NAMASTE’-
Today I was talking to myself, again. We were discussing our impending meeting with our spiritual mother’s (Guru’s) family member. You see when I was twenty one I met my Buddhist teacher, Guru (from darkness to light) and spiritual mother. Her name was Maria Rose, as a devotee I came to know her as Sri Mamua Devi. As I evolved through the Buddhist teaching (Dharma) my Guru was a constant presence. With the folly of life and youth I relocated far from my Guru and lost touch.
In 2007 I reconnected with the family member of my Guru, at which time I found out that Maria Rose had passed into the realms of light. I was distracted by her loss, however as all devotees come to understand, the Guru teaches beyond the physical body- therefore their teaching and guidance are in no way restricted by death, time or distance.
The topic of the meeting with my Gurus family member is the Tarot. I began thinking of how I would explain that the cards are symbolic representations of archetypal energy, and how our spirit guides communicate with us during a reading. I thought- hmm how interesting to be explaining psychic *mystical* phenomenon to a Buddhist! I am not bragging when I say I know the Tarot. Buddhism is a path I follow, but I have never had a dispute between being psychic and being a Buddhist. However the Tarot is an Occult subject.
How do the Buddhists feel about the Occult? I take the story of Milarepa as my only example. Milarepa started out life as a “Black Magician” and thus had to suffer humility under his Gurus guidance for many years. Once Milarepa was “still” the Guru Marpa then began to teach him all of the wonders of the universe. Milarepa meditated in solitude for so many years that he actually learned how to fly. Milarepa then began to teach all the wonders of the universe to his devotee’s- until his ascension at age 84. Milarepa was mostly known for the miracles he manifested in front of his students.
The reason I know the story of Milarepa is not the fruit of much belabored Buddhist research. I prefer to undertake the practice of the dharma rather than study the history. The reason I know Milarepa- One day after a lovely meditation, Sri Mamua Devi read aloud an extensive list of unusual sounding names, and asked us devotees which name stood out most to us. The name I most remembered was “Milarepa”. I printed out the story of Milarepa and placed it into my Buddhist “Book of Shadows” (lol Buddhist Wiccan). I have found myself reading Milarepa’s story many times throughout the years. In the past two days I found out that Milarepa is in my Buddhist “family” lineage. That means my Guru’s Guru, His Guru’s Guru (you see like a family) way back in the 1000’s – 1050 to be exact Milarepa lived as an Enlightened Being, not the first or the last, but one in a GREAT succession of spiritual teachers.
I experienced a large “COSMIC WINK” from this information. My Kundalini was awakened at age 30, which is 7 years after I met Sri Mamua Devi. A person like me (ignorant Westerner) with Kundalini rising at 30- is a testament to the power of my Guru and all in the lineage! I mean WOW!
At age 30 I purchased an astrological report on-line, which I had never done before. I was so impressed with the site- I figured what the heck (www.adze.com). I was pretty shocked my eyes skimmed over the words at the end of the report- “In your last life you lived in Tibet.” That was the first time I let myself imagine I had been enlightened in a past life. It is known that if you reached enlightenment in the past- enlightenment is attainable – possibly likely in this very lifetime!
Now, with the information that Milarepa is in the lineage, I wonder if I have any personal/karmic spiritual ties to his energy. I like to wonder about things like that! So Milarepa is my great, great, great and so on, Guru’s Guru.
“Blessings to my Guru and my Guru’s Guru.”
If it seems I am talking to myself that is true. I figured why waste good thoughts when I can share them in a blog. I am also trying to be conversational and somewhat witty- how am I doing?
Teaching a Buddhist Tarot is also a great opportunity for my own understanding. I speak in Tarot, the other person speaks in Dharma, and we find the common meanings. I am most excited about the possibilities of what I may learn.
I will be speaking of spiritual guides, visions in the minds eye (pituitary gland), intuition, emotion- and many other occult and esoteric teachings. Buddhism teaches that many of these things are distractions, illusions and not valid sources of information. Although Buddhism still employees the “Seer” (psychic) to seek out the reincarnations of those in the lineage.
I am so pleased to have this opportunity!
~ FIN ~
The Occultist in the Corner 