‘wt123, 859 PM ‘Science and the Reinbow Body, Part 1: Science Mees the Rainbow Body - Buddhistdoor Global u +BDG ~ FEATURES: Home » Features » Commentary and Buddhist Perspectives» Scionce and the Rainbow Body, Part Science Mest the Rainbow Body Science and the Rainbow Body, Part 1: Science Meets the Rainbow Body By Ase Herff July, 2019 Oyvnoos Image courtesy of the author we When science meets spirit, When researcher Fritz-Albert Popp (b. 1938) first discovered that all living cells emit light—biophotons—he could not have anticipated the revolution this would create in the fields of both biology and physics. Since then, there has been a tidal wave of, research and the emergence of the pioneering fields of biophotonie diagnosis, biophysics, biofields, and biomagnetism. Yet one of the greatest implications of this body of knowledge is a convergence of science and spirituality that was previously not, possible. This directly impacts our understanding and practice of Vajrayana, and especially the enigmatic phenomena of the Light or Rainbow Body (Tib: 6-Iu and ja-lu), Indeed, the entire corpus of these ancient teachings moves toward Light Body creation, which we define here as a separate, non-physical bioenergetie or photonic form. It isa light structure that can survive beyond the material organism, acting as a vehicle for a transformed consciousness—a luminous sphere of existence. Light body gets real ‘a ate It is our asy to fe, curate, and share the highest quality Buddhist p i content # ill be — Recently this ultimate goal of the human state, long the “holy grail” for Western Vajrayanists, has received more attention in the public arena. A number of books have appeared val the fact that the Rainbow Body is a real possibility, historically and even into the modern era. But it should be understood that this is a human potential, not restricted to any single culture or time |. Clearly itis @ pan-global, transcultural reality, seen in Christian, alchemical, Japanese Shingon, Greek, Egyptian, Gnostic, Manichean, Kabbalistic, and Zoroastrian art and writings that would fill many books to catalogue and compare. Some htps:ww buddhisidoor nefeatures/science-and:-the-rainbow-body-part-1-science-mests-he-rainbow-body! asswi23, 859 PM. ‘Science and the Reinbow Body, Part 1: Science Mees the Rainbow Body - Buddhistdoor Global +BDG Why science? Having these well-worn traditional practices, designed to lead us toward ja-Iu or d-lu, why bring in science or physics? The fact is that in spite of some 50 years of concentrated activity in the West, including multi-year retreats and high-level trainings, we have not seen exclusive clubs of Light Body adepts proliferating in the West. This absence could be blamed on the still-infant, state of the Buddhadharma in the West, on a lack of monastic facilities, on our busy lifestyles, or any number of social, psychological, or cultural factors. But a8 I realized when I emerged from my own three-year retreat, stuffing 1th century concepts into a 2ist century mind is liking trying to put square pegs into round holes. Even my few years sheltered from the outside world demonstrated that itis not just the content of the mind that changes over time, but its very architecture (relative mind of course, not unchanging Ultimate Mind). Itis possible that what is needed is a new paradigm, It has been shown time and again that when we understand why we are performing a task, we do it better on all levels. The introduction of hard science into our way of thinking and practicing, visualization, mantrie sound, and internal energy manipulations may be the needed game-changer. It provides a raional framework for inner training and promotes confidence in the reality of the mythological and symbolic instructions that we have learned to follow. Not to be confused with an intelleetwal, distanced approach, this knowledge can help the practitioner make the all-important intuitive, living connection with their meditation. The secrets that biophysics has made available to us are, in fact, messages of awakening. In this and future articles in this series, we will touch on some of the incredible recent discoveries and how they might change and deepen our view and practice. A new paradigm may help resolve unanswered questions and ultimately aid in the creation of future Rainbows. ‘The light of life Photons, the wave-particle nature of light, include all seven sections of the electromagnetic spectrum, including X-rays, gamma rays, radio waves, and so on. In the body though, so-called biophotons emitted by every cell are in the visible spectrum of light, though a thousand times too faint for our naked eye. For a photon, there is no time and no distance, already making them enticing candidates for the properties of a Rainbow Body. Stored in cell DNA, these messengers are the main communication network of the body, connecting cell parts, tissues, and organs. Already they have been shown to regulate the growth, differentiation, and regeneration of cells. Coherent biophoton fields could prove to be the basis of memory and even consciousness, as suggested many years ago by Karl Pribram, David Bohm, and others. ‘The light of the brain Biophotons are important crits of formation ia the brain slong with wel Snowe lecteochemiel signals a nectetonotten anders ines teaes fone deplete these Hethotons ever sl ono of ig fom reiterate’ eugene txt yet ce hat deren Recueeesocoles igh: mens ore eas irri noc te mri rowers eden of te span Tress campus we sei ee frenterthe Select phon eassion the saree spect: Hom rate to mocha to ninna the more ane [lense mur ns ard vogtotone The inpleaton formedtation ve pean soce majrsnerhoss fight seed can Doi and ge eaitony les he mre ene sla ene a sao ones fe ast oh pad eels oar an eagh the bes ntay chanel Itis also thought that quantum (atomie-sized) information travels as coherent light along the fatty coatings of the nerves (the ‘myelin sheath). This would make for a truly fiberoptic-like system of wiring within the brain. Photons also travel in the cerebrospinal fluid (CFS), that magic elixir that bathes the brain, and accumulates in its fluid-filled hollows, the ventricles, Here the fluid and photons conneet to the pineal (third eye) and other nearby structures, where they interface with secretions like melatonin and DMT (the spirit molecule). This whole set-up is the perfect milieu for light-based consciousness, and a number of exciting models have evolved from this. The quantura hologram theory is particularly enticing because it depicts as merely a local connection point linked to a vast network of awareness that exists, simultaneous with light, outside the physical body. Naturally practitioners will reflect on the familiar human skull cup filled with nectar, so prominent in Vajrayana ritual Channels of light An equally remarkable development is the re-discovery of the primo vascular system (PVS), after being overlooked for 30 years. This system of microscopic channels, which differ from the lymph, blood, and nervous tissues, qualifies as the actual tsa, nadi, or psychic channels utilized within Vajrayana, yogic, and Daoist traditions of meditation. The microscopic PVS is everywhere, even following the course of nerves and the brain itself https: www buddhisidoor nefeatures/science-and-the-rainbow-body-part-1-science-mests-he-rainbowbody! 26‘11123, 659 PM ‘Science and the Reinbow Body, Part 1: Science Mees the Rainbow Body - Buddistdoor Global | +BDG Contagious photons A striking fact is that living things communicate with each other through photon emissions. Plants can make other plants grow. Animals ean induce sickness in others nearby, not through physical touch or contagion, but simply through photoa radiation. Healers impact others through this same energy and information transfer, Even more profound, it has been known for decades that there is something called “quantum entanglement” that applies to atomic particles, including photons. Once two or more photons are in resonance with each other, or “entangled,” they stay that way regardless of space or time. It is now shown that this applies to living beings as well. Imagine what this means in terms of the spiritual teacher-disciple relationship. One would also expect this phenomenon to be implicit in empowerments and spiritual transmissions. Itis also a biophysical explanation of why samaya-keeping these spiritual connections intact—is so important. A student who acts badly impacts the teacher in certain ways, as does the misbehaving teacher. And both influence the entire intricate structure of the spiritual construct, for good or ill. Instead of the old “mind your Ps and Qs," we need to mind our photons! This very much relates to the important Tibetan concept of tendrel or interdependent relationships in general ‘The future of photons While we are endowed with a “free” physical form, a Light Body is not a given, It is only a potential for those dedicated enough and astute enough to realize its worth, Then it may wuly become the "precious human birth” of Buddhist lore. Fortunately, we fare equipped for this eventuality. Biophotonie research proves that if we simply visualize light, we create bursts of photon emissions in the brain. We now have ways to measure biophoton activity inside the body, but no studies have been done on someone in the very process of illumination and dissolution of their material body into ephemeral light. I invite you to be the first volunteer! For now, we can look at the brilliant paths toward the Rainbow Body that the great masters of the past have developed, and in what way biophysies ean help us on this unique journey. In the upcoming series of articles we will talk about methods of Rainbow Body building and what biophysics ean do to deepen our understanding. This will include: Creation Stage: How yidam or deity meditation provides the structured template or framework for Light Body formation. The extraordinary Completion Stage methods, especially Tummo, as a photonic implosion of the upper and lower poles of the body and subsequent cellular dissolution. How biophotons may help unravel the mystery of consciousness—and awakening. What pure realms mean as stellar realities and abodes of the Light Body beings. The crucial role of the five elements and their transition to the pure five wisdoms. ‘Asa Hershoffis currently completing research towards his forthcoming book The Seience of Light Body. References Baker, I. 2019.Tibetan Yoga: Principles and Practices. Rochester, VT: Inner Traditions. Dota, BT. etal. 2012, "Increased photon emission from the head while imagining light in the dark is correlated with changes ia clectroencephalographie power.” Neuroscience Letters (2), p 151-54. doi:10.1016/j.neulet.2012.02.021 Chenagtsang, N. 2014. Path to Rainbow Body: Introduction to Yuthok Nyinghthig. Toipang, CA: Sorig Press. nips: wy: budehistdoornetfeatures/scionce-and-ne-rainbow-body-part-1-science-meetsthe- inbow-body! ans‘wt123, 859 PM ‘Science and the Reinbow Body, Part 1: Science Mees the Rainbow Body - Buddhistdoor Global ste Miroslav Stefanov et al. 2012. “Primo Vascular System as a New Morphofunctional Integrated System." Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies, 55), 193-200. doi.org/10.1016/.jams.2012.07.001 10.1038/srep36508 Mitchell, D. 2016. White Moon on the Mountain Peak: The Alehemical Firing Process of Nei Dan. London: Singing Dragon. Rattemeyer, M., Popp, F. A. and Nagl, W. 1981. “Evidence of Photon Emissions from DNA in Living Systems.” Nanurwissenschaften (68). 572. Soh, K. S., Kang, K. A., Ryu, Y. H. 2019. "50 Years of bong-han theory and 10 years of primo vascular system.” Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicin, (2013) 1D 587827. doi: 10.1355/2013/587827 Tiso, F, 2016. Rainbow Body and Resurrection: Spiritual Attainment, the Dissolution of the Material Body, and the Case of Khenpo A Chb. San Francisco: North Atlantic Books. Wallis, C. D. 2019. Tantra Illuminated: The Philosophy, History, and Practice of a Timeless Tradition. San Rafael, CA: ‘Mattamaytira Press, Yangonpa, G., (Chasnoff, J., Guarisco, E. trans). 2017. Secret Map of the Body: Visions of the Human Energy Structure’ Arcidosso, Italy: Shang Shung Publications. See more Dr Asa Hershoff ‘Asa Hershoff Tags: Bhutan, Biology, biophotons, biophysics, rain, buddha, buddhism, daoism, dharma esoteric buddhism, Fritz-Albert Popp, bi buddhism, interdependence, light, ight badymind, photon emissions, photons, physies, quantum entanglement, quantim physics, scence, spirit spirtualty tantra, tantric buddhist, Tibet, Tibetan Buddhism, vajrayana aya, himalayan bow body, samaya, ‘Asa Hershott Asa Hershoff has practiced mindbody medicine and Vajrayana concurrently for 40 years. Completing the traditional three-year retreat under the auspices of Kalu Rinpoche, he was later ordained as aay ama in Arunachal Pradesh, A pioneer inthe Canadian holistic health movement, he is founder ofthe Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (1978) and author of three books published by Penguin-Random House. Asa has Aeveloped Elemental Psychology a8 an integration of Vajrayana, humanistic psychology, bioenergy mediine, and s panglobal perspective onthe five ‘ements. This transformative methodology of set-healing, therapy and spiritual growth is represented in his current book projects, You: True & False and The Five Waye of Wisdom due out later this yea. See also: wn sheswisdome,com ww. ech. com, The Five Wisdomsis published ‘monthly. 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