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Thursday 13 June 2013

The Bardos between known and Unknown-Jim Morrison as The Buddhist Shaman

THERE ARE THINGS KNOWN AND THERE ARE THINGS UNKNOWN IN BETWEEN LIES THE DOORS.
     
                                                                     
  - JIM MORRISON
     


The day destroys the night
Night divides the day
Tried to run tried to hide
Break on thru to the other side
     
                                                            We chased our pleasures here
                                                             dug our treasures there
                                                              but can you still recall
                                                               The time we cried
                                                               Break on thru to the other side



THE DOORS OF PERCEPTION

If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is Infinite
                                -William Blake The Marriage Of Heaven & Hell


Jim Morrison's self-procured knowledge and his search for the true experience of re discovering the Infinite fascinated him with the concept of The Doors Of Perception a book written by Aldous Huxley based on the psychedelic experiences of mind elevation through the use of hallucinogens or psychoactive drugs for spiritual purposes thereby unlocking the doors of perception was named in accordance to William Blake's lines.

TIBETAN BARDOS

The interim  state between the known and The Unknown as Morrison states is a indirect yet clear reference to the Tibetan Bardos or the 6 intermediate stages of existence experienced.
The word Bardo signifies the in-between state or the inter-mediate or the Transitional State liminal state or the state of inter change.

 The Sanskrit synonym is Antarabhava, as explained by Vasubandhu in his Abhidharmakosha (The Treasury of Abhidharma)
   
                         " There is a level of existence, experienced
                             In between death and birth.

What is it? What is an intermediate being, and an intermediate existence? Intermediate existence, inserts in between  existence at death and the existence at birth, not having arrived at the location where it should go, cannot be said to be born. Between death-that is, the five skandhas of the moment of death -and arising- that is, the five skandhas of the moment of rebirth. There is an existence- a" body" of five skandhas- that goes to the place of rebirth. This existence between the two realms of rebirth (gati) is called intermediate existence. "


In Padmasambhava's Bardo Thodol, six intermediate states of existence are enlisted, held in the Nyingma tradition in the 8th century were later rediscovered as  Terma or Treasure Teachings by Terton Karma Lingpa in the 14th century  along with the Zhitro Mandala teachings and the Dzogchen practice of Zhitro.
Padmasambhava


1. Shinay Bardo - The first bardo of birth and life extends from the moment consiousness or the soul manifests in the womb until the last breath.

2. Milam Bardo - The second bardo of the dream state, starts from the moment of sleep till the awakening. It is a subset of a first bardo.

3. Samten Bardo - The third bardo of meditation. Is also a subset of Shinay Bardo

4. Chikkhai Bardo - The fourth bardo of death, initiates from the primary signs of decline till continues through the transmutation and dissolution of the Mahabhuta ( Sanskrit : elements constituting matter) till the commencement of the last inner breath.

5. Chonyid Bardo - The bardo of supreme reality or the self luminosity of nature is experienced between the last inner breath ( sanskrit: prana vayu ; Tibetan: rlung)  and the subsequent visions and auditory experiences which correspond to the Thodgal or Lhundhrub Togal (the practice of separating samsara and nirvana - djungne- drosom)    manisfestation as  practiced in Dzogchen teachings. All sentient beings can experience Od gsal or The Clear Light in this state if inexperienced during  their previous life span. The attainment of the white light vision is Mahaparinirvana  - the state of Eternal bliss.

6. Sidpa Bardo - The sixth bardo of re-birth or metempsychosis (transmigration ) as the soul enters another womb for the  fulfilment of its Karmic accounts back on earth .

PSYCHEDELIA,  DZOGCHEN AND SHAMANISM

Tibetan Bon or Yungdrung a pre-historic religion founded by Lord Tonpa Shenrub Miwo in 16, 017 BCE in parts of Tibet and Central Asia in Confederation of Zhang -Zhung region encircling around  Mt Kailash (Yungdrung Gutseg) as its central sacred apostle, based on the teachings of the Dzogchen practices or the attainment of The Great Perfection by eradicating dualism reaching the Non - dual of Unified Cosmic Harmony or the Natural State of Existence . The re- union of one's own awareness (rig pa) as it merges  with the ever present  Divine consiousness (kunzhi) is highly similar to the Shamanistic practices in other parts of  Asia ( The Shamanistic practitioners of Nepal and The Himalayas) and North America. As discussed Shamanism and Psychedelia  both intend to the restoration of the State Of Nature or the State of Existential Being Non -Dualism  highly corresponds and is a mirror reflection of the Pre-historic Bon. The inter influence of the traditions of Yung drung Bon, Tibetan Buddhism,  Shamanism can be visualised in Jim's lyric verses and poetry.......


Opening of the Trunk

                            - Moment of inner freedom
                              When the mind is opened & the
                               Infinite universe revealed
                                & the soul is left to wander
                                Dazed & confus'd searching
                                 Here & there for teachers & friends.
                             
                           

                            Made the scene
                               Week to week
                                   Day to Day
                                           Hour to Hour
                                             The gate is straight
                                                              Deep and wide
                                   Break on thru to the other side
         

                        LETS BREAK ON THRU TO THE OTHER SIDE

1 comment:

  1. Interesting! Never considered this as I was delving into his music as a teenager, unconsciously seeking deeper connection to Spirit. Now as a shamanic practitioner and teacher consciously working with Spirit here I am again full circle. Love how that works!

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