China Tells Living Buddhas To Obtain Permission Before They Reincarnate

Dalai LamaIn china, the athiest government has banned reincarnation. Beginning next month, the State Administration for Religious Affairs will start establishing conditions regarding “the procedures by which one is to reincarnate.” It will be illegal “to identify the child reincarnation of the Dalai Lama” without the approval of Chinese authorities, according to the Washington Post.

This action is aimed at limiting the influence of Tibet’s exiled Dalai Lama, and at restricting the reincarnation of the 72-year-old monk without approval from Beijing. This is one of many measures by the Communist authorities to tighten their grip over Tibet.

Lamas r eincarnate, known as tulkus, often lead religious communities and watch over the training of monks. This gives them a very heavy influence over religious life in the Himalayan area. Anyone outside of China is banned from taking part in the process of finding and identifying a living Buddha, except for the Dalai Lama. He traditionally plays an important role in giving recognition to potential reincarnates.

China, for the first time, has given the Government the power to guarantee, through an iron fist, that no new living Buddha can be recognized, sounding a possible end to a “mystical system that dates back at least as far as the 12th century. “ Times

“China insists that only the Government can approve the appointments of Tibet’s two most important monks, the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama. The Dalai Lama’s announcement in May of 1995 that a search inside Tibet had identified the 11th reincarnation of the Panchen Lama, who died in 1989, infuriated Beijing.

The boy chosen by the Dalai Lama has disappeared. The abbot who worked with the Dalai Lama was jailed and has since vanished. Several sets of rules on seeking out “soul boys” were promulgated in 1995, but were effectively in abeyance and hundreds of living Buddhas are now believed to live inside and outside China.

All Tibetans believe in reincarnation, but only the holiest or most outstanding individuals are believed to be a tulku, or apparent body. The search for a reincarnation is a mystical process involving clues left by the deceased and visions among leading monks on where to look. The current Dalai Lama, who is the fourteenth of the line, was found in 1937 when monks came to his village.

China has long insisted that it must have the final say over the appointment of the most senior lamas. The new regulations may also be aimed at limiting the influence of new lamas. ” Times

Sources: Times, Washington Post >

Robert Thurman Explains The Dalai Lama’s Retirement by Jen Carlson, The Gothamist

An Open Heart by the Dalai Lama

US Congress Passes Bill to Award the Dalai Lama the Congressional Gold Medal

Beijing ‘to talk to Dalai aides’ by BBC News


November 2007 Merlian Newsletter

| by Merryn Jose & Team

Hello and welcome to the November 2007 issue of the Merlian Newsletter! This month we have many Podcasts including Robert Moss, Barbara Weisberg, and Susan A. Deren. We also have a myriad of articles such as a new Merryn’s Musings on John of God, a review of Andean Awakening: An Inca Guide to Mystical Peru by Jorge Luis Delgado, the latest from Sahar’s Spiritual Lifecoaching, an article by Judith Orloff, more on the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, Dogs For Diabetics, and the Katonah Paranormal Society! Be sure to check out this month’s newsletter, you don’t want to miss it!

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Merlian News Welcomes Another Podcast With Susan A. Deren

| by Merlian News

In this podcast Susan discusses with Merryn Jose what being an animal communicator entails, how you can better communicate with your pets, and what she’s learned in her line of work.Susan is an animal communicator with over thirty years of experience working with animals. She utilizes a technique she developed, Behavioral Intuitive Assessment®, to assess the problem and recommend a solution. Her clients span this country and abroad. Susan’s work with animals is an extension of the intuitive work she does with humans as a psychic and medium.

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Rev. Chad Varah, Anglican Priest Who Helped the Suicidal, Dies at 95 by Douglas Martin

| by Douglas Martin

Edward Chad Varah was born on November 12th, 1911, at Barton upon Humber, Lincolnshire, England, the eldest of nine children of Canon William Edward Varah, vicar of St. Chad’s Church there. He graduated from Oxford with a degree in politics, philosophy and economics, then from Lincoln Theological College. He served in a string of parishes before St. Stephen…Father Varah, who was said to be able to recite every poem he had ever heard, was more curious than concerned about death, because of his belief in reincarnation. His favorite three words of advice were intended to provide a sense of proportion: “It doesn’t matter.”

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Can Marriage Extend Your Spiritual Journey and Keep You Healthy?

| by Sahar Huneidi

“Whether you are attending or planning a wedding, it is important to remember that a marriage is one of the important spiritual acts you might be participating in, as you tread the path of spiritual development. Love is not something that we just fall into, as the romantic songs suggest. Love is a spiritual practice which we get better at it over time! Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway, interfaith minister and author of “Wedding Goddess: A Divine Guide To Transforming Wedding Stress into Wedding Bliss,” talks about how to stay sane and soulful about weddings: “The Big Day is a sacred day. It is not just a party that needs planning–it is a marriage that you are preparing for.”

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Dogs For Diabetics by Dena Ventrudo

| by Reviewed - Dena Ventrudo

The Armstrong Project, now formally known as Dogs For Diabetics, Inc. began almost seven years ago, when the founder, Mark R., began researching the possibility of training dogs to detect type 1 diabetes related low blood sugar and physically alert the diabetic to the impending drop. His own life was saved by a black labrador puppy named Benton, while he was asleep in a hotel room on his way back from a training center for guide dogs and on his way to Benton’s new blind owner. Benton sensed his blood sugar had dropped dramatically while Mark was sleeping, and the puppy woke him up.

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Merlian News Podcasts With Robert Moss On All Things Dreaming

Robert Moss, a lifelong dream explorer who survived three near-death experiences in childhood. He is the creator of Active Dreaming, an original synthesis of dreamwork and shamanic techniques for empowerment and healing. He is a former university professor of ancient history at the Australian National University, also a bestselling novelist, shamanic counselor, and the author of five books on dreaming. In this podcast, Robert Moss discusses with Merlian News how dreams are “a secret engine of history.” The idea for monster.com came to its founder, Jeff Taylor in a dream. H ow dreaming has been central in the history of scientific breakthroughs and discoveries, and much more!

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Divine Duality— The Power of Reconciliation between Women and Men

| by Press Release

“Profound crisis in relations between men and women in today’s world takes many forms in different continents and countries and causes enormous suffering. Arguably, it is one of the most important problems humanity has been facing for some time. Divine Duality is an extraordinary and ground- breaking book. It combines impeccable scholarship in exposing and analyzing the many facets of the gender problem with extensive experience and skill in using powerful experiential form of psychotherapy that holds great promise as a way to its alleviation. Written in beautiful style and with unusual clarity, Divine Duality is a book of great interest and value for both mental health professionals and lay audiences.” Stanislav Grof, M.D., author of Psychology of the Future, The Ultimate Journey, and When the Impossible Happens.

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Mama Donna Leads NYC Halloween Parade!

| by Mama Donna

Tonight Mama Donna will be leading the famous Greenwich Village Halloween Parade with blessings. Joining her in this honorable endeavor is her marvelous Blessing Band of wonderful individuals who are deeply earnest in their desire to extend blessings of peace and positive community spirit to New York City.

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Positive Energy: How To Build Your Vitality In An Overwhelming World By Judith Orloff, M.D.

| by Judith Orloff, M.D.

I know first hand how important it is for us to cherish our precious energy so we don’t compromise our capacity for passion. I now believe that the most profound transformations can only take place only on an energetic level. I’ve met many patients who’ve spent much time and money on talk therapy hoping that intellectual insights will bring emotional freedom, but they’re disappointed. As much as I love the linear mind, my approach, which I call “Energy Psychiatry,” goes further to also facilitate a conscious rebuilding of a subtle energies, the most basic life force in each of us.

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