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he Spiral Dragon Dharma Gate is a Buddhist Vajrayana practice that includes preliminary exercises, five movement exercises and a meditation. Practice of Spiral Dragon produces rapid and high level of spiritual cultivation. It leads to a condition known as "body and mind dropped off." Whereas some spiritual and Buddhist traditions regard this a final goal, in the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Vajrayana, and for students of the Life Torch Bodhi Temple, this condition is the essential beginning for further and higher level practice and realization. Spiral Dragon is an engine that drives all higher level practices from vajra healing to Dzogchen, the Great Perfection. In order to begin other higher level practices, Spiral Dragon must be mastered.Spiral Dragon is a Dharma Gate or a complete system of dharma development. That means the practice is a passageway from ordinary self-centered living to a continuous awareness of the immensity and interconnectedness of the universe and of all beings throughout the universe. Dharma has several meanings. It refers to the truth of existence. It also refers to the teachings that lead to Enlightenment. Passing through the Dharma Gate is a movement toward and realization of Enlightenment.
The name Spiral Dragon shows its two important attributes. The first is the connection to dragons. In China, dragons symbolize nobility and freedom, and are a sign of a sage. The practice of Spiral Dragon is the practice of someone who wants to become a sage. Dragons are also protectors of the Buddhist Dharma, so the practice connects a person to the protection of the dragon energies. It also indicates that the path is lofty, aimed at the highest realization. The name also refers to five dragons, the two arms, two legs and spine. Spiral Dragon opens the five dragons in resonance with the structure of the universe so a complete spectrum of energies circulates freely and easily. The flows of energies through the five dragons invigorate a healthy body and refine and extend the radiance of the aura.
The Spiral indicates the nature of movement of energies within the practice. Qi, life energy, moves in a straight path, but the spectrum of energies of Spiral Dragon move in spirals. This mirrors the very structure of the helixes of DNA. Because Spiral Dragon is consonant with DNA structure, it changes us deeply and completely at the cellular level. The Spiral also indicates that this practice is aimed not at linear improvement, but rather at an evolutionary scale leap of personal development.
Spiral Dragon is often compared to the practices of qi gong. It may seem similar, but is different in very important ways. First, Spiral Dragon is based upon total relaxation of the body, emotions and mind. Secondly, Spiral Dragon circulates a spectrum of energies including light, not just qi, through the channels in and around the body. Thirdly, there are no special breathing exercises or visualizations to do for the practice to work. Fourthly, Spiral Dragon is not a practice limited to healing or the martial arts, it is aimed at realizing the enlightenment of Bodhisattvas. Finally, Spiral Dragon is the best foundation for other even higher level spiritual cultivation practices.
Seminars teaching the Spiral Dragon Dharma Gate are regularly held at the Temple. To find out when the next teaching dates are, see the schedule. If you represent a group that would like instruction in Spiral Dragon, contact the Temple to make arrangements for special introductory classes.
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