When I was in my 20’s, I had the good fortune to study teachings from the Western Esoteric Tradition.  These included, among other things, explanations of other levels of existence, psychic development, and systems of divination.  Such teachings were very helpful to me back then, as the realities they spoke of were a close match to my own lived experience

By the time I was in my late 20’s, I had found my way to Buddhism, and to the Tibetan Tradition in particular.  By comparison, holding the Western Esoteric teachings were like having a collection of well made and useful maps, but, for myself, in the Buddhist teachings I was able to sense more clearly how the different aspects of our life relate to each other, and to the whole.  I especially appreciate how love and compassion is so clearly placed at the very center of all the teachings in Buddhism.  At that point I shifted the emphasis of my study. The teachings on the uses of our subtle nature, and on the miraculous have never left me, however, and I’ve continued to put them to good use over the years, as may be sensed from this collection.

I recall one teaching from the Western Tradition that says there are two kinds of people when it comes to having the sensitivity to perceive more subtle realities: one is the naturally sensitive person, and that kind of person’s challenge is to learn to control their experience; the other kind is less sensitive by nature, and that type of person has the challenge of increasing their awareness. I have always been the first type of person, so when I found my way to the Western teachings, it was a great relief.  They were describing my world, and a way to live and not to have to struggle so much, but to flourish in it!

I thought to gather some writings from over the years and add a few Buddhist essays to this current collection for two reasons.  First, I feel these ideas really do hold together well as a set, presenting a cohesive and practical world view, especially for people who are aware of energetic levels, and the miraculous.  Second, these days, if a person studies Buddhism here in the West, they would be hard pressed to see much if any description our subtle nature, and what can be done with it, of other worlds and beings, or a celebration of the divine help that can be called on. I offer this then as my own small contribution for those who are interested in subjects such as these.

May whoever this finds its way to
enjoy peace and ease,
and delight in the riches of our world

May they be able to skillfully access the resources
that are always available to us all
for their own benefit
and for the benefit of their loved ones,
family and friends,
and for all beings

From A Belief in the Miraculous – Buddhism, Magic, and a Sense of the Sacred