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he wouldn’t have got to that point instruction from qualified teachers. So, like sex, drugs, and rock and
without many, many lives perfecting And this brings up something roll, we’re drawn to it – but, as I
ethics and discipline, and the other very important in the actual keep emphasizing, there’s no Tantra
perfections. practice of Tantra that can easily without Sutra, wisdom, compassion,
be misunderstood: guru yoga. It is and ethics! So, at a minimum,
Meditation, as shown in the Sutras very important that one’s personal Tantra is great marketing for
and Tantras of Buddha and the teacher of Tantra be seen as an Buddha’s basic message.
stories of many enlightened masters, embodiment of Vajradhara, the
is very important on the Buddhist Tantric Buddha. But when that But I can think of some specifics
path. But that doesn’t mean that tradition was developed, the guru for these times. Now we find
we should objectivize meditation generally lived in or near to the ourselves in a period of turmoil and
and think of it as some kind of same village and was personally uncertainty about the world and
reward system. Once a student of well known to the practitioner for our future. And many, particularly
Jamspal’s asked him, “Jamspal, do many years – indeed, the tradition young people, feel powerless in light
you meditate?” Jamspal said, “No.” was that the teacher and prospective of climate change and world politics
Shocked, she asked him, “Why not?” student should have known each and economics. And then there are
“Because it would disturb my mind,” other well for 12 years before the usual problems of samsara!
he said. Jamspal recounted this to advanced Tantric teachings would
me with a big smile. happen. That’s very different Tantra can be a powerful source
from getting a Zoom initiation of inspiration, delight, power, and
It is often said that the Buddha or attending a few teachings in a motivation for these times. We
does not had the closed fist of a big crowd, as often happens now. are inspired to imagine ourselves
teacher, and taught freely to both Buddhist teachers, even with deep as buddhas with divine pride and
monastics and lay people. So why realizations and profound lineages, vivid perception. We are delighted
is it that Tantra is not for everyone are still humans, and so there have when we look at a tree whose
and that authentic Tantric been disappointments, scandals, leaves are fluttering in the breeze,
practices require initiation from a and even abuse where the teacher – realizing that this is Bodhisattva
qualified master? student relationship did not go right. Kṣitigarbha embracing the goddess

Rūpavajra, with all of our senses,
Yes, in the Noble Search Sutra, the So patience, compassion, and including our consciousnesses, in
Buddha does say that about himself. insight are always appropriate. similar embraces. We have power
If there are buddhas around now, as Yamātanka with nine fierce faces
this may apply to them, too, but even Despite its esoteric reputation, and thirty-four arms, defeating even
for buddhas it may be different in can Tantra have any practical death! And, most important, we
these times. For us non-Buddhas, relevance in modern, everyday have wisdom as we realize that all of
it’s most important to be aware of life, especially for lay people? these imaginings and realities come
what’s best for individual students from causes and conditions, that
and to guide them according to their Absolutely! Tantra has practical all depend on each other, and that
own needs and sensitivities. This, I relevance, especially today. In his none of them exists by themselves
think, is why Tantra, until recently, wonderful introduction to Tantra, separately from us and our human
had been kept close to the vest. But which I highly recommend to all, condition.
while the Dalai Lama has said that Lama Yeshe pointed out that the
explanations of Tantra should no Tantric approach is perfect for us And that everything is, as Jamspal
longer be closely held, it is still best because “being the quickest of all always told me, “Ok.” EH
for students truly interested in the paths it should appeal strongly to
practice to receive initiation and the West’s love of instant results.”