Theos-Talk Archives (December 1998 Message tt00149)

Dan,
In her introduction to Path To The Middle, Anne Carolyn Klein discusses "the
process of embodied visualization" and says,

"The visualized figures, male or female, Buddha or Bodhisattva, are
experienced as embodying the qualities one seeks to incorporate, especially
compassion and wisdom in unity. But this visualized figure is not a symbol
only; he or she is a reflection of one's own mind as well as a projection
from one's own mind. One relates to him or her as a person, pouring out
faith, respect, joy, in some cases even desire, to that person." (p. 25)

The above is true for the jnanamudra and for all such deity visualizations.
I find it interesting that this kind of "technique" is considered "magic"
when visualization techniques much like it are now accepted and being
used in modern medicine (it gives significantly better cure rates
in cancer patients, etc). Yesterday's magic is often today's science.

Jerry S.


>SUBJECT:  Re: Jnanamudra
>
>Daniel asked Jerry:
>
>> >What is the source for Nicholas' idea about "the form of Jnanamudra is a
>> >visualized goddess ie an elemental or deva that is sexually arousing"?
>> >
>> >And does Jerry agree with this idea of Nicholas?  Reasons?
>
>
>Jerry replied:
>
>> Yes. It is so described in the literature. BTW this works for women
>> too--their jnanamudra would be an ideal man. The jnanamudra
>> is said to be more than just a "visualization" although this is how
>> it begins.
>
>
>Daniel replies:
>
>Jerry, you said that you agreed with Nicholas' idea about the visualized
>goddess but Nicholas' definition also includes the word "elemental".
>Are you also agreeing with this part of Nicholas' definition?
>
>BTW, what literature is this described in?  Only in what Leon would call
>"Red Hat" literature? Or do we find similar descriptions in "Yellow Hat"
>(Gelukpa) literature?
>
>
>Daniel asked Jerry:
>
>> >And is Jananmudra as defined by Nicholas the same as what HPB writes
>> >about as "carnal commerce with male and female Djins, Elementals, or
>> >Demons"?  If not, what is the difference, etc.?
>
>
>Jerry replied:
>
>> I would hope that the difference between a Djin or elemental and
>> one's own anima projection would be obvious. First we visualize.
>> Then one's inner psychic feelings are projected into the visualization.
>> Then one unites with or assimilated it into oneself. I see the Tibetan
>> Jnanamudra exercise as a magical/religious version of Jung's
>> psychological recognition, projection, & assimilation of anima or
>> animus
>
>Daniel comments:
>
>You say we *visualize*, then we project our *inner psychic feelings&.
>Doesn't this involve kama-manas or thoughtforms, etc.?  And if this is
>the case, aren't "elementals" involved?  Please consult what HPB and the
>Mahatmas teach about elementals. Or do you disagree with them about this
>too?
>
>ALSO CONSULT THE THEOSOPHICAL GLOSSARY WHERE HPB WRITES ABOUT "KHADO"
>(P. 177), DAKINI (P. 95), INCUBUS (P. 154).  Please COMPARE HPB's
>definitions of these terms with Nicholas' definition:  "a visualized
>goddess ie an elemental or deva that is sexually arousing".  Are HPB and
>Nicholas writing about the same kind of "entity"?
>
>
>