Hey guys
I've been studying the book Pearl Rosary, as recommended from a post on this tribe.
I have a background in Vipassana (goenka style) as well as other forms of meditation (buddhist and from hindu/sikh yogas), and I've been feeling more and more drawn to Tibetan traditions. In particular, I've been drawn to Green Tara and Chenrezig practice. I am seeking out empowerments this summer in CA, and it the meantime considering embarking on a practice with the help of that trusty book.
So just a couple questions about yidam visualization. . . now I know you can visualize the deity in front of you, or visualize yourself as the deity. In the book, the latter is recommended.
If the deity is in front of you, I can see how you can visualize exactly as the deity is depicted in thangkas and so on. But - if you visualize yourself as the deity, and say one of your hands is busy with your mala - how do you account for the deity's mudras and arm positions? Like, visualizing self as deity I get, but it seems weird to imagine that your arms are doing something else other than you're doing.
And what is the significant difference of visualizing the deity in front of you vs. as you? For some reason, I have a hard time visualizing Green Tara in front of me, but much easier to visualize myself as her. Chenresig, easier for me to visualize both.
Anyway, of course I'll be seeking a teacher to help me with these very basic aspects of practice, but wanted to run it by the tribe in the meantime.
Thanks for all your help!
Zeke
ps if you know of any green tara or chenrezig empowerments this summer in ca, or any thing else you would recommend, please let me know!
I've been studying the book Pearl Rosary, as recommended from a post on this tribe.
I have a background in Vipassana (goenka style) as well as other forms of meditation (buddhist and from hindu/sikh yogas), and I've been feeling more and more drawn to Tibetan traditions. In particular, I've been drawn to Green Tara and Chenrezig practice. I am seeking out empowerments this summer in CA, and it the meantime considering embarking on a practice with the help of that trusty book.
So just a couple questions about yidam visualization. . . now I know you can visualize the deity in front of you, or visualize yourself as the deity. In the book, the latter is recommended.
If the deity is in front of you, I can see how you can visualize exactly as the deity is depicted in thangkas and so on. But - if you visualize yourself as the deity, and say one of your hands is busy with your mala - how do you account for the deity's mudras and arm positions? Like, visualizing self as deity I get, but it seems weird to imagine that your arms are doing something else other than you're doing.
And what is the significant difference of visualizing the deity in front of you vs. as you? For some reason, I have a hard time visualizing Green Tara in front of me, but much easier to visualize myself as her. Chenresig, easier for me to visualize both.
Anyway, of course I'll be seeking a teacher to help me with these very basic aspects of practice, but wanted to run it by the tribe in the meantime.
Thanks for all your help!
Zeke
ps if you know of any green tara or chenrezig empowerments this summer in ca, or any thing else you would recommend, please let me know!
posted in
Tibetan Buddhism
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