Vajrayana, also known as Tantric Buddhism, is a unique and intricate form of Buddhism that originated in India and later spread to Tibet and other Himalayan regions. Vajrayana is characterized by its emphasis on esoteric practices, such as rituals, visualizations, and mantras, which are believed to lead to spiritual awakening and enlightenment. In Vajrayana, practitioners are believed to have the potential to achieve Buddhahood in a single lifetime, often through the guidance of a qualified teacher. One of the key aspects of Vajrayana is the concept of deity yoga, which involves visualizing oneself as a particular deity or enlightened being. By using elaborate visualizations, practitioners strive to cultivate traits and qualities associated with these enlightened beings, with the goal of realizing their own true nature. This practice is seen as a way to fully integrate the wisdom and compassion of these enlightened beings into one's own being.
People went to those they thought were witches to ask for potions and spells, sometimes to make people fall in love with them.
This talk will explore the how and why women have been used as scapegoats throughout history, through accusations of witchcraft, devil worship and demonic possession. We understand that this issue has become an incredibly polarized, and political, position for some Americans, the company said in an email to viewers before Wednesday s preview show.
This practice is seen as a way to fully integrate the wisdom and compassion of these enlightened beings into one's own being. Another important practice in Vajrayana is the recitation of mantras, which are sacred syllables or phrases believed to hold transformative power. Mantras are seen as a way to purify the mind and connect with the divine energy of the enlightened beings.
Vegas Theatre Company’s ‘Witch’ delves into a devil’s bargain
Nick Huff, left, and Katrina Currow, right, perform during a dress rehearsal of “Witch,” a 2019 play by Jen Silverman at Vegas Theatre Company, Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021.
Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021 | 6:45 p.m.
'Witch' at Vegas Theatre Company
A sleepy Jacobean town called Edmonton will dominate the Vegas Theatre Company stage starting Friday — and the Devil himself will walk its streets.
In “Witch,” the first show to take centerstage at the theater since the start of the pandemic, the Devil, named Scratch, sneaks around granting wishes in exchange for souls. The only one to refuse his offer is the town’s outcast, Elizabeth Sawyer, dubbed the local witch for her solitude and independence.
“Witch” is a 2019 play by Jen Silverman and will premiere this weekend at the company’s venue in Arts Square. Silverman adapts the 1621 play “The Witch of Edmonton,” written by William Rowley, Thomas Dekker and John Ford, by infusing modern-day vernacular — the characters use “like” freely — into the dated period.
The production runs Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 7. Tickets range from $25–33. Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to the show’s commencement is required.
“We understand that this issue has become an incredibly polarized, and political, position for some Americans,” the company said in an email to viewers before Wednesday’s preview show. “VTC did not come to this decision from that position — we are only concerned with you, our patrons’, health.”
At the preview, friends and frequent theater-goers Ray Smith and Dan O’Neill said they appreciated the reprised availability of live shows. They expressed dissatisfaction with virtual performances — something many theaters elected to do while stage lights were low — because they did not provide the exact level of connection that in-person performances do.
“You could obviously tell someone put a lot of effort into the production,” O’Neill said. “To me, there’s an immediacy about theater that you don’t have in movies.”
The 80-seat theater’s confined space situates actors like Katrina Currow, who plays Elizabeth, close to audience members. She brandishes a long knife, chin held high as the Devil played by Nick Huff, pitches and lays plain the delights he offers. Elizabeth’s denial is playful and physical, aspects that Currow said she latched onto when preparing for the role.
“There’s a point where I put on the costume, and I just kind of get my body physically where I feel like it needs to be,” she said. “It’s more of just getting into the physical, I think, for this one.”
“Witch” is the first in-person show for Currow, she said, since the pandemic began. Before this, the Vegas Theatre Company, formerly known as Cockroach Theatre Company, worked virtually during COVID-19 related shutdowns. But a return to the stage is a relief, artistic director Daz Weller said, as well as a resurgence of what theater is meant to be.
“Theater is actually about connection, and it’s about coming together,” he said. “Without that coming together, it really doesn’t exist.”
Director Andrew Paul said the turnaround for receiving the script and audition process was approximately two weeks. A month of rehearsals later, Paul said he thinks the actors need an audience to elevate the play.
“It’s a true ensemble play for six actors, and it’s a tour de force for the six actors,” he said. “It’s just a really interesting play.”
As artistic director, Weller selected the play for production at the company. Though the play was written before the pandemic, Weller said he thinks audiences will be able to eye overlapping themes.
“I think it really kind of speaks to the sense of the way that we’ve all been going through this struggle between hope and despair,” he said. “It also kind of raises the question of, ‘What do we want to go back to? Do the structures that we’ve put in place actually support us moving forward?’”
Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021 | 6:45 p.m.
The most well-known mantra in Vajrayana is "Om Mani Padme Hum," which is associated with the Bodhisattva of compassion, Avalokiteshvara. Vajrayana also emphasizes the use of various rituals and visualizations to evoke spiritual transformation. These rituals may involve offerings, prostrations, or the creation of intricate mandalas, which are symbolic representations of the enlightened realm. By engaging in these rituals, practitioners seek to break free from ordinary conceptual thinking and access a deeper, more profound understanding of reality. One of the unique features of Vajrayana is its reliance on the guidance of a qualified teacher or guru. The teacher is believed to impart spiritual transmission and provide essential instructions and guidance along the spiritual path. The relationship between teacher and student is seen as crucial, as the guru is considered to be a living embodiment of the Buddhist teachings. Overall, the magic of Vajrayana lies in its ability to offer a comprehensive and accelerated path to spiritual awakening. Through its rituals, visualizations, and mantra recitations, practitioners are invited to tap into the divine potential within themselves and awaken to their true nature. The ancient wisdom and profound practices of Vajrayana continue to inspire and guide practitioners on the journey to enlightenment..
Reviews for "The Three Vajras of Vajrayana Buddhism: Understanding the Ultimate Reality"
1. Jane - 2/5 - I found "The Magic of Vajrayana" to be incredibly confusing and hard to follow. The author seemed to jump from one topic to another without giving any clear explanations or connections. I also found the writing style to be rather dry and lacking in emotion. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Mark - 1/5 - I had high hopes for "The Magic of Vajrayana" but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The author's writing was convoluted and difficult to understand, making it hard to fully grasp the concepts he was trying to convey. Additionally, I felt like the book lacked a clear structure and organization, which made it even more frustrating to read. I was left feeling unsatisfied and confused by the end of it.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - I really wanted to like "The Magic of Vajrayana" but I just couldn't get into it. The book felt repetitive and lacked depth. It seemed to go in circles without offering any new insights or revelations. The author's writing style was also off-putting to me, as it felt pretentious and overly descriptive. Overall, I found this book to be a disappointment and struggled to stay engaged with it.