Choosing Rebirth

After fainting with terror at the visions of the wrathful deities, the consciousness of the voyager awakens into existence as a bardo being with a subtle mental body, this is the bardo of becoming. We now face the challenge of rebirth.

This phase of the voyage is dominated by the law of karma. Our past life is summed up and our future is decided. Volatility fills the space. It is in this realm of the bardo that we must develop a strategy for rebirth. If we cannot take rebirth, we will enter the realm of the hungry ghosts.

Here we must learn to avoid grasping at the chance of rebirth. Wait, breath, hold.

“Surrender was a good idea back a few days ago, but now it’s not the thing to do. [19]”

“My path is now strongly set for rebirth, and I feel driven by a powerful wind behind me. That’s the wind of karmic desires, inclinations and tendencies and is nothing  but my own attractions and repulsions about existence. [22]”

Audio file for the ABD_Class 31_Aug 20 2014

Chat Log for Class 31 Aug_20_14

Chamber 20

“My Present form exists without limitations; I find that I can move easily through all areas of the reality spectrum, viewing all aspects and details of the six lower dimensions as I wish. My movement seems to be directed by the power of my attention…”

 We recall the the Six Lower dimensions:

1. The Deva World – the realm of the Gods

2. The Asura Realm – realm of the jealous gods

3. The Human Realm

4. The Animal Realm

5. The Preta Realm (realm of hungry ghosts)

6. The World of Hells

The Key element of this phase of the voyage is to notice two aspects of our existence. First, we are able to move freely through each of the Six realms. Secondly, that movement is directed by the power of our attention. If we can stand in this mode, we understand that we are the source of the results of our actions, we are not subject to the whims of the external.

Here is where we may grab our moments of freedom.

Audio file for ABD_Class 32_Aug 27 2014

Chat Log for Class 32 Aug_27_14

Chamber 21

 The 21st chamber poses one of the greatest challenges yet.

“The Beloved asks me where I want to go, what I want to do, I want to be attentive, …”

Okay, here we sit, and suddenly we are actually asked that question and we have all the latitude (and longitude) in the world to answer. There is no limitation placed upon us at this moment.

“At this time I’ll remember what I learned in the teaching while in the human dimension.”

Our attention is freed and available to us, we have the power to move through out the six lower dimensions, but we must not get caught in our attraction to these dimensions. We must guide the attention, like a rider guiding a horse through the use of a bridal. Gently, but firmly we apply the Power of Attention.

Audio Recording for ABD_Class 33_Sep 03 2014

Chat log for ABD Class 33 Sep_03_14

Chamber 22

“At first the dead do not realize that they are dead; they feel that they still have their old bodies and cannot understand why their friends and relatives are ignoring them.” The suffering caused by this rejection is agonizing.

O child of awakened family, blown by the restless wind of karma

“My path is now strongly set for rebirth, and I feel driven by a powerful wind behind me. That is the wind of karmic desires, inclinations and tendencies and, is nothing but my own attractions and repulsions about existence.”      (ABD – Chamber 22)

The voyager now realizes that the path is set for rebirth. One must now strategize, not about liberation, but rather, how best to use these moments to select “a good rebirth.” That task is fulfilled in life. We can learn to understand how the teachings of the School present themselves to me during each day. I know that my time is short and my necessity is aflame. I must train to make the teachings a part of each moment. I will increase my skill set as a voyager. As I prefect my voyager skills in life, I understand that I am gaining confidence in my abilities as a disembodied voyager.

I must ask myself – Which Habits will Carry Me Through? If we have focused on the teaching during life, we will be so guided during our voyage toward rebirth. If we ignore the teachings, will fall prey to the sleeping winds of karma. We will be swallowed by a rebirth in one of the six lower dimensions.

Audio File for ABD_Class 34_Sep 10 2014

Chat Log for ABD Class 34 Sep_10_14

Chamber 23/24

As we come upon the 23rd Chamber, we are told of Grace. The instruction says – IF we have been practicing the teaching during our lifetime, we will have accumulated Grace. It will feel blissful and pleasant.

Grace is a tricky matter. We want to believe that grace is bestowed upon us by our works, deeds defined by our community. If we do this “good” deed, we should get this and such apportionment of grace. We want to believe that if one pleases the proper authority, then grace will be bestowed upon the recipient by that divine presence, a personage. We are still living in a form of the ‘outer’ world.

But, if one practices the teaching from ones inner sources. That practitioner is forging pathways to the higher. During this part of the Work on Self, the voyager will receive glimpses of grace, small enlightenments. As the Work matures, as the Worker matures parts of the work will have forged the beginnings of actual pathways. This is the start of Sanctified Grace, a permanence.

IF we have not been so practicing the teaching, then, the transit will be one of casual indifference to the voyager. The voyager must attain to a place of full indifference. Can one stand in the place of Objective observation? Even during the storm of cosmic transit? That is why we practice and practice yet more.

We are about to enter the “Grand Tour of Safe Spaces” – shelters, places of refuge. We will see many places soon. They will be inviting and finally they will be of comfort. But, that is not a criteria for the voyager. The voyager is upon the “path… now strongly set for rebirth.”

Keep your eyes upon ones strategy. What NOW is the best strategy for my work life coming before me?

Then, in Chamber 24 we are suddenly hungry, tired, isolated, disconnected, generally out of sorts. We just now want to rest. What ever place is presented I want to take. I want a chance to rest my head.

But, where does the voyager rest their head? There is no home for the voyager. The only home for the voyager is the certainty that comes with great vigilance.

Audio File for ABD_Class 35_Sep 17 2014

Chat Log for ABD Class 35 Sep_17_14

Chambers 25/26

We are now introduced to Yama – the Lord of Death. He is acting a bit like an accountant. He brings out the ledger of Karma and stacks the white chips of good deeds before and stacks the black chips of bad stuff up around you as well.

At this point we do what a regular human being is trained to do; we justify ourselves. We start, of course with denial, but the great Mirror of Karma is laid before us and we proceed to declare that “This is other determined, and [you indicate] that you are the victim.” With great creativity you proceed to justify your actions.

Yama calmly waits (Oh, Come On! calmly waits? I think NOT). But, you realize there is a payment to be made, you buy into the punishment and Yama accommodates. It is not a pretty sight.

Audio file for ABD_Class 36_Sep 24 2014

Chat Log for Class 36 Sep_24_14

Now, the Monkey Man, Yama the Lord of Death, ties you up.  This encounter represents the voice of your conscience. It is a reflection of your innermost secrets. Your hidden motives. They are now revealed. You are then gutted, torn to bits, he eats your brains, you are dismembered… but, you cannot die. You experience great pain, but you cannot die. You are emptiness being handled by emptiness.

Chamber 26

It is now that you realize that it has happened again. You pause (Chamber 26) and realize that you are immortal and you have been born of an immortal fiber and fabric. Your head clears… for the moment.

Upon receiving the punishment “you believe you deserve” – you touch the emptiness of the Void. Once again for a moment, you are able to embrace a freedom. The path across the “great desert” lies before you.

“It has always been the void and always will be the void.”

Clarity is the essence of Emptiness and Emptiness is the essence of Clarity.

The only difference between sentient beings and the Buddha, is that sentient beings do not know they  are the Buddha.

In a single moment, the difference is made,

In a single moment, perfect awakening.

Audio Recording for ABD_Class 37_Oct 01 2014

Chat Log for Class 37 Oct_01_14

Chamber 27

We have come through a punishment. We perceive that we ‘deserved’ this punishment. And, it is done. A great burden lifts and we sense another ‘breather’ in the action. We look about us and we experience a direct perception of the True Void. (We perceive the Void, having no qualities or characteristics.)

Will we be able to understand that the Void is in fact our deepest nature? Can we let go of the transience of our existence as a machine? If we are able to let it go, we have an opportunity then, to cross the Great Desert. The burning clarity of the Desert is offered up at this point.

But, we see that there is a separation occurring. There are those who are clinging to the past life of the machine, they have given up. They are accepting rebirth in a lower dimension. They are so preparing. We must cling to our essential nature at this point.

This battle is a battle between Powers and Principalities. Those powers and principalities reach down into our very life the tools of darkness and sleep urge the machine to continue as it is. The Force of light, is reached through our adherence to the life of the Essential Self.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.       (Ephesians  6:12)

 We bring many tools to this struggle. Our characters are getting built with the equipment to traverse the Bardo as essential selves seeking re-birth in a higher order.

Audio File for ABD_Class 38_Oct 08 2014

Chamber 28

“For in and out, above, about, below,
Tis nothing but a Magic Shadow-show,
Played in a Box whose Candle is the Sun,
Round which we Phantom Figures come and go.”
―Omar Khayyam

“If I am still in the process of degenerative rebirth, I’ve obviously allowed myself to become confused by all the shadow show going on around me…”

Compare where the voyager is now to some of the earlier chambers, such as Chamber 12 and 13. The pulls on the voyager are the same. However, the context is different. In the Second Stage of the Voyage, the voyager has just left the dimension of the Friendly Guides and is under the Dimension of the Unresponsive Guides. The pulls on the voyager are the same. The tools at hand are somewhat different.

NOW, the voyager is bound for rebirth. What has now developed is a phase whereby the voyager is developing strategy. The strategy is not for “instantaneous liberation”(12), but rather for a rebirth rooted within the Teachings. We must avoid the tendency to ‘give in’ to our fears and desires during this phase.

Stay vigilant, “pray without ceasing.” Do not fall asleep the text informs us. If we fall asleep here, to escape the shadow world, we will surely take rebirth in one of the six lower worlds. (Hell world, Hungry Ghost world, Human world, Animal world, God world, or the Jealous God world.)

But, we are given the Key – “If I can’t handle it here, I’ll remember the beloved’s form and visage…”

How then, are you  now practicing ‘remembering the beloved’s form and visage.’

Chamber 28 – part 1

Audio File ABD_Class 39_Oct 15 2014

Chamber 28 – Part 2

We have not quite completed our work with Chamber 28. There are two principles in 28 that call for a bit more investigation. The first part has to do with the opening line of the chamber:

“If I am still in process of degenerative rebirth, I’ve obviously allowed myself to be confused by all the shadow show going on around me…”

Okay – well in part this is a statement of where you are as a voyager – it is an indication of where we might be on the map. Sometimes it is not easy to see where we are on the map.

We need to develop ways and means of determining where we are at any given time. We need to consider formulating a different form of compass. A compass that is not yet found at the store. But, that compass must be as useful as one we draw from our pocket on any voyage. Reach in and grab that compass.

We should also spend a bit more time on the intriguing phrase:

“I’ll just remember the beloved’s form and visage…”

Well, that seems like a handy tool to have around. Let me see, where did I put that gem? Oh, its right here…

Audio file for ABD_Class 40_Oct 22 2014

Chat lof for Class 40 Oct_22_14

Chamber 29 and 30

 

As we read through these next chambers, we are struck by the drift toward a fundamentally different tone and emphasis. Now the chamber instructs us:

“My relatives and friends are doing something stupid”  (29)

What is apparent is that the force of the voyage is being more and more subjected to the power of the human mind. We are assaulted by images of familiar sights and sounds. We are sinking into our human-ness.

We understand where we are – because we have developed our skill at our map reading as we have discussed through the last few weeks. We are assaulted by these images and we are assaulted by the longing for the familiar. We are NOT those images nor are we those tendencies. We carefully, oh so gently, side step the feelings of anger and resentment. If we fall to anger and resentment, those oh so familiar places, we will define our rebirth into the hell-dimension.

In Chamber 30 we recall our power and our possessions, we feel the unfairness of losing those hard earned possessions. We see how our precious possessions are being used by others. We sense how unfair this is. As we are drawn closer to those sensations, as we hunger for a lost past, we once again begin to define our rebirth, now, in the Hungry Ghost world. This a world filled with desire for objects and possession.

But, our work now as practicing voyagers, struggling on this plain, we understand we can bring tools to bear during these assaults on our harmony. We bring into the space a powerful tool. As we are being assaulted with anger and hunger we carry a powerful card up our sleeve.

We can give it up to the Beloved. As we practice this recognition, then, we understand how to bring it forth during the storm of rebirth. Our goal now is one of strategy. We know a bit about what might occur, can we employ a strategy forward? We have been given tools.

Recording of ABD_Class 41_Oct 29 2014

Chat log for Class 41 Oct_29_14

Chamber 31

Gradually … as we move toward rebirth, the Voyager notices certain aspects of his environment. He suddenly notices a rise of a critical nature. As he is ‘hearing’ these readings, he is critical of the manner in which those readings are being delivered. The readers are not attentive, the readers are careless, the readers lack conviction, the voyager determines that the readers lack of skill implies a betrayal… complaint after complaint. As the voyager notices this, his upset and annoyance matures into the beginnings of anger.

If the voyager NOW gives way to the anger, he will be swept into the hell dimension. In this subtle world of the bardo, the moods and actions of the voyager are enlarged, as if the centers have a megaphone attached to them. Suddenly, all eyes turn to the upset, waiting  – what will he do with that anger.

Is there not solution to this trap? There is a solution. The voyager must release the feeling of being betrayed and can realize that the drama unfolding is simply the results of ones own life karma. Let it go! Let go of the blame and anger, you can free yourself. How, yes, you got it, through practice NOW in this life. Today.

Because:

“… no matter (what) I am seeing, everyone is acting and performing on a very pure level and no matter how it seems to me, they are practicing pure devotion.”

Audio File for ABD_Class 42_Nov_05 2014

Chat Log for Class 42 Nov_05_14

Chambers 32 and 33

In chamber 32, the voyager is given the instruction to make a clear inventory of where we are. We are told that there are three stages of the voyage. We have been through the first two stages – the stage of creation and liberation and the stage of destruction and cleansing. In those stages the power and energy was spectacular. However, what the voyager saw, was what was projected. There was no illusion, only intensity.

NOW, we are in the third stage. During this stage, we are told DO NOT trust the visions around you. Before, we had the problem of recognizing and understanding the visions. Now we cannot trust the visions. We are given an instruction – an instruction used:

“In order to avoid birth.”

That instruction is to interpret everything as a reflection of the void. OR, if you are not able to accomplish that task, then, learn to decode the real meaning of the images presented. Develop now, the sense of how an image can be seen as a representation of the void.

NOW, in Chamber 33, we are suddenly being told that we must learn to close the door to the womb. Okay, and soon, we will be shown the five techniques for helping with that task. Not now however.

What are the symptoms such that, when they occur, we will know we must begin to employ the methods of “closing the womb door?” Okay, those signs seem to be a sense of being pushed from behind. We will feel anxiety. That may take the image of being chased by animals. But, the KEY symptom is “I will feel that I have to escape, that I have to find some place in which to hide.”

This is where we seek the refuge of rebirth as a reaction to the stress, not rebirth as a chosen strategy.

Here then is the initial meditation for gathering the attention at this phase of our voyage:

Now that the state of becoming

 is happening to me,

I concentrate my thoughts

without distraction,

And, striving to maintain

the results of good karma,

Close the womb door

and without resistance I do not enter,

This is the time for pure thought and effort.

I abandon desire

and let go of jealousy

And Meditate on the guide and his consort,

The Great Mother of Space.

  Audio Recording of ABD_Class 43_Nov_12 2014

Chat Log for ABD Class 44 Nov_19_14

Chamber 34

“If I fall asleep here, even for a single moment I will be reborn without choice.”

So what does it mean to experience a birth of choice? If we are able to achieve a ‘good rebirth’ we will find ourselves meeting a true spiritual friend, we will find a teacher, we will find a School.

If not, we will wind up wandering aimlessly through the six lower dimensions.

This is the chamber of our battle with Jealously.  Jealousy reveals our immense lack of a sense of personal worth. But, nevertheless, here it arises once again. We are drawn with the power of the jealousy toward the womb door, we blank out. In this “blank out” we rush toward an unconscious rebirth.
What can I do as a voyager to close the womb door during this assault by my own jealousy? There are five methods of closing the womb door at this point of the bardo journey. The trigger for employing these five methods is the arising of the passion of jealousy.

The five methods rest upon two techniques. The first set employs seeing the object of this jealousy as the higher being that they in fact are. (Recall here voyager, we are in the bardos, we are no longer in our regular world of ‘life.’) We see the couple as the divine Mother or Father immersed in samadhi with their spiritual consort. Our attitude shifts from the frustration of jealousy to a space where we can experience devotion and ask for the teachings to be manifest.

The second method is to understand our plight should we not be able to ward off the passion of jealousy with its anger, emptiness, along with whatever flavor you may bring to that table. If we indulge at this moment in this passion, we are swept into rebirth in the lower dimensions. We may be reborn for countless times into the six dimensions of the lower worlds, including the animal realm.

However, now in this life in this part of our transit we can develop ways and means of implanting triggers into our everyday existence. These triggers can then give rise to moments of freedom, rather than moments of passion.

Cultivate this freedom.

Audio Recording ABD_Class 44_Nov_19 2014

Chat Log Class 44 Nov_19_14

Audio Recording ABD_Class 45_Nov_26 2014

Chat Log ABD Class 45 Nov_26_14

Chamber 35

“The effect of applying single-minded concentration at this time is comparable to controlling a horse with a bridle…”

Now the voyager knows that the womb door may still remain open. What does this mean? It means that the voyager remains tied to the world of human existence. There is the belief that this human existence is the only reality. We then cling to hope and desire for refuge in rebirth.

But, now, the voyager must focus on holding forth the sense that the essential self is an infinite Being unborn. The essential self is the “voidness of the void, the eternal unborn, neither real nor unreal.”

The voyager holds forth the memory of this past life as a mere dream. The Essential Self must not now resist its true nature. It must embrace “there is no other”… “Only my own endlessness. I am done with desire, aggression, and resistance.

By concentrating all thoughts on this meditation the voyager can close the Womb door, and avoid unconscious rebirth.

“If I am willing to renounce all experience, not only with the thoughts and heart but also from the being, then all womb doors will certainly be closed…”

 This practice in daily life is potent and loaded with fear. Each moment when one is depressed with circumstances, or elated at short term victory… can you pause and say, I am Not That?

Today, walk forth with those thoughts and tools. Gather data about how you respond to standing in such a place. There will be fear and maybe a sense of falling. Watch carefully.
Watch always. Prepare each moment for the great Moment of Transit.

Audio File for ABD_Class 46_Dec 03_ 2014

Log of Class 46 Dec_03_14

Chamber 36

 

 … “If after all this the womb entrance still isn’t closed and the belief in experience and existence can’t be dissolved…”

Hiding, always hiding. We attempt to hide to avoid the ambush of the Bardo. We are being shown the landscape of our karmic choices. We are drawn strongly toward one realm or another. The pressure of “seeing” is bewildering. We seek refuge in the womb of rebirth.

When we are being shown the very fabric of the fruits of our karmic efforts. This is only a powerful reflection of who we are. We are getting valuable information from the swirls of information. If we can pause we can develop a strategy based upon the information we are being shown. This strategy will be based upon the information we are being handed. From this we can then, not seek to hide, but rather to embrace the information about us.

Then, we can seek the best possible rebirth. We are being given a map of our particular bardo path. Hold, do not yield to the powerful desire to enter the refuge of the womb of rebirth, rather pause. Think… consider.

What rebirth will serve me best? What opportunity exists for me to be reborn in a place where I might find my Teacher? Where may I be reborn to best practice the Teaching? When the great power to seek rebirth hits you… develop an automatic response to awaken. Practice a saying. Know that you will enter into this saying each time you are so hit. Your response should be:

All Phenomena is Illusion

Neither Attracted nor Repelled

Not making any Sudden Moves

My Habits will Carry Me Through.

Audio File for ABD_Class 47_Dec 10_ 2014

Log for Class 47 Dec_10_14

Chamber 37

At this point in our journey we are first reminded of the efforts to close the womb door. “There are five methods for closing the womb door.”

However, the author then reminds us once again where we are on the map. “In the Macrodimensions my consciousness has the ability to hear and understand anything that is said in this teaching, whether it comes from one dimension or from another.”

Okay, NOT when you are dead … but rather, when in the Macrodimensions. This is an event that is occurring all day long. Most of the time by chance, or accident. Sometimes you are able to direct the attention of the Being and stand in a purposeful invocation. When that occurs, you are then “able to hear” the teaching.

Practice during these flights of consciousness to soar with the Teachings. You are entering into a moment of the DreamWeave. Now, with body in hand, you have the chance to practice and perfect your voyager skills. Later, we do not know. But, you do Know now.

Audio File for ABD_Class 48_Dec 17_ 2014

Chamber 38

Now we come to Chamber 38. Here the teaching reminds us that there are those individuals who “aren’t interested in liberation and meet this teaching with disinterest.” We read this and a few thoughts emerge from our brains.

First we may say – ‘Oh, yes, I understand, right. I know some of those people and they are dead to the teaching. They are not like I am. I am in the teaching.’ We then point to how much we meditate and read and do ‘good works.’ See!

Then we may say – ‘Oh gosh, maybe I am not in the teaching maybe I do am not interested in liberation. That is me… ‘ Then, we are bathed in the warm bath of self-pity or depression.

The truth is more difficult. I am that “disinterest” I am that “Interested in the Liberation.” Both of those operate within us. I understand and appreciate the concept of many ‘I’s.’ But, it doesn’t really work for me. It seems more complex than that. There are warring factions within me.

This is a Work in which we are part of battle of the Great Powers and Principalities. Each moment we are part of the powers that wish to maintain Sleep. Other times, we are part of the movement toward liberation.
When we are exhibiting the confusions of “psychoses, insanities, drives, urges, aberrations, confusions, necessities, significance, purposes, goals, aims, needs and problems” we are merely seeking Refuge from the great cleansing power of the Clear Light. (Seeking refuge – I think I heard that one before.)

Then, the author says something remarkable: “There isn’t any effort that needs to be made in order to awaken. In fact, it’s just the opposite. I’ll stop making efforts to remain asleep, and simply cease to have anything to do with action and reaction.” Wow. That is a big meal. Made with all organic ingredients. Let it digest… there are more surprises ahead.

Audio File for ABD_Class 49_Dec 24_ 2014

 

Chamber 39

 

This 39th chamber is short. It’s simplicity is stark, bare, however, over the years, it has served as a beacon of Truth. Let’s take a look.

We start with identifying the addressee (where are we on the Map). The text indicates ” … those individuals grimly holding on to the game of planetary existence.” Okay. That certainly seems to mean me (maybe you?). “…if they will only listen to the emergency method of instruction.”

Here it is:

“I take refuge in the Clear Light. I take refuge in the beloved. I take refuge in the way of the teaching. I take refuge in the company of the brotherhood of spiritual souls.”

This instruction is different than the warnings about “hiding” that we have been seeing lately. Here we take refuge in a space or with those with whom we know are a safe terminus. By this I mean, we can allow our deepest Self to peek out. We can allow our Essential Selves to begin to spread our Wings. Can you feel it just for a moment, as the Angelic Wing muscles on our back flex, so gently? Yeah, so can I.

It always seems to feel so complete and wholesome when I am sitting in one of the three Jewels (The Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sanga.). So, why do I not spend more time within those wings of growth. Oh, wait, the 39th chamber may have hint.

“If I can only ask for help sincerely without holding back or feeling pain due to my intense pride,…”

 Oops! My intense pride. How many times have we not asked for help when that help was before us, offered and standing ready to help? Our circle of friends is always ready to respond. The Teacher is present, the Teaching is alive. The Sanga is in Prayer.

Can you be a part of this surge? Can you be a part of this movement toward Home? Are you able to seek this help?

Audio File for ABD_Class 50_Dec 31_ 2014

Clat Log for ABD Class 50 Dec_31_14

 Chamber 40

In working through the chambers of the ABD during these last few months I have gained a new and different appreciation of this Teaching. I have participated, a few times, over the last few years in “doing readings” for Voyagers in transit. That effort entails reading a particular chamber on behalf of the Voyager, to the Voyager. We are instructed to deliver the reading as if it was the precise information that the Voyager needed at that precise moment.

(As we have explored lately in our classes, Time for a Voyager is fundamentally different that it is for a Person on this side of the veil. – More on this point soon.)

In doing those readings it has always seemed invocational to perform these tasks, I felt “lifted up” while making those efforts. There were even times when I “felt” as if I have genuinely connected with the Voyager in delivering the ‘instruction’ provided in the specific chamber. (An example is when I read for my Father, while in Toronto, I had the powerful sense of him saying to me “Well, I am not sure what this means, but it is very interesting.”)

Now, after 50 weeks of looking at the ABD with new eyes, a distinctly different orientation has settled upon me. We have taken these many chambers and readings as reading not for a voyager, as such, but rather we have taken these as an instruction for ME – as a voyager.

I now see the ABD as a MAP – for me – NOW while in this manifestation.

Nothing has brought that home with as much force as the 40th Chamber. As we read through the various scenarios that the Voyager encounters during this Chamber, we see a fascinating interplay.

The voyager says “(If ) I see a huge white mansion of very high aesthetic design… If can enter there, I should do it.”

“(If I ) see a lake with white birds on it… I won’t go there. It’s a place where the teaching hasn’t taken root, so I should avoid it.”

Wow! How do I tell the difference. One thing I have learned is that the characteristics of the manifestation may be very different for each person. I may not see a “lake with white birds” or a “white mansion” – but, I will see something that corresponds to those scenarios. How then does the voyager read the map?

We are stuck here now, mostly with a linear perception of the world. There, then (In the Bardos), we will not have those particular tools. How will I proceed? What is the essence depicted in each of those spaces? How can I tell when the teaching has taken root? How can I tell whether these are the “songs of battle,” leading to the hell-dimension?

We must develop our sensing mechanism to be able to discern our place on the map. When we look about our world today, do we see a placid lake, where the teaching has not taken root? Can we recognize the White Mansion?
Where in my heart is that Compass Alive?

Audio file for ABD_Class 51_ Jan 07_ 2015

Chamber 41

We are now come to a place certain in this voyage.

There is no chance left for direct liberation. We will manifest yet again in this part of the labyrinth – the place called earth. We have more work to do. Okay, of course, that makes sense. However, these last phases of this rebirth unfoldment are difficult.

“Confusion is all around me…”

That’s okay. Really, if you consider it, that is simply another state of being. One more thing happening around you. What is the solution to such a state? “Behind me are the ones I am afraid of, and in front of me sadistic and degraded beings...: – Yuck!. What then to do? What is your voyager solution to this set of circumstances?

Let us consider a few possibilities. Through persistent Work, you may come to understand something about the teaching – that it truly permeates your life. You might understand that you are in a situation whereby rebirth will occur. How can you fight this cycle? You cannot. That is the case.

Here the voyager practices the fine art of Active Surrender. First, one must recognize where one is … you are in the mode of rebirth, okay. Can you fight that? NO – that understanding does not alleviate the stress of FEAR and ANXIETY. However, if you understand where you are in the white water rapids, you can sometimes go with the energy around you. If you can stop fighting, you might be able to have more energy and perception to move with some elegance.

Clearly this is one state of affairs that we can all practice. BUT, you should start looking at your states not as external events but as Bardo moments. By this I mean, watch and wonder. If you find yourself beset with FEAR and ANXIETY, you are at that moment in this chamber. LOOK AROUND you carefully – what will be the form of your rebirth?

For, it is just around the corner.

Audio File for ABD_Class 52_ Jan 14_ 2015

Chamber 42

 

Sometimes, you just need to be careful of the Giant Chicken.

This 42nd chamber is one of the shortest set of instructions in the ABD.  But, it carries with it, one of the best descriptions of why we get sidelined. We get stuck in various holes. Then, we adapt our lives so that those holes are not visible, they are characteristics hidden mostly from ourselves. Our lives become more bland, until we are always in a “Safe Place.” But, then, along comes a Giant Chicken. I am not sure what form it will take for you (btw – it may take the form of a Giant Chicken). But, the form will be something that in YOUR mind will “draw and quarter you for being who I am.”

Don’t you sometimes have that subtle sensation, that if you were “just your Self” that you would be judged, or heavily judged? Well, there are two aspects of this belief that come to mind for me.

First of all – do you really know what it means to “really” be who I am? What do you actually have in mind that will be judged or cause you to be rejected from some circle of your social network. Often, it is a sense of Fear of not being able to be one’s Self projected onto the World that is the conundrum we face.

Secondly, for me this 42nd chamber is also a set of chamber instructions about how to actually leave the utterly safe space for the space whereby you are actually expressing part of your Work Self. Even though facing those “hounds of hell” is initially unbearable, we prepare for extraordinary circumstances, for we are asking for extraordinary results. It is hard. Sure, it is – But, …”all things excellent are as difficult as they are rare.”

Sometimes, you have to wrestle with the Giant Chicken.

Audio file for ABD_Class 53_ Jan 21_ 2015

Chambers 43 – 45

During this phase of the voyage, the Voyager is buffeted back and forth. Demons arise  – “If I want to fight off the pursuers…” (43). The voyager is reminded to NOT take refuge in a hiding place. From this position… the not taking refuge position, the voyager has a chance to do something of great value. The Voyager can discern. All along we are given instruction. There is always an instruction. If I have gotten myself into this position, then I must know how to emerge from it.

Consider the Monkey. There is a unusual manner in which monkeys are captured in the wild. The ‘hunter’ places a juicy nut into a jar. The jar has a narrow mouth, a narrow neckring, the monkey then reaches into the jar by narrowing its hand. It the grasps the yummy morsel. With a clenched fist the monkey attempts to retract his hand, only to find the jar opening too narrow. The Monkey can easily escape by unclasping its hand, dropping the yummy, and withdrawing its hand. It is caught NOT by the hunter, NOT by the Jar, but rather by the Monkey’s hunger for the yummy holds him in place. He is swept away by his hunger. If you have no hunger, you cannot be had.

In these closing chambers, we are pursued by demons… always pursued by demons (sigh). The instruction is to pause and recall those demons “are my demons.” (43) 

“All these gods and demons have taken form through the powers of my beliefs about reality.”(44)   We are reminded (remember the early chambers of being presented with the power gods of transformation?) reminded that this construct is of my own making. (Why am I always creating demons? oh my). Recall now “the great emptiness of the void of luminous shining Clear Light.” The purpose is partly to find this new stance in the Clear Light. However, the broader purpose is to develop the discernment of choice, even in this late stage of the Voyage.

“If I am still being forced to enter  a womb, then, I might as well make the best of it.”(45) Here the Voyager is in choice point. The voyager may not be able to change what is happening, the voyager might not even like it! But, the voyager should recall what is occurring. Get perspective. Recall, ‘O child of awakened family, at this time instruction is absolutely essential.’ I can make the best of it.

Wait, what does that mean? Demons, being pursued… in that context what can it mean… “Make the best of it?” (That is the starting point of our voyage for this class.)

Sometimes, the Monkey simply has to let go of the Treat.

Audio Recording for ABD_Class 54_ Jan 28_ 2015

Chamber 46

A careful reading of Chamber 46 has left me astonished. Up until this time, the voyager has been chased by demons, run over, smashed, even eaten!..yikes. But, something subtly starts to change.

Let’s take a quick tour of this chamber. It starts off with the voyager complaining again… we are used to that gem… “This isn’t working out very well for me.” As we proceed the voyager notices attributes of the coming rebirth (stinky!) that he guides away from using the “power of revulsion and disgust.” (Remember, we focused on a study of the six lower dimensions in order to know how to avoid a rebirth therein? [chamber 45]) The voyager is in control here. The voyager says I will “choose another womb entrance instead.”

Ponder that for a moment. It means that at this point the voyager has come into its own power and is willfully choosing.. no longer be buffeted about by all those forces in the Bardo matrix. Wait! how does the voyager choose at this point. Hang on…

“I will be born as a being in the line of the teaching, within the school of the teaching…” I will be born! – them’s mighty big words cowboy. Does this mean the voyager ‘wills’ this next step? I think so. The voyager is navigating by means of intention. Hang on, it is not as easy as it seems… we will see in a moment. If we have a sense of what it means to be born ‘in the line of the teaching,’ we will be more able to create this intention. This is an inner state, not an outer state of Being.

Next the voyager enters into the appropriate womb to accomplish this intention.Then, (this is one of my favorite phrases in the Chamber) “Immediately upon entering such a special womb, I should sanctify it…” The Voyager should now in this life, practice two elements of this ritual. First, can you recognize when you have entered into a special place? This, once again, is the practice and development of discernment. Work, practice and recognition. Then, Secondly,  the Voyager must understand how to Sanctify such a space.

But, then, things get kind of sticky. The voyager must “fully” concentrate, and the Voyager must ask for help. (Oh, no, not that old chestnut.)

We have a unique opportunity to connect with the Beloved. The Beloved awaits our request for liberation. All I have to do, is get rid of distrust, sleep, unconscious actions, ego struggle… and so on. Our work is defined and laid out. This Work unfolds in the myriad moments of our present life. The Work never sleeps. The standard is laid bare.

That is a good thing.

Audio Recording Part 1 ABD_Class 55_ Feb 04_ 2015

Audio Recording Part 2 ABD_Class 56_ Feb 11_ 2015

Chamber 47

The character of this chamber is fundamentally different from from previous chambers. I will reproduce the instruction in full here:

“It’s possible that a womb might appear good or bad, or I might have feelings of like or dislike about one womb or another. Again, I can’t trust my impressions in this stage of the labyrinth voyage, and so the great secret here is to remain perfectly neutral and impartial, in a high state of indifference about rebirth. In this state of high indifference there is no good, no bad, no desire, no resistance, no approval, no disapproval, no passion, no disgust, no apathy, no aggression. I will just stay pure. “

If you read the last part of this instruction a few times, you begin to sense that state of indifference. You can stand for a moment in true equanimity. Your favorite dislikes, pass without comment, as do your favorite likes. There is no weight given to what is occurring around us. We stand and watch, the Watch of the Fair Witness.

But, nevertheless, we are poised for rebirth. What then, is the voyager relying upon? What is the rudder that this voyager has set in motion?

As we turn to the 36th chamber we see the quatrain:

All phenomena is illusion.

Neither Attracted nor repelled.

Not making any sudden moves,

My habits will carry me through.

I have certainly developed habits. Those habits are being exhibited right this moment. Each day those habits come to bear. We can witness our life right this moment and we can see the habits that guide us. It will be those habits that will guide you to the proper womb of rebirth.

How is that working for you?

Audio File ABD_Class 57_ Feb 18_ 2015

Chamber 48

We are more experienced now as voyagers. We have been learning the tools of the voyager trade. We start to understand that “Yes, I am a voyager.” Now at this moment, we prepare once again, to step into the vast unknown called ReBirth.”

We are resurrected into the new life that is our duty and chore of this upcoming life. What ever that chore may be, we take it on. Sometimes we are part of a matrix that forms a larger whole. Sometimes we must carry the load of being a leader. Oh, that lonely place, once again.

Focus, Focus and more Focus. “I will concentrate on my teacher or if possible on the beloved in the Clear Light.”

... “but I’m going to have to give up my desire to have my former lifetime and biological machine back.”

When I read this last phrase in the instruction, I shudder in dismay. Can I be that free? Can I actually allow the winds of the Voyage to place me in whatever form is the best form for the next incarnation? I am concerned.

I will call my teacher by name – If possible I will call on the beloved in the Clear Light.

The Great Adventure begins afresh.

Audio Recording for ABD_Class 58_ Feb 25_ 2015

Chamber 49

The Voyager is ending the cycle of that time between Death and Rebirth. Chamber 49 is the final chamber in the cycle. Here is the instruction in full:

“I’ll enter now into the blue light of the human dimension or the soft light of the Sun-Absolute. If I can, I’ll enter the Jeweled Temples and Gardens of Delight.”

That is all. A very short declarative sentence, followed by a suggestion.

“I’ll enter now…” the voyager is at the helm of this battered sail-boat. But, still at the helm. The voyager knows he nears the shore. This is the shore opposite that shore shown us by Charon oh so many chambers of existence ago. We are invigorated and renewed.

Still the voyager will enter back into the human dimension OR, into the soft white light of the Solar Absolute. The channel remains open for the voyager. As the voyager prepares to put his spurs back on and mount the new pony of a new life, he pauses and reflects.

“If I can…” I will enter the Jeweled Temple. In the 46th chamber we were instructed;

“I’ll concentrate fully… which will open a suitable womb. Immediately upon entering such a special womb I should sanctify it…”

Why is it that every birth that we have attended is a place of sanctity? We are all moved by the holy moment of birth.

“…put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.” (Exodus 3:5)

The voyager is sanctifying the sacred womb of birth. The voyager knows she can enter into the Jeweled Temple. At that moment, for that time and place. This is the Jeweled Temple.

Audio file for ABD_Class 59_ Mar 04_ 2015