This is the story of a really good man in a bad world.
Devotional Yoga
An excerpt from a the teaching, When the Teacher Calls, by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo
In Buddhist tradition and particularly in Vajrayana Buddhism, there is a kind of practice called devotional practice. One of its most meaningful and foundational aspects is developing a relationship of pure devotion with one’s lama or teacher. In Vajrayana, the teacher is considered to be the door to liberation because even though the Buddha was once on the earth and even though the Buddha’s teachings are written in books, it is just about impossible to enter onto the Path without the blessings of the teacher. The lama, who is necessary for empowerment, transmission and teaching, is considered to be the blessing that is inherent in the Path.
In the Vajrayana tradition there is a devotional aspect to every practice that is done,from the most preliminary to the most superior practice, and it is considered to be the means by which blessing is actually transmitted. In the Nam Chö Ngöndro, the preliminary practice accomplished at this temple, there is a beautiful song of invoking the lama’s blessing called “Calling the Lama from Afar.” It has haunting melody, and it is done from one’s heart in order to soften the ego and make the mind like a bowl ready to receive any blessing.
This type of practice functions like a cultivator. Think of planting a field of grain. One has to plow the field and work the soil so that it’s capable of receiving the seed. Otherwise, if the soil were not ready, when seed was thrown out it would just bounce, as on a hard surface. Likewise, devotional practice is considered to make one ready. Its benefit is immeasurable. Without it there is no possibility of the blessing being fully received.
Devotional yoga is meant to benefit the student. The teacher is not “pleased” by devotional yoga. Rather, the teacher is pleased by movement and the softening, the gentling and the change that occurs within the student. In the same way as the student calls the lama from afar in traditional practice by putting one’s heart in a position of surrender, we may talk about what the lama experiences when the lama calls the student from afar and the student responds to that call.
When a student calls the teacher, with his or her mind and heart like a bowl, many things are happening. First, there is fantastic auspicious karma ripening. In order for a student even to make that step, he or she must have accumulated a tremendous amount of merit or virtue in the past. A nonvirtuous mind cannot call the teacher with devotion.
When the student calls the lama, it’s because the student has realized certain things. First of all, they have looked around and have seen that cyclic existence or ordinary life is flawed or faulted. Sometimes it’s older students who, in some ways, are able to do this more readily because they’ve seen their lives pass, and they have looked around and said, “What have I done? I’ve worked so hard my entire life, and what have I really accomplished? What am I going to take with me?”
At any rate, the student that is prepared to call the teacher has been awakened, stimulated, has understood that much time has passed and that very little can be really accounted for. There has been some fun. It’s been up and down. We’ve all experienced getting older; we’ve all experienced sickness, and we will certainly experience death. At some point we look at all of this and ask ourselves, “Isn’t there something more? There must be something!” We begin to think in this way, and then we see someone who can give us a path, not just thoughts about the path, not just ideas that are popular in the New Age, but a technology that is succinct and exacting, a method that has shown itself to give repeatable results. When students see this they become hopeful and joyous. Suddenly they’re excited, and they begin to want to come in closer to this experience. It’s a beautiful, precious moment, but that moment can only happen due to the virtue of the student’s previous practice.
Eventually students will come to the point, due to the virtue of their practice, where they will do anything because they know their time is short. They know that they’ve tried everything and nothing has worked. Nothing has produced permanent happiness, so they are looking at the door to liberation, and in part, that is how the teacher is considered. They want to walk through that door.
© Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo
Astrology for 4/28/2019
4/28/2019 Sunday by Jampal & Wangmo
Theme: Resistance and change
Today the Moon and Sun are in fixed signs which means people are more stubborn and less flexible. However, most of the planetary energies are in flux, and change is occurring come what may. There is a mystic triangle in the chart today emphasizing practical application of spiritual values. It’s a good time to listen to one’s intuition to tap into deeper insights. Theologians may quarrel, but the mystics of the world speak the same language.~Meister Ekhardt
Today the Moon is Void of Course from 5.45am EDST USA until 6.13pm. If you’re in another country check what that means for you time-wise. It’s best to avoid making major decisions or signing contracts during this time.
Astrology for 4/27/2019
4/27/2019 Saturday by Wangmo & Jampal
Theme: Productive tension
Today things are not necessarily harmonious but productive! This productivity results because of an inner tension – like the grit that eventually becomes the pearl in the oyster. You will continue to feel stretched but good things also come with stretching! When long-term restructuring is combined with the wish to be of benefit there is much that can be accomplished. With the Moon in Aquarius there is a zany energy today. When you open yourself to the continually changing, impermanent, dynamic nature of your own being and of reality, you increase your capacity to love and care about other people and your capacity to not be afraid.~Pema Chodron
Astrology for 4/26/2019
4/26/2019 Friday by Jampal & Wangmo
Theme: Emotional Upsets and Healing
The Sun (one’s purpose) continues in the stable sign of Taurus, and is pulling away from the disruptive force, Uranus. Today, however the Moon (emotions, and subconscious mind) is placed at a challenging angle to both these heavenly bodies. Expect challenges between work and domestic life, the opposite sex, and general disruptions. Vitality is at a low point, when working for self-benefit. The good news is that an opportunity to heal wounds to our self identity is indicated. Compassion activities require sacrifice, but will bear fruit. Good motivation causes good action.~H.His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Astrology for 4/25/2019
4/25/2019 Thursday by Wangmo & Jampal
Theme: Deep feelings and indebtedness
With the Moon in Capricorn, close to the planet of deep transformation and change today, there is both a practical response to challenges and a need to dig deeply into your emotional reserves. Saturn, the planet of restraint and restriction, is also close to the Moon emphasizing duty over feeling, and learning through studiousness. Paying it forward to pay back your debts, financial and otherwise, is a theme. When you learn, teach. When you get, give. ~Maya Angelou
Today the Moon is Void of Course from 3.45 pm EDST USA until 4.28 am the next day. If you’re in another country check what that means for you time-wise. It’s best to avoid making major decisions or signing contracts during this time.
Astrology for 4/24/2019
4/24/2019 Wednesday by Jampal & Wangmo
Theme: Building and Transforming
There is a lot of planetary energies in Aries now, so there is eagerness for decisive action. There is desire to create something tangible, and it will be emotionally satisfying today. Yet, Pluto, the transformer, requires that some traditional ways of building be abandoned in favor of the new. This continues to be a fluid, changeable time until more planets enter a stable, fixed sign in early May. Be the change that you wish to see in the world.~ Mahatma Gandhi
Astrology for 4/23/2019
4/23/2019 Tuesday by Wangmo & Jampal
Theme: Optimism
There is both optimism and idealism today, coupled with the spirit of generosity and good fortune. This is helpful energy in dealing with the disruptions and challenges which continue. There is a continuing conflict between self-assertion and nurturing and this may play out as someone trying to dominate someone else. Again, a spiritual pathway offers solution to this conflict. Keep looking up…that’s the secret of life.~Snoopy, The Peanuts.
Astrology for 4/22/2019
4/22/2019 Monday by Jampal & Wangmo
Theme: Seeking release
Today Uranus and the Sun are at the same degree in the heavens. This has a very powerful effect that can manifest in a number of ways: seeking release from constraints, surprising actions from yourself or others, and disruptions to the earth’s equilibrium. Also, today there is a beneficial nurturing energy which is challenged by two other planets. Spiritual study can assist with the flow of this energy. No matter what path you’re following, compassion is the only way to realization.~ Jetsunma Ahkon Norbu Lhamo
Astrology for 4/21/2019
4/21/2019 Sunday by Jampal & Wangmo
Theme: Self-expression
With the planet of relationship, Venus, moving into the ‘me first’ sign of Aries there is a wish not to be tied down, and to be direct in connecting with others. There is an opportunity for the next few days to work on healing relationships and communication. With the Moon in Sagittarius there is an easy camaraderie in relating to others yet a bluntness also. This is a time to enjoy the natural surrounds and study big meaningful topics. Believe the terrain, not the map.~Brian Kernighan