Theos-Talk Archives (December 1998 Message tt00040)

>Nicholas, I agree with your post. But you do raise some
>interesting issues.
>
>>  Somewhere in the Mahatma Letters(?) one says that we
>>occidentals can try to practice a little study of metaphysics and try to
>>meditate -- but that is all.

The passage I was thinking of is in letter 8, (29 2nd ed.):  "...were you
already so far advanced on THE PATH, friend, that this simple transmission
of ideas should not be encumbered by the conditions of matter, the union
of your mind with ours -- prevented by its induced incapabilities!  Such
is unfortunately the inherieted and self-acquired grossness of the Western
mind... To some little extent that faculty can be acquired by the
Europeans through study and meditation but -- that's all."

>James Long once told me that the Western constitution is not
>suited for practicing Eastern techniques. I believe that he got
>this idea from Judge. Well, it certainly isn't suited to me. I had
>to devise my own techniques.

I would not go that far. It is many of the techniques that focus on the
body, (astral, pranic or physical), that befoul us.

Nicholas:
>>Twenty or 25 years ago Je Tsongkhapa's tantric stages of the path treatise
>>was two-thirds translated.  It is still in print.  The titles were
>>changed, but I think they are: TANTRA IN TIBET & YOGA OF TIBET.  Both had
>>comments by the present Dalai Lama.

DEITY YOGA might be the new title of TANTRA IN TIBET.

>>I think it was a disaster for the Tibetans' to introduce tantra to the
>>West.  The Stages of the Path and Mind Training teachings they have are
>>adequate for 99.9 per cent of us.

Jerry:
>Well, I personally thank them. I do not practice it, but I love
>the theory. One of the central ideas behind Tantric practice is
>to see yourself as a deity and your world as a mandala. This
>comes from the assumption that we are already spiritual and
>perfect and just need to recognize it. If the practice is successful,
>then we can identify with our inner divinity instead of just talking
>about it. However, a newbie has to get a really good book on the
>subject or else face serious misunderstandings.

Intellectual "misunderstandings" I guess you mean. Tantric practice "by
the book," without a lama, is just one of avenues for disaster I'm thinking
of.  I have read in one of the American dharma periodicals of guys
and gals seeking karmamudras for "their bodhisattva practices".  I have
met a couple of ladies who asked "do you know much about tantra".
Further discussion showed they meant tantric sex.  For the vast majority
(I will be very happy to be wrong about this) the copulation (not the
union) is what attracts and motivates.


--
<> Nicholas Weeks <> am455@lafn.org <> Los Angeles
  When the energy of life is released, may I behold clearly Amitabha
  Buddha, surrounded by his hosts of Bodhisattvas.  May my being be filled
  with faith and compassion!     Je Tsong khapa