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| Painting by Silk Alchemy |
The practice of Chöd is an advanced skillful method that enables practitioners to become free of clinging to false notions and beliefs regarding the inherent existence of appearances and experiences and, therefore, of an individual self.
Attachment and clinging to a self are forces that give rise to defilements, which are the source of anguish and pain.
Chöd is the practice that enables disciples to understand the emptiness of all appearances that are fit to arise and, therefore, can be apprehended. It is an exceptional practice, brought to our level of existence by Tantric master Machik Lapdrön, a woman of excellent qualities. She lived in Tibet in the 11th century.
Milarepa, daring black magician, and Tantric Mahasiddha has taught of outer or external, inner and secret Chöd, in which one cuts through one’s attachment to the self more efficiently each time.
He sang:
“External Chód is to wander in scary places where there are deities and demons.
Internal Chód is to offer one’s own body as food to the deities and demons.
Ultimate or secret Chód is to realize Mahamudra, the true nature of the mind, and cut through the delicate strand of hair of subtle ignorance.
I am the yogi who has these three kinds of Chód practice.”
* * *
In Mahamudra Chód practices, an initiated adept ritually offers his whole body (skin, hair, nails, teeth, internal organs, limbs, brain, eyes, feet, heart, blood, bones, spine, neck, etc.) to demons and other spirits to feast upon.
This is truly the apex of the Dark Arts and a sublime example of attaining Light through Darkness and liberating oneself of them both (by attaining Mahamudra).
It is not a practice to be taken lightly. Without proper Tantric transmission of knowledge and empowerment into the Chód practice, even intending such a ritual is stupid. So many things can go horribly wrong.
I am very fortunate and was blessed with the empowerment of a true Tantric Master and have practiced Mahamudra Chód deeply.
This practice has enabled me to glimpse at the realization:
"With no gods to worship, no spirits to exorcise,
No culture of meditation, unpretentious, free and easy,
Here is an unaffected lord without pride in his sense of totality,
And wide open, hanging loosely, in spontaneity and oneness,
Without the need to act, secure in the now, stress-free,
We are happy."
- Longchenpa
See also Demons feasting upon the body, here >>
