The Importance of Willpower

Someone sent me this and wow was it powerful, inspiring, and relevant to me. I think everyone should read this.. rather.. anyone who begins to meditate with a sincere goal should be forced to read this! Maybe it's a little basic for most here, but for those still struggling with making progress.. this will sure inspire you, or at least point out to you why you've been failing.

www.himalayanacademy.com/resources/books/mws/mws_ch-07.html

"When you become aware of the energy within your spine and within your head, you have separated awareness from that which it is aware of, for that is awareness itself, and that is will."
This quote and the lines immediately preceding, which referred to the apparent fact that by using this deep energy we actually have more of it, which is a strange thing to experience for me, it really struck me, Mikael!
It reminds me of one of Norbu's pointers, in which he says if you are aware *of* the coarse mind of thoughts, feelings and sensations, then you are aware *as* the subtle mind; and in being aware *of* the subtle layer of inner energy flows, you are being aware *as* the very subtle mind of pure awareness and power. Being aware *as* that very subtle mind is one definition of "Rigpa", and that's one explanation for why the completion stage yogas such as Tummo and Phowa can be used to "access" that "very subtle mind". A particularly appropriate path for someone with a strong inclination to experiences of bliss and subtle energy!
Is this site a Shaivite teaching?
--Jake

Some interesting content there. Sincerity and willpower work well together.

""When you become aware of the energy within your spine and within your head, you have separated awareness from that which it is aware of, for that is awareness itself, and that is will."
This quote and the lines immediately preceding, which referred to the apparent fact that by using this deep energy we actually have more of it, which is a strange thing to experience for me, it really struck me, Mikael!
It reminds me of one of Norbu's pointers, in which he says if you are aware *of* the coarse mind of thoughts, feelings and sensations, then you are aware *as* the subtle mind; and in being aware *of* the subtle layer of inner energy flows, you are being aware *as* the very subtle mind of pure awareness and power. Being aware *as* that very subtle mind is one definition of "Rigpa", and that's one explanation for why the completion stage yogas such as Tummo and Phowa can be used to "access" that "very subtle mind". A particularly appropriate path for someone with a strong inclination to experiences of bliss and subtle energy!
Is this site a Shaivite teaching?
--Jake
"

very interesting thanks! i've never heard that from Norbu, a retreat? a book? I've only read a couple of his.. need to read more..

so Phowa has the same goal as Tummo? makes sense, I learned it recently from a Kagyu teacher and the explanation was that it's for exiting the body during death to enter the Pure Land, but methodologically it seems like the point is to bring awareness into the central channel, specifically from heart to crown. I was explicitly told to not go above the crown. I wonder what difference this makes from Tummo which focuses on naval to crown, anyway it seems like the whole explanation of the purpose of the practice is just skillful means to get you to do it.. I think you are right that the point is the same of the two practices.

Yes this Guru is a Shivaite teacher

I wouldn't say they have the same goal, proximately at least, although yes they both involve central channel etc and the fact that they're "completion stage yogas" and the point of the completion stage is to experience the clear light, and to do so one could objectify the next coarsest level of mind, namely the subtle as in the channels and drops etc, they could each though very different in proximate goal share an ultimate goal, awakening buddha nature.
Traditionally, Phowa and the Clear Light yogas (of the eight yogas) were both considered safe to teach to people who weren't masters of the development stage yoga of visualization, mantras, etc, while the other six yogas were considered a bit dangerous for the unprepared. I think it all depends on talent and honesty about one's motivations. If you are talented at energy practices, and you are confident that you can pursue them in a safe way, go for it!
--Jake