Tourist Mind/Pilgrimage

"Song Sung Blue" - Daily Coyote

Had enough of "the shift"/"ascension"/"awakening", all the omniscient gurus of false humility, the prognostications of "the (fill-in-blank) cosmic calendar was off by 'x' days" so-called teachers/enlightenment-facilitators, the time-wasting absorption in morbid vicarious living through the infantile leelas/dramas of "rising stars of modern spirituality" (eg: promoted by silly new-age networks like "Shift", which somehow came to "own" the 13 Indigenous Grandmothers [WTF?])? We were talking about 'time' here some days ago, and others have noticed perceptual changes.  Since then I've been tracking evidence of "change" (or lack thereof) in temporal and human-collective terms, and current perceptions of same, as appears on the web world and in other places, and that has prompted me to look up the term "narcissistic supply". Interesting. And, yes, there are roots and early-childhood causes for this and related disorders, and there should be some level of compassion in our response to it's presence, but 'idiot compassion'? I don't believe so. Wow, the levels of both denial and of unfamiliarity with the concept are astonishing. I guess we should take to heart what the I Ching counsels: "It is important above all to possess enough greatness of soul to bear with imperfect people". Obviously, because of their complexity and vastness, many things are impossible to track and come to any absolute conclusions. But that doesn't seem to stop the many voices of personal certainty, and even the passing on of 'information' directly transmitted from "God". Oh well. Enough said. Each to his/her own. 

I've had an interest in following the Kumbha Mela, currently winding up in India (some good friends are there, along with 40 million other pilgrims; some of us are always on pilgrimage). Somehow I came upon the website of Baba Rampuri, a long-time American initiate of a major Naga Baba sect, a gentleman only slightly younger than myself who went to India first time a year after my ('69) initial trip. He doesn't strike me as a "guru" as such, but is considerably articulate regarding Sanatan Dharma, especially the history of the Naga Babas and their perennial oral-tradition "Book of the World". 42 years living as a Naga dude. Respects. Worth checking out some of his lecture vids. His words definitely triggered some potent memories of my early days in India and what was transmitted from a Baba at that time. It is absurdedly sad how so much bullshit is constantly and currently being propagated regarding what precious gifts and life-transforming/healing experiences are always and still readily available to the truly open and receptive individual willing to suspend the western-programmed mind, shut the fuck up, listen to the Devic spirits of the natural world and the subtle voices of the sacred 'tirths' (power-places/otherworldly-portals), and truly humble oneself before the hoary traditions of human and non-human masters. It also doesn't hurt to (easily) avail oneself of the company of the infinitude of living masters of arts and craftsmanship, as they often possess far more life-knowledge and spiritual insight than the self-styled gurus, priests, and charlatan 'babas'. Sheesh, ya might as well hang out in Goa with all the Euro-trash and Israeli assholes (become a 'star'!). All this can be done even now in the midst of the completely fucked-up 'modern' materialistic society that has taken over much of the land. Sadly, what we always called "tourist mind" preoccupies most present-day travelers, and even so-called "seekers", many journeying merely to advance their own spiritual egos, following the old-paradigm 'business model' and adding to their vocabulary of salesmanship. 

How can one describe in literary terms the teachings of the Book of the World? Pretty much impossible. It existed before any and all 'religions'. It can only be accessed by extreme perseverance in emptying the mind via focused 'ritual' practices, though the 'rituals' may or may not come from a lineage or other outside source, may or may not appear simple-minded and pointless, may or may not require one's removal from 'normal' society. Aspects of the Book may even be unexpectedly and suddenly downloaded through divine grace depending on one's karma and humble 'ruinedness'. However the means, it does exist, and in my experience, is the only valuable transmission worth seeking as a sentient being incarnate on this Planetary Animal Mother. And the seeker may discover, as part of the transmission, the incontrovertible truth that ultimately he/she is responsible for everything. Yeah, tough to swallow. Sure takes the wind outta the sails of 'religions'. Aw shit, sometimes I just want to shout "it's the monotheism, stupid!" from the rooftops, but of course the consequences would be my responsibility (heh). 

What hasn't "changed", of course, is the war on innocence, beauty, and just about everything else of the beloved divine creation, while the minds of the masses of humanity are driven scientifically to total terminal disfunction. And, maddeningly, the seeming increase in perception of the details of the beauty in living things beheld continues. 
Examples of local insanities abound, of which this is only one: [warning - disturbing image and crude language]

So, I'm wondering: if I have a small dick and I go out and kill a lot of 'varmints', will it grow longer and thicker? What does it mean that 5,500 'liked' the above?
Viewing the overall history of humans, Pashupati is really pissed, btw. 

Well, we have prayer. It seems to come down to that, whatever form that might take in each person's heart/mind. Speaking of which, we are about 9 days away from the hoary festival of Maha Shivaratri (March 10th), a full night of ecstatic contemplation and celebration of the true deep Self beneath the root of all dualisms. Shiva is primarily represented as the phallic stone placed within the 'yoni' pedestal stone-bowl (it's OK for pagan-haters to freak out here...haha). As possibly mentioned before, the night is divided into 5 "watches" - white, red, yellow, black, and crystal - symbolizing different aspects: 1)self-arising out of the void; 2)Shiva-Shakti/male-female merged; 3)ascetic hermit maha yogi; 4)fierce devouring & ignorance-destroying & encompassing infinite timelessness; 5)unchanging unlimited absolute clear reality. Songs, dances, sacred fires, merriment, fasting and contemplation may ensue for 12 hours uninterrupted.
Something you might enjoy listening to on Shivaratri night:                          
Or this short Nirvana/Atma Shatakam of Adi Shankaracharya (788-820 CE) - words and translation follow: 

1)	I am not mind, nor intellect, nor ego,     nor the reflections of inner self (chitta). I am not the five senses. I am beyond that. I am not the ether, nor the earth,     nor the fire, nor the wind (the five elements). I am indeed,     That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva,     love and pure consciousness.
2)	Neither can I be termed as energy (prana),     nor five types of breath (vayus),     nor the seven material essences,     nor the five coverings (pancha-kosha). Neither am I the five instruments of elimination,     procreation, motion, grasping, or speaking. I am indeed,     That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva,     love and pure consciousness.
3)	I have no hatred or dislike,     nor affiliation or liking,     nor greed,     nor delusion,     nor pride or haughtiness,     nor feelings of envy or jealousy. I have no duty (dharma),     nor any money,     nor any desire (kama),     nor even liberation (moksha). I am indeed,     That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva,     love and pure consciousness.
4)	I have neither merit (virtue),     nor demerit (vice). I do not commit sins or good deeds,     nor have happiness or sorrow,     pain or pleasure. I do not need mantras, holy places,     scriptures (Vedas), rituals or sacrifices (yagnas). I am none of the triad of     the observer or one who experiences,     the process of observing or experiencing,     or any object being observed or experienced. I am indeed,     That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva,     love and pure consciousness.
5)	I do not have fear of death,     as I do not have death. I have no separation from my true self,     no doubt about my existence,     nor have I discrimination on the basis of birth. I have no father or mother,     nor did I have a birth. I am not the relative,     nor the friend,     nor the guru,     nor the disciple. I am indeed,     That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva,     love and pure consciousness.
6)	I am all pervasive. I am without any attributes,     and without any form. I have neither attachment to the world,     nor to liberation (mukti). I have no wishes for anything     because I am everything,     everywhere,     every time,     always in equilibrium. I am indeed,     That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva,     love and pure consciousness.
	Sanskrit:
	Mano Buddhi Ahankara Chitta Ninaham Nacha Shrotra Jihve Na Cha Ghrana Netre Nacha Vyoma Bhoomir Na Tejo Na Vayu Chidananda Rupa Shivoham Shivoham
	Na Cha Prana Samjno Na Vai Pancha Vayu Na Va Saptadhatur Na Va Pancha Koshah Na Vak Pani Padau Na Chopastha Payu Chidananda Rupa Shivoham Shivoham
	Na Me Dvesha Ragau Na Me Lobha Mohau Mado Naiva Me Naiva Matsarya Bhavah Na Dharmo Na Chartho Na Kamo Na Mokshah Chidananda Rupa Shivoham Shivoham
	Na Punyam Na Papam Na Saukhyam Na Dukham Na Mantro Na Teertham Na Vedo Na Yajnaha Aham Bhojanam Naiva Bhojyam Na Bhokta Chidananda Rupa Shivoham Shivoham
	Na Me Mrityu Shanka Na Me Jati Bhedah Pita Naiva Me Naiva Mata Na Janma Na Bandhur Na Mitram Gurur Naiva Shishyah Chidananda Rupa Shivoham Shivoham
	Aham Nirvikalpo Nirakara Roopaha Vibhur Vyapya Sarvatra Sarvendriyanam Sada Me Samatvam Na Muktir Na Bandhah Chidananda Rupa Shivoham Shivoham