Howdy!

I've been told before that at the right time a guru will be available.

I've just discovered this organization (in my very neighborhood no less!)
and was wondering if anybody out there knew anything about them.

The Amitabha Foundation
http://www.amitabhafoundation.org/

H.E. Ayang Rinpoche
Phowa

I get the impression that Phowa is all focused on what happens at the moment
of death.

Any information would be most appreciated.

--
Dave ©¿©¬

http://www.howdydave.com

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Dave ©¿©¬ wrote:
> Howdy!
>
> I've been told before that at the right time a guru will be available.
>
> I've just discovered this organization (in my very neighborhood no less!)
> and was wondering if anybody out there knew anything about them.
>
> The Amitabha Foundation
> http://www.amitabhafoundation.org/
>
> H.E. Ayang Rinpoche
> Phowa
>
Hi, David
It's been a while since I left Vajrayana (Tibetan Buddhism), where I
belonged to the Karma Kagyu lineage. Still, from what I remember, this
guy seems to have the "right" qualifications, like his lineage rgd. the
Karmapa controversy (which you will find described elsewhere on the web.
As in most branches of Buddhism, lineage is a most important thing, to
guarantee that your teacher has recieved his lineage (different symbols
within different branches), and just isn't another newager/fake/self
titled guru. In case you don't get any response here, my advice is that
you start browsing the web for some of the names and expressions on
their site. The Nyingma lineage is, AFAIR, the Dalai Lamas own, and has
produced some very high qualified teachers.
Still, I "converted" to Zen myself, but, as you write, when the time is
ripe, your teacher will come to you.

bow,
ole k

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"Ole Kvaal" <okvaal@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:xMwue.13358$ai7.319979@news2.e.nsc.no..
> Dave ©¿©¬ wrote: 
less!)[vbcol=seagreen] 
> Hi, David
> It's been a while since I left Vajrayana (Tibetan Buddhism), where I
> belonged to the Karma Kagyu lineage. Still, from what I remember, this
> guy seems to have the "right" qualifications, like his lineage rgd. the
> Karmapa controversy (which you will find described elsewhere on the web.
>   As in most branches of Buddhism, lineage is a most important thing, to
> guarantee that your teacher has recieved his lineage (different symbols
> within different branches), and just isn't another newager/fake/self
> titled guru. In case you don't get any response here, my advice is that
> you start browsing the web for some of the names and expressions on
> their site. The Nyingma lineage is, AFAIR, the Dalai Lamas own, and has
> produced some very high qualified teachers.
> Still, I "converted" to Zen myself, but, as you write, when the time is
> ripe, your teacher will come to you.
>
> bow,
> ole k

Howdy Ole!

Thanks! You lead right into my next option. Right around the corner from The
Amitabha Foundation is:

The Rochester Zen Center.

I've been thinking about it and, since Amitabha seems to be more of a world
relief organization. I was going to drop in at the Zen Center too.

Can a person find a Jnani guru within the Zen discipline? Maybe I'd better
ask for a sensea(sp?) instead of a guru.

I figure that if I can't find a teacher at the Zen Center, at least they
will know where I can find one.

The main thing is, I am not interested BUDDHISM (Tibetian or Zen), just in
continuing on MY path by practicing Jnana Yoga.

Then again.. if I am to be faithful to my path, I should probably give
myself the opportunity to get input from as many different perpectives as
possible. So far, my studies have, for the most part, been from the Hindu
perspective.

"I am building a house for myself and I am fairly impartial to the issue of
what kind of nails I must use to hold the superstructure togeather."


--
Dave ©¿©¬

http://www.howdydave.com

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Dave,

What's the issue with your jnana practice? Why do you think you need a
teacher? Do you think you are going to find someone who is "there" and
they will take you?

Jnana is the most "alone" of all the yoga paths.

If you insist on a teacher, all a teacher can do is ask you a question,
which you must answer.

I'd be glad to do that for you.

Tell me, who are you?

Jared

Namaste

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Howdy!

Isn't it kinda' hard to lay on your hands in cyberspace?  

My main concern had been (n.b.: past tense) with the (for want of a better
phrase) "sequence of events in one's progression."

"Instantaneous enlightenment" without raising through the ranks of the
normal phases of "yogic development."

Then I read about other people who have gone from being 'fresh off the
street' to experiencing samadhi as one of their first steps in yogic
development. Just because it's rare doesn't mean that there is something
wrong with it.

My path has always been "off of the beaten path" anyway!

--
Dave ©¿©¬

http://www.howdydave.com

"omjaroo" <omjaroo@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1119736577.274466.49840@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com..
> Dave,
>
> What's the issue with your jnana practice? Why do you think you need a
> teacher? Do you think you are going to find someone who is "there" and
> they will take you?
>
> Jnana is the most "alone" of all the yoga paths.
>
> If you insist on a teacher, all a teacher can do is ask you a question,
> which you must answer.
>
> I'd be glad to do that for you.
>
> Tell me, who are you?
>
> Jared
>
> Namaste
>

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"omjaroo" <omjaroo@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1119736577.274466.49840@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com..
> Dave,
>
> What's the issue with your jnana practice? Why do you think you need a
> teacher? Do you think you are going to find someone who is "there" and
> they will take you?
>
> Jnana is the most "alone" of all the yoga paths.
>
> If you insist on a teacher, all a teacher can do is ask you a question,
> which you must answer.
>
> I'd be glad to do that for you.
>
> Tell me, who are you?
>
> Jared
>
> Namaste
>

Howdy!

re: "Who are you?"

According to my insight and perceptions at this point in time, this is a
trick question.

The clearest vision that I have had of myself is of being an infinately
small "life monad," without mass (my "silent witness",) 'floating' in an
apparantly limitless emptyness.

Whether this was my Atman perceiving Brahman, I can't say.. but that is one
possible interpritation.

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"Dave ©¿©¬" <dave@_nospam_howdydave.com> wrote in message
news:jIwEe.2002$cg.1045@news02.roc.ny..[vbcol=seagreen]
> "omjaroo" <omjaroo@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:1119736577.274466.49840@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com.. 
Howdy!

re: "Who are you?"

According to my insight and perceptions at this point in time, this is a
trick question.

The clearest vision that I have had of myself was seeing my silent witness
'floating' in an apparantly limitless emptyness.

Whether this was my Atman perceiving Brahman, I can't say.. but that is
one possible interpritation.

I called this a trick question because "I" am in a constant state of flux --
either that or "I" am an illusion (I'm not sure which!)

If a person can answer the question "Who are you?" then they must perceive
him/herself to be in a somewhat static state.

Sounds like maybe you have become my guru after all, eh??

--
Dave ©¿©¬

http://www.howdydave.com

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Personally, I think you are right to expect (a miracle) an instant
transformation. Because that is exactly how it happens; in an instant,
you are not, then you are. The secret is you are, right now. Always
have been and always will be. The only difference is whether you know
it ;-)

Namaste

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Dave,

>re: "Who are you?"

>According to my insight and perceptions at this point in time, this is a
trick question.

Jared doesn't do trick questions :-)

>The clearest vision that I have had of myself is of being an infinately
>small "life monad," without mass (my "silent witness",) 'floating' in an
>apparantly limitless emptyness.

Who is "witnessing" your "silent witness).

Jared

Namaste

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"omjaroo" <omjaroo@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1122159147.253165.74210@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com..
> Dave,
> 
> 
> trick question.
>
> Jared doesn't do trick questions :-)
> 
>
> Who is "witnessing" your "silent witness).
>
> Jared
>
> Namaste
>

Herein lays the whole crux of the difference between perception and
enlightenment.

Previously I was only aware of my body and mind. The silent witness was
perceiving it all.

I would say that, for the first time in my life, my silent witness perceived
itself. This flash of recognition showed me that, as far as my Self is
concerned, if "I" as an entity actually do exist, then my silent witness is
all that there is to it.

I had this flash of enlightenment without knowing anything about yoga. I
grew up in western Christianity. The only way I had of describing it was:

"I had always been taught that 'your body is a temple unto the Lord'..
Here, in a flash, I saw WOAA!!! This isn't one of those little temples that
stand in the corner of the room, it's a humongous cathedral!!!"


After searching for 10 or 15 years in an attempt to better comprehend it, I
finally discovered the terms "Atman" and "Brahman".

Did Atman perceive Brahman, did Brahman perceive Atman or did Atman perceive
itself?  I don't know!

--
Dave ©¿©¬

http://www.howdydave.com

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