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Tag Archives: demons
Asceticism
Asceticism has been discussed in several articles throughout this blog, but I am taking a much broader look at the subject in this series, incorporating aspects of both Eastern and Western thought. The concept of ascesis, derived from the Greek verb άσλέω meaning “train”, is basically one of discipline and training. The related term in the Indo-Aryan language Pāli is tapas (tapa or tapo) which expresses a similar notion but additionally contains imagery of heat and intensity to allude to an intense concentration that is almost like fire. In fact, the complexity of tapas is best seen through its application to ascetic activity. It denotes the hard work required, as well as the magical power and sacredness produced from it. This process allows for the practitioner to be taken beyond a merely human or profane realm. (Tapta Marga Asceticism and Initiation In Vedic India) Without the presence of tapas, spiritual development slows to a crawl. According to the literature, demonic activity can distract from contemplation and leave one feeling cold—icebound in thought. Therefore, in the spiritual psychology practiced in the Egyptian desert, thinking and demons are often considered one and the same.
Posted in Asceticism, Spirituality
Tagged acedia, anachoresis, asceticism, demons, enkrateia, father figure, Recollective Resolve, spiritual mentor, tapas
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The Dynamis of Evil
In Ephesians 6:12, Paul writes:
…we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities (archas), against the powers (exousias), against the world rulers (kosmokratoras), of this present darkness, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places.
Posted in Māra and Satan
Tagged aiōn, archōn, daimones, demons, Dhammapada, Dūsī Māra, Dynamis, giants, homoousios, John of the Cross, Justin Martyr, Kālḷī, Kāmadhātu, Kāmaloka, Kāmāvacara, kosmos, Manomayakāya, māraṇa kōṭī, mārāśca, Origen, Paranirmitavaśavartin devas, pneuma, The Book of Enoch
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Dark Buddha
“It is said that one who practices the Way will remove obstructing demons. If one simply practices zazen and doesn’t chant sacred words from sutras, by what grace will he remove these obstructions?”
Amitabha’s Lotus and Skull-Cup Empowerment
He couldn’t believe it was happening! Not again! But sure enough, after being protected and comforted with the arrival of Pandaravasini, Schäfer found himself in a similar predicament when his body was being decapitated by the demons; but this time it involved a Wrathful-Form of Pandaravasini, as she transformed from a beautiful and enticing woman into a grotesque and terrifying shape of an angry-red Dakini who wasted no time in performing what she set-out to do. Yet, this time it was somehow different. He was actually witnessing, from an elevated vantage-point, a limp-form of himself as a woman lying helplessly prostrate in Pandaravasini’s Lotus as this wicked-dakini descended.
Posted in Notes from the Iron Stupa
Tagged anima, animus, Cho, demons, Empowerment, Mind, Pandaravasini, Vajra-Yogini, Wrathful Dakini
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(30) The Cosmic Battle
A great battle takes place within you, sometimes you become
painfully aware of this war and sometimes it seems so far away that you hardly notice it.
Yet, it is an ongoing war that takes place in a dry wasteland of
no true light.
Position-less
When the Terrible-Twos are no more,
Where’s the Demon Head of the One to be found?
In the Unborn Mind,
There is no need for standardization in any form.
(19) Like an Eagle
Relaxed…
But focused…
Like an eagle in the sky…
With its clear and observant eye…
The light-trainee walks the earth and does not allow her mind to depend on anything which is subject to birth and death…
Very few, if any, situations affect her…
Her keen, sharp dharma-eye can detect the tiniest of demons crossing her way…
Revealing their foul nature by observing their petty actions…
With a calm, detached and unshakable mind, she continues her life…
Calmly and joyfully in whatever she does…
The Gods bow down to her for wisdom…
For they know how once foolish they were…
When they became gods of pure desire through creating an abundance of good merit…
This light-trainee, the forthcoming blazing light-bringer, does not cling to a good or bad deed…
His outflows are tightly shut….
No hate is there…
Nor does one find passion or fear…
Yet, he is most compassionate in his silence…
So full of life and light…
He doesn’t speak and yet everyone understands his silent words and enjoys and reveres his presence…
To her…
The world slowly becomes a world of true spiritual reality…
Where her true nature abides…
Unmovable and unshakable…
Yet lightning fast when needed…
For it is said…
Where one’s true spirit walks..
Is indeed a most blissful and liberated single point…
Where neither demons…
Nor gods…
Dare enter…
Posted in The Dragon Mind of Zen Tarot
Tagged demons, desire, light-trainee, merit, passion
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Powers of Gnosis
We have now come to the siddhis-proper, or those mystical powers assimilated from the yogic foundation provided from the perfect sanyamaic-discipline, or the techniques of applying Dhāranā, Dhyāna and Samadhi to any given phenomenal energy-field. As can be weighed from all the preceding material, Siddhic-Mastership entails engaging in an extraordinary amount of untold hours developing these salient techniques before the yogin dare engage in utilizing and even bending the laws of psychic-phenomena. Anyone venturing-forth in these uncharted regions without the compass of certitude in the Recollective Resolve does so at their own risk. The chief-factor to bear in mind is, “Who is engaging in these cosmic prerogatives?” If the answer is the captain of the skandhic consciousness, then one is about to sail-forth on a ship of fools indeed. Remember, Caveat Spiritus—let your spirit beware!
Posted in The Yogasūtras of Patañjali
Tagged demons, gnosis, Right Gnosis, Sanyama, Synchronous Sanyama, yogin
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The Hard Won Path
The Yogasūtras of Patañjali
Book II: The Hard Won Path
Whereas Book I was the heart of Patañjali’s Yoga sutras—the Hardcore Teachings of eradicating all thought-obstructions in order to “Yoke” with the Unborn—Book II is a practicum—a “how to guide” of developing the yogic discipline needed in order to successfully navigate through the turbulent samsaric seas before experiencing the Re-Union (Yoked-ness) with the Nirvanic Shore of Suchness. This is the Yoga of Action.
Posted in The Yogasūtras of Patañjali
Tagged avidya, Book II, demons, Lord of Yoga, obstructions, Self, Yoga
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The Demons of Form
“Ananda, you should know that as a cultivator sits in the Bodhimanda, he is doing away with all thoughts. When his thoughts come to an end, there will be nothing on his mind. This state of pure clarity will stay the same whether in movement or stillness, in remembrance or forgetfulness.
Posted in The Śūrańgama Sūtra
Tagged Astral Projection, Astral Realms, bodhimanda, demons, Sagehood, Samadhis, Siddhis
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