Alex Sfakianakis

@AlexSfak

ENT-MD http://orlhealth.blogspot.com/ http://www.facebook.com/Alexandros.G.Sfakianakis http://ebookbrowse.com/users/alsfakia/

Solstice Eclipse 

With the coming lunar eclipse this solstice we have received a few questions asking what it means. While traditional astrology is filled with notions of what a lunar eclipse is interpreted to mean, in fact, one can only know it in relationship to their own chart, as well as to where they are residing here and now. You see, despite the fact that astrology attempts to make sense of vast cosmological forces, it does so only in relationship to very specific mundane circumstance, such as, your date, time, and place of birth; in short, it requires the limitations of a specific time AND place, for any real sense to be made of it at all. Without these limiting facts we enter into the domain of generalizations extremely quickly. The realm of generalizations however is not without some merit, as at least it gives us some areas as to where to look, a clue if you will for those who have none.

How we understand the importance of an experience is a matter of perspective. Traditionally, an eclipse was nearly always a sign of terror for astrologers, and still is for those who look to find concrete effects or inclinations down here on terra firma from the celestial map. It can also be a time for great prayer and spiritual work. In The Prayer of the All-Good Buddha from the Dzogpa Chenpo Tantra of the All-Pervaiding Mind of Kuntuzangpo we are told,

“With clear, radiating awareness, without delusion, perform this powerful prayer. All those who here it will reach enlightenment after three births. At the time of the eclipse of the sun or moon, when the sky thunders, during earthquakes, solstices, or at the changing of the year. At these times, visualize yourself as Kuntuzangpo and recite this prayer that it will be heard by everyone.” (Discovering Inner Freedom, the Prayer of Kuntuzangpo, Commentary by Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche and Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche)

What is this prayer? It is none other than that we, as a fully illumined being, free of all delusion, pray, state, affirm as our sincere wish, that all beings regardless of where they are, in the heavens, on earth, in the hell realms, be they animal, godly, demonic, wondering ghosts, or human experience enlightenment quickly and perfectly. 

When we think about it, is that not what the winter solstice, or Christmas is all about? Be it Yuletide, the Festival of Lights, the Martinist Yeheshuah Ritual, or even the changing of the passwords for various Golden Dawn groups, and their Masonic brethren, it is all about recognizing suffering and acting as a force to eliminate it in both its relative and absolute forms. In the relative we give food, clothing, toys, and money to charities to assist those who have less than we do. In the absolute sense, we encourage a life of the mind, of reflection on the cause of suffering (our thoughts, words, and deeds), and how they effect us and others (cause and effect – karma), and resolve to think, speak, and act in a manner that will be more joyful. Where we start is with ourselves, our families, lodges or spiritual circle of friends, and communities; where we end is with the cosmos and all that is contains.

One of the more interesting commentaries by the Venerable Rinpoches was that during the eclipse the energies (winds and drops) of the psychic body (channels), are effected. 

“In tantra, what one sees externally in the world is also present in this body, and vice versa. The sun and moon represent the red and white elements of the body. An eclipse, externally, is said to occur when the negative astronomic forces or planet named Rahula grasps either the sun or the moon. Internally, for women, most of the time the red element or “sun” moves in the right channel, the white element or “moon” in the left channel, and the Rahula in the central channel. In men, the channels are opposite of these. In an eclipse, either the red or white element enters and is held within the central channel, and emotional states are modified. For example, in unenlightened beings, the red element, in the right channel, carries a dense emotional power of attachment. During an internal eclipse of the solar element, the emotional power of attachment is softened and prayer and meditation will be especially beneficial. The eclipse of the lunar element similarly modifies the force of anger.” (p. 138)

Again, it is not what the planets do to us, but what they indicate, and how we respond to their indications is what matters. It is in fact, what we do to ourselves as indicated by the stars.

May each of you have a Happy Holiday Season, a fine Yule, Merry Christmas, and wonderful New Year. May all of our traditions, their teachers, schools, lodges, circles of spiritual friends and practitioners grow and their inner light make its light, life, and love felt upon the world.

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1463 days ago

Solstice Eclipse

With the coming lunar eclipse this solstice we have received a few questions asking what it means. While traditional astrology is filled with notions of what a lunar eclipse is interpreted to mean, in fact, one can only know it in relationship to their own chart, as well as to where they are residing here and now. You see, despite the fact that astrology attempts to make sense of vast cosmological forces, it does so only in relationship to very specific mundane circumstance, such as, your date, time, and place of birth; in short, it requires the limitations of a specific time AND place, for any real sense to be made of it at all. Without these limiting facts we enter into the domain of generalizations extremely quickly. The realm of generalizations however is not without some merit, as at least it gives us some areas as to where to look, a clue if you will for those who have none.

How we understand the importance of an experience is a matter of perspective. Traditionally, an eclipse was nearly always a sign of terror for astrologers, and still is for those who look to find concrete effects or inclinations down here on terra firma from the celestial map. It can also be a time for great prayer and spiritual work. In The Prayer of the All-Good Buddha from the Dzogpa Chenpo Tantra of the All-Pervaiding Mind of Kuntuzangpo we are told,

“With clear, radiating awareness, without delusion, perform this powerful prayer. All those who here it will reach enlightenment after three births. At the time of the eclipse of the sun or moon, when the sky thunders, during earthquakes, solstices, or at the changing of the year. At these times, visualize yourself as Kuntuzangpo and recite this prayer that it will be heard by everyone.” (Discovering Inner Freedom, the Prayer of Kuntuzangpo, Commentary by Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche and Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche)

What is this prayer? It is none other than that we, as a fully illumined being, free of all delusion, pray, state, affirm as our sincere wish, that all beings regardless of where they are, in the heavens, on earth, in the hell realms, be they animal, godly, demonic, wondering ghosts, or human experience enlightenment quickly and perfectly.

When we think about it, is that not what the winter solstice, or Christmas is all about? Be it Yuletide, the Festival of Lights, the Martinist Yeheshuah Ritual, or even the changing of the passwords for various Golden Dawn groups, and their Masonic brethren, it is all about recognizing suffering and acting as a force to eliminate it in both its relative and absolute forms. In the relative we give food, clothing, toys, and money to charities to assist those who have less than we do. In the absolute sense, we encourage a life of the mind, of reflection on the cause of suffering (our thoughts, words, and deeds), and how they effect us and others (cause and effect – karma), and resolve to think, speak, and act in a manner that will be more joyful. Where we start is with ourselves, our families, lodges or spiritual circle of friends, and communities; where we end is with the cosmos and all that is contains.

One of the more interesting commentaries by the Venerable Rinpoches was that during the eclipse the energies (winds and drops) of the psychic body (channels), are effected.

“In tantra, what one sees externally in the world is also present in this body, and vice versa. The sun and moon represent the red and white elements of the body. An eclipse, externally, is said to occur when the negative astronomic forces or planet named Rahula grasps either the sun or the moon. Internally, for women, most of the time the red element or “sun” moves in the right channel, the white element or “moon” in the left channel, and the Rahula in the central channel. In men, the channels are opposite of these. In an eclipse, either the red or white element enters and is held within the central channel, and emotional states are modified. For example, in unenlightened beings, the red element, in the right channel, carries a dense emotional power of attachment. During an internal eclipse of the solar element, the emotional power of attachment is softened and prayer and meditation will be especially beneficial. The eclipse of the lunar element similarly modifies the force of anger.” (p. 138)

Again, it is not what the planets do to us, but what they indicate, and how we respond to their indications is what matters. It is in fact, what we do to ourselves as indicated by the stars.

May each of you have a Happy Holiday Season, a fine Yule, Merry Christmas, and wonderful New Year. May all of our traditions, their teachers, schools, lodges, circles of spiritual friends and practitioners grow and their inner light make its light, life, and love felt upon the world.

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