Robin Beck

Rotating Cross MVP and the Wave Vortex

In "The Bodhisattva of Compassion, the Mystical Tradition of Kuan Yin" John Blofield offered something called "Three Kuan Yin Visualizations In One." The first of these caught my eye for three reasons:

• It is a 6 beat mantra powered visualization {utilizing Om Mani Padme Hum}.
• It reminds me of Christians crossing themselves; thus connecting with the view that Maria and Jesus are the same iconographic archetypes as as the maternal Avalokitesvara {観世音} {Kuan (shi) Yin, Kan (ze) non} and Samantabhadra {普賢} (Puxian/Fugen} respectively. {Although the baby Jesus in Koyasu Kannon {子安観音} or Jibo Kannon's {慈母観音} arms is actually Mettaya/Maitreya, (Miroku) {[弥勒} but that is another topic}. Also, the same maternal archetype is seen in the benevolent Koyasu form of Kishimojin, shown as a kind of angel, or heavenly maiden, known as hitenyo. {While I am at it, part of Jesus' life also makes me think of Never Despise (Fukyo) {不軽}.
• The Blofield 6 beat MVP creates two lines; like a cross. There is a vertical line, like with the Tsuji-Atkins method, that more or less traverses the spine. Then, there is a horizontal line across the shoulders. This makes it easier to visualization the rotation of the mantra.

Here is my 6 beat Rotating Cross Mantra Powered Visualization, loosely inspired by Blofield, using the Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra Mantra:

1. 南無 Nam' or Namu {1 beat} = Crown Chakra
2. 妙 Myo = Brow Chakra
3. 法 Ho = Throat Chakra
4. 蓮 Ren = Left Shoulder
5. 華 Ge = Right Shoulder
6. 経 Kyo = Heart Chakra

There are several other ways to visualize this, but let us keep it simple for now. The Nam {南無}, Myo {妙}, Ho {法} and Kyo {経} form a vertical line from the crown, to the third eye, to the throat, to the heart. Meanwhile, the Ren {蓮} and Ge {華} forms a horizontal line across the shoulders. While chanting this way, I began to notice a 'sensation' of a rotation, like a prayer wheel turning. Note that I am not talking about the spin of each chakra, but a sort of dominant spin of an energy wave vortex.

The primary rotation I experienced went from my left to my right, or clockwise. Picture a wheel spinning in a clockwise direction. or the movement of second hand on an old fashioned circular school clock. Then picture the wheel or clock flat; this is like the rotation I experiences.

Another way to visualize this is the traditional Tibetan prayer wheel. Or for those old enough to recall, a record spinning on a turntable. One thing, I am talking about an overall rotation, not the spinning of each individual chakra. I began chanting this way years ago. Chanting always created "ki" energy in my hands, the visualization gave me a way to direct and control this energy. Also, I have a serious equilibrium or balance disorder, and this method helped me ground and center.

As I continued to chant this way, for longer stretches of time, I began to experience a non-sensation that was like an energy vortex; which spiraled outward, in a clockwise direction. Over time, I started getting too 'keyed up,' to the point where I became restless and agitated. I also experienced negative desires, thoughts and emotions; which I did not know how to counter. Because of those, issues, I had to back off. More recently, I have learned the cultivation of metta-karuna (jihi) {慈悲} or Brahma Vihara/Four Immeasurables or Four Infinite Virtues (shi muryo shin) {四無量心}; practices which generate positive emotional energies. I also learned samatha techniques to calm or still the mind.

Since resuming the mantra powered energy wave chakra chanting, I found a way to generate another rotation that is slightly different. This one rotates like an upright wheel. There is no axis, it is more like it spins on spokes. If there were an axis, it would be a third line, passing through or impaling the heart. As I chanted, I would switch back & forth between the two; the upright wheel, and the the wheel laying on its side. This generated a new non-sensation. Instead of being tubular, like the prayer wheel, or a vortex, or a wheel, it was more like a globe.

While researching all this, I also came across discussions about positive or clockwise rotations; and negative or counter clockwise rotations. I became aware that when I had lapsed into negative mental mental states -- angry emotions, greedy desires, and confused thinking, the rotation had indeed reversed itself. This gets us into a murky area:

The symbol I experimented with is the ancient svastika {स्वास्तिक}, an equilateral cross with arms bent at right angles, all in the same direction. "The term is derived from Sanskrit svasti, meaning ggod fortune and well-being. The Thai greeting sawasdee is from the same root and carries the same implication." -- {I pretty much plagiarized that definition from about 20 sources}

As everyone knows, Hitler adopted the svastika as a symbol of the Nazi Party. People who are ignorant of its true history automatically assume it is intended as a symbol of racism, and regard its use as a "hate crime." I think this guy wants to get rid of the symbol:

"Apparently, this subtle variation in visual presentation is not enough to win over those who would toss the once-holy symbol into the garbage bin of history. What would the historical Buddha say about this? Would he say, that the preservation of the original and intended meaning attached to the symbol is far more important than the preservation of the symbol itself? And if we are to toss the swastika into the garbage bin of history, should we not also consider tossing other desecrated religious symbols into it as well? What about the Christian cross?" -- The Seal on Buddha's Heart

Or maybe that was sarcasm?

Sources, even the same source at times, have contradictions about what is meant by left facing and right facing:

"In ancient times, the direction of the swastika was interchangeable as can be seen on an ancient Chinese silk drawing. Some cultures in the past had differentiated between the clockwise swastika and the counter-clockwise sauvastika. In these cultures the swastika symbolized health and life while the sauvastika took on a mystical meaning of bad-luck or misfortune. But since the Nazis use of the swastika, some people are trying to differentiate the two meanings of the swastika by varying its ndirection - trying to make the clockwise, Nazi version of the swastika mean hate and death while the counter-clockwise version would hold the ancient meaning of the symbol, life and good-luck." -- The History of the Swastika

Sawastika and Sauvastika are actually just phontic changes of the exact vsame word, somewhat like mano and manas.

A right-facing swastika may be described as "clockwise"... -- Swastika

I am not sure why, I do not even know what that means.

"The flag for the Third Reich was indeed a counter-clockwise swastika." -- Positive Swastikas (counter-clockwise)

When I look at the Nazi flag, its arms point to my right. Of course, that would be the flag's left. As for rotation, it is not rotating, so clockwise or conter clockwise in this context is meaningless.

"A swastika is of two types: the right-handed or male, representing the vernal sun and the god Ganesha. In this Svastika, the extremities of the arms of the cross bend clockwise. It is considered auspicious. The left-handed or female cross represents the autumnal sun and the goddess Kali. Its arms are bent in an anti-clockwise direction and it is believed to be inauspicious." -- Svastika

"The Buddhist swastika is almost always clockwise, while the swastika adopted by the Nazis (many of whom had occult interests) is counterclockwise." -- The Swastika Symbol in Buddhism

No one seems to know which way to spin the wheel is correct. The terms left facing and left handed are ambiguous. If I am facing a Honzon, my left is its right. Clockwise is more objective, but some sources have even that confused. My take is that right facing or right handed means the arms point to our left. That assumes we are facing it, looking at its front. Therefore, the Nazi Sawaskika does indeed face left, its left.

On the other hand, clockwise has a clearer meaning; from our perspective, it spins from our left to our right. But what if I am the clock? Good grief, this is confusing! My instinct is to spin the chakra wheel, Dharma wheel, 'cross,' or wave vortex; from my left to my right. and I suspect that is clockwise. Note that the way the arms point has nothing to do with rotation. Either way can be spun either way.

I do believe we emit vibes that affect the mood or noumenal atmosphere in our midst. Our vibes flow within and without us. However, I do not really believe in curses or blessings from a distance. Even if they are real, what matters is one's intent -- is it amity/metta or enmity/byapada? It seems like the Nazi's curses boomeranged on them, and I doubt this was because of which way they made swastikas. At any rate, as a Buddhist, I aim to reclaim our symbol of well being from the Nazis; and if possible, redeem it, but I shall go about this rather quietly.

Note: by noumenal I mean phenomenon that are not really phenomenal, because they are not perceived via the five or six sense organs; they have no shape / size/ color, sound, aroma, flavor, texture, or other characteristics that can be empirically measured. They are real, but they are noumena.

Posted by rbeck at October 2, 2007 03:39 AM