Completed first 3 day “introduction” sessions.
This is going to be … very weird. But I have hopes that it will ultimately help me along the path. An opportunity to practice patience … I want to dive in to the deep end. But I know better. And given that I am working towards a journey to the center of my mind .. my being… as it truly as I am reluctant to screw around and get myself into trouble.
One of the things that is going to be challenging is that while this path is described by the great teachers and practitioners as “beyond religion and culture”… the bulk of the material I have contains much of the great “pith” teachings and commentary…. writing by those who are very much a product of their culture when it comes to explanation, ritual, and so on. So as I approach is session I have to process it into something that works in real time USA rather than a Monastery.
For example, the traditional Ngondro practice takes 3-4 years to complete. Tens of thousands of prostrations, mantra chanting, Mandala offerings, importance of the Guru. Part of what is … challenging… is sorting out what I can embrace and do. Modern writings from the masters are moving in this direction as the teachings spread into the West… and they seek to fulfill their vows of helping all sentient beings attain liberation… while preserving their culture from destruction by the Chinese.
So… the exercises for the first 3 days are meditation on: Sufferings of the Hell Realms, Sufferings of the hungry ghosts, and Sufferings of the animals, gods, and others. And there are a lot of hells. So … since none of that is part of my belief system, where do I go with it? I look to the classic source “Words of My Perfect Teacher” and I see that the essential idea is ..”Imagine if you were in one of this situations. You could not have the teaching. You could not do the practice. You would continue stuck in Samsara. You are lucky in your situation. So take advantage and get your ass in gear and practice.”
I’ll be back in a couple of days depending on what I find in the next set of exercises…. or when I have an Exploding Head experience …. or whatever.
Please feel free to comment of ask questions…. and thanks for your interest.
Starry Wisdom 