Symbols - What does heaven look like
Left hand path
The left hand path is the way of the heyoka and jester. The word Heyóka refers to the Lakota concept of a sacred clown or jester within Native Indian American culture. Heyoka are thought of as being backwards-forwards, upside-down, or contrary in nature. The concept is also related to the Hanged Man in the Tarot.
In other words the person inverts the terrestrial order, destroys in order that a new order can emerge. Often, the person themselves both subverts the existing, by showing the faults of the old way, and offers a new way at the same time. They may well use humour so to do, in order not to appear a threat.
The same term – taking the left hand path - is also used in Yoga and Tantrism. Clowns, jesters, heyoka and so on may also be magicians, able to levitate, or exert environmental control. In order to obtain these ‘magic powers’ they may employ the various sexual techniques so to do – and this too can be called taking the left hand path, although it is a more infrequently used application of the term.
Alain Danielou – While the Gods Play
When the adept seeks to attain knowledge by means of the Siddhi(s) or powers, he makes use of the practices known as the "left hand," centered around the genital functions. He transforms his procreative force into creative force. For this reason, the development and mastery of the sexual power plays a central role in the practices of Hatha Yoga. All the forms of shamanism are based on these techniques…………….
… He becomes equal to the gods, a god himself; but before realizing this ultimate stage, the disciplines that he must follow isolate him from other mortals. He becomes, with respect to human society, a strange being, disturbing, marginal, who has no place in materialist society. He leads a life both ascetic and lustful, for the sources of his power are in the Sexual Body. He is respected but feared.....
The [users] of the new conceptions of a "civilized Yoga;" have little in common with the marginal society of magician-sages practicing the ancient Hatha Yoga. "--'
There is a connection with the Four seasons and the hours and astrology in the term also.
Observations
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