Understanding Outer Demons

We can misunderstand, and be confused about the concept of outer demons within our culture, and therefore either dismiss it, or move into a realm of fantasy.

Tibetans call demons, Mara. They believe in outer mara as well as inner mara. However, it is very important to understand this properly. Demonic activity is merely selfish activity – both inner and outer.

We all have three inner demons – desire, fear and ignorance – created by our own mind, because awareness (this sense of self) constantly defends its created identity. Outer demons are anyone who utilises this weakness in us, against us.

THEY CAN ONLY UTILISE THIS WEAKNESS
IF WE ALLOW IT,
BY AWARENESS FALLING UNDER
THE INNER DEMON’S SPELL.

PROTECTION FROM OUTER DEMONS
IS ALWAYS IN OUR OWN HANDS.

Tibetans traditionally placate mara with prayers and offerings of coloured dough images (torma), tossing them out of the monastery daily, and also during empowerment ceremonies. They don’t instruct us to do this all the time at home; it’s just their way. It is a compassionate, symbolic, psychological gesture.

Outer demons are anyone who utilises our weaknesses against us, as we might against others. We’re talking here about the world around us, which includes ourselves. One could say it’s a demonic world!

Are there out of body demons? Why not? However, we only attract them when we submit to our own inner demons. What we say and do may be used against us…

When resting in Rigpa
– pure awareness –
we cannot be ‘got at’

…as there’s nothing there to gain! :-

However, there are those who hate practitioners because of their inner peace (it happens through jealousy) so we can expect subtle attacks. Our protection is merely resting in Rigpa, and compassion. It really does work. Of course, karma can produce some nasties, but we merely deal with them in the same way.

It is all spiritual psychology, based upon reason. In the modern world, we need reasonable, liberating, spiritual psychology.