Deconstructing Yourself Talking about Deity Yoga with Peter McEwen
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Aug 29, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, meditation coach Peter McEwen, an ordained Vajrayana yogi since 1993, dives into the transformative power of deity yoga. He explores how this practice aids in navigating human complexities and the importance of balancing devotion with critical inquiry. Peter discusses the challenges of formless panic, the ontological status of deities, and common pitfalls for Western practitioners. Additionally, he highlights the emotional ups and downs in spiritual journeys while emphasizing the need for compassion and real experience over mere intellectualism.
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Devotion Enhances Practice
- Devotion amplifies contemplative effects and isn't inherently anti-scientific.
- Peter McEwen urges staying in the 'complex middle' between pure science and blind devotion.
Early Opening And Stabilizing Practice
- Peter described a spontaneous opening at age 21 that felt like 'reference-lessness' and triggered panic.
- He used spiritual practice afterward to simulate and stabilize that opening experience.
Formless Stability Through Deity
- Deity yoga trains oscillation between form and formlessness without reifying either.
- It provides a stabilizing 'form' to return to while practicing open awareness.
