Twelve Armed Ganapati is not only a remover of obstacles and disharmonious circumstances, but also a magnetizing deity, i.e. a deity that “warms up” social situations, and develops strongly positive interpersonal engagement.

On a yogic level, this deity ( in Buddhist deity yoga ) develops strength and power at the level of the navel point of the psychic energy body ( svadhisthana cakra ), although I cannot say more without transgressing tantric vows of secrecy. Note that the Hindu Ganapati is girded by snakes, representing kundalini energy, and is similarly associated with the energy at the base of the spinal column. All tantric transmissions are private, and their contents not to be discussed following initiation.

This is one of many specifically obstacle-removing diety yogas in Buddhist tantra. There are many others, but this one is definitely recommended for those who have a more Hindu-oriented background in culture and/ or personal karma. And as noted earlier, it is a connection to Avalokitesvara practice specifically, and to the outer Mahayana practices in general.

This can also be viewed ( speaking very unofficially ) as a connection to Hindu transmissions. ) For this reason I will now provide a specifically Hindu mantra for Ganapati, which has been confirmed. It is quite reasonable to say that on obtaining a Twelve Arm Ganapati empowerment, one may practice the following Hindu mantra as well.

Maha Ganapati Mantra
"Aum shrim hrim klim glaum gam
ganapataye vara varada sarva
janamme vashamanaya svaha"

Vedacarya Thomas Ashley-Farrand, from whom I have Laxmi transmission, has many introductory and also detailed teachings on Hindu mantra practice. See his website at
http://www.sanskritmantra.com/

The following is not an official representation, but I do have the Sakya lineage Ganapati transmission some twenty years back from HE Luding Khen Rinbochay. This Sakya initiation is for a Twelve Arm Red Ganapati, equivalent in many respects to the Hindu deity Ganesh or Ganapati. Many diverse teachings on this deity in Hindu form are available on the internet ( under both Ganapati and Ganesh ). The Buddhist Ganapati is also referenced in the Tibetan Buddhist traditions of the Nyingma and Gelugpa lineages.

From www.sakya.org :

07/13/2008
GANAPATI INITIATION
Offered by H. H. Jigdal Dagchen Sakya
Sunday, July 13
Time: 10:00 am
Location: Shrine Room
Suggested Donation: $30 Public, $25 Members
Translator: Dr. Jeff Schoening
Ganapati made the commitment to help all beings to uphold the 3 trainings—moral behavior, meditation, wisdom— and, in particular, to provide the necessary materials and provisions for practitioners.
He protects one from obstacles at the beginning of any enterprise and also helps to increase wealth and power for the benefit of the Dharma.
His Holiness Jigdal Dagchen Sakya, head lama of Sakya Monastery, was born in Tibet in 1929. He continues the great Sakya lineage which began with Khon Konchok Gyalpo (1034—1102). He received teachings of the unbroken Khon lineage, the Sakya Vajrakilaya, the Hevajra and the complete Lamdre Tsogshe, from his father, H.H. Trichen Ngawang Thutop Wangchul, the last Sakya throne holder in Tibet. He also studied with many other great Buddhist teachers, including Dzongsar Khyentse Chökyi and Dingo Khyentse Robsal Dawa.
In 1960, H.H. J.D. Sakya was invited to work on a University of Washington research project on Tibetan civilization which was sponsored by the Rockefeller Foundation. At the request of students, he co-founded with H.E. Dezhung Rinpoche Sakya Tegchen Choling, a center for the study of Tibetan Buddhism and culture. In 1984, the center became the Sakya Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism.

The following is copyrighted material from The Digital Sanskrit Buddhist Canon, at
http://www.uwest.edu/sanskritcanon/index.html
specifically
http://www.uwest.edu/sanskritcanon/Stotra/Roman/stotra30.html

The source text is “ Source: Pandey, Janardan Shastri ed. Bauddha strotra Samgrah. Varanasi : Motilal Banarsidass, 1994”.

This is provided as a necessary and specific demonstration that classical Indian Buddhist culture incorporated Ganapati deity yoga as a tantric practice, and not for other purposes.
Ganesastotram

kharvam sthulataram gajendravadanam lambodaram sundaram
vidhnesam madhugandhalubdhamadhupavyalolagandasthalam|
dantodghatavidaritahitajanam sindurasobhakaram
vande sailasutasutam ganapatim siddhipradam kamadam|| 1||

herambah paramo devah karyasiddhividhayakah|
saibhagyarupasampannam dehi me sukhasampadam|| 2||

ekadantam mahakayam lambodaram gajananam|
sarvasiddhipradataram gangaputram namamyaham|| 3||

vande tam gananathamaryamanagham daridrayadavanalam
sundaadandavidhuyamanasamalam samsarasindhostarim|
yam natva surakoyayah prabhuvaram siddhim labhante param
sindurarunavigraham paripataddanambudharahrtam|| 4||

uccairbrahmandakhandadvitayasahacaram kumbhayugmam dadhanah
presannagaripaksapratibhatavikatasrotratalabhiramah |
devah sambhorapatyam bhujagapatitanusparddhivardhisnuhasta-
strailokyascaryamurtirjayati trijagatamisvarah kuñjarasyah|| 5||

ganapatisca herambo vidhnarajo vinayakah |
deviputro mahateja mahabalaparakramah || 6||

mahodaro mahakayascaikadanto gajananah|
svetavastro mahadiptastrinetro gananayakah || 7||

aksamalam ca dantam ca grhnan vai daksine kare|
parasum modakapatram ca vamahaste vidharayan|| 8||

nanapusparato devo nanagandhanulepanah |
nagayajñopavitango nanavidhnavinasanah || 9||

devasuramanusyanam siddhagandharvavanditam|
trailokyavidhnahartaramakhvarudham namamyaham|| 10||

sumukhascaikadantasca kapilo gajakarnakah |
lambodarasca vikato vidhnarajo vinayakah || 11||

dhumraketurganadhyakso bhalacandro gajananah |
vakratundah surpakarno herambah skandapurvajah || 12||

sodasaitani namani yah pathecchunuyadapi|
vidyarambhe vivahe ca pravese nirgame tatha|| 13||

samgrame samkate caiva vidhnastasya na jayate|
vidhnavallikutharaya ganadhipataye namah || 14||

sriganesastotram samaptam|

Sarva mangalam! Siddhi rastu!

In partial fulfillment of vajrayana teaching responsibilities,

Acarya KT

posted in Full Enlightenment - 1 reply

2. Miss-Information around ENLIGHTENED AWARENESS

Sam=Samadhi — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 07:27:54 GMT

> IN SERVICE TO Clarity of Mind

> It's feels like time to cut thru the MISS-
> INFORMATION surrounding ENLIGHTENMENT. .
>
> It's time to explore this issue FULLY for the
> benefit of our Earths Survival.
> It can alter some individual journeys, due to
> NOT falling down the traps;1) Society has set
> for us, 2) We have set for us, 3) Lack of clear
> information has set for us.

> Clearly, we have ALL been born to LIVE, real
> CLARITY in the World around us,
> . . . But due to MISS-INFORMATION, . . . we
> knowingly-unknowingly absorbed thru our Lives,
> to known-unknown forces in the World, Clarity
> DOES NOT HAPPEN for all of us. [This too will change].
>
> MUSIC TV is singing right NOW in the background
> “”WAKE UP,
> WAKE UP,
> WAKE UP,
> WAKE UP,
> wake up to the manipulation””
>
> Pink Floyd sang it clearly, as did many others
> in music, film, writing, paintings, drawing,
> photography, etc.
>
> It’s IN the category of “THE EARTH IS FLAT”
> All the evidence showed that the Earth was round,
> BUT
> . . . It didn't stop, the consensus of the day,
> saying the Earth was flat, (and that was only a
> few seconds ago, in Earth history)---ONLY a few
> Hundred Years Ago, our time . . .
>
> Similarly, as a group of people on this Earth,
> many have been hoodwinked into thinking that;
> . . . Enlightenment is DIFFICULT to comprehend
> . . . We cannot talk about IT [to a certain
> degree true]
> . . . We must follow a GURU, a recognised
> Teacher, or Lineage of Teachers, or a pathway
> designated BY someone else
> . . . THE PROCESS of CLARITY into ENLIGHTENED
> AWARENESS, is DIFFICULT to conceptualise-
> experience-and KNOW, . . . .
>
> IS THIS ALL a blatant UN-TRUTH ???
>
> [Something I read years ago was a paper on an
> obscure subject, that around c.1900 was in ONE
> book published, followed by another book several
> years later. This, over a period of 50 or so
> years, was followed by 70+ books until one guy
> at the end of the process did a study that
> established that all 70+ books came from most of
> the information from the first and second book .
> . . Nothing else was of any REAL relevance.]
>
> How THIS Writer established Clarity, [in this
> Life], DID NOT COME from any religion, or book,
> or person
> . . . the Writers’ Awareness came from a
> personal event
> . . . that created the decision to live TRUTH,
> . . . in every moment of every day,
> . . . It came from breaking away (from all
> current ways found in Society) and going
> directly IN to TRUTH.
>
> The process of living TRUTH in every aspect of
> Life
> . . . CREATED THE INNER ENVIRONMENT for the
> experience to HAPPEN by itself (to unfold
> effortlessly), and to become so amazing that
> research to unearth others who have this same
> experience, was a very juicy recent experience,
> and the writer realized that this experience is
> transferable to the Minds and experience of
> others.
>
> WE can NOT grow a lettuce when the environment
> does not support that growth
> . . . Our Culture of Mis-information we ALL have
> been exposed to, has not supported the growth of
> our OWNERSHIP of OUR OWN Enlightenment Awareness
> in its Clarity.
>
> It does not feel to me to be an isolated
> experience that has happened to the writer . . .
> This feels to be a planetary unfolding of
> Awareness happening here, between us
> . . . that we are ALL PART OF...

> Every person on this planet EARTH is related to
> you.
> The TRANSFORMATION IN AWARENESS,. . . of every
> person seems to BE a part of the Planetary
> Awareness in progress.
>
> IN SERVICE TO THIS "I AM"
>
> What are your thoughts???
> ESTABLISHING the process that Transforms into
> simple understandings
> . . . Is a process of Education-not an altered
> state of High Awareness
> . . . Blind Freddie can do it
> . . . It is NOT a Religion
>
> Call it whatever you like
> . . . FREEDOM,
> . . . Clarity
> . . . Enlightenment
> . . . OR, just a time in your Life when you say to
> yourself, . . ."Oh! ! , So that’s what IT IS . . . '
> . . . ‘THE WAKE UP CALL’ HAPPENS
> . . . Enlightened Awareness
> It does NOT MATTER WHAT IT IS CALLED
> . . . .It is An Experience we can all avail
> ourselves INTO . . .[if you so Allow IT to BE . . .] .

> Do you think it is Earth time for its people to
> live in Clarity of Awareness ???

> Where IS the information that cuts thru the Miss-
> Information found by many of us???

> It sounds like a tribe for this needs to be
> established, and later this may be so.
>
> Regards and Blessings
> Sam
>

posted in Full Enlightenment - 0 replies

disbelief

MickD — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 04:22:54 GMT

As I gain more awareness, it seems to me there is no god, astrology is bunk, and everything started going to hell when eMpTyV cancelled Headbanger's ball.

(I'm serious about the nontheist and astrology bit, though.)

posted in Full Enlightenment - 19 replies

The Mayan Sacred Calendar and Solar Wind

DMG/Darkmother.com — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 11:09:35 GMT

The Mayan Sacred Calendar (the Tzolkin) is said to be a graphic representation of a Logic transmitted by star harmonics that unlock doors of Universal Consciousness and interdimensional reality. If so, it ought to sound something like solar wind, right. Having translated the Tzolkin into sound, we offer you a comparison between that and actual NASA recorded solar wind.

When the Tzolkin's harmonic Logic is sequenced in the sonic register and played back at high speed, it sounds very much like solar wind recorded by the Voyager spacecraft, also played back at high speed. The primary dif being the Tzolkin is composed of only 13 harmonics and the solar wind has them all.

Check it out:
http://www.darkmother.com/SolarwindTzolkinComparison

Enjoy! ;)

posted in Full Enlightenment - 0 replies

KUNDALINI AWAKENING--WAY TO FULL ENLIGHTENMENT

madan_gautam — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 10:32:01 GMT

What is kundalini?

``Kundalini'' literally means coiling, like a snake. In the classical literature of hatha yoga kundalini is described as a coiled serpent at the base of the spine. The image of coiling, like a spring, conveys the sense of untapped potential energy. Perhaps more meaningfully kundalini can be described as a great reservoir of creative energy at the base of the spine.
It's not useful to sit with our consciousness fixed in our head and think of kundalini as a foreign force running up and down our spine. Unfortunately the serpent image may serve to accentuate this alien nature of the image. It's more useful to think of kundalini energy as the very foundation of our consciousness so that when kundalini moves through our bodies our consciousness necessarily changes with it.

The concept of kundalini can also be examined from a strictly psychological perspective. From this perspective kundalini can be thought of as a rich source of psychic or libidinous energy in our unconscious.

In the classical literature of Kashmir Shaivism kundalini is described in three different manifestions. The first of these is as the universal energy or para-kundalini. The second of these is as the energizing function of the body-mind complex or prana-kundalini. The third of these is as consciousness or shakti-kundalini which simultaneously subsumes and intermediates between these two. Ultimately these three forms are the same but understanding these three different forms will help to understand the differerent manifestations of kundalini.

What is the difference between prana and kundalini? What is the difference between qi (or chi) and kundalini?

First let us try to relate to concepts from the same tradition - prana and kundalini. Prana has been translated as the ``vital breath'' and ``bio-energetic motility''; it is associated with maintaining the functioning of the mind and body. Kundalini, in its form as prana-kundalini, is identical to prana ; however, Kundalini also has a manifestations as consciousness and a as a unifying cosmic energy. One could ascribe these same aspects to prana as well so past a certain point these become distinctions without differences.

From the subjective standpoint of an individual actually experiencing the awakening of kundalini I have found three completely different opinions:

The first opinion is that a pranic awakening is only a prelude to a full kundalini awakening. Tibetan yogins that I have encountered consider the activation of prana (Tibetan: rlung) as merely a prerequisite for the activation of kundalini (Tibetan: gTummo). What's attractive about this viewpoint is that it explains the difference between the experience of simply having pleasant sensations in the spine and the much more powerful experience of having a ``freight-train''-like full kundalini experience.

The second opinion, espoused by Swami Shivom Tirth for example, is that prana and kundalini are absolutely equivalent and that it is not meaningful in any way to describe a difference between kundalini rising and prana rising. When posed with question as to how to distinguish between pleasant sensations that show some pranic-activity in the spine and the much more powerful experience Swami Shivom Tirth said that the difference is not in the nature of the activity but in the consciousness that observes it. If the consciousness that experiences the pranic activity is seated within the spine (or more correctly, the central channel, known as the sushumna), then the experience is felt much more powerfully.

The third opinion, espoused by the modern hatha yogin, Desikaran, is that pranic awakening is the true experience to be aimed for and kundalini is actually an obstruction. Desikaran sees the kundalini as a block in the central channel and thus the kundalini must be ``killed'' to make way for the prana. This is the most unusual view of the three.

The Chinese concept of qi (or chi) can be safely identified with the Indian concept of prana.

If all this seems confusing - don't worry, you're in good company. My conclusion is that these are all different terminologies for dealing with a common set of experiences. Any one of these viewpoints is adequate for describing the full range of experiences. What is probably more relevant is to distinguish two different experiences which are often confused. In one an individual experiences some pleasant energizing electric energy running along the spine. This experience itself brings about a wide range of experiences and results in vitality and sensitivity.

Another very distinct experience is the experience of kundalini entering the sushumna and rising up the spine. As soon as kundalini enters the sushumna this experience will completely overwhelm ordinary waking consciousness. From the moment that kundalini enters the sushumna there will no longer be a distrinction between the subjective consciousness which experiences and the object of experience. This experience much more profoundly transfigures consciousness.

If kundalini is universal, why do some kundalini yogins seem to have more kundalini-energy than others?

It's an intriguing question. If an individual's kundalini is viewed as simply a personal reservoir of a cosmic energy then why would one person appear to have more of a reservoir of kundalini energy than another? Nevertheless, this does appear to be the case. This is probably another advantage of the viewpoint that prana (or qi) is the same as kundalini.
Some Chinese texts distinguish between ``innate qi'' or ``pre-natal qi'' that one is born with and ``cultivated qi'' that can be developed. Clearly some people simply have more ``innate qi.'' This manifests as a stronger more resilient body and greater general vitality.

Through training those that have relatively weak ``innate qi'' may surpass those who have strong ``innate qi'' but do not train. There are many stories in the Chinese literature of Qi Gong about people who took up Qi Gong in order to improve their poor health became powerful martial artists or great qi gong masters. Of course those that have strong ``innate qi'' and also train their qi may develop the strongest qi of all.

What does kundalini have to do with spiritual enlightenment? What is the goal of kundalini yoga?

First we need a few concepts: In yogic anatomy the sushumna is the central channel and conduit for the kundalini energy that runs along our spine and up to the crown of our head. Along this channel are placed additional channel networks called cakras. These cakras are associated with major aspects of our anatomy - for example our throat, heart, solar plexus, and in turn these aspects of our anatomy are related to aspects of our human nature.
According to the literature of kundalini yoga our experience of these centers is limited due to knots which restrict the flow of energy into these centers. Three knots are particuarly important. The knot of Brahma which restricts the center at the base of the spine. The knot of Vishnu which restricts the heart center and the knot of Rudra which restricts the center between the eyebrows. These knots form an important framework in yogic thinking and the stages toward enlightenment are articulated in terms of breaking through these knots in the yogic classic the Hatha Yoga Pradipika as well as in some of the yoga upanishads. Specifically, four stages of progress are described:

arambha

ghata

parichaya

nishpatti

Arambha is associated with breaking the knot of Brahma and the awakening of kundalini.

Ghata is associated with breaking the knot of Vishnu and and with internal absorption.

Parichaya the absorption deepens and in

nishpatti the knot of Rudra is pierced and the kundalini may ascend to the center at the crown of the head. In this state transcendence is integrated and, according to the yogic liteature, the yogi has nothing more to attain.

Putting these elaborate physiological decriptions aside, the goal of kundalini yoga is the same as the goal of any legimitate spiritual practice: To be liberated from the limited bounds of the self-centered and alienated ego. In kundalini yoga this is associated with internal manifestations of the kundalini but the external manifestations should be similar to any other legitiimate spiritual practice.

So does everyone agree that kundalini awakening is necessary for enlightenment?

The view that kundalini awakening is necessary for enlightenment is held in the diverse literature of Kashmir Shaivism and in other Hindu Tantric literature. It is found in the literature of the Hatha Yogis and the Nath Sampradaya. You will find similar views in many Buddhist Tantric works. In addition this view is held by recent spiritual figures such as Shri Ramakrishna, Swami Sivananda, Paramahamsa Yogananda and Swami Vivekananda and of course by contemporary kundalini yogins themselves.

Nevertheless there are some dissenters from this view. These include Sri Chinmoy, Da Free John and Gurdjieff. Dissent can take a number of different forms. For Gurjieff kundalini is associated only with a binding force that leads us to be more attached to the world. Such a view of kundalini is not entirely inaccurate but only reflects the functioning of kundalini in the lower energy centers. For Sri Chinmoy kundalini is an amplifying function that may make an individual more powerful but not more enlightened. From my perspective this also only addresses the impact of kundalini while it operates in the lower energy centers.

Da Free John (born Franklin Jones, a. k. a. Da Love Ananda) has a much more fundamental criticism of kundalini. As far as I understand his position, for him enlightenment cannot be the result of an experience; it is a cognitive transformation. Kundalini may evoke a wide variety of experiences but these are not in and of themselves enlightening. This is an interesting perspective but it seems to assume that the raising of kundalini is an experience in which an ego-consciousness experiences a separate object known as kundalini. Again, this view is consistent with the experience of kundalini in the lower energy centers in which the ego is detached from the movement of kundalini and kundalini experiences are precieved as separate from oneself. However, I would argue that as kundalini rises the ego-consciousness becomes infused in a more fundamental consciousness of cit-shakti-kundalini and this experience does in fact produce a fundamental cognitive change.

Finally, there are many other spiritual practices, such as Zen, Vipassana meditation that consider kundalini irrelevant. Some practitioners or even teachers of these paths, such as Jiyu Kennet, may have kundalini experiences but generally kundalini is not a pivotal part of these paths.

Can I use kundalini yoga simply to improve my health?

Yoga exercises which were traditionally used to purify the body in preparation for awakening the kundalini can also be used simply to improve the health. To practice techniques aimed at actively awakening kundalini with the goal of simply improving your health seems to be a misuse of these powerful techniques.

There are those that teach kundalini yoga principally emphasizing its benefits on health without much discussion of the spiritual benefits. This is how hatha yoga has been taught in the west for some time. The affect of this approach depends on the attitude of the student. There is certainly nothing wrong with trying to improve your health but there is a tension between awakening an energy that will ultimately burn up the ego and trying to shape that energy to simply fulfill an ego-oriented motive.

Is there any scientific basis for kundalini and the cakras? Do I really have to believe that all these cakras physically exist?

Research on kundalini is especially spotty. There is no compelling work to show that the system represents insights into actual human anatomy. But it's important to understand that kundalini and its network of channels and cakras is simply how yogins have chosen to explain their experience and that yogins from many cultures have arrived at similar, though not identical, concepts. The true physical mechanisms underlying these experiences may be very different from those described. Izaak Benthov has proposed a model to explain kundalini in terms of micro- motion in the brain. In this model experiences are associated with parts of the body, such as the heart, because the part of the brain associated with that part of the body is stimulated by micro-vibrations. His model is treated in ``The Kundalini Experience'' by Sannella referenced below. From a practical perspective the key thing is our subjective experience and that the roadmap of these subjective experiences has been mapped out.

Is Chinese qi gong a kind of kundalini yoga?

If there is any contemporary teaching that is even more diverse in approach than kundalini yoga it must be qi gong. As a result it is hard to compare kundalini yoga to qi gong. From my limited exposure to qi gong it is clear there are many qi gong practices that are identical to kundalini yoga practices. What is also clear is that may qi gong practitioners have reported experiences that are identical to those of kundalini yogins. In so far as each of these practices aims at eliminating blocks to the qi/prana energy then they share a common ground.

What about Tibetan Buddhism - has kundalini been known in Tibet?

Kundalini yoga in the Natha Sampradaya and Vajrayana in Tibetan Buddhism both take their origin from the Mahasiddhas who were active in India from the 8th century to the 12th century. Kundalini yoga practices formed the core of the teachings of a number of these Mahasiddhas and are strongly represented in both Tibetan Buddhist practices and contemporary kundalini yoga practices. Kundalini yoga was spoken of as ``Candali yoga'' by these Mahasiddhas and became known as gTummo rnal 'byor in Tibet. Candali yoga was a key practice of the famous Tibetan yogin Milarepa. The role of kundalini yoga in Tibetan Buddhism is discussed in more detail in the Kundalini Yogas FAQ.

Are there any other traditions that show awareness of kundalini?

If you believe that kundalini is at the basis of spiritual progress then every valid spiritual tradition must have some awareness of kundalini. Christianity (especially Quakerism and Pentecostalism), Sufism, Qabalistic mysticism, alchemy and magick all have literature which demonstrates some awareness of the kundalini process but these traditions are not, to this author's awareness, so open in their exposition of the techniques and so it is hard to judge the depth of understanding latent in these traditions. Nevertheless, the imagery is so unmistakable in these traditions that each must have, at least at one time, been conversant with the movement of kundalini.

So how do I awaken kundalini?

Indirectly kundalini can be awakened by devotion, by selfless service, or by intellectual enquiry. In these paths the blocks to the awakening of kundalini are slowly removed. Occasionally, individuals on these paths will experience a sudden awakening of kundalini but generally because the blocks are slowly and gently removed kundalini-like experiences evolve slowly in these paths.

Broadly speaking there are two radically different direct approaches to awakening kundalini. One approach requires initiation by a guru and relies upon a technique called shaktipat, or ``descent of shakti.'' It is variously called: Siddha Mahayoga, Kundalini Mahayoga or Sahaja Yoga (Spontaneous Yoga). These approaches are treated in the Siddha Mahayoga FAQ. The other approach uses intentional yogic techniques . The styles using intentional techniques include Mantra Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Laya Yoga or Kriya Yoga. These approaches are treated in the Kundalini Yogas FAQ .

Fundamentally the approach of Siddha Mahayoga and the Kundalini Yogas are different. In Siddha Mahayoga the guru awakens the kundalini and after that the core of the practice is the inactive and non-willful surrender to kundalini. In Kundalini Yogas the will is used to awaken the kundalini and to guide its progress. Clearly these are different approaches.
Nevertheless, elements of the each approach occur in the practices of the other. Siddha Mahayogins may use asanas, pranayamas and other hatha yoga practices. On the other hand gurus in Kundalini Yoga may give infusions of shakti to their students to help them at particular points in their practice.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using effort, in kundalini yogas, as opposed to the grace of the guru, in siddha mahayoga, to awaken kundalini?

Since every practitioner brings his own unique inclinations and obstacles to the practice of yoga it is very hard to generalize on this point. In terms of actually awakening kundalini gurus of Siddha Mahayoga claim that the kundalini is more easily and reliably awakened by the grace of the guru than by individual effort. In my limited experience I would agree. with this assertion. While not every long-term student of either practice necessarily shows signs of kundalini awakening it is amazing how many people have had instant awakenings of kundalini through initiation from siddha gurus.

In terms of encountering difficulties along the path the siddha gurus would also claim that fewer problems due to kundalini awakening, such as mental imbalance, are encountered by students of Siddha Mahayoga. Here I think the results are mixed. It seems to me that the guidance of the teacher in either Siddha Mahayoga or Kundalini Yoga is more a determining factor than which style of kundalini practice is employed.

Generally speaking each style of practice has its strengths and weakness. The strength of Siddha Mahayoga is the ease with which it awakens the kundalini. The weakness is that because the kundalini is so easily awakened by the guru students of Siddha Mahayoga often have completely undisciplined personal meditation practices. Time is spent instead to trying to recreate some of their initial experiences by following the guru around hoping for his or her grace Some people spend 20 or more years in this manner without ever developing an inner core of practice or experience.

The strength of the family of Kundalini Yogas is that the progress is at least apparently more under the control of the student of the yoga. These students seem more likely to have disciplined personal practices and more of an understanding of how the practice relates to their own experience.
Unfortunately for some students this leads to a fairly egotistical approach to their practice and ultimately the kundalini energy is used to bolster the ego rather than to merge the ego in bliss.

What are the signs of an awakened kundalini?

Briefly, according to classical literature the signs of an awakened kundalini can be grouped into: mental signs, vocal signs and physical signs. Mental signs can include visions that range from ecstatically blissful to terrifyingly frightful. Vocal signs can include spontaneous vocal expressions that range from singing or reciting mantras to make various animals sounds such as growling or chirping. Physical signs include trembling, shaking and spontaneously performing hatha yoga postures and pranayamas.

From a more subjective perspective the more pleasant experiences associated with a kundalini awakening may include: waves of bliss, periods of elation, glimpses of transcendental consciousness. The less pleasant experiences associated with a kundalini awakening may include: trembling, sharp aches in areas associated with the cakras, periods of irrational anxiety, sudden flashes of heat.

Are these methods of awakening kundalini dangerous? What about Gopi Krishna's books?

If we take the psychological perspective and view kundalini as the power latent in our unconscious then it is easy to understand that awakening this force is going to bring a greater amount of unconscious material into our consciousness. Even in the best of circumstances this is likely to be uncomfortable and if an individual is barely coping with his unconscious even under normal circumstances then awakening kundalini may push the individual over into psychosis. This phenomenon has been documented many times.

Forceful methods of awakening kundalini pose additional dangers. Because quite forceful methods can be used to awaken kundalini these techniques themselves are potentially physically and mentally disruptive. An individual named Gopi Krishna awakened his kundalini by doing unguided meditation on his crown cakra. His life after awakening was both blessed by ecstatic bliss and tormented by physical and mental discomfort. Eventually his experience stabilized. He wrote down his experiences in a recently re-released autbiography entitled ``Living with Kundalini.'' Gopi Krishna's autobiography appears to be an honest representation of his experiences but it is only one extreme datapoint in the panorama of experience on kundalini yoga. It represents dangers in forceful unguided practice but it is not representative of a typical practicioner's experience.

But even if kundalini is dangerous, isn't it a faster way to enlighenment?

First of all it may be useful to observe that there is no technique currently known on earth that appears to be rapidly catapulting large number of individuals toward enlightenment. Because kundalini yogas deal so directly with a powerful enlightening force it seems natural that they would be ``faster'', but there appears to be alot of tortoise and hare phenomena at work with newbie kundalini yogins. Many people begin kundalini yogas, have strong initial experiences and then become frightened. Many who perservere through this initial phase become distracted by the energy and focus on temporal and phenomenal applications of the energy.

There have been many scandals among kundalini yoga teachers - particularly sexual scandals. Is there a correlation between sexual scandals and kundalini yoga practice?

There have been scandals regarding the teachers of many paths, both spiritual and non-spiritual ; however, it is probably fair to say that kundalini yogins have had more than their share. Since the first publication of these frequently-asked-questions in 1994 more than one well-known kundalini yoga teacher has been implicated in having clandestine affairs with students and has been asked to step down from his position as spiritual leader as a result.

An advanced kundalini yogin is typically a powerful charismatic individual who has the ability to directly influence the minds of others. Westerners often mistake this power as a sign of enlightenment and allow such teachers liberties as a result.

In addition it is quite common for kundalini yoga to temporarily accentuate the sex drive. This period requires extra discipline. Finally, kundalini yoga is closely associated with tantrism and sex is often used in conjunction with tantric practice. Where sex is used there is of course the opportunity for misuse or abuse.

If my kundalini is awakened will I need to change my lifestyle?

It's hard to have your cake and eat it too. If you awaken kundalini in order to change and enrich your life it's reasonable to expect you may need to change your lifestyle as a result. The recommendations of both classical literature and experience is that sleep and diet will need to be moderated otherwise severe discomfort may arise. Furthermore without moderating sexual activity and physical work it will be hard to experience much success with kundalini. The extent that these elements of your life need to change depends on the nature of the individual. While genuine mental imbalances arising from kundalini are rare nearly every kundalini yogin will find periods when one needs to be especially sensitive to needs for sleep, quiet and diet

posted in Full Enlightenment - 6 replies

SO, confused...

amanda — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 22:52:47 GMT

~hello all , im new to this TRIBE, and really dont know tht much , b8ut I grew up in a really heavt relgiuos family and live in the bible belt, where they hit oyu over the head of you dont believe in their way, I must say in some way that I have come to some realization that Im on a journey of self awareness!! Im not sure what all this means or what im feeling , but about 6 months ago , its all started with a one thing and then lead to another and etc.. ANd ever since then I have been on a self journey of truth and love and a cosmic conneted feeling with universe as one . I feel really like the truth have been revealed!! For years i have reseached many cultures and beliefs and so fascinated and always been somewhat connected to a big puzzle that I have to put together.. Is this a journey for men or what is self awarness , and i have told people this and I feel a differnet way of believing and people think im crazy , and say TRUST IN THA LORD AND I JUST HAVE A HARD TIME WITH THIS ALL!!!! plz help me understand this!!!!! thx to you all!!!!!!!!!!!

posted in Full Enlightenment - 12 replies

"higher consciousness"

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:56:50 GMT

hello,

some people say "I am my body, my mind, the sum of my experiences"
this is the lower (not lesser) self - the consciousness of the flesh...
some people say "I am en eternal, recurring, perfect spiritual being",
this is the higher (not better) self - the aspect of the eternal emenation.
some people say "I am what I feel, sense, and exchange w/ others"
this is the middle (singular) self, the soul/sole (existing once) amalgam.

so; lower, middle, and higher only exist in comparison to each other,
aspect precipitates consciousness, as thesis provokes antithesis...
and the synthesis, the emotional core, the "2nd act" is thus created.
so the highest self is an open awareness operating a healthy body -
a pure (clean) mind open to growth through experiential learning -
and a willingly vulnerable soul, open and aware, involved in living;

or, open-hearted, fully-aware, triplicity of self while in the world of duality.

posted in Full Enlightenment - 1 reply

Higher Consciousness??

amanda — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 05:12:30 GMT

~~Hello to all, im here on a journey to a path of self discovery, But , I hear alot of people saying and the phrase uses " TO BE ON A HIGHER CONSCIOUS LEVEL AND TO KEEP IN TUNE WITH THE EARTHS VIBRATIONS WITH OUR VIBRATION is to be self empowered and those who are not , will be left in darkness in the future!!!!! Iam on a new path and trying to understand what iam feeling and what im being lead too!!! I dont want to be long winded here, but want to really understand whats this higher understanding means? thanks to all!!! Love, amanda

posted in Full Enlightenment - 1 reply

A little ditty to deck the halls with:

☼Sunshine☼ — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 18:01:27 GMT

Happy Holidays Air'Body...

Put on this day a cloak of many colors,
Brilliant hues and shades of Light.
Just as day follows night,
Radiance, reflection and warmth will ensue.
Ennoble your nature
Already divine.
Step in time with the Heart
That beats only as you.

Chakra, aura
And aurora blend and spin
As an iridescent iris of
Incomparable beauty.
See clearly your duty
To glow with the Flow.
Allow the Truth that you know
To show.

No more incognito!
Stop traveling under that radar.
What you are is a splendiferous star!
Unrepeatable, inconceivable, unique
As your Source.
Sent here, of course, to reveal and to revel,
Revere and draw near to the Luminous I (Am)
That you are.

‘Tis a season to savor and celebrate.
Elevate your awareness of the resplendent Gift within.
Unwrap yourself
And give It.

Put on this day a cloak of many colors,
Brilliant hues and shades of Light.
Just as day follows night,
Radiance, reflection and warmth will ensue.
Ennoble your nature
Already divine.
Step in time with the Heart
That beats only as you.

Chakra, aura
And aurora blend and spin
As an iridescent iris of
Incomparable beauty.
See clearly your duty
To glow with the Flow.
Allow the Truth that you know
To show.

No more incognito!
Stop traveling under that radar.
What you are is a splendiferous star!
Unrepeatable, inconceivable, unique
As your Source.
Sent here, of course, to reveal and to revel,
Revere and draw near to the Luminous I (Am)
That you are.

‘Tis a season to savor and celebrate.
Elevate your awareness of the resplendent Gift within.
Unwrap yourself
And give It.

posted in Full Enlightenment - 1 reply

Peace???

Tim — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 22:43:23 GMT

Peace can have many meanings and forms.

When you contemplate "peace", what comes to mind?

Namaste'
Tim

posted in Full Enlightenment - 6 replies

New Healing Tribe

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 16:44:40 GMT

Recently, I opened a "Tibetan Ayurveda" tribe to be able to share our healing inspirations better. If you feel this is for you, please follow your heart and support the tribe with your presence.

http://tribes.tribe.net/tibetanayurveda?_click_path=Application%5Btribe%5D.Tribe%5Baebd7c33-9d4a-4f9f-bd21-20baea6c0772%5D

Much heart felt Divine love to you. May it spread through the universe for the good and benefit of all beings.

Namaskar from all my heart! _^_

posted in Full Enlightenment - 0 replies

full vs. partial

MickD — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 13:51:31 GMT

Can one be partially enlightened? Isn't enlightenment an all-or-nothing endeavor?

posted in Full Enlightenment - 53 replies

'Manufacture Happiness'

Sat, 01 Dec 2007 06:57:01 GMT

We Synthesize Happiness under controlled conditions

Dan Gilbert is a psychology professor at Harvard, and author of “Stumbling on Happiness” and argues that happiness can be synthesized better under controlled conditions than under uncontrolled conditions.
He talks about natural happiness versus synthesized happiness. It turned out that people with the highest amount of freedom and choices were less happy than the people with fewer opportunities.

“Natural happiness is what we get when we get what we wanted. Synthesized happiness is what we make when we don’t get what we wanted. It’s as real and enduring natural happiness, the happiness we control and sometimes even more so, because we can manufacture it within. Freedom is the friend of natural happiness but the enemy of synthetic happiness. Not knowing this can work to our disadvantage. Here is why?

Psychological immune system works best when we are totally stuck and trapped. Reversible conditions are less conducive to happiness than irreversible conditions. We don’t know conditions under which synthetic happiness grows.

When preferences drive us to hard and too fast because one has overrated the difference between choices we are at risk. When our ambition is bounded it leads us joyfully. Unbounded ambition leads us to hurt others and to sacrifice things of real value.

Natural happiness makes less happiness than synthetic happiness.”

Our longings and our worries are overblown because we have within us the capacity to manufacture the very commodity which we are constantly chasing when we choose experience.

Viva la Meditation… = synthesized happiness

http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/more/gilberthappy/
Watch the video!
-------------

The reason I posted this is because in spirituality we often have certain codes to follow....
The is study shows that controlled circumstances can often bring out more good than we want to admit to our freedom loving selves.

posted in Full Enlightenment - 0 replies

Why is it so difficult, conveying enlightenment?

Chaz — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 02:27:59 GMT

Why is it so difficult to convey to another what is understood about enlightenment? Is enlightenment a universal truth or is it only some solipsitic encounter which makes it damn near impossible? Don't start with the normal spiritual crap about how enlightenment is not a concept and therefore cannot be transmitted. I personally am fully enlightened. This mind and body that is attached just haven't fully caught on to that fact yet.

Sidenote - mainly venting but feel free to comment: I live in a heavily deluded Southern Baptist environment. Everyone, Everyone that I come in contact with on a regular basis is steeped in religion. When any of them finds out that I am "not on the same page" as them they ask why. All that ever comes out of me is what I don't believe which leads them into accusations and eternal damnations. The one thing that I want to convey to them is that it is possible to be free from all of this external security crap and that the truth is within...when I tell them that they want proof!!!

posted in Full Enlightenment - 55 replies

pretty amazing transmission

Chris — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 12:11:59 GMT

I went to a sage name Deepakbhai earlier this year in Gujarat, India, to receive Gnan Vidhi, which they describe as some kind of a jump start for liberation. It is a two hour ceremony and it is free of charge, anything Deepakbhai offers is free. I have to say it worked very well for me and several of my friends who are long - time veterans on the spiritual path. Deepakbhai seems to have an unusual ability to remove some subtle level of illusion in a person, difficult to describe, but since I received Gnan Vidhi, there is a permanent shift in my seat of being to freedom and awareness, asublte veil is gone that survived all my openings to awareness before. The teachings around it are very traditional Jain - teachings, pretty orthodox for some Westeners. I also know one person for whom the Gnan Vidhi did not do much appearantly, so I cannot guarantee it will work for everybody. But it seems like a worthwhile thing to check out. I have to say that I was never treated with such love and care in a spiritual community and there is a real purity about it, these people really don't want anything in return for what they offer. To me, it was a very refreshing experience of a true "old school" approach to enlightenment. If you have any questions, you can contact me via christian_mukti@yahoo.de

Deepakbhai's stuff can be found on www.dadabhagwan.org

Cheers, Christian

posted in Full Enlightenment - 1 reply

Enlightenment experience

Scott — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 22:56:27 GMT

I got enlightened accidentally when I was just short of my 18th birthday. I was sitting in between some speakers listening to music when I had the thought that I wasn't concentrating on what I was listening to but rather my thoughts were drifting around. I decided to try to focus just on the music. As I did this my back spontaneously arched backwards and, at the point when I felt my consciousness merge with the music, I felt a sort of liquid light go up my spine and explode inside my head seemingly going out to infinity. When I opened my eyes I "saw" what I had looked at before, and "heard" what I had only listened to before. I felt an intense loving energy emanating from my heart area and the centers of my palms. My eyes were soft. Suddenly I just understood things and mostly I felt that, despite the way it seems, everything is perfect in this moment. That state lasted about 9 hours. I repeated it to a lesser degree a few days later but haven't been able to since. I had no idea what had happened to me but after looking into various things I decided I had had an experience with kundalini. I've had some similar experiences in bioenergetic psychotherapy where I was suddenly "clear", as I call it, but that's been a while now, too. Needless to say, these sorts of experiences change your perception of what life is about. I've spent much of my life thinking about enlightenment. You can't get around the fact that it's thee most important thing because without being in that state you really are not perceiving reality as it is, nor being who you really are.
The model I think best describes my enlightenment experience is the zen one. They would say I had a few mini-enlightenments called kensho. The window opens for a while and then closes. Satori or samadhi is when it opens and stays open. Like I said above, you can't really see things the same way as others after you experience these sorts of things, nor can you really communicate their importance to those who haven't. For me that meant that I couldn't participate in regular middle class society so I became an artist to make a living and have had a lifelong interest in alternative healing. I felt if I could find the true healing method it would somehow lead back to enlightenment. I'm beginning to see, though, that enlightenment itself IS the true healing method. Without being enlightened your thoughts are not correct. Actions and emotions flow from that and this is what ultimately leads to dis-ease. Therefore, enlightenment is health in the ultimate sense. Anything else only serves to patch you up for a while so you can keep pursuing it. That's, in fact, why ayurvedic medicine was created as the healing adjunct to yoga.
So if anything but enlightenment is is just sort of spinning your wheels then how to accomplish it? Yoga is certainly a time honored way but I'm not so sure how effective. I commented to a yoga teacher on how many millions of people are doing these sorts of things and yet only a few seem to reach the goal. When I look back on what happened to me what it was was that "I" merged with something outside of myself, the music. Music I've read is associated with the largest number of mystical experiences such as this. But the thing is, you could pick anything really and have an experience of oneness with it. So what is the best thing to merge with? I still think it may be music or at least a sound. Music, sound, seems to go into the mind in a way that is different from anything else. I have certain songs that are purely instrumental and yet cause me to weep when I hear them. I don't know why but they penetrate that deeply into me. I know many people have felt this. Certainly you can just put on your favorite record and try to become one with the music but I've tried that and it's hard to do when you know what you are trying to do. I think my initial innocence as to what was happening allowed it to happen. Otherwise, the ego steps in and messes it up. What I think needs to be developed is some sort of biofeedback device. As you move closer to the sound, whatever measurement that is, the instrument senses changes in brainwaves and increases the frequency and/or amplitude. It's basically a system that facilitates the merging together of two points, you and the sound. Perhaps this already exists. That's one reason I'm posting this, to find out. Otherwise, I'm just sharing my experience, thoughts, and suggestions. This is so important that we can't just leave it to chance.

posted in Full Enlightenment - 5 replies

Nirvana is here Now .... Peace, Bliss... All of It ...

☼Sunshine☼ — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 16:28:29 GMT

http://fyminc.typepad.com/bob_thurman_podcast/

Yes, he's Uma Thurman's dad ... Yes, you can contact him and ask him questions ... Bob Thurman became a Tibetan monk at age 24. He's a professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist studies at Columbia University, and co-founder of Tibet House US, a nonprofit dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Tibetan civilization.

Thurman's focus is on the balance between inner insight and cultural harmony. In interpreting the teachings of Buddha, he argues that happiness can be reliable and satisfying in an enduring way without depriving others.

posted in Full Enlightenment - 0 replies

The Tzolkin: Music for positive planetary consciousness.

DMG/Darkmother.com — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 07:37:24 GMT

Positive planetary climate change requires positive planetary consciousness change. http://www.DarkMother.com

Twenty years ago, I was sitting in my little studio in Los Angeles, CA, sequencing and recording the first acoustic translations of the Mayan Sacred Calendar, the Tzolkin, and shifting into what was being called the "Harmonic Convergence." Throughout the convergence, the acoustic translations of the Tzolkin's 20 Sacred Signs were being broadcast through my house and yard via the only radio transmission system accessible to me at the time, an el cheapo walkie talkie. Lolol... Hey, gotta do what ya gotta do and, having "coincidentally" translated the Tzolkin into sound only months before, my intention was to insure that the planet's ethereal body received both the galactic radio transmission and a local radio transmission of the [concentrated] Tzolkin's currents, simultaneously. It was the least I could do for the planet and, although I had the least of the consumer broadcasting possibilities, I got the job done. (A little leaven leavens the whole loaf.) Since that auspicious transit, the world's consciousness has followed a predicted course toward collective enlightenment, on and relative to all levels of society. Now, here we are, 20 years later, poised on the precipice of (and rapidly accelerating into) the most profound shift in planetary consciousness the world has ever experienced. Fortunately, the ancient Maya priests who foresaw this time also perceived and left us the Tzolkin as a tool to help us transit this period successfully.

Here is the fundamental value of the Tzolkin; it is a Key unlocking the Archetypal Properties embodied in cycles of the 4th dimension, Time, that enable us to ascend into higher levels of Life and being human (in the Highest sense of the word). Time is about periodicity, frequency. Basically, Consciousness, the All in all, uses Time to effect change in the 3rd, 2nd and 1st dimensions. The Tzolkin is a map of how Consciousness does so relative to the expression of specific Aspects of Itself. The Tzolkin is a table of the Logic embodying specific, cyclic Patterns of Time facilitating the expression of those Aspects through all states of manifestation via electromagnetic radiation. When those Patterns are expressed in their purest Form, i.e. electromagnetic frequency, e.g. sound or light, that expression effects a psychoactive, ethereal bridge to the 4th dimension and the Consciousness that generates, progresses and sustains all that is.

At this time, the world understands the principals of using complimentary sounds to effect brain synchronization and cognitive enhancement. Now, we understand the validity of using tone to effect remarkable physiological and psychological shifts. Furthermore, we not only accept, we embrace the mathematical plausibility of a multidimensional universe beyond the accepted 4 dimensions; length, width, height/depth and time. Today, we understand the unity of these dimensions and of all things in such a way that we can comprehend how certain harmonic patterns transmitted in the 3D expression of Life may effect links to their concurrent Life expressions in the 4D, 5D and higher realms. We understand that sound can be used to effect vibrational states whereby higher levels of perception and informations are obtained. And now, as a result of the Tzolkin acoustic translations, we are capable of taking an ordinary CD and tangibly applying dynamics of the 4th dimension to radically and positively progress individual and communal consciousness, health and vitality.

Jesus (the Christ, not Martinez) said "They that have ears to hear, let them hear." He knew not everyone was prepared to hear the enlightening Truth that Consciousness was pouring through him, nevertheless, he spoke so those who could hear It would have the opportunity to do so. I'm sure there are many people reading this who are dismissing the above as New Age delusion, at best, and that does not negate the validity of what I'm sharing, nor of my experience and the experiences of many others who have used the Tzolkin acoustic translations. At one point, we lacked the instruments to confirm we live in an heliocentric planetary system, that information can be transmitted across open air without wires, that our cells are individual microcomputers. We may not have the instruments required to validate string theory or the practical linking of our 3D experience to the vital currents of the 4th and higher dimensions using sound and/or light, however we will. Those who do or may understand and are seeking the value of the easily applied tools for personal enhancement such as the Tzolkin translations (who share this online community) deserve to hear now, and they can.

The Live Earth concerts!! Wow, speaking of hearing, the sound quality was incredible. I was online through most of the event, jumping from country to country, continent to continent. I heard a lot of great music and I heard a consistent message. The message is that we are ready to drop our individual b.s. and start making the necessary shifts in consciousness and personal responsibility necessary for planetary survival and well being. It was a motivating experience. Being motivated to directly further the positive planetary consciousness shift, I have decided to offer my company's mp3CD versions of the 4 most fundamental and dynamic Tzolkin acoustic translations at 1/2 price for 260 days, beginning July 11, (2007). The Tzolkin is a 260-day Calendar; if we're gonna do a Tzolkin music sale for the sake of raising planetary consciousness, we might as well do it for a full Calendrical cycle. (Otherwise, it's just a sale, and that's not what this is about.) The translations are among the most powerful and effective cognitive and personal enhancement tools available -- more comprehensively and enduringly effective than Hemi-Sync, Holo-Sync and other similar products -- at a very low and reasonable price for such products. Nonetheless, it's a pivotal time, and I would have DMG/DarkMother.com assist in the process of planetary ascension by making the core of our product line "Ascension" available to millions more people by simply making it more affordable.

Positive planetary climate change begins with positive planetary consciousness change. "They that have ears to hear, let them hear." Come, hear and experience Ascension @ http://www.DarkMother.com

May you grow daily as Light and Love,

Rev. Michaele de Cygne
President
DMG/DarkMother.com
http://www.DarkMother.com

posted in Full Enlightenment - 0 replies

The spiritual meaning of your life challenges

Fri, 18 May 2007 23:09:24 GMT

If the moderators will kindly permit a new book announcement, I would like to tell people about a spirituality book I’ve written and recently published that may be of interest and service.

Courageous Souls: Do We Plan Our Life Challenges Before Birth? explores the premise that we are all eternal souls who plan our lives, including our greatest challenges, before we’re born for purposes of spiritual growth.

The book contains ten true stories of people who planned physical illness, having handicapped children, deafness, blindness, drug addiction, alcoholism, losing a loved one, and severe accidents.

The information about their pre-birth plans was obtained by four very gifted mediums and channels, including one who has the ability both to see and to hear the conversations we have with one another before we’re born. The book therefore contains the actual conversations people had with their future parents, children, spouses, friends, and other loved ones when they planned these challenges.

As readers come to understand that they themselves planned many of their challenges, suffering that once seemed purposeless becomes imbued with deep meaning. Wisdom may be acquired in a more conscious manner; feelings of anger, guilt, blame, and victimization are replaced by acceptance, forgiveness, gratitude, and peace.

A free PDF with a large sample of the book is available on the About the Book page at www.CourageousSouls.com. People may also wish to read the reviews on Amazon.

The book may be ordered on the Courageous Souls web site or from Amazon, including Amazon Canada, UK, France, Germany, and Japan. It may also be ordered from any bookstore or library (in most countries) by providing them with the ISBN number (9780977679454).

Thank you for permitting me to post this message.

Kind regards,
Robert Schwartz
author, Courageous Souls: Do We Plan Our Life Challenges Before Birth?
www.CourageousSouls.com

posted in Full Enlightenment - 1 reply