Women and children are full of zip. A fall including a break can happen if you’re moving too fast and not paying attention. You may have a sudden encounter with another fast mover. Slow down today: no gunning the engine and rocketing ahead. But that’s exactly what you want to do! An obstacle that has been opposing you has moved away, and you’re free to move ahead. However another energy is watching carefully, and this force is unwilling to negotiate with you. Think of a solid object, like a brick wall or two tons of steel. For the sake of your own safety do not directly oppose anything today. What’s good? pretty much everything else. A sexy, intimate vibe is present in love, and romance is on the menu. Real progress is being made in business, secret deals and personal interactions. Everyone is talking, yet what is being said has virtually no relationship with reality. Matters from the past are still being cleaned up. William Ward said, “Opportunity is often difficult to recognize; we usually expect it to beckon us with beepers.
Disrespecting the Aggregates: The Eighth Root Downfall
The following is respectfully quoted from “Perfect Conduct” with commentary by Dudjom Rinpoche:
4.b.3(b.8) Disrespecting the aggregates
The eighth is physically abusing oneself out of disrespect for the five aggregates, which are actually the five buddhas.
In inner Vajrayana practice, the five aggregates are viewed as the five buddhas. At the time of empowerment, the body itself becomes a support for the offering of all desirable objects and the increase of bliss. In dependence upon the body, primordial wisdom is actualized. Not knowing this and so maintaining the view that the body is a source of suffering, and further belittling the body verbally or physically–such as by actually severing one’s own limbs and so forth–constitutes the eighth downfall.
Astrology
A forward push is good today, and emotional harmony prevails. People feel at home in their skin. Five planets in water signs advise paying attention to your hunches, emotions and intuition about matters. You won’t go wrong if you follow your gut, but you can go wrong if you listen to debate. Elsewhere, a brand new source of inspiration is present. Someone is electrifying and inspiring and you may be so wowed that you don’t know how to act. Mindless babbling and bumping into things is possible. Fortunately the person has a wise and tolerant disposition and won’t make fun of you. Teachers, lawyers and foreigners are great! An over the top energy is here, and you want to do everything at once! Enjoy it. Somerset Maugham said, “Excess on occasion is exhilarating. It prevents moderation from acquiring the deadening effect of a habit”: something bigger than life has just stepped onto the scene. Plus you made up your mind about a relationship, finally.
Revealing Secrets: The Seventh Root Downfall
The following is respectfully quoted from “Perfect Conduct” with commentary by Dudjom Rinpoche:
4.b.3(b.7) Revealing secrets:
The seventh is openly revealing secret teachings to unsuitable vessels, to those with incomplete and unperfected ritual, or to those with deterioration who fear the profound.
Teaching certain aspects of secret mantra to spiritually immature individuals is a root downfall. Spiritually immature individuals are those who have not completed prerequisite training; who have not been empowered; who have incomplete practice; who have not received the three higher initiations; who, although having received empowerment, have allowed words of honor to deteriorate; who are afraid of the profound party; and who, like the śravakas and pratyekas, are not mature enough to receive the secret teachings. To intentionally expose such individuals to the uncommon substances and materials of secret mantra and their secret meaning so they lose faith constitutes the seventh downfall.
Disrespecting Other Religious Philosophies: The Sixth Root Downfall
The following is respectfully quoted from “Perfect Conduct” with commentary by Dudjom Rinpoche:
4.b.3(b.6) Disrespecting other religious philosophies and doctrines:
The sixth is criticizing the philosophical doctrines of heretics searching for a path, šravakas and pratyekas on the path, and the great path of Mahāyāna.
The first aspect of this downfall is to disrespect any Buddhist or non-Buddhist, especially if they are searching for a spiritual path and are practicing methods through which they can achieve spiritual understanding or freedom and if one has no intention of guiding them to a higher pursuit. The second is to disrespect those who have entered upon the path that renounces cyclic existence, such as the šravakas and pratyekas. In addition, the six root downfall concerns those who are on the great path of Mahāyāna, which eliminates the two extremes. To claim that the philosophies of these spiritual pursuits are untrue and pointless, and to then show blatant disrespect toward their practices, constitutes the root downfall.
Astrology
Almost perfect symmetry occurs today! Medical treatments, required from the past, go very well. Artistic projects succeed, and personal support is wonderful. Someone says the right thing to pacify a troubled soul. Stabilizing aspects solidify people and things. Avoid the tendency to engage in a “last ditch” appeal or project today, and you’ll really want to. The situation will be so different tomorrow you’ll wonder if you’re on the same planet. Do not push people or situations. What comes back will be stronger and more fearsome than you imagined. Don’t feel the need to stand up for yourself against the powers that be, you won’t succeed. Today everything soft succeeds and everything hard meets something harder. Back off the hard stuff. Lin Yutang said, “Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone.”
Vajrayana View of Devotion: Full Length Video Teaching
The following is a full length video teaching offered by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo at Kunzang Palyul Choling:
Astrology
A difference of opinion appears with someone you care for. That you care is what creates the problem. Financial matters are tricky, and affection is not a reason to let yourself get scalped by a bad deal. Back off on fundraising today, it goes awry and can result in hurt feelings. An authority figure is full of power and ideas and this person has the ability to stabilize a situation that has become wobbly. Something is being steadily re-built, and this is where true progress lies. Imagine a bombed-out city under re-construction or a dilapidated house in the process of renovation. Something that has died is being reborn, brought back to life. This includes structures and, ahem, people. If you have let yourself slip, now is the time for rehabilitation! Remember, fixing things from the past is the theme these days. Avoid those who think repair is impossible, they are obstructing progress. Samuel Johnson said, “Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome.”
The Fifth Root Downfall: Abandoning Bodhicitta
The fifth root downfall is Abandoning Bodhicitta:
This refers to failing to abandon the desirous mind, forsaking the bodhicitta generated for sentient beings.
Astrology
It’s a great day for friendly contacts. You can receive good news about a friend or group, and your associations are going well. In fact groups are your support system today, so stay close to you primary group. At the same time, do not co-mingle funds with your friends or group members. You won’t see that money again and the relationship will be damaged. Shakespeare said, “Neither a borrower nor a lender be” and this is today’s message. Serious financial matters prevail, and this is an important time to pay off any debts you have. Just don’t ask friends to help out. Need a loan? Go to the bank! Have no ulterior motives in your interactions with others today. Love is grand.