Offering and Repayment
Smoke and water rituals are used in Tibetan spirituality as a vehicle for offering a universe of substances to the Four Classes of Guests (see the Land Blessing page for a description). In chö however, the offering is based on our most precious and closely guarded possession—our own bodies. In the meditations and visualizations of chö, the practitioner's body is left behind, while consciousness takes on a pure, enlightened form, as the form of enlightened feminine Wisdom, the Dakini. The "corpse" is then transformed into an inexhaustible ocean of whatever is appropriate to each guest. Higher Guests are offered things of great beauty, value and richness. Guests of Quality are Protectors who are offered attributes, objects and residences befitting their nature and kind. Beings of the Six Realms receive whatever they lack, such as food, shelter, possessions, happiness, companionship, love, health, fulfilment or simply release from pain, suffering and torment. All offerings are multiplied infinitely, in vast quantities, so that each and every one is completely satiated and pacified. By making exquisite offerings to enlightened spiritual beings, we create tremendous positive karma that generates health, prosperity and happiness in this and future lives—and ultimately brings us towards enlightenment. On the other hand, by being generous towards the less fortunate, our negative obstacles are purified, and the obscurity of our spirit is cleansed.
Clearing of Entities
The specific focus of chö, however, is generosity towards the Lower Guests. This includes the entire spectrum of angry spirits, demonic forces, negative emotional imprints, and all that we associate with the "dark side." Particularly, chö is directed to all those to whom we owe a karmic debt and who seek vengeance and harm by inducing sickness, misfortune or misery. These forces and entities are very real, and their evil intent and malice can create innumerable problems in our lives. Such disturbing forces are responsible for many kinds of disease, mental illness, emotional conflicts, life obstacles, accidents, repeated failure, and so on. The cause of such difficulties will always seem vague and unrelated to recent circumstances or known causes. Through the offerings of chö, demonic or harmful forces and all those to whom we owe a karmic debt, are satisfied and placated. They are healed and brought towards the spiritual path, giving up their negativity and rage. They too become spiritual practitioners. Blending Shamanic, Buddhist and Tantric practices, chö is able to clear Karmic imprints and blockages arising from our negative physical, verbal or emotional acts, performed in countless past lives. It also clears chronic negative energies from areas of the home and land in a dramatic way. Thus chö cuts through our obstacles with the sword of wisdom, leading to a mind of purity, freedom and joy.
