The Six Realms teachings of tantric psychology

[Jodistrict]

This is a highly simplified overview of the six realms teachings.   Although the traditional teachings present them as metaphysical realms, in trantric psychology, they are closer to psychological states that aid in transformation.   There are many version of these teachings, primarily in Tibetan Buddhism and Kashmir Shaivism.    

Since this is simplified and the complete teachings go into much greater depth, be cautious about using this simplified form of the teachings.  For example, this is not personality typing.   Use the teachings with the intention of liberating yourself from unskillful patterns.  Focus on the underlying dynamics of the behavior, what is the motivation, beliefs, and intentions driving complex behavior.  You want to catch certain thoughts and behaviors in the act (e.g.,  “That thought is how a hungry ghost thinks, but I am not a hungry ghost, I am a human being”).    It’s best to receive the complete transmission directly from a qualified teacher. 

Tantric psychology focuses on transformation and alchemy, using the poisons of the mind as vehicles for liberation.  Nothing is seen as bad.  This is total inclusion and radical alchemy.  Think of the beautiful lotus (liberation) that arises from the mud (the three poisons).  Liberation is experienced in the here and now.  The focus is embodiment and not on transcendental experience. 

The six realms:

1.  Hell Realm

A victim mentality with the emotion of hatred/bitterness.   Blaming others is here.

2.  Hungry Ghost Realm

Insatiable searching outside oneself with the emotion of desperation.  Drug addiction could be here.  Searching for the next fashionable teacher but never satisfied.

3.  Animal Realm

Need for comfort and safety with emotions of fear and/or compulsive desire.  Laziness is here.  The comfort zone.  A numbed-out state of consciousness.      

4.  Titan Realm

Need for self-worth proven by accomplishments with emotions of jealousy, envy pride.  Competitive American culture is here.

5.  God Realm

Believing one to be special and elevated with emotion of infatuation.  Deluded spiritual teachers are here.

6.  Human-mind Realm

Need to feel in control through understanding with emotions of insecurity and fear.  Conspiracy theorists are here.

Each Realm has four levels of intensity going from weak to stronger:  fixation, delusion, partial possession, full possession.  It is interesting to note that in early psychology, mental illness was called possession.  Fixation is where you develop a habit.  Delusion is where the habit shapes your world view.  Partial possession is where the energy of the realm speaks through you (e.g.,  “first you take a drink, then the drink takes you”).    In full possession, awareness is extinguished and actions become purely compulsive and reactive.

You can temporarily hang out in any one the six realms or there can be one of the realms where you tend to live.

This version of the teachings is from below, but any errors here are stictly mine. 

Opening the Heart of Compassion by Lar Short

Tantra Illuminated

https://www.tantrailluminated.org/

 

The Wheel of Life  Mandala

 The core contains the seeds of enlightenment, the pig (ignorance), the snake (hatred), and the rooster (attachment).  The six realms are in the middle.  As long as you are in the six realms you are in the wheel of samsara and you are suffering.  The Bodhisattvas of Compassion and Buddha outside the wheel are guides for those seeking to exit the wheel.  Yama, the lord of death, holding the wheel is meant to to shock practioners into realizing the urgency of seeking enlightenment before their time runs out.