Saturday, October 17, 2009

Sex and the Single Mind, Part 2

Dog Poet Transmitting.......

I realized while writing the first part that there was going to have to be a second part because of a few things that didn’t get covered. Mostly it is because of admonitions that must be stated. I doubt that any of the readers here will find themselves in this mind frame but it needs discussing.

Tantra is a much misunderstood science in these times of casual couplings and sex identity, (un-) reality, boutique shows. There’s a gaggle of Germans and sundry going about and teaching the deep and sacred mysteries of tantric sex. No doubt all the graduates can meet up every year in Goa and party down with the ‘just add water’, instant saddhus and sanyasins who carry around black Magic Markers so that you can write your cellphone number on their thigh.

The truth is that it is a rare individual who has the capacity to learn Tantra and it is very unlikely that many of them would come from the west. Without a bonafide teacher, you’ll just be spinning your wheels, which is another way of working on your ‘wrist action’. It takes a lifetime, if not lifetimes, of study to complete the course, which cannot be done in three weekends, with one five day intensive, after which you are proclaimed a master.

It’s pretty difficult to separate Tantra from magic and it is Tantra where the right and left hand paths have their most prominent presence. The chances are that most practitioners will wind up on the left hand path, whether they intended it or not. It’s an area of study that is best avoided by anyone who wants to remain sane. If you think you have the goods to interact with Smashan Tara then, be my guest.

None of these Byzantine intricacies are necessary anyway. If a person would simply work on developing the capacity to express unqualified love, they will achieve as much if not more, than any amount of study put into the workings of Tantra.

There are two main paths to self-realization and they are the path of knowledge and the path of devotion. We have a mind and we have a heart. It might well be that one who attains, to the highest state to which knowledge can bring them, must return again to learn what only the heart can teach them. On the other hand, those who follow the path of the heart need not return for the knowledge; the heart contains it all.

I’ve read so many books and traveled on so many planes, with and without the serious booster rockets. I know less now than I did when I started. It comes upon me stronger and stronger every day that I will apprehend and achieve nothing until I have surrendered utterly ...and life seems determined to force my hand in that regard.

Knowledge can be a dangerous thing because it feeds arrogance. Magical powers can be even more dangerous because of the impetus to exercise them. The great Hindu saint Ramakrishna achieved the highest state of realization in his devotion to Kali and had all of the yogic siddhis given to him. Through his life he never used one of them and turned them over to his disciple Vivekananda upon his departure for the higher realms. Ramakrishna also entered into every major religion and experienced enlightenment in each one and afterwards declared, “They are all the same.”

For those on the spiritual path, or who desire to be, I would highly recommend reading the works of Mahendranath Gupta who is more widely known as “M”. He wrote most elegantly about being with Ramakrishna and his observations are a treasure.

Ramakrishna was a very simple guy. Sri Sarada Devi was a very simple lady. Jacob Boehme was a very simple guy. St Francis was a very simple guy. I don’t know how simple Mirabai was but I did want to put her name in the post (grin). It seems to me that the divine has a thing for simple people and elevates their lives and their names into prominence as examples for the world. There’s a point to be made which is that you don’t need the intricate complexities of academia to arrive at the highest understandings. If anything, they are a hindrance. You don’t need titles and awards as evidence that you are worthy or exceptional. The most exceptional person on Earth is the one who seeks the divine with their whole heart and mind.

It is impossible to bullshit the divine. The divine knows things about you that you don’t even suspect and is sitting at the center of your being observing everything you do and adjusting your course accordingly. As long as you choose to believe that everything is under your control you will be allowed to harbor that until the time comes to show you otherwise. I’ve said it before but I need to say it again. “If you don’t seek God in the springtime of your life, he won’t be there in the winter”. It’s a stern admonition from a spiritual master who was generally known for the sweetness of his speech; Paramahansa Yogananda.

As much as the world can pummel and punish you, no one can do it quite as well as you can. The agony of reflection, on a life wasted, is a terrible fate.

There are only a few things about Tantra that need to be understood and everything pertinent to your particular being will be added as needed; seek to see the divine in everything. When you eat, consume your food as if it were the very stuff of realization itself. Eat with persistent gratitude. Treat everyone as if they were an angel in disguise. Love the divine in everything and surrender the reactive mind every time it rears its ugly head. Let your every word and gesture be an expression of conscious love for what is hidden in what surrounds and permeates you. Become childlike by discarding what you think you know because, you don’t really know it.

Some of those I mentioned were near illiterate. They didn’t read any of those books which we puff ourselves up about for having read. Some of them traveled very little except across the landscape of the great within. They had no armies or fortunes but they transformed the world in the time when they were present.

The divine cannot enter a heart where shortcomings and negative qualities reside and are elevated as desirable characteristics. These must be evicted before you can invite the divine. The divine is waiting right now. The divine is camped on the door step of the gateway of the heart. The divine wants to embrace you as the returning prodigal and endlessly shower gifts and blessings upon you.

What do we do instead? We allow ourselves to be thrown into darkness by demons that consume our treasures and laugh at our ignorance. We voluntarily turn ourselves over to the slave master for torment and abuse. We parade about in the shame of our imagined importance while we are steadily and relentlessly reduced to nothing.

Whenever the sex force arises from the physical core, or through the conduit of imagination, direct it toward the divine. Whenever engaged in some performance of it, let it be that you are having intercourse with the divine. Bless everything you do and offer it up and sooner rather than later you will find yourself in that secret walled garden that opens inward and outward from within ourselves. The word ‘paradise’ comes from Pakistan where it is spelled something like this, ‘para deez’. It translates to paradise and the interpretation of the original is, ‘walled garden’. “All passengers who are departing into the Nine of Pentacles, please sign out with the conductor”.

Everything that we need to be concerned with is taking place within us. The main problem for everyone is a lack of dedication and persistence. We give up and turn off just as we are about to arrive. We send off for a package and then leave before the postman can place it in our hands.

Try to turn your mind to your idea of the divine and watch closely. Watch how you will be off thinking about something else in short order and not know how it happened. You must engage the divine in conversation all through your day. Take a walk in the twilight and at dawn; these are especially good times. Get in the habit of discussing everything that happens to you with the author of all things. Make this the point of your life and I promise you, your life will have a point.


End Transmission.......

Visible sings: Almost A Capella by Les Visible♫ Love is Bound ♫
'Love is Bound' is track no. 12 of 12 on Visible's 2007 album 'Almost A Capella'
Lyrics (pops up)

Almost A Capella by Les Visible


Note... visible is on the radio ‘every Sunday’ now, which means tomorrow night and you can download the show the next day.


The New Shangri-La.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Prof. Hopkins: A related question, which is a practical question also. I am collecting material for a kind of sourcebook, readings in Hinduism, contemporary as well as classical, and would like to include in these readings some of the things that you have written. Of the things that you have written what do you consider most important?

Prabhupada: Prema pumartho mahan: The most important thing is how to love God.

Anonymous said...

Les, when are you going to write that bestseller? (the one we have to buy). Anyway, I came across this. There is a poem in it I think the dog poet would like. http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume32/sss32p2-12.pdf

Anonymous said...

"As much as the world can pummel and punish you, no one can do it quite as well as you can. The agony of reflection on a life wasted is a terrible fate."
There you go again, LV, speaking directly at me!
Smoking Mirrors is _really_ smoking these days....keep up this pace & I'll try to keep up mine and not fall behind.
Happy Diwali, Les. Enjoy the Lights accordingly.

Visible said...

For 5:23PM
Some one with connections and an honest character has to make that happen. The times I've tried to get my work out there in the usual fashion I got royally screwed.





Krishna devotee; how true it is. I count the two most important things that a person can practice to be; 'love the divine' and 'experience constant and ever growing gratitude'. I really enjoy and appreciate that you contribute here by the way.

kikz said...

:D

Anonymous said...

One of your best ever Les

If I may borrow from Kahlil Gibran
Song Of Love



I am the lover's eyes, and the spirit's
Wine, and the heart's nourishment.
I am a rose. My heart opens at dawn and
The virgin kisses me and places me
Upon her breast.
I am the house of true fortune, and the
Origin of pleasure, and the beginning
Of peace and tranquility. I am the gentle
Smile upon his lips of beauty. When youth
Overtakes me he forgets his toil, and his
Whole life becomes reality of sweet dreams.
I am the poet's elation,
And the artist's revelation,
And the musician's inspiration.
I am a sacred shrine in the heart of a
Child, adored by a merciful mother.
I appear to a heart's cry; I shun a demand;
My fullness pursues the heart's desire;
It shuns the empty claim of the voice.
I appeared to Adam through Eve
And exile was his lot;
Yet I revealed myself to Solomon, and
He drew wisdom from my presence.
I smiled at Helena and she destroyed Tarwada;
Yet I crowned Cleopatra and peace dominated
The Valley of the Nile.
I am like the ages -- building today
And destroying tomorrow;
I am like a god, who creates and ruins;
I am sweeter than a violet's sigh;
I am more violent than a raging tempest.
Gifts alone do not entice me;
Parting does not discourage me;
Poverty does not chase me;
Jealousy does not prove my awareness;
Madness does not evidence my presence.
Oh seekers, I am Truth, beseeching Truth;
And your Truth in seeking and receiving
And protecting me shall determine my
Behavior.

http://leb.net/gibran/works/tear/tear24.html

Be not fearful to entertain strangers for you may entertain angels unaware....Kahlil Gibran

Anonymous said...

Love



Then said Almitra, "Speak to us of Love."

And he raised his head and looked upon the people, and there fell a stillness upon them.

And with a great voice he said:

When love beckons to you follow him,

Though his ways are hard and steep.

And when his wings enfold you yield to him,

Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.

And when he speaks to you believe in him,

Though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the garden.

For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.

Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun,

So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.

Like sheaves of corn he gathers you unto himself.

He threshes you to make you naked.

He sifts you to free you from your husks.

He grinds you to whiteness.

He kneads you until you are pliant;

And then he assigns you to his sacred fire, that you may become sacred bread for God's sacred feast.

All these things shall love do unto you that you may know the secrets of your heart, and in that knowledge become a fragment of Life's heart.

But if in your fear you would seek only love's peace and love's pleasure,

Then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness and pass out of love's threshing-floor,

Into the seasonless world where you shall laugh, but not all of your laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears.

Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself.

Love possesses not nor would it be possessed;

For love is sufficient unto love.

When you love you should not say, "God is in my heart," but rather, I am in the heart of God."

And think not you can direct the course of love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.

Love has no other desire but to fulfil itself.

But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:

To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.

To know the pain of too much tenderness.

To be wounded by your own understanding of love;

And to bleed willingly and joyfully.

To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;

To rest at the noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy;

To return home at eventide with gratitude;

And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.

http://leb.net/gibran/works/prophet/prophet2.html

Anonymous said...

Thanks Les. How nice of you.

As you were describing and recommending the action of constant endeavor to maintain a connection... I was thinking, simultaneously, of Krishna's last words to the millions of Brahmas who came to see Him when He beckoned them for an audience...

From Srimad-Bhagavatam:

"All the helmets of the various demigods and Brahmas shone brightly in the great assembly, and the prayers of the demigods made a great sound.

"Dear Lord," the demigods said, "it is Your great mercy that You have called us to see You. Is there any particular order? If so, we will carry it out at once."

"There is nothing especially required of you," Lord Krishna replied. "I only wanted to see you together at one time. I offer My blessing to you. Don't fear the demons."

Mastur Debater rode a song and said...

Love
What is love
It's just stuff
Words
They fill your head with fluff
And if that wasn't enough
They go on and on
About it all being one
Well I could be wrong
But I still say it's a con

(take it to the bridge)

Just the other day I got a message so strange
I asked the guru to explain
And he said
The only mess there is
Is the mess inside your brain
And the brain is another part of your body
Which is a perfect transmiting receiver
Up and downloading info straight from and into the ether/either
They are neither this nor or are they that
Sometimes they are good and sometimes just crap
If you would like to try and be free
Well then ask yourself this question
Am I really
My own best friend or enemy
You know I know I may be naive
But behind these blue eyes
I see
That I am the prime deceiver
My own disciple and only believer

Anonymous said...

Love is blood
and it sounds like this




---------------------------

Pardon me, do you happen to know
What the number of love is?

---------------------------

Knock, knock
Go away!
Knock, knock
Buzz off!
(many years later)
Knock, Knock
Who's there?
Love
Love who?
Love, it's your time to go

Anonymous said...

I've been really good about trying to see the divine in everyone and everything and then tonight I just had my limit of all the bullshit that goes on in my house and I exploded. It's back to square one with me, I guess.

Your words are so comforting. Thank you!

Karen

Destiny said...

To anonymous above - What do you mean love is blood ?

Visible said...

There is a new Smoking Mirrors up-



The Magical Wars within the Same Old Same Old.

Anonymous said...

Karen, the best, the very best truth about anything spiritual progress, is that when you crash/fall for whatever reason(s), and 99.9% of us fall, then you start over again from where you left off. You don't have to start again from square one like a material construction/endeavor. If the material walls crumble, you have to start from scratch. The spiritual construction is a continuation. You never lose what you've earned/achieved spiritually. In this life or the next.
So just keep at it and it will only get better.
That's the law.

Todd said...

Thanks for this Les, Namaste' my brother...

Anonymous said...

Les: As I get to know you better, it seems that we have very much background in common. In the past I learned, and rejected, all the paths that you mention in this post. As I reach my elder years, they are truly golden precisely because I dedicated my life to God before the age of 30. But that was pre-ordained long ago so that I could become what I am today. What is left as the storm of ego and knowledge subsides is only sweet, tender love for God and compassion for His misled children. I try my best but sadly, can't do much for them. You are doing good work; please keep it up.

In the service of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu,
Babaji

Visible said...

There's a new Reflections in a Petri Dish up now-



The Rise of the Stupids and the Fall of Rome.

Anonymous said...

Les
Camped at the door!!!! I will have to bit my tongue today. You have given me a bigger piece of the pie and I now have a full mouth. What silly words come out of it anyway. Much love and thanks.
LeMat

William Wilson said...

Hi Les, best

Interesting you mention "M"

Either the same person, or, another, wrote those texts which mention devas.
"Dayspring of Youth" and "Lord God of Truth Within"

Anonymity in literary production serves useful ends, I imagine.

Zoner said...

V, getting caught up here after a long spell away.

I was afraid of this one. I asked you about an aspect of desire once and you were very clear when explaining to me the things that presented themselves at the time. Thank you so much for expanding on that riff here and in the previous installment.

Lots of new "faces" around here, I see. A wider audience is good, no? More voices to join the chorus, and the trolls seem to have departed, or maybe I have yet to encounter them as I have not yet caught up with Mirrors or the Petri Dish.

It is always good to hear your voice on the radio, and I am happy to have that chance more frequently. Time for a really cool theme song?

Love to all,

Z

Anonymous said...

Les
Just got time to hear the radio cast. How I look forward to them!!! Please dont stop, its growing!!!
I do wish to share this. You suggest its hard to see a report card on the path? True, but with a mindful life its somewhat easier? Im not trying to hold on to a fake nugget of gold but I sure as hell can feel what Im doing and thinking is leading me and guiding me in health and love? Now Im not clear as to its end or means and Im not A student but maybe we should have some faith in the little moments of oneness no matter what from they show up as?
Thanks and someday Ill walk the path speaking your love and not have to hear it, a gift to you, I wish and work on daily.
LeMat

sounder said...

You make me smile every time I visit Les, thank you so much.

Take care and Love to All






BOOKS, MUSIC, VIDEO



FEATURED READ-




Visit the recommended reading page for many more.





FEATURED MUSIC-


'I Need More Light' from the Les Visible Album
God in Country



Visit the Blog Music Page
to stream all of Visible's music for free
(purchase is always appreciated but entirely optional)





FEATURED VIDEO-


A classic Visible post:



With gratitude to Patrick Willis.

Click here to watch and comment on Vimeo and here to read the original text.



Visit the Blog Videos Page for many more.