In spirituality, nonduality, is a state of consciousness, in which the oppositions have been integrated, leading to a felt-realization of wholeness and integration. Archetypes of nonduality are the recurring motifs and images that express the integration of opposites.
Consciousness is often described as the awareness or perception of something or someone, where a subject is aware of an object. However, in the state of non-dual consciousness, the duality of a subject perceiving an object is overcome. It is in this transcendent state that the true nature of compassion awakens.
Continue reading “Spiritual Awakening: Embracing the Paradoxes of Duality and Non-Duality”
The societal structures that define our understanding of gender have been ingrained in our consciousness over centuries. These constructs have traditionally offered us two choices, male and female, defining our roles, expectations, and identities. However, the hermaphrodite, a figure encompassing both male and female attributes, invites us to transcend this binary perspective and explore a more fluid, compassionate, and self-aware understanding of gender and the self.
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The Samudra Manthan, also known as “The Churning of the Ocean of Milk,” is a powerful and symbolic myth from ancient Hindu traditions. It is narrated in the ancient Indian epic, the Mahabharata, and the Puranas.
The story begins with the Devas (gods) losing their power due to a curse from the sage Durvasa. Advised by Vishnu, they form an alliance with their enemies, the Asuras (demons), to churn the ocean of milk to obtain the Amrita, which can restore their strength. Mount Mandara is used as the churning rod, and Vasuki, the king of serpents, is used as the churning rope. The Devas hold Vasuki’s tail, and the Asuras hold his head, and they begin the task of churning.
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In our explorations of the human psyche and the path to self-realization, we come across various themes and symbols that capture the essence of this journey. One such symbol, borrowed from Carl Jung’s analytical psychology, is the coniunctio – a Latin term that stands for union or conjunction. It represents the fusion or synthesis of dualities, opposing entities within ourselves. But how does this concept apply to our modern understanding of self-states, and where does compassion fit into this framework?
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The Yin-Yang symbol, or Taijitu, is an iconic representation of equilibrium and harmony in Chinese philosophy. It symbolizes the dynamic interaction of two opposing yet complementary forces, Yin and Yang, depicting their mutual dependence and unity. As such, the Yin-Yang model encompasses cosmic equilibrium, duality, and the rhythmic patterns of existence.
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In the featured image, we see a mandala image from 15th Century Tibetan Buddhism. The central deity in the mandala is Samvara. Samvara is considered the image of “Supreme Bliss” [1]. He is blue in color, with twelve arms, and four faces. He embraces Vajravārāhī, who is red in color. Vajravārāhī means the “”The Diamond Sow” [2]. In Tibetan Buddhism, the syzygy is called Yab-Yum, as metaphor of the union of bliss and emptiness.
Continue reading “The Dance of Compassionate Awakening: Exploring the Symbolic Motif of Syzygy in the Chakrasamvara Mandala”
Compassionate Awakening 