What do you think of this?

Hi this is a nice film on 'Shaolin' he has some nice movement what are your thoughts?

Comments people!!!

Hi all, please give me some feedback I know people are reading but I would like some feedback on what you think. I would like this to grow and eventually have my own products on here so its important I get you all hooked now!

So....comment!

Another day, another Light Body story, will they never end!

Hi everyone yes its another day and its another Tibetan Rainbow body article! I really like getting anything I can on this because its one of the few things confirming that we are more than flesh and blood, that has verifiable (As far am I am concerned) evidence that has been collated and documented over 2000 years at least, alot more if you include the Bon Tradition we are talking 18 thousand.

So have a read of this from James Barrett's site he has some really inspirational and thought provoking material.

Here is the article:

Rainbow Body-Body of Light
mani return to city of light

Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upanishad

असतो मा सद्गमय तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय मृत्योर् मा अमृतं गमय ॐ शांति शांति शांति - बृहदारण्यक उपनिषद् 1.3.28.
Transliteration:
Asato Ma Sat Gamaya Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya Mrityor Ma Amritam Gamaya Om Shanti Shanti Shanti.
Translation:
Lead Us From the Unreal To Real, Lead Us From Darkness To Light, Lead Us From Death To Immortality, AUM (the universal sound of God) Let There Be Peace Peace Peace. - Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 1.3.28.
~~~~~~~~~

Rainbow Body Attainment

“Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.”
~ Mathew, 13.43:

Stories of luminosity or saintly radiance are common among Christian saints, Sufis, Taoist sages, Hindu yogis, Buddhist mystics and indigenous shamans. Many are historically documented,
not metaphor. I am talking about actually radiating light, about radiance emanating from the physical body like light from a light bulb, to extreme cases of becoming a translucent bubble of light. The ultimate Great Completion culmination is the Rainbow or Body of Light attainment. This is widely recognized as a sign of extreme sanctity in Tibetan Buddhism and among the Bönpo. Reports of this level of transmutation are rare, but still they occur and have been chronicled far into antiquity. Interestingly the Bön lays historical claim to a lineage of Dzogchen that pre-dates the entry of Buddhism into Tibet. Rainbow or Body of Light attainment is not limited to Buddhism, as I started out by saying stories of luminosity abound in all the great religions of the planet, but to understand the process we turn to the rationalist Buddhist of Tibet and the well documented and delineated practice of Dzogpa Chenpo or simply Dzogchen.

In the Himalayan regions, the early indigenous religion was that of the Bön. Bön pre-existed the creation of both the sovereign territories, later to become the country of Tibet as well as of Buddhism. When the great Indian tantric sage Padma Sambhava brought Buddhism from India to Tibet in the 8th Century AD he found the richly tilled ground of the Bönpo. This land and its peoples took easily to the Buddha’s teachings and the Buddhist beliefs melded well with the rituals of the Bön.

When Padmasambhava left at the end of his time in physical form he dissolved his body completely back to their natural elements leaving no relics behind. At that moment a new lineage of Buddhist teachings was created. This was the start of what has become the Nyingma tradition and is the foundationof Tibetan Buddhism as we have come to know it.

At the heart of the Nyingma tradition is the practice of Dzogchen. Nyingma alludes to an ancient school, but this is simply because it is the oldest of the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism (Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, and Gelugpa). The Nyingma teachings are uniquely categorized in nine yanas, or vehicles. The main practices are emphasized in the three inner tantras of Maha Yoga, Anu Yoga, and Ati Yoga. Ati Yoga is also known as the Great Perfection, Dzogpa Chenpo, or simply as Dzog chen or Dzogchen. Dzogchen practitioners who have attained ultimate insight (wisdom) and compassion, a phase in which pure and total presence is stabilized (Trek-chod), are then allowed to practice To-gal.

To-gal is the final practice of Dzogchen. This final practice enables the master yogi or yogini to dissolve his or her physical body into the essence of the elements at the time of death. The master disappears into a body of light becoming the wisdom body, the term is called 'Ja'-lus or The Rainbow Body, in Tibetan. It has other names in other mystical traditions. This level of attainment is also the central aim of Indian Buddhist tantricism known as Vajrayana that the Taoists call the golden body. Another term is Soruba Samidhi, the golden body, a state of God-realization in which Divinity descends and transforms the spiritual, intellectual, mental, vital and physical bodies. It is considered physical immortality or the highest perfection.

The final process of dissolution of the body happens over varying amounts of time ranging from a short period to many days. During this process the body shrinks dramatically eventually down to only bits of hair, toe-finger nails, and possible nasal septum left behind. Some saints such as the great Milarepa (1050-1123) and Padmasambhava dissolved entirely into light, leaving no relics behind at all. The culmination of one’s life into the rainbow body is widely recognized as a sign of extreme sanctity. The process from these traditions is generally considered to take approximately seven days, during which time the body progressively shrinks in size. This shrinking is proportional and may stop at approximately small child size. The Rainbow Body - The Body of Light is light without shadow; it is awareness without obscurations; it is omniscience; it is pure space. It is the ultimate fruit of spiritual cultivation. The Body of Light represents a complete and total and radical transformation of one's status of being, a rediscovery of what was primordially present, and this condition is permanent. It is Awareness itself and is dependent on nothing else. This may be compared to the various Christian notions of transfiguration, resurrection, and ascension; but in the case of Dzogchen, the methodology of how this is accomplished, namely the realizing of the Body of Light, is presented in precise terms.

There exist in history many examples of the successful completion of this process. Even in recent years there have been a number of Tibetan Lamas, both Buddhist and Bönpo, who attained realization of the Rainbow Body ('ja-lus-pa) at the end of their lives and some of these occurrences were said to be witnessed by Chinese Communist officials.

Generally, there are three different ways in which this process may occur, they are in order of likelihood and again it is dependent on the individuals experience and abilities. In brief, after one is illuminated to their true nature they have the opportunity through practice of contemplation and visualization one consciously surrenders all aspects of identity, all karma, at the highest station is the Great Transfer into the Kingdom of Light.

Rainbow Body of Light ('ja'lus) is attained at the time of death by means of Trekchod practice. One's
physical body rests uncorrupted, becomes luminous, begins to shrink and then dissolves in a shadow less flash of colorless light.

The Body of Light ('od-lus) is realized at the time of death by means of practice of Thodgal. One's physical body rests uncorrupted, becomes luminous, begins to shrink and then dissolves in a shadow less flash of colorless light.

The Great Transfer ('pho-ba chen po) is accomplished also by way of Thodgal, but there is no necessity of going through the process of dying. This is a conscious living act. Padmasambhava, Vimalamitra, and the Bonpo master Taphihritsa are all examples according to tradition, of individual masters who realized the Great Transfer. Often this event occurs rapidly with little or any time taken.

Trekchod practice, a releasing or a cutting through of all one's tensions and rigidities, all obscurations must be purified. This accomplished through mastering the art of contemplation and visualization. It is mastering meditation in the state of Union. It is a prerequisite for practicing the Thodgal practice. For a novice understanding it is a practice of witnessing ones karma and forgiving and dissolving it to the point it holds no power of cause. The physical body can be calmed to a death like state of samadhi. One then is able to consciously contemplate while in a deep state of union.

The practice Thodgal occurs in this deep state of contemplation union and is a practice of becoming the essence of all that is. Some say that the symbol of the lotus, the pure light of the moon, the symbol of HUM and the sound cosmic root sound of Hum all play a role at this level of practice. In essence this practice shifts identity to the Cosmic-Awareness. This is the practice some say occurring during those seven days. One integrates into the pure vision before one in space and becomes that vision through focused contemplation.

Often masters that attain the Body of Light will return one last time out of compassion for their beloved disciples and give what are known as posthumous teachings, delivered in the form of a last testament. Often the master is in the transfigured state on occasion suspended in the sky.

The Indian saint Sri Yukteswar writes in his book The Holy Science:
“In this state, all the necessities (of the heart) having been attained and the ultimate aim effected, (end of ignorance) the heart becomes perfectly purified (free from obscurations) and instead of merely reflecting the spiritual light (having life), actively manifests the same. Man, being thus consecrated or anointed by the Holy Spirit, becomes Christ, the anointed Savior. Entering the kingdom of Spiritual Light, he becomes the Son of God.”

Om Mani Padme Hum

for more read The Silent Gospel - The Science of Divinity - Creation of the Shroud of Turin



James Andrew Barrett
August 30, 2007
Sutton, Quebec, Canada

All Right Reserved Copyrighted 2007

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The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying ~ Sogyal Rinpoche Rider Paperback - 7 May, 1998 - Paperback - 440 pages new edition (7 May, 1998) Rider; ISBN: 0712671390

The Golden Letters : The Three Statements of Garab Dorje, the First Teacher of Dzogchen, Together With a Commentary Garab Dorje ~ John Myrdhin Reynolds (Translator)

Healing With Form, Energy, and Light: The Five Elements in Tibetan Shamanism, Tantra, and Dzogchen ~ Tenzin W. Rinpoche Snow Lion Publications Paperback - May 2002

Books on Bonpo Tradtion

Nine Ways of Bon ~ David Snellgrove
The Treasury of Good Sayings ~ Samten Karmay
Tibetan Bon Religion ~ Per Kvaerne
Yungdrung Bon - The Eternal Tradition ~ John Reynolds

Another one from the Brooklyn Monk

Hi I just found this on Antonios youtube page, if you like please give him some feedback though his website

Rainbow Body: A human beings natural path

Here is a article about Jalu or Rainbow body. Its from the Noetic Sciences website so please check in at there site and have a look at all the good work they are doing if you find this interesting:

The Rainbow Body

by Gail Bernice Holland

When David Steindl-Rast, a Benedictine monk, proposed investigating the "rainbow body," a phenomenon in which the corpses of highly developed spiritual individuals reputedly vanish within days of death, he received an enthusiastic response from Marilyn Schlitz, IONS' director of research.

In a new joint initiative with the Esalen Institute, IONS is expanding its research on "metanormal capacities"—behaviors, experiences, and bodily changes that challenge our understanding of ordinary human functioning—because they raise crucial questions about the developmental potential of human beings.

"Brother David told us that he had taken this project to various institutions and foundations looking for support," recalls Schlitz. "His intention was to corroborate these claims, and accumulate data that would not only help us understand more about the rainbow body, but also look at its broader implications. He had been told that this type of research is unacceptable within mainstream science. But I said, 'This is exactly the kind of project we're interested in at IONS. As long as the research can be conceptualized within a rigorous critical frame, we are open to examining any and all questions that can expand our idea of what is possible as humans'."

Steindl-Rast's own curiosity about the rainbow body began when he heard various stories of Tibetan masters who had, through their practices, reached a high degree of wisdom and compassion. It was reported to him that when they died, rainbows suddenly appeared in the sky. "And I was told that after several days their bodies disappeared. Sometimes fingernails and hair were left. Sometimes nothing was left."

These stories made him reflect upon the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is central to his own faith. "We know that Jesus was a very compassionate, selfless person. When he died, according to the gospels, his body was no longer there."

In today's world, Steindl-Rast points out, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is interpreted differently, depending upon one's spiritual leanings. For fundamentalists, the resurrection—the act of rising from the dead—happened only to Jesus, and couldn't happen to any other human. The minimalists, on the other hand, says Steindl-Rast, focus on Jesus' spirit living on, and believe that the resurrection of Jesus had nothing to do with his body.

Yet, a large number of people (including himself) are open to the concept that the body, too, is significant in the spiritual realm, and that certain spiritual experiences are universal.

In 1999, he decided to explore the strange phenomenon of the rainbow body and a possible connection to the resurrection of Jesus. "I sent a fax to a friend in Switzerland, who is a Zen Buddhist teacher. I knew that many Tibetans live there, and so I asked him if he could inquire about the rainbow body. Two days later, I received a fax back stating that a Tibetan had unexpectedly approached him, and when the rainbow body was mentioned, the Tibetan said, 'It happened to one of my teachers just recently, and a famous lama who witnessed the events wrote an account about them'."

At this point, Steindl-Rast contacted Father Francis Tiso, an ordained Roman Catholic priest who has not only studied ten languages, including Tibetan, but is also familiar with Tibetan culture. (Francis Tiso holds the office of Canon in the Cathedral of St Peter, Isernia, Italy, and is assigned to the Archdiocese of San Francisco, where he is parochial vicar in Mill Valley.)

"I was aware," says Steindl-Rast, "that Father Tiso occasionally went to Tibet, so I asked him if he was planning to travel there in the near future. He told me he was leaving that very day."

Steindl-Rast asked if he would stop in Switzerland and interview the Tibetan. Despite the short notice, Tiso took a detour to Switzerland, and thus the research journey began.

The rainbow body is a complex phenomenon that will probably take years of study. "If we can establish as an anthropological fact," says Steindl-Rast, "that what is described in the resurrection of Jesus has not only happened to others, but is happening today, it would put our view of human potential in a completely different light."
Recent Rainbow Body Experiences

Through his Swiss contact, Tiso received the name of the monk whose body had vanished after his death: Khenpo A-chos, a Gelugpa monk of Khams, Tibet, who died in 1998. Tiso was able to locate the village, situated in a remote area where Khenpo A-chos had his hermitage. He then went to the village and conducted taped interviews with eyewitnesses to Khenpo A-chos' death. He also spoke to many people who had known him.

"This was a very interesting man, aside from the way he died," observes Tiso. "Everyone mentioned his faithfulness to his vows, his purity of life, and how he often spoke of the importance of cultivating compassion. He had the ability to teach even the roughest and toughest of types how to be a little more gentle, a little more mindful. To be in the man's presence changed people."

Tiso interviewed Lama Norta, a nephew of Khenpo A-chos; Lama Sonam Gyamtso, a young disciple; and Lama A-chos, a dharma friend of the late Khenpo A-chos. They described the following:

A few days before Khenpo A-chos died, a rainbow appeared directly above his hut. After he died, there were dozens of rainbows in the sky. Khenpo A-chos died lying on his right side. He wasn't sick; there appeared to be nothing wrong with him, and he was reciting the mantra "Om mani padme hum" over and over. According to the eyewitnesses, after his breath stopped his flesh became kind of pinkish. One person said it turned brilliant white. All said it started to shine.

Lama A-chos suggested wrapping his friend's body in a yellow robe, the type all Gelug monks wear. As the days passed, they maintained they could see, through the robe, that his bones and his body were shrinking. They also heard beautiful, mysterious music coming from the sky, and they smelled perfume.

After seven days, they removed the yellow cloth, and no body remained. Lama Norta and a few other individuals claimed that after his death Khenpo A-chos appeared to them in visions and dreams.
Other Rainbow Body Manifestations

Francis Tiso remarks that one of his most intriguing interviews was with Lama A-chos. He told Tiso that when he died he, too, would manifest the rainbow body. "He showed us two photographs taken of him in the dark, and in these photographs his body radiated rays of light."

Because Lama A-chos emphasized that it was possible to manifest the rainbow body while still alive, not just in death, Tiso plans to return to Tibet with professional camera equipment to try to photograph this radiating light.

Other incidents of metanormal occurrences upon death are also being studied. For instance, two of Tiso's colleagues were present for the postmortem process of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, who died eight years ago. "This man was a very large-boned individual," says Tiso, "and it was reported that seven weeks after his death the flesh was reduced. That could have been done by chemical substances. However, the bones also shrank."

Shrinkage of the body occurred with another guru, Lama Thubten. His miniature-sized frame is now kept in a monastery in Manali, India. Tiso has ascertained that incidents of bodies shrinking or disappearing shortly after death were documented centuries ago, such as in the classic story of Milarepa, a Buddhist saint from Tibet who lived in the eleventh century. Milarepa's biography was translated into French by Jacques Bacot in 1912, and into English by Walter Evans-Wentz in the 1920s.

"In the ninth chapter of this literary classic," explains Tiso, who wrote a dissertation about the Buddhist saint, "it states that his body completely disappeared shortly after his death."

Even the earliest biographies of Milarepa, says Tiso, attest to this phenomenon. In addition, accounts exist about the great eighth-century tantric master Padmasambhava and how his body vanished.
The Significance of Practice and Culture

When conducting this type of research, says Tiso, it is important not only to interview as many people as possible, but also to study biographies and any written explanations of these events. When he arrived in Tibet to investigate the death of Khenpo A-chos, Tiso was fortunate enough to obtain the bulk of his biography by Sonam Phuntsok within an hour of his arrival.

What is at stake, explains Tiso, is not simply verification of a phenomenon, but understanding the values, spiritual practices, and culture in which this phenomenon is embedded. "We need to examine these institutions and practices in a new light in order to recover for humanity some very profound truths about the expansion of the human consciousness and our potential as human beings."

This opportunity is present in the Nyarong region in Tibet, where several incidences of the rainbow body are said to have occurred. The research team is now studying their way of life, especially their spiritual practices. Tiso has also obtained copies of spiritual retreat manuals, which have been particularly helpful.

Lama A-chos told Tiso that it takes sixty years of intensive practice to achieve the rainbow body. "Whether it always takes that long, I don't know," acknowledges Tiso, "but we would like to be able to incorporate, in a respectful way, some of these practices into our own Western philosophical and religious traditions."

At the same time, continues Tiso, the research team plans to expand the scope of this research beyond the confines of the Tibetan culture, so they can compare the rainbow body phenomenon with the resurrection of Jesus Christ. To our knowledge, says Tiso, the bodies of most Christian saints did not disappear or shrink after their deaths. "Highly realized saints in Catholic and Orthodox Christianity tend to move in the direction of incorruption, so that the body does not decay after death."

However, he adds, bodily ascensions are mentioned in the bible and other traditional texts for Enoch, Mary, Elijah, and possibly Moses. And there are numerous stories of saints materializing after their death, similar to the widespread phenomenon known as the "light-body."

"In my church of Saints Cosmas and Damian in Italy, we have a large number of accounts, going back centuries, that indicate that these saints appeared in dreams and visions, rescued people from harm, and cured them of diseases. Even today, people still tell me they have these visions," says Tiso.

In 1984, when Tiso was meditating with his eyes open in a chapel in Italy, he, too, had an extraordinary vision. Jesus Christ, he says, appeared before him in the form of a violet light-body. At that time, Tiso was considering taking a teaching position in the United States, but in this vision Christ indicated he should stay in Italy. "It was important not to make a mistake at that point in my life," reflects Tiso. "I did stay in Italy, where I was eventually ordained, and I lived in a hermitage chapel for almost twelve years."

Tiso has also had several Tibetan teachers appear to him in dreams. When he gives public lectures he speaks frankly about these experiences, because he feels it is important for people to understand that they are more common than we think. "I think that as people mature in their spiritual practice, they begin to have visionary experiences."
Research Implications

Countries such as China, Tiso notes, and certain political movements in Western Europe, have chosen to abandon and even physically destroy anything to do with the contemplative life. "We're now being asked to examine those institutions and their practices in a new light in order to recover for humanity some very profound truths about who we are as human beings."

This research is clearly controversial because it tackles the age-old questions of life after death, the immortal soul, and reincarnation. Furthermore, it suggests that the alleged resurrection of Jesus Christ was not an isolated case, but shines as an example of what may be possible for all human beings.

Both Tiso and Steindl-Rast emphasize that these experiences are said to occur only in highly evolved individuals who are the embodiment of compassion and love. They speculate these qualities—conscience and consciousness—are a driving force of evolution. "It is my great hope that the rainbow body research will make us more aware of this possibility," says Steindl-Rast.

Tiso holds the opinion that in today's world, where consumerism, exploitation, and economic injustice are still out of control, there is an urgent need to reinforce the more loving, altruistic, and spiritual dimensions of the human being.

In the future, he says, we should consider establishing new models of monasteries and retreat centers for individuals who wish, with idealistic motivations, to intensify their spiritual practices. He also proposes initiating a "holy" laboratory to document the progress of individuals.

As for the rainbow body, Tiso and his team hope to actually witness and scientifically document the entire experience while it is occurring.

"What is important" says Schlitz, "is that we broaden our scope of what we believe is possible. We want to discover if there are ways we can begin to develop spiritual practices that, even though they might not lead us to personally experience the rainbow body, could lead us to some other manifestation of our highest potential."

Gail Bernice Holland is an associate editor of IONS Review, and former editor of Connections. She is the author of A Call for Connection: Solutions for Creating a Whole New Culture (New World Library, 1998). Contact: gbauthor@noetic.org

Testing what you have

How often do we take what we have in the martial arts and test it? Test the entry that is supposed to stop the boxer or test the clinch work that is supposed to defeat a grappler as he comes into close the gap? I for one need to and want to play around more in this way but its finding the right partners that proves difficult. Anyway enough of me, I think the guys here in Dog Brothers have something really nice established. I know this is old news to anyone in martial arts for a while but still think they deserve another mention as they really were pioneers. Let me know your comments.

How deep can our mind go?

What are your thoughts on this film? How deep do you believe we as humans can go? Let me know through your comments. Me personally I really like this film I find it very inspiring, if you can try and buy it rather than download if you like it as I believe some of the sales of the DVD go to help the Monasteries.

Just saw this courtesy of Emptyflower.com

When I hear the word Shaolin I am usually expecting to be a bit dissapointed as it doesnt match my childhood ideals if watching David Carradine! But this guy I like, let me know what you think.

Found this, I like his movement

This I like sometimes you browse on youtube and nothing catches your eye its all a bit rubish when advertised as functional. But then I found this Iknow nothing about him or his school but i thought I would share the video.

New on Buddha Torrents

Look what I just found!!!:

Bon Po Hidden Treasures - Jean-Luc Achard

Bon Po Hidden Treasures - Jean-Luc Achard
New Bon promises to become an important focus of interest among academic Tibetologists in the coming years. This unique, first-ever English-language volume on Tibet's New Bon religion (14th century onwards) contains the full catalogue of the collected rediscovered teachings revealed by bDe chen gling pa, an important Bon po master of the second part of the 19th century in Eastern Tibet. Belonging to a later period of development within the various lineages of New Bon, bDe chen gling stands as an essential link between this tradition and that of the Ris med movement of the late 19th century.


http://rapidshare.com/files/73063621/72100604138358.rar


Magic and Mystery in Tibet - Alexandra David-Neel



Magic ad Mystery in Tibet - Alexandra David-Neel
David-Neel's trailblazing travels were driven by curiosity and deep-seated Buddhist spirituality... Her writings blend descriptions of extraordinary psychic exercises and Bon sorcery... with accounts of the wonders and rigours of early 20th-century travel in remote regions.

A fascinating account of the spiritual training of Tibetan monks and mystics… an intriguing book… A true travel classic that will enchant thinkers and adventurers alike.

One of the most remarkable and influential female travellers of all time, delves into the mysterious world of Tibetan Buddhism… Her lucid prose and insightful observations will captivate readers throughout, opening the door to a different kind of reality.

Rapidshare

New from Emptymindfilms.com

Here is a great new production from Emptymindfilms, let me know what you think.

Here is the blurb: A sweeping epic documentary on the major styles of China's Martial Arts, featuring Shaolin Kungfu, Wudangquan, Bagua, Xingyi, Tai Chi and Yiquan. This is the second serial of our latest film release on China's top masters of martial arts. Go to emptymindfilms.com for more information.

More from the Brooklyn Monk - Bokator

Here is a traditional Martial Art that has nearly died, like a lot of old knowledge on this planet it has nearly gone but is being kept alive by a dedicated few.

The Monk from Brooklyn!!!

I just found out about this guy and quickly emailed him, he seems to be a really nice guy currently on Taiwan I am gonna do my best to go and see him. He basically is now and a Adventure Journalist and he is bringing to light some amazing people under terrible circumstances in Burma. I will post here a series of videos, he does all this single handed so if you can help even a few dollars then please contact him via his website.

A New Start! Eternal Journeys Blog is reborn

Hi All!
Okay we are now settled in Taiwan and I want to get to work properly with this blog now. What do I want acheive with this? Well I want to show some of the amazing people that are currently living there lives on this planet. Everybody from Tibetan Rinpoches about to manifest Light Body to the Shamans, to the Martial Arts masters all these people I find fascinating I want to document and display some of the wonders and miraculous things that do and have happened.

On the other side of the coin I want to bring to peoples attention the amazing work being done for those people living on less than $1 a day, there are people struggling to get by and a small minority go out and try and make the difference. I want to show that here on the blog.

So... I guess you could say there will be a healthy mix between the Martial, Therapeutic, Spiritual/Human Interest subjects.

Hope you all enjoy.

Simon