Buddhist Tips on the Practice

“Tantra won't work unless you have been trapped by spirituality . . .Spirituality -self-discovery is a tremendous trap. It's one of the biggest traps there is. But you must be trapped by it because you are now trapped by the world. . . Tantra means to come back to the world, it is a circle”

-Rama

Tantra and the Left-Handed Path - Rama - 1982
If you have the opportunity to listen to this tape, you will probably want to listen several times. It is packed with information.

Tantra is a misunderstood pathway. Many dabblers in self-discovery think the word tantra refers to sexual yoga. It does not. If you tell someone that you practice tantra, they may get a knowing smile and imagine a wonderful future with you. Be cognizant of the fact that words have different meaning to different people.

Tantra is an advanced practice that is not suggested for the beginner. The following pathways need to be explored:
Yoga of Love; Yoga of Selfless Giving, Jnana Yoga, and Yoga of Mysticism.

A student may reach a place in their spiritual practice where they withdraw from the world. The harshness of the world may have forced them to the beaches, deserts, and mountains. That retreat from the secular world can be part of the journey. But the journey doesn't stop there for some people. In this age, the student might complete the circle, and retreat from the retreat.

So, at this point in a student's practice they may begin to look at the trump card, which is Tantra. Rama calls Tantra the left-handed path. Rama explains, "When I speak of Tantra Yoga, I'm speaking of a type of yoga that is best practiced by persons who live in society. It's a yoga for the last yuga. Tantra means the avoidance of a set of defined form of spirituality. Tantra is intuitive self discovery. . .It's a hidden path."

At some point in self-discovery a student will probably develop a spiritually elite mindset, and get stuck in that trap. I have gone through and revisit these states of mind. It is so cool to have studied with Rama, and it is soooo special. Sorry, I still believe that. What a gift! What a trap!

Everything is "grist for the mill" of your own awakening. Everything! Everything becomes part of the playing field on your journey to light. Frustration, anger, depression, opposition, any trap, is an opportunity for growth and heightened awareness.

There is nothing that you shouldn't do, there are no rules to break. However, it is an advanced practice because it is for people who are pure of heart, and do not need the book of rules anymore. In other words, the student who can succeed at Tantra has a reverence for life.

These words from Rama seem to sum up tantra: "In Tantra we let the winds of existence blow us where they will. Our concern is not so much in directing our life as in living our life and observing and seeing that every experience that life gives us, every situation that we're put into is a pathway to perfection."



	August 8, 2002 from Rama's tapes Let the Winds of Tantra Blow “Tantra won't work unless you have been trapped by spirituality . . .Spirituality -self-discovery is a tremendous trap. It's one of the biggest traps there is. But you must be trapped by it because you are now trapped by the world. . . Tantra means to come back to the world, it is a circle” -Rama Tantra and the Left-Handed Path - Rama - 1982 If you have the opportunity to listen to this tape, you will probably want to listen several times. It is packed with information. Tantra is a misunderstood pathway. Many dabblers in self-discovery think the word tantra refers to sexual yoga. It does not. If you tell someone that you practice tantra, they may get a knowing smile and imagine a wonderful future with you. Be cognizant of the fact that words have different meaning to different people. Tantra is an advanced practice that is not suggested for the beginner. The following pathways need to be explored: Yoga of Love; Yoga of Selfless Giving, Jnana Yoga, and Yoga of Mysticism. A student may reach a place in their spiritual practice where they withdraw from the world. The harshness of the world may have forced them to the beaches, deserts, and mountains. That retreat from the secular world can be part of the journey. But the journey doesn't stop there for some people. In this age, the student might complete the circle, and retreat from the retreat. So, at this point in a student's practice they may begin to look at the trump card, which is Tantra. Rama calls Tantra the left-handed path. Rama explains, "When I speak of Tantra Yoga, I'm speaking of a type of yoga that is best practiced by persons who live in society. It's a yoga for the last yuga. Tantra means the avoidance of a set of defined form of spirituality. Tantra is intuitive self discovery. . .It's a hidden path." At some point in self-discovery a student will probably develop a spiritually elite mindset, and get stuck in that trap. I have gone through and revisit these states of mind. It is so cool to have studied with Rama, and it is soooo special. Sorry, I still believe that. What a gift! What a trap! Everything is "grist for the mill" of your own awakening. Everything! Everything becomes part of the playing field on your journey to light. Frustration, anger, depression, opposition, any trap, is an opportunity for growth and heightened awareness. There is nothing that you shouldn't do, there are no rules to break. However, it is an advanced practice because it is for people who are pure of heart, and do not need the book of rules anymore. In other words, the student who can succeed at Tantra has a reverence for life. These words from Rama seem to sum up tantra: "In Tantra we let the winds of existence blow us where they will. Our concern is not so much in directing our life as in living our life and observing and seeing that every experience that life gives us, every situation that we're put into is a pathway to perfection." Lynne of the San Diego DharmaCenter ARCHIVES! Into the Mystic Into the Moment Tao The Way of The Water Aware of The One Touch the Ecstasy Samsara or Enlightenment	From Rama's Teachings Rama presented thousands of techniques that were intended to help students along their own pathway to enlightenment. Techniques presented here may be useful for you. The teachings are meant to be used by students who are serious about their practice, and their own enlightenment. A special thanks to Lynne of the San Diego DharmaCenter for her writing, and the inspiration to begin this feature.
		"Dragon Tape Case" graphic was created with original artwork and clipart.
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