Knowledge is never ending and also after a certain stage, it becomes a hindrance towards the path of enlightenment. Extra knowledge eventually becomes nothing but another source of our ego that our fake identity likes to dwells upon. Therefore, it is imperative for me to take extra precaution in sharing only that information that would easily blend with our current path without further drifting us towards delusions respectively.
Very recently I read about different paths for realizing the ultimate truth.This topic is vast but I have tried to highlight the most important points in a concise manner to save you time, also hoping that it will of great benefit to you.
According to Buddhism there are two ways to achieve the highest realization,
1. Through Sutras: Religious Texts and Scriptures. There are various scriptures like Upanishads, Sri Bhagvat Geeta, Guru Granth Sahib, The Bible, The Holy Koran, The Golden Light Sutra that accelerate us to the path of righteousness and eventually realization.
2. Through Mantras (Or Tantra path): Tantra has been misinterpreted as black magic over the period of time due to degeneration of understanding of its true meaning in the Ancient Vedas. Very few Indian Gurus understand and teach the true meaning of tantra and only now things have started to change on a global level for good.In Tibetan Buddhism some great monks carefully translated and understood the true meaning of tantras as well. Tantra is a path that may not be suitable for everyone. It requires some regular practice and commitment (At stage I lack that so I have not initiated it, however I am trying to be more spiritually organized). For tantra the first criteria is to be honest to yourself. Assess your level fairly to progress. Leave it to the universe to put you on the path of Sutra or Mantra or Tantra or all together.
In addition to the two paths above there are also two kinds of Truth Realizers. I have not read the Hindu equivalent so I will talk about what I read in the Buddhist text about it.
1. Solitary Realizer: Beings who realize the ultimate truth for themselves and achieve salvation. They remain in bliss and return when required by the universe to assist. There domain of helping other beings is also limited.
2. Buddha (The Enlightened): A being who in addition is also filled with such limitless compassion for uncountable sentient beings that he manifest himself or herself for eons in various reality domains in different forms only to alleviate them to perfect and peerless Enlightenment as well. It is also said that the Buddha bliss realization is equal to that of a solitary realizer but much nobler since a Buddha did not think just think himself during his pursuit for ultimate realization but about all. Also the Buddha has wisdom of omniscience in addition. Omniscience is all knowing in one moment. A solitary realizer on the other hand will have to select a moment from past present and future to see and know. A Buddha is known to knock at the door or wake up (encourage to manifest) the solitary realizer and help liberating sentient beings.
Coming back to Tantra, it is said that one should find a true Guru and get initiated. Initiation is a process where you are given a Mantra and set of breathing techniques to practice. This practice opens up Kundalini Shakti in a systematic manner according to ones capabilities of this life. Some other important factors that will accelerate your progress while practicing Tantra are
1. Renouncing Killing: Try to direct mosquitoes out of the window at least once before killing it. Have compassion for rodents and don’t enjoy their death. Feel that this was once your child, or parent in previous life and only became a rodent because of its bad karmas. No matter how ugly a rodent is, it was still your child or a parent once. Pray for a better life like that of a human for them so that they don’t have to die like this again. Check Usnisa Vijaya Mantra (also called Namgyalma Mantra) that specially benefits the dead and animals.
2. Giving plentiful food: Be it humans, insects, ants or any other sentient being. If you are able to recite Golden Light Sutra (Even a Single Word from it then the benefit to those beings will be limitless, and your numberless negative Karmas of past lives will disappear instantly as well. Even if you only pronounce the name “Tathagata Ratnashikin” (Tathagata is respectful title given to a Buddha) from the Golden Light Sutra, while giving food to any animal, humans, insect or any other being, they will receive immense benefit (The benefit that will come to you will be inconceivable and unending)
3. Being honest: If you are honest to yourself you cannot be unknowingly dishonest to anyone else. You will always know and would have to make an extra effort to be dishonest to anyone else.
4. Develop supreme compassion for all beings: (It took me 5 months to begin to understand the true meaning of compassion starting November 2014. After this time it is accelerating on its own). You can go to Tushita in hauz Khaz and meet Monk Kabir or a lady Monk Samten. They are very intelligent, patient and clear in delivering understanding about true meaning of compassion for those who are interested.
TUSHITA Mahayana Meditation Centre (http://tushitadelhi.com/)
9 Padmini Enclave, Hauz Khas
New Delhi 110 016, I N D I A
Tel: (11) 2651 3400,
Email: mahayanadelhi@gmail.com
If anyone amongst you is ready for Tantra initiation then two genuine Gurus that I can vouch for are
1. Lama Zopa Rinpoche (Spiritual Buddhist Teacher): Check out his teachings and location at http://fpmt.org/teach... or just Google him along with the word enlightenment or emptiness.
2. Sri M (Vedic Teacher): I have not got a chance to meet him physically but I would suggest that you read his book first “Apprenticed to the Himalayan Yogi”. Try meeting him even with half heart you will not be disappointed. You can check out this YouTube link as well.If you are not ready they will just bless you and not initiate you yet.
But first I would strongly suggest you to read these books in chronological order if you would like the Tantra path. If you don’t have time to read then I would be writing about everything important in another email anyway. It might take few weeks. (Please note that before getting into tantra, Compassion is extremely necessary)
1. Apprenticed to the Himalayan Yogi(SRI M) (I have read and can discuss)
2. Introduction to Tantra( Sir John Woodfrey) (I have read and can discuss)
I would suggest you to read this book after you deliberately, think, research, understanding and practice compassion for at least a month and continue automatically without thinking. If you are an extrovert share your good gestures on the meet up board to inspire others but without making it a tool to satisfy your ego or having a sense of competition, else you do not write anything. For introverts who still want to share can email to me. I will be happy to read and respond) 3. Tantric Distiction (Jeophry Hopkins) (I have read and can discuss): You will like this difficult book if you have initiated compassion for all in your heart.
4. Introduction to Tantra (Lama Yeshe) ( Still Reading)
5. Kundalini Aghora II (To read: You can also read any other book on kundalini shakti, I would be posting many links in near future. Internet is also very good.)
6. MahaNivaran Tantra (Sir John Woodfrey: To read)
7. Practice for at least 4 to 5 months before initiation by a Genuine Guru.
Good Luck
Your Friend From Past Lives
Very recently I read about different paths for realizing the ultimate truth.This topic is vast but I have tried to highlight the most important points in a concise manner to save you time, also hoping that it will of great benefit to you.
According to Buddhism there are two ways to achieve the highest realization,
1. Through Sutras: Religious Texts and Scriptures. There are various scriptures like Upanishads, Sri Bhagvat Geeta, Guru Granth Sahib, The Bible, The Holy Koran, The Golden Light Sutra that accelerate us to the path of righteousness and eventually realization.
2. Through Mantras (Or Tantra path): Tantra has been misinterpreted as black magic over the period of time due to degeneration of understanding of its true meaning in the Ancient Vedas. Very few Indian Gurus understand and teach the true meaning of tantra and only now things have started to change on a global level for good.In Tibetan Buddhism some great monks carefully translated and understood the true meaning of tantras as well. Tantra is a path that may not be suitable for everyone. It requires some regular practice and commitment (At stage I lack that so I have not initiated it, however I am trying to be more spiritually organized). For tantra the first criteria is to be honest to yourself. Assess your level fairly to progress. Leave it to the universe to put you on the path of Sutra or Mantra or Tantra or all together.
In addition to the two paths above there are also two kinds of Truth Realizers. I have not read the Hindu equivalent so I will talk about what I read in the Buddhist text about it.
1. Solitary Realizer: Beings who realize the ultimate truth for themselves and achieve salvation. They remain in bliss and return when required by the universe to assist. There domain of helping other beings is also limited.
2. Buddha (The Enlightened): A being who in addition is also filled with such limitless compassion for uncountable sentient beings that he manifest himself or herself for eons in various reality domains in different forms only to alleviate them to perfect and peerless Enlightenment as well. It is also said that the Buddha bliss realization is equal to that of a solitary realizer but much nobler since a Buddha did not think just think himself during his pursuit for ultimate realization but about all. Also the Buddha has wisdom of omniscience in addition. Omniscience is all knowing in one moment. A solitary realizer on the other hand will have to select a moment from past present and future to see and know. A Buddha is known to knock at the door or wake up (encourage to manifest) the solitary realizer and help liberating sentient beings.
Coming back to Tantra, it is said that one should find a true Guru and get initiated. Initiation is a process where you are given a Mantra and set of breathing techniques to practice. This practice opens up Kundalini Shakti in a systematic manner according to ones capabilities of this life. Some other important factors that will accelerate your progress while practicing Tantra are
1. Renouncing Killing: Try to direct mosquitoes out of the window at least once before killing it. Have compassion for rodents and don’t enjoy their death. Feel that this was once your child, or parent in previous life and only became a rodent because of its bad karmas. No matter how ugly a rodent is, it was still your child or a parent once. Pray for a better life like that of a human for them so that they don’t have to die like this again. Check Usnisa Vijaya Mantra (also called Namgyalma Mantra) that specially benefits the dead and animals.
2. Giving plentiful food: Be it humans, insects, ants or any other sentient being. If you are able to recite Golden Light Sutra (Even a Single Word from it then the benefit to those beings will be limitless, and your numberless negative Karmas of past lives will disappear instantly as well. Even if you only pronounce the name “Tathagata Ratnashikin” (Tathagata is respectful title given to a Buddha) from the Golden Light Sutra, while giving food to any animal, humans, insect or any other being, they will receive immense benefit (The benefit that will come to you will be inconceivable and unending)
3. Being honest: If you are honest to yourself you cannot be unknowingly dishonest to anyone else. You will always know and would have to make an extra effort to be dishonest to anyone else.
4. Develop supreme compassion for all beings: (It took me 5 months to begin to understand the true meaning of compassion starting November 2014. After this time it is accelerating on its own). You can go to Tushita in hauz Khaz and meet Monk Kabir or a lady Monk Samten. They are very intelligent, patient and clear in delivering understanding about true meaning of compassion for those who are interested.
TUSHITA Mahayana Meditation Centre (http://tushitadelhi.com/)
9 Padmini Enclave, Hauz Khas
New Delhi 110 016, I N D I A
Tel: (11) 2651 3400,
Email: mahayanadelhi@gmail.com
If anyone amongst you is ready for Tantra initiation then two genuine Gurus that I can vouch for are
1. Lama Zopa Rinpoche (Spiritual Buddhist Teacher): Check out his teachings and location at http://fpmt.org/teach... or just Google him along with the word enlightenment or emptiness.
2. Sri M (Vedic Teacher): I have not got a chance to meet him physically but I would suggest that you read his book first “Apprenticed to the Himalayan Yogi”. Try meeting him even with half heart you will not be disappointed. You can check out this YouTube link as well.If you are not ready they will just bless you and not initiate you yet.
But first I would strongly suggest you to read these books in chronological order if you would like the Tantra path. If you don’t have time to read then I would be writing about everything important in another email anyway. It might take few weeks. (Please note that before getting into tantra, Compassion is extremely necessary)
1. Apprenticed to the Himalayan Yogi(SRI M) (I have read and can discuss)
2. Introduction to Tantra( Sir John Woodfrey) (I have read and can discuss)
I would suggest you to read this book after you deliberately, think, research, understanding and practice compassion for at least a month and continue automatically without thinking. If you are an extrovert share your good gestures on the meet up board to inspire others but without making it a tool to satisfy your ego or having a sense of competition, else you do not write anything. For introverts who still want to share can email to me. I will be happy to read and respond) 3. Tantric Distiction (Jeophry Hopkins) (I have read and can discuss): You will like this difficult book if you have initiated compassion for all in your heart.
4. Introduction to Tantra (Lama Yeshe) ( Still Reading)
5. Kundalini Aghora II (To read: You can also read any other book on kundalini shakti, I would be posting many links in near future. Internet is also very good.)
6. MahaNivaran Tantra (Sir John Woodfrey: To read)
7. Practice for at least 4 to 5 months before initiation by a Genuine Guru.
Good Luck
Your Friend From Past Lives
