Meditation in Yogic and Tantric Traditions

I went to Charles Eisenstein's talk on setting up a peaceful civilization. It was an incredible breakdown of all the ways in which we perpetuate a war mindset. Good vs. evil is deeply programmed. Whether we fight to win for something 'good' or put down an enemy for 'peace,' we are still at war in a power battle. The ways in which we perpetuate war on ourself is also majorly at play. This talk named the elements of what is going on so clearly in a way that I had seen, but not as clearly the nuances of how deeply embedded this is. I relinquish the war mindset. No more good vs. evil. No more us vs. them. No more wars against myself. I release into sovereignty. This is in line with my goal relaxation in exertion. There is no need to feel like force is in the mix with my actions for this just perpetuates war.

I listened to the podcast on Buddha-nature and we are reading about it now in third turning. It seems like people have a challenging time really understanding it at all given the way we perceive time in this culture. I also listened to a podcast on time and the constructed nature of it. It relates well with Buddha-nature because this is not about time operating linearly. The past, present, and future are already present. A seed can only grow into a shoot and into a plant with the passing of time, which is not necessarily how the potential of a seed works in Buddha-nature. It is already all pervasive like space. My goal about not letting the past overlay my present and worry me for the future is more realized within the context of this notion of Buddha-nature. I have felt more present given I am only here right now and these conditions set me up for the next moment. The anxiety will not change anything. I feel more connected to what is here and now.

In class, we expanded, like the sky, into the infinite and merged with it as if it were none other than ourselves. Then we did not abandon our heart-minds at the center or leave it for happiness or suffering. Then we abandoned the thoughts that our mind might be fixed on. 93, 102, 129 Vijñāna Bhairava Tantra These three instructions together were instantaneously directive for me to be fully present. I have been coming back to these instructions many times in a day as I am driving or walking. Sometimes, I know that if I think of all that I need to do, I will be swept away into anxiety that is not relevant for the present moment to exist in its fullness. So, I come back to walking, walking. Or driving, driving. There is nowhere else to be. All accomplishing action will be done. To project fear of the future or leave my body for some other happiness trip, I will miss the joy that pervades this moment.