Guest guest Posted June 17, 2005 Report Share Posted June 17, 2005 Oh yes. being compassionate is the higest sadhana; and being compassionate when you are yourself in need of compassion is the test. Lars Hedström <lars wrote: devi bhakta wrote: "*** Being compassionate to the suffering of others is sadhana *** The truest kind, I think. There can be no doubt of it." One thing I have been thinking about is women, their empathy is more natural than men's, this ought to mean that they are much better yogis? Regards Lars / Sports Rekindle the Rivalries. Sign up for Fantasy Football Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 17, 2005 Report Share Posted June 17, 2005 93 In order to determine whether a statement is correct we have to agree about the basic knowledge that is taken apriori. Otherwise it isn't possible. For i am discussing tantrism, i take as a base Kaula-agama. Then, applying logic to that i come to above given conclusion. Of course if U take some other background be it islam or shinto, result will differ. Finally, to the point of origin of that doctrine - i have met it in some Tantras but do not remember exact reference. That are volumes, it's impossible to hold everything in head LOL. BTW Kabbalah has the same view, rooted in Sepher ha-Zohar. And Thelema also. Love is the law, love under will. A. , "Mary Ann" <buttercookie61> wrote: > Hi Arjuna: > > I read your post accurately. You said "there is an opinion" and that > you take it to be right. You said that "logically it must be like > that" that there are differences between male and female at the soul > level. But you give no real basis for this, other than opinion, which > comes without even whose opinion (what sources beyond yourself) this > comes from. I was asking for any other kind of basis you could share. > Your responses have not satisfied my request. I don't think it is > logical to make the assumptions you have asserted, but I don't > question or challenge your right to assert them. They just aren't > necessarily accurate, nor automatically logical. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 17, 2005 Report Share Posted June 17, 2005 Yes, you are correct Which teachings one ascribes to form the bases for different opinions. Thank you for sharing the bases for your opinions. Of course, even statements in scripture can be "inaccurate" due to limits on human knowledge and understanding at the time the source was written, and then of course, in the interpretations thereafter. FYI if you haven't seen it, in Devi Bhakta's post today about the Ardhanari picture, there is a link to information at Exotic India that gives details on different views of male/female in one, the soul, etc. Namaste, MAV , "Arjuna Taradasa" <bhagatirtha@m...> wrote: > 93 > > In order to determine whether a statement is correct we have to agree about the basic > knowledge that is taken apriori. Otherwise it isn't possible. > > For i am discussing tantrism, i take as a base Kaula-agama. Then, applying logic to that i > come to above given conclusion. > > Of course if U take some other background be it islam or shinto, result will differ. > > Finally, to the point of origin of that doctrine - i have met it in some Tantras but do not > remember exact reference. That are volumes, it's impossible to hold everything in head > LOL. BTW Kabbalah has the same view, rooted in Sepher ha-Zohar. And Thelema also. > > Love is the law, love under will. > A. > > , "Mary Ann" <buttercookie61> wrote: > > Hi Arjuna: > > > > I read your post accurately. You said "there is an opinion" and that > > you take it to be right. You said that "logically it must be like > > that" that there are differences between male and female at the soul > > level. But you give no real basis for this, other than opinion, which > > comes without even whose opinion (what sources beyond yourself) this > > comes from. I was asking for any other kind of basis you could share. > > Your responses have not satisfied my request. I don't think it is > > logical to make the assumptions you have asserted, but I don't > > question or challenge your right to assert them. They just aren't > > necessarily accurate, nor automatically logical. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 17, 2005 Report Share Posted June 17, 2005 Who is this Will fellow, and how did he get lucky enough to get you to insist on loving under him? -- Len/ Kalipadma --- Arjuna Taradasa <bhagatirtha wrote: > > There is no problem, 'coz each human being is > totally free and fully responsible for himself. > As it is said, "Thou hast no right but to do thy > will". > > Love is the law, love under will. > A. > __ Sports Rekindle the Rivalries. Sign up for Fantasy Football http://football.fantasysports. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 18, 2005 Report Share Posted June 18, 2005 Mary Ann: "I read your post accurately. You said "there is an opinion" and that you take it to be right. You said that "logically it must be like that" that there are differences between male and female at the soul level. But you give no real basis for this, other than opinion, which comes without even whose opinion (what sources beyond yourself) this comes from. I was asking for any other kind of basis you could share. Your responses have not satisfied my request. I don't think it is logical to make the assumptions you have asserted, but I don't question or challenge your right to assert them. They just aren't necessarily accurate, nor automatically logical." Personally I have to a great part left logic behind, my soul decides what is rigth or wrong to me. If 2000 years of tradition says that I am wrong, then so much worse for the tradition! Regards Lars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 18, 2005 Report Share Posted June 18, 2005 Namaste Lars: That sounds like a good approach. It can be hard to buck the effects of tradition, though. I was thinking about your post about women seeming to have easier access to being compassionate. Although I made a joke based on something else you had posted about men having greater lung capacity, of course there are differences in the hormones that affect our bodies, combined with what we are taught we should be as male and female. These things (and other things too, no doubt) make it different for women and men to access their emotional aspects. But I do think msbauju is right, men and women have equal capacity for compassion. I also felt kochu's post was very apt, about being compassionate toward oneself. Kind regards, Mary Ann , Lars Hedström <lars@2...> wrote: > Mary Ann: > "I read your post accurately. You said "there is an opinion" and that > you take it to be right. You said that "logically it must be like > that" that there are differences between male and female at the soul > level. But you give no real basis for this, other than opinion, which > comes without even whose opinion (what sources beyond yourself) this > comes from. I was asking for any other kind of basis you could share. > Your responses have not satisfied my request. I don't think it is > logical to make the assumptions you have asserted, but I don't > question or challenge your right to assert them. They just aren't > necessarily accurate, nor automatically logical." > > Personally I have to a great part left logic behind, my soul decides what is rigth or wrong to me. If 2000 years of tradition says that I am wrong, then so much worse for the tradition! > > Regards > > Lars > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 21, 2005 Report Share Posted June 21, 2005 , "devi_bhakta" <devi_bhakta> wrote: > As far as I know, Hindu scripture doesn't address the issue. As in > the West, homosexuality -- while not necessarily condemned -- was not > until recently considered an actual "lifestyle choice." It was > certainly out there; people were aware of it; but in the main it was > something that took place behind closed doors -- it was nobody's > business but those involved. Check out the following article: http://www.galva108.org/Tritiya_prakriti.html Tritiya-Prakriti: People of the Third Sex By Amara Das Wilhelm Kindest regards, Francesco Brighenti Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 22, 2005 Report Share Posted June 22, 2005 Thank you for posting this excellent article. , "Francesco Brighenti" <frabrig> wrote: > > , "devi_bhakta" > <devi_bhakta> wrote: > > > As far as I know, Hindu scripture doesn't address the issue. As in > > the West, homosexuality -- while not necessarily condemned -- was > not > until recently considered an actual "lifestyle choice." It was > > certainly out there; people were aware of it; but in the main it > was > something that took place behind closed doors -- it was > nobody's > business but those involved. > > Check out the following article: > > http://www.galva108.org/Tritiya_prakriti.html > > Tritiya-Prakriti: People of the Third Sex > By Amara Das Wilhelm > > Kindest regards, > Francesco Brighenti Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 26, 2005 Report Share Posted June 26, 2005 Hi All - Went back up the thread to the original article and realized it was only the abstract. I'm kind of currious where the original article is and where I can find the full text. The course of discussion seems to be going into a lot of direction where the article (abstract or not) seem to be taking the reader. Is eroticism, hedonism and enjoyment (inner-joy-ment) three exclusive things? From my profession, I tend to be legalistic but isn't what this is NOT saying: "Because enjoyment is the means to reveal that spiritual bliss which is said to be the form of the Absolute manifested in body." That is saying that there is somekind of relationship between the physical and the spiritual. Now I maybe odd in that I've not been all that impressed with the notion of the dicotomy between spirit and body that was given to us through the the gnostics and worked it way through so much western religions. D.H. Lawrence addresses this with his critics who just didn't grok what he was going after in terms of sexuality and eroticism. For myself and perhap for Mr. Lawrence, I didn't see as the two being separate or one better (higher?) than the other. The abstract is going along that direction with the starting point TOWARDS bliss with the body & enjoyment. Then again, we are men. If the article was written by a woman, it is suggesting many things than where the threads are going. For men or women, she is suggesting that one has to proceed after one's authentic path or direction. If I can be pointed to the original article, I'd like to read it. I appreciate your collective patience with me. Remember, being clueless is the begining of enlightenment. I'm pretty clueless. Sincerely, Eric =============================================================== The Mystery of the "five M". (extract from the article) One of the most essential components of doctrine and practice of Kaula-tantrism is panchatattva or the mystery of the "five M" (panchamakara). In the context of sadhana (religious practice) panchatattva is the main ritual, the sacrifice of Kula and the mystical communion with the Goddess. Doctrinally it reveals itself as a gnosiological matrix upon which the Body of the Godhead, macro- and microcosm are classified. According to the doctrine of Tantras, the method to reach full perfection is enjoyment of the world in love towards the Goddess. Yoni-tantra 6.25 says: "Happiness is achieved through enjoyment, through enjoyment liberation is achieved. Thus one has to devote himself completely to enjoyment". But alongside it is stressed that love is the most essential on this way. For instance, Meru-tantra 10.67 says: "Only that one whose love is strong succeeds on this way of the Left"; same is stated by Kularnava-tantra, Parananda-sutra and other Tantras. Why enjoyment is so important? Because enjoyment is the means to reveal that spiritual bliss which is said to be the form of the Absolute manifested in body (Kularnava-tantra 5.80). And as Devi-rahasya puts it, "the Supreme Lady is satisfied through the worship of the taste of bliss" (Uttarakhanda 58.11). However this path of enjoyment is opened not for everyone; Tantras underline that only "hero", vira, is capable of following it. Such vira possesses complete faith in himself and God, right knowledge and logic (saljnana and sattarka), devotion to Shakti (Goddess and beloved woman) and appropriate initiation into Kula lineage. Then there is only one prescription which he has to follow - svechchhachara, "following one's own [true] will" (Kali-tantra 8.19). Thus Kaula-tantrism gives the same Law of Thelema as Liber AL does. The doctrine of "five M" has to be set in this context. Panchamakara is the essence of kula-yoga. It is stated in Jnanarnava-tantra 22.68 that "the union of male and female is the true yoga". Through the union in love one enters the transcendent abode, paramapada. As Shiva says in Maheshvara-tantra, "being in love is [being] above the world". Five essences of Kula, panchatattva, are five aspects of amorous union with Shakti. Mahanirvana-tantra 5.22 insists that panchatattva is necessary in the worship of Her. The "five M" are that much important so Kularatnavali states that without 5M the Goddess is never pleased. Five kula-tattvas are signifying the totality of the Goddess' presence. It can be put that the tantric communion exists in five forms: wine, meat, fish, mudra and maithuna. In sanskrit all these words start from letter "m", thus the title panchamakara. Out of these five two last are left without translation; the reason is that their meanings are several. Mudra commonly stands for fried grain (which symbolise that seeds of karmas are burned in the fire of knowledge), but original sense must have been "sexual partner". This reading is supported not only by buddhist tradition but also by the tantric etymology of the term: "that which brings joy is called mudra". Final makara, maithuna, is a sexual communion and its result, emission of secretions. >From one side the ritual usage of 5M was the act of antinomianism, transgression of socio-religious law of Smriti. Like that Niruttara-tantra suggests to reject vedic prescriptions. However this is merely surface of this ritual; its essence is much deeper. Symbolically five tattvas represent five aspects of the Goddess, five parts of Her Body. In their succession 5M constitute the method of tantric yoga. Wine (madya) symbolises the mystical intoxication of love-feeling, prema-rasa, which occurs as a result of awakening of the heart under the impact of divine grace (anugraha-shakti). Wine corresponds to Shakti, feminine side of the Divinity. Meat on the other side stands for Its masculine side, Shiva. It symbolises awareness, inner silence, contemplation (dhyana). Wine and meat are Shakti and Shiva (see Kularnava-tantra 5.78), they are Nuit and Hadit. The verse of Kularnava further reads: "The one who enjoys [their union] is himself Bhairava, and the bliss springing up from their union is Liberation". Bhairava or Hor of Liber AL is symbolised by a fish (matsya or mina), dragon or serpent. This dragon is arising, it is a personification of arohana-shakti, energy of uplifting. As Shiva-sutra says: "Bhairava is raising". This is also sankshobha, sexual arousing of the Goddess (see Niruttara-tantra 5.19). Then, the bliss of union is mudra, "that which brings joy". Mudra is Maat and Babalon, Scarlet Woman and the lower Shekhinah of Kabbalah. The four elements described are corresponding to the four letters of the Holy Name of God, four sphiroth, four aeons of Liber AL and four directions. They are the four aspects of fifth tattva, which is above all. Maithuna represents the return to the primal Unity, which is the state of the Godhead. It is the perfect union of man and woman in love-taste, mahasukha of buddhist Tantras. While wine and meat correspond to the descent of Shakti, graceful power of the Divine, and fish and mudra - to the consequent accent of lower kundalini, maithuna is samarasya, "merging in one taste". It is in maithuna, sexual union with shakti, that the highest bliss, paramananda, is realised. As Tantras say, "happiness that manifests in the union has the quality of bliss supreme" (samyoge jAyate saukhyaM paramAnandalakShaNam). According to the teaching of Kula, the ritual of 5M ought to be performed only when one has an authority (adhikara) given by the Goddess and guru and when he has love towards his shakti, woman. Tantras underline that woman has to be viewed as an incarnation of the Goddess (for instance, see Mahakala-samhita Guhyakali-khanda 10.1663). Moreover, Annadakalpa-tantra 15.46 goes as far as to say that "one can reject his mother and father, one can reject Shiva and Vishnu, one can even reject the Goddess - but never his beloved woman". "That Supreme Lady Shakti, who is glorified as [the Giver] of Liberation, She is manifested in the form of a woman" (Bhutashuddhi-tantra 7.17). Love is the law, love under will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 27, 2005 Report Share Posted June 27, 2005 93 The original version is in Russian, written also by me . English one is little shorter and with different final part. Regards, A. , "Eric Otto" <eottoe2001> wrote: > Hi All - > > Went back up the thread to the original article and realized it was > only the abstract. I'm kind of currious where the original article > is and where I can find the full text. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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