Why do we visualize the Five Meats and Five Nectars transforming into Timeless Awareness Nectar, instead of just visualizing a nectar-filled kapala? And why a kapala as the container? I think there is a lesson here in how we understand and relate to our relative human existence, but I would like to hear more about this—teaching or discussion. Thanks!
Dakini's Whisper
This question relates to the practice of ‘the inner offering’ at the level of Highest Yoga Tantra. My answer will not be relevant to anyone who is not practicing Highest Yoga Tantra and those readers can stop reading here. Of course, the whole teaching around the inner offering including the figurative and ultimate meaning will unfold as part of our DW journey. Having said that, let me give you (and others) as a Tantric practitioner a general idea about why the five meats and five nectars are part of this inner offering in Highest Yoga Tantra.
First, a Kapala skull cup has many symbolisms including the union of clear light or emptiness and great bliss. The white outside of a kapala represents clear light while the red inside of the kapala represents great bliss. A kapala is an important object for a Mother Tantra practice which emphasizes the clear light.
In terms of the inner offering, it is called that because it deals with the materials that are connected to the psycho-physical aspects of our beings. The five contaminated aggregates and five consciousnesses that are the basis of these human aspects need to be purified on our Tantric journey. In order to do that, in this assimilation process stage (generation stage), we imagine the five nectars as the five aggregates and the five meats as the five sense consciousnesses.
They are transformed into the Five Female Buddhas or Five Dakinis and the Five male Buddhas respectively. In Mother Tantra, between these two sets, the five nectars transforming into the Five Female Buddhas or Five Dakinis emphasized more. The inner offering practice is also a cause to purify the Five Kleshas and transform them into the Five-fold Pristine Awareness.
It is important to consecrate the offering first and then transform in order to purify other things. The consecrated Inner Offering, also called Timeless Awareness Nectar, is a rich and profound practice used for many things: as offering to the holy beings; for ourselves as the 3rd Yoga of Vajrayogini practice; to avert external and internal obstacles; for blessing and tasting as a cause of many levels of completion stage realization; and a cause to increase our lifespan, accumulate positive potential, and experience great bliss. As you engage more in Tantric practice, you will gain an experiential understanding of this profound practice at different levels.
Thank you, Khandro-la, for this is excellent explanation. It has rich meaning, and it's food for ongoing contemplation.