Talisman: Head - Heart - Ground

I would like to share with you a talisman that I created (see photo below). It is made of three large glass beads, stainless steel wire, and leather. The talisman empowers the actions of the wearer by connecting our Head, Heart and the Ground of reality. 

• The top Head bead symbolizes intelligence, reasoning, logic, skill and knowledge.
• The middle Heart bead symbolizes wisdom, openess, compassion and loving kindness. 
• The bottom Ground Of Reality bead symbolizes truth, faith, hope, realization of the union of life and death, the understanding of the interdependence of all things, and insight that all time (past and future) and all space exist in the here-and-now.

The connection between Head, Heart and Ground is what the power of the necklace is all about. Living our life with our Head and Heart working against each other is disastrous. 

• Many times our Head wins and the Heart loses out. We experience success, but we feel empty inside.
• Sometimes the Heart wins out over the Head. This leads to impulsive acts that do not make sense in the big picture.
• When we lose connection with the Ground Of Reality then we wander without direction and purpose. 

However, when all 3 are connected and working together then we act with generosity, discipline, patience, energy, clarity, and wisdom. Our life has purpose, meaning and direction and we positively affect everyone around us.

Synergetics Geometry Studio

MISSION STATEMENT 
A STUDIO where positive IN-tention and pure, unstained action of body, speech and mind, occurs spontaneously IN the moment, aligning effortlessly with the natural rhythmic cycling of the IN-wardly spiraling, self-IN-terfering, associative material energies, and the OUT-wardly spiraling, radially expanding, dis-associative, light energies, provided by Earth, Sun, Moon, planets, stars and galaxies, IN harmony with the most subtle vibrations of cosmic consciousness, universal law, truth, beauty, symmetry and awareness of the IN-terconnectedness of self and all other beings.

A STUDIO where such positively intended vectors of body, speech and mind, forming a minimum, triangular, right-hand spiral unite with a minimum, triangular left-hand spiral comprised of the vectors of truth, beauty and symmetry to form a Synergetic abstract tetrahedral minimum system, which being the IN-tuitive, IN-tellectual heart of the STUDIO, divides the entire universe at this locus into three consideration sets:

1. The micro-cosmic volume of un-manifest no-thing-ness and all beings taking refuge IN-side the STUDIO
2. An integrated, holistic, creative-living system comprised of structural, architectural, mechanical and elemental valving sub-systems of the STUDIO itself
3. The macro-cosmic other-ness of all energies and beings, both positive and negative, OUT-side the STUDIO.

A STUDIO where the micro-cosmic volume of un-manifest no-thing-ness IN-side the STUDIO resonates with the positively IN-tended right-hand spiraling vectors of body, speech and mind of the beings IN-habiting the STUDIO, resulting in un-IN-hibited and IN-spired re-structuring of material and energetic natural resources with-IN the STUDIO, thus re-forming the resources IN-to ART-SCIENCE-TECHNOLOGY physical artifacts that re-flect the left-hand spiraling vectors of truth, beauty and symmetry, which ultimately re-IN-forces the abstract tetrahedral minimum system at the heart of the STUDIO.

A STUDIO where such positively IN-tended right-hand spiraling vectors of body, speech and mind of the beings STUDIO IN-habitants spontaneously, and safely IN-teract with material and energetic natural resources with-IN the STUDIO to creatively form spiral-orbital re-structurings of these resources, thereby un-knotting the self-IN-terfering, associative physical structures of the material resources through the controlled application of sacred spiral radiating, dis-associative energies, ultimately forming artifacts that re-flect truth, beauty and symmetry which may then be propagated and distributed OUT-side the STUDIO to benefit unlimited numbers of beings.

A STUDIO where the creative activities of STUDIO IN-habitants are supported by the structural, architectural, mechanical and elemental valving sub-systems of the STUDIO, which itself is an IN-spired artifact (tool for creative living), IN harmony with IN-habitants' physical and meta-physical requirements, thereby forming a REFUGE that both protects and nurtures while simultaneously enabling the safe and un-IN-hibited manipulation of material and energetic resources for the purpose of positively IN-tended artifact development.

A STUDIO where the macro-cosmic other-ness of all energies and beings, both positive and negative, OUT-side the STUDIO are brought IN-to the compassionate awareness and creative consideration of STUDIO IN-habitants, and because the STUDIO IN-habitants' physical and meta-physical positive growth requirements are met elegantly and efficiently IN harmony with the planet's regenerative systems, the STUDIO IN-habitants spontaneously, with wisdom, IN-telligence and skillful means, safely leverage the un-bounded, IN-spiraling associative and OUT-spiralling dis-associative cosmic energies, carefully applied to physical and energetic resources, empowered by the structural, architectural, mechanical and elemental valving sub-systems of the STUDIO, to form ART-SCIENCE-TECHNOLOGY physical artifacts to be distributed to beings OUT-side the STUDIO, in a manner which reflects the axioms of truth, beauty and symmetry at the abstract of heart of the STUDIO, forming a sacred bond of realized IN-terconnectedness with those beings receiving the artifacts OUT-side the STUDIO, ultimately expanding the STUDIO's positive vibrations at the most subtle level of cosmic consciousness, following planetary lines of energy, causing sympathetic vibrational modes in all planetary GREAT CIRCLE wave lines, thereby healing planetary dis-harmony, resulting in planet-wide peace and happiness.

30 Transcendent Virtues
by Tom Greenbaum

The Unexpected Power of Overcoming Weakness

Tonight I had a flash of insight into a power that comes from conquering a weakness. This needs to be written down because it is significant. When we overcome a weakness we certainly become stronger, but we also gain something unexpected. A power is granted to us that allows us to see this same weakness in others.

Because we have conquered this weakness in ourselves we know it intimately. We can see the same behavior in others with great clarity. Previously, we might have easily recognized this character flaw or negative trait in others, however, at that time we could not face it without a little shame, or some fear, or embarrassment. So we used to turn away from this reflection, ignore it, tolerate it, or perhaps encourage it. Now that we have fully vanquished this foe in ourselves, when we see others wrestling with their own challenge, we have a completely different view.

It is a compassionate point of view. It is a view that allows us to look at the patten of behavior with full awareness of all the consequences. We see the traps, the pitfalls, the lure of the bait, and we know without a doubt what happens when a human being falls into the trap and takes the bait.

We know that this happens countless times over and over. We know the tremendous difficulty in resisting the trap. The suffering is great, but the lies that we tell ourselves serve to camouflage the suffering. In this way we hide the traps as soon as we discover them. In this way we encounter the same traps and the same suffering over and over again.

However, now we are masters of that trail. Our eyes can see all the signs of danger; we can avoid the traps and snares without effort. We no longer deceive our self in regards to the suffering. The truth of the suffering is the First Noble Truth. The nature of the deception is the origin of the suffering. This is the Second Noble Truth.

We also know that this gifted sight that we have gained does not come cheaply. It is not obtained easily and without effort. Therefore, this compassionate view understands that overcoming weakness and suffering cannot be granted by an external force. Although we now have the compassionate view we cannot verbally convince others to abandon their negative behavior. We cannot draw a diagram that spontaneously allows them to know all of the self-deceptions and gain the vision of freedom. Every one must fight the good fight for themselves.

Intellectually knowing that weakness can be overcome and that there is an end to suffering is a wonderful gift. The paradox is that we really don't truly believe this until we realize it for ourselves. Hope and faith increase steadily when realization arises from conquering one small weakness and then another. This is the power of prayer and meditation and spiritual practice.

After some long and persistent effort, when we reach the summit as conqueror of a major weakness we gain the vision which is the unexpected power of overcoming weakness. We obtain the realization of the cessation of suffering and we become awake to the Third Noble Truth.

Now we truly know that our journey had merit. There is no nobler path. The compassionate view is the ultimate strength and power. The ability to look at weakness and its consequence without fear is our greatest strength. There is no pity and no judgement, because we know the path from weakness and suffering to conqueror and freedom is a journey that we all must take on our own, and in our own way. This is the Fourth Noble Truth.

Om Mani Padme Hum
Karma Lodro Gyaltsen

Marpa's Dream of Saraha

Marpa was a renowned yogi from southern Tibet (1012-1097), also called the Translator. By making three journeys to India, he brought back to Tibet the teachings of mahamudra. Marpa was a principal figure in the lineage of transmission of the Kagyupa school which is the lineage of my teacher. Marpa is seen as the ideal of the married householder who devotes himself to spirituality without neglecting his worldly obligations.

Here is an excerpt from a poem called, Marpa's Dream of Saraha.

In the cool shade of a grove of plaksa trees, On a tira corpse seat Sat Lord Saraha, the Great Brahman. Then, the pure speech of great bliss arose From the vase of his precious throat. With sign speech in the melody of Brahma, He sang this vajra song which points out things as they are, The meaning of an empty sky free from clouds. Thus, I heard this unborn self-utterance:

"NAMO Compassion and emptiness are inseparable.
This uninterrupted flowing innate mind
Is suchness, primordially pure.

Space is seen in intercourse with space.
Because the root resides at home,
Mind consciousness is imprisoned.

When I meditate on this, subsequent thoughts
Are not patched together in the mind.

Knowing the phenomenal world is the nature of mind,
Meditation requires no further antidote.

The nature of mind cannot be thought.
Rest in this natural state.
When you see this truth, you will be liberated.
Just as a child would, watch the behavior of barbarians.
Be carefree; eat flesh; be a madman.

"Just like a fearless lion,
Let your elephant mind wander free.
See the bees hovering among the flowers.
Not viewing samsara as wrong,
There is no such thing as attaining nirvana.
This is the way of ordinary mind.
Rest in natural freshness.
Do not think of activities.
Do not cling to one side or one direction.
Look into the midst of the space of simplicity."

The exhaustion of all dharmas is the essential truth,
The summit views, mahamudra.
The sign meaning, which captures the essence of mind,
I heard from the mouth of the Great Brahman.

At that instant, I awoke.
I was caught by the iron hook of this unforgettable memory.
Within the dungeon of ignorant sleep,
The vision of insight-wisdom opened up
And the sun dawned in a cloudless sky,

Clearing the dark forest of confusion.
I thought, "Even if I met the buddhas of the three times,
From now on, I would have nothing to ask them."

Some useful definitions:

Vajra

"Diamond" or "adamantine", it stands for true reality, emptiness, the being or essence of everything existing. This emptiness is indestructable like a diamond, that is, imperishable and unborn or uncreated. The spotless purity and translucency of the diamond symbolizes the perfect spotlessness of emptiness, untainted by all the appearances that arise out of it. It is that aspect of reality referred to in Zen in the saying regarding the countless phenomena, "There's not a thing there." This emptiness, however, is not different from things, from all phenomena. It is one and identical with them. This cannot be conceptually "understood" but can be experienced in enlightenment.

Mahamudra

"Great seal," one of the highest teachings of the Vajrayana, which in Tibet is transmitted especially in the Kagyupa school. Mahamudra is described as the realization of emptiness, freedom from samsara, and the inseparability of the two. The "ordinary" practice of mahamudra begins with "dwelling in peace" (shamatha) and leads to transformation of every experience by the qualities of emptiness and luminosity (or clarity). It has sometimes been called "Tibetan Zen."

Samsara

"Cycle of existences," a succession of rebirths that a being goes through within the various modes of existence until it has attained liberation and entered nirvana. Imprisonment in samsara is conditioned by three "unwholesome roots": hatred, desire or craving, and delusion. The essential unity of samsara and nirvana is based on the view that everything is a mental representation, and thus samsara and nirvana are nothing other than labels without real substance, that is, they are empty (shunyata).

Tathata or Suchness

Referring to the absolute, the true nature of all things. Tathata is generally explained as being immutable, immovable, and beyond all concepts and distinctions. "Suchness" is the opposite of "that which is apparent" --phenomena. It is formless, unmade, and devoid of self-nature. Tathata as the thus-being of things and their nonduality is perceived through the realization of the identity of subject and object in the awakening (Bodhi) of supreme enlightenment. Similar in meaning to buddha-nature.