Theos-Talk Archives (December 1998 Message tt00117)

Jerry wrote:

> The idea of the karma-mudra has never been to establish
> a few hours of excitement (I can't understand where you
> got this idea). The teaching is that our spiritual body is
> naturally blissful (the anandakaya or bliss body) and that
> by proper yogic techniques we can raise consciousness
> to that level and focus from within our spiritual body. One
> of the goals of Tibetan yoga is to do this just as physical
> death approaches in order to maintain continuity of
> consciousness through the bardo.
>
> Vajrayana teachings differ from other schools in that
> emptiness is not considered enough. It has to be merged
> with bliss. Why? Because when actually functioning in
> our spiritual body, we will experience both emptiness and
> bliss. Without bliss we are probably functioning in our
> causal body and mistaking it for the spiritual (which I think
> happens a good many times)


"Know, O beginner, this is the *Open* PATH, the way to selfish bliss,
shunned by the Boddhisattvas of the "Secret Heart," the Buddhas of
Compassion.

To live to benefit mankind is the first step. To practice the six glorious
virtues (23)is the second.

To don Nirmanakaya's humble robe is to forego eternal bliss for Self, to
help on man's salvation. To reach Nirvana's bliss, but to renounce it, is
the supreme, the final step - the highest on Renunciation's Path."

("The Voice of the Silence", pg 33).

"Now bend thy head and listen well, O Bodhisattva - Compassion speaks and
saith : 'Can there be bliss when all that lives must suffer?  Shalt thou be
saved and hear the whole world cry?'

Now thou hast heard that which was said.

Thou shalt attain the seventh step and cross the gate of final knowledge but
only to wed woe - if thou would'st be Tathagata, follow upon thy
predecessor's steps, remain unselfish till the endless end.

Thou art enlightened - Choose thy way."

("The Voice of the Silence", pg. 71).

Paul.