03.21.03
Posted in Kapilji's Skull Chatter at 12:38 am by Shri Kapilnath
I think the I Ching is best regarded as an elegant system of divination. It is a very broad subject, but mostly today and in general use, the I Ching is a system of divination put into motion by the mechanics of throwing three coins six times. This gives us a hexagram to study in response to our “karma” of having a situation or mileu we are unclear about, and then seeking a Revelation in the form of the hexagram response.
After a long study of the subject, all information in response to our query can be gleaned from examination of the hexagram as it is revealed. If a person has not so deeply penetrated the patterns of the I Ching, then the text related to each hexagram may be helpful. This “text” which was written by human beings, is meant to throw
light onto the affairs of mankind, but only inside the context in which the text was written.
An example of this could be the Wilhelm/Baynes version, which has the structure of assigning the individual lines of the hexagram to meanings relevant to the social structure of China at the time the text was written. The lines 1-6 relate to the social structure and position of individuals inside this human social structure. The practical aspect here is that other humans often have the greatest impact on our lives, so understanding the dynamics and outcome of interactions can be useful knowledge.
The individual lines of the hexagram also have a deeper meaning than the structure imposed by any written text due to the limitations of words. It is important to understand that there is a relationship between all of the lines of the hexagram and the even the individual who cast the coins. The particulars of any situation can all come to Light by understanding these relationships.
If an individual asks a question, not taking into consideration the limitations of the TEXT of the I Ching, the corresponding wording for the hexagram may prove to be enigmatic. This is in no way a defect of the I Ching itself, it is a misunderstanding of the limitation of the written text. The only solution here, is a much deeper study of the I Ching itself, or much more easy, learn to ask the correct question.
As a guideline, the number one requirement for the “question” is that we must have a compelling “need” (not want) for light to be shed on the situation regarding the consequences of our actions. Thus, if we are trying to make the I Ching speak to us in terms of a text written by fellow humans; we would be well advised to understand that the written “text” may be less than “Divine,” but the process of causing the Divine to reveal its’ Light inside the context of words written by others is indeed a Holy act of Divine Magick.
If we are limited to an evalution of the generated hexagram based upon the text of the I Ching, we would do well to limit our question to the specific outcome of an action we are considering undertaking, but are unclear about the result or outcome. If the result of the intended action is of little consequence to us personally, why might we be seeking advice?
Also, if we are going to take the action no matter what the result; an act of Will, what is the Folly or intention of our Query? If this is the situation, one is asking the wrong question and likely to receive a leg pulling response. This leads nowhere except to further confusion and doubt.
For example, inside the context of the Wilhelm/Baynes edition, almost all hexagrams are defined as auspicious or inauspicious. Further, the individual lines of the hexagrams, as pointed out as important by their being moving lines; which may be found in the hexagram cast, can also reflect clear aspects of success or failure. All of this can be found in the text for the hexagram and more information can be found in the “Great Treatise” on the I Ching in the middle of the book which is likely to be the clearest treatise on Magick (Change and Transformation) available publically.
An example of a “good” question might be a form along these line. That is, I was compelled to take a certain action, but unclear what the effects or outcome would be. In this case I would ask something like:
Would it be auspicious for Kapilnath to XXX XXX? and cast the coins. The “formula” is roughly … (implied intention-personal identification-action-subject of action =OUTCOME/hexagram) … i.e. auspicious, inauspicious, success, failure, etc.
The Divine is constantly communicating to us in so many ways. That we may not see or understand the patterns is our personal limitation. A Sage is often defined as one who makes the will of the cosmos known to those who find the correct correspondence or relation. The idea of the Divine speaking or communicating through a medium where the final medium is human, is older than history. Each medium is different and each has its own requirements for correspondence.
If one is less than a Sage, then it is ever more important to create the proper relation and correspondence with the “Emissary” in whatever form it appears. The concept of the Guardian Spirit is useful in terms of a step by step approach to a personal and progressive alignment with the Divine Cosmos or Cosmic Spirit.
On Cosmic levels, the following idea may be useful if examined in the proper Light. “Ask the right question in the right way and you will get the right answer.”
Kind Regards All,
Kapilnath
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03.20.03
Posted in Nath Order News at 8:46 pm by Adityanath
Adesh, Adesh!
In honor of the Spring Equinox, I am pleased to present
twilight yoga
in the form of a TreeBook.
Peace, Freedom & Happiness to all,
Adityanath
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03.18.03
Posted in Kapilji's Skull Chatter at 3:33 pm by Shri Kapilnath
Greetings All,
This is to announce the posting of a work by Shri Gurudev Mahendranath new to mahendranath.org. The piece was written and first published in the Open Door newsletter in the year 1988. The work is entitled,
Legend of the Elusive Kingdom of Shadows.
Mainly it is a peek into the concepts and Reality related to Other beings who primarily inhabit a Space/Time Dimension different from our own. While these Others may may be obscure to some, they are the focus and companions of yet Others on this plane. The document proposes means of approach and the positive effects of successful contact. Primarily, contact is achieved through mind development.
The work also points out that through the successful contact of Daimon and Celestials, it may be possible to communicate and gain valuable Insights, etc. The concept is not only pivotal in our individual Work, but is much related to the concept of Guru lineage and the Great Souls and Super Freaks who have attained and Illumined the path back to Dattatreya and perhaps even earlier. May All achieve proper Relation and Communication with the Archons of the Illumined.
Enjoy,
Kapilnath
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03.11.03
Posted in Nath Order News at 5:15 am by Adityanath
Adesh, Adesh!
After due consideration, I have re-released the first two TreeBooks.
The first, poems, now includes only the “poems” section, consisting of 27 poems. The material in the “rites” section has been moved into the sanatana dharma gita. You will be pleased to know that this reduces the number of sheets to 14, which should be much easier to staple.
The second, sanatana dharma gita, now includes “Dedication into Our Cosmic Wonderland” as the first section, the “Sanatana Dharma Gita” as the main section, followed by a third section consisting of “Hymn to Shiva” and “The Rite of the Naked Fire.” It is 12 sheets, making it comparable in size to poems.
I am planning on releasing twilight yoga on the Spring Equinox.
Also, printing instructions have been added to the web page.
May Peace, Freedom, and Happiness be Yours,
Adityanath
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03.03.03
Posted in Kapilji's Skull Chatter at 4:20 pm by Shri Kapilnath
Adesh, Adesh,
I too think the “chillum” refers to the straightpipe used to incinerate and inhale all type of oddiments. Oddly the Sanskrit word, chilla means…bleary eyed. Perhaps there is some connection here.
Most of the chillums I’ve seen were made of fired and carved clay. A few carved stone and the odd wooden one. I think the ivory model might be a special deluxe edition.
Mahendranath was no “chillum baba” whatsoever, but if you hang with any of the Gorakshanath crowd in harmony you will get one passed to you in short order.
I remember doing a stint at the Gorakshanath ashram at the base of Mount Girnar. One day an old sadhu came over to me and started babbling at me in some unknown dialect. I’ll never forget this guy as I had never seen such a physical type…alive that is. He was about 5′3″, totally white long hair and beard. I would guess his weight to be about 70 pounds. He was more like an animated apparition. I raised my hands in the universal sign of “I don’t know what the heck you are talking about.” He then started dancing in front of me with hands joined in front of his mouth and blowing imaginary plumes of smoke. I laughed and said, “Sorry,” turning out my pockets to show that the cupboard was bare. He then made the “follow me” gesture. I did.
He led me to the Guru’s hut. I had already met and sat with Lokanath of Girnar on a few ocassions. I liked the guy. His people respected and loved him and he ran a very functional and neat ashram. The tiny sadhu delivered a sing song oration. I don’t know what was said, but Lokanath picked up a big chillum and held it up with a questioning look in my direction. I nodded and in seconds a small box was pulled out of the cupboard.
The tiny sadhu could hardly contain his excitement. It was becoming clear he was manipulating my status as “really weird western drop-in” to get into Guruji’s “special stash.” Very amusing, but the chillum was loaded up and set to fire in record time.
Plumes of smoke and silence. Lokanath had a clock on the table but it was broken. Time it seemed stopped at 11:10. In other parts of the world it might have more obviously been broken at 4:20. But I digress… I was enjoying my smokey reveries and the energy exchanges. The odd part was, with eyes open there was an unusual superimposition of trishuls made of light in my visual field. Trishuls everywhere and a few other interesting things of note.
After a protracted silence, Lokanath leaned over towards me on one elbow and said in perfect English. “Do you like the effect?” I nodded in approval and gave my thanks. The tiny Sadhu and I then levitated out of the hut and into the sunlight. Trishuls everywhere. Thus ends the tale of the breath of Shiva and burning wonder bowls of Mount Girnar.
Not to leave others with an odd impression. In India, smoking “Shiva’s weed” or its many byproducts is not legal, but usually ignored or overlooked when Sadhus are inhaling. The general attitude is “let them have their fun and it helps keep them quiet.” In no way a rule, but perhaps a guideline, it should be remembered that such practices are not legal in the west either. Too much smoke also disturbs the memory and mental processes effectively dulling the “New Think” ideal of modern Naths.
I turn a blind eye to the occassional festive lung full, but if you carry it too far, don’t complain if you wander bleary eyed and forgetful or suffer harassment from the police or Establishment paranoia. You can’t smoke your way to the Great Awakening and I’m doubtful if “too much” is progressive on any level. Certainly nothing is gained by blabbing about it or being indiscreet.
As a side note, Lokanath the Girnar Guru had a chronic case of bronchitis from smoking too much. At his side was a spittoon in which he frequently offered large quantities of spit and phlegm. This loud process punctuated the silence at regular intervals and was a result of more tar than the lungs could clear.
Just Kapilji blowing smoke here and not intended to ignite a flame war. If you are an advocate of excess, let’s blow smoke rings off list. O-kay?
Jaya, Jaya ki Jai!
Kapilnath
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03.02.03
Posted in Nath Order News at 1:48 pm by Adityanath
Adesh, Adesh!
For Mahashivaratri 2003, I am pleased to announce the publication of the first two TreeBooks at Mahendranath.org. These files are intended for printing on a laser-printer to produce folded-letter sized booklets for personal use or for distribution by Zonules of the International Nath Order.
The first two TreeBooks are:
1) poem & rites
2) sanatana dharma gita
May Peace, Freedom, and Happiness be Yours!
Adityanath
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