The path of the fool, the crazy monk, and the sly man

[skippy]

Eliphas Levi, a 19th century French magus, once said: "A prisoner devoid of books, had he only a Tarot of which he knew how to make use, could in a few years acquire a universal science, and converse with an unequalled doctrine and inexhaustible eloquence.”

This is a thread about the Path of the Fool by means of the Major Arcana of the Tarot. This mysterious book, with origins that go back so far in time and space that only our unconscious memory remains. Let's listen to what the images have to say. The Major Arcana of the Tarot. Images of beingness. Mirrors of self.


http://www.guide-tarot.fr/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/tarot.jpg

[littleOne]

Nice thread! What deck is the one you are showing? I do not recognize it. I have worked a little with the tarot, in part I am using it to try to work on my intuition. It seems to talk to me sometimes, other times I get frustrated and have to put it away for a while.

[skippy]

Nice thread! What deck is the one you are showing? I do not recognize it. I have worked a little with the tarot, in part I am using it to try to work on my intuition. It seems to talk to me sometimes, other times I get frustrated and have to put it away for a while.

Hi Littleone, the deck is a restoration of an original French version from the 18th century, called the Marseille. Regarding your 2nd point, as you might have been experiencing yourself, the Major Arcana is full of meaning. It is like a living being talking to you without any taboos. Some people don't stand this aspect of the Tarot and as a consequence they put it aside. What they don't understand is that they are stopping the dialogue to gain a better comprehension of self. Or as Carl Gustav Jung used to say: "Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to a better understanding of ourselves" (thanks Gardener for the quote). The shadow part of self is very part of the Major Arcana as is the light. I will come back to this in a later stage.

[Gekko]

Picked a random card out of my first tarot deck last week and got The Fool. He keeps showing up in my little practice spreads.

[skippy]

Picked a random card out of my first tarot deck last week and got The Fool. He keeps showing up in my little practice spreads.

Hello Gekko. Gek(ko) in my language means crazy, and the Fool of the Tarot, represents exactly this part of self. The Fool is the symbol of infinite potential. On the card of the Fool you see someone apparently to leave like that, stepping into the abyss, without anything. Now, this would be disastrous for anyone else, but not for the Fool. For the Fool, all magnificent journeys begin with a leap into the unknown. BTW, don’t be fooled by his name – The Fool is an enlightened being, understanding the inner working of the entire cosmos. The Fool moves forward in absolute trust, knowing that everything will work out for his highest good. The Fool represents an openness of 360° in all possible directions. The number is 0, no ending, zero programmation, no-mind. Absolute beingness in the present. Riding.., being, the wave. No fear, No doubt. Ready to affront and discover the secrets of the infinite universe. Expect(ing) everything and anything.. You are the Fool and the journey is yours. Welcome on the Fool's pilgrimage.


http://img1.imagesbn.com/p/9780835608398_p0_v1_s260x420.jpg

[Gekko]

For the Fool, all magnificent journeys begin with a leap into the unknown.

I'm guessing this entails a need for courage, or alternatively, suspension of disbelief. Little deaths, perhaps?

[skippy]

For the Fool, all magnificent journeys begin with a leap into the unknown.

I'm guessing this entails a need for courage, or alternatively, suspension of disbelief. Little deaths, perhaps?

The Fool doesn't know courage, neither fear. The Fool is. The Major Arcana of the Tarot is about beingness, about self. The very original you, or you originally. The all inclusive univers. No extra efforts are needed. Beingness is. You are.

chFKeIzy984

[Gekko]

No extra efforts are needed. Beingness is. You are.

Seems to be a common theme recently... Thank You.

[skippy]

Let's move on to The Bateleur. The next card in the major Arcana establishes a counterbalance required to affront the mysteries of the universe. The "Bateleur" represents the guy who is trying to fool you on the market place. The universe is full of trickery and the Bateleur is an invitation to be on your guards, to trust your own judgement, and to see through. Spirituality and science, faith and facts.

In the Tarot de Marseille, the following definition is given of the Bateleur: "Someone who does conjuring tricks. Very skilful, and sharp-witted person. Charlatan"

The Bateleur invites me to play wisely, and not to be fooled. Head in the sky, feet on the ground. The Bateleur, mirror of self.

http://www.tarot-history.com/Jean-Dodal/images/scan-web-new/bateleur-web.jpg

[Gekko]

For some reason that video reminded me of Pandora's Box...

Crazy is as crazy does.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-avsTdEW-gm8/T_WVinO3HAI/AAAAAAAAFdk/jplVTZ1iD1Y/s320/PandoraBox.jpg

Right, I'll let this thread move on now.

[skippy]

For some reason that video reminded me of Pandora's Box.... Watch the Bateleur.., the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing.
:)

Pandora's box, and David Lynch on golf-ball size consciousness. In this video, David Lynch speaks about an ocean of infinite pure consciousness. This is the infinite consciousness of the Fool, ready to embrace the entire univers and even more.

z2UHLMVr4vg

We have a long way to go and heart-centered discernment is required on our way. The Bateleur enables the Fool to discern truth from falsehood, good from evil.

[AlaBil]

The Tarot de Marseille deck is used in the book Meditations on the Tarot: A Journey into Christian Hermeticism written by Valentin Tomberg. It is not a traditional book on using the Tarot for divination, but rather using it as a personal effort into understanding the spiritual life of humanity. In this book Tomberg (shown as Anonymous on the title page) spends 25-30 pages on each of the 22 Arcana with a specific interest along the lines of Christian Hermeticism.

Here is a couple of paragraphs from the section on the first Arcana...


The Major Arcana of the
Tarot are authentic symbols. They conceal and reveal their sense at one and the
same time according to the depth of meditation. That which they reveal are not
secrets, i.e. things hidden by human will, but are arcana, which is something quite
different. An arcanum is that which it is necessary to "know" in order to be fruitful
in a given domain of spiritual life. It is that which must be actively present
in our consciousness —or even in our subconscious —in order to render us capable
of making discoveries, engendering new ideas, conceiving of new artistic subjects.
In a word, it makes us fertile in our creative pursuits, in whatever domain of spiritual
life. An arcanum is a "ferment" or an "enzyme" whose presence stimulates the
spiritual and the psychic life of man. And it is symbols which are the bearers of
these "ferments" or "enzymes" and which communicate them —if the mentality
and morality of the recipient is ready, i.e. if he is "poor in spirit" and does not,
suffer from the most serious spiritual malady: self-complacency.

A pdf copy of the 657 page book can be downloaded here...http://www.tarothermeneutics.com/tarotliterature/MOTT/Meditations-on-the-Tarot.pdf

[skippy]

The Tarot de Marseille deck is used in the book Meditations on the Tarot: A Journey into Christian Hermeticism written by Valentin Tomberg. It is not a traditional book on using the Tarot for divination, but rather using it as a personal effort into understanding the spiritual life of humanity. In this book Tomberg (shown as Anonymous on the title page) spends 25-30 pages on each of the 22 Arcana with a specific interest along the lines of Christian Hermeticism.

Meditations on the Tarot is a great book to guide you through the spiritual journey of the major Arcana. Another interesting book for further reading is the following book by Oswald Wirth.


http://www.facingnorth.net/images/stories/tools/Tarot/9781578635313.jpg

Wirth was a prominent figure in the late 19th-early 20th century occult movement. He was a co-founder of the French mystical Kabbalistic Order of the Rosy Cross. The Swiss-born Wirth moved to Paris when he was twenty. He joined the Freemasons and became interested in hypnotism, healing, and occultism. Wirth became the friend of Stanislas de Guaita, who instructed him in the occult. Wirth and de Guaita designed the “22 Arcana of the Kabbalistic Tarot” based on the earlier work of Eliphas Levi (1804-1875). These were published in 1889.

After de Guaita died in 1897, Wirth took a civil service job in a library. He continued to write and publish material for the French Freemasons, and linked the esoteric Kabbalistic symbolism of the Tarot to Masonic knowledge. Wirth designed a new version of his deck in 1926, followed by “Le Tarot des Imagiers du Moyen Age” (Tarot of the Medieval Image-Makers) in 1927. Following the precepts of his friend de Guaita, Wirth's intention was to “restore the purity of the Tarot.”

Wirth's writings espouse an older set of esoteric ideals that may be unfamiliar to contemporary tarotists. The goal of spiritual illumination is the same, but Wirth's esoteric transcendentalism is distinct from New Age teachings and pagan-earth spirituality. Wirth's core ideas are derived from Eliphas Levi's transcendental magic and classical Hermeticism. He regards the twenty-two Major Arcana cards as a code book for the secret esoteric path to developing the pure, focused will of the Magician.

In Part I of the book, Wirth gives a bit of tarot history that includes remarks about Levi, Paul Christian, and Etteilla – all French mystics and authors. He goes on to discuss the structure of the Major Arcana, and arranges the cards in different ways to demonstrate alternative groupings and relationships between the trumps. He integrates numerology, the Sephiroth, constellations (some non-zodiacal star figures are used), aspects of Pythagorean geometry, the planets, and the Hebrew alphabet. These are the hammers and wrenches of the French mystic's toolbox. Wirth does a great job of putting this information into an orderly, comprehensible format."

Taken from the review by Elizabeth Hazel of the English version:
Tarot of the Magicians
Author: Oswald Wirth
Introduction by Mary K. Greer
Red Wheel/Weiser, 2012

Now that we have 2 good books to guide us on our journey, let's move on.

[Shannow]

Eliphas Levi, a 19th century French magus, once said: "A prisoner devoid of books, had he only a Tarot of which he knew how to make use, could in a few years acquire a universal science, and converse with an unequalled doctrine and inexhaustible eloquence.”

Having been raised a strict(ish) Catholic, and taught to fear, but also having "lessons" in my sleep where I learn things that I've not been taught waking, Les Visible quoted Levi with the above when I was reading some of his stuff, and something struck a chord.

Received a set last birthday (Christmas of all days, Steampunk tarot), and a couple of books.

I agree with other posters that it helps with intuition, and I'm sure helps to focus intention.

And when you get to the stuff that is really interesting, the cat comes and sits in the middle of it.

[skippy]

Eliphas Levi, a 19th century French magus, once said: "A prisoner devoid of books, had he only a Tarot of which he knew how to make use, could in a few years acquire a universal science, and converse with an unequalled doctrine and inexhaustible eloquence.”

Having been raised a strict(ish) Catholic, and taught to fear, but also having "lessons" in my sleep where I learn things that I've not been taught waking, Les Visible quoted Levi with the above when I was reading some of his stuff, and something struck a chord.

Received a set last birthday (Christmas of all days, Steampunk tarot), and a couple of books.

I agree with other posters that it helps with intuition, and I'm sure helps to focus intention.

And when you get to the stuff that is really interesting, the cat comes and sits in the middle of it.

The Major Arcana is fascinating. As Levi said, basically, the 22 cards of the Major Arcana is all you need. Additional Tarot books aren't really needed, while they mainly provide subjective interpretations of the cards. Better is to let the cards speak for themselves and this can be quite overwhelming in the beginning. One way to get familiar with the Major Arcana is to mediate (with the open mind of the Fool) on each card seperately until the Arcanum as a whole has been integrated in consciousness. At that point, the signification of the cards has become clear, and the dialogue will silence down. The Arcanum has revealed it's meaning. We've understood its message.

[skippy]

Let's move on with the first 4 cards of the Major Arcana after the Bateleur. The following 4 cards represent the sacred feminine and the sacred masculine. Ying and Yang. Animus and Anima. The first Mother and the first Father. Your mother and your father. The following 4 cards are an invitation to reconcile with the all there is, both feminine and masculine. To considerate your parents and your own personal history and this all the way back to the original mother and the original father. We are not in an or..or game here. We are here to gain a better understanding of self, which is beyond me. No room for exclusion. The all or nothing. Compassion, respect and tolerance are important to move through this first step. We need to leave this place in a peaceful state with an understanding of nature, history, our parents, ourselves. This first step on the Fool's pilgrimage is very difficult to pass, for most of us.

http://www.letarot.com/jean-dodal/images/scan-web-new/papesse-web.jpg
http://www.letarot.com/jean-dodal/images/scan-web-new/imperatris-web.jpg
http://www.letarot.com/jean-dodal/images/scan-web-new/empereur-web.jpg
http://www.letarot.com/jean-dodal/images/scan-web-new/pape-web.jpg

[Gardener]

Thank you skippy for bringing this subject in, it is one which I have considered often and never 'got down to it'. What struck me was that these cards/archetypes must be much older than the cards themselves. Gurdjieff's methods are called the 4th way, which is also known as the way of the sly man or 'way of the fool' and this 'way' is in alignment with the 'the fool' of the tarot.

On the older tarot cards the fool has his private parts exposed which is an often overlooked symbol. He is unconcerned that his normally hidden aspects are open and on view, exposed. There is much in this symbolism which could relate to the shadow, and the opinions of others, both the esoteric and the exoteric aspects. Just a few thoughts.

thanks again

[dpwishy]

Skippy, have you ever worked with the thoth tarot? Each card has SO MUCH mystical and esoteric meaning in them, its insane how much hidden information they hold if you have the the knowledge to see it. Such a masterpiece. You could spend a month on each card figuring out whats on them. Thanks for this thread, I really enjoy it and have a seat pulled up to watch it unfold.

As the fools journey continues....

In divine friendship,
your brother,
-wishy

[skippy]

Thank you skippy for bringing this subject in, it is one which I have considered often and never 'got down to it'. What struck me was that these cards/archetypes must be much older than the cards themselves. Gurdjieff's methods are called the 4th way, which is also known as the way of the sly man or 'way of the fool' and this 'way' is in alignment with the 'the fool' of the tarot.

On the older tarot cards the fool has his private parts exposed which is an often overlooked symbol. He is unconcerned that his normally hidden aspects are open and on view, exposed. There is much in this symbolism which could relate to the shadow, and the opinions of others, both the esoteric and the exoteric aspects. Just a few thoughts.

thanks again

Hi Gardener, here an example of an older version of the Fool (Jean Noblet, Marseille, 1650), and the restaurated version by Jean-Claude Flornoy. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Claude_Flornoy)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c9/Beforeafter.jpg/300px-Beforeafter.jpg

As you can see, there is also a cat jumping between his legs. It seems that the cat tries to prevent the Fool from leaving, but the Fool is already on his way. The imagerie and symbolism is subtle and direct at the same time.

[skippy]

Skippy, have you ever worked with the thoth tarot? Each card has SO MUCH mystical and esoteric meaning in them, its insane how much hidden information they hold if you have the the knowledge to see it. Such a masterpiece. You could spend a month on each card figuring out whats on them. Thanks for this thread, I really enjoy it and have a seat pulled up to watch it unfold.

As the fools journey continues....


Hi Dpwishy, I don't work really with the Tarot. For me, it's more like a book of wisdom to contemplate. I don't know about the Thoth version, but basically, every copy or restoration of an old deck is of interest. This to get as close as possible to its original symbolism and composition. Here in France, it's fairly easy to find copies of the original Marseille versions. These versions, dating back to the 17th and 18th century, are close to even older Italian versions, like the 15th century Visconti-Sforza (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visconti-Sforza_tarot_deck), which are known to be among the oldest Tarot versions. Before this date we don't know really. The Tarot has survived time, while it was always widespread in use as a popular cardgame. Some suggest a link with ancient Egypt. In any case, I agree that the Major Arcana is an absolute masterpiece.

"If one proceeded to announce that there is still nowadays a work of the former Egyptians, one of their books that escaped the flames that devoured their superb libraries, and which contains their purest doctrines on interesting subjects, everyone who heard it, undoubtedly, would hasten to study such an invaluable book, such a marvel. If one also said that this book is very widespread in most of Europe, that for a number of centuries it has been in the hands of everyone, the surprise would be certain to increase ... This fact is certainly very true: this Egyptian book, the only survivor of their superb libraries, exists in our day: it is even so common, that no sage condescends to occupy himself with it; nobody before us has ever suspected its famous origin ... This book is in a word the game of Tarots." From The game of Tarots (http://web.archive.org/web/20111004232937/http://www.donaldtyson.com/gebelin.html), Antoine Court de Gébelin, 1781.

[spiritwind]

Thank you for starting this thread. Great topic!

I have been working with tarot since I bought my first deck, Tarot of the Old Path, in January of 1994. Then starting in 2005 I bought a large size deck of just the major arcana from Builder’s of the Adytum that were uncolored. I took one card each month and carefully colored it while in a meditative state and then worked with the energies that manifested themselves as a result. After 22 months I felt like I was a different person. It was not an easy time in my life but the experiences I had while doing this work were quite eye opening and very meaningful to me. It definitely helped me to clear out my emotional closet of well kept crap. It was very empowering to recognize and consciously release patterns that were not working for me anymore. I included an in depth study of kabbalistic concepts as well during this time. These energies are very real in my opinion and have either great potential or great danger if not approached in the correct way. Our individual psyches have great power but much of it remains hidden from us. When we awaken these hidden potentials it does seem to change some of the dynamics of our everyday lives.

[skippy]

Thank you for starting this thread. Great topic!

I have been working with tarot since I bought my first deck, Tarot of the Old Path, in January of 1994. Then starting in 2005 I bought a large size deck of just the major arcana from Builder’s of the Adytum that were uncolored. I took one card each month and carefully colored it while in a meditative state and then worked with the energies that manifested themselves as a result. After 22 months I felt like I was a different person. It was not an easy time in my life but the experiences I had while doing this work were quite eye opening and very meaningful to me. It definitely helped me to clear out my emotional closet of well kept crap. It was very empowering to recognize and consciously release patterns that were not working for me anymore. I included an in depth study of kabbalistic concepts as well during this time. These energies are very real in my opinion and have either great potential or great danger if not approached in the correct way. Our individual psyches have great power but much of it remains hidden from us. When we awaken these hidden potentials it does seem to change some of the dynamics of our everyday lives.

Hi Spiritwind, Thanks for sharing your experiences. The Major Arcana has indeed the potential to expand consciousness and knowingness in an unprecedented manner. In addition, it's a true healing tool at a very personal level. It speaks directly to our original beingness as a whole, both conscious and unconscious. As you said, meditation is a very good way to get into "it". Just by listening to what the cards have to say, one card at a time, and the Major Arcana as a whole.

Regarding the second part of your post, I agree that the transfigurative energies of the Tarot are very real. The Major Aracana has great potential, but includes also some danger if not approached in the correct way. The prerequisite of a Fool's spirit is already way too much for most of us, and the Arcanum of the Fool is only the beginning.

[Gardener]

Thank you AB for posting this pdf link. I downloaded and have begun reading. I find in it much that is in personal resonance, one could be 'put off' by the slight biblical gloss if one had an aversion to such, but on close reading it is apparent that it goes far beyond any idea of religiosity, so recommended so far.

The Tarot de Marseille deck is used in the book Meditations on the Tarot: A Journey into Christian Hermeticism written by Valentin Tomberg. It is not a traditional book on using the Tarot for divination, but rather using it as a personal effort into understanding the spiritual life of humanity. In this book Tomberg (shown as Anonymous on the title page) spends 25-30 pages on each of the 22 Arcana with a specific interest along the lines of Christian Hermeticis...]

A pdf copy of the 657 page book can be downloaded here...http://www.tarothermeneutics.com/tarotliterature/MOTT/Meditations-on-the-Tarot.pdf

[skippy]

The prerequisite of a Fool's spirit is already way too much for most of us, and the Arcanum of the Fool is only the beginning.

From the book ‘Meditations on the Tarot: A Journey into Christian Hermeticism', page 603-604:

“The Arcanum The Fool has a double meaning. Indeed, it can be understood in two different ways: as a model and as a warning at the same time. On the one hand it teaches the freedom of transcendental consciousness elevated above the things of this world, and on the other hand it clearly presents a very impressive warning of the peril that this elevation comprises — lack of concern, inadequacy, irresponsibility and ridicule. . . in a word, madness. The Arcanum The Fool has in fact these two meanings. It teaches transcendental consciousness and it warns of its peril. It deals with two modes of sacrificing the intellect (sacrificium intellectus). For the intellect can be sacrificed in two different ways: it can be placed in the service of transcendental consciousness or it can be simply abandoned. The Arcanum The Fool is therefore that of the Hermeticist's method of sacrificing the intellect to spirituality in such a way that it grows and develops instead of becoming enfeebled and atrophied. It is the Arcanum of the marriage of opposites (coniunctio oppositorum, i.e. the conjunction of opposites) — namely discursive intellectuality and illuminative spirituality; or, in other words, it is the alchemical work of the union of human wisdom, which is folly in the eyes of God, with divine wisdom, which is folly in the eyes of man, in such a way that the result is not a double folly but rather a single wisdom which understands both that which is above and that which is below. 'Anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. (I Corinthians iii, 18-19)'.”

[skippy]

We’re still held up at the Fool's card which is normal. The subject at hand and the state of mind of the Fool are so different, that it's difficult to imagine the level of consciousness required to undertake the journey. To get a glimpse of the Fool's mind, the following parable of the camel and the eye of the needle:

A rich man asked Jesus, "What is required for eternal life? Jesus replied, "Follow the commandments." The man told Jesus that he had always kept the commandments and wanted to know what else was required. Jesus then told him, "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me". The man walked away very sad because he was wealthy. Jesus told His disciples, "And again I say unto you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God" (Matthew 19:21-24).

Another example of an unconstrained Fool spirit: Cervantes' Don Quichotte

http://www.cincinnatilibrary.org/main/Loeb/Loeb_Dali_full.jpg

Salvador Dali

[skippy]

Let's move on. We did pass the first 4 cards of the Major Arcana here (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?64279-The-Major-Arcana-of-the-Tarot&p=743389&viewfull=1#post743389). Before entering the next phase of the Major Arcana, a video on the double aspect of human beings. Humans are incredible beings, but in denial of their true nature. Or as a good friend of mine used to say: We are made by Gods, and at the same time, we are the children of Satan, capable of doing both infinite good and evil. The universe, it's (all) me.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fRE9uiD7gU

[skippy]

"The mysterious way leads inwards." -- Novalis

Let’s move on with the 2nd part of our journey. The following 4 cards represent the “light” side of beingness: Love, Will, Justice, Intelligence. Take away one of them and the universe will fall apart in a split second. As if the world could ever exist without. The cards are presenting the "light" qualities in a somewhat double sense: love and Love, will and Will, justice and Justice, intelligence and Intelligence. Some mediation on each of these images of beingness will do to see through and to discern its essence.

http://www.letarot.com/jean-dodal/images/scan-web-new/amoureux.jpg
http://www.letarot.com/jean-dodal/images/scan-web-new/charior-web.jpg
http://www.letarot.com/jean-dodal/images/scan-web-new/justice-web.jpg
http://www.letarot.com/jean-dodal/images/scan-web-new/hermite-web.jpg

[skippy]

Any Fools left? :) Let's take a look at the next card. We see a wheel in movement. Two animals obviously attached to the wheel going up and down, and up and down. At the top, on a plateau, a sphinx-like creature in a fixed position overlooking the scene. It’s the card of the cycles of time and the secret of the sphinx. Another reference to transcendental consciousness and an invitation to move beyond the appearances and distractions of time. Beingness in silence. The eternal returning of the same. The Wheel of Fortune is a transition card to prepare for the challenges ahead.

http://www.letarot.com/jean-dodal/images/scan-web-new/roue-de-fortune-web.jpg

[skippy]

"Learn from within thyself to know all that is in heaven and on earth, that thou mayest be wise in all things. Knowest thou not that heaven and the elements were formerly one, and were separated by a divine act of creation from one another, that they might bring forth thee and all things?... Know that man's greatest treasure is to be found within man, and not outside him..." -- Gerhard Dorn, Theatrum Chemicum, 1602.

We're half way through and still an infinite way to go. You can click on the image to see the larger picture.

23313

[skippy]

Let's move on with the second part of the journey of the Fool. The next card is called 'Strenght' and strength is needed to face the challenges ahead of us. In the card called 'Strenght' we see a woman tame a lion. Some very symbolic language here. Strenght and the spirit of the sphinx are required to face the challenges of the 2nd part of the Major Arcana. May the force be with you.
:)

http://www.letarot.com/jean-dodal/images/scan-web-new/force-web.jpg

[skippy]

For the next step we are heading for the desert. This first step of the 2nd part in the Fool’s journey is sometimes referred to as “The dark night of the soul”. Just like Jesus and Buddha we will affront the devil and death. For those who went through depressions and other dark periods during their lives, the “dark” cards of the Tarot are easy to grasp: “Been there, saw that”. For others the challenges of the dark side of the universe are much more difficult to face. As is true for all the cards in the Major Arcana, meditation is the way to go. When the card “quiets down” and stops irritating you, it is the sign to move on to the next card. The "dark" cards are about affronting, transcending and integrating the shadow part of Self into consciousness.

http://www.letarot.com/jean-dodal/images/scan-web-new/pandu-web.jpg
http://www.letarot.com/jean-dodal/images/scan-web-new/treize-web.jpg
http://www.letarot.com/jean-dodal/images/scan-web-new/temperance-web.jpg
http://www.letarot.com/jean-dodal/images/scan-web-new/diable-web.jpg

[skippy]

The Hanged Man, sees the world upside down. Sometimes we are faced with a meaningless and absurd world devoid of meaning. "Modern man must descend the spiral of his own absurdity to the lowest point; only then can he look beyond it. It is obviously impossible to get around it, jump over it, or simply avoid it." -- Vaclav Havel

http://www.letarot.com/jean-dodal/images/scan-web-new/pandu-web.jpg

On the card without a name, we see a living skeleton, cutting away (dead?) parts of self, some of them wearing crowns. The card number 13, is an active transformation card.

http://www.letarot.com/jean-dodal/images/scan-web-new/treize-web.jpg

[skippy]

In the following card, we see 2 human looking creatures chained to a pedestal holding up a third creature, representing the devil. It's not quite clear in the picture whether the emprisonement is deliberately or involuntarily. The way the 2 are looking, seems to suggest the first.

http://www.letarot.com/jean-dodal/images/scan-web-new/diable-web.jpg

The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the desert, so that the devil could test him. After Jesus had gone without eating for forty days and nights, he was very hungry. Then the devil came to him and said, "If you are God's Son, tell these stones to turn into bread." Jesus answered, "The Scriptures say: 'No one can live only on food. People need every word that God has spoken.' "

Next, the devil took Jesus to the holy city and had him stand on the highest part of the temple. The devil said, "If you are God's Son, jump off. The Scriptures say: 'God will give his angels orders about you. They will catch you in their arms, and you won't hurt your feet on the stones.' " Jesus answered, "The Scriptures also say, 'Don't try to test the Lord your God!' "

Finally, the devil took Jesus up on a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms on earth and their power. The devil said to him, "I will give all this to you, if you will bow down and worship me." Jesus answered, "Go away Satan! The Scriptures say: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve only him.'" Then the devil left Jesus, and angels came to help him.

Matthew 4:1-11

[skippy]

Let's sum up. Our path so far:

phase 1, step 1 - to know: understanding self
phase 1, step 2 - to want: the light part of self
phase 2, step 1 - to dare: the dark night of the soul

For the second step of the second phase we are heading for the stars. Linking up with the infinite cosmos. We will voyage among stars, cross the moon, and see the sun. Ready? Up we go ..
:)

http://www.letarot.com/jean-dodal/images/scan-web-new/maison-dieu-web.jpg
http://www.letarot.com/jean-dodal/images/scan-web-new/etoile-web.jpg
http://www.letarot.com/jean-dodal/images/scan-web-new/lune-web.jpg
http://www.letarot.com/jean-dodal/images/scan-web-new/soleil-web.jpg

[skippy]

The following card, called the house of God, is an interesting one. We see a tower on fire. On top of the tower a crown. In the middle ages, towers like that had wooden staircases and floors inside. After the fire, the tower was emptied, with the wooden elements turned into ashes. In addition we see 2 persons jumping out of the tower, trying to save their lives. Incoming energies, divine fire. Empty space, non-duality.

http://www.letarot.com/jean-dodal/images/scan-web-new/maison-dieu-web.jpg

" The dark night is a certain inflowing of God into the soul which cleanses it of its ignorances and imperfections, habitual, natural and spiritual. But it may be asked: Why does the soul call the divine light, which enlightens the soul and purges it of its ignorances, the dark night? I reply that the divine wisdom is, for two reasons, not night and darkness only, but pain and torment also to the soul. The first is, the divine wisdom is so high that it transcends the capacity of the soul, and therefore is, in that respect, darkness. The second reason is based on the meanness and impurity of the soul, and in that respect the divine wisdom is painful to it, afflictive and dark also. To prove the truth of the first reason, we take for granted a principle of the philosopher, namely, the more clear and evident divine things are, the more dark and hidden they are to the soul naturally. Thus the more clear the light the more does it blind the eyes of the owl, and the stronger the sun's rays the more it blinds the visual organs; overcoming them, by reason of their weakness, and depriving them of the power of seeing. So the divine light of contemplation, then it beats on the soul, not yet perfectly enlightened, causes spiritual darkness, because it not only surpasses its strength, but because it blinds it and deprives it of its natural perceptions. This is the reason why the illuminating ray of hidden wisdom, when God sends it from Himself into the soul not yet transformed, produces thick darkness in the understanding... The soul, by reason of its impurity, suffers exceedingly when the divine light really shines upon it ... The divine fire of contemplative love which, before it unites with, and transforms the soul into itself, purges away all its contrary qualities. It expels its impurities, blackens it and obscures it ... For while the divine purgation is removing all the evil and vicious humours, which, because so deeply rooted and settled in the soul, were neither seen nor felt, but now, in order to (effect) their expulsion and annihilation, are rendered clearly visible in the dim light of the divine contemplation, the soul ..." -- St. John of the Cross, The Dark Night of the Soul.

[skippy]

"Understand that thou art a second little world and that the sun and moon are within thee, and also the stars..." -- Origen, Homilies in Leviticum, 2nd Century AD

http://www.letarot.com/jean-dodal/images/scan-web-new/etoile-web.jpg

http://a1reproductions.com/les-tres-riches-heures-du-duc-de-berry-astrological-man-c-1416-by-jean-limbourg_w336.jpg

The zodiacal man, Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry, 15th century.

[skippy]

The Moon card

"Everything living on the Earth, people, animals, plants, is food for the moon…. All movements, actions, and manifestations of people, animals, and plants depend upon the moon and are controlled by the moon…. The mechanical part of our life depends upon the moon, is subject to the moon. If we develop in ourselves consciousness and will, and subject our mechanical life and all our mechanical manifestations to them, we shall escape from the power of the moon." -- Gurdjieff

http://www.letarot.com/jean-dodal/images/scan-web-new/lune-web.jpg

The Moon card is one of the more difficult passages in the Major Arcana.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bESGLojNYSo

[skippy]

Union of opposites or 'coincidentia oppositorum’ . The term ‘coincidentia oppositorum’ is used in describing a revelation of the oneness of things previously believed to be different. According to fifteenth century mathematician and mystic Nicholas Cusanus, the coincidentia oppositorum - or "coincidence of opposites" - constitutes the "least imperfect" name for God and was the means by which humanity could achieve tolerance and, ultimately, world peace. Cusanus' concept of the coincidentia oppositorum later influenced the work of a number of Western scholars, most notably Carl Jung, who considered the psyche of each individual to likewise be a coincidence of opposites - a blend of conscious and unconscious elements which together constitute a harmonious and unified whole called the "Self."


http://www.letarot.com/jean-dodal/images/scan-web-new/soleil-web.jpg

http://vigilantcitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/alchemical-marriage.jpg

[skippy]

http://www.letarot.com/jean-dodal/images/scan-web-new/jugement-web.jpg

http://www.essentialvermeer.com/catalogue/woman_holding_a_balance.jpg

Johannes Vermeer, 1663, (pregnant) woman holding a balance.

[skippy]

http://www.letarot.com/jean-dodal/images/scan-web-new/monde-web.jpg

With "The World" card we have arrived at the end (and the start of a new beginning) of the Fool’s journey. It’s the final stage on the archetypal journey as told by the mystical Major Arcana of the Tarot. The four elements are again depicted, but this time represented by the four fixed signs of the Zodiac. As above, so below. The Journey of the Soul towards reconciliation and wholeness is the mystical marriage between heaven and Earth, Sun and Moon, King and Queen, transformed back into the original, undivided unity of the world’s Soul. The card of ‘The World’ is the reuniting with the Logos of the universe.

[skippy]

Some further explanation of the enigmatic symbolism on the final card of the Major Arcana of the Tarot, called "The World".

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1d/Jean_Dodal_Tarot_trump_21.jpg/150px-Jean_Dodal_Tarot_trump_21.jpg

The tetramorph as depicted on the card "The World" is a very ancient symbol. The symbolic arrangement of four animals were carved into mythic creatures such as the Egyptian and Babylonian sphinxes depicting bull-like bodies with birds-wings, lion’s paws and human faces.

.http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2c/Human_headed_winged_bull_facing.jpg/220px-Human_headed_winged_bull_facing.jpg
Assyrian Lamassu

In Judeo-Christian traditions the tetramorph first appears in the vision of Ezekiel, who describes the four creatures as they appear to him in his book: "As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle."

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NM_Ka7AVbQ4/TqfjsEN5fAI/AAAAAAAAA4A/0jrKzregpi4/s400/ezekiel-vision-merkaba.jpg
The vision of Ezekiel

Earlier representations of the four animals are associated to the four fixed signs of the zodiac: the ox representing Taurus; the lion representing Leo; the eagle representing Scorpio; the man or angel representing Aquarius. In Western traditions the four symbols are associated with the elements of, respectively Earth, Fire, Water, and Air.

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS5TCMSzJ8n6GJvhzruR1noPG0elqSVv 2LlgHfYSUNxVlpZ_S_tMw

The tetramorph as depicted in the card "The World" is everywhere to see. For example, in Europa, most of the Roman churches dating back to the 12-14th century have this symbolism somewhere hidden in plain sight.

http://www.linternaute.com/sortir/magazine/photo/la-cathedrale-de-chartres/image/tympan-228543.jpg
Chartres Cathedrale, France

In the middle of the composition we see an almond-shaped mandorla with in its center a human figure. In most of the cases, the mandorla encloses a holy person. The origin of the mandorla is uncertain.

[skippy]

This brings us to the end of the Fool's journey. The funny thing is that each time you go the Fool's way, you discover new things. It's always new.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzP-KvfC8QQ

[skippy]

How ever possibly follow a Fool, being a fool? But once, you recognizes “it”, via a great leap of faith, you “know”. "Anyone among you that thinks he is wise in this age, let him become a fool, so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with God." -- I Corinthians iii, 18-19.

Self "is" and it's present in each one of us. “The kingdom of God is within you.” -- Luke 17:21. The first step is to recognize it; that it’s there. Many different paths can help you to get there. The second step is to step into “it”. This can only be done through a great leap of faith. What characterizes a leap of faith is the uncertainty that goes with it. Faith cannot be proven or disproved. That is why a leap of faith goes with 'fear and trembling”, it’s a jump into the unknown. A jump in and into truth.

Once we stepped into “it”, we 'know', but it’s a knowingness beyond the mind. Always fresh, always new. The leap of faith is the act of believing without having empirical evidence or proof at forehand. A genuine leap of faith will not be a temporary and exchangeable choice. There will be a before and an after the jump. It will be deeply individual, without any guarantee of success.

[skippy]

If life is a game of cards, we are born without knowing the rules, yet we must play our hand throughout the ages. Poets, philosophers, alchemists, artists have devoted themselves to discovering their meaning." -- Niki de Saint Phalle, Tarot Garden, Capalbio, Italy.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-92kgA0qD838/UcyFzBTXplI/AAAAAAAAA8k/G-7nr9g3kOQ/s320/PICT0164.jpg


http://www.nikidesaintphalle.com/images/mainview2.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0KmS2l6ACac/TiBOA3wWDII/AAAAAAAAAs8/UeS1mlnNt3c/s1600/Niki+de+Saint+Phalle+%252B+le+jardin+des+Tarots.jp g

http://www.maremma-tuscany.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_2725.jpg

http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/02/5d/b4/57/giardino-dei-tarocchi.jpg

http://www.maremma-tuscany.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_2718.jpg

http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/04/83/49/5e/giardino-dei-tarocchi.jpg


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8A8-Z8VR620

[Gardener]

Thank you Skippy for taking the time to build this thread about 'The way of the Fool' It has been my choice of 'way' mostly, although I have to admit to sometimes feeling I would like to escape into the 'way of the monk' and isolate myself in a convent, going into deep prayer and contemplation. 'The way of the Fakir' fills me with dread, no taste for physical pain. It takes patience and discipline to follow 'The way of the Yogi' and there is no doubt it is a good way.

A little of all of these 'ways' can help for sure and all are included in the fools journey. Temperament has to play a part in deciding which path to choose to find the 'Way' through the forrest perilous.

Anyway just wanted to say thanks, your work is appreciated.

[skippy]

Thank you Skippy for taking the time to build this thread about The way of the Fool It has been my choice of 'way' mostly, although I have to admit to sometimes feeling I would like to escape into the way of the monk and isolate myself in a convent, going into deep prayer and contemplation. 'The way of the Fakir' fills me with dread, no taste for physical pain. It takes patience and discipline to follow 'The way of the Yogi' and there is no doubt it is a good way.

A little of all of these 'ways' can help for sure and all are included in the fools journey. Temperament has to play a part in deciding which path to choose to find the 'Way' through the forrest perilous.

Thank you Gardener. I'm looking for the Gurdjeff sources where he discusses The way of the sly man. If you have some pointers, please don't hesitate. Choosing the right way is not an easy one, in a world full of distractions, or as you called it through the forrest perilous. In the forest South of Paris, you will find, but not easily, a masterpiece of art by Jean Tinguely. It's called the Cyclope, or the monster in the forest. The mirrors on the face of the monster, were added by Niki de St. Phalle. It's really worthwhile to pay a visit to this site, if you are lucky to find your way to it. Personally, I like The way of the Fool, while it's always new and full of surprises. Very soon, I will start to explore The way of the monk.


http://vimeo.com/16227173

[skippy]

Very soon, I will start to explore The way of the monk.

a bit like this..

http://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large-5/sleeping-buddha-nola-lee-kelsey.jpg

in a place like that ..

http://www.reproductionart.org/Vincent%20Van%20Gogh%20Images/Harvest%20Landscape.JPG

on my way .. closing the circle and heading for a new adventure...

[skippy]

To follow up on my plan to explore the way of the monk, I spend some time, earlier this year, in a Tibetan buddhist monestary in the South of France. The community, with a most impressive temple complex, is part of the Nyingma lineage and is the oldest of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. In the short period of the retreat, I discovered a path, a beautiful path, which ultimately cumulates in a sort of crazy wisdom, and therefore, the path of the crazy monk.

http://www.libertasoccidentalis.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Lerab-Ling-0061.jpg

In the following, I would like to discuss the path of the crazy monk and if possible, connect some dots with the path of the Fool and the path of the Sly Man (Gurdjeff) to be discussed later on. As this thread is a way to learn and discover, please join in at any moment.

[skippy]

Let's start presenting a couple of buddhist systems, paths if you like, to create a basis for discussion.

The Path of Shamatha

vHzoiOzbLbc

Just as the steps of a staircase,
You should also train step-by-step
And endeavor in my profound teachings;
Without jumping the steps, proceed gradually to the end.

Just as a small child
Gradually develops its body and strength,
The Dharma is that same way,
From the steps of entering in the beginning
Up until the complete perfection.

—The Nirvana Sutra

[skippy]

The path of Oxherding

http://terebess.hu/english/img/ct.jpg

Commentary by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche

"The ten oxherding pictures, a well-known Zen representation of training of the mind, are so basic that it could be considered fundamental to all schools of Buddhism. A deeper way of looking at it is in terms of spiritual development from Shravakayana to Maha Ati. In the Tibetan tradition there is an analogy of elephant herding but it refers largely only to the practice of shamatha. The symbolism does not go beyond the riding of the elephant. In the oxherding pictures the evolutionary process of taming the bull is very close to the Vajrayana view of the transmutation of energy. Particularly returning to the world as the expression of the compassion of the Nirmanakaya shows that the final realization of Zen automatically leads to the wisdom of Maha Ati."


1 - The Search for the Bull
The inspiration for this first step, which is searching for the bull, is feeling that things are not wholesome, something is lacking. That feeling of loss produces pain. You are looking for whatever it is that will make the situation right. You discover that ego's attempt to create an ideal environment is unsatisfactory.

2 - Discovering the Footprints
By understanding the origin you find the possibility of transcending this pain. This is the perception of the Four Noble Truths. You see that pain results from the conflicts created by ego and discover the footprints of the bull, which are the heavy marks of ego in all play of events. You are inspired by unmistakable and logical conclusions rather than by blind faith. This corresponds to the Shravakayana and Pratyekabuddhayana paths.

3 - Perceiving the Bull
You are startled at perceiving the bull and then, because there is no longer any mystery, you wonder if it is really there; you perceive its insubstantial quality. When you begin to accept this perception of non-duality, you relax, because you no longer have to defend the existence of your ego. Then you can afford to be open and generous. You begin to see another way of dealing with your projections and that is joy in itself, the first spiritual level of the attainment of the Bodhisattva.

4 - Catching the Bull
Seeing a glimpse of the bull, you find that generosity and discipline are not enough in dealing with your projections, because you have yet to completely transcend aggression. You have to acknowledge the precision of skilful means and the simplicity of seeing things as they are, as connected to fully developed compassion. The subjugation of aggression cannot be exercised in a dualistic framework - complete commitment into the compassionate path of the Bodhisattva is required, which is the development of patience and energy.

5 - Taming the Bull
Once caught, the taming of the bull is achieved by the precision of meditative panoramic awareness and the sharp whip of transcendent knowledge. The Bodhisattva has accomplished the transcendent acts (paramitas) - not dwelling on anything.

6 - Riding the Bull Home
There is no longer any question of search. The bull (mind) finally obeys the master and becomes creative activity. This is the breakthrough to the state of enlightenment - the Vajra-like samadhi of the Eleventh Bhumi. With the unfolding of the experience of Mahamudra, the luminosity and colour of the mandala become the music which leads the bull home.

7 - The Bull Transcended
Even that joy and colour becomes irrelevant. The Mahamudra mandala of symbols and energies dissolves into Maha Ati through the total absence of the idea of experience. There is no more bull. The crazy wisdom has become more and more apparent and you totally abandon the ambition to manipulate.

8 - Both Bull and Self Transcended
This is the absence of both striving and non-striving. It is the naked image of the primordial Buddha principle. This entrance into the Dharmakaya is the perfection of non-watching - there is no more criteria and the understanding of Maha Ati as the last stage is completely transcended.

9 - Reaching the Source
Since there is already such space and openness and the total absence of fear, the play of the wisdoms is a natural process. The source of energy which need not be sought is there; it is that you are rich rather than being enriched by something else. Because there is basic warmth as well as basic space, the Buddha activity of compassion is alive and so all communication is creative. It is the source in the sense of being an inexhaustible treasury of Buddha activity. This is, then, the Sambhogakaya.

10 - In the World
Nirmanakaya is the fully awakened state of being in the world. Its action is like the moon reflecting in a hundred bowls of water. The moon has no desire to reflect, but that is its nature. This state is dealing with the earth with ultimate simplicity, transcending following the example of anyone. It is the state of "total flop" or "old dog". You destroy whatever needs to be destroyed, you subdue whatever needs to to subdued, and you care for whatever needs your care.

[skippy]

The path of the 9 Yanas

Path of Renunciation
1. Shravakayana (Hinayana)
2. Pratyekabuddhayana (Hinayana)
3. Bodhisattvayana (Mahayana)

Path of Purification
4. Kriya Tantra (Vajrayana)
5. Upa Tantra (Vajrayana)

Path of Transformation
6. Yoga Tantra (Vajrayana)
7. Mahayoga (Vajrayana)
8. Anuyoga (Vajrayana)

Path of Self-liberation
9. Atiyoga (Vajrayana)

The Maha, Anu, and Ati yoga teachings emphasize the skilful means of the development stage, the wisdom of the completion stage, and the non-dual unity of the great perfection, respectively. Each of the nine yanas has its own unique view, conduct, meditation, and fruition, but they are not completely divorced from one another; each one beautifully clarifies the meaning of the previous one, and prepares the ground for the next. Hence learning the first vehicle helps clarify the view, meditation, conduct, and fruition of the second, and so forth in an ever-expanding upward spiral.

[skippy]

The path of the 3 vehicles

1. Hinayana : The lesser vehicle

The term Hinayana can be used to refer to non-Mahayana schools in general, but it is not used in this way in this context. The Hinayana follows the path of renunciation as taught by the Buddha when he was in his human form and as recorded in the Sutras: One recognises suffering (dukha) and its cause, and seeks to put an end to conditioned existence and attain Nirvana. Ego is regarded as being like a tree bearing poisonous fruits and the remedy is to dig up the roots one by one. ‘Negative habits’ are obstacles to realisation and all have to be overcome. This is accomplished by following rules of conduct and making vows. The paradigm is that of a renunciate monk or nun, whose interaction with life is entirely governed by vows. Through the development of different meditative states he or she recreates himself/herself as a pure being who has transcended the causes of suffering, an Arhat, who is no longer bound to the cycle of rebirth and death in conditioned existence. It actually forms the starting point and basis of all Buddhist practice Hinayana yet is actually not practised as a complete vehicle in its own right; it is implicit within but transcended as a practice by ever increased realisation forming the ground of the range of Buddhist teaching. Hinayana in fact relates to the capacity of individuals, rather than referring to a Hinayana school. In that sense other vehicles can inadvertently be practised from the point of view of the Hinayana. Someone might for example appear to be practising a tantric vehicle but due to lack of active compassion in fact may be practising from the position of the Hinayana. If you are, say, practising Ati yoga meditation fuelled by personal fear of a hell rebirth the immediate results would be limited to the "Hinayana" level, although the Ati yoga meditation might generate an auspicious connection which would bear fruit in future lives. But equally it may be practised under the guidance of a qualified teacher because it is appropriate to the needs at the time although as a support to practice of a higher vehicle. Hinayana means 'lesser vehicle' and concerns the initial drives and perceptions that lead a person toward a position in which loving kindness becomes the principal motivation. Practices cited below for the Hinayana are illustrative only.

2. Mahayana: The greater vehicle

From the perspective of Mahayana the pursuit of personal salvation whilst others continue to suffer is not ideal. Instead one should work for the greater good and if necessary return to the suffering of cyclic existence to help others transcend it as often as is required to drain the dregs of samsara. It is therefore, like the Hinayana, a path of renunciation. To return to the analogy of the poison tree, instead of cutting roots one by one, in the case of the Mahayana the main root alone is cut allowing the others to wither as a consequence. In the Mahayana, also known as the Great Vehicle, or Bodhisattvayana, the liberation of others from suffering is the motivation of Mahayana practitioners or Boddhisattvas who understand that neither the individual nor pheneomena have substantive existence. The vow to gain enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings and develop limitless compassion for all others is inseparable from wisdom, the realisation of emptiness. Everything is perceived as being dreamlike or illusory. But the law of cause and effect is recognised and with compassion he or she uses this to benefit sentient beings. Nevertheless, in contrast to reliance on codes of conduct in the Hinayana of Hinayana, motivation is considered all important in governing ones actions rather than the actions themselves and that motivation is compassion. The Buddha reportedly said: "It is intention that I call karma". In the earliest Buddhist monastic code, and to this day, a monk himself has the responsibility to judge whether or not he has infringed the vinaya. The issue is not a matter of whether or not motivation is important but what the motivation is! Meanwhile having realised her or his ultimate nature free from clinging and all limiting conditions, he or she rests in the great evenness of non-dual absolute truth.

3. Vajrayana/Tantrayana: The ultimate vehicle

Vajrayana comprises the outer and the inner tantras. Tantra may sometimes be talked of as if only texts containing tantric teaching but in fact tantra means ‘continuation’ and this alludes to the fact that although all phenomena are essentially void they still continue to manifest. Tantra takes the realisation of the emptiness of all phenomena (which is the fruit of sutra) as its base or starting point. From this view instead of relative existence being something to be avoided at all costs, through the passions shunned by sutra it actually provides the energy required for progress towards realisation. All the tantras whether inner or outer employ visualisation as the principal skilful means, or to be more precise, envisionment. The outer tantras commence at the level of external conduct to purify thought and action in preparation to receive wisdom. Kryatantra and Upatantra are both referred to as the Path of Purification. Yogatantra and the three inner tantras are the Path of Transformation. The inner tantras also start from the realisation of the emptiness or voidness of all phenomena but mainly use inner yoga, working on the tsa lung system of the practitioner’s body to transform his/her whole dimension into the dimension of the realised being visualised in the practice. So tantra is based on pure vision and is also motivated by the aspiration to free all sentient beings and oneself from delusion as quickly as possible but through ‘skilful means’: Relative truth becomes the path by regarding phenomena as the limitless display of primal wisdom. This is progressively more directly experienced within each of the six classes of Vajrayana vehicles. The Hinayana and Mahayana are known as ‘causal vehicles’ as one is accumulating merit and wisdom, which will reap their fruit in Enlightenment and therefore working at a "causal" level. The Vajrayana is described as the ‘resultant vehicle’ as through skilful means it starts from the premise of realisation. In the causal vehicles one recognises the nature of mind as the cause of Buddhahood; in the resultant vehicle one regards the nature of mind as Buddhahood itself. Mahayana recognises Buddha nature as being potential in every being Vajrayana considers Buddhanature to be fully present as wisdom or pristine awareness, the fundamental nature of Mind. One therefore ‘only’ has to reveal or realise it! Empowerment from an authentic qualified teacher is essential for all Vajrayana practice. The Buddha taught these methods in a manifestation body as well as by other sambhogakaya manifestations. Transmission of tantra is originally received through the manifestation of the sambhogakaya appearing to a master who has sufficient clarity to perceive that dimension and the method of practice in tantra is also that of manifestation. The practitioner is initiated into this practice by the master through visualisation and the reintegration of one’s subtle energies so that he/she follows the example of the original transmission manifesting as the deity entering into the pure dimension of the mandala. The practitioner realises the sambhogakaya itself, transcending the mundane world of gross elements which are experienced as their essences. Upon death the practitioner enters the dimension of light and sound which is the essence of the elements and in that state of being is able to continue to benefit sentient beings as the deity whose practice has been accomplished during lifetime.

[skippy]

The path of the bleu pancake

The path of the bleu pancake is a very different one than the ones described above. It's also referred to as the path of crazy wisdom, and hence the path of the crazy monk.

Pqn97DYwqng

[Valle]

Two songs about the Fool:
(Edit post - I posted Beatles song The Fool on The hill first - but it was already in the tread)

The Ark - It Takes A Fool To Remain Sane
Uu5lFMXvcdc

Supertramp - Fools Overture
TLbYL10c1zo

[skippy]

A Fool deliberately creates space in his being, in his mind, to experience reality more directly, more fully. To be there, on the spot. Concepts, theories, ideals clog up the mind and trouble our seeing reality as it is.. But reality as it is, in this very moment, is very powerful, both in a positive and negative sense. It's hard, read almost impossible, to face the now, so we close up our minds, rest in our wishfull thinking, believe in a lovely future, and fight a virtual enemy. It's quite ironical and very funny indeed..


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzXl7P0lNgQ

[dan33]

ALL FACES ARE THE SAME MAN

6EmKGsJUnkM

[Chester]

I started at 0 and that is still my favorite "not" number

[skippy]

ALL FACES ARE THE SAME MAN

Yes that's true and even animals, trees, ETs, AIs, and what have you, are made of the same stuff. We are Jeckel and Hyde, Dr. Frankenstein and it's creation. The 22 cards of the Major Arcana are interesting while they represents 22 faces of the univers, 22 images, archetypes if you like, of man, and we need to reconcile with each of them in order to reconcile with the universe and to get hold of ourselves.

You now, Marshall McLuhan once said: "Human beings are the genitals of our technology. We exist only to improve next year's model." In the same spirit you can say that animals had been invented by plants in order to move them around, which from an evolutionary point of view, holds a certain kind of truth.

[dan33]

The Medium is the Message We are living now this sentence.

http://projectavalon.net/forum4/customavatars/avatar4305_4.gifWe exist only to improve next year's model
I do not now remember the name of the German scientist. Von Braun ?. Self-replicating robots, but soulless.
I read that you are interested in AI.

Carl Sagan said something similar on SHADOWS OF FORGOTTEN ANCESTORS.

http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1385264555l/61662.jpg

And for the Voyager-Trip walking every step-card on the wisdom Tarot road.

http://yourskypeschool.com/book_yss_eng/Campbell_Joseph-The_Hero_With_A_Thousand_Faces.pdf

[dan33]

The Fool on maximum power.

Hz3ZX03AFvw

http://shinestudio.com/blinding-edge/

http://www.tarot-card-meaning.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/The-Hermit.jpg

[skippy]

Approaching the electric fence surrounding crazy wisdom

Chogyam Trungpa
9 august 1974, Boulder CO.
Journey without a goal, the tantric wisdom of the buddha


http://vimeo.com/22251279

[skippy]

Despite the little interest in this thread, I'm happy to have found some Fools, here, in this place, but also in the world at large..
Many, many more than the 10 Fools required, to save this place ..
Yes, agreed, we mess up once in a while. Well, in fact, we mess up most of the times.. But, so what?
This is our place, and we will continu to mess up, till the end of times, if we decide to do so..
Don't worry for us, we can handle our sh!t best ourselves..
But do know, we are human, man. Human..
There's blood running through our veins. Blood you know? Not some sort of artificial transparant kind of silicone..
We're made of the same stuff as the universe, and we are carrying the whole ****, so to speak, within us.
But you now what, humans beings, never walk alone...
Even in the face of the abyss, we walk hand in hand.
We walk with the universe, and the earth is our witness ...
Agreed, we don't handle earth, with a lot of love,
But, eventually, we will get there..
We will get there..

-gHDnUFlTUs

[dan33]

YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE
WONDERFUL. YOU ARE A POET!
Thanks, Skippy. :cheer2:

[dan33]

The Tarot Card 0 embraces all. Each card added to the Mad the result is equal as the oposite card.
Le Mat-Fool-0 is the Jocker.

Add 1 (MAGICIAN - Mercury - Consciousness) + 2 (Priestess - Luna - Subconscious) = 3 (Empress. - Venus Creativity)

...and Carl Sagan would put it ....like this (Googleplex end video)

https://31.media.tumblr.com/ae96cc5e479b1f9aa46dac01530875cd/tumblr_inline_n4wgz5zP3r1spdmmz.jpg + http://www.biddytarot.com/cards/high_priestess.jpg = http://www.tarot-history.com/Jean-Dodal/images/scan-web-new/imperatris-web.jpg

[PurpleLama]

Ah, Redneck ET Jesus flies a ufo that looks like an old 80s Camero. Is that not foolish enough to save the day?

[skippy]

Ah, Redneck ET Jesus flies a ufo that looks like an old 80s Camero. Is that not foolish enough to save the day?

And hence the birth of crazy wisdom .. Thank you sir! :) Let's move on.

NjfqQNaZq_Q

"We have a fear of facing ourselves. That is the obstacle. Experiencing the innermost core of our existence is very embarrassing to a lot of people. A lot of people turn to something that they hope will liberate them without their having to face themselves. That is impossible. We can't do that. We have to be honest with ourselves. We have to see our gut, our excrement, our most undesirable parts. We have to see them. That is the foundation of warriorship, basically speaking. Whatever is there, we have to face it, we have to look at it, study it, work with it and practice meditation with it."
Chogyam Trungpa

[dan33]

Mirror, Mirror...

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r9cUa6DsD8Y/UWh9lfKB-7I/AAAAAAAAFak/OD2P0T3nn8c/s400/Once+Upon+a+Time+in+America_Robert+De+Niro_James+Woods.jpg

[skippy]

The Tarot Card 0 embraces all.

The state of mind of the Fool is crazy wisdom. It embraces all, the entire universe. It's the beginning and the end at the same time. It's a path without a goal. It's the all there is, available right on the spot. Chögyam Trungpa describes "crazy wisdom" as an innocent state of mind that has the quality of early morning—fresh, sparkling, and completely awake.

xtHPUThgdyI

[skippy]

Let's move on with the path of the sly man by Gurdjeff

From a Conversation with Trungpa Rinpoche about Two Spiritual Icons of the Early 20th Century, by Steve Roth:

Steve Roth: "What about Gurdjieff?"
Trungpa Rinpoche: "Oh, he's fantastic, amazing, almost total crazy wisdom."

"Rely not on the teacher/person, but on the teaching. Rely not on the words of the teaching, but on the spirit of the words. Rely not on theory, but on experience. Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. Do not believe anything because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything because it is written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and the benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it."
--The Buddha

“In properly organized groups no faith is required; what is required is simply a little trust and even that only for a little while, for the sooner a man begins to verify all he hears the better it is for him… Accept nothing you cannot verify for yourself.”
--G.I. Gurdjieff

[skippy]

But who was this Sly man named Gurdjieff? George Ivanovich Gurdjieff was an influential spiritual teacher of the early to mid-20th century who taught that most humans live their lives in a state of hypnotic "waking sleep", but that it is possible to transcend to a higher state of consciousness and achieve full human potential. Gurdjieff developed a method for doing so, calling his discipline "The Work". Gurdjieff's method for awakening one's consciousness is also called (originally) the "Fourth Way" or the "Way of the Sly Man". The title of his third series of writings, "Life Is Real Only Then, When 'I Am'", expresses the essence of his teachings. His complete series of books is entitled "All and Everything". Some sayings of George Ivanovitch Gurdjieff:

1. It is better to be temporarily selfish than never to be just.

2. Only he can be impartial who is able to put himself into the position of others.

3. One of the strongest motives for the wish to work on yourself is the realization that you may die at any moment.

4. The highest that a man can attain is to be able to do.

5. Here there are neither English nor Russians, Jews nor Christians, but only those following one aim, to be able to be.

6. Take the understanding of the East and the knowledge of the West and then seek.

7. Remember yourself always and everywhere.

8. Blessed is he who hath a soul, blessed is he who hath none, woe and sorrow to him who hath it in conception.

9. Practice love on animals first; they react better and more sensitively.

10. There is only one kind of magic and this is ‘doing.’

11. All energy spent on conscious work is an investment; that spent mechanically is lost forever.

12. We must destroy our buffers. Children have none; therefore we must become like little children.

13. We attract forces according to our being.

14. Do not be affected by externals. In themselves they are harmless; it is we who allow ourselves to be hurt by them.

15. We never reach the limits of our strength.

16. If we do what we like doing, we are immediately rewarded by the pleasure of doing it. If we do what we don’t like doing the reward must come later. It is a mathematical law and all life is mathematics.

17. Man is a symbol of the laws of creation; in him there is evolution, involution, struggle, progress and retrogression, struggle between positive and negative, active and passive, yes and no, good and evil.

18. Men have their minds and women their feelings more highly developed. Either alone can give nothing. Think what you feel and feel what you think. Fusion of the two produces another force.

19. We are sheep kept to provide wool for our masters who feed us and keep us as slaves of illusion. But we have a chance of escape and our masters are anxious to help us, but we like being sheep. It is comfortable.

20. He who can love can be; he who can be can do; he who can do is.

21. Sincerity is the key to self-knowledge and to be sincere with oneself brings great suffering.

22. Sleep is very comfortable, but waking is very bitter.

23. You should forget about morality. Conversations about morality are simply empty talk. Your aim is inner morality. External morality is different everywhere.

24. You should understand, and establish it as a firm rule, not to pay attention to other people’s opinions. You must be free of people surrounding you, and when you are free inside you will be free of them.

25. To be just at the moment of action is a hundred times more valuable than to be just afterwards.

26. To gain anything real, long practice is necessary. Try to accomplish very small things first.

27. To ‘Wish’ is the most powerful thing in the world.

28. Until a man uncovers himself he cannot see.

29. Without self knowledge, without understanding the working and functions of his machine, man cannot be free, he cannot govern himself and he will always remain a slave.

30. Awakening is possible only for those who seek it and want it, for those who are ready to struggle with themselves and work on themselves for a very long time and very persistently in order to attain it

31. It is the greatest mistake to think that man is always one and the same. A man is never the same for long. He is continually changing. He seldom remains the same even for half an hour.

32. What is possible for individual man is impossible for the masses.

33. Life is real only then, when "I am".

[skippy]

http://fourthwaydotorg.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/gurdjieff-quote.jpg?w=755

[skippy]

aTL4qIIxg8A

[dan33]

http://www.alizons-psychic-secrets.com/images/hanged-man-tarot-card.jpg http://www.tarot-card-meaning.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/The-Hermit.jpg

Xu_q8MIb0k0



http://learntarot.com/bigjpgs/maj17.jpg http://www.toniallen.co.uk/World.jpg


http://www.asiantribune.com/sites/asiantribune.com/files/images/2012images/ramanujan.jpg

"Srinivasa Ramanujan was the strangest man in all of mathematics, probably in the entire history of science. He has been compared to a bursting supernova, illuminating the darkest, most profound corners of mathematics, before being tragically struck down by tuberculosis at the age of 33, like Riemann before him.

Working in total isolation from the main currents of his field, he was able to rederive 100 years‘ worth of Western mathematics on his own. The tragedy of his life is that much of his work was wasted rediscovering known mathematics.

Scattered throughout the obscure equations in his notebooks are these modular functions, which are among the strangest ever found...

In the work of Ramanujan, [i.e. the modular functions,] the number 24 (8 x 3) appears repeatedly. This is an example of what mathematicians call magic numbers, which continually appear where we least expect them, for reasons that no one understands.

Miraculously, Ramanujan‘s function also appears in string theory... In string theory, each of the 24 modes in the Ramanujan function corresponds to a physical vibration of the string...

When the Ramanujan function is generalized, the number 24 is replaced by the number 8. Thus, the critical number for the superstring is 8 + 2, or 10. This is the origin of the tenth dimension.

The string vibrates in ten dimensions because it requires these generalized Ramanujan functions (based on the number 8) in order to remain self-consistent. In other words, physicists have not the slightest understanding of why ten and 26 dimensions are singled out as the dimension of the string.

[Now read the next sentence carefully, and remember that this is being spoken by a highly regarded mainstream scientific authority figure:]

It‘s as though there is some kind of deep numerology being manifested in these functions that no one understands...

In the final analysis, the origin of the ten-dimensional theory is as mysterious as Ramanujan himself. When asked by audiences why nature might exist in ten dimensions, physicists are forced to answer, “We don‘t know. ” [emphasis added]"
THE SHIFT OF THE AGES. CHAPTER 5: SCIENTIFIC ARGUMENTS FOR AN OCTAVE OF DIMENSIONS by David Wilcock.

[skippy]

Moving on friends.. Take care!

http://projectavalon.net/forum4/customprofilepics/profilepic4305_2.gif

[Mare]

Blooming 'eck Skippy you've left! What a shame I was enjoying this thread. Good luck mate.

[Gardener]

A little sad here Skippy, hugs bro, I dearly valued the energy you contributed and hope you return to us sometime :)

x

[dan33]

Good Night , Skippy. See you on the morning. Hughs!

http://www.tarot2014.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/rc8.jpg

[Wind]

Already missing Skippy! :(

[dan33]

Already missing Skippy too! :)

_agtNKbgSfI