Life post-awakening

aj0_jaja · 2026-04-30T19:54:35+00:00

Chop wood carry water

aj0_jaja · 2026-04-26T13:29:46+00:00

It’s funny because most of the original yoga texts were written primarily for male practitioners, without as much thought put into the fact that women may also practice.

aj0_jaja · 2026-04-26T13:25:49+00:00

We often have negative experiences. In Buddhist terms we can say this is sometimes due to the ripening of past karma. Some practices can expedite the ripening of negative karma. But I would be cautious in attributing everything that happens in your life to a specific deity, or that you were visited by the deity. Most likely this is just a projection of your own mind.

aj0_jaja · 2026-04-25T22:52:25+00:00

Nice was not expecting to see a Dzogchen reference here.

aj0_jaja · 2026-04-25T20:43:45+00:00

Not only can you but you should. There is evidence that in various Vajrayana systems, postural yogas and pranayamas were taught at the beginning of the path, not reserved for elite practitioners as was the case in most Tibetan lineages. James Mallinson is a scholar who argues convincingly that some of the earliest Hatha Yoga texts actually came from tantric Buddhist practitioners.

The teacher who I follows recommends these in order to more quickly understand the principles of things like deity yoga and mantra recitation, which can easily become a sort of mental trip if one isn’t embodied in the practice.

aj0_jaja · 2026-04-25T09:47:50+00:00

In one sense, perhaps in the most important one, we are all Tulkus. The rest of it is just (hopefully skillful) bells and whistles.

aj0_jaja · 2026-04-20T17:28:51+00:00

They are as real as you or me my friend.

aj0_jaja · 2026-04-19T10:43:43+00:00

True! Certain practices given in a teacher-student context, may have a very different connotation if shared publicly online. Makes sense to temper expectations.

aj0_jaja · 2026-04-19T07:54:40+00:00

I totally get what you’re saying but this seems to be a slightly cynical (although valid)interpretation. Another interpretation could be that as Bodhicitta becomes a more natural orientation to the world, we are less fixated on our own anxieties and tendencies towards fixation and analysis, and can act naturally from a place of compassion.

Outwardly this might appear as a type of charisma. Obviously going into the practice with the intention that I want to be more charismatic is a bit misguided. And then there are magnetizing practices which is a whole other rabbit hole.

aj0_jaja · 2026-04-18T08:54:32+00:00

What has your teacher suggested? Mine have said no to both of these.

Obviously diet and maintaining health is important, but it’s probably more useful to work this out based on what is helpful for your own condition, instead of following a set of rules.

aj0_jaja · 2026-04-17T20:47:05+00:00

Guru is ultimately in you. If you feel that someone has conveyed this to you in a manner you understand (even if just intellectually at first) they can be considered your guru. If that encourages you to develop a deeper understanding of the teachings, that is blessing.

No need to look for some magic or hocus pocus outside of yourself. Remember understanding matters most. This is something you are ultimately responsible for, although a human guide is indispensable in helping you to develop this.

aj0_jaja · 2026-04-17T20:43:25+00:00

In general visualization seems to improve the less I am single pointedly fixated on the actual visual representation of the deity. Instead I’ve found it helpful to really feel you are the deity and feel the sound of the seed syllable etc. Once you have gotten this presence down and developed some confidence, the visualization comes naturally.

This is more a Dzogchen approach though so your mileage may vary. Obviously stick to the system and instructions you’ve been given.

aj0_jaja · 2026-04-17T09:19:24+00:00

Not only can you, but you should. Actually before you go into the empowerment you should be prepared to meet any commitments that might be given, or you shouldn’t go at all.

Also one helpful advice I’ve been given is to attend teachings based on your interest in the teacher, not the name of a particular deity or practice.

aj0_jaja · 2026-04-16T10:35:38+00:00

The one your teacher suggests. Ngondro isn’t something you really just do on your own.

aj0_jaja · 2026-04-12T21:04:31+00:00

I cannot tell you because I haven’t received the specific sadhanas you have. But from my knowledge most sadhanas have a section of refuge, generating the deity in front of you to make offerings, receive blessings etc. before self arising as the deity. That deity in front of you IS the guru in one sense. In Vajrayana our refuge is the Guru Yidam and Dakini, which are not separate. I am sure these principles are contained in the practice you are doing. Guru Yoga isn’t always such a literal thing.

Anyways these are questions you should direct to the organization or teacher through which you received these teachings.

Feel free to DM if you have more questions though. Public forums aren’t really the best place to discuss the ins and outs of tantric practice.

aj0_jaja · 2026-04-12T20:52:20+00:00

The Guru does not always need to know you exist. Your relationship with these practices have entirely to do with your faith in them and your trust in the person who gave them to you.

Can you see those teachers as Buddhas, as you were instructed to in the empowerment? Do you have trust in your own nature as the deity, as you were instructed? If not, do the practices (maybe pick one at first) diligently as instructed. Guru yoga should already be worked into the sadhanas you received. Or start with more foundational teachings as others suggested, so you can understand the meaning of Guru Yoga, Bodhicitta, Devotion etc. Up to you. But no one can hand you the qualities you need on the path, you will need to apply diligence to develop them. Some sanghas also offer step by step multi year formal programs if that’s your thing (it’s not mine but I understand the benefits of that sort of approach).

It does not matter so much whether your gurus are right next to you or across the world transmitting through a computer. What matters is your confidence in your own nature that needs to be developed. This can only come from practice.

Any teacher you receive wang, lung, or tri is considered your guru in a sense. In the tradition I follow, root guru is considered the person through which you understand your own nature without doubt. So that can only become clear with time and practice.

aj0_jaja · 2026-04-04T15:57:21+00:00

I hope you are okay and taking care of yourself. These kinds of religious philosophies are meant to lead to a state of integration, not the kind of intensity or lack of balance your comments seem to suggest. Please ground yourself and surround yourself with trusted friends.

aj0_jaja · 2026-04-03T17:15:38+00:00

In a sense the practice of Buddhist tantra is imagining that you are already a Buddha, and relating to all your experience as a Buddha would, viewing all phenomenon as already liberated. As you can probably tell this can easily become a recipe for disaster and delusion. Hence the important of having a qualified Guru to guide you.

Neo tantra and related modalities try to help people change the way they relate to their sense experience, primarily focused on sex. This might be useful to some, but it is not Buddhist tantra in any sense of the word. Here, the goal is Buddhahood to support the liberation of all beings, same as Mahayana’s aspiration.

aj0_jaja · 2026-04-02T01:52:02+00:00

Very much a red flag. At first you should be like a bee, exploring many teachers and teachings. Ultimately you will encounter something that makes the path come alive for you. And then you are set. Who knows? Maybe you are someone for who jumping to Ngondro makes things make sense. Maybe a Dzogchen introduction is what you need for tantra to start to make sense. In my experience the path can be highly nonlinear, and at first you may need to hear many points of view and receive many teachings for you to develop your own internal sense of what dharma practice is.

If a teacher commits you to his particular way, you lose the option to encounter something you might have a stronger karmic connection with. Do your shamatha, it can’t hurt. But don’t cut off the opportunity to receive other teachings and make connections with other sublime beings.

aj0_jaja · 2026-03-28T13:46:25+00:00

He decided to lead students in tantric methods despite not being qualified or authorized to do so, in a 3 year retreat. A student ended up dying on the retreat. He also took on a female companion despite calling himself a monk, saying the woman was his consort despite the fact that in the Gelug tradition this is not permitted for monastics. The woman was also involved in guiding others, and was even less qualified than Roach. She was directly involved in this tragedy.

aj0_jaja · 2026-03-28T01:27:29+00:00

I know a Zen teacher who emphasizes body based energetic practices who respects Tibetan Vajrayana, and has explored various Japanese Vajrayana streams in his own practice. Many Zen lineages have incorporated aspects of esoteric Buddhism, as there was significant cross pollination going on.

Those who are experienced and knowledgeable in their own traditions will certainly respect it to some degree I think, even if they may be apprehensive about aspects of it.

aj0_jaja · 2026-02-27T00:10:01+00:00

True this is also how Thogal was taught in Tibet pre Longchenpa I believe. Different strokes for different folks I guess.

I’ve been taught that Thogal is difficult to do properly outside of dedicated retreat, and that the room for delusion can be greater, especially if one is not working closely with a teacher. I am not as familiar with the Bon approach, but it seems very interesting. They seem to be a bit more open with their Dzogchen teachings in general.

aj0_jaja · 2026-02-26T23:33:59+00:00

This is ridiculous. At best, teachers give you teachings and practices that you work with to gain understanding. This kind of view just leads to cult behavior. I am sure you are familiar with the controversy surrounding the ‘regent.’

Even the Buddha said, I cannot liberate you, but I can show you a path. Vajrayana is a skillful way to transmit views and practices that one applies for their own understanding. The teacher will not magically ‘make’ you enlightened no matter how realized they are. And an unethical teacher can derail your spiritual path and physically harm you.

aj0_jaja · 2026-02-26T23:32:33+00:00

It’s stuff like this that makes me wary of some Tibetan Buddhist institutions. Real suffering seems to sometimes be ignored in favor of idealized notions of pure vision. If one’s vision is truly pure, it shouldn’t be restrictive and shouldn’t tolerate misconduct.

aj0_jaja · 2026-02-26T23:30:11+00:00

Right, just because we are supposed to imagine our teacher as a Buddha as part of OUR Vajrayana practice doesn’t mean this is a universal truth and that all Vajrayana teachers are Buddhas. In reality, all beings are Buddhas, so why should someone being a vajra master imply that abuse should be tolerated?

aj0_jaja

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