Upload
others
View
7
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Page 1 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra
Second Lesson’s Commentary by Terton Lama: Jigme Gyatso; Rime Rinpoche
2018-b11-17b
Page 2 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Acknowledgments
This sadhana or practice text was inspired by:
The termas or psychic instructions I received from:
Avalokiteshvara, Arya Tare, and Padmasambhava,
the oral instructions of Bhakha Tulku Rinpoche, Chogyal Namkhai Norbu,
Lama Chodrak Gyatso, and Lama Olé
meditation manuals composed by Gautama Siddhartha: the Buddha
“Maha Satipatthana Sutta– the Greater Discourse upon the Four Bases of Mindfulness
translated by Maurice Walshe,
Page 3 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
“Satipatthana Sutta –the Discourse upon the Four Bases of Mindfulness”
translated by Bhikkhu Nanamoli and
“Anapanasati Sutta – the Discourse of Mindfulness with Breathing”
also translated by Bhikkhu Nanamoli
a meditation manual composed by Ven. Dr. Madawela Punnaji Maha Thera
“Ariymagga Bhavana – the Sublime Eightfold Way”
Page 4 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
one of the last meditation manuals composed by
Dza Patrul Rinpoche, Jigme Chökyi Wangpo
“The Heart Treasure of the Enlightened Ones
the Practice of View, Meditation, and Action;
a discourse Virtuous in the Beginning, Middle, and End”
and the explanation thereof given by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
translated by the Padmakara Translation Group,
a meditation manual composed by Karma Chagme Rinpoche
“The Quintessence of Spiritual Practice,
the Direct Instructions of the Great Compassionate One”
translated by Eric Pema Kunsang
a sadhana translated by Ani: Thubten Chodron
“Praises and Requests of the Twenty-one Taras”
from “Pearl of Wisdom: Buddhist Prayers and Practices Book II”
Page 5 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
a meditation manual composed by Bokar Rinpoche
“Chenrezig: Lord of Love,
the Principles and Methods of Deity Meditation”
translated by Christiane Buchet
a meditation manual composed by Atisha – Shrijana Dipamkara
“Sadhana of the Venerable Tara:
Tara Battarika Sadhana”
translated by Martin Willson
a meditation manual composed by Lama Kazi Dawa Samdup
“Tibetan Yoga; and Secret Doctrines”
translated by Lama Kazi Dawa Samdup and edited by W. Y. Evans-Wentz
Page 6 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
a sadhana composed by His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche, Jigdral Yeshe Dorje
“The Daily Recitation of the Revered Noble Tara”
translated by the Vimala staff
a meditation manual composed by His Eminence Chagdud Tulku
“Ngondro Commentary:
Instructions for the Concise Preliminary Practices of the New Treasure of Dudjom”
Compiled by Jane Tromge
a sadhana composed by Dudjom Lingpa Rinpoche
“Dudjom Tersar Ngöndro”
translated under the direction of His Eminence Chagdud Tulku
and a meditation manual composed by Lama Surya Das
“Natural Radiance: Awakening to your Great Perfection”
Page 7 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements…………………………………………………………………………pg. 2
Rumination – Patrul’s Last Manual Syllabus……………………………………………….pg. 8
Opening Compassionate Intention………………………………………..……………..…..pg. 9
The Union of Compassion and Openness...................................................…………….…...pg. 11
Tare’s Tibetan Buddha Bowing – Opening Compassionate Intention…….………………...pg. 138
Chart – Class Syllabus……………………………………………………………………….pg. 163
Chart – Twelve Elemental Permutations…………………………………………………….pg. 164
Page 8 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Ruminating Patrul’s Last Meditation Manual in Sixteen Lessons
Lesson Chapters Pages
1st 1st – 5th 1 – 39
2nd 6th – 10th 40 – 77
3rd 11th – 15th 78 – 117
4th 16th – 20th 118 – 160
5th 21st – 25th 161 – 90
6th 26th – 30th 91 – 112
7th 31st – 35th 113 – 136
8th 36th – 40th 137 – 161
Lesson Chapters Pages
9th 41st – 45th 162 – 186
10th 46th – 50th 187 –
11th 51st – 55th
12th 56th – 60th
13th 61st – 65nd
14th 66th – 70th
15th 71st – 75nd
16th 76th – 82nd
Page 9 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Opening Compassionate Intentions
NON-violently I practice:
mindfulness, insight and compassion,
as well as apply teacher’s advice
that all beings may benefit! 3 repetitions
Page 10 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Exploring NEW Material
Page 11 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
The Union of Compassion and Openness
An ancient text explains the Ten-syllable mantra in verse:
Om to the transcendent subduer,
Ar-ya Ta-re, I bow,
homage to the glorious one
who frees with Ta-re;
with Tu-ta-re you calm all fears;
you bestow all success with Tu-re;
with the sound of Sö-ha
I pay homage.
Page 12 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
In other words the mantra could be translated as saying:
“Hey! I rely upon the archetype of enlightened activity
to cultivate greater: freedom, peace and success; make it so1!”
1 – with apologies to the Star Trek creator, Gene Roddenberry.
Tibet’s Nyingma sect could categorize these following contemplations
as a liberal take on Ma-ha-yo-ga
whereas Tibet’s Kagyu sect could describe these contemplations
as a liberal take on the Creation Stage practices of Highest Yoga Tantra,
known in Sanskrit as Ut-ta-ra Tan-tra.
Page 13 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
The latter practice is also known as
“bringing rebirth into the path of the Nirmanakaya (or Compassion’s mastery),”
but we’ll explore that in length, in a future lesson.
There are also some that could describe these twelve contemplations
as the Mahamudra (or union) of Compassion and Openness.
Page 14 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
12 Left Middle-finger Mutable-water Feet Surrendered Sagehood
IN-breath: Mindfulness
now for me!
Relaxingly intone: Om {as in “Home”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 15 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
The phase at the top of the page, “Palms DOWN,”
simply means that we should place each hand, palm down,
upon it’s respective thigh, near its knee.
In future lessons you’ll find that sometimes
one is directed to turn one’s palms up,
and other times one is directed to turn one’s palms down.
This is simply a counting technique,
that we’ll see really utilized to it’s fullest potential
in the tenth through fifteenth lessons.
Page 16 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
12 Left Middle-finger Mutable-water Feet Surrendered Sagehood
IN-breath: Mindfulness
now for me!
Relaxingly intone: Om {as in “Home”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 17 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
There is a great deal of information in the line:
“12 Left Middle-finger Mutable-water Feet Surrendered Sagehood”
let’s unpack it gingerly.
In the previous lesson we read
that one only learns thirteen gestures (or Mu-dras in Sanskrit)
during this course.
In the first lesson we learned one of those Mu-dras.
In this lesson we’ll learn the remaining twelve.
That makes this the most challenging of the sixteen lessons;
after this, it’s smooth sailing.
So hang in there little buck-a-roo.
Page 18 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Yes, that could sound daunting,
but if you pay attention to this lesson,
and actually perform your homework
every morning and every evening
within a week or two
you’ll find that you have accidentally memorized all the mudras
as well as their sequence.
“12 Left Middle-finger Mutable-water Feet Surrendered Sagehood”
“12” is merely this Mudra’s number.
During the second through the fifteenth classes
the mudras will be accessed in order of twelve through one;
in the sixteenth class we’ll explore insomnia’s antidote
wherein we’ll progress through the Mudras in the reverse order of one through twelve.
Page 19 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
“12 Left Middle-finger Mutable-water Feet Surrendered Sagehood”
Our left Middle-finger,
is simply the digit that we’ll be working with.
Specifically, we begin by touching the tip of our left thumb
to the tip of our left Middle-finger.
“12 Left Middle-finger Mutable-water Feet Surrendered Sagehood”
The “Mutable” mode
refers to that which is acquiescent, and yielding,
not unlike Taoism’s yin path or Tantra’s moon channel.
In this system it will always refer to the left hand.
Page 20 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
“12 Left Middle-finger Mutable-water Feet Surrendered Sagehood”
In this system
the element of “water” always refers
to one or both of our Middle-fingers.
“12 Left Middle-finger Mutable-water Feet Surrendered Sagehood”
In days of yore
the night time sky served as humanities only calendar.
As a way of organizing information
our ancestors observed four elements and three modes.
Since the product of four and three is twelve
it could come as little surprise the in this system
we passively work with, what some like to call,
the twelve elemental permutations.
Page 21 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
“12 Left Middle-finger Mutable-water Feet Surrendered Sagehood”
Some, who exhibit a high degree of perceptual acuity
have noticed a correlation
between Mutable-water and our feet.
“12 Left Middle-finger Mutable-water Feet Surrendered Sagehood”
Over the millennia some have noticed correlations
between various archetypes
and our body-parts,
as well as elemental permutations.
Over time people communicated these observations as similes,
the similes became metaphors,
the metaphors became confused with literal statements,
and astronomy mutated into astrology.
Page 22 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
This archetype of Pisces’ surrendered sagehood
is like a basket containing many sub-archetypes such as:
the mystic, the dreamer, the artist, the poet,
the guide, the guru, the medic, the healer,
the worshipper, the creator, the dancer,
the psychotic, the addict and the visionary.
Page 23 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
12 Left Middle-finger Mutable-water Feet Surrendered Sagehood
IN-breath: Mindfulness
now for me!
Relaxingly intone: Om {as in “Home”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 24 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
“Mindfulness now for me!”
In our first class we explored that in Buddhism,
that which we are ultimately relying upon
is NOT some real or imagined celestial Santa,
but instead the trio of mindfulness, insight and spontaneous compassion.
I like to describe compassion
as the art of giving a flying fuck about others.
It is NOT so much about emotion,
but rather about volition, intention and will.
Remember… energy is guided by mind,
mind is guided by intention
and intention is guided by words;
be they uttered: audibly and physically or silently and mentally.
Page 25 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
By silently and mentally reciting
“Mindfulness for me!” during the inhalation,
we are using words to guide our intention (or wishing compassion)
that we might develop the subtle mind’s habit
of vulnerably, passively, and NON-conceptually noticing
our five senses of sight, sound, scent, taste, and sensation,
as well as our sixth sense of coarse mind’s
emotion, intention, calculation, recollection and imagination.
Hey!
If compassion is about giving a flying fuck about others,
then why are we wishing good things for ourselves?
Page 26 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Simple!
Evolution has hard-wired part of our brains
to be self-centered.
It is therefore easier to wish good things for ourselves,
than it is to wish good things for our enemy
who has sworn to make our lives a living hell.
But here is the cool thing,
once we have tapped into selfishness’ momentum
of wishing greater mindfulness for ourselves,
we can surf the wave of that momentum,
and have an easier time of wishing greater mindfulness
for our neighbors.
Page 27 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Like mindfulness,
this compassionate wishing works best,
when it is passive, and non-conceptual.
Luckily, that is much easier and sustainable
than getting lost in the weeds of:
over-thinking, contriving justifications,
wallowing in story and forcing visualizations.
Page 28 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
12 Left Middle-finger Mutable-water Feet Surrendered Sagehood
IN-breath: Mindfulness
now for me!
Relaxingly intone: Om {as in “Home”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 29 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Relaxingly intone: Om {as in “Home”} !
Welcome to mantra meditation.
Many folks make the mistake of using mantra as a tool to stop thinking.
While blissing out can be fun,
it does not help us to deal with life’s stress’,
it undermines mindfulness and suspends insight.
However in Moon Tantra
we have found a way to use mantra meditation to multiply
our mindfulness, insight and compassion.
The first step, as we have already covered,
is to marry the compassionate intention with our inhalation,
yes, even if that compassion is for oneself.
Page 30 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
During the exhalation
we marry mantra recitation with relaxation,
thus accessing the insight of letting-go,
which was taught in Buddha’s concise meditation manual
the “Mindfulness with Breathing Discourse”
(or A-na-pa-na-sa-ti Sut-ta in Pali).
In this lesson, and the two that follow,
we’ll be mastering the ten syllable mantra
of Green Ta-re, the archetype of enlightened action.
This week we’ll learn how to intone the ten syllables of her mantra
as well as her seed syllable (or Bi-ja in Sanskrit).
Next week we’ll learn how to intone
the full mantra, in it’s entirety.
Page 31 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
In two weeks we’ll shift gears
and go from intoning the entire mantra over the span of a single breath,
to softly whispering the mantra,
four times per breath.
But first things first.
The first syllable of Green Ta-re’s mantra
is “Om” which rhymes with “home.”
Page 32 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
12 Left Middle-finger Mutable-water Feet Surrendered Sagehood
IN-breath: Mindfulness
now for me!
Relaxingly intone: Om {as in “Home”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 33 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
one repetition per breath
for one breath
This portion of the contemplative notation is self explanatory;
we perform this exercise once per breath,
for a total of only one breath.
There’s no need to get bogged down with perfectionism;
for by performing this exercise once every morning
and once every evening
over the next six and a half days,
the comfort, skill and mastery
of these twelve sets of exercises
could take care of itself.
Page 34 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
12 Left Middle-finger Mutable-water Feet Surrendered Sagehood
IN-breath: Mindfulness
now for me!
Relaxingly intone: Om {as in “Home”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 35 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
11 Both Index-fingers Fixed-air Calves Laid-back, Smart Generous
IN-breath: Mindfulness
for neighbors!
Relaxingly intone: Ta {as in “Goodbye, Ta Ta”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 36 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
11 Both Index-fingers Fixed-air Calves Laid-back, Smart Generous
Welcome to the eleventh mudra,
where we touch each thumb
to the tip of its Index-finger.
Let’s unpack the term Fixed-air.
Air refers our Index-fingers
and Fixed always means we’ll be using both hands.
The fixed mode could be likened to
the balance between Taoism’s yin and yang,
or Tantra’s central channel,
balanced between the moon and sun channels.
Page 37 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Our calves could be correlated to Fixed-air
which in turn is correlated with
the archetype of Aquarius’ Laid-back, smart generosity
which is like a basket containing many sub-archetypes such as:
the revolutionary, the scientist, the eccentric,
the visionary, the rebel, the genius,
the outlaw, the free spirit, the activist,
the inventor, the alchemist and the exile.
If we were traversing the path of patriarchy
we might contrive to access an archetype
through the cunning use of these finger positions.
Page 38 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
But upon this path of matriarchy,
we are content to passively and non-conceptually notice
whatever archetype rears its head
as we flow from the twelfth mudra
up through the first mudra
while we play with these contemplative exercises.
For our identity is not determined
by which archetype makes an appearance
but by our practice of passively and NON-conceptually
noticing them and letting-go.
Page 39 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
11 Both Index-fingers Fixed-air Calves Laid-back, Smart Generous
IN-breath: Mindfulness
for neighbors!
Relaxingly intone: Ta {as in “Goodbye, Ta Ta”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 40 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
IN-breath: Mindfulness
for neighbors!
During our inhalation
we silently and mentally, recite
“Mindfulness for neighbors!”
Simply by silently and mentally reciting “Mindfulness for neighbors!”
in harmony with the inhalation
we are riding momentum’s wave of personal compassion
into the realm of local compassion.
Page 41 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
11 Both Index-fingers Fixed-air Calves Laid-back, Smart Generous
IN-breath: Mindfulness
for neighbors!
Relaxingly intone: Ta {as in “Goodbye, Ta Ta”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 42 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Relaxingly intone: Ta {as in “Goodbye, Ta Ta”} !
When intoning the syllable “Ta”
who’s vowel is soft
as in the colloquialism “Ta-ta,”
or the nouns “father” or “palm;”
it is of profound importance
to relax as best you can,
for that is how we train our body and mind
in the wisdom of letting-go.
Page 43 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
11 Both Index-fingers Fixed-air Calves Laid-back, Smart Generous
IN-breath: Mindfulness
for neighbors!
Relaxingly intone: Ta {as in “Goodbye, Ta Ta”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 44 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
10 Right Ring-finger Cardinal-earth Bones Affluence and Power
IN-breath: Mindfulness
for earthlings!
Relaxingly intone: re {as in “Ray of sunshine”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 45 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
10 Right Ring-finger Cardinal-earth Bones Affluence and Power
Welcome to the tenth mudra,
where we touch our right thumb
to the tip of its Ring-finger.
Let’s consider the phrase “Cardinal-earth.”
Cardinal refers to that which is aggressive and advancing,
not unlike Taoism’s yang path or Tantra’s sun channel.
In this system it will always refer to the right hand.
The “Mutable” mode
refers to that which is acquiescent, and yielding,
not unlike Taoism’s yin path or Tantra’s moon channel.
In this system it will always refer to the left hand.
Page 46 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Earth always refers to one or both Ring-fingers.
Therefore we access Cardinal-earth
by touching our right thumb
to the tip of our right Ring-finger.
Our bones could be correlated to Cardinal-earth
which in turn is correlated with
the archetype of Capricorn’s affluence and power
which is like a basket containing many sub-archetypes such as:
the old soul, the administrator, the judge,
the mentor, the prime minister, the father,
the entrepreneur, the banker, and the wizard.
Page 47 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
10 Right Ring-finger Cardinal-earth Bones Affluence and Power
IN-breath: Mindfulness
for earthlings!
Relaxingly intone: re {as in “Ray of sunshine”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 48 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
IN-breath: Mindfulness
for earthlings!
During our inhalation
we silently and mentally, recite
“Mindfulness for earthlings!”
thus we have surfed momentum’s wave
of local compassion
into the realm of global compassion.
Page 49 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
10 Right Ring-finger Cardinal-earth Bones Affluence and Power
IN-breath: Mindfulness
for earthlings!
Relaxingly intone: re {as in “Ray of sunshine”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 50 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Relaxingly intone: re {as in “Ray of sunshine”} !
During our exhalation we relax as best we can
as we intone the syllable “re.”
In this system of transliteration,
which is using the alphabet of one language
to pronounce the words of another language AND alphabet,
we pronounce the consonants as if they were English
and we pronounce the vowels as if they were Spanish.
So in this case the vowel “e”
is pronounced as a hard “a”
as in the word “Ray.”
Page 51 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
10 Right Ring-finger Cardinal-earth Bones Affluence and Power
IN-breath: Mindfulness
for earthlings!
Relaxingly intone: re {as in “Ray of sunshine”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 52 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
9 Left Little-finger Mutable-fire Thighs Big-picture Thinking
IN-breath: Mindfulness
for all beings!
Relaxingly intone: Tu {as in a ballerina’s “Tu-tu”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 53 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
9 Left Little-finger Mutable-fire Thighs Big-picture Thinking
Welcome to the ninth mudra,
where wel touch our left thumb
to the tip of its Little-finger.
Let’s consider the phrase “Mutable.”
As we’ve already learned
in this system “Mutable” refers
to the yielding energy of the left hand.
Fire always refers to one or both Little-fingers.
Therefore we access Mutable-fire
by touching our left thumb
to the tip of our left Little-finger.
Page 54 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Don’t be too overwhelmed by this,
for all this information is organized in a chart
at the end of this commentary
as well as at the end of the practice text,
and the concise instructions are always found towards the top
of each page of the practice (or Sa-dha-na in Sanskrit).
Page 55 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Our tush and thighs could be correlated to Mutable-fire
which in turn is correlated with
the archetype of Sagittarius’ big picture thinking
which is like a basket containing many sub-archetypes such as:
the wanderer, the tourist, the teacher, the guide,
the philosopher, the psychiatrist, the student,
the benefactor, the comedian, and the free spirit.
Perhaps you’ll notice that many of these elemental permutations
share some of sub-archetypes
not unlike an overlapping Venn diagram.
This is seen throughout the natural world
for evolutionary biology seems to leave a trail of redundant traits.
Page 56 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
9 Left Little-finger Mutable-fire Thighs Big-picture Thinking
IN-breath: Mindfulness
for all beings!
Relaxingly intone: Tu {as in a ballerina’s “Tu-tu”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 57 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
IN-breath: Mindfulness
for all beings!
During our inhalation
we silently and mentally, recite
“Mindfulness for all beings!”
And now we have surfed the momentum of our global compassion
into universal compassion.
Page 58 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
9 Left Little-finger Mutable-fire Thighs Big-picture Thinking
IN-breath: Mindfulness
for all beings!
Relaxingly intone: Tu {as in a ballerina’s “Tu-tu”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 59 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Relaxingly intone: Tu {as in a ballerina’s “Tu-tu”} !
As we exhale let’s relaxingly intone the syllable “Tu”
wherein the vowel “u”
is pronounce like the double “o” in “boot”
or as in a ballerina’s “tu-tu.”
Page 60 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
9 Left Little-finger Mutable-fire Thighs Big-picture Thinking
IN-breath: Mindfulness
for all beings!
Relaxingly intone: Tu {as in a ballerina’s “Tu-tu”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 61 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
8 Both Middle-fingers Fixed-water Crotch Deep Desires
IN-breath: Great insight
now for me!
Relaxingly intone: ta {as in “Goodbye, Ta Ta”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 62 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
8 Both Middle-fingers Fixed-water Crotch Deep Desires
Welcome to the eighth mudra,
where we touch each thumb
to the tip of it’s Middle-finger.
Let’s consider the phrase “Fixed-water.”
As we’ve already discussed
in this system “Fixed” refers
to the balanced energy of both hands.
Water always refers to one or both Middle-fingers.
Therefore we access Fixed-water
by touching each thumb
to its Middle-finger.
Page 63 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Our crotch could be correlated to Fixed-water
which in turn is correlated with
the archetype of Scorpio’s deep desires
which is like a basket containing many sub-archetypes such as:
the mystic, the alchemist, the detective,
the sorcerer, the hypnotist, the chemist,
the psychiatrist, the witch, the investigator,
the fortune teller, and the guardian.
Page 64 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
8 Both Middle-fingers Fixed-water Crotch Deep Desires
IN-breath: Great insight
now for me!
Relaxingly intone: ta {as in “Goodbye, Ta Ta”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 65 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
IN-breath: Great insight
now for me!
During our inhalation
we silently and mentally, recite
“Great insight now for me!”
This exercise, and the three that follow it
have in common the great insight of letting-go
that is the corner stone of the path
taught by Gau-ta-ma, the historical Buddha.
Page 66 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Our journey from our brain’s
cowardly and competitive amygdala,
to it’s compassionate and cooperative
subgenual anterior cingulate cortex
begins again by wishing great insight
for ourselves.
While the subject of our compassion is great insight,
the object of our mindfulness is our self-identity.
Page 67 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
8 Both Middle-fingers Fixed-water Crotch Deep Desires
IN-breath: Great insight
now for me!
Relaxingly intone: ta {as in “Goodbye, Ta Ta”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 68 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Relaxingly intone: ta {as in “Goodbye, Ta Ta”} !
Just as we did in our second exercise,
we intone the syllable “ta”
who’s vowel “a” is soft as in the phrase “good-bye, ta-ta!”
while physically relaxing as much as we are able.
Page 69 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
8 Both Middle-fingers Fixed-water Crotch Deep Desires
IN-breath: Great insight
now for me!
Relaxingly intone: ta {as in “Goodbye, Ta Ta”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 70 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
7 Right Index-finger Cardinal-air Kidneys Love and Beauty
IN-breath: Great insight
for neighbors!
Relaxingly intone: re {as in “Ray of sunshine”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 71 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
7 Right Index-finger Cardinal-air Kidneys Love and Beauty
Welcome to the seventh mudra,
where we touch our right thumb
to the tip of its Index-finger.
Let’s consider the phrase “Cardinal-air.”
As we’ve already learned
in this system “Cardinal” refers
to the advancing energy of the right hand.
Air always refers to one or both Index-fingers.
Therefore we access Cardinal-air
by touching the tip of our right thumb
to its Index-finger.
Page 72 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Our kidneys could be correlated to Cardinal-air
which in turn is correlated with
the archetype of Libra’s love and beauty
which is like a basket containing many sub-archetypes such as:
the lawyer, the counsellor, the socialite,
the lover, the peacemaker, the creator,
the seductress, the lover, the flirt,
the minx, the designer, and the mediator.
Page 73 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
7 Right Index-finger Cardinal-air Kidneys Love and Beauty
IN-breath: Great insight
for neighbors!
Relaxingly intone: re {as in “Ray of sunshine”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 74 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
IN-breath: Great insight
for neighbors!
During our inhalation
we silently and mentally, recite
“Great insight for neighbors!”
Now we surf wave of our self-interest
into the realm of local compassion.
Page 75 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
7 Right Index-finger Cardinal-air Kidneys Love and Beauty
IN-breath: Great insight
for neighbors!
Relaxingly intone: re {as in “Ray of sunshine”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 76 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Relaxingly intone: re {as in “Ray of sunshine”} !
We intone the syllable “re”
that’s pronounced as “Ray,”
while physically relaxing
to the best of our ability;
for in the A-na-pa-na-sa-ti Sut-ta
we are taught to calm our form.
Page 77 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
7 Right Index-finger Cardinal-air Kidneys Love and Beauty
IN-breath: Great insight
for neighbors!
Relaxingly intone: re {as in “Ray of sunshine”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 78 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
6 Left Ring-finger Mutable-earth Guts Considerate Meticulousness
IN-breath: Great insight
for earthlings!
Relaxingly intone: Tu {as in a ballerina’s “Tu tu”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 79 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
6 Left Ring-finger Mutable-earth Guts Considerate Meticulousness
Welcome to the sixth mudra,
where we touch our left thumb
to the tip of its Ring-finger.
Let’s consider the phrase “Mutable-earth.”
As we’ve already learned
in this system “Mutable” refers
to the yielding energy of the left hand.
Earth always refers to one or both Ring-fingers.
Therefore we access Mutable-earth
by touching the tip of our left thumb
to its Ring-finger.
Page 80 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Our intestines could be correlated to Mutable-earth
which in turn is correlated with
the archetype of Virgo’s considerate meticulousness
which is like a basket containing many sub-archetypes such as:
the healer, the perfectionist, the servant,
the analyst, the alchemist, the messenger,
the martyr, the nature spirit, and the naturopath.
Page 81 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
6 Left Ring-finger Mutable-earth Guts Considerate Meticulousness
IN-breath: Great insight
for earthlings!
Relaxingly intone: Tu {as in a ballerina’s “Tu tu”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 82 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
IN-breath: Great insight
for earthlings!
During our inhalation
we silently and mentally, recite
“Great insight for earthlings!”
Here we surf the momentum of local compassion
into the realm of global compassion;
extending our well wishes to all beings,
whether they walk, crawl, swim, or fly;
even if they didn’t vote the way we wish they had.
Page 83 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
6 Left Ring-finger Mutable-earth Guts Considerate Meticulousness
IN-breath: Great insight
for earthlings!
Relaxingly intone: Tu {as in a ballerina’s “Tu tu”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 84 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Relaxingly intone: Tu {as in a ballerina’s “Tu tu”} !
Again we intone the syllable “Tu”
just as we did in the fourth exercise of this set,
while physically relaxing,
as much as we can.
Page 85 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Of course the great celestial joke
is that we evolved to subtly tense during every inhalation,
which correlates with mindfulness,
and we tend to relax during every exhalation,
whether overtly or subtly, even if we don’t mean to
(which correlates with our insight).
How delicious it is that each of us has the physiological potentiality
to attain full enlightenment,
if only we’d get out of own way.
Page 86 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
6 Left Ring-finger Mutable-earth Guts Considerate Meticulousness
IN-breath: Great insight
for earthlings!
Relaxingly intone: Tu {as in a ballerina’s “Tu tu”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 87 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
5 Both Little-fingers Fixed-fire Liver Charismatic Leadership
IN-breath: Great insight
for all beings!
Relaxingly intone: re {as in “Ray of sunshine”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 88 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
5 Both Little-fingers Fixed-fire Liver Charismatic Leadership
Welcome to the fifth mudra,
where we touch each thumb
to it’s Little-finger.
Let’s consider the phrase “Fixed-fire.”
As we’ve already discussed
in this system “Fixed” refers
to the balanced energy of both hands.
Fire always refers to one or both Little-fingers.
Therefore we access Fixed-fire
by touching each thumb
to its Little-finger.
Page 89 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Our liver could be correlated to Fixed-fire
which in turn is correlated with
the archetype of Leo’s charismatic leadership
which is like a basket containing many sub-archetypes such as:
the protector, the warrior, the artist,
the actor, the ruler, the performer,
the golden child, the healer, the prophet,
the magician, the king, the queen, and the guardian.
Page 90 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
5 Both Little-fingers Fixed-fire Liver Charismatic Leadership
IN-breath: Great insight
for all beings!
Relaxingly intone: re {as in “Ray of sunshine”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 91 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
IN-breath: Great insight
for all beings!
During our inhalation
we silently and mentally, recite
“Great insight for all beings!”
Again we surf the momentum of our global compassion
into the realm of universal compassion,
unless we’re sci-fi geeks,
then we flow into the realm of multiversal compassion.
“But hey Lama: Jigme,
wouldn’t it be quicker and easier to forget about
self-interest, local compassion as well as global compassion
and just focus on universal compassion exclusively?” one might ask.
Page 92 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
That is exactly what I thought,
many years ago;
even though it is written in the “Developing Loving Kindness” discourse
found in the Digha Nikaya or longer discourses of the Buddha
that one could benefit from wishing good things
such as mindfulness, insight and compassion for all beings.
In it first one wishes well for one quarter of all living beings,
then half, then three quarters then all beings everywhere.
However, in the hubris of my youth I felt that I knew better than the Buddha
and simply wished all beings well;
then as I got older I experimented with actually following Gautama’s four steps
and found, to my very great surprise,
that his method worked much better than mine.
Page 93 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
5 Both Little-fingers Fixed-fire Liver Charismatic Leadership
IN-breath: Great insight
for all beings!
Relaxingly intone: re {as in “Ray of sunshine”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 94 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Relaxingly intone: re {as in “Ray of sunshine”} !
Again we intone the syllable “re”
that sounds like “Ray”
just as we did in the third exercise of this set;
while relaxing as best we can.
Don’t worry,
every time we do this,
it get’s easier and easier.
Additionally take heart,
for we do not have to re-read this commentary twice daily.
It will suffice to limit our homework
to that of the exercises of the concise practice text.
Page 95 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
5 Both Little-fingers Fixed-fire Liver Charismatic Leadership
IN-breath: Great insight
for all beings!
Relaxingly intone: re {as in “Ray of sunshine”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 96 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
4 Right Middle-finger Cardinal-water Stomach Mother Henning
IN-breath: Compassion
now for me!
Relaxingly intone: Sö {as in “Sowing seeds”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 97 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
4 Right Middle-finger Cardinal-water Stomach Mother Henning
Welcome to the fourth mudra,
where we touch our right thumb
to the tip of its Middle-finger.
Let’s consider the phrase “Cardinal-water.”
As we’ve already learned
in this system “Cardinal” refers
to the advancing energy of our right hand.
Water always refers to one or both Middle-fingers.
Therefore we access Cardinal-water
by touching the tip of the right thumb
to its Middle-finger.
Page 98 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Our stomach could be correlated to Cardinal-water
which in turn is correlated with
the archetype of Cancer’s mother hen
which is like a basket containing many sub-archetypes such as:
the healer, the psychic, the mother,
the invisible man, the maiden, the witch,
the counsellor, the seductress and the psychologist.
Page 99 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
4 Right Middle-finger Cardinal-water Stomach Mother Henning
IN-breath: Compassion
now for me!
Relaxingly intone: Sö {as in “Sowing seeds”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 100 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
IN-breath: Compassion
now for me!
During our inhalation
we silently and mentally, recite
“Compassion now for me.”
Again we begin with self-interest seeking compassion…
how ironic is that?
Page 101 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
4 Right Middle-finger Cardinal-water Stomach Mother Henning
IN-breath: Compassion
now for me!
Relaxingly intone: Sö {as in “Sowing seeds”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 102 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Relaxingly intone: Sö {as in “Sowing seeds”} !
We now intone the syllable “Sö”
that sounds like the word “Sow”
as in the phrase “Sowing seeds;”
while we relax to the best of our ability.
And if this single syllable intoning starts to get old
don’t worry,
it’s just for a week.
Page 103 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
4 Right Middle-finger Cardinal-water Stomach Mother Henning
IN-breath: Compassion
now for me!
Relaxingly intone: Sö {as in “Sowing seeds”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
.
Page 104 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
3 Left Index-finger Mutable-air Upper limbs Playful Creativity
IN-breath: Compassion
for neighbors!
Relaxingly intone: ha {as in “Ha ha, good joke”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 105 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
3 Left Index-finger Mutable-air Upper limbs Playful Creativity
Welcome to the third mudra,
where we touch our left thumb
to the tip of its Index-finger.
Let’s consider the phrase “Mutable-air.”
As we’ve already learned
in this system “Mutable” refers
to the yielding energy of our left hand.
Air always refers to one or both Index-fingers.
Therefore we access Mutable-air
by touching the tip of the left thumb
to its Index-finger.
Page 106 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Our upper limbs’ hands, wrists, arms and shoulders could be correlated to Mutable-air
which in turn is correlated with
the archetype of Gemini’s playful creativity
which is like a basket containing many sub-archetypes such as:
the student, the storyteller, the gypsy,
the wander, the journalist, the trickster,
the comedian, the child, the writer,
the teacher, and the messenger.
Page 107 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
3 Left Index-finger Mutable-air Upper limbs Playful Creativity
IN-breath: Compassion
for neighbors!
Relaxingly intone: ha {as in “Ha ha, good joke”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 108 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
IN-breath: Compassion
for neighbors!
During our inhalation
we silently and mentally, recite
“Compassion for neighbors!”
Come, let us ride the momentum of self-interest
into the realm of local compassion.
Page 109 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
3 Left Index-finger Mutable-air Upper limbs Playful Creativity
IN-breath: Compassion
for neighbors!
Relaxingly intone: ha {as in “Ha ha, good joke”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 110 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Relaxingly intone: ha {as in “Ha ha, good joke”} !
Now we intone the syllable “ha”
that sounds a bit like laughter.
Page 111 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
3 Left Index-finger Mutable-air Upper limbs Playful Creativity
IN-breath: Compassion
for neighbors!
Relaxingly intone: ha {as in “Ha ha, good joke”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 112 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
2 Both Ring-fingers Fixed-earth Throat Affluence, Rooted Hedonism
IN-breath: Compassion
for earthlings!
Relaxingly intone: Tam {as in “Palm”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 113 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
2 Both Ring-fingers Fixed-earth Throat Affluence, Rooted Hedonism
Welcome to the second mudra,
where we touch each thumb
to it’s Ring-finger.
Let’s consider the phrase “Fixed-earth.”
As we’ve already learned
in this system “Fixed” refers
to the balanced energy of both our hands.
Earth always refers to one or both Ring-fingers.
Therefore we access Fixed-earth
by touching each thumb
to its Ring-finger.
Page 114 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Our throat could be correlated to Fixed-earth
which in turn is correlated with
the archetype of Taurus’ affluent, rooted, hedonism
which is like a basket containing many sub-archetypes such as:
the nature spirit, the musician, the silent one,
the object of passion, the owner, the temptress,
the artist, the creator, the banker, and the designer.
Page 115 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
2 Both Ring-fingers Fixed-earth Throat Affluence, Rooted Hedonism
IN-breath: Compassion
for earthlings!
Relaxingly intone: Tam {as in “Palm”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 116 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
IN-breath: Compassion
for earthlings!
During our inhalation
we silently and mentally, recite
“Compassion for earthlings!”
Again we ride the momentum of our local compassion
into the realm of global compassion.
Page 117 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
2 Both Ring-fingers Fixed-earth Throat Affluence, Rooted Hedonism
IN-breath: Compassion
for earthlings!
Relaxingly intone: Tam {as in “Palm”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 118 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Relaxingly intone: Tam {as in “Palm”} !
Let us intone the syllable “Tam”
whose vowel is soft like the “a” in “palm.”
I can not emphasize enough
how important it is to relax as best we can
as we intone
for that is how we viscerally, non-conceptually and passively explore
the non-graspability of:
all earthlings,
our compassion for them,
as well as our very self-identity.
Page 119 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
2 Both Ring-fingers Fixed-earth Throat Affluence, Rooted Hedonism
IN-breath: Compassion
for earthlings!
Relaxingly intone: Tam {as in “Palm”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 120 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
1 Right Little-finger Cardinal-fire Crown Adventurous Courage
IN-breath: Compassion
for all beings!
Relaxingly intone: Tam {as in “Palm”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 121 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
1 Right Little-finger Cardinal-fire Crown Adventurous Courage
Welcome to the first mudra,
where we touch our right thumb
to the tip of its Little-finger.
Let’s consider the phrase “Cardinal-fire.”
As we’ve already explored
in this system “Cardinal” refers
to the advancing energy of our right hand.
Fire always refers to one or both Little-fingers.
Therefore we access Cardinal-fire
by touching the tip of our right thumb
to its Little-finger.
Page 122 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Our crown could be correlated to Cardinal-fire
which in turn is correlated with
the archetype of Aries’ adventurous courage
which is like a basket containing many sub-archetypes such as:
the pioneer, the explorer, the combatant,
the freedom fighter, the defender, the rescuer,
the worthy opponent, the dare devil,
the adventurer, and the new born.
Page 123 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
1 Right Little-finger Cardinal-fire Crown Adventurous Courage
IN-breath: Compassion
for all beings!
Relaxingly intone: Tam {as in “Palm”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 124 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
IN-breath: Compassion
for all beings!
During our inhalation
we silently and mentally, recite
“Compassion for all beings!”
Again we ride the momentum of our global compassion
into the realm of universal compassion.
Page 125 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
1 Right Little-finger Cardinal-fire Crown Adventurous Courage
IN-breath: Compassion
for all beings!
Relaxingly intone: Tam {as in “Palm”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 126 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Relaxingly intone: Tam {as in “Palm”} !
Again we intone the syllable “Tam”
whose vowel is soft like the “a” in “palm,”
as we relax to the best of our ability.
Page 127 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Palms DOWN
1 Right Little-finger Cardinal-fire Crown Adventurous Courage
IN-breath: Compassion
for all beings!
Relaxingly intone: Tam {as in “Palm”} ! one repetition per breath
for one breath
Page 128 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Reviewing Old Material
Page 129 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Vajra Fists – four fingers holding their thumb
The Union of
Impermanence and Interdependence
Universal-dissolution
IN-breath: Each world melts… impermanence
OUT-breath: into Earth! interdependence 1 breath
Page 130 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Global-dissolution
IN-breath: Earth now melts… impermanence
OUT-breath: into here! interdependence 1 breath
.
Page 131 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Local-dissolution
IN-breath: Here now melts… impermanence
OUT-breath: into form1! interdependence 1 breath
. 1 – “form” is a synonym for body
Page 132 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Physical-dissolution
IN-breath: Form now melts… impermanence
OUT-breath: into speech! interdependence 1 breath
.
Page 133 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Communication-dissolution
IN-breath: Speech now melts… impermanence
OUT-breath: into mind! interdependence 1 breath
Tam
.
Page 134 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Mental-dissolution
IN-breath: Mind now melts… impermanence
OUT-breath: into void! interdependence 1 breath
Page 135 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Concluded-dissolution a
IN-breath: Infinite…
OUT-breath: openness! 1 breath
Page 136 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Concluded-dissolution b
IN-breath: Infinite…
OUT-breath: openness! 1 breath
Page 137 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Exploring NEW Material
Page 138 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Tare’s Tibetan Buddha Bowing
Page 139 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Tibetan Bowing Technique
Page 140 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
This is the first of thirteen lessons
wherein we’ll learn what is classically known
as “The Tantra of the Twenty-one Praises and Requests to Tare”
but what I like to call “Tare’s Tibetan Buddha Bowing.”
But why would otherwise rational liberals
wish to perform a bowing practice?
Before we answer that
let’s take a minute or two to check in with the fundamentalists.
Page 141 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Dud-jom Jig-dral Rin-po-che,
the late head of Tibet’s Nyingma sect of Tantric Buddhism
suggested that one combine the physical act of Buddha bowing
with the verbal act of reciting
“The Tantra of the Twenty-one Praises and Requests to Tare”
after practicing mantra recitation and silent meditation.
Page 142 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
In reference to Tibetan style bowing,
the Sakya Pandita: Kunga Gyaltsen,
the late head of Tibet’s Sakya sect of Tantric Buddhism
explained that, essentially:
1 – pressing one’s palms together
is a cause to attain the mastery of both insight
as well as mindfulness and spontaneous compassion;
Page 143 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
2 – touching one’s palms to the crown of one’s head
is a cause of fortunate rebirth;
3 – touching one’s palms to one’s brow
purifies body’s karma;
Page 144 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
4 – holding one’s palms before one’s throat
purifies communication’s karma;
5 – bringing one’s palms to one’s heart
purifies mind’s karma;
Page 145 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
6 – the separating of one’s palms
is a cause for the mastery of insight
as well as mindfulness and spontaneous compassion;
7 – touching the two knees to the ground
is a cause for all beings to be liberated from unfortunate rebirth;
Page 146 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
8 – touching both hands to the ground
is a cause to accomplish liberation and enlightenment;
9 – touching the forehead to the ground
is a cause for all beings to be benefited;
Page 147 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
10 – extending and folding the arms and legs
is a cause to accomplish the four supernatural activities of:
a – pacifying suffering,
b – increasing well-being,
c – favorably influencing others and
d – exorcism;
Page 148 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
11 – extending and folding the channels and sinews
is a cause to loosen
all their harmful knots;
Page 149 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
12 – articulating the spine and central channel
is a cause for the subtle energy to coalesce
within one’s central channel;
13 – touching the ground and returning to a standing position
is a cause for liberation from the tyranny of stress;
Page 150 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
14 – many bows are a cause
to refrain from selfishly clinging to personal calmness
and instead become the spiritual guide to many;
Page 151 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
15 – many bows are a cause
to be freed from sickness
and for the auspiciousness of body, speech and mind;
Page 152 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
16 – many bows are a cause
for one to be reborn in a state of bliss
and quickly become a fully enlightened Buddha.
Page 153 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Sur-ya-gup-ta the north Indian Buddhist sage,
insisted that if one sincerely and enthusiastically recited
“The Tantra of the Twenty-one Praises and Requests to Tare”
once every morning and once every evening:
Page 154 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
1 – one would be fearless;
2 – one would be completely purified karmicly as well as behaviorally;
3 – one would be freed from the possibility of lower rebirth;
4 – one would receive every blessing of every Buddha;
5 – one would attain every greatness;
6 – one would attain complete enlightenment;
7 – all one’s poisons would be removed; and
8 – one would be freed of all afflictions and sufferings.
Page 155 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Sur-ya-gup-ta also explained that if one were to recite
“The Tantra of the Twenty-one Praises and Homages to Tare”
thrice every morning and thrice every evening
for no less than seven consecutive days:
1 – one wishing a child will manifest one;
2 – one wishing wealth will manifest it;
3 – all one’s wishes will manifest; and
4 – all one’s hindrances will be destroyed.
Page 156 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Now that we have checked in
with the Buddhist fundamentalists
what is the perspective
of this progressive, vegan feminist?
Perhaps you remember
that in the first lesson we briefly touched upon the phrase
“body, speech and mind.”
Many spiritual traditions around the world
value the balancing of one’s practice between:
the mental, the verbal and the physical.
Page 157 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Just as last week’s
“union of impermanence and interdependence”
set of eight silent contemplations
was clearly a mental practice,
and this week’s introduction to mantra meditation
in “the union of compassion and openness”
was a verbal practice,
bowing can be a physical practice.
And let’s face it, after sitting still in meditation,
moving about can feel great.
Page 158 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
As a rational fan of science
I can offer no double blind, in vivo,
placebo controlled, interventional studies
verifying the claims of either Kun-ga Gyalt-sen or Sur-ya-gup-ta;
but anecdotally I can attest
that my practice of “Tare’s Tibetan Buddha Bowing”
seems to have benefited my circumstances,
health and spiritual development.
The commentary I’ll provide you in the weeks to follow
will present a liberal, figurative explanations
free from the fearful and superstitious shackles
of the literalism of fundamentalism.
Page 159 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
I would encourage you to temporarily suspend judgment
and add these thirteen installments
of “Ta-re’s Tibetan Buddha Bowing”
to your daily morning and evening practice.
In the fourteenth week of this course of sixteen lessons,
you’ll be practicing the final installment of this bowing practice;
so by the beginning of the fifteenth week
you could engage your judgement and notice
whether the accumulated effects of this practice
seem destructive, inert or beneficial.
Page 160 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
We could conduct ourselves
as intrepid spiritual explorers,
and dispassionately observe
the effects of this practice.
Clearly, as with any type of callisthenic activity
it could be wise to consult your health-care professional.
Page 161 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
But since even Tibetan octogenarians
perform hundreds of Buddha bows daily,
nine times out of ten
it’s a safe gamble.
Let’s be gentle with ourselves
and be patient with our learning curves.
Page 162 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Compassionate Opening Intentions
NON-violently I practice:
mindfulness, insight and compassion,
as well as apply teacher’s advice
that all beings may benefit! 3 repetitions
.
Page 163 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Syllabus
Week Rumination Recitation Meditation Prostration
First 1st – 5th Chapters Opening – Compassion’s Intention Union of Impermanence and
Interdependence
Second 6th – 10th Chapters Twelve Elemental Permutations 1/3 Union of Compassion and
Openness Compassion’s Opening Intention
Third 11th – 15th Chapters Two Paths 2/3 Union of Com. & Openness,
1st Union of Awareness & Openness
Conclusion and Mantra’s Meaning
Fourth 16th – 20th Chapters Closing – Good Fortune 3/3 Union of Com. & Openness,
1st Union of Bliss and Openness
Introduction and 1st Homage
Fifth 21st – 25th Chapters Closing – Benediction Dissolution’s Insight 2nd and 3rd Homages
Sixth 26th – 30th Chapters Closing – Meaningful to Behold Swoon’s Insight 4th and 5th Homages
Seventh 31st – 35th Chapters Closing – Fortune Rebirth Bardo’s Mindfulness 6th and 7th Homages
Eighth 36th – 40th Chapters Opening – Invocation Rebirth’s Compassionate View 8th and 9th Homages
Ninth 41st – 45th Chapters Opening – Suffering Tantra’s Four Bases of Mindfulness 10th and 11th Homages
Tenth 46th – 50th Chapter Opening – Interdependence 2nd Union of Bliss and Openness 12th and 13th Homages
Eleventh 51st – 55th Chapters Opening – Impermanence 2nd Union of Awareness & Openness 14th and 15th Homages
Twelfth 56th – 60th Chapters Opening – Opportunity 3rd Union of Bliss and Openness 16th and 17th Homages
Thirteenth 61st – 65th Chapters Opening – Supplication 3rd Union of Awareness & Openness 18th and 19th Homages
Fourteenth 66th – 70th Chapters Path of Mastery 4th Union of Bliss and Openness 20th and 21st Homages
Fifteenth 71st – 75th Chapters Means of Mastery 4th Union of Awareness & Openness
Sixteenth 76th – 82nd Chapters Ascending and Descending Practices
Page 164 of 164
Green Tare’s Moon Tantra – Second Lesson’s Commentary
Twelve Elemental Permutations
1 Right Little-finger Cardinal-fire Crown Adventurous Courage
2 Both Ring-fingers Fixed-earth Throat Wealth and Sexuality
3 Left Index-finger Mutable-air Upper limbs Playful Creativity
4 Right Middle-finger Cardinal-water Stomach Mother Henning
5 Both Little-fingers Fixed-fire Liver Charismatic Leadership
6 Left Ring-finger Mutable-earth Guts Considerate Meticulousness
7 Right Index-finger Cardinal-air Kidney Love and Beauty
8 Both Middle-fingers Fixed-water Crotch Deep Desires
9 Left Little-finger Mutable-fire Thighs Big-picture Thinking
10 Right Ring-finger Cardinal-earth Bones Affluence and Power
11 Both Index-fingers Fixed-air Calves Laid-back, Smart Generous
12 Left Middle-finger Mutable-water Feet Surrendered Sagehood