To: K-list
Recieved: 1999/11/11 12:19
Subject: [K-list] Tibetan memories
From: winter mute
On 1999/11/11 12:19, winter mute posted thus to the K-list:
On Wed, 10 Nov 1999 07:34:34 Adele Chatelain wrote:
> You asked about Clear Light. I don't pretend to be an
>expert, but here goes:
> There are four subtle kinds of consciousness:
> (l) The mind of White Appearance
> (2) The mind of red increase
> (3) The mind of black near-attainment
> (4) Clear light
>
>These 'minds' occur spontaneously at death, or as a result
>of
>successful inner fire (tummo) meditation when the airs
>(energies)
>have been absorbed in the central channel.
>
>A yogi or yogini can use these subtle minds to realize
>nonduality (oneness).
>
>Like any kind of 'knowing' it's hard to explain in >words.
Yes, I guess it must be experienced. :)
Thank you very much for explaning. :)
I'm not an expert either, but I wonder
(and these are just ponderings on my part)
I wonder if not the Clear Light then
corresponds to pure consciousness, the base
consciousness which is also reflected in the
energy when it reaches the top of the
head. :)
The mind of black near attainment may then
correspond to the void which is encountered prior
to the pure non dual consciousness, which feels like
tuning in to a channel of pure static.
The mind of red increase might correspond to the
what the Hindus call the bliss sheath,
which can be encountered as red movement. :)
Not easy to say whether these correspondences are
at all correct of not, but nevertheless interesting to
make a little comparison. :)
>It
>might be easier to understand if you know that Tibetan
>Buddhists
>believe that everything (all matter) is made up of Light;
>nothing
>truly exists from it's own side (meaning, if you were to
>break
>down matter to it's basic component---you'd end up >with Light).
Light is energy, all matter is also energy.
:) Who says matter and energy can't be light ?
>You can find out more about Clear Light if you read any
>book on the SIX YOGAS OF NAROPA (a Kagyu tradition text)
>where
>they emphasize Clear Light (and also they emphasize Dream
>Yoga).
>You seem to be drawn to the Kagyu tradition from your
>questions.
Yes, I wonder whether this isn't the case.
I bought one book on Tara worship and one book on
Tibetan Tantra. I'd better go and check the
tradition of the authors of those two books. :)
>Because of that vision, I immediately had
>a one-
>woman show of my art work, which is what my father always
>wanted
>me to do. Ironically, when he was dying when I was having
>my Opening Night, he was the only member of my family who
>remembered
>I was having the Show. He died shortly thereafter.
Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.
In a way, you did get to attain your goal, even when
it came with such an unsettling message.
>Also, pain became something I could tolerate.
>After the K. experience, the pain didn't go away. BUT I had
>patience to endure it. And I learned somehow to offer up
>the pain to others, as a 'sacrifice'.
Yes, I think I know what you mean. :)
Things are easier to bear with K, somehow...
I find the mind much less shocked into fear and
much more receptive to new ideas. :)
>Energy: from then on I could regulate the amounts of my
>energy. If I get tired, I know I can visualize the 'winds'
>going into my central channel, energizing me....to help
>others.
Sounds like a beautiful practice and good way of
helping ppl. :)
>Beforehand, I existed for myself and my friends. AFter the
>experience, I no longer existed for me but for 'God' within me.
I am happy to hear this. I sums up the K experience
very well. :)
God becomes a renewed focus and point of contact
that was never experienced before.
>It gave me tremendous inner strength to guide others---which
>sometimes means not always being 'nice' but knowing when to
>exert terseness when necessary (some times being 'nice' only
>helps others to remain helpless).
:) That is not my "way", but I do see your point.
>You asked me about the Deity initiation: Like most
>followers
>of Tibetan Buddhism, I've had many initiations:
>Heruka/Vajrayogini--
>(which included certain aspects of CHOD):Dorje Sempa, etc.
>However, I
>am most fond of the Kalachakra initiation. The complexity
>of
>the visuals involved seem to satisfy my
>artistic/visualization side.
Thanks for telling me.
I didn't know that many Tibetan Buddhists had had
several initiations.
Could you tell us more about Kalachakra ?
This is a deity I have never encountered before.
>After sometimes years of purifying oneself through many
>virtuous
>acts, one begins to learn what's called the Vase Breathing
>meditations (holding one's breath while pulling inward
>abdomen
>and rectal muscles).
Interesting.
Sounds like it corresponds to
a pranayama / bandha exercise in Hindu traditions.
>The key is concentration, so one must start very >slowly.
I can understand why.
>Finally, this practice ALWAYS ends with sending the benefits
>to all living beings in all the Universes, human and
>non-human.
Beautiful ! :)
>I want to say I really don't know much about K./Tummo. What
>happened to me was a great blessing in that it happened
>rather spontaneously. It humbled me and made me realize how
>much I really DON'T know.
>
>If you want to read more about it, there's a wonderful book
>called THE BLISS OF INNER FIRE by Lama Thubten Yeshe
>Wisdom Pub. Boston. 1998.
Thanks for recommending the books.
I will be checking them out once my financial situation
clears up and I can take a trip to Snow Lion's
bookstore. :)
Thanks again for telling about your tradition and how
it views K.
Always interesting to hear about the different
faiths ppl follow on this list.
Of course, Tibetan Buddhism has always been a favorite
of mine, but only in the past year have I started
reading more about it and trying to understand
what the practice is about. :)
Experience make a world of difference than pure
comparative religious studies. :)
Thank you very much again.
Best regards,
Amanda.
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