#non-dual tantra

[teanicolae]

the last days of the Śabdācāra Yātra: Yamunotri & the mystical Yamunā Devī.

[holybookslibrary]

The Shiva Samhita - A Critical Edition

The Shiva Samhita The Shiva Samhita - A Critical Edition is a translation of the ancient teachings on tantra known as Shiva Samhita. The sanskrit title means "The Collection of Verses of Shiva" and the book is considered the most important root text of Hatha Yoga. It starts out by outlining various methods of liberation and philosophical ideas and it goes into details on the non-dual Vedantic philosophy. Download the complete English translation of The Shiva Samhita here:

The Shiva Samhita  

What is the Shiva Samhita?

The Shiva Samhita is a classical text on yoga and tantra. It is considered one of the three most important texts of Hatha yoga, the others being the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and the Gheranda Samhita. The exact date of its composition is unknown, but it is generally placed between the 17th and 18th centuries. Here are some key aspects of the Shiva Samhita: - Content and Structure: The text is presented as a conversation between Lord Shiva and his consort, Parvati. It consists of five chapters, covering various aspects of yoga philosophy and practice. - Yoga Techniques: The Shiva Samhita describes various techniques of yoga, including postures (asanas), breath control (pranayama), mudras, and meditation. It also delves into the subtle anatomy of the body, discussing chakras (energy centers), nadis (energy channels), and Kundalini energy. - Philosophical Teachings: The text provides insights into the nature of the self and the universe, integrating concepts from various Indian philosophical traditions. It emphasizes the importance of self-realization and the unity of individual consciousness with the universal consciousness. - Influence: The Shiva Samhita has been influential in the development of Hatha yoga. It has been a reference for many modern yoga practitioners and teachers, offering a blend of practical guidance and philosophical understanding. - Translations and Commentary: The text has been translated into several languages and has been the subject of various commentaries, making it accessible to a global audience interested in yoga and spirituality. The Shiva Samhita is valued not only for its practical guidance on yoga but also for its comprehensive approach to understanding the mind, body, and spirit in the pursuit of enlightenment. Read the full article

[talonabraxas]

Dzogchen - The Garuda Talon Abraxas

Dzogchen is 'The Great Perfection', the apogee of Tibetan Tantric Buddhist meditation accomplishment. It is the Buddha's enlightenment in rainbow light.

Dzogchen is also a path of existential praxis which is the quintessence of all Tantra. But it cannot be taught or learned. Either you get it or you don't. It is the school of Buddhism with greatest affinity to the sanity of twenty-first century mystical aspiration.

A sign of Dzogchen is the Garuda, a mythical bird, Khyung or Kading in Tibetan, an ancient sun-god, the celestial bird sometimes with human face.

The Dzogchen Vision

'The first thing is vision. Dzogchen vision which sees what really is -- the nature of mind itself. This is the natural state of being, where the mind makes no distinctions and judgments. This state of awareness is called rigpa. Rigpa is naked awareness of the wholistic here and now. We cannot actually express this awareness and there is nothing to compare it to in order to describe it. It is certainly not the ordinary state of emotional confusion and conflicting thoughts, but neither is it nirvanic cessation. This state cannot be produced or developed, and on the other hand it cannot be stopped or extinguished. We can never be free of it and nor can we fall into error in it. It is impossible to say that we actually exist at that moment but we cannot say that we do not exist. This experience is neither of infinity, nor of anything specific.'

'So, to be brief, because the nature of mind, the Great Perfection, rigpa, cannot be established as any specific thing, state, or action, it has the original face of emptiness which makes it pure from the beginning, all pervasive and all-penetrating. Because the unobstructed lustre of Emptiness and the entire gamut of experience whether confused or transcendant are like the sun and its rays, Emptiness is experienced positively as everything and anything whatsoever and it has the intrinsic nature of non-dual awareness of the spontaneously arisen universe of pure quality. For this reason the recognition of the presence of what is, as the primordial natural state of being, the Real Self of the Three Buddha Bodies, intrinsic awareness as the union of light and emptiness, is called the vision of the inconceivable Great Perfection.'

--The Flight of the Garuda: The Dzogchen Traditions of Tibetan Buddhism

Sarva Mangalam!

May all beings be happy!

[mysticmartinez]

Lord Shiva said "Some wish me to be Advaita (non-dual), and others wish me to be Dvaita (dual). He who knows me in essence is free from both Dvaita and Advaita."

- Kularnava Tantra

[33-108]

Svacchanda Bhairava - The form of lord Siva who revealed the knowledge of the 92 Shaiva Tantras to our world through the 5 mouths/mukhas and the associated saktis.

-The 10 non dual, siva tantras, through each combimation of two mouths.

-18 of the mono-dualistic, Rudra Tantras, through a combination of 3 mouths

-64 of the nondual, Bhairava Tantras, using all 5,

"We bow at the feet of that Svacchandanātha with five heads (Īśāna, Tapuruṣa, Sadyojāta, Vāmadeva, and Aghora, these five mouths); we bow our heads before that Svacchandanātha, who is viśvaika rupa, who is one with this whole universe, who is universal, viśvātma, who is the embodiment of the universe, viśva sargādi kāraṇam, who creates the universe, who protects the universe, who destroys the universe, who reveals the universe, and who conceals the universe with His five acts (creation, protection, destruction, concealing, and revealing).

And that Svacchanda Bhairava is para prakāśa vapuṣaṁ, the embodiment of supreme light, the light beyond all the three lights. It is above all the three lights. These three lights which are seen and experienced in this universe: one light of agni (fire), one light of the moon, and another light of the sun – all these three – he supersedes their light. That light is beyond these three lights.

विश्वैकरुपविश्वात्म विश्वसर्गादिकारणम् ।

परप्रकाशवपुषं स्तुमः स्वच्छन्दभैरवम् ॥३५॥

viśvaikarūpaviśvātma vīśvasargādiviśvaika-rupa-viśvātma viśva-sargādi kāraṇam

paraprakāśa-vapuṣaṁ stumaḥ svacchanda-bhairavam // 35//"

[mahayanapilgrim]

The Divine Feminine: The Essence of All

In our tradition, we accept that all things come from this beautiful place of sacred vacancy - the pure potential of awareness, symbolically immortalized in Tantric texts as the Mother's womb - the birthplace of unlimited possibility.

Just like a Mother giving birth - all appearances are expressions of the never-ending luminous and creative display of mind.

In Sanskrit, the term is "gotra," it means the essential nature or seed from which all appearances of the world derive. The womb gives rise to all form, and this form is derived from an empty space - seeded with love and compassion (Sanskrit: bodhicitta).

Hence, the ultimate nature of all appearances in this world are the beautiful reflections of love and limitless potential which are represented as male and female energy (Sanskrit: Shiva and Shakti). When these two forces are brought together and realized in ecstatic non-dual union this is referred to as awakening and at its highest level - enlightenment.

Consequently, in Tantra nothing but the highest respect is given for the energetic potential of the divine feminine and the softness of compassion.

Happy Dakini Day i

[magdalene-spirit]

Contemplation of Self, the desire to know that I am and that I exist, is simultaneously also the creation of knowledge and the principle of generativity, the desire and pulse of perpetual Self-creation, felt as love. Link to article below.

Notes

🦢 Knowing involves feeling the coherent harmony of all that lives, with a mind open to the essence of all things, and not with reference to just a single object.

🦢 Such consciousness is a fluid process, mobile living.

🦢 Plato conceives of a consciousness that is, simultaneously, love.

🦢…consciousness has two eyes: intelligence and love.

🦢 contemplation (theoria) is conceived as the generative locus par excellence.

🦢 It is the Great Goddess as Sakti who, in the Tantric context, comes to represent this generative principle...

Quotes From:

Gioia Lussana - Tantra: the Way to Wisdom in Non-Dual Experience of Being -Some Comparative Remarks about

Non-Dual Kasmiri Saivism and Christian Mysticism

[tantricmassageberlin]

There are huge misconceptions about Tantra. What are the differences between Tantra and Neo-Tantra? What is Neo-Tantra and Tantra massage? First, I will explain the Indian Tantra and the Tibetan Tantra traditions below. Then I will go into Neo-Tantra mostly widely known as Tantra massage.

( Note: Tantra massage is Neo-Tantra and models the philosophy of Tantra. Very very few Tantra massage therapists are true initiates of Tantra. Tantra massage should be recognised as NEO- TANTRA to end this modern and wide-spread ignorance and misrepresentation of Tantra. That said, NEO- TANTRA is extremely needed into todays modern world and an excellent way to get into touch with ourselves and our bodies, emotions, mind and sexuality )

What is Tantra? 

Tantra is a broad spiritual and philosophical tradition that originated in ancient India over 2,000 years ago. It encompasses various practices, rituals, and philosophies aimed at personal and spiritual growth, self-realization, and connecting with the divine. Tantra seeks to embrace ALL aspects of life, both the spiritual and the material, and view them as interconnected and sacred.

Tantra emphasises Mantrayana ( the study of mantras) and/or "secret Mantra". The practices and rituals given by the Guru or master are always kept secret! A tantric Sadhana (sadhana means practice i.e. practice of the God/Goddess/Diety) must be given by a Guru to the disciple trough transmission and the disciple must never share their personal mantra with anyone (Indian tradition). In Vajrayana, also known as Tibetan tantra, it is similar- initiations into the deity happen within the Sanga and should not be shared outside of it.

Within the broader context of Tantra, there are different schools and lineages with unique practices and teachings.This is an extremely important to note! The symbols, mudras, mantras and rituals will be usually slightly different. Mantras can have a different pronunciation according to the lineage. All Tantric traditions involves meditation, breathwork, rituals, mantra chanting, mudras, visualizations and other techniques such as Yogic postures to expand consciousness and connect with higher states of awareness.

Indian Tantra Tradition Explained

Tantra is a spiritual and philosophical tradition that dates back thousands of years in India. Some well-known forms of Indian Tantra include Kaula Tantra, Shakta Tantra, Vaishnava Tantra and Kashmiri Shaivism to name a few. The actual regions in India developed these tradition as you can tell from Kashmiri Shaivism which started in Kashmir.

It would be impossible to explain all the aspects of Hindu Tantra but here are some key aspects of Indian Hindu Tantra:

Emphasis on the Divine Feminine: Hindu Tantra places a significant emphasis on the worship of the Divine Feminine, known as Shakti. The feminine energy is revered as the creative force of the universe, and various goddesses are honored and invoked in Tantric rituals and meditations. ( Devotees will gravitate to either the Mother/Divine Feminine/shakti or Father/Divine Masculine/shiva) I believe this gravitation is from past life and also the psychological make up of the individual in this life. When you first begin practising Tantra the first stages of Tantra ( in the non-dual Hindu tantric traditions) is to make a connection to the deity and develop the relationship like a mother or father. This ensures a very personal and close relationship that can not be broken. This stage of practicing the Sadhana is mostly psychological but extremely important to build up to the more spiritual practices. I personally, got initiated in Kolkata- Bengal area which is famous for Shakti/the divine mother lineages.

Sacred Texts and Traditions: Tantra has its own set of sacred texts, known as Tantras or Agamas to name a few. These texts provide instructions and guidance for Tantric practices, rituals, and symbolism. There are different Tantric lineages within Hinduism, each with its specific teachings and practices. 

Sadhana and Rituals: Tantra involves the practice of sadhana, which includes meditation, mantra chanting, visualization, and rituals. Tantric rituals often include the use of symbolic objects, such as yantras (sacred geometric diagrams or numbers), mudras (hand gestures), and offerings done in Pujas (ceremonies) and sadhanas.

Chakras and Kundalini: Hindu Tantra recognizes the subtle body, including the concept of chakras (energy centers) and the awakening of Kundalini energy. The process of awakening Kundalini is considered transformative and leads to higher states of consciousness. I personally, did not get much instruction on Yoga (that deals with asanas/postures) from my Guru in Kolkata but he did teach me about how the planets and elements reside in the body.

Guru-Disciple Relationship: The relationship between a guru (spiritual teacher) and disciple is considered essential in Tantra. Initiation (diksha) from a qualified guru is seen as crucial for the transmission of Tantric knowledge and practices. I want to at this time reiterate QUALIFIED GURU! There are many "gurus" claiming they are qualified and an initiate must be extremely careful on who they are learning from. Checking the gurus lifestyle, mode of living, intentions, experience, connections to their guru are a few crucial points to consider. In India, there are many tantric "gurus" or disciples who are knowledgable on stealing energy from other people or leading the person astray which could result in a spiritual crisis or psychosis. I have been blessed with a true authentic Guru from the direct lineage of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa. I have only heard stories of people getting messed up by gurus in India and have had a few manipulative ones trying to connect with me on Facebook. These tantrics will usually show their colours quite quickly- any sign of coarse language, saying they can show you tantric rituals or an angry attitude when you decline is a NO GO!

Embracing All Aspects of Life: Tantra embraces all aspects of life, including the physical, emotional, and spiritual. It does not reject the material world but rather integrates it into the path of spiritual growth. This will be more apparent down the road (at least in my experience with Hindu Tantra) as the beginning stages can lead to isolated spiritual learning situations, retreats and slowly integrating these rituals and philosophies into everyday life. Family and friends may not understand your process at first but as you embrace and embody tantra this will change! As a tantric, you also learn how to transmute emotions through your practice ( which I learned in Vajrayana)

Five Makara Rituals: Some Tantric practices involve the use of the "Five Makaras," which are symbolic substances starting with the letter "M" in Sanskrit. These substances are sometimes misinterpreted as involving non-spiritual or immoral activities, but in Tantric rituals, they hold symbolic significance related to transformation and transcendence. These five makaras are alcohol, meat, fish, gesture and sexual intercourse. How these 5 makaras are practiced has split traditions and have been debated for centuries. A few take them literal and most are practiced symbolically. The 3 Gunas ( Sattva, Rajas and Tamas) come into play here with how the tantric practitioner will overall practice tantra and the rituals. Many traditions claim that if taken literal the rituals are grotesque and the person doing this is performing black magic (which is mostly correct in my view but not always).

Tibetan Tantra also known as Vajryana Buddhism Explained

Tibetan Tantra, also known as Vajrayana Buddhism, is a form of Tantric Buddhism that originated in India and later spread to Tibet and other Himalayan regions. Vajrayana is a prominent school of Buddhism in Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, and parts of northern India.

Tibetan Tantra is considered a swift path to enlightenment but also requires a deep commitment to ethical conduct, a strong foundation in Buddhist principles and a stable meditation practice.

Transmission and Lineage: Tibetan Tantra places great importance on the direct transmission of teachings from master to disciple. The lineage of Tantric teachings is seen as vital for maintaining the purity and efficacy of the practices. There are a number of different lineages in Vajrayana which again slightly differ but not as much as the Hindu Tantra traditions.

Deity Yoga and Visualization: A central practice in Tibetan Tantra is deity yoga which is practiced in Anuttara Tantra widely known as the Highest Yoga Tantra which is the 4th and highest class of Tantra. Practitioners visualize themselves as specific enlightened deities (yidams) embodying various qualities of wisdom and compassion. This practice allows them to connect with the enlightened qualities and realize the non-dual nature of reality.

Mandalas and Sacred Symbols: Mandalas, intricate geometric diagrams, are used in Tibetan Tantra as a visual aid for meditation. These sacred symbols represent the entire universe and serve as a blueprint for achieving enlightenment. Every deity has their own mandala which should be studied and understood. This a complex task that can take many many years to understand!

Mantra and Rituals: Mantras, sacred sound vibrations or syllables, play a significant role in Tibetan Tantra. They are recited or chanted to invoke the blessings and energies of enlightened beings and to purify the mind. Secret Mantra is especially important here as mentioned earlier in this post. Each deity also has a seed syllable attached that is used not only with the sound but in visualisations. This website is using the seed syllable of Tam which is Arya Tara- Green Tara's seed syllable. 

Subtle Body and Energy Channels: Tibetan Tantra acknowledges the subtle body, which includes a system of energy channels (nadis) and energy centers (chakras). Practices aim to awaken and direct the flow of energy (prana) for spiritual growth. In the previous blog post I wrote about Channels, winds and drops.

Guru-Disciple Relationship: The guru-disciple relationship is highly valued in Tibetan Tantra. The guru is considered the embodiment of the enlightened qualities and serves as a guide for the disciple's spiritual journey. Guru Yoga is performed in all of Highest Yoga Tantra sadhanas and holds a direct link between you and the deity you are performing the sadhana for. The guru and the refugee field is extremely important!

Empowerments and Initiation: Initiations (empowerments) are an integral part of Tibetan Tantra. They mark the formal beginning of a specific Tantric practice and connect the practitioner to the lineage of enlightened beings. Empowerments can be a few hours, a few days or even weeks or months. Of course, the longer the initiation is, the more in-depth the empowerment will be. Please note: you can get an initiation into a deity with out taking what we call in this tradition- a commitment. You also do not have to do the practice for the deity. In each empowerment you will be given one of the mantras of that deity that you can practice. Short empowerments are very popular today and can be found at many Dharma or Monasteries. It can be looked upon more as a blessing. Longer empowerments and Initiations can happen- usually after the person shows interest in practicing Vajrayana. They will also have to learn how to perform the Sadhana correctly after the initiation.

Esoteric Practices: Tibetan Tantra includes advanced practices for advanced practitioners, such as tummo (inner heat) and dream yoga. These practices are considered powerful methods for realizing the nature of mind and achieving profound spiritual experiences. I am currently learning these practices and again, this is something that can take years or lifetimes to fully perfect.

In both Indian and Tibetan Tantra, the ultimate goal is to attain spiritual awakening and liberation from cyclic existence (samsara). The religious texts Hindu Tantra and Buddhist Tantra vary along with the deities. Vajrayana takes a non-dual approach while Hindu Tantra is mostly non-dual for instance except for Kashmir Shaivism. Hindu tantra evokes the deities while Vajrayana utilises the mantras of the specific deity and practice deity yoga. The initiation process also differs where in Hindu Tantra you usually work more closely one on one with your guru rather than in a bigger group of people known as a Sanga in Vajrayana. What is tantra ...is different for each Tantric lineage and tradition.

And now finally... Neo Tantra and Tantra Massage!

What is Tantra...or rather Neo- Tantra? After reading about this you will be able to see the differences in Tantra and Neo-Tantra.

Neo-Tantra is a CONTEMPORARY interpretation and adaptation of traditional Tantra practices that emerged in the Western world during the 20th century. It draws inspiration from various aspects of ancient Tantra but differs significantly (almost completely) from the traditional Tantric practices found in ancient Indian texts. Also known as New Age Tantra or Western Tantra- terms I would love to see Neo-Tantra practitioners say! :)

I want say here that most of this blog post is about letting people know that Tantra and Neo- Tantra is not the same and very watered down version of Tantra .... Even so, Neo-Tantra is hugely valuable and a very needed service to the modern world right now but in a completely different way than Tantra. It is also extremely important to find honest and authentic Neo-Tantra teachers and practitioners who understand this difference.

Here are some key characteristics and aspects of Neo-Tantra which can be practiced in Tantra massage:

Emphasis on Personal Growth: Neo-Tantra places a strong emphasis on personal growth, self-awareness, and self-discovery. It often incorporates elements of psychology, sexology, mindfulness, and self-development techniques.

Focus on Sensuality and Intimacy: While traditional Tantra acknowledges the sacredness of sensuality and intimacy, Neo-Tantra sometimes places a more significant emphasis on sexual practices and techniques as a means of spiritual connection and exploration.

Diversity of Practices: Neo-Tantra encompasses a wide range of practices, including conscious touch, energy work, breathwork, meditation, yoga, and various workshops and rituals aimed at expanding consciousness and cultivating intimacy.

Individual Approach: Neo-Tantra encourages practitioners to explore and develop their individual spirituality and connection with the divine, rather than adhering to a specific set of traditional teachings.

Eclectic and Syncretic: Neo-Tantra often draws inspiration from various spiritual traditions, blending elements of Eastern spirituality, Western psychology, New Age beliefs, and other esoteric practices.

Increased Self-Awareness: Neo-Tantra often incorporates mindfulness and self-reflective practices, which can lead to greater self-awareness and understanding of one's emotions, desires, and thought patterns.

Enhanced Communication: Neo-Tantra explores the sacredness of sensuality and intimacy, which can lead to improved communication and deeper connections in relationships.

Stress Reduction and Relaxation: Practices like conscious touch, breathwork, and meditation in Neo-Tantra can help reduce stress, promote relaxation, and improve overall well-being.

Emotional Healing: Through various practices, individuals may experience emotional release and healing, allowing them to address past traumas and cultivate emotional resilience.

As you can see Tantra massage and Neo-Tantra have huge benefits for the modern woman and men. The fast paced modern world with everyone on their electronic devises and social media is crippling our society and leading to much confusion in relationships. Neo-Tantra is excellent in helping couples and individuals get better relationships with themselves and others. Now I hope you can see the differences between Tantra and Neo-Tantra.

As a Traditional Tantric practitioner with experience in both Hindu and Buddhist Tantra as well as Neo- Tantra, I would be happy to help you discover both these worlds of Tantra. Feel free to call me on tel:+49 152 28321111 to book a Tantra session with me in Berlin.

With love,

Tashi

[blrowanducks-blog]

Ekajati

Protector of the most secret inner tantras.

As the protector of mantra, she supports the practitioner in deciphering symbolic dakini codes and properly determines appropriate times and circumstances for revealing tantric teachings. Because she completely realizes the texts and mantras under her care, she reminds the practitioner of their preciousness and secrecy.

She is considered to be the most powerful goddess in the Vajrayana pantheon, and just by listening to her mantra all hindrances and obstacles are destroyed, also bringing good luck and intense religious enjoyment.

She is the supreme protectress of the Nyingmapa (the oldest of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism) practices.

Symbolically ekajati is analogous to the single pointed vajra. A single-pointed vajra represents both the central chan- nel as Mt Meru's central axis, and the union of all duality symbols conceived of as non-dual. These include wisdom and compassion, emptiness and bliss, absolute and relative truths. The relation to Shiva could be explained, but suffice it to say they are an image of the unity that expresses itself as concious awareness.

[teanicolae]

Hymn to the Empress of Kings

Praise be to The Empress of Kings seated on the throne of five corpses in the palace of ruby.

Her blinking eyes birth and collapse the cosmos, and her crown is the lunar half-moon.

She whose reddened eyes roll ecstatically, She is Mahātripurasundarī, The Great Beauty of the Triads.

Praise be to Parā Aṃbikā, of allure so exquisite that, enchanted, Śiva grew his third eye just to worship her beauty.

Her body is anointed with sandalwood, and her fragrance bathes and deludes the three worlds.

She is Śrīmātā, The Auspicious Mother.

Praise be to Lalitā Aṃbikā, The One Who Plays, whose girdle of tinkling bells stirs creation into being.

She who gifts the sun his effulgence, Her toenail holds the universes, and Her auspicious thighs are known only by the fortunate Kāmeśvara.

She is Kāmākṣī, She whose eyes are desire.

Bhavānī, you are the nectar of the ocean of compassion: grace this songstress to only sing of your praises.

“Hymn to the Empress of Kings”, one of my poems offered to Devī at the magnificent Siri Jyoti Pūjā in Seattle. inspired by the verses of the Lalitāsahasranāma which extoll Lalitā’s rapturous beauty. Śrī Mātre Namaḥ. Happy Navarātra!

photos: SJP, Seattle, September 2022.

[talonabraxas]

Dzogchen - The Garuda Talon Abraxas

Dzogchen is 'The Great Perfection', the apogee of Tibetan Tantric Buddhist meditation accomplishment. It is the Buddha's enlightenment in rainbow light.

Dzogchen is also a path of existential praxis which is the quintessence of all Tantra. But it cannot be taught or learned. Either you get it or you don't. It is the school of Buddhism with greatest affinity to the sanity of twenty-first century mystical aspiration.

A sign of Dzogchen is the Garuda, a mythical bird, Khyung or Kading in Tibetan, an ancient sun-god, the celestial bird sometimes with human face.

The Dzogchen Vision

'The first thing is vision. Dzogchen vision which sees what really is -- the nature of mind itself. This is the natural state of being, where the mind makes no distinctions and judgments. This state of awareness is called rigpa. Rigpa is naked awareness of the wholistic here and now. We cannot actually express this awareness and there is nothing to compare it to in order to describe it. It is certainly not the ordinary state of emotional confusion and conflicting thoughts, but neither is it nirvanic cessation. This state cannot be produced or developed, and on the other hand it cannot be stopped or extinguished. We can never be free of it and nor can we fall into error in it. It is impossible to say that we actually exist at that moment but we cannot say that we do not exist. This experience is neither of infinity, nor of anything specific.'

'So, to be brief, because the nature of mind, the Great Perfection, rigpa, cannot be established as any specific thing, state, or action, it has the original face of emptiness which makes it pure from the beginning, all pervasive and all-penetrating. Because the unobstructed lustre of Emptiness and the entire gamut of experience whether confused or transcendant are like the sun and its rays, Emptiness is experienced positively as everything and anything whatsoever and it has the intrinsic nature of non-dual awareness of the spontaneously arisen universe of pure quality. For this reason the recognition of the presence of what is, as the primordial natural state of being, the Real Self of the Three Buddha Bodies, intrinsic awareness as the union of light and emptiness, is called the vision of the inconceivable Great Perfection.' --The Flight of the Garuda: The Dzogchen Traditions of Tibetan Buddhism

Sarva Mangalam! May all beings be happy!

[holybookslibrary]

An Introduction to Mahamudra Meditation by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche Geshe Lharampa

An Introduction to Mahamudra Meditation An Introduction to Mahamudra Meditation by The Venerable Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche Geshe Lharampa is an essential guide. During the flourishing of the Mahamudra teachings in India  in the 8th to 12th centuries, innumerable people practiced Mahamudra. Many of them attained realization through this practice. Mahamudra means  "great seal" or "great symbol." It is now used as the culmination of nearly all of the different sects of Tibetan Buddhist schools, where it is regarded as one of the most essential teachings. Download the meditation guide here:  

An Introduction to Mahamudra Meditation  

What is Mahamudra meditation?

Mahamudra is a form of meditation that is central to certain schools of Tibetan Buddhism, particularly the Kagyu tradition but also practiced in others like the Gelug school. The term "Mahamudra" translates to "great seal" or "great symbol" in Sanskrit. It refers to a comprehensive system of meditation practices designed to help practitioners realize the ultimate nature of reality, leading to spiritual enlightenment. The practice of Mahamudra is advanced and traditionally comes after preliminary practices (often referred to as "Ngöndro"). It encompasses a wide range of meditation techniques, including: - Sutra and Tantra Mahamudra: The practice can be divided into Sutra Mahamudra, which is based more on mindfulness and awareness practices similar to those found in various forms of Buddhist meditation, and Tantra Mahamudra, which involves more esoteric practices, including deity yoga (visualizing oneself as a deity to embody divine qualities). - Shamatha (calm-abiding meditation): This foundational technique involves focusing the mind on a single point of concentration to develop stability and calmness. Often, practitioners start with focusing on the breath, a neutral object, or a concept. The goal is to achieve mental tranquility and a stable state of concentration. - Vipashyana (insight meditation): Building on the mental clarity and focus developed in shamatha, vipashyana involves analytical meditation to gain insight into the nature of reality and the mind. In the context of Mahamudra, this particularly involves insight into emptiness or the lack of inherent existence of all phenomena, and the realization of the non-dual nature of reality. - Non-dual meditation: As practitioners progress, Mahamudra meditation involves transcending conceptual thought to experience the true nature of the mind and phenomena directly, beyond dualistic perceptions of self and other, subject and object. - Daily life practice: Mahamudra is not just a formal meditation practice but a way of experiencing all aspects of life with a non-dual, present-moment awareness. It involves carrying the insights from meditation into everyday experiences. - Guru Yoga: In Tibetan Buddhism, the relationship with a qualified teacher or guru is crucial. Guru Yoga practices in Mahamudra involve devotion to the guru and often include visualizations and mantras to receive the guru's blessings and guidance, which are believed to be essential for progressing on the spiritual path. Given the depth and complexity of these practices, direct study under a qualified teacher is considered crucial in Tibetan Buddhism. Practitioners are typically advised not to attempt advanced practices like Mahamudra without appropriate guidance, as doing so can lead to misunderstandings and potential obstacles in one's practice and development. Read the full article

[online-course-vip]

Elliott Saxby – Kundalini Bodywork Online (Advanced Course)

Elliott Saxby – Kundalini Bodywork Online (Advanced Course) Description Of Kundalini Bodywork Online Holistic therapy and activation practices including: Energetic Bodywork Body and Emotional De-armouring Tantra and it’s relations to Kundalini Bodywork Breathwork/Pranayama and Meditation Non-Dual Psychology 4 levels of Shadow Work We can not give what we do not have. By learning to give…

[melissaabbottyoga]

New Podcast Today!

Experience Sacred and Embodied Journeys with Melissa Abbott.  Yoga Nidras, Non Dual Shaiva Tantra Meditations,  21 Tara Practices, Dakini & Yogini Practices with healing singing bowl soundbath with Tambura.  Designed to empower the feminine, connect to your pure potentiality, clear your consciousness, process, protect, increase longevity, heal from within, connection, vitality, improve sleep…

[mahayanapilgrim]

The Manjushri Namasamgiti teaching is regarded as one of the most advanced teachings given by Buddha Shakyamuni. It represents the pinnacle of all of Buddha Shakyamuni's teachings on non-dual tantra.

According to tradition, the teachings contained in this treatise were given by Buddha Shakyamuni for his disciple Vajrapani and his wrathful retinue. At the heart of this treatise is the Bodhisattva Manjushri as the embodiment of all knowledge, and it lists his various epithets, names, and forms. Amongst these is a central form of Manjushri, which has since become known by the name of the treatise itself. The form depicted here in this thangka follows one of the Gelug tradition's presentations of Manjushri Namasamgiti.