As we walk our path, we search- sometimes we search for answers to our questions and ironically sometimes we search for the right questions to explain all that we observe and experience!!

The expansiveness of all that surrounds us, makes it seem like an outwards-path.

But the reality is that, it is an inward-path. What we are seeking- our questions and our answers are all within us. As it is said in the Vedic tradition- the observer, the observed and the process of observation is all the same (which is the conscious self).

Here is a short Zen story that nicely highlights this lesson…

Daiju visited the master Baso in China. Baso asked: “What do you seek?”
“Enlightenment,” replied Daiju.

“You have your own treasure house. Why do you search outside?” Baso asked.
Daiju inquired: “Where is my treasure house?”
Baso answered: “What you are asking is your treasure house.”

Daiju was enlightened! Ever after he urged his friends: “Open your own treasure house and use those treasures.”​

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​Cup of Tea is a very famous Zen story with a very profound lesson.

​We need to empty our cup to be able to receive knowledge. Of course, this is just the first step. Since knowledge then needs to be analyzed and understood. And then once it becomes part of one's being; one's internal makeup, then that knowledge transforms into wisdom.

Empty out your cup as we approach a powerful new moon tomorrow.  It is time for us to start "un-learning" our conditioned norms, so we can truly start learning... without the burden of our "previously learnt concepts"!

A very learned and famous man once visited Nan-in, a Japanese master, to inquire about Zen. Nan-in served tea. He poured his visitor’s cup full, and then kept on pouring.

The learned man watched the overflow until he no longer could restrain himself. “It is overfull. No more will go in!” 

“Like this cup,” Nan-in said, “you are full of your own opinions and speculations.

How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?”

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Most of the Tantric images show some form of erotic representation, where the yoni (vagina) of the goddess (female energy principle) is touching or interacting with the lingam- phallus of the god (male energy principle).

Such depiction can seem very “blasphemous” to the traditional pundits, but when viewed from the perspective of tantric symbolism, it makes perfect sense. 
​
In tantric traditions, yoni represents the primordial female principle of creation and the phallus (lingam) symbolizes the primordial male principle of creation. 

Because of this the union of the male and the female (as indicated in a sexual intercourse) is considered as the true yoga (union) of Shiva and Shakti, the male and the female principle. This is not the crude or casual sex which simply leads to procreation of a progeny.

​The tantric union is meant to be done with proper protocol and guidance and when done correctly, allows both the individuals- the male and the female, to go beyond the limitations of their own individual limited form (of a male or a female) and rise higher to merge into the formless. 

When a male and female unite in a tantric union, they start to rise their individual energies into higher planes of existence… finally merging with the divine!!

In this world of duality- everything is ultimately represented by the male & female principle- the anima and the animus. As these two core principles start to merge into one another, they slowly start to lose their ‘individual- existence’ which is part of the ‘duality’ to become ‘singular’- the Divine.

This rise in energy, ascension, is seen as the rise of the Kundalini energy which rises from its state of lying dormant at the base of the spine, thru the various chakras to ultimately reach the highest chakra- 7th chakra of Sahasrara to take the individual (male or female) beyond the duality of all kinds of this material existence, to merge into the singular presence of the Divine God-head (supreme cosmic energy-form).
​
This also explains why in Tantra, the Gods and Goddesses are typically depicted with erotic imagery. They are merely form representations of an energy-union, which will lead them into the formless- singular essence.

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Our world is made of duality. There is light and there is darkness. There is day and there is night.  Even our bodies get defined as that of a male or female.

But what is perturbing- is the fact that in addition to this duality which exists in nature to allow for creation from union of various parts- we find our psyches full of labels and names where we further perpetuate a sense of separateness. We tend to label and brand things, people and situation as good 'vs' bad, right vs' wrong and so on. But the truth is- these are all labels. 

Do note that this is not to support or condone hurtful or unlawful behaviour- those should be dealt with properly as indicated by the law of the land.

As Jesus said, “pay to Caesar, what is Caesar’s.” The concept we are talking about here deals with labels and judgement that we each indulge in to bring about a sense of gratification of superiority- a sense of being better than “someone or something else”.

Such labels and judgements ultimately strengthen a sense of separateness- among Divine’s creation and finally from Divinity itself!

One needs to be cognizant of the fact that all that is created by the creator is "good"! It exits because of the will of the divine! There is profound truth in these seemingly simple sentences. It goes beyond simply judging the good or bad and transcending to a space of absolute perfection- of absolute unison! 

Here is a short Zen story that wonderfully exemplifies this truth...

When Banzan was walking through a market he overheard a conversation between a butcher and his customer.
“Give me the best piece of meat you have,” said the customer.
“Everything in my shop is the best,” replied the butcher. “You cannot find here any piece of meat that is not the best.”

At these words Banzan became enlightened.

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