Expert: Laurie McLauglin - 3/19/2010

Question
Namaste Laurie,  thank you for your time and wisdom.I have practiced  Siddha Yoga for 13 years. I have experienced much peace and joy,in that time.  Recently I have been drawn to Buddhism, particularly Thich Nhat Hahn, Pema Chodron, Jack Kornfeld and others.  From my readings there seems to be an adverse reaction to the spirit world. Is there strict denial of it? I know of psychics and how they have helped many, especially with death issues of passed loved ones and a friend who has ALS. My 2nd question is, I am considering a weeks stay at blue cliff monastery, any suggestions on maximizing time there?  Thank you,                     
                             with blessings
                                  bill

Answer
Hello Bill -

Thank you for letting me answer your questions.

I rejoice that you are doing so well with your Siddha Yoga practice and that you are getting interested in Buddhism.

Based on my studies, I would not say there is an adverse reaction to the spirit world, it is more that we simply do not believe in its existence in the way most Christians believe in it.

We do have a spirit world or realm known as The Hungry Ghost realm. It is one of the six realms that exist. The hungry ghost realm is a place where beings reincarnate and suffer because they can never get enough food or drink; never satisfied, never satiated. Beings stay in this realm until they have exhausted the karma that caused them to go there. Then they are reborn.

There is also something called the bardo. This is where spirits go after they die. Traditionally they go there for up to 49 days and then take another rebirth.

So in Buddhism there really is no spirit world where folks from beyond can speak to living relatives.

However, it is clear that people do get messages from beyond and they can be incredibly helpful or important to those still living.  One explaination the Buddhists have of this is that the answers we are getting are from the Buddhas, as the actual people have after forty nine days, taken rebirth and are into their next incarnation. Out of compassion, the Buddhas are speaking to you on behalf of your dead relative.

There are spirits that are highly evolved that can help sentient beings and speak to them through channels. But from what I understand there is no logical reason why folks who died would just hang out in a spirit world and be able to talk to their dead relatives.  From what I understsand, there would be no releasing of karma in that state so there would be no reason for a state like that to exist.

Does that make sense?

Blue Cliff Monastery looks wonderful. I am not in a monastery but in a retreat center and I am in a Tibetan Buddhist center so I cannot really speak of living in a monastery or about practicing Zen, though I have friends in both.  But what I can tell you is let go of your expectations. And what ever you do, do not think that going to a monastery will solve all your problems and that all the practitioners you meet there will be happy and well adjusted.

We who live in spiritual settings are still humans trying like the rest of the world to get it right and find happiness. Many people come to this Center and are very surprised when they encounter people who are having the same kind of issues they have.

This is especially true of many of the monks and nuns. They are working on their stuff and are practicing as hard as they can but they are still practicing and are still capable of making mistakes.  

If you just stay in the moment and take what comes up, without expectations, then you will probably be fine.  

I guess the only other thing I would say is be prepared to meet yourself.  Zen involves a lot of sitting and meditating and you have nothing to do but look at yourself and your stuff.  Be gentle with yourself and have compassion for yourself and keep your mind open to how you can change for the better.

I hope this helps.  I wish you much success with your study of Buddhism.  If I can answer any other questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Namaste - laurie