The Human Condition
Our daily lives present challenges on many levels. There are economic, social, interpersonal and emotional pressures of all kinds, And so we have many ways of coping with our stresses and problems, from medicines to pop psychology, and from entertainment to exercise or yoga. Yet factors beyond our control are often at work, and unexpected events and unforeseen situations happen all too frequently. Unfortunately, our modern culture ignores an important cause of unexplained misfortunes, illness and unhappiness. This involves the vitality and quality of the complex energies that exist in and around our home. Older civilizations, such as those that arose in China, India and Tibet, still pay strict attention to this, understanding that the land is not just earth, rocks and trees, and our house is not just bricks and mortar. In reality, any dwelling place is a rich matrix of energies, both positive and negative, and plays host to many kinds of beings, both helpful and harmful. While there is a broad range of forces at work in any locale or home, they can be described in four main categories, as outlined below.
1. local spirits
The richness of nature brings forth abundance in plants, animals and insects. But beyond this there are other life forms—spirits of the land, forest, rocks and streams, and of the hearth and home. The health and balance of the environment is dependent on these dwellers and guardians of the land—or Devas, as they are called in the West. A whole pantheon of such beings is recognized within Tibetan spiritual traditions, just as they are in all indigenous cultures. When land and sea are polluted with chemical toxins, and the earth excavated or despoiled in so many ways, the homes, health and happiness of these local-beings is disrupted. When they suffer, this in turn creates suffering, disease and unfavorable conditions for us. Our success, prosperity and even safety are compromised. On the other hand, when they are satisfied and at peace, this creates tremendous benefits for our land and home. Far from being the product of fantasy, these are living, conscious beings and, like ourselves, have varying needs and requirements for their fulfilment and well-being.
2. elemental imbalances
In Eastern science, it is understood that our environment, body and even mind, are the result of the play of five basic elemental forces: fire, air, earth, water and space. It is more than a theoretical viewpoint, for the art and spiritual science of balancing these elements is both sophisticated and highly effective. When the elements are neither deficient or in excess, there is harmony, peace and health in our body, mind and in the environment. This is the concern of Feng Shui, the Chinese art of placement, that is now familiar to many Westerners. But achieving such balance is also an inherent goal in Tibetan rituals and land-healing ceremonies. These work on an even deeper level, as they aim to transform the impure elements into their pure, enlightened aspect.
3. emotional imprints
Disturbed emotions and upsets can accumulate in a dwelling, literally permeating the structure. These vibrations can persist for years or decades. In fact, people often move into a home (or office) that has one or more areas where the energies are noticeably negative, "sticky" or just feel unhealthy. Such negative imprints, whether from our own family or from former residents, have ongoing physical and psychological effects. The result is that we become sick more often, are more stressed, depressed, experience many misfortunes (such as loss of money or possessions), have relationship difficulties, and so on. These emotional shadows can be cleared and cleansed from areas and rooms, or from the entire house.
4. obstructing entities
Similarly, there may be actual "entities" which inhabit our dwelling, for the unseen dimension includes a vast number of beings. Some are actually lost souls, or ghosts, as described in folklore, books, movies, and these days, reality TV shows. An individual's consciousness may become stuck between death and rebirth, unaware that they are in this bardo state. Other apparitions are traces or imprints left by strong emotions or the personality of the deceased. Completely different, and usually far more destructive, are what we commonly call demonic or evil spirits. While there are many classes of such creatures, they are often linked to us through karmic connections and past lives, not unlike our relationships with friends, family and even enemies in the human world. Still other spirits may be attracted to our dwelling because of certain energies there—especially negative ones. Just as we seek a home with certain qualities and amenities, the environment may also attract these unfavorable entities.
Healing the Home
In the West, we are now trying to redefine our relationship to the environment and to return to Gaia, with a deeper respect for the natural world. However, since ancient times, Tibetan practitioners have been skilled in overcoming environmental distortions. Padmasambhava and other great sages of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition created many wonderful spiritual techniques to deflect and reverse these negative influences that impinge on our well-being. These practices have many profound effects, including:
∆ purifying negative karmic patterns based on past transgressions with the environment
∆ healing our relationship with the land-spirits and elemental beings
∆ balancing the five elements of fire, earth, air, water and space
∆ clearing emotional imprints and negative vibrations from the land and home
∆ eliminating obstructive entities and demonic influences
∆ enhancing health, peace, prosperity, well-being and inner spiritual richness
Sacred rituals can bring a breath of openness, balance and inner peace that can counter the outer chaos that we often face. By reconnecting our self and our dwelling with its spiritual and energetic roots, we can begin to rediscover an original, stainless sanity in a world that, at times, seems increasingly gone mad.
In order to help heal the outer and inner conditions of those dwelling in America, it is important that this kind of technology of the sacred become known and integrated into our culture. Tsewong Rinpoche, Lama Pema and Lama Jinpa are dedicated to bringing these unique methods to Western minds and lives, they are available to conduct ceremonies for blessing one’s home or land. As part of this effort, Lama Jinpa is also working on a series of book, the Sacred Living Series, that will teach simple practices as part of one's daily life. Home purification and smoke offering kits will also be available in the near future.
