Roleplaying, Improvised Theatre, Vajrayana Meditation, Visualization & Work with Feelings.

... roleplaying games can be understood as 'playing roles' - getting into a character, imagining situations while considering character played, trying to feel as character played, describing reactions to situations, environment, interactions etc ...

... many say that roleplaying - especially Quality LARPs / LARP is short for 'Live Action Role Playing', events with more or less people, with proper clothing, outfit, requisites, played often in rural/forest/hill/castle/lake/stream environment, not only with words - but also by walking, travelling, gesticulating, and far more / - are a form of improvised theatre ... and when real actors hear this, take seriously, and give them more challenging lessons - they start to regret 'thought/feeling beating' they receive.

... imagination can be either passive or active, one can try to understand thoughts of character one plays, or actively visualize - try to 'see' images in his or hers mind's eye.

... getting in character can be trying to feel as character one knows and understands, considering current environment and conditions.

... i think feelings are great source of power, often too great - and result in worsening of one's karma when used unwisely, unskilfully.

... i think imagination - especially visualization - can give focus and direction to power awakened by one's feelings.

... while combining active visualization with feeling-work can be powerful, it can be very dangerous because of the power of these methods. one can even lose contact with reality, be disoriented, defocused and/or go insane, i think.

... Vajrayana Meditation can use these methods, but one should be careful, prepared and cautious when advancing that way. Once one is prepared and ready, there's still caution advised, because often too much of power - and/or too much of 'focus in a certain direction', and/or too much of 'focus on a certain aspect of one's way' - can be unwise, unworthwhile, and dangerous. Not always too much power and/or focus is better - usually 'minimum force approach' and 'withholding from overstretching in a certain direction' is best, i think.


... driving a car or piloting an airplane requires far more caution, wisdom and skill than just accelerating in a single direction to maximum, i think.


... the Way to Enlightenment is not so straight and danger-less as one would like - so one has to drive in 'Mahayana Vessel', or in 'Vajrayana Vessel' by himself or herself - if one wants to reach Liberation and Enlightenment.


... every being has different way as well, i do not trust those who try to 'show the straight way to enlightenment', i think Master can 'show the way', 'point finger at moon', but it's student who has to travel the way by himself or herself ... looking at finger pointing at moon is not the same as 'going to moon', 'experiencing the moon'.


... which master(s) one can trust? everyone should check and decide by himself or herself, i think.

... i think it's wise to trust wiser, on condition that they do not abuse too much.


See also, if You wish:
- Tools for Inner Development - Imagination and Visualization,
- Kalachakra, Deity Yoga, Imagination & Visualization,
- Creative Visualization, Reality Changing Tool,
- Roleplaying Theory.

Creative Visualization, Reality Changing Tool.

Introduction.

We are Minds separated by illusions of ego.

When ego is defeated, we are not separated anymore, we are One Mind, we are almost or fully the Buddha - connected even with those unenlightened, even if they perceive barriers still.

Universe is filled with Energies, subtler than physical, spiritual energies.

Subtler energies affect physical energies and matter.

Universe wishes to fulfill our wishes, some call it God-Force.

Universe acts through us.


Tools.

Imagination, Visualization, the Inner Vibration in Mind, is a way of interacting with Reality, what we think we become.

By changing ourselves, we change Reality - if only by our efforts to do it.


Creative Imagination is Magickal tool, may it be idea, feeling or visualized image in Mind.

Once created, it might be empowered - for example with power of positive affirmations.

That way we change, Reality changes as well.


How to Imagine?

1. Think of something simple, as if it already happened.

Either idea or event, for example: 'My apartment is clean and nice, fragrant, pure energetically and renovated'.

If it's event, relax and let imagine yourself being part of it.

To create image, it's nice to paint it or draw it first, or wish so it appears in mind.

2. Relax Your body and mind.

3. Count from 10 to 1, thinking, letting imagine. Each breath and counted number relaxes you, think of what you wish to visualize after each breath.

4. Return to the imagination often, focus on it often.

5. Empower with positive affirmations, or send positive energy different way.

Affirm without room for disbelief, and make sure it's pleasant outcome.

For example: 'Thanks to clean and fragrant apartment, i can look nice and smell fragrant - bad smells no longer stick to my clothing. Thanks to this i can succeed in Love and in Career'.


Outcome.

That way, you can believe a change is possible, dispel doubts - no matter if they are caused by black magick trauma of brainwashing or by other causes, you can change Yourself, you can change Reality.

Universe will conform to Your Will, You will Manifest / Realize / what you wish to achieve.

Kalachakra, Deity Yoga, Imagination & Visualization.

Deity Yoga.

'Sometimes people are puzzled by the tantric practice of relying on deities, which some languages translate as 'gods'. These deities, however, are not omnipotent creators or beings in limited states of rebirth filled with heavenly delights. Rather, they are extraordinary forms, both male and female, in which Buddhas manifest in order to help people with varying inclinations overcome their shortcomings and realize their potentials.

Each of these Buddha-figures represent both the fully enlightened state and one of its specific features, such as compassion or wisdom.

Avalokiteshvara, for instance, is manifestation of compassion, and Manjushri is an embodiment of wisdom. Kalachakra represents the ability to handle all situations at any time.

Meditative practice structured around one of these figures and the feature it represents provides a clear focus and framework enabling more rapid progress toward enlightenment than meditation without them.

To alleviate the suffering of others as quickly as possible requires the most efficient method for gaining the enlightened faculties of a Buddha's body, speech and mind. The basis for achieving them is a strong determination to be free of limitations, non-fickle love and compassion, ethical self-discipline, strict concentration, firm understanding of reality and skill in various means to help others. Once we achieve a working level of these, we need to combine and perfect them so that they bear their results. Tantra provides such a technique, namely deity yoga. Like performing the dress rehearsal for a drama, we imagine we already possess the entire array of these enlightening faculties as a Buddha-figure, all together at the same time. Doing so acts as an effective cause for integrating these qualities and achieving such a form more quickly.

This is an advanced technique. We cannot possibly imagine having all the assets of a Buddha simultaneously unless we have first practiced each individually. We need to learn and rehearse each scene before we can run through whole play. Therefore, it is both inappropriate and unwise to attempt tantric practice without considerable meditative experience beforehand.'

-- Quoted from 'Introduction to the Kalachakra Initiation' by Alexander Berzin.


Training the Imagination.

'Tantric practice harnesses the imagination - a powerful tool we all possess. Thus, to repeatedly imagine achieving a goal is a compelling method for accomplishing it sooner.

Suppose, for example, we are unemployed. If, each day, we imagine finding a job, we succeed more quickly than if we dwell, with depression and self-pity, on being out of work. This is because we maitain a positive attitude about our situation. With a negative attitude, we lack self-confidence even to look at job. Success or failure in life hinges on our self-image and, in tantra, we work on improving ours by means of Buddha-figures.

Imagining we are already a Buddha provides an extremely potent self-image to counteract negative habits and feelings of inadequacy.

The tantric technique does not involve simply the power of positive thinking. When using imagination, it is essential to be practical and maitain a clear distinction between fantasy and reality. Otherwise, serious psychological trouble may arise. Thus every teacher and text emphasizes that an indispensable prerequisite for tantric practice is stome stable level of understanding of voidness - the absence of fantasized and impossible ways of existing - and dependent arising - the coming about of everything by depending on causes and circumstances. Everyone is capable of gaining employment because noone exists as totally incompetent 'loser', and finding a job depends on personal effort and the economic situation.

Some people dismiss tantric deity yoga as a form of self-hypnosis. Imagining we are already a Buddha, however, is not a form of self-deception. We each have the factors allowing us to achieve that goal - we all have 'Buddha-nature'. In other words, because each of us has a mind, a heart, communicative ability and physical energy, we possess all the raw materials needed to create the enlightening faculties of a Buddha. So long as we realize we are not yet actually at that stage, and do not inflate ourselves with illusions of grandeur, we can work with these Buddha-figures without psychological danger.

In tantra, then, we imagine we already possess the form, surroundings, abilities and enjoyments of a Buddha. The physical body of a Buddha is made of transparent clear light, capable of helping others tirelessly, and is never deficient in any way. Imagining ourselves as a Buddha-figure with boundless energy like this, however, does not render us a 'workaholic' or martyr incapable of saying no. Tantric practicioneers of course take a rest when tired. Nevertheless, maitaining this type of self-image helps stretch our self-imposed limits. Everyone has an almost endless store of energy available to tap in emergencies. No one is too exhausted to rush to his or her child who has fallen and is hurt.

In addition, while practicing tantra, we feel that environment around us is completely pure and conductive for everyone's progress. Imagining this does not mean ignoring ecological or social issues. However, to help others and ourselves overcome depression and feelings of despair, we stop dwelling on negative aspects. Sufficiently strong motivation and effective methods to transform our attitudes bring spiritual progress regardless of location. Rather than incessantly complaining and being a prophet of doom, we try to bring hope to ourselves and the world.

We also imagine we benefit others by acting as a Buddha does.

We feel that by our very way of being, we effortlessly exert a positive enlightening influence on everyone around us. We can understand what this means if we have ever been in the presence of a great spiritual being, such as His Holiness the Dalai Lama or Mother Teresa. Most people, even if only slightly receptive, feel inspired and are moved to act in a more noble way. We imagine we have a similar effect on others. Our mere presence, or even mention of our names, calms others down, brings them peace of mind and joy, and stimulates them to achieve new heights.

Finally, we imagine we are able to enjoy things in the pure way a Buddha does. Our usual mode of enjoyment is mixed with confusion, often translated as 'contaminated pleasure'. We are always critical, never satisfied. We listen to music and cannot fully enjoy it because we keep thinking that the sound reproduction is not as good as it would be on our neighbor's equipment. A Buddha, however, delights in everything without even a trace of confusion. We imagine doing likewise, for example, when enjoying the offerings of light, incense, food and so on in the various rituals.'

-- Quoted from 'Introduction to the Kalachakra Initiation' by Alexander Berzin.


Using Visualization to expand our capacities.

'Many Buddha-figures have multiple physical features in an assortment of colors.

Kalachakra, for example, has a rainbow of four faces and twenty-four arms. This might seem strange at first, but there are profound reasons for this. All the forms imagined in tantra have several purposes, and each of their parts and colors has many levels of symbolism. Their complexity reflects the nature of the goal of becoming a Buddha. Buddhas need to keep the full array of their realizations and qualities actively in mind, simultaneously, so as to use them effectively in helping others. Moreover, Buddhas need to be mindful of the myriad personal details of those they are helping so as always to do what is appropriate.

This is not an unreachable goal.

We already keep many things in mind simultaneously.

If we drive a car, for example, we are aware of our speed, the distance we need to stop or pass another vehicle, the speed and position of the cars around us, the rules of driving, the purpose and goal of our journey, the road signs and so on. At the same time, we coordinate our eyes, hands and feet, are alert to strange noises from engine, and can even listen to music and hold a conversation. Tantric visualizations help to expand this ability.

Without some method, it is very difficult to train ourselves to keep in mind simultaneously twenty-four insights and qualities such as impermanence, patience and so forth. A verbal mnemonic device, such as a phrase made up of the initial letters of each item in the list, is helpful for remembering them in sequence. However, representing each insight and quality in a graphic form, such as the twenty-four arms of a Buddha-figure, makes it much easier to remain mindful of all of them at once.

Consider the case of a teacher of a class of twenty-four children. For most people, it is quite difficult to keep the personalities and specal needs of each child in mind when planning a lesson at home. Retrieving a list of their names may be somewhat helpful, but actually being in front of the class and seeing the pupils immediately and vividly brings to mind all the factors needed to modify the day's lesson.

A mandala, literally a symbolic universe, is a further aid in this process of expanding our mindfulness and seeing everything in a pure way. In this context, a mandala refers to the palace and its surrounding grounds in which a Buddha-figure lives.

Like the parts of our body, each architectural feature corresponds to a realization or positive quality we need to keep in mind. As a palace, a mandala is actually a three-dimensional structure. A mandala made of colored powders or drawn on cloth is like an architect's blueprint of that building.

During empowerments and subsequent meditational practice, no one visualizes the two-dimensional drawing, only the structure it represents.'

-- Quoted from 'Introduction to the Kalachakra Initiation' by Alexander Berzin.

Tools for Inner Development - Imagination and Visualization.

Introduction.

During a Buddhist practice - for example during meditation or study - one sees, imagines, visualizes Buddha forms.


Imagination & Self-Criticism.

It's easier to accomplish a goal - for example finding work - when one does not drag himself into depression with detrimential thoughts.

Instead of thinking of oneself as of a 'loser incapable of finding any work', one should regularly imagine oneself as capable person.

But it's not about positive thinking & unrealistic beliefs - these can result in psychological problems if carried too far.

In Diamond Way Buddhism we try to act as Lamas or Buddhas until we become one. We imagine ourselves as possessing Buddha Qualities, while at the same time being aware that it's just an opening, that realistically we are not so developed as of yet.


Visualization.

During meditation we visualize Buddha forms with their attributes.

Buddhist symbolics is rich, spiritual, and deeply wise on many levels.




Mahakala for example carries a knife that severs all what hinders, a skull-bowl with ego's blood and more.

Visualizing this helps us to keep in mind many Mahakala aspects at the same time, to coordinate our activities & thinking.

This reminds us how we should be, what is important for Mahakala activity, and with practice can be a skillful way of keeping attention & focus on being as Mahakala in all of his aspects.

-- Paraphrased & summarized parts of 'Introduction to Kalachakra' by Alexander Berzin.