AMedi t at i onGui de For Mahamudr a ht t p: //ww www. r i npoche. com/ m/mm mmc. ht m
Pe t e rBar t h
Mahamu mudr aMe Medi t at i onCent er Pet al uma,Cal i f orni a,USA
Dedi cat ed t o Thr anguRi npoc he and Kar maMa Mahas i ddhaLi ng
Publ i shedby: Mahamu mudr aMe Medi t at i onCent er P.O.Box750681 Pe t al umaCA949750681 USA Copyri ght© 1998byPet erF.Bart h Al lr i ght sr e ser v ed.
No t e :Thi sbo oki sno tf o rs al ei nt het r a de .
Credits Mahamudr a Mahamudr a:TheQui nt essenc eofMi ndandMedi t at i on byDa DakpoTashiNagyal , t r ansl at edbyLobsangP.Lhal ungpa.Copyr i ght© 1986byLobsangP.Lhal ungpa. Shamb mbhal aPubl i cat i ons,I nc. ,Bost on,MA,USA.Al lquot at i onsandparaphr asesf r om DakpoTashiNagyalar ef r om t hi sbook.Thi sbookshoul dbeacqui r edasacom mp pani on bookt o AMedi t at i onGui det oMa Mahamu mudr a. Moo nbeams mso fMahamu mudr aI b V yThr anguRi npoc he,edi t e dbyCl ar kJohnson. Copy r i ght© 19891995byNamo moBuddhaSemi nar .Namo moBuddhaSemi nar ,Boul der , CO,USA.Thesearet heorali nst r uct i onswhi chpr ovi deabasi sf ormo mostoft he pr act i ces.Theseshoul dal sobest udi edascomp mpani ont ext st o AMedi t at i onGui det o Mahamudr a. Mahamudr a:El i mi nat i ngt heDar knessofI gnor ance byWa WangchugDorj e,t r ansl at edby Al e xanderBe r z i n.Copyr i ght© 1978byLi br ar yofTi be t anWor ks& Ar c hi v e s.Li br ar y ofTi bet an Wor ks& Ar chi ves,Dharams msal a,Hi machalPr adesh,I ndi a.Agr eatpr act i ce t extf orMahamu mudr a.Consul t edi ndev el opi ngt heMM MMC cur r i cul um. Pi er ci ngt heAut umnSky:AGui det oDi scov er i ngt heNat ur alFr eedom ofMi nd byPe t e r Bart h.Copyr i ght© 1993byPet erF.Bart h.LameTur t l ePr ess ,Pet al uma,CA,USA.A
basi ci nt r oduc t i ont oMahamudr avi e w,pr ac t i c eandact i on. TheGar l andofMahamudr aPr ac t i c es byKungaRi nchen,t r ansl at edbyKhenpo KönchogGyal t sen,cot r ansl at edandedi t edbyKat her i neRoger s.Copyr i ght© 1986 byKhe npoRi npoc hayKönc hogGyal t senandKat her i neRoger s.Snow Li on Publ i cat i ons,I t haca,NY,USA.Agr eatsummar yofDr i kungKagyuMahamudr a pr a ct i c e. Mahamudr aT eac hi ngs byGar chenRi npoche,t r ansl at edbyKhenpoKönchogGyal t se n, edi t edbyPet erBart h.Copyr i ght© 1997byKhenpoKönchogGyal t sen.( t obe publ i shedbyRat naShr iDhar maCent er ) . ThePr ac t i c eoft heCoEmer gentMahamudr a byPadmaKar poNgawangNor bu, t r ansl at edbyAnz anHoshi n.Copyr i ght© 1983byWhi t eWi ndZenCommuni t y , Ot t awa,Ont ari o,Canada.
Dz ogc he n TheBuddhaMi nd:AnAnt hol ogyofLongc henRabj am’ sWr i t i ngsonDzo gpaChenpo ,by Tul kuThondupRi npoc he,e di t edbyHar ol dTal bot t.Copyr i ght© 1989byTul ku ThondupRi npoc he.Snow Li onPubl i cat i ons,I t hac a,NY,USA.Anout s t andi ngt e xt andpr ese nt at i onoft hekeyel ement sofDzogc hen. TheCy c l eo fDayandNi g ht :AnEs s e nt i alT i be t anT e x to nt hePr ac t i c eo fCo nt e mpl at i o n, byNamkhaiNor bu,e di t edandt r ansl at edbyJohnRe ynol ds .Copyr i ght© 1984,1987 byNamkhaiNor bu( Ti be t ant e xt )andJohnMyr dhi nRe ynol ds( t r ansl at i onand comment ary) .St at i onHi l lPr ess,I nc. ,Barr yt own,NY,USA.Awonder f uli nst ruct i on onpr act i ceaccordi ngt oGarabDorj ef r om t hel ongdeser i esofDzogchen. TheGo l de nL e t t e r s ,t r ansl at i on,not es,andcomment arybyJohnMyr dhi nReynol ds. Copyri ght© 1996byJohnMyr dhi nReynol ds.Snow Li onPubl i cat i ons,I t haca,NY, USA.Wonder f ulc omment ar ybyDudj om Ri npoc heandPat r ülRi npoc heont he‘ Thr e e St at ement sofGarabDorj e. ’
Ti me,Space,andKnowl edge Ti me,SpaceandKnowl edge:ANew Vi si onofReal i t y byTart hangTul ku.Copyr i ght© 1977byDhar maPubl i shi ng.DharmaPubl i shi ng,Emer yvi l l e,CA,USA.Achal l engi ng
vi si onf orany onei nt e r es t edi ne xpl or i ngt heset hr eeas pec t sofbei ng. Bodhi ci t t aandDhar ma Tr easur yofDhar ma:ATi bet anBuddhi stMedi t at i onCour se byGesheRabt en,t r asl at ed byGonsarRi npoc he,edi t edbyBr i anGr abi a.Copyr i ght© 1988byGonsarRi npoc he. Thar paPubl i cat i ons,London,UK.Gr eatt e xtonBodhi ci t t aandot herf undament al Buddhi stpr act i cesandconcept s.
I l l us o r yBo dy TheI l l us o r yBo dy byDr i kungpaDhar maki r t i ,t r ansl at edbyKhenpoKönchog Gyal s t en.Copyri ght© 1983byKhenpoKönchogGyal t se n.Awonder f ulmedi t at i on manualf ort hei l l usorybodypr act i ces.
Contents Credits * Contents * Foreword * Introduction *
Bodhicitta * The Start of a Group * Areas of Deviation * The Playground *
1 - Resting Mind Series
*
Introduction * (1) oyful !esting * (") Attending to #isual Appearances * ($) Blue %ight at the &eart * (') Sounding A& * () ounting Breath * () +ollo,ing Breath * (-) Gentle #ase Breath * (.) ust Sit * 2 - Exploring Mind Series *
Introduction * (1) Shape of /ind * (") olors of /ind * ($) %ocation of /ind * (') %u0inosity and #oidness of /ind * () rigin2 A3ode2 Destination * () Self4A,are Pri0ordial 5isdo0 * 3 - Exploring Thoughts and Appearances Series *
Introduction * (1) Shape of Thoughts *
(") olors of Thoughts * ($) %ocation of Thoughts * (') %u0inosity and #oidness of Thoughts * () rigin2 A3ode2 Destination * () Self4A,are Pri0ordial 5isdo0 * (-) Investigating Appearances * (.) Investigating the Perceiver of Appearances * (6) Investigating /oving and al0 /ind * (17) o0paring Positive and 8egative Thoughts * (11) o0paring Positive and 8egative Appearances * (1") ertainty !egarding /oving and al0 /ind * - Spontaneous Coe!ergence Series
*
Introduction * (1) oe0ergent /ind * (") oe0ergent thoughts * ($) oe0ergent Appearances * (') rdinary /ind * () /editating on the rdinary /ind * () /indfulness2 #igilance2 and aring * (-) %oosening /ind * (.) !esting in Pri0al +reshness *
(6) Delightful /ind * (17) /ind of !ela9ation * (11) 8on4/editation and 8on4Distraction * " - #awning o$ Certaint% Series
*
Introduction * (1) Deter0ining the 8ature of Thoughts * (") Deter0ining the 8ature of Thoughts and Appearances * ($) Deter0ining the 8ature of onsciousness * (') A,areness and the Three Ti0es * () Self and thers * () verarching A,areness of ertainty * (-) ontinuing in A,areness of ertainty Day and 8ight * (.) arrying :leshas on the Path * (6) arrying Illness on the Path * (17) arrying Sleep on the Path * (11) arrying Death on the Path * (1") The +our ;ogas of /aha0udra * & - Facets o$ 'eing Series
*
Introduction * (1) Bodhicitta Aspiration and Application * (") Illusory Body *
($) :no,ing Ti0e * (') :no,ing Space * () The Play of :no,ledge * () Ground of Being and Self4Identity * (-) The +ive
*
The %ife of the Buddha * The +our 8o3le Truths * The /eaning of >8o4Self> * The Pri0ordial Buddha and a %asting %i3eration * The Practice of /editation * Appendix ' ( )erspecti*es on Maha!udra
*
The /eaning of /aha0udra * Preli0inaries * Spiritual +riend * Perspectives fro0 Three :agyu %ineages *
A$terword *
Foreword Thi sme di t at i onmanualpr ovi desi ns t r uct i onsf orac y cl eofsi xser i esofTi be t an medi t at i onst aughtandpr act i cedatt heMahamudr aMedi t at i onCent eri nPet al uma, Cal i f o r ni a,U. S. A.I ti spr i mar i l yi nt e nde df o rus ebyme mbe r soft hec e nt e r ,i nc l udi ng bot ht eac her sands t ude nt s.Thi st e xtpr ovi de sacompr ehensi v eandt hor ough i nt r oduct i ont ot hemedi t at i onpr act i cesofMahamudr aaccor di ngt oDakpoTashi Namgyal ,asdescr i bedi nhi saut hori t at i vemedi t at i onmanualf r om t hesi xt eent h c e nt ur y ,Moonbe amsofMahamur a. I naddi t i on,sel ectmedi t at i onmai nt enanceand enhancementpr act i cesarei ncl udedf r om avari et yofot hers our ces. Thefir s tfiv es er i esoft hecy c l ear ebaseddi r ect l yont het eac hi ngsofDakpoTashi Namgy al( 1512– 1587)andt heNi nt hKar mapaWangc hugDor j e( 15561603)ast aught byKhe nc he nThr anguRi npoc he.The yr epr ese ntt hehear toft r ans mi ssi onand pr act i ceoft hesacr edl i neageoft heDakpoKagyuandmakeupt hecor eoft hi scyc l e ofpr act i ce.Ther emai ni ngseri esi sbasedonvari oust eachi ngsofKagyu( mai nl y Mahamudr a)andNyi ngma( mai nl yDz ogc hen)l i neag esandt he‘ Ti me,Spaceand Knowl edge’vi si oni nt r oducedbyTart hangTul kui n1977. Thecy c l eofmedi t at i onsconsi s t soft hef ol l owi ngser i es: •
Rest i ngMi nd
•
Expl ori ngMi nd Expl or i ngThought sandAppear ances Spont aneousCoemer gence
•
Dawni ngofCer t ai nt y
•
•
•
Facet sofBei ng
Iam mostgr at ef ult ot heVer yVener abl eThr anguRi npochef ort eachi ng Moonbe ams ofMahamudr a i ni t se nt i r e t yt hr e et i me sov e rt hec our s eo ffiv et e nda yr e t r e at sat LakeBi gBear ,Cal i f orni abet weent heye ars1989–1995.Moonbe amsofMahamudr a wast r ansl at edi nt oEngl i shbyLobsangLhal ungpaandpubl i shedbyShambhal a Publ i c at i o nsi n1986unde rt het i t l eMahamudr a:TheQui nt es se nceo fMi ndand Me di t at i o n.Thi st r ansl at i onwasunder t akenatt her eques tofDukchenThuksay Ri npocheandt heSi xt ee nt hKar mapaRangj ungRi gpeDor j e.KhenchenThr angu Ri npochegavet eachi ngsont hi st extatt her equestoft heKarmapaandasi ncer e be l i eft hatt he ywoul dbemos thel pf ulf orpr ac t i t i oner si nt hi st i meandpl ace . Tr ansc r i pt sf r om t heset eac hi ngsar eav ai l abl ef r om NamoBuddhaPubl i c at i onsi n Boul der ,Col or adot hankst ot heeffort sandat t ent i onofDr .Cl arkJohnson. Ther el at i onshi pbe t weenDakpoTashiNamgy alandThr anguRi npoc hei si ndeeda di r ectandpr of oundone.TashiNamgyalatonet i mer esi dedatThr anguMonast er y ,so t her ehasbeenaspeci ficandcl oseassoci at i onoft heset eacher sandt hei rl i neages ove rmanygener at i onsnow.Hei st hege shewhowasaskedt oest abl i sht he cur ri cul um f ort hef ourr egent soft heKarmaKagyul i neage.Heal soi st heabbotof Rumt ekMonast er yandsev er alot hermonast er i esandcent er s.Lamasoft heKar ma Kagyul i neagehavebeenquot edassayi ng,‘ Noonecanpoi ntoutt hevi ew l i ke Thr anguRi npoc he. ’Ther ef or e,Thr anguRi npoc hehast hehi ghes tqual i fic at i onsf or pr esent i ngt heset eachi ngs. Thr anguRi npoc hehaspr ov i dedde t ai l e dcomme nt ar yonatl eas tt hr eeoccasi onsi n Cal i f o r ni aon TheAspi r at i onf orMahamudr a wr i t t enbyt heThi r dKar mapaRangj ung Dorj ebet weent heyear s1989–1997.Overt heyear s,hehasal sogi vendet ai l ed i nst r uct i onsonot hert eachi ngsofMahamudr ai ncl udi ngbutnotl i mi t edt ot hoseof Ti l opa,Nar opa,andWangc hugDor j e.Thes ehav eal lhe l pedt os t r engt hent he t r ansmi ssi onofMahamudr at ot heWes t .I ti swi t hThr anguRi npoche’ s encour agementt hati n1991Ies t abl i shedMahamudr aMedi t at i onCent eri n Cal i f or ni a.U. S. A. Al t hought hefir s tfiv ecy cl esr epr esentacompl e t ese toft eac hi ngsoft heDakpoKagyu l i neageandcanst andont hei rown,i thasbeencommonove rt heye ar sf orTi bet an y ogi st out i l i z et hepr ac t i c esofdi ffer entt r adi t i ons.Thi smayoccurwhent he yar e dr a wnt opar t i c ul art e ac hi ng s ,pr ac t i c e s ,o rt e ac he r swhi c ht he yr e g a r dt obehe l pf ul
t ot he ms e l v e so rt ot he i rs t ude nt s . I ti si nt hi ss pi r i tt hatt hes i x t hs e r i e swasde v e l ope d.The s epr a c t i c e sar ebas e don i nst r uct i onsr ece i ve df r om numer ouss our cesi ncl udi ngKhenchenThr anguRi npoche, KhenpoKönc hogGyal t se n,Gar c henRi npoc he,KhenpoTsul t r i m Gyat so,Che t sang Ri npoche,DukchenThuksayRi npoche,Tog denRi npoche,Kal uRi npoche,Geag en Khye nt se ,Dudj om Ri npoc he,NamkhaiNor bu,Tar t hangT ul ku andt heNyi ngma I nst i t ut eandSokt seRi npoche.Thei nfluenceofmypart i ci pat i oni n‘ Advanced Nyi ngmaMedi t at i on’andni nemont hprogr amsont he‘ Ti me,SpaceandKnowl edge’ vi si onpr esent edatt heNyi ngmaI ns t i t ut ei nBe r kel e y ,Cal i f or ni abe t wee n1977– 1984 wi l lbee vi dentf r om someoft hes epr act i ces.Fur t her mor e,myper sonali ncl i nat i ons andeducat i oni nphysi cshavecausedmet ot akeani nt er esti nTi bet an pr act i ces r el at edt ot i meandspace.Fi nal l y ,Ihavei nt r oducedaf ew dr eam yogaexperi ment s t hathavee mer gedt hr oughmyownpr act i ceov ert heye ar s. Appe ndi xAi ncl ude st hebr i ef e s ti nt r oduct i ont ot hel i f eandt eac hi ngsoft hehi s t or i cal Buddha,t akenf r om ahandoutwhi chIhaveusedi nmyr ol eont hef acul t yoft he El derHost elpr ogram oft heCat hol i cDi oceseatt heSi l verPennyFarm i nPet al uma, Cal i f o r ni a.Iha v ef o undt hatmo s ts t ude nt si nt e r e s t e di nme di t at i o nkno wl i t t l ei f anyt hi ngaboutt hehi st or i calBuddha.Appendi xB di sc uss ess omeoft hemany f r ame wor ksassoc i at ewi t hMahamudr a. I nt r oduct i ont o‘ t hevi ew’ofMahamudr at r adi t i onal l yoccur st hr ought hehel pofa spi ri t ualf ri end.Thesedays,manyWest erner shavebeeni nt r oducedt ot hevi ew of Mahamudr aorDz ogc henbyqual i fiedt eac her sofoneormor eoft heTi bet an t r adi t i ons,whet herKagyu,Nyi ngma,Gel ug,Sakya,orBon.I naddi t i on,t heyhave r e c e i v e di ns t r uc t i o no n me di t at i o npr ac t i c e swhi c hbr i ngf o r t h,mai nt ai n,and enhancet hi svi ew.I ti sal sof ort hosewhohaveaccesst osuchat eachert hatt hi s medi t at i onmanuali si nt ended. I nanyc as e ,t hi smanualo nl yc ont ai nsg e nt l epr ac t i c e swhi c har ee nt i r e l ys af et o appl y .Onl yoneoft hesi xser i esi nt hecyc l ecomeswi t haspeci ficr ecommendat i on ngofCert ai nt ySer i es.Eveni Dawni ng r e g ar di ngt i mi ng ,t heDawni nt hecaseoft he ofCert ai nt ySeri es,t i mi ngi sj ustamat t erofknowi ngwheni nt r oduct i oni smost e ffe c t i v ef o rt hes t ude ntt opr og r e s ssuc c es s f ul l yont hepat hofl i be r a t i on. Thei mpor t anceofbot hge nui neongoi ngsel f asses smentandt hesuppor tofa
s pi r i t ualf r i e nds ho ul dbeobv i o usi nt hi ski ndo fe nde av o r .I ti sdi ffic ul tt ol e ar na t r adeort opl a yani ns t r ume ntwi t ho utat e ac he r .Si mi l ar l y ,i ti sdi ffic ul tt ol e ar nt he s e mi ndpr act i ceswel lwi t houtone. If e e lIha v ebe e ne xt r e me l yf o r t unat et or e c e i v et hei ns t r uc t i onsofs e v e r alg r e at Ti be t any ogi swhowe r et r ai nedi ncount r yofTi be tbef or et heChi neset akeov erof 1959.Ihavest udi ed,pr act i cedandt aughtt hesemedi t at i onsatvari oust i mesduri ng t hepas tt we nt y e i g hty e ar s .Dur i ngt hi st i me ,Iha v ec omet oappr e c i at et he i r e ffe c t i v e ne s si npr o v i di ngade g r e eo fme ani ngandbal anc et omyl i f e .I nt hi st e x t ,I haveat t empt edt opr ovi deasummaryoft hepract i ceswhi chhavepr ove nmosthel pf ul t omysel fand,basedonf eedback,myst udent s.Ihavehadt heopport uni t yt opr oceed t hr ought hi scycl eofmedi t at i oni nmyownpr act i ceandwi t hsmal lgroupsoff el l ow pr act i t i oner sr epeat edl ybet weent heyears1989–1998andhavei ncorporat edt hei r f eedback.I nf act ,t hi smedi t at i onmanualwi l lcont i nuet obeenhancedasour e x pe r i e nc ewi t happl y i ngt he s epr ac t i c e si nc r e as e s . Thesepr act i cesar eme antt obot hc hal l engey ouandpr ovi dey ouwi t hsuppor ti ny our o wnpr ac t i c e sands e l f e x pl o r a t i o n. Ihopeyouwi l lcomet ot r easur et hem! Pe t e rBar t h Mahamudr aMedi t at i onCent er
Introduction Bodhi ci t t a
I ti ssai dt hatt heheartofBuddhi sm i sBodhi ci t t a( awakenedmi nd) ,i ncl udi ngbot h r e l at i v e( as pi r a t i o nandappl i c at i o n)andabs ol ut e( mi ndas i t i s )as pe c t s .Whe n under t aki ngMahamudrapr act i cewear eal waysas kedt ochec kourmot i vat i on c ar e f ul l y .Wec he c ki tatt heo ut s e to fe ac hs i t t i ngandwo r ko nc ul t i v at i ngag e nui ne al t r ui s t i cat t i t ude .The nwec he c ki tag ai natt hec onc l us i o n anddol i ke wi s e .I ti sf or t hi sr easont hatweusual l yhaveasami ni mum asmal l‘ Ref ugeandBodhi ci t t a’chant i nt hebe g i nni nganda‘ De di c at i o no fMe r i t ’pr a y e ra tt hee nd.Al s o ,t hi sc hanthe l ps t oset t l eourmi ndandser vet or emi ndust hatwear eaboutt ounder t akeorconcl ude somet hi ngext r aordi nari l yspeci al .Andt hen,whenwecan,wecul t i vat ebodhi ci t t ai n be t wee nt hesemome nt s,ei t herdur i ngsi t t i ngi t se l fordur i ngpos t medi t at i on. I ni t i al l y ,oure ffor t satg ene r at i nganal t r ui s t i cmo t i v at i onandput t i ngi ti nt opr a ct i c e ma yf e e ls l i g ht l yc ont r i v e dora r t i fic i al ,butwi t ht i meandt her i g htwi s h,i ti ss ai dwe candevel opbot hpur emot i vat i onandappl i cat i oni nt hi sr espect .Thenourmot i vat i on cant r ul ybeoneofworki ngf ort het wobenefit s,t hebenefitofsel fandt hebenefitof o t he r s .
TheSt ar tofaGr oup Whenasi t t i nggr oups t ar t st ome e t ,att heout se ti ti shel pf ult os t at et hatasan i ns t r uc t oro nes ee sone ’ sr o l east hatoff ac i l i t at ora ndass ome onewi t hal i t t l ebi tof e xpe r i e nc eand,hope f ul l y ,al i t t l ebi tofi nt e gr i t y .As kt hatal lpar t i c i pant sal s obr i ng t hi sspi r i tt ot hegr o up,ar e l i anc eont he i re xpe r i e nc eandal i t t l ebi tofi nt e gr i t y . Ther ebypl antt hesee dsf orcul t i v at i nganenvi r onmentofmut ualt r us tandr espe ct . Att hefir s tmee t i ngones houl dt akeamome ntt or eflectonwhywear eher et oday .We shoul dr egar dour sel vesasbei ngext r emel yf ort unat et hatwehavebeenabl et ot akea l i t t l et i meo uto fo urbus yl i v e st oe xpl o r ewhoandwha twear e .Thi si se x t r e me l yr a r e i ndeed.I ti sr ar et obebornahumanbei ngandt ohavet hi sl i f e.Theoddsoft hi sar e muchl esst hant heoddsofwi nni ngt heSt at eLot t ery .Weal lhavet hi sext r emel yr are andpr eci oushumanl i f e.St i l lr areri si t ,havi ngbeenbornahumanbei ng,t ol ookf or t heme ani ngoft hi sl i f eandt oc ul t i v at es e l f unde r s t andi ng .Andweha v eal lt ake na l i t t l et i met odot hi s .Sowes ho ul df e e lv e r yf o r t unat ei nde e d. Havi ngt hi sl i f e,i fwedonotappl your sel vesi ndoi ngsomet hi ngmeani ngf ul ,t hen whenwedi ewema ydi ev er yconf us edandwi t hadeepr e gr e t .So,si nc el i f ei s unce r t ai nandi mper manent ,andwedonotev enknow i fwewi l lbeal i vet omor r ow,we
shoul dmaket hemos tofourt i me. Asi ns t r uct or s,wemus tt r yourut mos tt ohel ps t ude nt sdi sc ov ert hev al ueand si gni ficanceoft hei rownl i ves,notaccor di ngt oanyofourowni nneragendas,butby honori ngcompl et el yeachmember ’ spr esenceandi ndi vi dual i t y .Si mpl ybet her ef or t hemember soft hegr oup.Wi t hpr esenceofawareness,bri ngyouspi r i tofcari ngt o pl ay.Ther ei snogreat erf ort unet hant obeabl et oshar et hedharmaandt her ei s no t hi ngmo r eme ani ng f uli nl i f et hant hi s .Sot r e as ur ei t ! I fy o uf e e ls oi nc l i ne d,i nv i t eal lt heBuddhasandBo dhi s at t v a so ft het hr e et i me sand t endi r ect i ons,andyi dams,andt heyogi nsandyogi ni s,andt hedharmapr ot ect or s anddaki ni s,andt hel amasoft hel i neaget ot hespacear oundyouandaskt hem t o part i ci pat ewi t hyouandsupportyoui nyoureffor t s.Thankt hem att heconcl usi on asyou di ssol vet hem i nt oyourheart . I ti snott hatani nst ruct ort r ansmi t ssomet hi ngt ot hest udent ,butt hatt hr ougha l i t t l ei ns t r uc t i o n,g ui danc e ,ande xampl e ,t hes t ude ntdi s c ov e r st hi ng sdi r e c t l yi nhi s o rhe ro wne x pe r i e nc eandbe i ng .Thei ns t r uc t o rf ac i l i t at e sas e l f unde r s t andi ngwhi c h ari sest hr oughast udent ’ sownexperi enceandawar eness .Thati st het r uemeani ngof t r ans mi s s i onandt her ol eo faspi r i t ualf r i e nd.
Ar easofDevi at i on Whene xper i encesofv ar i oust ypesar i sef ors t udent s ,t hei mpor t antpoi nti st hatt he y no tat t ac ht ot he m.Whe t he rbr i l l i antflas hi ns i g ht s ,o re xpe r i e nc e so fag i t at i on,bl i s s , l umi nousst at es,orcompl et eempt i nessari se,j ustr emi ndt hest udentt hatt hese t hi ng sma yo c curasar e s ul to fpr ac t i c e( o rg e t t i nghi to nt hehe ad! )The yar ene i t he r goodnorbadandt heyshoul dsi mpl ycont i nuewi t ht hepr act i ce.Thi nkoft hest oryof GampopaandMi l ar epawher eGampopar el ayse xper i enceaf t erexper i encet o Mi l ar epawhor emai nsuni mpr es se d. I nsomecases,exper i encesmayar i sebecauseast udenti st ryi ngt oohard,wi t ht oo gr eatofanexpect at i on.St udent swhoar eoft hi st ypeneedt oremi ndt hemsel vest o r el ax.I not hercases,st udent smayfindt hemsel vesr epeat edl yi ndul lst at esbecause t heyaret ool ax.Theyneedt oremi ndt hemsel vest ot ryj ustabi tharder .Themet hods f ordeal i ngwi t ht hesecondi t i onsarevari ousandarewel l document edi nbasi cbooks onShamat hapr act i ce .Shar et hes eme t hodswi t hst udent s.Tel lt hem whatyoudo
t hatwo r ks .I fas t ude nti sr e al l yt i r e d,l e tt he mg ot akeanap!I ft he yar ev e r yag i t at e d, l ett hem t akeawal k! Keepi nmi ndt hef ouraber r at i onsandt het hr eear easf orgoi ngast r ay .Thecomment s aboveaddr esst het hr eeareaswher epr act i t i oner sgoast r ay,suchasat t achmentt o bl i s s,c l ar i t y ,ornont hought( ors t i l l ness) .Thef ouraber r at i onsi nv ol v es t r ayi ngi nt o ac t i v ei nt e l l e c t ualo rr e s i dualf al s e ,f abr i c at e dunde r s t andi ng sandmi s t aki ngt he mf o r t hewayt hi ngsar e. Forexampl e,at t achi ngt oext r emeni hi l i st i cvi ewsshoul dbewat chedf or .AsHakui n Zenj isai d,‘ Thi si sagr eatpi twher ecount l essmonkshavegoneast r ayandbeen e ng ul f e d’s owat c ho ut !Apr ac t i t i o ne rma yha v eaf abr i c at e d,c o nc e pt ualv i e wo ft he meani ngofempt i nessandf eelt hatbasedont hi svi ew oft hewayt hi ngsarecause andeffectdon’ tmat t eratal l .Sarahahassai dt hatt ohol dont onot hi ngnessi smor e f ool i sht hant ohol dont oexi st ence.Ther emedyt ot hi smosti mport antaberr at i oni s t ounder st andempt i nessaspr esence.Of t en,mi ndf ul nessi sbei ngnegl ect edbecause o fhabi t ualr e l i anc eoni nt e l l e c t ual i z at i o n.Theempt i ne s so fmi ndf ul ne s si t s e l fdo es no ta tal lhav eani hi l i s t i cqual i t y .Re al i z i ng( 1)t heuni t yofe mpt i ne s sand appearancesand( 2)empt i nesst hr ought hepl ayofdependentari si ngar et r adi t i onal l y s ai dt opl a yani mpo r t antr o l ehe r e .Al s o ,c ul t i v a t el o v i ng ki ndne s s .Hakui nZe nj i savedal lt hest udent sf r om t hi serr orbysayi nghow muchhel i kest oeatsweet s! Si mi l arl y ,ext r emevi ewsonet er nal i sm poseapr obl em whenari si ngi nsucha concept ualmanner .Her et hee mpt i nessaspectshoul dbee mphasi z ed.Thes ayi ng goes‘ compassi onsavesonef r om ni hi l i sm,empt i nesssavesonef r om et er nal i sm. ’ Orsomet i mesonemayl abelt hi ngsi nt el l ect ual l ywi t ht heconceptofempt i nessor l umi nosi t yr at hert hani nt egrat i ngt hem di r ect l ywi t ht rueunder st andi ng.Weshoul d notencour aget hi sorbuyi nt ousel esspr at t l e,al t houghsomeoft hatmaybe necessaryt oworkt hr ough.Thi smi norvari at i onoft hefir staberr at i oni snotqui t eas st r ongast hemaj orf orm,wher eone’ sunder st andi ngandl i f ei scompl et el ydomi nat ed byt heconceptofempt i nes s.Her e,i ti sj us tt hatwear esome t i mess t i l lbei ngcar r i ed i nt ot hest r eam ofi nt el l ect ual i zat i on,al t houghweal r eadyhavesomegenui ne under st andi ngoft hemeani ngofempt i nessunder l yi ngi t .Sobyt hi shabi twer ob our sel vesoft hepowerofamoredi r ectunder st andi ng. Wemayal sodev e l opat e ndencyt o‘ se al ’t hi ngsasempt i nessorMahamudr a,but t o t al l ymi s st hepo i ntbydo i ngt hi s .Oneappl i e st hi ss e alwi t haco nc e pt ual
under st andi ngaf t ert heact ual i t yoft heeventandt husi tnevercat chesupt ot he eventi t sel f .Onemustunder st andal lt ohavecompl et el yt henat ur eofempt i nessor Mahamudr aandassuchnotf eelt heneedf orasubsequentseal .Si mi l ar l y ,empt i ness orMahamudr ai snotanant i dot et oanyt hi ngsuchast hedefil ement s.The defil ement st hemsel ve sshoul dbeunder st oodasi nt r i nsi cal l ybei ngMahamudr aas t he yar i s e. Fi nal l yempt i nessorMahamudr amaybese tupasagoalout si deoft hepr ese nt momentandexper i ence,andonemayf ee lt hatmedi t at i ngonMahamudr aor empt i nes si st hepat h.Onemustcomet ounder s t andt hatgr ound,pat handgoalar e al li nt r i ns i ct omi nd,r i g hti nt hi spr e s e ntmi ndande x pe r i e nc e .The r ei snoot he r pl acet ogo.Ther ei snopat hot hert hant hi s. I tgoeswi t houtsayi ngt hatasi nst ruct ors,wemustavoi dt heseour sel ves.
ThePl aygr ound Mee t i ngss houl dnotbes uchser i ousaffai r s.Onel amawhowasi mpr es se dbyt he i nt er es tbyWes t er nst udent swasnot edasr emar ki ngt hathewasper pl exedhow s e r i o uss t ude nt st aket hewho l et hi ng .The yne e dt opl a yal i t t l e ,ha v ef un,andl i g ht e n up!Ir ememberanot herl amawho,whi l eot her swer ebusi l yarr angi ngt heshr i nef or H.H.Dudj om Ri npoche,wasr unni ngar oundmi ngl i ngwi t ht heaudi enceandchasi ng t hi swi ndupt oymousear oundt her oom! Any onewhohaspr ac t i c edt hes eki ndoft hi ngsf orawhi l ebegi nst of ee lt hatonecan neverdoenought ohel pot her s.I nt hi sr egard,t hef ocusshoul dbeonone’ s i mmedi at econdi t i onandwhomev eronei swi t handal l owi ngt hatt obeone’ ssour ceof f ul fil l mentandpr act i ce.Theonl yt r uesi gnofaccompl i shi ngMahamudr ai ssai dt obe t heengender i ngofl ovi ngki ndnessandcompassi on.I nt hi sr egar d,manywhohave notencount er edt heses peci alt eachi ngsar ewayaheadofus!Theyar emuchbet t er pr act i t i oner st hanour sel ve sev ent hought heyhaveneverhear dofMahamudr a. Soaspr eci ousaswemayf eelt hi si s,al l ow t hatpr eci ousnesst omani f estsi mpl yand nat ur al l yi nt hemoment .Ri ghtwher ewest andi sourgreat estt r easur e.I ti sbeyond t het hr eet i mesandencompassesal loft het endi r ect i onsandwaysofbei ng.Pl ease t r e as ur ei t !
1 - Resting Mind Series
Resting Mind Series
I nt r oducti on t i ngMi ndSer i es TheRes pr o v i de sac y c l eo fi ns t r uc t i o ni nt r ai ni ngt hemi ndand c ul t i v at i ngi t sabi l i t yt oat t e ndt oanys e l e c t e do bj e c to fc ho i c e .The r e bymi ndl e ar nst o abi dei ni t sownnat ur ef r eef r om asubj ect obj ectf r amewor k.Oncet hemi ndcan abi dei nac al m andc l e armanne rf o re v e nal i t t l ewhi l e ,wi t he i t he ra no bj e c to f r ef er enceornoobj ectofr ef er ence,af r eshnew mannerofknowi ngbecomesact i ve. Thi sknowi ngi suncont r i v edi nnat ur eanddoesnotdependonwor dsoranal yt i cal r eflect i on.I ti saknowl edgeorwi sdom whi chst emsf r om nakedordi r ectper cept i on. Fore xampl e,asabeaut i f ulbi r dl andsonaf encei nf r ontofus,i nt hefir stmomentwe not i cet hechangei nappearancest ous.Thi schangei t sel fbri ngsal ongourat t ent i on. Themome ntofdi r e ctat t e ndi ngt ot hi svi sualappe ar anc ei ss i mi l art ot hemome nt si n
medi t at i oni nwhi cht heki ndofknowi ngt hr oughdi r ectper cept i oni sact i ve. Ther eaf t e r ,wemaypr ocesst hi spe r c ept i onandi de nt i f yi tasacr ow orar edt ai l ed hawk,what ev ert hecas emi ghtbe,andt hent hi nkaboutwhyi ti sont hebr anchand wher ei t shomemi ghtbe .Seei ngt heappear ance sofmi nd,whe t herout e rori nner , wi t haf r esh,unel abor at edwayofl ooki ngi st hebasi sf ort r ai ni ngandr es t i ngmi nd. Begi nner sshoul dl earnt omai nt ai nt hemi ndi nar el axedst at ef r eef r om at t achment . Mi ndf ul nessi st hekeyt obot hmedi t at i onandpost medi t at i on.Howeve r ,mi ndf ul ness shoul dnotbeundul ysharpened.I tneedonl yber ei nf or cedwhent hi si sr equi r eddue t ol os sofa war e ne s so rs i nki ng .Ev e nt ual l y ,a war e ne s swi l lpr e s e nti t s e l fands t abi l i z e i t sel ff r eef r om t heflow oft hought s.Whent hemi ndvi vi dl y ,cal ml y ,andunceasi ngl y pe r c e i v e sf o r ms ,s ounds ,f e e l i ng s,t as t e s ,s me l l s ,t ho ug ht s ,wi t houtanxi e t yort e ns i on, t henr est i ngmi nd( shamat haors hi nay)hasbeenr eal i ze d. Atfir s t ,t hi st ake squi t esomeeffor t .Ev ent ual l yt hepr act i t i onerwi l lobser v epr ogr ess i nhi sorhe ro wnpr a c t i c eandho we as yi ti st or e t ur nt ot hi ss t at e .Fi nal l y ,a me di t at o rs ho ul dno to nl yeas i l yat t ai nt hi ss t at ebutal s os ho ul dno tc l i ngt ot hi s s t at eandmo v ei nt os ubs e que ntac t i v i t yase as i l yasi nt ot heme di t at i o n. Onemayf e elt hatt hi spr ac t i c eof‘ r e s t i ngt hemi nd’i sal i t t l ebi tar t i fic i ali nt hati t emphasi zesnonanal yt i caloveranal yt i calmedi t at i onandi nvol vesbri ngi ngsomet hi ng t or e s twhi c hi sf o r e v e rac t i v e .Ho we v e r ,i fo nedo e sno tl e ar nho wt oe xe r c i s es ome c o nt r o lo ft hemi nd,o ner e mai nsc ompl e t e l yatt heme r c yo fi t sc r e a t i o ns .I ti ss ai d t hatt hemi ndi sl i keapower f ulel ephantwhi chcandosomuchposi t i vewor ki f br oughtunde rcont r olbutcanal s odes t r oyanent i r evi l l agei fl ef ti namadf r e nz y . Ther ef or e,bydoi ngt hi smedi t at i onandt r ai ni ngt hemi nd,wel ear nt obe comeal i t t l e mor ei nchar geoft hi ngs.Ourmi ndbec omesmor eflexi bl e,webecomemor eflexi bl e. I naddi t i o n,byl e ar ni ngt os e t t l et hemi nd,wepr e par et heg r o undo fpr ac t i c ef o r s e e i ngt hi ng smo r ec l e ar l y .I ti ss ai dt hatunt i lwel e ar nt or e s tt hemi nd,wear e l o oki ngatt hi ng sasi fi nar o om l i tbyac andl efli c ke r i ngwi l dl yi nt hewi nd.Wej us t cannotseet hi ngsver ydeci si vel yi nt hi ssi t uat i onandeve nwhenwesomet i mest hi nk weseet hi ngsast he yar e,wemaybei ner r or .Butwhent hemi ndi ss e t t l edt henour vi si oni scl e arands t e ady . Thr oughr es t i ngmi ndandabandoni ngourhabi t ualwander i ng,webe gi nt obr i ngt he mi ndundercont r ol .Wet her ebypr ovi deour sel veswi t ht heabi l i t yt oexpl oret he nat ur eofourmi nd,oursel f i dent i t y ,ourt hought s,andourper cept i ons,andeven
awar eness,t i meandspacewi t hmoreabi l i t y .Thet hi ngst hatweseedi r ect l yar et hen kno wnwi t hagr e at e rde g r e eo fc e r t ai nt y .Wear et he nabl et oi nv e s t i g at et hi ng ss o v er ycar ef ul l y .I ti sl i kewehav ef el tourwayt hr oughe v er ybi tofapi l eofg ar baget o makesur ewehaven’ tl ostadi amondi ni torwehavei nspect edever yf acetofa di amondt oensur ei t saut hent i ci t ybef or ewebuyi t .Thenourknowl edgebecomes deci si veandst abl e,andcompl et el yf r eef r om anyl i ngeri ngdoubt . Ther ef or e,att heout se twedor e s t i ngmi ndmedi t at i ont opr ovi deamor esui t abl e groundf ores t abl i shi ngt hevi ew oft hi ngsast heyar e.Andoncewehaveest abl i shed t hevi e w,weus et hi sme di t at i ont os t abi l i z et hatv i e wi t s e l f .I nt hats e ns e ,t hi sse r i e s c anbebo t habe g i nne ro ra dv a nc e dpr ac t i t i o ne rpr ac t i c e .I nf ac t ,al lBuddhi s t i c medi t at i oni sauni t yofr est i ngmi ndmedi t at i on( shi nay)andspl endi dvi ew ( l hakt ho ng ) . Wi t hpr act i ce,atfir s ty ourmi ndi sl i keas t r e am casc adi ngdownamount ai nous r a v i ne .The n,af t e rawhi l e ,y ourmi ndi sl i keagr e atr i v e r .Fi nal l y ,y ourmi ndi sl i ke t hemi xi ngofari verandt heocean,ort hemeet i ngofamot herandson. Att heout se t ,f r equent ,shor ts ess i onsar er e commendedr at he rt hanl onge rses si ons. Ke e pt heawar e ne s sf r e s h.Ones ho ul ds t o po ne ’ spr ac t i c ewhi l es t i l li nav i v i ds t at eof cal m abi di ng,sot hatoner esumest hepr act i cewi t hent husi asm andone’ spr act i ce doe sn’ tde t e r i or a t e . Theke yi ns t r uct i oni st ot i ght enal i t t l eormakesl i ght l ymor ee ffor twhenge t t i ngdul l andt or e l axal i t t l ewhe ng e t t i ngt o oupt i g hto rwi l d. Ats omepoi nt ,r el i anc eonout erobj ec t sshoul dbedr oppedandt hepr act i t i oner s ho ul dr e t ur nt ome di t at i o n wi t ho utano bj e c t ,s uc hasPr ac t i c e( 1)o r( 8) .So mes a yi t i sonl ywhent hecl i ngi ngt oshi nayi t sel fi sdi smant l edt hatoneshoul dmovei nt o o bj e c t l e s sme di t at i o n,o t he r ss ayi tde pe ndsonone ’ sde gr e eofs t abi l i t yi no bj e c t l e s s medi t at i onandt hatoneshoul dbegi nwi t ht hatandseehow i ti s.Fort hi spur pose,a st udentmaybeaskedt oeval uat ewhet hert her ei sadi scer nabl edi ffer encei nt he s t abi l i t yofhi sorhe rc al m abi di ngi nPr a c t i c e( 1)asc ompar e dt oPr a c t i c e( 2) ,whe r ea vi sualobj ecti sut i l i z ed.Whent he yhav easi mi l ardegr eeofs t abi l i t y ,t he yshoul ddr op t heobj ect ori ent edmedi t at i onasar egul arpr act i ce.Onemayre t urnt oi tnow and t hent ogaugehow one’ spr act i cei spr ogr essi ng.
Al i f es t yl ewhi c hi ss t r ai ght up,wi t houte xc ess i v epl anni ngsuppor t ss uc cessi nt hi s pr ac t i c eandmai nt e nanc eo fi t .Ex e c ut epl anss t r ai g htupanddo wn,‘ l i keabe l l o ws . ’ I nr e t r e at ,i ti ssai donesho ul dwal kar o unds l o wl yandc ar e f ul l y ,‘ asi fc onv al e s ci ng . ’ Medi t at orswhopr act i ceres t i ngmi ndmedi t at i onsgener al l yreportt heexperi enceof o neormo r eoft hef o l l o wi ng :bl i s s ,c l ar i t y ,o re mpt i ne s s .At t ac hme ntt oany o neof t he s ei sc aut i one dag ai ns t .Tr a di t i onal l y ,i ti ss ai dt hatat t ac hme ntt obl i s sr e s ul t si n r ebi r t hi nt heDesi r eReal m,at t achmentt ocl ari t yi nt heFor m Real m,andat t achment t oempt i nessi nt heForml essReal m ofsamsar a.Thatt heyar i sei snotapr obl em and i nf actcanbebenefici al .I ti sat t achmentt ot hesest at esandexperi enceswhi chi sa pr obl em.Thekeyi st or emai nunat t achedt oanyexper i enceswhi chari se. Besi desfindi ngt hatone’ smi ndbecomesmor eatpeace,pr act i t i oner swhoper si sti n t hi smedi t at i ondeve l opadegr eeofsuppl enesssucht hatt heyarev eryateaseand fle x i bl ei ndi ffe r e ntc o ndi t i o ns .As t at eofc o mpl e t es uppl e ne s so rfle x i bi l i t yand compl et edel i ghtemer ges( shi nj ang) .Hi gherdegreeofawarenesst owhati sgoi ngon i nandaroundonemayre sul t .Tradi t i onal l y ,psyc hi cpower sar esai dt ocomef r om t hi spr ac t i c e. St i l lr e s t i ngmi ndpr ac t i c ewi t ho uti ns i g htpr a c t i c ei si nc ompl e t e .Re s t i ngmi nd pr act i ce( shamat haorshi nay)onl yt emporar i l yqui et st hebewi l der mentand affli ct i onsofmi nd( kl eshas) .Thusi tneedst obecoupl edwi t hexpl orat i onseri esor i nsi ght( vi pashyanaorl hakt hong)t obesuccessf ul .Thus,st udent sshoul dbe e nc o ur ag e dt oc ont i nuewi t ht hee x pl o r a t i o no ri ns i g hts e r i e sofme di t at i o npr ac t i c e s andber emi ndedoft hei mport anceofi nsi ghtpr act i ce.
Resting Mind Series
( 1)Joyf ulRest i ng Body:Si tcomf ort abl yi nast abl eandpl easantposi t i on,wi t ht hebackr easonabl y s t r ai g ht .Thepo s t ur es ho ul dpr o mo t ene i t he rr e s t l e s s ne s sno rs l e e pi ne s s .Pl ac ey o ur hands( a)onyourknee swi t ht hepal msupordownor( b)onyourl apwi t ht hepal ms up.Theeye sshoul dbeopenandl ookgent l ysl i ght l ydownpastt het i pofyournose andi nar el axedmanner .Est abl i shabasephysi calpost ur ef ormedi t at i onwhi chsui t s y ou.Thi swi l lber e f er r edasy ourbasepos t ur e.
Br eath:Br eat het hr oughyournose.Lett her at eanddept hofyourbr eat hbej ustasi t i s .Don’ ti nt e r f e r ewi t hi t . Mi nd:Begi ny o urme di t at i o nwi t haj o y ousat t i t ude .Fe e lf o r t unat et haty o uar et aki ng s omet i met oe xpl or ey our s e l fandc ar ef o ry o ur s e l f .The nj us tl e tt hemi nd‘ r e s ti ni t s ownnat ur e’ ,howev ert hatmayse em t obef oryou. •
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Now don’ tf ol l ow t hought saboutt hef ut ur e.Letgooft hem whenyoufind y our se l fcaughtupi nt he m. Don’ tf ol l ow t hought saboutt hepast .Letgooft hem whenyoufindyour sel f caughtupi nt hem. Don’ tf ol l ow t hought saboutt hepr esent .Don’ tanal yzet hepr esent . Don’ tmedi t at e.Rel axabi taboutt hewhol et hi ng.Justsi tandr el axi nyour o wnc l ar i t y . Jus te nj oyt heflav orofsi t t i ngandr el axi ngy ourmi ndwi t ht hepr es enceof al e r t ne s s.
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.Thesev enf ol dpost ur eofVai r ochanai sr ecommendedwi t h( 1)l egscr ossed( or f e e tflatongr o undi fi nc hai r ) ,( 2)s pi nes t r a i g ht( r e l ax ed) ,( 3)handsi nl appal ms up,( 4)c hi nt i l t e ds l i g ht l ydo wnwar ds ,( 5)e y eshal f ope n,l ooki ngs l i g ht l y downward,( 6)t ongueandl i psr el axed( t onguemayt ouchupperpal at e) ,( 7) e l bo wsoutt ot hes i de s ,s ho ul de r sl e v e l .Kamal as hi l aadde d( 8)br e at hl e f tasi t i s. 2.Thesear emedi t at i oni nst r uct i onsandnott hewayoneshoul dr emai ni npost me di t at i o n.I ndai l yl i f e ,f r o mt i me t o t i me ,o nehast oc o ns i de rt hef ut ur eand t hepast .
Resting Mind Series
( 2)At t endi ngt oVi sualAppear ances I fy o u ar eabl et or e s ty o urmi ndc al ml yandc l e ar l yi nt hefir s tpr ac t i c e ,j us tc o nt i nue wi t hi t .Ot he r wi s e,cont i nueonwi t ht her e s toft hese r i es.Youmayuseacompar i son ofyourc al ml yabi di ngst at ebet weenPr act i ces( 1)and( 2)t odet er mi newhet her
ut i l i z a t i o no fo bj e c t sa ndbr e at hme di t at i o nwo ul dbebe ne fic i al .
Body:Rel axi nt oy ourbas epo s t ur e . Br eath:Le tt hebr e at hbeasi ti s . Mi nd:At t e ndt oav i s ualo bj e c to fc ho i c e .Pi c kamar bl e ,o ras t o ne ,o rapi e c eofwo od andpl acet heobj ectont hegroundort abl eaboutt hr eef eeti nf r ontofyou.Justl ook at ,at t e ndt ot hepe r c e pt i o no ft heobj e c t . •
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Whenev ery ounot i cet haty ourat t ent i oni swander i ng,j us tr e t ur ngent l yt ot he obj e c t . Whenev ery ous eet heobj ectf adi ngorbecomi ngdi s t or t ed,j us tr e t ur ngent l yt o t heobj e ct .Se et heobj e ctc l e ar l y . Do n’ tanal y z et heobj e c t .Thati sr e fle c t i o n no tme di t at i o n. Do n’ tbeco nc e r ne di ft he r ear es l i g htv ar i at i o nst oy o urpe r c e pt i o n.Jus t cont i nuewi t ht hemedi t at i onwi t houtl osi ngt heobj ect . Don’ tbeconcer nedi fyourmi ndwander sal ot .Justmai nt ai nt hepr act i ce.Just ke e pr e t ur ni ngge nt l yt ot heobj e c t .
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.Woul dyouchar act er i z eyourmi ndascal m orbusy?I ti ssai dt hatj ustas sunl i ghtexposesal lt hedustfloat i ngi nyourr oom,medi t at i onexposesal lt he act i vi t i esofyourmi nd.Thefir stt hi ngt onot emaybehow busyyourmi ndi s. 2.How doesuseofanobj ectcompar et ohavi ngnoobj ecti nt hepr evi ous medi t at i on?I si tl i keat okenofmemorybywhi chyoucanmor epr eci sel y obs e r v ey ourwande r i ng ?I ft hi si she l pf ul ,c ont i nuewi t hi t . .
Resting Mind Series
( 3)Bl ueLi ghtatt heHear t Body:Rel axi nt oy ourbas epo s t ur e . Br eath:Le tt hebr e at hbeasi ti s .
Mi nd:Vi s ual i z eas mal lbl uel i g htaty ourhe ar tc e nt e r( l o cat e datt hec ent e ro fy our bodyj us ti nf r ontoft hes pi neatt hehear tl ev el ) .Al l ow t hi sbl uel i ghtt oar i s easi fon i t sown.I tshoul dbeaboutt hesi z eofapeaandbemarv el oust obehol dandhavet he col orofacl earaut umnskyopposi t ei nt heskyf r om t hesun. •
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Whenev ery ounot i cet haty ourat t ent i oni swander i ngory ouhav el os tt hel i ght c ompl e t e l y ,j us tr e t ur ng ent l yt ot hel i g ht . Whenev ery ous eet hel i ghtf adi ngorc hangi ngsi z e,j us tr e t ur ngent l yt oi t . Res t or ei t .Se ei tc l e ar l y .Don’ tanal yz ei t . Do n’ tbec onc e r ne di fy o uha v edi ffic ul t yv i s ual i z i ngt hel i g ht .I fy o u ar eha v i ng di fficul t y ,t ryr emember i ngsomet hi ngvi sual l yf r om yourr ecentpastsuchas t heac to fe nt e r i ngt heme di t at i o nr o om.Goov e rt he s ev i s uali mag e sc ar e f ul l yi n y ourmi nd’ se y e.The nsi mi l ar l ypr oduceabl uel i ghtwi t hi nt hesevi suali mages andc ar r yt hi st oy ourhe ar tc e nt e r .I ft hatdo es n’ two r k,i ti sfinet oj us tf e e las i ft he r ei sal i g htatt hehe ar tc e nt e randat t e ndt ot hatf e el i ng . I fy o urmi ndbe c o me ss l e e py ,v i s ual i z eabr i g htwhi t el i g hta tt hec e nt e ra ty o ur f o r e he adc e nt e r .I fy o urmi ndi sbe g i nni ngt owande re x c e s s i v e l y ,v i s ual i z eadul l bl ac kl i ghtatt hepoi ntbeneat hwher ey ourcr os sedl egsmee tt hefloor .
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.How doesat t endi ngt oavi sual i zedl i ghtdi fferf r om at t endi ngt oavi sualobj ect whi c hpr esent si t s el ft oy oure y es? 2.Somepeopl ehavemor edi fficul t yvi sual i zi ngt hanot her s.Thi si snotr egar dedt o beasi gnofdev e l opme ntbutr at he rj us tduet odi ffer enc esi ni ndi vi dual s ’ c hanne l s( nadio rt s a) .
Resting Mind Series
( 4)Soundi ngAH Body:Rel axi nt oyourbasepost ur e. Br eath:Le tt hebr e at hbeasi ti s . Mi nd:Li st ent oal lt hesoundf oraf ew moment s.Justsi mpl yat t endt ot hesounds
t hatar et he r e . Aboutonet hi r doft hewayt hr ought hesi t t i ng,soundAH i nl ong,deept one s.Uni t e y ouroutbr eat hwi t ht hec hantofAH andr e s ty ourawar e ne ssont hesoundi t s el f . Fi nal l y ,s i twi t ho utc hant i ngAH o rpa yi ngpar t i c ul ara t t e nt i o nt os o und.Jus ts i tasi n Pr ac t i c e( 1)oft hi sse r i e s. •
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Not i cewher eyourawarenessi swhenyoupl acei tont hesound.Mi xi ti nt ot he soundi fyourawarenessf eel ssepar at ef r om t hesound.Goi nsi det hesound. Pa yat t e nt i o nt oho wt hi si s . Whenev ery oul os et hes oundorawar e ness ,j us tr e t ur ngent l yt oi t .Know t he s oundc l e ar l y .Do n’ tanal y z ei t .
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.How doesat t endi ngt osoundcompar et or es t i ngmi ndonl i ght ?Whatqual i t i es aret hesame?Whatqual i t i esar edi ffer ent ? 2.At t endt omusi cwi t hf ul lat t ent i ont henextt i meyoul i st ent osome.Enj oyt he danceofyourawarenesst ot hemusi candst i mul at i onofi tbyt hemusi c.
Resting Mind Series
( 5)Count i ngBr eat h Body:Rel axi nt oy ourbas epo s t ur e . Br eath:Le tt hebr e at hbeasi ti s . Mi nd:At t endt oyourbr eat hi ng.Counteachi nhal at i on,andexhal at i oncycl easone upunt i lt henumbert en.Ment al l ycountt henumberwi t ht heoutbr eat h. Wheny oucompl e t eac y cl eoft enbr eat hs,s t ar tov e rag ai nf r om t henumberone. •
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Pl ac ey ourat t e nt i o npar t i c ul ar l yont heout br e at h.No t i c et hequal i t yoft he e x hal at i o n. Besur eal sot oat t endt ot hemoment sbet weent hei nhal at i onandexhal at i on
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andexhal at i onandi nhal at i on. Wheny oul osey ourcount ,r e t ur nt ot henumbe rone.Don’ twor r yabouti t .Jus t keepwi t ht hepr act i ce.
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.Thi sme di t at i o ni st y pi c al l ydo neasas t ar t i ngme di t at i o nbypr ac t i t i o ne r so f Sot oZenandmaybepr act i cedf ors eve r alyear sbef or emovi ngont ot henext pr a ct i c e.
Resting Mind Series
( 6)Fol l owi ngBr eath Body:Rel axi nt oy ourbas epo s t ur e . Br eath:Le tt hebr e at hbeasi ti s . Mi nd:Openyourmout hsl i ght l y .Br eat heev enl yt hr oughyournoseandmout h si mul t aneousl ywi t habouthal foft heai rflowi ngt hr ougheachpassage.Cur lt het i p o ft het o ng ueg e nt l yag ai ns tt hebac ko fy o urf r o ntt o pt e e t ho rt hepal at eoft he mout h.Rel axy ourmout h. At t endt ot hesensat i onoft heflow ofbr e at hi ny ourbodyandt hr oughy ournoseand mout h.Savort hesensat i on,al l owi ngi tt oaccumul at e.Justr estyouraware nesson y ourbr e at hbyr es t i ngont hesensat i onsofbr eat hasf arast hesensat i onsmay extend. •
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I fy oube comedul l ,t r yal i t t l ehar de r ,beal i t t l emor ea l e r t .I fy oube come agi t at e d,r e l axal i t t l ebi t .Don’ tt r ys ohar d. I ft hes e ns at i onofbr e at he xt e ndsbe y ondy ourbo dy ’ sl i mi t s ,j us ts t a ywi t hi t . Don’ tg e te x ci t e dabo uti to rat t ac ht oi t .I ft hi sdo es n’ thappe n,t hati sfinet o o.
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.Tr ya t t e ndi ngt ot hef e e l i ngqual i t i e st ot hi spr ac t i c e .Ho w wo ul dy o u de s c r i be t hem? 2.Br eat hi sl i keanant enna.Acommonsayi ngi st he" ai rwassot hi nkyoucoul d
c uti twi t hakni f e . "At t e ndt ot hemo r es yr upyf e e l i ng saswe l last hel i g ht e r ones.
Resting Mind Series
( 7)Gent l eVaseBr eat h Body:Rel axi nt oyourbasepost ur e.Pl aceyourhandspal mdownonyourknees . Re l axy ourc he s t .Theuppe rc he s ti sno tdi r e c t l yi nv o l v e di nt hi spr a c t i c e . Br eath:Fi r s tl e tt hebr e at hbeasi ti s .Br e at het hr o ug ht heno s e . Mi nd/Br eat h:The nt akeas l i g ht l yde e pe ri nhal at i o ni nt ot hebe l l y . Wheny oue xhal et hefir s tt hr e et i mes,eac ht i mee xt endt hefinger sofy ourhands. Wi t ht hefir s tbr eat h,i magi net hatt hatal ly ouri l l ne ssesandphysi c ali mpur i t i esl e av e y ourbodyt hr oughy ourfinge r sanddi ssol v eouti nt ot hespacear oundy ou.Dur i ng t hese condbr eat h,i magi net hatyouri nnerdemonsorobst acl essuchasner vousness ordepr essi onoranxi et yar epuri fiedanddi spel l edi nt ospace.Duri ngt het hi r d br eat h,i magi net hatal lofy ouri gnor anceandhat r edandgr aspi ngar edi s pel l edand di s s ol v ei nt ospac e . Now whenyoubr eat hei n,br eat hei nt oyourl owerabdomenorbel l y .At t endt ot he br eat hasy oui nhal eandfil li nt ot hel owerbel l yar ea.Keept heuppe rc hes tr el axed. Feelasl i ghtpushi ngdownwar dsf r om abov easyoucompl et et hebre at handa si mul t aneouspul l i ngupwardsf r om bel ow,asi fcont ai ni ngt hebr eat hi nacent er aboutf ourfinger wi dt hsbel ow t henavelcent erHol dt hebr eat hgent l yi nt hi sl ocat i on andat t endt oi t .Assoonasyouf eelt heneedt oexhal e,exhal egent l yt hr ought he nose.Cont i nuewi t hbr eat hi ngi nt hi sway . •
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Thi si sage nt l ev e r si onofv asebr eat hi ngandi scompl e t el ysaf e.Donotat t empt anyf o r c e f ulv e r s i o nsoft hi swi t ho utt heg ui danc eofaq ual i fie di ns t r uc t o r .I nno i nst anceshoul dbr eat hbef or ced. Theupwar dpul lsome t i me si sdescr i bedast hes ensat i oni nt er nal l yaf t e r compl et i nggoi ngt ot hebat hr oom.Onemayemphasi zet hi ss ensat i onby ac t ual l yt i g ht e ni ngt hemus c l e sbe l o ws l i g ht l yt hefir s to neo rt wot i me s ,but t her eaf t er ,t heupwar danddownwar dse nsat i oni smuchmor esubt l e.
Resting Mind Series
( 8)JustSi t Body:Rel axi nt oyourbasepost ur e. Br eath:Br eat het hr oughyo urnoseort hr oughbot hnoseandmout h. Mi nd:Begi ny o urme di t at i o nwi t haj o y ousat t i t ude .Fe e lf o r t unat et haty o uar et aki ng s omet i met oe xpl or ey our s e l fandc ar ef o ry o ur s e l f .The nj us tl e tt hemi nd‘ r e s ti ni t s ownnat ur e’ ,howevert hatmayseem t obef ory ou.Compl et el ydr opal li nt ent i ons. Don’ tt rysohar d.Don’ texpectsomuch.Bef r eef r om expect at i onsorworr i es.Just r e l a x . •
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Le tg oo ft ho ug ht so ft het hr e et i me s .Do n’ tf o l l o wt ho ug ht sabo utt hef ut ur e . Don’ tf ol l ow t hought saboutt hepast .Don’ tf ol l ow t hought saboutt hepr esent . Don’ tmedi t at e. Donotwanderf orev enamoment .Beasal er tasonewhoi st hr eadi nganee dl e. Thenr e s t .For ge tal lt hesei ns t r uct i onsand" Jus ts i t . " I fy oudr i f ti nt os l e epi ne ssordul l ne ss ,t r yal i t t l ehar de r .I fy oube comer e s t l e ss , r e l axal i t t l emo r e .Li keBuddhas ai dt ot hegui t ar i s t ," No tt o ol oo se ,no tt o o t i ght ,j us tr i ght . " Wheni nv ol v ementwi t ht hought soc cur s ,r ec ogni z et hatandt hense ty ourmi nd asi twasbef oret het houghtarose. Don’ tbehappyi ft her ear ef ew t hought sorunhappyi ft her earemany t hought s.Justl ookatt hought sast heyari se. Wi t ht i me,one’ sawar e nessshoul dbesov i vi dast ode t ec tanemer gi ngdul l ne ss orr est l essnessi mmedi at el y .Oneshoul dknow how t ore l axwi t houtl osi ngt he vi v i dnessoft hemedi t at i on.Oneshoul dknow how t oi nt ensi f yone’ sal er t nes s andmai nt ai nt hecont i nui t yofanundi st r act edst at ewi t houtl osi ngt hequal i t y ofr e l axat i on.
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.Af t ert r ai ni ngwi t ht heot hers evenpr act i ces,how doesyourexperi encei nt hi s
pr ac t i c ec ompar ewi t hpr ac t i c e( 1) ? 2.Sarahasai dt hati fyouat t emptt ohol dacamel ,i tfight syouandt r i est ogo e v e r ywhi c hwa y ,ho we v e ri fy oul e ti tg o,i ts t andsr i g htwhe r ei ti s .Le tt he camelgo.St opst i rr i ngt hepotofkarma.
2 - Exploring Mind Series
Exploring Mind Series
I nt r oducti on ori ngMi ndSer i es TheExpl pr o vi de sac y c l eofi ns t r uc t i o ni ne xpl or i ngt hemi ndi t s e l f andcul t i vat i nganunder st andi ngorr ecogni t i onofi t snat ur e.Oncet hemi ndcan abi dei nacal m andcl earmannerf orev enal i t t l ewhi l e,onel ookswi t ht hemi ndat t hemi ndi t sel f .Ther ei snot hi ngmores i mpl et hant hi s.I tdoesnotdependon anyt hi ngout si deofone.Rest i ngmi nd( shamat haors hi nay)medi t at i onal oneonl y t e mpo r a r i l yar r e s t st hekl e s has .I tdo e sno tupr o ott he m The r e f o r e ,i ns i g ht ( vi spashyanaorl hakt hong)medi t at i oni sneeded.Expl ori ngmi ndbyseei ngcl earl y deal smor ewi t ht hewi sdom aspectofournat ur e,wher easr es t i ngmi nddeal smor e
wi t ht hecompassi onas pec t . Thepr act i t i oneri st akent hr oughaser i esofanal yt i cali nv e s t i g at i onsofmi nd.Once t hepr a c t i t i one rs e e sde c i s i v e l yandc l e ar l yho wi ti s ,heors hecont i nue swi t hs t abi l i t y i nt hatr e c o gni t i on.I ti sal i t t l el i keupo nhe ar i ngt hats ome onehasl e tas mal lwi l d catl oosei nyourhouse.Al t houghyouatfir stmaydoubtt het rut hofi t ,al i ngeri ng f e arpe r s i s t st hati tmi g hti nde e dbet r ue .The r e f o r ey ouc ar e f ul l yg oi nt ot heho us e andmet hodi cal l ycheckeachandev er yr oom.Youcheckundert hebeds,youchecki n t hec l o s e t s .Y oue v e nc he c kt hec abi ne t sandunde rt hepi l e sofc l o t he s .I ti sonl yaf t e r y ouhav ec ompl e t edy ours ear c ht oanent i r el ys at i sf act or yde gr eet haty ouar eabl et o r el axf ul l ywi t ht heunder st andi ngt hatt hi sst orywascompl et el yf abri cat edand unt r ue .The r ei snoc ati nt heho us e .Si mi l ar l y ,o nei nv e s t i g at e so ne ’ sas s umpt i o ns aboutt henat ur eofmi ndver ycar ef ul l yunt i lal lmi sconcept i onsanddoubt sare cl eare dup.Thi sf r eesonef r om wander i ngi nmi nd’ sconcept ualr eal msofbei ng. Whydoesonee xpl or emi ndbe f or eanyt hi ngel se?Ther ear et wor easons:1)si nceal l r eal i t i esar epr oj ect i onsofmi nd,byunder st andi ngt henat ur eofmi nd,one unde r s t andst henat ur eofa l lr e al i t i e sand2)e x pl or i ngt hi ng si sane v e re ndi ng endeavor ,wher easexpl ori ngmi ndi sst r ai ght f orwardandr eachesadefini t e concl usi on.I nf actal lofsamsar aandni rv anadependsonmi nd.Byunder st andi ng t hemi nd,onemayunder st andal lt hi ngsi ncl udi ngt henat ur eofal lofsamsar aand ni rv ana. I gnoranceoft henat ur eofmi ndi st hesour ceofal lofsamsar a.Byexpl ori ngmi nd andi t sproj ect i onsandi gnorance,onecancutt hr oughandupr oott heaffli ct i ons ( kl eshas)ofmi nd.Under st andi ngmi ndasi ti spavest hewayt of r eedom f r om samsara.I ti st hr oughmedi t at i ngonmi ndt hatonecomest odi r ect l yexper i enceand under st andt hemeani ngoft hee mpt i nes soropennes sofmi nd. Atfir s t ,t hi spr act i cei nv ol v esanal yt i cale xpl or at i onswi t he ffor t .Ev ent ual l yt he pr a ct i t i one rbe gi nst or e s ol v et hes i t uat i onde fini t i v e l y .Thepr a ct i t i one rt he ndi s c ov e r s anopenl uci di t ywhi chi spr esentwhenmi ndf ul nessi spr esent .Att hatst age,heor shemaycont i nuewi t hmai nt ai ni ngmi ndf ul nesswi t houtanydi st r act i onont hi s empt y ,uni dent i fiabl eopenawar eness.Fi nal l y ,amedi t at orshoul di ncl udemedi t at i on andsubsequentexperi encesi nt ot hi swi t houtl osi nghi sorhermi ndf ul ness. No w onema yf e e lt hatt hi spr a ct i c eof‘ anal y z i ngt hemi nd’i sal i t t l ebi tar t i fic i ali n
t hati te mphas i z e sanal y t i c alo v e rnonanal y t i c alme di t at i o nandi nv o l v e si nv e s t i g at i ng somet hi ngwhi chi ssel f knowi ng,andt her ef oreal r eadyknowshow i ti s.However ,i f onedoesnotl earnt odefini t i vel yr ecogni zet henat ur eofmi nd,oner emai ns compl et el ysubj ectt ot heconf usi oni nt hatr egar d.Fore xampl e,whenwemi st akea r opef orasnake,wemayrespondi nacompl et el yi nappr opri at ewayt ot hesi t uat i on. Si mi l arl y ,byhavi ngf al seunder st andi ngsaboutourmi nds,manyunnecess aryf ears andneedsar i se.Thus,t hei mport anceofdoi ngt hi st hor oughl ycannotbe ov er emphasi z ed. I nsi ghtpert ai nst ot heemer genceofanunder st andi ngoft hi ngsast heyar e. Tr adi t i onal l y ,bot hr el at i v eandabsol ut el e v e l sofr eal i t y( dhar ma)ar edi ffe r e nt i at ed. Rel at i vedharmaaddr essesi ndi vi dual sunderspeci ficcondi t i onsanddeal swi t h t hi ngswhi charet emporaryi nnat ur e.Absol ut edharmai st r ut hunderal lcondi t i ons andal lt i me s . TheBhavankr ama me nt i o nst hr e e ss our c e sofi ns i g hti nc l udi ng1)as s oc i at i ngwi t h spi ri t ualpeopl e,2)l i st eni ngt ot hedharma,and3)r eflect i ngont hedharmaand anal yz i ngi tc ar e f ul l y . I nt hepat hofMahamudr a,t hr eewi sdoms( pr aj naorsher ab)aret r adi t i onal l y cul t i vat ed.Theseencompassbot hanal yt i calandnonanal yt i calwaysofknowi ng.The fir sti st hewi sdom whi chcomesf r om l i st eni ngt oandr eadi ngi nst r uct i onsont he dhar ma,o nme di t at i o n,ando nr e al i t y .Thel i ne ag epr o v i de st hec o nt i nui t yf o rt he s e t eachi ngs.Thes econdi st hewi sdom whi chcomesf r om r eflect i ngonandanal yz i ng t hei nst ruct i onsandt hei rr el evancef orourcondi t i on.Buddhahadsai dt hatevenhi s ownwor dsshoul dbeconsi der edascar ef ul l yaswhenonemakesabi gi nv es t ment , suchasbuyi nggol d.Thet hi r di st hewi sdom whi chcomesf r om medi t at i oni t sel f .Thi s i sdescri bedasi l l umi nat i ngt hewayt hi ngsar ewi t houtaddi nganyt hi ngext r aor t aki ngawayanyt hi ng.Al lt hr eewi sdomsworkt ohel pbri ngonet oat ruesel f under st andi ngi nast abl emanner . Ul t i mat el y ,oneal sodi scover sapri mordi alwi sdom ( j nanaoryeshe)whi chi snot subj ec tt ot hepl ayoft i me.Whenonecomest oknow t hi swi sdom compl e t el yand mani f e s t si ti nal lo fo ne ’ sc o ndi t i o nt he n,o nehasac hi e v e dc o mpl e t ee nl i g ht e nme nt ( BuddhaorSangye) .Theset hr eewi sdomsaret hevehi cl ef orhonori ngt hepr i mor di al wi sdom i nourl i v esandt husar ecul t i v at edont hepat hofMahamudr a.
Theke yi ns t r uct i oni st ot i ght ens l i ght l yandl ookv er yc ar ef ul l ydi r ect l yasgui dedby t heque s t i o ns .Thi sdi r e c tl o oki ngi si nc o nt r as tt or e fle c t i ngo rt hi nki ngabo utt he obj ectoranswer st othequest i ons.Thenr estf orawhi l e.Resumel ooki ngagai naf t era bi t .Whe nonehasadeci si v eunde r s t andi ng,cont i nuewi t ht hatunde r s t andi ng wi t houtr epeat i ngt heanal yt i calques t i oni ng.Jus tmai nt ai nt hemi ndf ul ne ssoft hi ngs ast heyar e. Donotat t acht oflashesofi nsi ght .Justr el axandcont i nuewi t hl ooki ngunt i lyou exper i enceadeci si veunder st andi ngwhi chi snei t herpumpedupordeflat edi n charact er .I ti ssai doneshoul di nvest i gat et hemi ndascar ef ul l yassomeonewhoi s ‘ cr ushi ngabonei nt ofinepowderwi t hast one. ’ Pr act i t i oner smayexperi enceanundefinabl es t at ei mbuedwi t hmi ndf ul nessanda senseofcert ai nt y .Event ual l yt hi si sexperi encedasar espl endencewhi chcannotbe de s c r i be dandane v e ns t r o ng e rc o nfide nc e .I ti sj us tl i kee xpe r i e nc i ngt het as t eof sugar ,whi chcannotbedescr i bed.Andbyunder st andi ngmi nd,oneunder st andsal l e x pe r i e nc e ss i nc eal le x pe r i e nc e sar eofmi nd.I nf ac t ,i nt hene x ts e r i e s ,t ho ug ht sand appe ar a nc e s( i . e .t hef ul lr a ng eofe xpe r i e nc e )o fmi ndar ei nv e s t i g at e di nas i mi l ar f as hi o n. St udent sshoul dbeencour agedt ocont i nuewi t ht heuni t yofr est i ngmi ndandi nsi ght pr act i cesbymai nt ai ni ngmi ndf ul nessoft hi ngsast heyare,compl et el ywi t houtany e s s e nc e .Onewo r kso nmai nt ai ni ngt hi sv i e w wi t ho utdi s t r ac t i o n unt i li ti spr e s e nti n ac o mpl e t e l yeffo r t l e s sf as hi o n.Li ker e a di ng ,i tbe c ome se ffo r t l e s s . Ev e nt ual l y ,i ti ss ai do nec ome st ounde r s t andt hatmi ndi sl i kes pac ei nt hati t r emai nscompl et el yunaffect edbyanyt hought swhi chari se.Concept sofl ossandgai n donotappl yt oi t .Andonel earnst ol i vewi t hcompl et econfidencei nt hef r eedom of o ne ’ smi ndj us tasi ti s . I nshamat ha,l i kesunshi ni ngi nt ot her oom,oneseesal lt hedusti none’ smi nd. Thr oughi nsi ght ,weeffec t i v el yt ur nt hedus ti nt ogol d.
Exploring Mind Series
( 1)ShapeofMi nd
Body:Si tcomf ort abl yi nast abl eandpl easantposi t i on,wi t ht hebackr easonabl y s t r ai g ht .Thepo s t ur es ho ul dpr o mo t ene i t he rr e s t l e s s ne s sno rs l e e pi ne s s .Pl ac ey o ur hands( a)onyourknee swi t ht hepal msupordownor( b)onyourl apwi t ht hepal ms up.Theeyesshoul dbef ul l yopenandl ooki ngst r ai ghtahead( i ncont r astt oshi nay wher ee ye sg az edownwar dss l i ght l yandma ybehal f c l osed)i nar el axedbutal e r t manner .Est abl i shabasephysi calpost ur ef ormedi t at i onwhi chsui t syou.Thi swi l lbe r e f e r r e dasy o urbas ei ns i g htpo s t ur e . Br eath:Br eat het hr oughyournose.Lett her at eanddept hofyourbr eat hbej ustasi t i s .Don’ ti nt e r f e r ewi t hi t . Mi nd:Begi nyourmedi t at i onwi t hest abl i shi ngacal m andcl earst at eofmi nd.Takea momentt oappr eci at et hedi scer ni ngqual i t yofyourmi nd.Thenr ef r eshyour al ert ness.I tshoul dbesi mi l art osomeonewal ki ngcar ef ul l yacr ossanarr ow pl ank br i dgespanni ngov eras mal lcr ee kbyahei ghtofoneort wof e e t . Onc ey ouar ee s t abl i s he di naf ul l yr e l ax e dy e tv i v i dl ycl e ars t at eofmi nd,l oo kwi t h mi ndatmi ndi t s e l f .Co ns i de rt hef o l l o wi ng : •
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Doesmi ndhaveanyki ndofshape?Forexampl e,i si tr oundl i keaci r cl e?I si t s quar e ?I si tr o undl i keas phe r e ?I si toft hes hapeoft heg r o und,i si tt he shapeofar ock,i si tt heshapeofaper son? Doesmi ndhaveanyf orm t oi tatal l ?Doesi thavet hef orm oft heexper i ences whi c hcont i nual l yar i se,andt husane v erc hangi ngf or m?Doesi thav eafixed f orm?Doesi thavenof orm atal l ?
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.I fyouf eelt hatmi ndhasapart i cul arshape,l ookatt hi sverycar ef ul l y .When y ouar ecer t ai nt hatmi ndhasnodi s t i nc tshape ,nofixedshapeandnov ar yi ng shape,i nf actt hatt heconceptofshapeorf orm doesnotatal lappl yt oyour mi nd,r esti nt hatunder st andi ngandal l ow t hatunder st andi ngt ocont i nuei n y oure xper i e nce.
Exploring Mind Series
( 2)Col or sofMi nd Body:Rel axi nt oy o urb as ei ns i g htpo s t ur e . Br eath:Br eat het hr oughyournose.Lett her at eanddept hofyourbr eat hbej ustasi t i s .Don’ ti nt e r f e r ewi t hi t . Mi nd:Begi nyourmedi t at i onwi t hest abl i shi ngacal m andcl earst at eofmi nd.Takea momentt oappr eci at et hedi scer ni ngqual i t yofyourmi nd.Thenr ef r eshyour al e r t ne s s. Onc ey ouar ee s t abl i s he di naf ul l yr e l ax e dy e tv i v i dl ycl e ars t at eofmi nd,l oo kwi t h mi ndatmi ndi t s e l f .Co ns i de rt hef o l l o wi ng : •
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Do e smi ndha v eanyc ol o rt oi t ?Fo re x ampl e ,i si tbl ue ?I si tg r e e n?I si tr e d? I si tbl ac kori si twhi t e ? Jus ts i tandl ookf orawhi l et oseewhatc ol or sar ee xper i enced,i fany . Do e smi ndi t s e l fha v eanyc ol o rt oi tatal l ?Do e smi ndi t s e l fha v emul t i pl e c o l o r s ?
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.I fy ouf e e lt hatmi ndhasapar t i c ul arc o l o rt oi t ,i nv e s t i g at et hi sv er yc ar e f ul l yat di ffer entt i mesofdayandwheni ndi ffer entmoods.Whenyouar ece r t ai nt hat mi ndhasnocol or ,notevenwhi t eorbl ack,andt hati nf actt heconceptofcol or doesnotatal lappl yt oyourmi nd,r esti nt hatunder st andi ngandal l ow t hat under st andi ngt ocont i nuei nyourexper i ence. 2.Thequest i onofl ooki ngf orshapeandcol orofmi ndmayseem al i t t l eabsur d. Cont i nuewi t ht hi sunt i lyouarer el axedandcomf ort abl ewi t ht heabsur di t y andno tc onf us e dbyi t .Pr a c t i c e s( 1)and( 2)pr o vi deabi to ft r ai ni ngi nl o oki ng wi t hmi ndatmi nd.
Exploring Mind Series
( 3)Locat i onofMi nd
Body:Rel axi nt oy o urb as ei ns i g htpo s t ur e . Br eath:Br eat het hr oughyournose.Lett her at eanddept hofyourbr eat hbej ustasi t i s .Don’ ti nt e r f e r ewi t hi t . Mi nd:Begi nyourmedi t at i onwi t hest abl i shi ngacal m andcl earst at eofmi nd.Takea momentt oappr eci at et hedi scer ni ngqual i t yofyourmi nd.Thenr ef r eshyour al e r t ne s s. Onc ey ouar ee s t abl i s he di naf ul l yr e l ax e dy e tv i v i dl ycl e ars t at eofmi nd,l oo kwi t h mi ndatmi ndi t s e l f .Co ns i de rt hef o l l o wi ng : •
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Doest hemi ndhav eanysuppor tt oi t ?Doesmi ndhav eanyt hi ngwhi c h s uppo r t si tf r o mt heout s i deori ns i deofi t s e l f ?Do e si ts t e mf r o m amat e r i al obj ect ?Doesi tst em f r om anyoneel se?Doesi tst em f r om t hepl ayoft hebr ai n? Doest hemi nddwel lanywher e?Doesi thaveanyl ocat i on?I ft hemi ndr es t son partoft hebody ,exami net her emai nderoft hebody .I ft hemi ndseemst o pe r me at et hee nt i r ebo dy ,i nv e s t i g at ewhe t he ri ti si ns i det hef o r mo ft hebo dy i t s e l f,o rout s i deoft hef or mo ft hebody .I si tbo t hi ns i deando ut s i deoft he bodyatt hes amet i me? How cansomet hi ngwi t hnoshapeorf orm haveal ocat i on?I nve st i gat et hatby ent er i ngt hemi ndatanyl ocat i onwi t hmi ndandbyexpl or i ngt heboundari es be y ondt hel ocat i onofmi ndwhi c hy our e gar dorhol dt obet r ue.Res ti ny our under st andi ngwheni ti sdeci si ve.
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.I fy ouf e e lt hatmi ndhasapar t i c ul arl o cat i o nt oi t ,i nv e s t i g at et hi sv er y care f ul l y .Consi derf oramomentt hatWest er nsci enceassoci at est hemi ndwi t h t hebr ai n;anci entGr eeksandTi bet ansl ocat ei tatt heheartcent er .Wher ever y oumayf eelt hatt hemi ndi s,e xpl or ei tc ar ef ul l y .Goi nsi det hemi nd’ sl ocat i on wi t hy ourmi nd.Fi ndt heboundar y .Whenev ery ous copeal ocat i onwhi c hhas t hes ens eof ," Thi si si t "g oi nt ot hatl o cat i onando pe ni tup.I nv e s t i g at emi nd i ns i deando ut s i deoft hatl o c at i o n.
Exploring Mind Series
( 4)Lumi nosi t yandVoi dnessofMi nd Thet er m‘ l umi nos i t y’r e f er st ot he‘ knowi ng’qual i t yofmi nd.Thi shasdefini t i v el ybeen c l ar i fie dbyTi be t ant e ac he r s .I tdoe sno tr e f e rt ot he‘ e xpe r i e nc eofl i g ht ’r e f e r r e dt oby somemyst i cs.Rat heri ti st heknowi ngorawar enessorcl ari t yorl uci di t yofmi nd.
Body:Rel axi nt oy o urb as ei ns i g htpo s t ur e . Br eath:Br eat het hr oughyournose.Lett her at eanddept hofyourbr eat hbej ustasi t i s .Don’ ti nt e r f e r ewi t hi t . Mi nd:Begi nyourmedi t at i onwi t hest abl i shi ngacal m andcl earst at eofmi nd.Takea momentt oappr eci at et hedi scer ni ngqual i t yofyourmi nd.Thenr ef r eshyour al e r t ne s s. Onc ey ouar ee s t abl i s he di naf ul l yr e l ax e dy e tv i v i dl ycl e ars t at eofmi nd,l oo kwi t h mi ndatmi ndi t s e l f .Co ns i de rt hef o l l o wi ng : •
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Whati st hemo deofabi di ngofmi nd?Whati si t se xi s t ent i almode?I smi ndl i ke anopenspace?I fso,i si tcompl et el yempt y?How doesi tcomparet oa compl et el yempt yspace? I smi ndanawar evi vi dness ?I si ti mbuedwi t hal uci dknowi ngqual i t y?How doesi tcompar et ot hel umi nosi t yoft hesun?I si tani nnerl umi nosi t y?I st her e anys ens eofi nne ro ro ut e rt oi t ? I si tano pe nl uc i di t ywi t ho utf o r m,wi t ho utc o l o r ,wi t ho utl o c at i o ni nt i meand space?
Lookwi t hmi ndatmi ndcar ef ul l y ,t hent akear est ,andt henl ookagai n.
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.Rel yonyourdi r ectexper i encenotyouri magi nat i on. 2.Mi ndi sno tl i kede ads pac enori si tl i kephy s i c all i g hts i nc ei thasani nt e l l i g e nt , knowi ngqual i t y .Spacei snotasel f knowi ngawareness. 3.Mi ndi st o t al l yf r e eofc o ns i s t i ngofac or es ubs t anc e .I thasnomo deo fabi di ng . I tdo e sno tabi de .Co nc e pt so fe x i s t e nc eandno ne x i s t e nc edono tappl y .I t s nat ur ei sundefineabl eandbeyondi magi nat i onori nt el l ect ualcompr ehensi on.
'? I si tan‘ i nmo s ts e l f ar i s i ngawar e ne s s ’asde c l ar e dbyso meoft hef at he r so ft he
l i neage?Doesi nnerappl yt oi t .ATi bet ant erm t hati ssomet i mesusedf ort hi s e x pe r i e nc ei sr angr i gr angt s al ,whi c hme anss e l fo rna t ur al l yar i s i ng awar e ne ss ,s el fornat ur a l l ycl ar i t yorl uc i di t y .I tc anno tbei de nt i fie dt obe any t hi ngi npar t i c ul ar ,y e ti tr e mai nsadi s t i nc te x pe r i e nc ewhe nmi ndf ul ne s si s pr esent .Whenmi ndf ul nesshasbeenl ost ,t heexperi enceoft hi squal i t y di mi ni shes.
Exploring Mind Series
( 5)Or i gi n,Abode,Dest i nat i on Body:Rel axi nt oy o urb as ei ns i g htpo s t ur e . Br eath:Br eat het hr oughyournose.Lett her at eanddept hofyourbr eat hbej ustasi t i s .Don’ ti nt e r f e r ewi t hi t . Mi nd:Begi nyourmedi t at i onwi t hest abl i shi ngacal m andcl earst at eofmi nd.Takea momentt oappr eci at et hedi scer ni ngqual i t yofyourmi nd.Thenr ef r eshyour al ert ness.Appr eci at et heopenness,cl ari t yandpl easantqual i t yoft hemoment . Onc ey ouar ee s t abl i s he di naf ul l yr e l ax e dy e tv i v i dl ycl e ars t at eofmi nd,l oo kwi t h mi ndatmi ndi t s e l f .Co ns i de rt hef o l l o wi ng : •
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Wher ei st heor i gi norsour ceofmi ndi t se l f ?Lookwi t hmi nddi r ec t l yatt he sour ceofyourmi ndasi ti si nacal m st at e. Wher ei st heabodeordwel l i ngpl aceofmi ndi t sel fasi ti se xper i enc edi nac al m moment ? Wher edoest hemi ndi t s el fgo?How doe si tc ease?
Got hr ought heseonebyoneatal ei sur el ypace.Thi si sanext r emel ypr of ound pr a ct i c e.
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.Unde r s t andc l e ar l yt hatmi ndi t s e l fi sc ompl e t e l yf r e ef r o m bi r t h,e x i s t e nc e ,and de at h.Re fle c to nt hes i g ni fic anc eoft hi sr e v e l at i o n.Sa v or‘ t hefla v or ’ a nd
f e el i ng sas soc i at e dwi t ht hi s .
Exploring Mind Series
( 6)Sel f Awar ePr i mor di alWi sdom Body:Rel axi nt oy ourbas epo s t ur e . Br eath:Le tt hebr e at hbeasi ti s . Mi nd:Begi nyourmedi t at i onwi t hest abl i shi ngacal m andcl earst at eofmi nd.Takea momentt oappr eci at et hedi scer ni ngqual i t yofyourmi nd.Thenr ef r eshyour al ert ness.Appr eci at et heopenness,cl ari t yandpl easantqual i t yoft hemoment .Rel ax wi t hal er t nessandapr es enceofawar eness. Consi derwhet hery ourawarenesshasasel f knowi ngqual i t y .Savort hi squal i t y . No t i c ei fi te v e rg oe sawa y .Whe ny out hi nky ouha v el o s ti t ,l o okf o ri tag ai n. •
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Doest hi ss el f awar eknowi ngnessev ergoawayorari se?Whatmakesy our exper i enceofi fdi sappear?Whatmakesi tr et urn?I si tal wayst her ewhenyou c ons i de ri t ? Li s t e nt ot hef ol l o wi ngc hants e v e r alt i me ss ai do rs ungi nal e i s ur e l yf as hi o n: " Lo !Thi si st hes e l f a war epr i mo r di alwi s do m.I ti sbe y o ndal la v e nue sof s pe e c handal lt ho ug ht so fmi nd.I ,Ti l o paha v eno t hi ngf ur t he rt or e v e a l . Know al lt obet hedi spl ayofawareness.Wi t houti magi ni ng,wi t hout de l i be r at i ng ,wi t ho utanal y z i ng ,wi t ho utme di t at i ng ,wi t ho ut i nv e s t i g at i ng ,j us tl e tt hemi ndbei ni t snat ur a ls t at e . "
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.Consi derhow acandl e’ sflamewi l li l l umi nat enotonl yt her oom butal soi t sel f . angr i gye s he 2.Thi smaypr ovi det hefirs tsenseofr ,t hepri mordi al( ye)wi sdom ( she)whi chknowsi t sel f ,ort hesel f awar epri mordi alwi sdom.Thi si sawi sdom whi c he xi s t sout si det hepl ayoft i meands pace,andt r ansc endst hewi sdoms ( pr a j nas )whi c hwear ec ul t i v at i ngt hr o ug hl i s t e ni ng ,anal y z i ng ,andme di t at i ng . I ti sno ts ome t hi ngne wl ycr e at e d.I ti st heonec ons t anti no urbe i ng .I ti s
i mmut abl e.
3 - Exploring Thoughts and Appearances Series
Exploring Thoughts and Appearances Series
I nt r oducti on ori ngThought sandAppear ancesSeri es TheExpl pr o v i de sac y c l eofi ns t r uc t i o ni n expl ori ngt heappearancesormani f est at i onsofmi ndandcul t i vat i ngan under st andi ngorr ecogni t i onoft hei rnat ur e.Fr om oneper spect i ve,onecansay not hi ngcanev erbedi r ect l yknownwhi chi snotwi t hi nmi nd.Ourexperi enced uni ver seconsi st sofourmi ndandt het hought sandper cept i onswhi chari set omi nd. Ev e r y t hi nge l s ei so nl ykno wnasapr o j e c t i o no ri nf e r e nc eo fmi nd.The r e f o r e ,by expl ori ngt heappearancesofmi ndi naddi t i ont oexpl ori ngmi ndi t sel f ,onecan accompl i shacompl et eexpl orat i onofone’ sexperi enceduni ver se. Tounder s t andt hatnot hi nge xi s t sout si deofmi nd,consi derhow r ealt hi ngsc anbei n adr e am.I nadr e am,wet hi nk,s e e ,he ar ,f e e l ,t as t e ,ands me l lwo r l ds .Si mi l ar l y ,i n t hewaki ngst at e,t hi ngsmaynotbeest abl i shedast heyseem t obe.Consi dert he f o l l o wi ngas s e r t i o nso ne by o ne .Whe nwes e et hi ng s ,wedo n’ tr e al l ys e et heo bj e c t s
t he ms e l v e s ,r at he rwes e et hel i g htr e fle c t e df r o mt heobj e c t s .Ac t ual l y ,wedo n’ ts e e t hel i ght ,r atherweseet henervei mpul segener at edbyt hevi sualr ecept orsi noure ye. Act ual l y ,wedon’ tseet hei mpul s esduet ot hevi sualr ece pt or soft hee y e,butr at her t henerv ei mpul seswhi cht heyev oke.Wedon’ tseet henerv ei mpul se,butr at hert he ac t i v i t ye v oke dbyi ti nt hec ons c i o usc e nt e ri nt hebr ai n.Ul t i mat e l y ,wemus t acknowl edget hatwhatweexperi enceoccur si nt hemi ndandi ti snotknownunt i li t i skno wt o‘ mi nd. ’Fr o m ane x pe r i e nt i alpe r s pe c t i v e ,no t hi nge xi s t sout s i deoft he mi nd. Fr o m ani nf e r e nt i alpe r s p ec t i v e ,i no urwaki ngr e a l i t ywee x pe r i e nc ease ns eo f c o nt i nui t yt ot hi ng s .Ce r t ai nl ywec anno ti g no r ec aus eande ffe c ti nt hi sr e a l m.St i l l , event het hi ngswhi chwei nf ert oexi stcanbededucedt obecompl et el yempt yofsel f . Forexampl e,f r om onet r eeonecancarv ef ourwheel s,t woaxl es,af r ameandsome s e at sandbui l dac ar t .No wt hec ar tdi dn’ te x i s tbe f o r ey ouf as hi o ne di to uto ft het r e e , butoncey ouhav ebui l ti t ,y our e gar dt hecar tt obeas el f e xi s t i ngt hi ngwheni nf act i ti sno ts o me t hi ngwhi c he x i s t sass uc h.Pr ac t i c al l ys pe aki ng ,ho we v e r ,i tc anbea v er yhandyappe ar anc e!Si mi l ar l y ,a‘ hand’doe snote xi s tassuc h,buti sj us ta c ol l e ct i onof‘ s ki n,‘ bone s,and‘ o t he r‘ t i s s ue ’ .Andy e t‘ bone s ’dono te xi s tass uc hbut ar ej us tac ol l e ct i onof‘ c el l s ’ ,ands of or t h,adi nfini t um. Thr anguRi npoc hes ome t i meshol dsupt wopi e ce sofi ncensewi t honel ongert hant he ot herandpoi nt southow wewoul dagre et hatonei s‘ l ong’andt heot heri s‘ short . ’ Af t e rweal lagr eet ot hi s,hebr i ngsoutat hi r dpi eceofi nc enseandt hent he‘ l ong’one be come soneof‘ mi ddl el engt h’andi snol onge rl ong.Si mi l ar l y ,hepoi nt soutt hatwe s ho ul dc ons i de rho w‘ t hi ng s ’o nl yex i s ti nar e l at i v ewa y .Fo re xampl e ,‘ s e l f ’and‘ no t s e l f ’ar ej us tr e l at i v ede s i g nat i o nswhi c hha v enos ubs t anc ei nt he ms e l v e s . Bycl ari f yi ngt hesi mi l ari t i esanddi ffer encesbet weenmi ndi t sel fandt heappearances ofmi nd,onedevel opsanover ar chi ngunder st andi ngofr eal i t yandone’ suni ver seof exper i ence.Thought sandper cept i onsar esi mi l ari nnat ur et omi ndi nt hatt heyar e openandhaveaknowi ngqual i t yorl uci di t y .Howeve r ,t heyhaveuni que charact er i st i cswhi chmaket hem di scer ni bl easphenomenaofdi st i nctnot e. Ul t i mat el ywehavet oi nt egrat et hought sandappearancesi nt oourr ecogni t i onof mi ndasi ti s.I nt hi swayweachi eveacompl et el yflui dr eal i zat i onwhi ch acc ommodat esal lphenomenaandal lmodeso fbei ng.
Whati st heemer genceofi nsi ght ?I ns i ghtper ce i v est henat ur eofal lofr eal i t y .Att hi s st age,i ti sanunder st andi ngt hat( 1)mi ndandi t sappearancesareempt yofany mo deo fbi r t h,e x i s t i ng ,andc e s s at i o n and( 2)s e l fandt hi ng sar ec o mpl e t e l ye mpt yof essence. Pr o gr e s sofi ndi v i dual swi l lv ar y .So mewi l lat t ai nt hi si mme di at e l y ,buti nt hatc as ei t i sus ual l yno ts os t abl e .So mes ki pt hr o ug hs t ag e sbutag ai n,g e ne r a l l yfindi ti sno ts o st abl e.Somegot hr oughi tsyst emat i cal l yandt her ebyachi eveaver yst abl e r e al i z at i on. Begi nner smayexper i enceanundefinabl easpectt ot hei rt hought sandappear ances . Event ual l yt hi si sexperi encedasarespl endencewhi chcannotbedescri bed,si mi l ar t ot her espl endenceofmi ndnot edi nt hepr evi ousseri esonexpl ori ngmi nd.Agai n,i t i sj us tl i kee x pe r i e nc i ngt het as t eo fs ug ar ,whi c hc anno tbede s c r i be d.No wo ne ’ s under st andi ngofmi ndencompassesal lexperi ences,si nceal lexperi encesari sei n mi nd. St udent sshoul dbeencour agedt ocont i nuewi t ht heuni t yofr est i ngmi ndandi nsi ght pr act i cesbymai nt ai ni ngmi ndf ul nessoft hi ngsast heyare,compl et el ywi t houtany e s s e nc e .Onewo r kso nmai nt ai ni ngt hi sv i e w wi t ho utdi s t r ac t i o n unt i li ti spr e s e nti n acompl et el yeffor t l essf ashi onami dstt hought sandappear ances ,effor tandnone ffo r t ,t al ki ngands i l e nc e .
Exploring Thoughts and Appearances Series
( 1)ShapeofThought s Body:Si tcomf ort abl yi nast abl eandpl easantposi t i on,wi t ht hebackr easonabl y s t r ai g ht .Thepo s t ur es ho ul dne i t he rpr o mo t er e s t l e s s ne s sno ts l e e pi ne s s .Pl ac ey o ur handsonyo urknee swi t ht hepal msupordownoronyo url apwi t ht hepal msup. Thee y esshoul dbef ul l yopenandl ooki ngs t r ai ghtahead( i ncont r as tt oshi naywhe r e eyesgazedownwardssl i ght l yandmaybehal f cl osed)i nar el axedbutal er tmanner . Es t abl i s habas ephy s i c alpo s t ur ef o rme di t at i o nwhi c hs ui t sy o u.Thi swi l lber e f e r r e d asyourbasei nsi ghtpost ur e. Br eath:Br eat het hr oughyournose.Lett her at eanddept hofyourbr eat hbej ustasi t
i s .Don’ ti nt e r f e r ewi t hi t .
Mi nd:Begi nyourmedi t at i onwi t hest abl i shi ngacal m andcl earst at eofmi nd.Takea mome mentt oappr eci at et hedi scer ni ngqual i t yofyourmi nd.Thenr ef r eshyour al ert ness.I tshoul dbesi mi l art osome meonewal ki ngacrossanarr ow pl ankbri dgeover as ma mal lc r e e k. Onc eyo u ar ee s t abl i s he di naf ul l yr e l ax e dy e tv i v i dl yc l e ars t at eofmi nd,wai tunt i l t hene xtv i v i dt ho ug htar i s e s .Y ouma yf ac i l i t at et hi sbygi v i ngr i s et oav e r yemo t i o nal t houghtsuchasoneofsever eangerorsever edesi r e.Consi dert hef ol l owi ng: •
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Doest het houghthaveanyki ndofshape?Fore xampl e,i si tr oundl i keaci r cl e? I si ts quar e ?I si tr o undl i keas phe r e ?I si to ft hes hapeoft hegr o und?I si tt he shapeofarock?I si tt heshapeofaper son? Doest het houghthaveanyf or mt oi tatal l ?Do Doesi thaveadynami mi cf orm or t ext ur et hati sf orev erchangi ng?Or Ordoesi thaveafixedf orm? m?Or Ordoesi thave nof o r m atal l ?
Ques t i ons/Comm mment s 1.I fy ouf e e lt hatt ho ug ht sha v eapar t i c ul ars hape ,l o okatt hi sv e r ycar e f ul l y . Wheny ouar ecer t ai nt hatt hought shav enodi s t i nc tshape,nofixedshapeand novaryi ngshape,i nf actt hatt heconceptofshapeorf orm doesnotatal lappl y t oyourt hought st hems msel vesr esti nt hatunder st andi ngandal l ow t hat under st andi ngt ocont i nuei nyourexper i ence.
Exploring Thoughts and Appearances Series
( 2)Col or sofThought s Body:Rel axi nt oy o urb as ei ns i g htpo s t ur e . Br eath:Br eat het hr oughyournose.Lett her at eanddept hofyourbr eat hbej ustasi t i s .Don’ ti nt e r f e r ewi t hi t . Mi nd:Begi nyourmedi t at i onwi t hest abl i shi ngacal m andcl earst at eofmi nd.Takea mome mentt oappr eci at et hedi scer ni ngqual i t yofyourmi nd.Thenr ef r eshyour
al e r t ne s s. Onc eyo u ar ee s t abl i s he di naf ul l yr e l ax e dy e tv i v i dl yc l e ars t at eofmi nd,wai tunt i l t hene xtv i v i dt ho ug htar i s e s .Y ouma yf ac i l i t at et hi sbygi v i ngr i s et oav e r yemo t i o nal t houghtsuchasoneofsever eangerorsever edesi r e.Consi dert hef ol l owi ng: •
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Doe st het ho ug htha v eanycol ort oi t ?Fo re xampl e ,i si tbl ue ,i si ts quar e ,i si t gr e e nori si tr e d?I si tbl ac kori si twhi t e ?Jus ts i tandl ookf orawh whi l et os e e whatcol or sar ee xper i ence d,i fany . Do e sat ho ug hti t s e l fha v eanyc ol o rt oi tatal l ?Wh Whatabo utv i s ual i z a t i o ns associ at edwi t ht hought s?Dovi suali magesassoci at edwi t ht hought shave c o l o r ?I st hec ol o ri nt r i ns i ct ot het ho ug hto ri nde pe nde nto ft het ho ug ht ?
Ques t i ons/Comm mment s 1.I fy ouf e e lt hatt ho ug ht sha v eapar t i c ul arc ol ort oi t ,i nv e s t i g at et hi sv er y car ef ul l yatdi ffer entt i mesofdayandwheni ndi ffer entmoods.Whenyouar e c e r t ai nt hatt ho ug ht s( f o rt hemo mo me me nt ,e x c l udi ngvi s ual i z a t i o ns )ha v enoco l o r , no te v e nwhi t eorb l ac k,andt hati nf ac tt hec onc e pto fc o l o rdo e sno tatal l appl yt oyourt hought s,r esti nt hatunder st andi ngandal l ow t hat under st andi ngt ocont i nuei nyourexper i ence. 2.Theques t i onofl ooki ngf orshapeandcol oroft hought sma mayse em l essabsur d t hanl o oki ngf o rt hes hapeandc o l o ro ft hemi mi ndi t s e l f .Car e f ul l yc ons i de r whe t he rshapeandcol orar efixedat t r i but esoft hought sorwhe t hert hought e x i s t si nde pe nde nto ft he s eat t r i but e s .Co nt i nuewi t ht hi sunt i ly o u ar er e l ax e d andcomf mf ort abl ewi t ht heabsur di t yandnotconf usedbyi t .Pr act i ces( 1)and( 2) pr o v i deabi to ft r ai ni ngi nl o oki ngwi wi t hmi ndatt ho ug ht s . 3.Co ns i de rav i s ual i z a t i o no fl i g ht .I thasadi s t i nc tc o l o r .Co ns i de ri tf r om s i mi l ar per spect i veast oa‘ nonvi sualt hought . ’How coul dyoudescri bet heexperi ence oft hi sc ol ort oabl i ndpe r s on?I si ti nde sc r i babl el i ket hee xpe r i e nc eof aware nessandopennessorl i ket het ast eofsugar ?
Exploring Thoughts and Appearances Series
( 3)Locati onofThought s
Body:Rel axi nt oy o urb as ei ns i g htpo s t ur e . Br eath:Br eat het hr oughyournose.Lett her at eanddept hofyourbr eat hbej ustasi t i s .Don’ ti nt e r f e r ewi t hi t . Mi nd:Begi nyourmedi t at i onwi t hest abl i shi ngacal m andcl earst at eofmi nd.Takea mome mentt oappr eci at et hedi scer ni ngqual i t yofyourmi nd.Thenr ef r eshyour al e r t ne s s. Onc eyo u ar ee s t abl i s he di naf ul l yr e l ax e dy e tv i v i dl yc l e ars t at eofmi nd,wai tunt i l t hene xtv i v i dt ho ug htar i s e s .Y ouma yf ac i l i t at et hi sbygi v i ngr i s et oav e r yemo t i o nal t houghtsuchasoneofsever eangerorsever edesi r e.Consi dert hef ol l owi ng: •
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Doest het houghthaveanysuppor t i ngbasi st oi t ?Doest het houghthave any t hi ngwh whi c hs uppo r t si tf r o mt heo ut s i deo ri ns i deo fi t s e l f ?Do Do e si ts t e m f r om amat er i alobj ect ?Do Doesi tst em f r om apr evi oust hought ?Ho How so?Do Doesi t st em f r om t hepl ayoft hebr ai n?Canyoudi scer nt hi s? Doest het houghtdwel lanywher e?Do Doesi thaveanyspeci ficl ocat i on?I ft he t houghtr es t sanywher e,exami mi net hespacebeyondt het hought .I ft het hought s e e ms mst ope r me me at eal lo fs pac e ,i nv e s t i g at ewh whe t he ri ti si ns i det hef o r mo ft he bodyi t s el f ,orout si deoft hef or m oft hebody .I si tbot hi ns i deandout si deof t hebodyatt hes ame met i me? How cansome met hi ngwi t hnoshapeorf orm haveal ocat i on?I sl ocat i ondefined o nl yi nr e l at i o nt oo t he rt ho ug ht sandpe r c e pt i o ns ?I nv e s t i g at et hatbye nt e r i ng t het houghtatanyl ocat i onwi t hmi ndandbyexpl ori ngt heboundari esbeyond t hel ocat i onoft houghtwhi chyouhol dt obet r ue.Resti nyourunder st andi ng whe ni ti sdeci si v e.
Ques t i ons/Comm mment s 1.I fy ouf e e lt hatt ho ug hthasapar t i c ul arl o cat i o nt oi t ,i nv e s t i g at et hi sv e r y c ar e f ul l y .Whe r e v e ry ouma yf e e lt hatt het ho ug hti s ,e xpl o r ei tc ar e f ul l y .Go i nsi dei t ’ sl ocat i onwi t hyourmi mi nd.Fi ndt heboundari es.Wheneve ry ouscopea l o c at i o nwhi c hhast hes e ns eof ," Thi si si t "g oi nt ot hatl o c at i o n ando pe ni tup. I nv e s t i g at et ho ug hti ns i deando ut s i deo ft hatl o cat i on.
Exploring Thoughts and Appearances Series
( 4)Lumi nosi t yandVoi dnessofThought s Thet er m‘ l umi nos i t y’r e f er st ot he‘ knowi ng’qual i t yofmi nd.Thi shasdefini t i v el ybeen c l ar i fie dbyTi be t ant e ac he r s .I tdoe sno tr e f e rt ot he‘ e xpe r i e nc eofl i g ht ’r e f e r r e dt oby somemyst i cs.Rat heri ti st heknowi ngorawar eorcl ari t yorl uci di t yofmi nd.
Body:Rel axi nt oy o urb as ei ns i g htpo s t ur e . Br eath:Br eat het hr oughyournose.Lett her at eanddept hofyourbr eat hbej ustasi t i s .Don’ ti nt e r f e r ewi t hi t . Mi nd:Begi nyourmedi t at i onwi t hest abl i shi ngacal m andcl earst at eofmi nd.Takea momentt oappr eci at et hedi scer ni ngqual i t yofyourmi nd.Thenr ef r eshyour al e r t ne s s. Onc eyo u ar ee s t abl i s he di naf ul l yr e l ax e dy e tv i v i dl yc l e ars t at eofmi nd,wai tunt i l t hene xtv i v i dt ho ug htar i s e s .Y ouma yf ac i l i t at et hi sbygi v i ngr i s et oav e r yemo t i o nal t houghtsuchasoneofsever eangerorsever edesi r e.Consi dert hef ol l owi ng: •
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Whati st hemo deofabi di ngoft het hought ?Whati si t se xi s t ent i almo de?Does i tpl ayoutl i keashortsong?How i si tcompar edt oopenspace?I fapparent l y e mpt y ,i si tc o mpl e t e l ye mpt y ? How doest houghtr el at et oawar eness ?I si ti mbuedwi t hal uci dknowi ng qual i t y ?I si tl i ket heg l o wo fa war e ne s s ?Ho w do e si t ’ sl umi no s i t yc ompar et o t hel umi nosi t yoft hesun?I si tani nnerl umi nosi t y?I st her eanysenseofi nner oro ut e rt oi t ? I si tano pe nl uc i di t ywi t ho utf o r m,wi t ho utc o l o r ,wi t ho utl o c at i o ni nt i meand space?Thenhow i st hemeani ngoft het houghtde t er mi ned?I st hemeani ngor mess ageorpr oj ect i onoft houghtsomet hi ngwhi chi sdependentonot her t hought sandappearancesori si ti nt er dependent ?I st hemessageofat hought t i me l e ssori si tofac ompl e t e l yr e l at i v enat ur e ?
Lookwi t hmi ndatt hought scaref ul l y ,t hent akear est ,andt henl ookagai n.
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.Thought shavemess agecont ent ,andal mostt ext ur alqual i t i est ot hem.Theyar e no tl i kede ads pac eno ra r et he yl i kephy s i c all i g hts i nc et he yha v ean i nt e l l i g e nt ,kno wi ngqual i t yt ot he m.Spac ei sno tas el f kno wi nga war e ne s s . Thei rr el at i v epl aywi t hi ns paceandt i mear et hei rdi s t i nctc har ac t e r i s t i c s r e l at i v et ot hee xpe r i e nc eo fmi ndi t s e l f .Ot he r wi s e ,t he r ei snodi ffe r e nc e ,ori s t he r e ? 2.Thought saret ot al l yf r eeofconsi st i ngofacor esubst ance.Theyhavenomode ofabi di ng.Theyaremer eappearances.Concept sofexi st enceandnonexi st ence donotappl y .Thei rnat ur ei sundefinabl eandbeyondi magi nat i onori nt el l ect ual co mpr ehensi on. $? I si tan‘ i nmo s ts e l f ar i s i ngawar e ne s s ’asde c l ar e dbyso meoft hef at he r so ft he l i neage?Doesi nnerappl yt oi t ?ATi bet ent erm t hati ssomet i mesusedf ort hi s e x pe r i e nc ei sr angr i gr angt sal , whi chmeanssel fornat ur al l yari si ng awar e ne ss ,s el fornat ur a l l yar i s i ngc l ar i t yorl uc i di t y .I tc anno tbei de nt i fie dt o beanyt hi ngi npar t i cul ar ,y e ti tr e mai nsadi s t i nc te xper i e ncewhenmi ndf ul ne ss i spr esent .Whenmi ndf ul nesshasbeenl ost ,t heexperi enceoft hi squal i t y di mi ni shes.I nvest i gat ehow t hi squal i t ycont i nueswi t handwi t houtt hought s.
Exploring Thoughts and Appearances Series
( 5)Or i gi n,Abode,Dest i nat i on Body:Rel axi nt oy o urb as ei ns i g htpo s t ur e . Br eath:Br eat het hr oughyournose.Lett her at eanddept hofyourbr eat hbej ustasi t i s .Don’ ti nt e r f e r ewi t hi t . Mi nd:Begi nyourmedi t at i onwi t hest abl i shi ngacal m andcl earst at eofmi nd.Takea momentt oappr eci at et hedi scer ni ngqual i t yofyourmi nd.Thenr ef r eshyour al ert ness.Appr eci at et heopenness,cl ari t yandpl easantqual i t yoft hemoment . Onc eyo u ar ee s t abl i s he di naf ul l yr e l ax e dy e tv i v i dl yc l e ars t at eofmi nd,wai tunt i l t hene xtv i v i dt ho ug htar i s e s .Y ouma yf ac i l i t at et hi sbygi v i ngr i s et oav e r yemo t i o nal t houghtsuchasoneofsever eangerorsever edesi r e.Consi dert hef ol l owi ng:
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Wher ei st heor i gi norsour ceoft het houghti t s el f ?Lookwi t hmi nddi r e ct l yat t hesour ceofyourt hought s. Wher ei st heabodeordwel l i ngpl aceoft hought si t sel fasi ti se xper i encedi n t hemomentofi t sappear ance ? Wher edoest het houghti t sel fgo?How doesi tcease?
Got hr ought heseonebyoneatal ei sur el ypace.
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.Under st andcl earl yt hatt henat ur eoft hought si scompl et el yf r eef r om bi rt h, exi st ence,anddeat hwher east heappear anceoft hought sgot hr ought hese phases.Whydoesappear anceoft houghthavet heset hr eet i mes?Thi sari sesi n i nt er dependenceuponot hert hought sonl y . 2.Reflectont hesi gni ficanceoft her evel at i ont hatt henat ur eoft hought si s si mi l art ot henat ur eofmi nd.
Exploring Thoughts and Appearances Series
( 6)Sel f Awar ePr i mor di alWi sdom Body:Rel axi nt oy o urb as ei ns i g htpo s t ur e . Br eath:Le tt hebr e at hbeasi ti s . Mi nd:Begi nyourmedi t at i onwi t hest abl i shi ngacal m andcl earst at eofmi nd.Takea momentt oappr eci at et hedi scer ni ngqual i t yofyourmi nd.Thenr ef r eshyour al ert ness.Appr eci at et heopenness,cl ari t yandpl easantqual i t yoft hemoment .Rel ax wi t hal er t nessandapr es enceofawar eness. Onc eyo u ar ee s t abl i s he di naf ul l yr e l ax e dy e tv i v i dl yc l e ars t at eofmi nd,wai tunt i l t hene xtv i v i dt ho ug htar i s e s .Y ouma yf ac i l i t at et hi sbygi v i ngr i s et oav e r yemo t i o nal t houghtsuchasoneofsever eangerorsever edesi r e.Consi dert hef ol l owi ng: •
Doest hi ss el f awar eknowi ngnessev ergoawayorari se?Whatmakesy our exper i enceofi fdi sappear?Whatmakesi tr et urn?I si tal wayst her ewhenyou c ons i de ri t ?
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Li s t e nt ot hef ol l o wi ngc hants e v e r alt i me ss ai do rs ungi nal e i s ur e l yf as hi o n: Lo !Thi si st hes e l f a war epr i mo r di alwi s do m.I ti sbe y o ndal la v e nue sof s pe e c handal lt ho ug ht so fmi nd.I ,Ti l o paha v eno t hi ngf ur t he rt or e v e a l . Know al lt obet hedi spl ayofawareness.Wi t houti magi ni ng,wi t hout de l i be r at i ng ,wi t ho utanal y z i ng ,wi t ho utme di t at i ng ,wi t ho ut i nv e s t i g at i ng ,j us tl e tt hemi ndbei ni t snat ur a ls t at e . "
Medi t at eaccordi ngt oi t ,i ncl udi ngbot hyouract i vet hi nki ngmoment sandyourcal m t hought f r eemoment si nt oi t .
Ques t i ons/Comment s smaypr ovi det hefir s tsenseofr angr i gye s he ,t hepri mordi al( ye)wi sdom 1? Thi ( she)whi chknowsi t sel f ,ort hesel f awar epri mordi alwi sdom.Thi si sawi sdom whi c hhase xi s t sout si det hepl ayoft i meandspac eoft hought s .I ti snot somet hi ngnewl ycre at ed.I ti st heoneconst anti nourbei ng.I ti si mmut abl e andunt ouc hedbyt hought s.
Exploring Thoughts and Appearances Series
( 7)I nvest i gat i ngAppear ances Body:Rel axi nt oy o urb as ei ns i g htpo s t ur e . Br eath:Le tt hebr e at hbeasi ti s . Mi nd:Begi nyourmedi t at i onwi t hest abl i shi ngacal m andcl earst at eofmi nd.Takea momentt oappr eci at et hedi scer ni ngqual i t yofyourmi nd.Thenr ef r eshyour al e r t ne ss . Onc ey ouar ee s t abl i s he di naf ul l yr e l ax e dy e tv i v i dl ycl e ars t at eofmi nd,at t e ndt ot he appearancest oyourmi ndf r om oneofyoursenses.At t enddi r ect l yt oyourexper i ence o fo neoft hef o l l o wi ng :l i g ht ,s ound,f e e l i ng ,t as t e ,o rs me l l .Co ns i de rt heappe ar a nc e s asf ol l o ws : •
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I nves t i gat eshapeandf orm. I nv es t i g at ecol or .
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I nv es t i g at el oc at i on. I nv e s t i g at el umi no s i t yore mpt i ne s s . I nv e s t i g at ear i s i ng ,dwe l l i ng ,andc e ss at i on. I nv e s t i g at ewi t hr e s pe c tt os e l f a war epr i mo r di alwi s do m.
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.Consi dert hev ar i oust ypesofse nsor yappear ance sonebyoneandr eac ha deci si veunder st andi ngwi t hr espectt oeachoneoft hem.I nnat ur et heyar et he sameasmi ndi t sel fandt hought s,al t houghi ncharact ert heyaredi ffer ent .I n nowayi st hi snat ur echangedbyt her i si ngandcessat i onofappearances.
Exploring Thoughts and Appearances Series
( 8)I nvest i gat i ngt hePercei verofAppear ances Body:Rel axi nt oy o urb as ei ns i g htpo s t ur e . Br eath:Le tt hebr e at hbeasi ti s . Mi nd:Compl e t et hepr e v i o usme di t at i o no n‘ I nv e s t i g at i ngAppe ar anc e s . ’Thi st i me , i nv e s t i g at et hepe r c e i v e ro ft hea ppe ar anc e si ns t e ado ft hea ppe ar anc e s . Keept heper cept i onoft heappearancescl earandvi vi d.Theyshoul dbe unobst ruct edandunfil t er edbyi nt er pr et at i onandf r eef r om at t achment o rav e r s i o n. Mai nt ai nt heuni t yofappear anceandempt i nes s,howev ert hatmayse em t oyou. Thenpr oce edwi t ht hei ns t r uct i onsoft hepr e vi ousmedi t at i on.
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Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.Donotge tcaughtupi nt henev erendi ngexpl or at i onofappear ancesand t hought s.Bydet er mi ni ngt henat ur eofawarenessandt heconsci ousnessi t sel f , onegai nsr el easef r om t het hought sandappear ancest hemsel ve s. 2.Thesepract i cess houl deachbeper f ormedf r om bot ht hepers pect i veofl ooki ng att het hought sandappear ancest hemsel vesandl ooki ngatt heper cei veroft he t hought sandappearances.I ti si mport antt odet er mi nebot ht henat ur eoft he
per cei ve randt heappear ancest hemsel ve s. 3.Det er mi ni ngt henat ur eoft hought sandappearancesi naddi t i ont omi ndi t sel f f ac i l i t at e si nt e gr a t i ngt he mi nt oone ’ sr e al i z at i on.Ones ho ul dno tde v e l o pa se nset hatt hedawni ngoft hewi sdom whi chknowsi t se l fdependsonacal m andt r a nq ui ls t at e .
Exploring Thoughts and Appearances Series
( 9)I nvest i gat i ngMovi ngandCal m Mi nd Body:Rel axi nt oy o urb as ei ns i g htpo s t ur e . Br eath:Le tt hebr e at hbeasi ti s . Mi nd:Begi nyourmedi t at i onwi t hest abl i shi ngacal m andcl earst at eofmi nd.Takea momentt oappr eci at et hedi scer ni ngqual i t yofyourmi nd.Thenr ef r eshyour al ert ness.Appr eci at et heopenness,cl ari t yandpl easantqual i t yoft hemoment .Rel ax wi t hal er t nessandapr es enceofawar eness. Onc ey ouar ee s t abl i s he di naf ul l yr e l ax e dy e tv i v i dl yc l e ars t at eofmi nd,de t e r mi ne t henat ur eofyourcal m,r est edmi nd,mi ndasi ti s.Thenal l ow avi vi dt houghtt o ar i se. o
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Comparet heappearanceoft hi st houghtt omi ndi t sel f .Whati st he same?Whati sdi ffer ent ? Lo okatt hes our c e ,dwe l l i ngpl ac e ,andde s t i nat i o no fmi nd-i t s e l f .The n c o mpar ei tt ot hes our c e ,dwe l l i ng ,andde s t i nat i o no ft ho ug ht s .I st he r ea di s c e r ni bl edi ffe r e nc e ?
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.Do e sat ho ug htar i s el i keamo t he rg i v i ngbi r t ht oac hi l d,asadi s t i nc te nt i t y ?I s i tmor el i ket hewayi nwhi chasunormoonemi t sl i ghtorl i keawavesand wat er ? 2.Doese ve ryt houghthavet empor alaspect st oi t ?I tcomesandgoesand changes.I ncompari son,doest heexper i enceofat r anqui lmi ndhavet emporal
aspect st oi t ?How aboutt henat ur eoft hought s?How aboutt henat ur eoft he cal m mi ndormi ndi t sel f ? 3.Ar ebot hmovi ngmi nd( wi t happear ance soft hought sandper ce pt i ons)and mi ndi t s e l fano pe nl uc i di t y ?I ft hi si st hes e ns ey our e ac h,de c i s i v e l y ,t he no ne hasachi evedal i t t l ebi tofgenui neunder st andi ng.Theawarenessi s cont i nuous.
Exploring Thoughts and Appearances Series
( 10)Compar i ngPosi t i veandNegat i veThought s Body:Rel axi nt oy o urb as ei ns i g htpo s t ur e . Br eath:Le tt hebr e at hbeasi ti s . Mi nd:Begi nyourmedi t at i onwi t hest abl i shi ngacal m andcl earst at eofmi nd.Takea momentt oappr eci at et hedi scer ni ngqual i t yofyourmi nd.Thenr ef r eshyour al ert ness.Appr eci at et heopenness,cl ari t yandpl easantqual i t yoft hemoment .Rel ax wi t hal er t nessandapr es enceofawar eness. Onc eyouar ee s t abl i s he di naf ul l yr e l ax edy e tv i v i dl ycl e ars t at eofmi nd,s e l e c tav i v i d po s i t i v ee mo t i o n.The nal t e r nat ei twi t hav i v i dne g at i v ee mo t i o n. o
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Comparet heper cei vabl edi ffer encesoft heset hought sandt hei ressent i al nat ur e.Whati st hes ame?Whati sdi ffer ent ? Lookatt hesour ce,dwel l i ngpoi ntanddest i nat i onoft hedi ffer ent t ho ug ht s .I st he r eadi s c e r ni bl edi ffe r e nc e ? I st hemi ndl i kewat erandwav es ?I sdel udedmi ndse par at ef r om mi nd i t sel fori si ti nseparabl ef r om mi nd?How aboutr eal i zedmi nd?
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.I ft hought sar er egar dedt obes omewhatl i kel i mbsont hebodyofmi ndt hen t he i rc o mpl e t ei ns e par abi l i t ywi t hmi ndhasno ty e tbe e nr e al i z e d.The r ei sno spat i alseparat i onbet weent houghtandmi nd.
Exploring Thoughts and Appearances Series
( 11)Compar i ngPosi t i veandNegat i veAppear ances Body:Rel axi nt oy o urb as ei ns i g htpo s t ur e . Br eath:Le tt hebr e at hbeasi ti s . Mi nd:Begi nyourmedi t at i onwi t hest abl i shi ngacal m andcl earst at eofmi nd.Takea momentt oappr eci at et hedi scer ni ngqual i t yofyourmi nd.Thenr ef r eshyour al ert ness.Appr eci at et heopenness,cl ari t yandpl easantqual i t yoft hemoment .Rel ax wi t hal er t nessandapr es enceofawar eness. Onc eyouar ee s t abl i s he di naf ul l yr e l ax edy e tv i v i dl ycl e ars t at eofmi nd,s e l e c tav i v i d pos i t i v eappe ar a nc e( e . g .be aut i f ulflo we ro rf r ui t ) .The nal t e r nat ei twi t hav i v i d ne g at i v eappe ar anc e( e . g .s e v e r e l ywi l t e dflo we ro rr o t t e nandmo l dyf r ui t ) . o
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Comparet heperc ei vabl edi ffer encesoft heseappearancesandt hei r essent i alnat ur e.Whati st hesame?Whati sdi ffer ent ? Lookatt hesour ce,dwel l i ngpoi ntanddest i nat i onoft hedi ffer ent t ho ug ht s .I st he r eadi s c e r ni bl edi ffe r e nc e ? I st heappearancet omi ndal sol i kewat erandi t swaves?Ar eappearances separ at ef r om mi ndi t sel fori si ti nsepar abl ef r om mi nd?How about per cept i onst omi nd? Exami neal ldi ffer entki ndsofcoar seandsubt l eappear ances.
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.Suchat hor oughexami nat i onshoul del i mi nat eal lsenseofdual i t ybet ween t hought sandmi ndandappear ance sandmi nd.Thepr act i t i onershoul d experi encet hei ndi vi si bl euni t yofappearancesandempt i ness.
Exploring Thoughts and Appearances Series
( 12)Cer t ai nt yRegar di ngMovi ngandCal m Mi nd Body:Rel axi nt oy o urb as ei ns i g htpo s t ur e . Br eath:Le tt hebr e at hbeasi ti s . Mi nd:I nacal m andcl earexpanseofmi nd,set t l et hemi ndf r eef r om t hedual i t yof empt i nessandaware ness.Al l ow t hi sover arc hi nguni t yt oembr aceal lofyour t hought sandper cept i ons. Obser vet hemi ndwheni ti scal m andwheni ti smovi ng. o
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I st her eacal m aspectt omi ndev enwheni tmov es ?I st her emov ementt o mi ndwheni ti sgener al l ycal m? Rel axyoursenseoft hesebei ngdi st i nctsepar at ephenomena.
Obser veal lt obet hemani f est at i onofmi ndandt huscompl et el yopenandl uci di n nat ur e. o
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Doal lt hought sandappearancesofmi ndhave‘ oneflavor ’i nt er msof t hei ropenness? Re gar dl e ssofwhat e v ers t at ear i s e s,r e al i z ei tasi ndi v i s i bl ef r o mt heuni t y ofaware nessandopenness,whi chi sspont aneousl yl uci dandsel f l i be r at e d.Sav ort hes el f l i be r at i onofe v er y t hi ngwhi c har i s e s( l i keas nake uncoi l i ngi t s el f ) .
Revi ew t hecompl et eopennessofmi ndwi t hr espectt oori gi n,dwel l i ng,andcessat i on. Revi ew t hecompl et eopennessoft hought swi t hr espectt ot heset hr eemodes. o
Si ncemi nddoesnotexi stassuch,i tcannotbeharmedordest r oyed.I t i sunt ouchedbygoodandbad.I ti snotsubj ectt oi mpr ovementor dege ner at i on.Thenwhydoyoust i l lhavesomanywor r i esandf ear s?Why doy oupar adear oundsomanyhope s?
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.Cal m andmovi ngst at eshavebeencul t i vat edsepar at el yt omakepr act i ce meani ngf ul .Now weneedt or el axt hedi st i nct i onbet weent hesest at es. 2.Bydoi ngt hi spr act i cet horoughl y ,onedi scover swi t hcer t ai nt yt henat ur eof mi ndandhow i text endst oev er yt hi ng. 3.Att hi spoi ntpost medi t at i oni ssust ai nednotbyappl yi ngt heseanal ysesi n dai l yl i f e( whi c hwo ul dj us tbeac ont i nuat i o no fme di t at i o n)no rbyj us t r e me mbe r i ngt heme di t at i v ee x pe r i e nc e .Att hi ss t ag e ,t hefla v oro ft hi s r eal i zat i onper meat est hecont i nuum ofone’ sbei ngandi tcont i nuesi ndai l y ac t i v i t yj us tl i ket hefla v oro fas pi c epe r me at e st oal lo fame ali nt owhi c hi ti s mi xed.Noaddi t i onalcont ri vancesarenecessary.
- Spontaneous Coe!ergence Series
Spontaneous Coemergence Series
I nt r oducti on aneousCoemer genceSeri es TheSpont pr o v i de si ns t r uc t i o ni npr ac t i c e swhi c hpo i nt outt henat ur eofmi ndi t sel fandi t sappearances.Pr act i cesar epr ovi dedt omai nt ai n t heengender edvi ew bot hi nmedi t at i onandi npost medi t at i on. Thef undame nt alnat ur eofmi ndi t sel fi sdescr i bedbyt het er ms essence,n a t u r e and c har ac t er i s t i c s .The s et hr e ear ec ompl e t e l ygi v e nt o ge t he r . Thees senceofmi ndi si t sopenness o re mpt i ne s s .Thi se mpt i ne s si sf r e ef r o m ar i s i ng , dwel l i ng,andcessat i onandcorr espondst ot hei nt ri nsi copennessofever yt hi ng. Es s e nc ei sal s ode s c r i be di nt e r msofpr i malpur i t y .Thi si sr e l at e dt ot hee l e me nto f space. Thenat ur eofmi ndi si t sl umi no si t y orknowi ngnessorawarenessorl uci di t y .Thi s cl ari t yi si mmut abl eandr emai nsundefil edbydi scr i mi nat i ngt hought sandt he kl eshas.I ti sf undament al l yi nsepar abl ef r om space.Thenat ur eofmi ndi sal so de s c r i be di nt e r msofs po nt ane o uspr e s e nc ewhi c hi ss e l f pe r f e c t e d.I ti sr e l at e dt ot he el ementfir e. Thec har act er i s t i csofmi ndi si t suni mpe dedorunceasi ngdi s pl ay ofappearances. Duet oi nci dent aldefil ement s,t hel umi nosi t yofmi ndhascomet odomi nat et he empt i nessaspectandal lofsamsarahasunf ol dedandcont i nuest operpet uat ei t sel f . Upo nr e a l i z a t i o n,t heac t i v i t yofmi ndmani f e s t sf ort hebe ne fitofal ll i v i ngbe i ng s.The c har a c t e r i s t i cofmi ndi sal s ode s cr i be di nt e r mso fc ompas s i on.I ti sr e l at e dt ot he el ementwi nd. Coe mer ge nce meanst oari sesi mul t aneousl yorbepr esentsi mul t aneousl y .For exampl e,fir eandi t sheat ,sugarandi t ssweet nesscoemer ge.
Thespont aneouscoemer g e nc eo fmi ndi t s e l f r e f e r st oi t si ndi v i s i bl el umi nos i t yand genceoft hought sand empt i ness,t hebasi cnondualcl ari t yofmi nd.Coemer appearances r e f e r st ot hei nnat epo we r( Ti b.t s al )o fmi ndwi t hi nt hel umi no us
empt i nessofmi nd.Coemer genceofmi ndandi t st hought sandappear ancesi sl i ke t hesunandi t sr aysorsandl ewoodandi t sf r agr ance.Mi nd,t hought sand appearanceshavebeencoari si ngsi ncet hebegi nni ngoft i meandareent i r el y i ndi v i s i bl e .Re al i z i ngt hi si sc al l e d har moni zi ngwi t hc oemer gence orj oi ni ngwi t h coe mer ge nce . Coe mer genceasground r e f e r st ot hec ome r g e nc eofmi ndi t s e l fandt hati ti st hebas i s pat h f oral lofsamsar aandni rv ana.Coemer genceas c ons i s t sofg ai ni ngi ns i g hti nt o t hecoemer genceoft hegr oundbyl i st eni ng,anal yzi ng,andmedi t at i ng.Thr ought he i nst r uct i onsofMahamudr aandgui dedi nves t i gat i onsi nt oexper i enceonecomest o r eal i z et hec oemer genceofsamsar aandni rv ana.Coemer genceas r esul t c ons i s t sof t hef ul lr e al i z a t i o no ft hec oe me r g e nc eoft hegr o und,pat h,andf r ui t . Ther ear emanys pi r i t ualt eac her swhogui des t udent st os t at esofmedi t at i v e absorpt i on.I ti sext r emel yr aret ofindonewhoi nt r oducest hem t ospont aneous comer genceandt hei ror di nar ymi nd.Theo rdi narymi ndi saspeci alt erm oft he Kagyul i neagewhi chi susedt omakecl eart hatnot hi ngnew i scr eat ed.Wearej ust r ecogni zi ngwhathasbeent her eal lal ong.
Spontaneous Coemergence Series
( 1)Coemer gentMi nd Body:Rel axi nt oabas epo s t ur e . Br eath:Le tt hebr e at hbeasi ti s . Mi nd:I nacal m andcl earexpanseofmi nd,set t l et hemi ndi nt heuni t yofi t s empt i nessandawareness.Restmi ndi ni t snat ur alst at e.Cl earoutal ldul l nessand r e l axal lr e s t l e s s ne s sofmi nd.Dr o pal le xpe c t at i o nsandf e ar s . Now l ooki ngwi t hmi ndatmi nd,not ehow al lt hought sar ecompl et el ypaci fied. Mai nt ai ni ngt hi s,l ookwi t hmi ndatmi nd.I ndoi ngso,oneseesnot hi ng.Thi si st he comer ge nceofmi nd. •
Thi ss eei ngofnot hi ngi scoemer gnceofmi nd.I tc annotbedesc r i bed,y e tt hi s
experi enceofhow i ti si svi vi dandi mbuedwi t hanawar enessofcer t ai nt y .
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.Rest i ng( shamat ha)i si nher enti nt hesel f awarenessofmi nd.Awarenessor i nsi ght( vi pashyana)i si nher enti nt hepeacef ulgroundofmi nd.Thuseven shamat haandvi pashyanaorpeaceandawar enesscanbesai dt obe i nsepar abl eandcoemer gent .
Spontaneous Coemergence Series
( 2)Coemer gentt hought s Body:Rel axi nt oabas epo s t ur e . Br eath:Le tt hebr e at hbeasi ti s . Mi nd:I nacal m andcl earexpanseofmi nd,r el axi nt heuni t yofi t sl umi nous o pe nne s sofmi nd.Re l axmi ndi ni t sna t ur als t at e .Cl e aro utal ldul l ne s sandr e l axal l r e s t l e s s ne s sofmi nd.Dr o pal le x pe c t at i o nsandf e ar s . Now l ooki ngwi t hmi ndatmi nd,not ehow al lt hought sar ecompl et el ypaci fied. Mai nt ai ni ngt hi s,l ookwi t hmi ndatmi nd. No w al l o w av i v i de mo t i onalt ho ug htt oar i s e ,e i t he rpo si t i v eorne g at i v e .Loo kdi r e c t l y att het ho ug ht ’ sappe ar anc ei t s e l f .Lo oki ngatt het ho ug hti t s e l f ,o nese e sno t hi ng . Thi si st hee xper i enceoft hec oe me r ge nceoft hought . •
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Oneseest heuni t yoft hevi vi dnessoft het houghtwi t hi t sempt i ness.I tcannot bede scr i be d,y e tt hi se xper i enceofhow i ti si svi vi dandi mbuedwi t han a war e ne s sofc e r t ai nt y . Jus taswav e sar ei nsepar abl ef r om wat e r ,si mi l ar l yt hought sar ei ns epar abl e f r om t hei rempt i ness.Theyari sef r om causesandcondi t i onst hr ought he uni mpededpl ayoft hel umi nosi t yofmi nd.
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.Agai nshamat haandvi pashyanaorpeaceandawar enesscanbes ai dt obe
i nsepar abl ei nt hecoemer genceoft hought . 2.Thought s( namt ok)ar edhar makaya( Ti b.chöku) ,ormor eappr opr i at et he essence( ngowo)oft hought sasopposedt of abri cat i onsorproj ect i onsar e dhar makay a.Ev ent hepr oj ec t i onsar ee mpt yanddhar makay awheni ncl uded i nt ot hi s.Aware nessofcer t ai nt yreg ardi ngt hecoemer genceoft houghtmustbe pr esentwi t ht het houghtf ort hi st obet rue.
Spontaneous Coemergence Series
( 3)Coemer gentAppear ances Body:Rel axi nt oabas epo s t ur e . Br eath:Le tt hebr e at hbeasi ti s . Mi nd:I nacal m andcl earexpanseofmi nd,set t l ei nt ot heuni t yofi t sl umi nous o pe nne s sofmi nd.Re l axmi ndi ni t sna t ur als t at e .Cl e aro utal ldul l ne s sandr e l axal l r e s t l e s s ne s sofmi nd.Dr o pal le x pe c t at i o nsandf e ar s . Now l ooki ngwi t hmi ndatmi nd,not ehow al lt hought sar ecompl et el ypaci fied. Mai nt ai ni ngt hi s,l ookwi t hmi ndatmi nd. Now l ookdi r ect l yatanappear ancet ot hesensessuchasavi sualappear ance( such asav as e ,s t o ne ,mo unt ai no rho us e ) .Lo oki ngatt heappe ar anc ei t s e l f ,i ti s spont aneouspr esencef r eef r om sol i di t y .Thi si st heexperi enceoft hecoemer genceof appearances. •
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Oneseest heuni t yoft hevi vi dnessoft heappearance’ sper cept i vef orm or t e xt ur ewi t hi t se mpt i ne s s.I tc anno tbede s c r i be d,y e tt hi se xpe r i e nc ei sv i v i d andi mbuedwi t hanawar enessofcer t ai nt y . Jus taswav e sar ei nsepar abl ef r om wat e r ,si mi l ar l yappear anc esar e i nsepar abl ef r om t hei rempt i ness.Theyar i sef r om causesandcondi t i ons t hr ought heuni mpededpl ayoft hel umi nosi t yofmi nd.
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.Onemayal soe xper i encet hi sdi r ec t l yi nadr eam.Onebecomesawakewi t hi n t hedr e am r e al m andr e al i z e st hatal lo nei se xpe r i e nc i ngi sj us tt hef abr i coft he
pr oj ect i onsanddi spl ayofone’ smi nd.Thi si samomentofext r emef r eedom wi t hi nt hedr eam condi t i on. "? He ar tSut r a :‘ Form i sempt i nessandempt i nessi sf orm,f orm i snoot hert han
empt i ness . ’Appear ancest hemsel ve saredharmakaya( chöku) .
Spontaneous Coemergence Series
( 4)Or di naryMi nd BodyandBr eat h:Noi ns t r uc t i ons . Mi nd:Leaveyourawarenessandf eel i ngsj ustast heyar e. Now l ookatt heopennessandcl ari t yofmi ndwi t hi nwhat evercondi t i onoract i vi t y y oufindy our se l f .Seewhe t heri ti saffec t e dbyy ourt hought s,posi t i v eorne gat i v e. •
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Donotmodul at eorchangey ourawar enessorcondi t i oni nanyr espect .Donot s e ekl umi nos i t y ,j us tr e c og ni z ei tasi ti st he r e .Or di nar ymi ndi st he unmodul at edsi mpl i ci t yofbei ng,f r eef r om accept anceandr ej ect i on.The nat ur al ,unmodul at edor di narymi ndwhi chknowsi t sel fi st hedawni ngof Mahamudr a. Or di narymi ndi ssi mpl yyouror di naryawar enesswhi cht hi nksoft hi sand t hat .Whe nr e c o gni z e dasi ti s ,une l abo r a t e d,t hi si sc al l e dt hec ome r g e nts e l f knowi ng.Whenunr ecogni ze d,t hi si scal l edcoemer genti gnor ance.Mai nt ai n t hi sbyno tbe i ngdi s t r ac t e df r o mt henat ur als t at ebyf abr i c at i ngandi ndul g i ng i nne wf al s er e al i t i e s.
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.Or di nar ymi nd ( pr akri t aort hamalshepa)r ef er st ocrudeornat ur almi nd.Her e i tr ef er st ot henat ur almi ndofl umi nosi t yandsel f awarepri mordi alwi sdom, unmuddl edbyt hought sofexi st enceandnonexi st ence,bl i ssandpai n,hat r ed andl ust ,dul l nessoragi t at i on.Nondualaware nessandnakedor di narymi nd ar es ynonyms . 2.Knowi ngt hei nt ri ni si cnat ur eoft heordi narymi ndi sdescri bedas‘ di scoveri ng t hee ss enceofmi nd. ’Thewayoneknowsdoesnotdependont hee mer ge nceof anondi scr i mi nat i ngst at et hr oughmedi t at i on.DakpoTashiNamgyalsays,‘ I t
happenst hemomentamedi t at ordi scov er si tt hr ought hedi scr i mi nat i ngmi nd i t s e l f–whi c hi se xac t l yl i keanunr e l i g i ouspe r s on–wi t houtl os i ngsi g htofi t s segmentoraspect . ’
Spontaneous Coemergence Series
( 5)Medi t at i ngont heOr di nar yMi nd BodyandBr eat h:Noi ns t r uc t i ons . Mi nd:Recogni zi ngt heor di narynat ur eofmi nd,r emai nawar eofi twi t houtamoment ofdi st r act i on.What evermodeofbei ngort houghtari ses,donotchangei t . Donotat t emptt oal t eranyt hi ng. Donotel aborat eanyt hi ng. •
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No t i c ei fy o u ar el o s i ngt hi sme di t at i o nbyf abr i c at i ngs ome t hi ngne w. How doyoukee pf r om el abor at i ngappear ance sandt hought s?Whenat hought orappearanceari ses,j ustr ecogni zei t .Donotaddort akeawayf r om i t . Lookat‘ Fr eeFr om_El aborat i on. ’Oneseest heerr ori nt hedesi gnat i on ( c o mpar e dt o‘ Fr e e Fr o mEl abo r a t i o n. ’ )De t e c t i o no ft hi sc an’ tands ho ul dn’ tbe st opped.However ,noneedt oel aborat eoni t !Cont i nuei nl ooki ngatt het erm wr i t t e nout‘ Fr eeFr om_ El abor at i on’t opr ac t i c enonel abor at i on.
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.Thi si scal l edl i vi ngi naccor dwi t horhonori ngt heor di narymi nd. 2.Dono tf al li nt ol az i ne s s,pas si v i t y ,ordi s t r a ct i on. 3.‘ Spe c i al l yg i f t e d’pr ac t i t i o ne r sc ans i mpl ybr i ngmi ndf ul ne s st oal le me r g i ng t ho ug ht s .Mo r et y pi c al l y ,o newi l lha v et ogot hr o ug ht hes t ag e sofme di t at i o nt o el i mi nat edoubt sandassumpt i onsaboutt hemi ndandi t sact i vi t i es.Ot her wi se i ti sdi ffic ul tt og i v er i s et oana war e ne s sofc e r t ai nt yofc ome r g e ntmi nd.
Spontaneous Coemergence Series
( 6)Mi ndf ul ness,Vi gi l ance,andCari ng
BodyandBr eat h:Noi ns t r uc t i ons . Mi nd:Mai nt ai nmi ndf ul nessoft heor di narymi nd. Foronet hi r doft hesessi onatat i me,medi t at ewi t hemphasi saccor di ngt ot henot ed t o pi c( i . e .e mphas i z i ngmai nt e nanc eofmi ndf ul ne s s ,t he nde t e c t i ngdi s t r ac t i o ns ,t he n pr a ct i c i ngc ar i ng ) .
Mi ndf ul ness ( smri t iordrenpa)meansr ememberi ngornotf orge t t i ng. ‘ Thebe s tmi ndf ul ne s si st hebe s tme di t at i on. ’I ti st heke yt oe s t abl i s hi ng andmai nt ai ni ngt hepr act i ce.Gampopasai d,’ Medi t at eont hevi ew wi t h undi st r act edmi ndf ul ness.St ri vet okeepi tunpert ur bed.Seeknot hi ng e l s ebutt hec ont i nui t yoft hi s . ’I fo nel o se smi ndf ul ne s s,onei sbo undt o l os et hepo we ro fr e al i z a t i on. Vi gi l antAwar eness r e f e r st ode t e c t i o no ft hel o ssofmi ndf ul ne s s.The causesoft hi smove mentt ol ossofmi ndf ul nessar et obeabandoned. Cari ng ors e l f r e s t r a i ntr e f e r st oho wy o u be ha v eort hi nk.Pl antpos i t i v e seedsandel i mi nat enegat i veones. Al lt hr ees t e mf r om wel l spr i ngofmi ndf ul ness .
o
o
o
o
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.Underal ldi ffer entci r cumst ance,i nmedi t at i onandpost medi t at i on,mai nt ai n mi ndf ul ness .Mi ndf ul nessofwhat ?Mi ndf ul nessofor di narymi nd.How does onedot hi swhenext r emel ybusy?Bymai nt ai ni ngmi ndf ul nes sonwhatyouar e do i ng ,wi t ho utaddi ngany t hi nge xt r a .I st hi sno tj us tl i keano npr ac t i t i o ne ra t t het i me ?Y es ,i ft hatno npr ac t i t i o ne ri smi ndf ul .Ho we v e r ,s ome t hi ngc ont i nue s i nt ot hi spr a c t i c e ,l i keas pi c efla v or sa ne nt i r ebo wlo fc e r e al ,s ome t hi ngv e r y s ubt l ec ont i nue st oope r a t e .Thi sl i t t l es o me t hi ngmake sal lt hedi ffe r e nc e . 2.Consi dercont i nui t yofmi ndf ul nessi nsl eep.How i si t ?I st her easenseof cont i nui t yofor di narymi ndt hr oughsl eep?
Spontaneous Coemergence Series
( 7)Looseni ngMi nd
BodyandBr eat h:Rel axi nt oabas epo s t ur e . Mi nd:Compl et el yandut t er l yrel axwi t hapr esenceofawarenessi nwhat everst at e y ourmi ndi si n. Compl et el yandut t er l yr el axwi t hapr esenceofaware nessi nwhat eve rappearances andt hought syouar eexperi enci ng. Dr o pal lc l i ng i ngorat t ac hme nt . Dr o pal lf e ar ,t e ns i on,andanx i e t y . •
Thi sawar enessofunbor n( open)i nt r i nsi cl uc i di t yi st hei nse par abl euni onof shamat haandvi pashy ana.
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.Thi si st hefir stofGampopa’ sf ourpoi nt sonmai nt ai ni ngMahamudra medi t at i on. 2.Thi si srel at edt osever alDzogchenpr act i cesi ncl udi ng l o ng de ( s pac e )pr a ct i c es andt hemenngagde’ s f o ur c hogzhag ( 1.mount ai n–body ,2.ocean–ey esor vi s i on,3.r i gpa–awar eness,and4.v i si onorappear anc es( nangwa) ,wher eal l ar el ef twi t houtchangi ngormodi f yi ngandvi si onsareornament soft he pri mordi alst at e,Kunt oZangpo,wher e‘ al li sfine’ ) .Ir ecommendusi ngt hese i nst ruct i onst omaket hi scl ear .Forexampl e,amount ai ni nt hi scasedoesnot r e f e rt obe i ngl ar g eors t abl e .Rat he ri tr e f e r st oi tbe i nguni que l yasi ti s , whe t he rsmal lorl ar ge .
Spontaneous Coemergence Series
( 8)Rest i ngi nPr i malFr eshness
BodyandBr eat h:Rel axi nt oabas epo s t ur e . Mi nd:Si mpl yres ti nt hei nt ri nsi ccoemer genceofmi nd. Consi derawar enessandhow f r eshi ti s. Consi derhow t hi si snow t hecase,hasal waysbeent hecase,andwi l lal waysbet he case. Wi t houtdi s t r ac t i on,kee pf r e ef r om c hangi ngoral t er i nganyt hi ng.
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.Thi si st hes ec ondofGampopa’ sf ourpoi nt sonmai nt ai ni ngMahamudr a medi t at i on. 2.Tr a di t i onalanal o gi e sf ort hi spr a c t i c ei nc l ude : o
o
Li kei nt r i ns i cgo l d,o ur( pr i mo r di al( y e )f r e s hne s s( Ti b.s omat e ) )r e mai ns pur er egardl essoft i meandpr ocessi ng.Thi sanal ogyaddr essest he e xpe r i e nc eo fc ont i nui t yoft hepr a c t i c e . Li keado v ee nt e r i ngi t sne s t .Thi sanal o gyaddr e s s e st hee x pe r i e nc eo f r e l ax at i o n,i nt i mac y ,a ndf ami l i ar i t y .Li kec omi ngho me .
Spontaneous Coemergence Series
( 9)Del i ght f ulMi nd BodyandBr eat h:Rel axi nt oy ourbas epo s t ur e . Mi nd:Compl et el yandut t er l yrel axwi t hapr esenceofawarenessi nwhat everst at e y ourmi ndi si n. Le ti tbe .Jus ts i mpl y‘ l e ti tbe . ’ Co nt i nuei nt hi sde l i g ht f uls t at e .
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.Thi si st het hi r dofGampopa’ sf ourpoi nt sonmai nt ai ni ngMahamudra medi t at i on. 2.Thet r adi t i onalanal ogyf ort hi spr act i cecomesf r om Saraha: o
Li keac ame l ,i fs hac kl e d,i twi l lt r yt oe sc ape ;i fl e tg o,i tr e mai nswhe r ei t i s.
3.Suz ukiRoshiusedt osay ,‘ Cont r olyourcowsbygi vi ngt hem abi gspaci ous me adow. ’
Spontaneous Coemergence Series
( 10)Mi ndofRel axat i on BodyandBr eat h:Rel axi nt oabas epo s t ur e . Mi nd:Compl et el yandut t er l yrel axwi t hapr esenceofawarenessi nwhat everst at e y ourmi ndi si n. Leav ei tasi ti s.Le ti tbe. Real i zeyourboundl essmi ndwi t houtf abr i cat i ng,wi t houtmani pul at i ng,wi t hout wor r yi ng,wi t houtbei ngc hai ne dt oaffir mat i onandr ej ect i on,r eal i t yorunr eal i t y ,good o re v i l ,at t ac hme ntandc l i ng i ng . Letyo urunboundmi ndr el ax. Fi nal l y ,al l o wt heas pe c t so fLo os e ni ngMi nd,Re s t i ngi nPr i malFr e s hne s s ,De l i g ht f ul Mi nd,andMi ndo fRe l ax at i o nt oal lbec ul t i v at e dt o ge t he r .
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.Thi si st hef our t hofGampopa’ sf ourpoi nt sonmai nt ai ni ngMahamudr a medi t at i on. 2.Thet r a di t i onalanal o gyf ort hi spr a c t i c ei s :
o
Li keahaywhi chwasboundandt hencut ,i tl i esl oosel yont hegr ound. Si mi l arl y ,t heunboundmi ndi sr el axed.
Spontaneous Coemergence Series
( 11)NonMedi t at i onandNonDi st r acti on BodyandBr eat h:Rel axi nt oabas epo s t ur e . Mi nd:Nonmedi t at i on:Si ncet heess enceofmi ndi sbey ondmedi t at i onandnonme di t at i o n,s e t t l emi ndi ni t snat ur al ne s swi t ho utdi ffe r e nt i at i ngbe t we e nt he s e mode sofbe i ng .Le tg oo fi nt e l l e c t uale ffo r t . No nDi s t r ac t i o n:Si nc et he r ei sno t hi ngt ome di t at eonwi t ht hei nt e l l e c tany wa y , mai nt ai nundi st r act edmi ndf ul nessoft hei nt ri nsi ccoemer genceofmi nd.Letgoof e x pe c t at i o ns . Uni on:Mai nt ai naneve nbl endofnonmedi t at i onandnondi st r act i on. Thesummar yofDakpoTashiNamgy al( p.279)–‘ ’ Thenat ur eofmi ndc annotbe observedbyl et t i ng‘ t hemi ndwat cht hemi nd’penet r at i ngl y .Whenexperi enci ngt he nonsubst anceofmi nd,oneshoul dl ett hi sawar enessr estl oosel yi ni t snat ur almode. I no r de rt ono tl e ti tf adei nt oane ut r als t at e ,l uc i dmi ndf ul ne s sanduni mag i nar y s i mpl i c i t y ,de v oi do fdi r e c tf o cus ,s houl dbemai nt ai ne d,wi t ho utc l i ng i ngei t he rt o affir mat i onorabandonment .Thi ss ummar i z eswel lt hev i t alpoi nt sofMahamudr a me di t at i o n. ’
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.Thes ei ns t r uct i onsr epr es entDakpoTashiNamgyal ’ ss ummarypoi nt son mai nt ai ni ngMahamudr amedi t at i on. 2.No nme di t at i o nc o r r e s po ndst oTi l o pa ’ ss i xpo i nt s( no tt hi nki ngoft hef ut ur e , e t c . )andr e l at e st oshamat haas pe c t .No ndi s t r ac t i o nc o r r e s po ndst oi ns i g ht . Theuni onofnonmedi t at i onandnondi s t r act i onr epr esent st heuni t yof shamat haandvi pashy ana. 3.Begi nner sshoul densur et hatnonmedi t at i ondoesnotr esul ti ndul l nessand nondi st r act i ondoesnotr esul ti nwi l dnessofmi nd.Theyshoul dknow anduse me t ho dst oc l e art he s eawa y .Li keBr ahmi n’ st hr e ado rag ui t ar i s t ’ ss t r i ng ,‘ no t
t ool oos el y ,no tt oot i ght l y ,j us tr i ght . ’Re gar di ngi ns i ght ,s i nc et he yhav eno ty e t r eal i ze dt hemeani ngoft hecoemer genceofmi nd,t heyshoul dcont i nuet o medi t at eoni t scoemer genceandmai nt ai nanawar enessofcer t ai nt ywi t h r e s pe c tt oi tbas e do nt he i ri nne re x pe r i e nc e .Re mo v i nge v e r yobs t ac l e ,t he yar e s ur et o‘ waxl i ket hemoon’ ,gr o w‘ l i keal i on’ scub’or‘ l i keac hi l d. ’ 4.Post medi t at i on o
o
Mai nt ai nmi ndf ul nes sofmi nd’ scoemer genceandt hecoe mer genceof t hought sandappearances.What eve rt hepr act i t i onerdoesort hi nksor per cei ves,mai nt ai nmi ndf ul nessofi tcl earl y ,wi t houtaffirmat i onor r e j e c t i o n,wi t ho utl abe l i ngi tasr e a lo runr e al .Mai nt ai nade fini t es ens eof t hei ri ndet ermi nabl enat ur e.Dot hi st hr oughext endedeffort ,t oact ual i ze ane x pans i v eki ndo fmi ndf ul ne s sl i ke‘ ani nf antl o oki ngatas hr i ne . ’ Begi nner sshoul dpr act i cebyj ustmai nt ai ni ngt hest r eam ofmi ndf ul ness. Forexampl e,t heycanappl ymi ndf ul nesst ot hef our f ol dconduct . How doesoneaccompl i sht hi smi ndf ul ness ?Li kea‘ cowher dwat chi nghi s cat t l e. ’Mai nt ai nanunwaveri ng,nongraspi ngawar enessofever y unf ol di ngt houghtandappear anceasavi brantmov ementofl umi nous empt i ness.
" - #awning o$ Certaint% Series
Dawning of Certainty Series
I nt r oducti on ngofCer t ai nt ySeri es TheDawni pr o v i de si ns t r uc t i o ni ne s t abl i s hi ngand mai nt ai ni ngade fini t i v ea war e ne s sofc e r t ai nt y( Ti b.l ada)r e g ar di ngt henat ur eof mi ndi t s e l fandi t sappe ar anc e s .Thi sc e r t ai nt ydo e sno tr e l yonwo r ds .No rdo e si tr e l y onmani pul at i ngt hemi ndormai nt ai ni nganypart i cul ars t at eofmi nd.Att hi sst age, apr a c t i t i o ne rv e r yc l e ar l ys ee st hel i mi t at i o nsofwor dsandpr a c t i c e swi t hr e s pe c tt o e s t abl i s hi ngt hev i e w.Byc ont i nual l ybr i ng i ngf o r t hanunde r s t andi ngt hati s c o mpl e t e l yf r e ef r o m he s i t at i o n anddo ubt ,t hev i e we nc o mpas s e sal lo fl i f e ’ s c ondi t i o nsi nc l udi ngj o y ,i l l ne s s,s uffe r i ng ,s l e e p,dr e a ms ,andde at h.Pr a c t i c e sar e pr ovi dedt oaccompl i sht hi s. Onema yf e e lt hatt hi sr e al i z a t i o ni sawo nde r f ulo rmi r ac ul o ust hi ng .Att hi ss t ag et he s i mpl i c i t yofi ti ss t ar kl yappar e nt .
ngofCert ai nt ySer i es Fort heDawni t he r ei sac e r t ai nt i mei nas t ude nt ’ s deve l opmentwhent heyshoul dbet akenup.I ti snot edt hatt het i mi ngofi nt r oduct i on i sbesti fundert akenwhent he‘ husk’oft heexperi encesofempt i ness,bl i ss,andnont ho ug hthasf al l e no ffo ro pe ne dup.I ti sal s os ai dt hatac l e arr e c og ni t i o no ft heuni t y ofempt i nessandawar eness ,appear anceandempt i ness ,orcl ari t yandempt i ness shoul dbemai nt ai nedf oratl eastoneent i r edayandpr ef er abl yt hr oughacycl eofone da yandni g htpr i o rt ounde r t aki ngt hi ss e r i e s . I fpr a ct i t i one r sunde r t aket he s epr a ct i c e st oosoon,t he ni nal ll i ke l i hoodt he i r unde r s t andi ngwi l lr e mai npur e l yi nt e l l e c t ual .The ywi l lbeabl et osa yal lt her i g ht t hi ng s,butwi l lno tac hi e v eat r ueawar e ne s so fc e r t ai nt y .Ho we v e r ,i fapr a c t i t i o ne r undert akest hesepr act i cest ool at e,per hapsduet onotencount eri ngapr oper l y t r ai ne dt e ac he r ,t he nt he yma ybef e t t e r e dt ot het e mpo r a r ye x pe r i e nc e sofbl i s s , cl ari t yandnont houghtandnotr eal i zel i ber at i onwi t hr espectt ot hem.However ,even
i foneshoul dst r ayi nt hewaysi ndi cat edabove,t hesear enotf undament alpr obl ems whi c hcannotber emedi ed. Theseme t hodsar ee xt r emel ye ffect i v ef ort he‘ gi f t edpr act i t i oner s ’andc anhel pt hem t oac hi e v el i be r a t i o n ato nc e .The ywi l lhe l pmo r ea v e r ag eme di t at o r sa dv anc er api dl y f r om t hel owerl evel st ot hehi gherl evel soft hef ouryogasofMahamudr a. Car r yi ngc o ndi t i o nso nt hepat h suchaskl eshas,i l l ness,suffer i nganddeat hcanonl y beme ani ngf uloncet hevi e w hasbe enes t abl i s hedandt heme ani ngofc oeme r genc e hasbe e nr e al i z e dbyt hepr ac t i t i o ne r .
Whenapr act i t i onerhascont i nui t yofawar enes st hr oughoutdayandni ght , t hr oughoutal lawake,dr eam andsl eepst at es,anddoesnotr egar damomentof di st r act i ont of undament al l ydevi at e,t hent heunder st andi nghast akenr ooti nan appr opr i at emanner .Thi sdoesnotmeant hatt her ei sacont i nuousego c o ns c i o us ne s sbutr at he rc o nt i nui t y ,l i kewat e rpo ur i ngi nt owat e r ,c o ndi t i o naf t e r c ondi t i o n.I ti sani nde s c r i babl ebutdi s t i nc tac t ual i z at i o noft henat ur eo fmi ndi nt he cont i nuum ofone’ sbei ng. Thesi gni ficanc eofr e al i z i ngMahamudr ai st hatonese escl ear l yt hesuffer i ngand angui shofal lot herbei ngs.Onef eel sasacri ppl edmot herwat chi ngherc hi l dcarri ed awaybyt her i ver .Thi sgi vesr i set oanunbearabl ecompassi on.Att hesamet i meone seescl earl yt hatbyone’ spr act i cecompl et ef r eedom f r om t hekl eshasandt het hr ee t i me si sno tonl ypo ss i bl ebutt hati ti spo ss i bl ei nac ompl e t e l yl as t i ngwa y .Thi s ari sesasani ndescr i babl ej oyorbl i ss.Thr anguRi npochedescri best hi saski ndof l i keabi t t e r s we e tflav or . Pl e as edoal ly ouc ant opr e s er v et hi si nv al uabl el i ne ag eofi ns t r uc t i o n,pr ac t i c e ,and r e al i z at i on.
Dawning of Certainty Series
( 1)Det er mi ni ngt heNat ur eofThought s Pl easeseethei nst r ucti onsr egar di ngtheappr opr i at eti mi ngoft hesepr act i ces. Body& Br eat h:Thebasei ns i g htpo s t ur e( fir s tf e wt i me s )f o l l o we dbymul t i pl e
v ar i at i onsi nphys i calpos t ur es houl dbeappl i ed.
Mi nd:Apr act i t i onershoul dr eflectonhow ver ypr eci oust heset eachi ngsar eand st r engt henhi sorherdevot i ont oandconfidencei nt het eacher soft hel i neage.I nany case,t hepr act i t i onershoul dst r engt hendevot i ont oandconfidencei nt hepri mordi al BuddhasuchasDor j eChangorSamant abhadr a,ort hel i neag el amas,suchas Mi l ar epaorGuruRi npoche.Guruyogai sver yhel pf ulatt hi sst age,andi ti ssai done wi l lpr ogr essi ndependenceuponone’ sde v ot i ont oandconfidencei nt het e ac herand t hepr act i ceo fMahamudr a. Fr om wi t hi nt heuni t yofnonmedi t at i onandnondi st r act i on,i nar el axedst at ef r ee f r o m fix at i o n,al l o wo rc a us eas ubt l e( i . e .no tac c ompani e dbye mo t i o nalq ual i t i e s ) t ho ug htt oar i s ei nt hepr e s e nc eofa war e ne s s .Di s c e r nt hei nt r i ns i cnat ur eo ft hi s t hought . No w al l o w ac o ar s e rt ho ug htt oar i s e ,wi t he i t he rav e r yv i v i dpo s i t i v eorne g at i v e q ual i t y .Di s c e r nt hei nt r i ns i cnat ur eoft hi sc oar s e rt ho ug htandc o mpar ei tt ot he subt l ert hought . Now comparet henat ur eoft heset hought st ot hei nt ri nsi cnat ur eoft heser eneor cal m st at e. Now consi dereachoft heei ghtwor l dl ydharmasonebyonewi t hr egar dst ot hei r i nt ri nsi cnat ur e.Consi derpl easur eandpai n,pr ai seandbl ame,gai nandl oss, honorabl ef ameandi l lr eput e.
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.Themedi t at orwi l lbecomeawar eoft hesel f ari si ngorspont aneouscl ari t yof eve ryt hought ,wi t houthavi nganeedt osuppr essorcont r ol .
Dawning of Certainty Series
( 2)Det er mi ni ngt heNat ur eofThought sand Appear ances
Pl easeseet hei nst r ucti onsandpr evi ouspr act i cesi nt hi sser i esregardi ngthe appr opr i atet i mi ngoft hesepr act i ces. Body& Br eat h:Mul t i pl ev ar i at i o nsi nphy s i c alpo s t ur es ho ul dbeappl i e d. Mi nd:Cont i nuewi t ht hepr e v i o uspr a c t i c e ,di s c e r ni ngt hei nt r i ns i cr e al i t yoft ho ug ht s whent he yar i seandy ourc al m mi nd,wheni ti scal m. Now ext endt hepr act i cet oal lappearances.Cont i nuebyopeni ngupt hepr act i cet oal l s e ns or yi nput sandt ho ug ht s .Di s c e r nt hei nt r i ns i cnat ur eo fal lv i s ualpe r c e p t i o ns andal lt hought s.Tryhi ghandl ow f r equencysounds.Trypl easantandnotso pl e as antf e e l i ng s ,t as t e sands me l l s .Tr a i ni nac ont i nuousandal l i nc l us i v e , expansi veway.Becr eat i ve.Varyevent hedi r ect i onoft heeyesandwhet herornot t heyar eopen. Co nt i nuewi t ht hi spr ac t i c ef o ratl e as tfiv eda y s .
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.Themedi t at orwi l lbecomeawar eoft hesel f ari si ngorspont aneouscl ari t yof eve ryt houghtandappearance,wi t houtaneedf orsuppr essi onorc ont r ol , t her ebyharmoni zi ngever yt hi ng.Onemayf eelasi ft her ei scompl et el yharmony i nt hepal aceofone’ sownmi nd.
Dawning of Certainty Series
( 3)Det er mi ni ngtheNat ur eofConsci ousness Pl easeseet hei nst r ucti onsandpr evi ouspr act i cesi nt hi sser i esregardi ngthe appr opr i atet i mi ngoft hesepr act i ces. Body& Br eat h:Mul t i pl ev ar i at i o nsi nphy s i c alpo s t ur es ho ul dbeappl i e d. Mi nd:Mai nt ai nundi s t r ac t e da war e ne s si nar e l ax e dmanne r ,asi nPr ac t i c e( 1)o ft hi s ser i es.Tunemi ndt oi t sownnat ur e. Agai n,openupt hepr act i ceofdi sce r nmentt oal lsensor yi nput sandt hought s.
Di s c er nt hei nt r i ns i cnat ur eofal lv i s ualpe r c e pt i o nsandal lt houg ht s . No w wi t ho utdi s t r ac t i o n,e x pe c t at i o n,o rat t ac hme nt ,s hi f tat t e nt i o nt ot henat ur eof c ons ci ous ne ssi t s el fandt hei nt r i ns i cnat ur eo ft hepe r c e i v e r .Di s ce r ni t si nt r i ns i c nat ur edi r e c t l y . I ft her ei sanysenseofdual i t ybet weent heper cei vedappearancesort hought sand t heconsci ousnessorbet weent hemedi t at orandmedi t at i on,r epeatt hepr ocessof de t e r mi nat i o nf r o m Pr ac t i c e s( 1)a nd( 2)o ft hi ss e r i e sf o raf e w da y sandt he nr e t ur n t ot hi spr ac t i c e. Cont i nuewi t ht hi spr act i ceunt i lanawarenessofcert ai nt ydawns.
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.I ft hepr act i t i oneri sat t achedt oadi st i nct i onbet weenconsci ousnessand awar eness ,suchasawar enessbei ngapur erf or m ofconsci ousnessor consci ousnessbei ngawar enessofawar eness ,i ncl udebot hawar enessand consci ousness,onebyonei nt ot hei nvest i gat i on.Bot har eacompl et e empt i ness .
Dawning of Certainty Series
( 4)Awar enessandt heThr eeTi mes Pl easeseet hei nst r ucti onsandpr evi ouspr act i cesi nt hi sser i esregardi ngthe appr opr i atet i mi ngoft hesepr act i ces. Body& Br eat h:Mul t i pl ev ar i at i o nsi nphy s i c alpo s t ur es ho ul dbeappl i e d. Mi nd:Mai nt ai nundi s t r ac t e da war e ne s si nar e l ax e dmanne r ,asi nPr ac t i c e( 1)o ft hi s seri es.Tunemi ndt oi t sownnat ur e.Agai n,openupt hepr act i ceofdi scernmentt oal l s e ns or yi nput sandt ho ug ht s .Di s c e r nt hei nt r i ns i cnat ur eo fal lv i s ualpe r c e p t i o ns andal lt hought s.Di scer nt henat ur eofconsci ousnessorawarenessi t sel f .I not her wor ds,s t ar tbyc ont i nui ngwi t ht hepr e v i ousme di t at i on. Now wi t houtdi st r act i on,andwi t houtaddi nganyexpect at i onorat t achment ,shi f t
at t e nt i o nt ot ho ug ht soft het hr e et i me st ose ei fanydi s c er ni bl edi ffe r e nc ee xi s t s be t wee nt hem. Lookf ort hedest i nat i onofapastt hought . Lookf ort henat ur eoft hepr esentt hought . Lo okf o rt hes our c eofaf ut ur e ,ar i s i ngt ho ug ht . Now l ookatt henat ur eofapr esentt houghtaboutt hepast . Lookatt hei nt ri nsi cnat ur eofapr esentt houghtaboutt he f ut ur e . I st he r eanyo bj e c t i v er e al i t yas s oc i at e dwi t ht he s e ? Si mi l ar l y ,l e i s ur e l yc ons i de ra ppe ar a nc e soft het hr e et i me s . Cont i nuewi t ht hi spr act i ceunt i lanawarenessofcert ai nt ydawnsr egardi ngt he uni nt er r upt edflow ordynami sm oft hought sandappear ance st hemse l ve s,andt hei r pr i mor di alpur i t yandopenness.
Dawning of Certainty Series
( 5)Sel fandOt hers Pl easeseet hei nst r ucti onsandpr evi ouspr act i cesi nt hi sser i esregardi ngthe appr opr i atet i mi ngoft hesepr act i ces. Body& Br eat h:Mul t i pl ev ar i at i o nsi nphy s i c alpo s t ur es ho ul dbeappl i e d. Mi nd:Mai nt ai nundi s t r ac t e da war e ne s si nar e l ax e dmanne r ,asi nPr ac t i c e( 1)o ft hi s ser i es.Tunemi ndi nt oi t sownnat ur e.Agai n,openupt hepr act i ceofdi scer nmentt o al ls e ns or yi nput sandt ho ug ht s .Di s c e r nt hei nt r i ns i cnat ur eofal lv i s ualpe r c e pt i o ns andal lt hought s.Di scer nt henat ur eofconsci ousnessorawarenessi t sel f .Di scer n t henat ur eoft hought sandappearancesoft het hr eet i mes.I not herwor ds,st artby cont i nui ngwi t ht hepr evi ousmedi t at i on.
Now wi t houtdi st r act i on,andwi t houtaddi nganyexpect at i onorat t achment ,shi f t at t e nt i o nt ot hecoar s eors ubt l ese ns eofdual i t y( s t ar twi t hac oar s eone ,i ft hati s ho wy o uf e e l ) . Di s c er nt hei nt r i ns i cnat ur eoft hatwhi c he s t abl i s he sands us t ai nsorc l i ng st o‘ I ’or ‘ me ’or‘ sel f . ’ Di s c e r nt hei nt r i ns i cnat ur eo ft hatwhi c he s t abl i s he sands us t ai nso rc l i ng st o o t he r s . Cont i nuewi t ht hi spr act i ceasl ongasyou per cei veadi st i nct i onbet weenext ernaland i nt e r nalr e al i t i e s,asi fpol aro ro ppos i t ei nnat ur e .Asl ongast hi spe r s i s t s ,no tal l doubt shavebeencl ear edaway.Theyarel i ket her esi dualsmel lofacont ai nerwhi ch j us thadr ootbe erorwi nei ni t . Co nt i nueunt i ly ouac hi e v eani nmos tc e r t ai nt yt hatal ldual i t i e s( s e l fo ro t he r )o r t r i ni t i e s( e s s enc e ,nat ur e ,c har a c t e r i s t i c s )ar ej us tamani f e s t at i ono fmi nd,whi c h i t s el fi sj us tac ont i nuouss e l f r e l e as i ngs el f a war e ne ss . Cont i nuewi t ht hi spract i cef ormanydaysonwhat ev ert hought sorappear ances ari se,l et t i ngthem bei nacompl et el yr el axedmode,wi t houtmodi f yi ngorel aborat i ng t hem,wi t houtaffir mi ngorr ej ect i ng,wi t houtabandoni ngorcl i ngi ngt ot hem.
Dawning of Certainty Series
( 6)Over ar chi ngAwar enessofCert ai nt y Pl easeseet hei nst r ucti onsandpr evi ouspr act i cesi nt hi sser i esregardi ngthe appr opr i atet i mi ngoft hesepr act i ces. Body:Tr ymul t i pl ev ar i at i o nsi npo s t ur e . Mi nd:Mai nt ai nundi s t r ac t e da war e ne s si nar e l ax e dmanne r ,asi nPr ac t i c e( 1)o ft hi s seri es.Tunemi ndi nt oi t sownnat ur e.Openupt hepr act i ceofdi scer nmentt oal l s e ns or yi nput sandt ho ug ht s .Di s c e r nt hei nt r i ns i cnat ur eo fal lv i s ualpe r c e p t i o ns andal lt hought s.Di scer nt henat ur eofconsci ousnessorawarenessi t sel f .I not her
wor ds,s t ar tbyc ont i nui ngwi t ht hepr e v i ousme di t at i on. No wr e l axanyr e s i dualc l i ng i ngt oano bj e c to fme di t at i o n.Re l axy o urs t r i v i ng .Re l ax y ourmi ndf ul ness.Rel axmi ndf ul nessofdi sc er ni ngi nt r i nsi cr eal i t y .Gi v eupal lt oss i ng andt urni ngoft hi ngsi nmi nd.Letgoofmi ndf ul ness,r emember i ng,andmedi t at i ng. Jus tl e ty ourmi ndbei ni t sor di nar y ,nor mals t at e,r el axedandf r eef r om el abor at i on orf r eef r om effort satmodi ficat i on.Cont i nuewi t houtabandoni ngoradopt i ng what e v e rar i ses. Donotbecomec once r nedwhenyoubec omedi s t r act ed.Donotev enexami newhat happens.Onceyour egai nmi ndf ul ness,j ustkeepyouror di nary ,unadul t er at ed awar eness.Donot hi nkaboutmedi t at i on,experi ence,pr act i ceorr eal i zat i on. I npostmedi t at i on,best r ai ghtupi nyouract i vi t i eswi t hmi ni malpl anni ng.Evenst op r e c i t i ngt e x t sf o rasho r tpe r i o d.Co nt i nuewi t h‘ Nowo r r y .Noappr o v al .Noanx i e t y .No t e ns i on. ’ Cont i nuewi t ht hi spr act i cekeepi ngyourmi ndi napl easantst at ef orsever aldays. Wi t hi naf e w days,anov er ar c hi ngawar enessofcer t ai nt yshoul dmani f es t .
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.Thi swi l lde v e l o pani nne rr e l e as ef r o m at t ac hme ntt ov i r t uo usac t i v i t i e saswe l l asne gat i v eac t i v i t i e s. 2.Akeycharact er i st i catt hi sst agef oranadvancedmedi t at or :DakpoTashi Namg y als a y s( P .324) ,‘ Re g ar dl e s sofwhe t he rhei smi ndf ulo rdi s t r ac t e d, at t e nt i v eori nat t e nt i v e ,e xpe r i e nc i ngorno te x pe r i e nc i ng ,r e al i z i ngorno t r eal i zi ng,whenhecogni ze sanyappearanceorexi st ence,hemustbeabl et o br i ngaboutanawar e nessofce r t ai nt yt hate v e r yt houghtemer ge sordi ssol v es byi t s el fandi sanope n,unsuppor t eds i ngl es t r eam,t hate v er yt hi ngi sa medi t at i onalst at e,andt hatmedi t at i onperv adesandcont i nuest hr oughout [ da yandni g ht ] . '
Dawning of Certainty Series
( 7)Cont i nui ngi nAwar enessofCer t ai nt yDayand Ni ght Pl easeseet hei nst r ucti onsandpr evi ouspr act i cesi nt hi sser i esregardi ngthe appr opr i atet i mi ngoft hesepr act i ces. Themedi t at orshoul dc ont i nuewi t ht heawar enessofc er t ai nt yr e gar di ngt hei nt r i nsi c nat ur eofeve ryt hi ngt hr oughoutt hedayandni ght . Bec ar e f ulno tt oov e re x e r tatt hi ss t ag ee v e ni ns us t ai ni ngmi ndf ul ne s s ,s i nc e at t achmentt ot empor aryexper i encesmayar i se. ‘ Le t t i ngmi ndf ul ne ssgowhi l er e f r e s hi ngi ti sbyi t s el fanon-c l i ng i ngmi ndf ul ne s s. ’ Thi si st heke ypoi ntatt hi ss t age.Remai ni ngi nanondi scr i mi nat or ys t at ei st he per f ectmi ndf ul nessoft henat ur eofmi nd. Fr o mt i met ot i me ,o bs e r v ec ar e f ul l yho wy o uf e e lwi t hr e s pe c tt ol o s s eso f mi ndf ul ne s s .I st he r eanydi ffe r e nc e ?I st he r es t i l las e ns eo fc ont i nui t yi ni nt r i ns i c nat ur e?Consi dert hi sf r om t i met ot i me,butt henr et urnt ol et t i ngmi ndf ul nessgo whi l er el axi ngi t . Now consi derhow i ti swi t hr espectt ot heeveni ng.How i st hi sl ossofmi ndf ul ness wi t hr e spectt osl e eps t at es ? I ft hedawni ngofcer t ai nt yar i ses( asmaybeconfir medbycl earunder st andi ngas i ndi cat edunderNot e1bel ow) ,t hencont i nuewi t ht hi snat ur alcer t ai nt yf orfive consecut i vedays,andt henr estcompl et el yf oroneday.Repeatt hi spr ocessof pr a c t i c e ,mai nt ai ni ngc e r t ai nt ywi t hr e g ar dt omi ndandi t smani f e s t at i ons ’i nt r i ns i c nat ur ef orsev er al( 710)daysandt hent aki ngadayofcompl et er est .Cont i nuewi t h r e pi t i onsoft hi s .
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.Akeypoi ntatt hi sst agef oranadvancedmedi t at or :( P.329)DakpoTashi
Namg yal ,‘ I ft heme di t at orf e e l sdi s t r e s se dbyt hei nt e r mi t t e ntd i s t r a c t i o no f mi ndf ul ness ,t hi smeanst hatt hemedi t at orhasdr awnapr emat ur ec oncl usi on f r om hi sdet ermi nat i onoft hemi nd’ si nt ri nsi cnat ur eandal sohasnotasyet r e a l i z e dt heuni nt e r r upt e ds t r e am ofi t sabi di ngr e al i t y . 'Thi si sav e r yi mpo r t ant di s t i nc t i o n att hi ss t ag eands ho ul dbec ons i de r e dv e r yc ar e f ul l ybyt he pr ac t i t i one r . 2.Furt her more( P.330) ,‘ Thepurposeofdet ermi ni ngt hemi ndi st oset t l ei t har moni o us l yi ni t sabi di ngnat ur eori t s‘ " e xi s t e nt i alg r o und"bydi s s ol v i ng cl i ngi ngt odual i t i essuchasmedi t at i onandmedi t at or ,experi enceand e x pe r i e nc e r ,r e al i z a t i o nands e e ke r .Si mi l ar l yanyc l i ng i ngt oe mpt i ne s ss ho ul d beel i mi nat e d. ’ 3.St artwi t hr eal i zi ngt hi scont i nui t yt hr oughoneday.Thenworkoncarryi ngi t t hr ought heni ghtt i meal so.Wi t hi nacert ai nnumberofdays,r eal i zat i onoft he nat ur ef r e ef r o m dual i t i e swi l lber e a l i z e dThewa yi nwhi c ht hi swi l lda wnwi l l v ar yf r om i ndi vi dualt oi ndi v i dualandt he r ei snot e l l i ngqui t ehow i twi l lv ar y .I t dependsont heper son. I fo nef ai l st oac hi e v et hi sr e al i z at i on,r e t ur nt ot hepr e v i o usme di t at i o nswi t hr e s pe c t t odet ermi ni ngt henat ur ei nmedi t at i onandpost medi t at i on.Post medi t at i onpr act i ce i se xt r e me l yi mpo r t antatt hi ss t ag e ,s i nc ef ormo s tpr a c t i t i o ne r st hebul koft he i rda y i ss pe nti ni t . Thi si st hehe ar toft hepr of oundpat hoft hes ut r as,t ant r as,andqui nt ess ent i al i nst ruct i onsandl ada.
Dawning of Certainty Series
( 8)Carr yi ngKl eshason t hePat h Pl easeseet hei nst r ucti onsandpr evi ouspr act i cesi nt hi sser i esregardi ngthe appr opr i atet i mi ngoft hesepr act i ces . hebes T tt i mei nwhi c ht opr ac t i c et hi si s whent hepr act i t i onerhasg ai ne di nsi ghti nt ot hecoemer ge nceofmi ndand coemer genceoft hought sandappear ancesi nmedi t at i onandi npost medi t at i on. Wi t houtt hi s ,car r yi ngkl es has,i l l nes s,s uffer i ng,anddeat hont hepat hwi l lnot succeedandoneshoul dr esortt ot r ansf ormat i on( e. g." Letmysufferi ngsubst i t ut ef or
andr epl acet hesufferi ngofal lsent i entbei ngs" )orot herappr opri at emeans. No w pr ac t i c et hef o l l o wi ngs t e pbys t e p: 1.I de nt i f ye v er ydual i s t i ct ho ug ht ,y ourl i ke sanddi s l i ke s . 2.Gi veupeffort st oi ncr easeorsust ai nordecr easeor di scont i nuet hem,abandoncl i ngi ngt osel f .Donotmodi f yt he t hought sbutl ett hei ropennessandcl ari t ycont i nuewi t hout al t e r i ngi t . 3.Thr ow awayt hec hasm ofhopeandf ear ,andyouragi t at i on andanx i e t y .Co mpl e t e l yr e a l i z et het r ac kl e s snat ur eofmi nd, wi t houte v al uat i onorc l i ngi ng.Le te v er yt hi ngbe. Pr a c t i c et he s et hr e es t e ps ,i nt ur nwi t hv i v i dandi nt e ns eang e r ,l us t ,j e al o us y , arr ogance,anddul l nessorbewi l der ment .
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.I fe mo t i o nsar es t i l ldi s t ur b i ngt ot hepr a c t i t i one r ,t hi si sbe c aus eo ft he i nt er dependenceoft heaffli ct i veemot i ons( kl eshas)andi nnerener gi es.Wi t h cont i nuedeffort ,onewi l lbeabl et oconductt hesepr act i cesandnotl osethe harmonybet weenbodyandt hei nnerener gi es( pr anasorl ung) .Fi nal l y ,onewi l l mas t e re v e r y t hi ngwhi c har i s e sc ompl e t e l yandi nt e gr a t ei ti nt oone ’ sr e a l i z a t i o n. 2.Thr oughsel f l i ber at i onbycarr yi ngt hekl eshasont hepathandr eal i zi ngt hei r i nt ri nsi cnat ur e‘ conf usi ondawnsaswi sdom. ’Hat r eddawnsast hemi rr or l i ke wi sdom orBuddhaAkshobhya.Lus torgr aspi ngde si r edawnsast hewi s dom of di sc er nmentorBuddhaAmi t abha.Jeal ousydawnsast heal l accompl i shi ng wi sdom orAmo ghasi ddhi .Ar r ogancedawnsast hewi sdom ofequal i t yort he BuddhaRat nasambhav a.I gnor ancedawnsast heal l per vadi ngwi sdom ( dhar madhat u)ort heBuddhaVai r oc hana. 3.Suffer i ngcanbecar r i edont hepat hi nasi mi l armanner .Fr om aHi nay ana per spect i veoneusesr enunci at i on.Fr om aMahayanaper spect i veoneuses t r ans f o r mat i o nt hr o ug hl o v i ng ki ndne s s( s ubs t i t ut i ngy o urs uffe r i ngf o ro t he r s ) , fir styout r ansf orm i ti nt osomet hi ngel seandt henyoudi gesti t .Fr om Vaj r ayanape r spect i v ey out r ansf or mt he m di r e ct l yi nt owi s dom.Fr om a Mahamudr aorDzogc henper spect i ve ,not r ansf or mat i oni sr equi r edsi ncet hey ar epri mordi al l ysel f l i ber at ed.Consi derhow sufferi ngi sbenefici alandmakes
y out ur nt ot hedhar mapat handf ee lcompassi onf orot he r s.Consi derhow i t g i v e sy o ut heoppo r t uni t yt os t r e ng t he ny o urpr ac t i c e .‘ Thegr e at e rt hekl e s has , t heg r e at e rt her e al i z a t i on. ’Ho we v e r ,‘ Ani nc e ns efir ec a nonl ydi r e c t l ybur na st r andofhai r ,whi l eafir est orm canengul fal mostanyt hi ng. ’Fant heember sof pr ac t i c eandy o urr e al i z a t i o n.Makeat wo p ar tpr ac t i c eouto ft hi swi t h( 1) Mahayana/Vaj r ayanapr act i ceand( 2)Mahamudrapr act i ce ,asdefinedabove.
Dawning of Certainty Series
( 9)Car r yi ngI l l nessont hePath Pl easeseet hei nst r ucti onsandpr evi ouspr act i cesi nt hi sser i esregardi ngthe appr opr i atet i mi ngoft hesepr act i ces. Al t hought hi spr ac t i c emaybebene fic i alt oy ourheal t h,i nnoways houl di tber el i ed upont oaccompl i shheal i ng. Wi t houthopeorf ear ,wi t houtanal yz i ngt hecauseorr emedy ,wi t houtcons i der i ng i mpac t si none ’ sl i f eonone s el fando t he r s ,j us tdi r e c t l yl ookatt hei nt r i ns i cnat ur eo f t hef e e l i ng sas s oc i at e dwi t ht hei l l ne s si nt hebo dyandmi nd.Lo okdi r e c t l yatt he experi enceoft hei l l nessi t sel f ,whi chmayi ncl udeexcruci at i ngpai norunusualand de ns es t at e so fbe i ng . Now mai nt ai nt hecl ari t yofawarenesswi t houtmodi ficat i on.Wi t houtel aborat i ngi t i nt e l l e ct ual l ybyr e j e c t i ngi torwi t houtdwe l l i ngona ve r s i onf ori t ,j us tmai nt ai n a war e ne s sofi tandi t si nt r i ns i cnat ur e . Fr om t i met ot i me,l ookatt heexperi enceroft hepai nori l l nessandt heconcer n abo utt hee xpe r i e nc e ro ft hepai n.Car e f ul l yco ns i de rt hi s .I l l ne s spr o v i de ssuc ha wonder f uloppor t uni t yf orgr owt h. Thr ought hi spr act i ce ,onemayar r i v eatadegr e eoff r e edom f r om t hei l l nes sanda l e s s e ni ngoft hes uffe r i ngwhi c har i s e sduet oi t .Onet he nwi l l‘ o v e r po we ri t . ’ Onemayt hencont i nuewi t ht het hr eest epsout l i nedi nt hepr evi ouspr act i ce. Wheny ouar eheal t hy ,y oucant r ai ni nt hi sbypi nc hi ngy our se l fandat t endi ngt ot he pai nandcarr yi ngi tont ot hepat h.You cant r ai nbyaccommodat i ngdi ffer entst at es
duet ooverworkorpr ol ongedsi t t i ngorot herf act orsandcarryi ngt hem ont ot hepat h s uc c e s s f ul l y .Gr adual l yy ouwi l ls t r e ng t he nt heabi l i t yt oac c ompl i s ht hi sanddi s c ov e r ar e a lpl ac eo fpo we rwi t hi n.
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.Formedi t at or snotsodev el opedi nt hevi ew,consi derMahayanaorVaj r ayana appr oachesasdi scussedi nt hepr evi ouspr act i ce. 2.Medi t at orsshoul dconsul tt heappr opr i at emedi calexper t sf orr emedi es.By under st andi ngcauses,t heymaybebet t erabl et ounder st andpr eve nt at i ve appr oac he sandr e me di e s .I nt e r e s t i ng l y ,Ze npr a c t i t i o ne r sr e f e rt ot hei de ao f phy s i c ala ffe c t sduet opr ac t i c e sasha v i ngt odowi t h‘ t e c hno l o gy ’andno tatal l wi t h‘ spi r i t ual i t y . ’Ti be t ansdous emanypr act i cesandheal i ngf r om t hem has bee nr epor t edf r om t i met ot i me,butt hati snott hear eaoff ocusher eand occur r encesar emai nl yat t ri but edt ot het i mesoft heMahasi ddhas.Al t hough t hi spr act i cemaybebenefici alt oyourheal t h,i nnowayshoul di tberel i ed upont oaccompl i shaheal i ng.Thati snott hepurposeoft hemedi t at i on.Butt o becl earaboutt hi sseeDakpoTashiNagyal .‘ Si ncet hi shumanbodyast he i nv a l uabl es uppo r tf o rs e e ki nge nl i g ht e nme ntc anno tpo s si bl ybel e f tt ot hef at e oft hel i v e or di eat t i t udeo fi g no r anto ne s ,me di t at or smus tr e l yupo n convent i onalheal i ngmet hodsandr el evantpr act i ces.Theymustal somedi t at e ont heul t i mat ea war e ne s st oe l i mi nat eanymat e r i al i s t i cho peorf e ar . ’( P .347) Thus,i nt e r e s t i ngl y ,DakpoTashiNamgy al ’ svi e wi sf ul l yi nac cor dwi t hZen. 3.I nr ecentyear s,i nsomesect st her ehavebeenr eport edi nst anceswher eseni or pr a c t i t i o ne r sbe l i e v e dt hatt he yc oul dpr e v e nti nf e c t i o no fs e l fando t he r s t hr oughVaj r ayanaandot herpr act i ces.Thi sl i neagedoesnotsubscri bet ot hi s vi e w andbel i e v est hatt her ehasbee nampl ee v i de ncet hats uc hanappr oac hi s t ot al l yi r r e spons i bl e .
Dawning of Certainty Series
( 10)Carr yi ngSl eepont hePat h Pl easeseet hei nst r ucti onsandpr evi ouspr act i cesi nt hi sser i esregardi ngthe appr opr i atet i mi ngoft hesepr act i ces. Whenl yi ngdownt osl e ep,r es ty ourmi ndi ni t snat ur alsat e ,f r eef r om e xpect at i on
andhope . Wheny ouwakeup,i mmedi at el ydi sc er nt hei nt r i nsi cr e al i t yofy ourawakemi nd.See ho wi tc o mpar e st ot hei nt r i ns i cr e al i t yofy o urmi nddur i ngs l e e p.I nas i mi l arbut morepenet r at i ngmannert oanearl i erpr act i cewher edi st r act i onsandsl eepwer e compare dt ounwaver i ngst at es,consi derhow t hei nt r i nsi cnat ur eofmi ndcont i nues t hr ought hecycl eofdayandni ght .
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.Ther ear eot herpr act i cesf orr ecogni zi ngandwor ki ngwi t hdr eams.Thi s pr ac t i c ei sai me da tr e al i z i ngt hei nt r i ns i cnat ur eo fmi ndc ont i nuo us l yt hr o ug h t heda yandni g ht .Ones t i l lf al l sas l e e patni g ht .Ho we v e r ,t he r ema ybea s l i g ht l yl i g ht e rqual i t yt oi tandane as i e rt r a ns i t i ont oanawakes t a t e .
Dawning of Certainty Series
( 11)Car r yi ngDeat hont hePat h Pl easeseet hei nst r ucti onsandpr evi ouspr act i cesi nt hi sser i esregardi ngthe appr opr i atet i mi ngoft hesepr act i ces. Ther ear emanywonder f ult eac hi ngsandme t hodsbyt heTi be t ansondyi ngandt he si xbardos. Themos ti mpor t antpoi nti st obeabl et omai nt ai ne v er yemer gi ngt houghtand appe ar a nc ewi t ho ute mbe l l i s hi ngi t ,di s t o r t i ngi t ,o rmo di f y i ngi tt hr oug hc l i ng i ng . Upondeat h,t henat ur all umi nosi t yofmi ndwi l ldawnvi vi dl ybyi t sel f .Thr ough s us t ai ne dpr ac t i c eofMahamudr a,i ndy i ngt hepr ac t i t i o ne rs e e st hei de nt i t yoft hi s st at ewi t ht hemedi t at i vest at esandt hi si scal l edt heuni onofmot heranddaught er . I ti sl i kewat ermi xedwi t hwat erorspacemer gedwi t hspace. Fr om t i met ot i met hepr act i t i onercangent l yt ouchandeversol i ght l ypushont he e y e l i dsov e rt hei nne rt o psoft hee y ebal l s( asi ndi c at e dbyt hei ns t r uc t or ,t hi sc aus e s t hee xper i enceofaut ophosphor escence) .These l f l umi nousappearanceswhi chdo notdependont hesunl i ghtort hemoonl i ghtshoul dbeat t endedt oandt he coemer gnceofi twi t hi nt hepl ayofmi ndshoul dber ecogni zed.Thi si saspeci al
met hodt ot r ai nf ort hedawni ngofsel f appearancesi nt hebar do. Si mi l ar l y ,t hepr a ct i t i one rc anc ov e rhi se ar sandat t e ndt ot hei nt e r nal l yse l f ar i s i ng soundsandr eal i zet heuni t yoft heappear anceofsoundandempt i ness .
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.Jus tr e l axwi t hc o nfide nc ei nt hef ul lr e al i z a t i o no fy o urnat ur e .Thi sr e a l i z a t i o n wi l ldawndur i ngoraf t e rt het ur moi loft hec hangeswhi c har ef or c eduponone asonedi es.
Dawning of Certainty Series
( 12)TheFourYogasofMahamudra Thef oury og asar eapr of ounds ummar yoft hepat hofMahamudr a.The yi ncl udet he y ogasof( 1)onepoi nt e dne ss ,( 2)f r eef r ome l abor at i onors i mpl i c i t y ,( 3)onet as t e ,and ( 4)nonmedi t at i on.Thr ought hepr act i cesoft hi sseri esoneadvancesrapi dl yt hr ough t he s es t ag e s . Pe rGampopa Al uci d,unceasi ngawar enessoft hemo me nti st heonepoi nt eds t ageofyoga. Under st andi ngt heessent i alst at eoft heawarenessasnonari si ng,t r anscendi ngal lconcept ualmodes, i st hef r e e f r o me l abo r at i o ns t a geo fy o g a. Under st andi ngt hedi ver seappearancesasbei ngonef r om t hest andpoi ntoft hei ri nt ri nsi cnatur ei s t heoneflavoryoga. Anunceasi ngr eal i z at i onoft heuni onofappear anceandt hei ri nt r i nsi cempt i nessi st hegr eat equi poi seoft henonmedi t at i onyoga.
PerGar c henRi npoc he Whenweac hi ev eshamat haandes t abl i shcal ml yabi di ngwel lt henatt hatt i meyoucanseeyour t hought s.Att hatt i meyoucani dent i f yal lyourdi ffer entt hought sbecausemi ndhasbecomesocal m andfine,enabl i ngyou t odot hat .Andi nt hats t at e,asyou seeyourmi nd,t hati scal l edt heonepoi nt edyogast age.
Af t ert hat ,whent hati swel les t abl i shed,t henasanyt houghtar i ses,youj us tseei t .Anyconcept ual t houghtt hatar i seshasnoessence.Ther e’ snoessenceatal l .Sot oseet hatnat ur et hathasnoessence atal li sc al l e d" upr o o t i ngt het houg ht . "The r ei sno t hi ngt of ol l o w.Andt hatr e a l i z at i o ni sc al l e df r e e f r omel aborat i onort heunel aborat edst at e.That ’ sl i ket heoceanandt hewaves.Thewavesmayari se const ant l ybutj usteach momentt hatt heyari se,t heyal sodi ssol vei nt ot heocean.Awavedoesn’ tgot o anyotherpl ace.Sol i ket hat,t houghtari seswi t hi nt hemi ndanddi ssol vesi nt ot hat,wi t hout e l a bo r a t i ngt hat . ‘ Soi ti swhenyoucanmedi t at ewel l ,t henbot hsuffer i ngandhappi nessar eexperi encedashavi ngt he natur eofempti ness.Theyhaveonet ast e.Medi t at eon t hat .Notr ej ect i ngt hesufferi ng,notat t achi ngt o t hehappi ness.What ev ercomes,l eti tcome.Justsust ai nt heMahamudra. Whent hatpr ogr essesorbecome senhanced,t heni tbecome seffor t l ess.Thent her ei snoneedt omake anyeffort .Thent hati scal l ed" nomoremedi t at i on. "
Medi t at eaccordi ngt oeachst ageasi ndi cat edabovebyGarc henRi npochef orashort t i me.
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.Thes ear ewonder f ulsi mpl es ummar i esbase donGar c henRi npoche’ s Mahamudr at eac hi ngs( 1997i nSanFr anci sc o) . 2.Tradi t i onal l yt hepat hofMahamudr ai sdi vi dedi nt of oury ogasor" nat ur al abi di ngs"( t hemeani ngofyogai nTi bet ani smorel i kenat ur alwayofabi di ng t han‘ t oj oi n’ ) .Thesear esomet i mesbr okendownevenf urt her .Thef ol l owi ng not espar aphr asesomeoft het eachi ngsofThr anguRi npocheont het wel ve s t ag e soft hef o ury o g as : OnePoi nt ednes s Recogni zi ngandr est i ngi nt heessenceofmi nd. Fi rs t ,charact eri zedbyknowi ngmi ndi scl earandopen,wel etmi ndr esti nt hi sway.Att hi s s t a ge ,i ti sno tv e r ys t a bl e . Se c ond,t hi sar i s e smo r ee as i l y ,wi t hmo r es t abi l i t y ,o nehast hef e e l i ngofmas t e r y . Thi r d,t heexper i enceofempt i nessandcl earl i ghti sv er ys t r ongandcont i nuousatt hi spoi nt . Nodi st i nct i onbet weenmovi ngandr est i ngmi nd.Thewayonef eel s:ver ygreatr espectand appr eci at i onf orone’ st eacherandki nshi pwi t hdharmacompani onsandnat ur alandgenui ne
compassi on
Fr eeFr omEl abor at i on Fr eeFr om El aborat i onmeansr eal i zi ngt henat ur eofmi nd,asi ti s,wi t hout embel l i shmentanddeni al ,wi t houtr ootorbasi s. Fi rs t ,gener al l yast abl eexperi enceofempt i nessdawns,part i cul arl yduri ngmedi t ati on.One r eal i zest heempti nessofanyeventi nt hemi ndandi t sabi di ngorceasi ng. Second,onereal i zest heempti nessofal lext ernalobj ect s.Onebecomesf r eef r om cl i ngi ngsi nce r e a l i z ea l lappe ar a nc e sar ee mpt y .Al s oonei sf r e ef r o mc l i ng i ngt oe mpt i ne s s . Thi r d,al le xt r emevi e wsar ecutt hr ough,i nme di t at i onandpos t me di t at i on.Thi ngsnei t her( a) e xi s tnor( b)don’ te xi s tnor( c )ne i t he re xi s t snordon’ te xi s tnor( d)bo t he xi s tanddon’ te xi s t . Det ai l eddi scussi onwi t ht eacher sandcompani onsi shel pf ulher e.Gener osi t yandvi rt uear e v er yhel pf ul .Readorsi ngsongsofmas t er st oenhanceone’ sunder s t andi ng.
OneTast e Att hi ss t age,oneknowshow mi ndi sdi r ect l y .Knowi ngt hi s,oneknowshow eve ryt hi ngel sei s.Ever yt hi nghast hesameflavor .Wher easi nt heOnePoi nt ednessandFr eeFr omEl abor at i onst agesemphasi si sonunder st andi ng how mi ndi s,her eemphasi si sonunder s t andi ngappearance sandse nse s.They areoft hesameflavor . Fi r st ,onehassl i ghtandi nf r equentexper i encest hatal lphenomenahaveonenat ur eandt he i nsepar abi l i t yofappearancesandmi nd. Second,t heexperi enceofsamenessi senhanced.I ti sl i kewat erpouri ngi nt owat er . Thi r d,oneunder s t andsqui t edi r ect l yt hatal lappear ancesar eempt y .Thi si snotas t at eof st upi di t ywher enot hi ngi st aki ngpl acei nabi gmi xt ur e.Ratheri tmani f est sasfivewi sdoms. Di scr i mi nat i ngawar enesswi sdom,accompl i shi ngwi sdom,equani mi t ywi sdom,mi r r or l i ke wi sdom anddhar amadhat uwi sdom ar ev er yspeci ficandvi vi d.I ti sanenhanceme ntof wi sdom andi nsi ght ,r at hert hanas t at eofs t upi di t y .Becauseofconsi der abl eat t ent i ongi v ent o e mpt i ne s s ,he r ei ti she l pf ult os t udyka r ma ,s e e dandr e s ul t ,i nt e ns i v e l y .
NonMedi t at i on Thi si sar r i v e datt hr oughbecomi ngi nt i mat el yf ami l i arwi t hmedi t at i on.Whe n
oneobt ai nsdi r ectunder st andi ng,t her ei snot hi ngmoret ocul t i vat eormedi t at e on.Onenol ongermakesadi st i nct i onbet weenmedi t at i vecomposur eandpost medi t at i on.Concept ualmi ndi sexhaust ed. Fi r st ,oneexper i encesnodi ffer encebet weenmedi t at i onandpost medi t at i on. Second,onebecomesmores t abl ei nt hi s.Bot hemot i onalandi nt el l ect ualobscur at i onsare puri fied.Evenmoresubt l edual i st i ci nt el l ect ualobscurat i onsar epuri fiedatt hi spoi nt . Thi r d,oner eal i z est hatt her eal i z at i ont hatar i sesi nme di t at i oni st hesameast heor i gi nal natur eofal lt hi ngs,whi chhasal waysbeent her e.Sothi si sl i kemi xi ngt heori gi nalmot her l umi nosi t ywi t ht hedevel opedchi l dl umi nosi t yandr ecogni zi ngt hem ast hesameal lal ong. Fi nalr e a l i z at i ono ft hi sf e e l i ngi sbe c ome sc ompl e t e l yal l pe r v as i v e ,pe r v adi ngt oal lo ft i meand spacecompl et el y .Thi si st heexpanseoft hewi sdom ofdharmadhat u.
3.Chapt erNi neofBookI IofMoonbe amsofMahamudr a maybeconsul t edf or moredet ai l edi nf ormat i on.
& - Facets o$ 'eing Series
Facets of Being Series
I nt r oducti on sofBei ngSeri es TheFacet pr ovi desacol l ect i onofmedi t at i onswhi chcompl ement t hepr ev i ousMahamudr amedi t at i ons.Thes ecomef r om avari e t yofsour ce sandi n mostcaseshavebeenr ece i ve dbyt eacher swi t hi nt hecont extofmor et hanone ci t t aAspi r ati on andAppl i cat i on di s c i pl i ne .Fo re xampl e ,t hepr a c t i c eo fBodhi i sa uni ver salone.Per hapssomeoft hebesti nst r uct i onswhi chIhaveencount er edont hi s havebeenpr ese r ve di nGesheRabt en’ sTr easur yofDhar ma.Thecombi nat i onof r e l at i v eandul t i mat ebo dhi c i t t aar et hehe ar to fal lo fBuddhi s m. l l usoryBody TheI t eachi ngsr el yheavi l yont het eachi ngsofbot ht hegr eatNyi ngma l amaLonchenpaandt hegr eatDr i kungKagyul amaDharmaki r t i .Or ali nt r uct i onand t r anmi ssi onoft heset eachi ngss t em mai nl yf r om TheNyi ngmaI nst i t ut eandKhenpo Könc hogGyal t se n. Knowi ngTi me,Knowi ngSpace,an ayofKnowl edge dThePl ar edr awnf r om many sour ces .Somepar t s,suchascompari sonofmeasur esoft i me,space,andknowl edge andt heexpl orat i onoft hei rboundari es,arer umi nat i onsIusedt oembarkonasan adol escentwhi l el i vi ngi nGer many .Ot herpr act i ces,suchasmi xi ngwi t hspaceand at t endi ngt ot i me,ar edrawnf r om keyDzogc henandMahamudr apr act i ces .I nf act , s e v e r a lo ft he s epr ac t i c e s ,i nc l udi ngs ubj e c t o bj e c tr e v e r s al ,ar ec ommo nt omul t i pl e t r adi t i o ns .St i l lt hemo s ts i g ni fic anti nflue nc e ,whi c hpe r me at e st he s ee xe r c i s e s ,i st he Ti me,Spac e,Knowl edge v i s i o no fT ar t hangT ul ku.Thei ns t r uc t i o nr e l i e she a v i l yonmy ownexperi encewi t hr egardst oexpl ori ngt hatvi si on. Kal uRi npochewast hefir stt oi nt r oducet heaut hort ot hefiveel ement alqual i t i esof TheFi veEl ement sandTheFemal eBuddhas mi nd.Themedi t at i onson an dThe Fi veSkandhasandTheMal eBuddhas s t em f r om Kal uRi npoche.
eam Yoga TheDr setofpr act i cesi sacol l ect i onbasedonmyownexper i ence.I nmy
case,dr eam experi encebegan wi t hi noneort woyearsaf t erst art i ngpr act i ceatqui t e ane ar l yag e .I nt hee ar l yse v e nt i e s ,t he r ewasv e r yl i t t l el i t e r a t ur eondr e a my og a avai l abl ei nt heWestsoIdeve l opedmyownexper i ment sandexpl or at i ons.Thesear e basi cal l yconsi s t entwi t ht het r adi t i onalappr oac hesofTi be t any ogi s.
Wr hf ulMeans Themedi t at i onsunde r at i ncl udepr act i ceswhi cht heaut horr ecei ved f r om se ve r alt eacher s,i ncl udi ngGar chenRi npocheandNamkhaiNor bu. Thei mpor t anceofwor ki ngoni nt egr at i ngme di t at i onwi t hdai l yl i f et oi t sf ul l es tde gr ee TheGui di ngBody nActi on.Tr i sunder scoredi n andI adi t i onalt e xt s ,i nc l udi ng Moonbeamso fMahamudr a,s houl dbeconsul t edf ori nst ruct i onst hataremore defini t i vei nt hi sr egar d.Basedonmyownexper i ence,Ihavef oundt heZen i ns t r uc t i onf ort hepos i t i onoft e n z o ( c oo k)andf o rsamu ( wo r kpr ac t i c e )t obepr o babl y t hemo s the l pf uli nt hi sr e g ar d. AtMahamudr aMedi t at i onCent e rwehav emai nl yf ocuse doni ncor por at i ngTaiChi andKi nhi n( wal ki ngMedi t at i on)i nt oourpr act i ce.Thathasbeenpossi bl eduet ot he ki ndandt i r el essi nst ruct i onofKei t hHal e,whohaspr act i cedandt aughtTaiChif or over25year s.
Facets of Being Series
( 1)Bodhi ci t t aAspi r at i onandAppl i cati on Chantt hewi shf ort hef ouri mmeasur abl es( l ovi ngki ndness,compassi on,j oy ,and equani mi t y) . Mayal lbei ngshavehappi nessandt hecausesofhappi ness. Mayal lbei ngsbef r eef r om suffer i ngandt hecausesofsuffer i ng. Mayal lbei ngsneve rbesepar at edf r om t hegr eathappi nesswhi chi sbeyondsuffer i ng. Mayal lbei ngshavehappi nessequal l yandf r eedom f r om cl i ngi ngat t achment ,aggressi on,and i gnorance.
Le ar ni tbyhe ar tandc hanti ts e v e r alt i me sada y .T akei tt ohe ar t .
1.Equani mi t y:Reflectonhow youat t acht osomepeopl e,hat eot her s,andar e i ndi ffer entt ot her est .Reflectonhow t hesef eel i ngsmayqui ckl ychangeduet o achangei nci r cumst ancesbasedonsupportorc hal l enget oyoursel f c he r i s hi ngat t i t ude . •
•
Cul t i v at eanat t i t udeofc he r i s hi ngal lo t he r smo r et hany o ur s e l f .Re fle c to nt hi s i nme di t at i on.Puti ti nt opr a ct i c ei ndai l yl i f e .Thi si sani nc r e di bl ypr o f ound anddi fficul tpr act i ce. Consi dert heempt i nessofbot hsel fandot her s.Consi derhow your under st andi ngofempt i nes sorMahamudragi v esy ousuchast r ongi nner peace.Consi derhow ot her sdonotr ecogni z et hi sandhencesufferunbear abl y . Mai nt ai nt hi svi ew oft heempt i nessofsel fandot her s.
1.Lovi ngKi ndness( Skt .mai t r i ) :Whenal lbei ngsappearequal l ydeart oone,t hen apur el ovi ngki ndnessi sdevel opi ng. •
Consi derhow youcancul t i vat et hi sat t i t ude.Cher i sheachandeve rybei ngyou e nc ount e r .Putt hi si nt opr ac t i c ei ndai l yl i f e .
3.Compassi on( Skt .karuna) :Whenwewi shf ort hehappi nessofal lbei ngs equal l y ,t henapur eorgr eatcompassi oni sdevel opi ng. •
Reflectont hesuffer i ngandbewi l der mentofal lt hebei ngsar oundyouunt i lyou wi shf ornot hi ngmor et hant of r eet hem f r om t he i rs uffe r i ng.Ev eni ncl udet he ri chandheal t hypeopl ei nt hi s,f oryouknow t hatt heyar epr obabl yvery unhappy ,o ri ft he yar ehappyt hatt he i rhappi ne s swi l lno tl as t .
4.Jo y:Pr a c t i c ef e e l i ngge nui nede l i g htatt hej o yofo t he r s ,e s pe c i al l ywhe ni t ari sesduet odi scoveri ngt hemeani ngoft hedharma,t hesour ceofl ast i ngj oy. •
Wi t hj oy ,mai nt ai ny ourbodhi sat t v av owst oat t ai nenl i ght enme ntf ort hebenefit ofal lbei ngs.Takej oyi nanybodhi sat t vaact i onswhi chyoumaywi t ness.
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.Thi spr ac t i c epe r t ai nst or e l at i v ebo dhi c i t t a ’ s( a wake ne dmi nd’ s )t woas pe c t s : as pi r at i o nandappl i c at i o n.Abs o l ut ebo dhi c i t t ai se nl i g ht e nme nto rt he r e al i z at i onofmi ndasi ti s . 2.Bel i keasun,whi choni t sownaccor dshi nesl i ghtt oevery one.I ti st hei rc hoi ce
ort hekar mi cci r cumst anceswhi chmaydet er mi newhet hert heycanr ece i vei t ornot .
Facets of Being Series
( 2)I l l usoryBody Re fle c to nt hee i g ht( i ng r o upso ft wo )anal o gi e s : L i k ei l l usi ons anddr eams,e v e r y t hi ngi snone xi s t e nt .Al lappe ar anc e sar el i kea mag i c i an’ si l l us i onsort hedi s pl a ysofadr e am.Al lr e al i t i e sdono te xi s ti nt he ul t i mat esense.I nourdel usi onwegraspatt hem asi ft heyexi st ed. e fle c t i o ns L i k eechoes andr ,eve ryt hi ngoccur st hr oughacombi nat i onofcauses andc o ndi t i o ns .Al ls o undsar el i kee c ho esi nar o c kyc any o n,al li mag e sar el i ke v er ycl earr eflect i onsi nami r r or .Al lappear anc esl ac ki nher ente xi s t ence.The y ari sei ndependenceoncausesandcondi t i ons.
L i k edew andbubbl es ,ev eryt hi ngi si mper manentandconst ant l ychangi ng. Mor ni ngdew di sappear sast hesunr i se sandbubbl esar i seandvani shi nan i ns t ant .Al lphenomenalappear ance sar ei mper manent .The ychangemoment bymo ment . L i k emi r ages andr ai nbows ,e v e r y t hi ngappe ar sbutdoe sno tr e al l ye xi s t . Fl oat i ngri ver sappeari nahotdeser tandmagni ficentr ai nbowsappeari nt he sky .Al lphenomenalappearances,al t houghvi vi dl yapparent ,donotexi st .They donotexi stf orev enonemoment . Weshoul dr i dour sel v esofgr aspi ngandac t ual l ye xpe r i enc et hewor l dof appearancesasi l l usi ons. I naddi t i on,wecanmedi t at easf ol l ows: o
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Body:Cont empl at eyourbodyasar eflect i oni nami r r or . Pr ai s ei tandi ns ul ti t .The r ei snos el fany whe r ef r o m he adt o t oe.Wher ewi l lt hehappi nessandsadnessst i ckt o? Spee ch:Cont empl at eyourvoi ceasanec ho.Theec hohasno sel ff r om begi nni ngt oend.How canyour eactt oot her s’
wor ds? Mi nd:Cont empl at eyourmi ndl i keaskywi t hcl ouds.Cl ouds ar i s eandt he nv a ni s h,l e a vi ngnot r ac e .Li ke wi s e ,al ly o ur posi t i veandnegat i vet hought sarewi t houtr ootanddonot l eav eat r ace,sowhyar eyousobot her edbyt hem?
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Cont i nuepr a ct i c i ngunt i lal lr e al i t i e sar ee xpe r i e nc edt obei l l us or y .Re al i z et he s e t eachi ngs.Taket hem t oheart .Donotl eavet hem asdry ,i nt el l ect ualunder st andi ngs.
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.I l l usorydoesnotmeanappear ancesar en’ tvi vi dorc l ear .Exper i encesmaybe v er ycl eari nnat ur eands t i l lbei l l usor y .I l l us or yr ef er st ot hef actt hatwe bel i e v e( mi s t akenl y)t hatsome t hi nge xi s t swhi c hdoe snot . 2.Thecommonvi ew ‘ Al li sl i keani l l usi on’doesn’ tcomecl oset ot het ruemeani ng. Se eal lv i v i dl yandc l e ar l yasi ti s ,e mpt yofe xi s t e nc e. 3.Whe nwear eal i v e ,i ti sasi fourdai l yl i f ei s‘ r e al ’andourdr e amsar e‘ i l l us or y . ’ Whenwedi e,t he ni ti sasi fourwhol el i f ei s‘ i l l us or y’andt hedr e am bar doi s ‘ r e al ’ .Thi si sadual i s t i cv i e w whi c hweha v et oc utt hr o ug h.Re pl ac i ngones e to f bel i ef sbyanot heri snott hei ssue,butr at heri ti sManj us hr i ’ ss wor dwhi c h c ut st hr o ug hal lde l us i o nst hats e t susf r e ef r o mt he s edual i t i e s . 4.Nar opa’ sf amousadmoni shmentt oMar pai sasf ol l ows:‘ Out erappear ance sar e butani l l us i on.I nnere xpe r i e ncesar ei ne xpr e ss i bl e .Dayandni ght ,ar i si ng experi encesar et heNi rmanakaya.Thi si st hei nst ruct i onont heI l l usoryBody . Ar ey ouf r eef r om at t ac hmentTr ansl at or ?’Yoursel f at t ac hmentandconce r n wi t ht heei ghtwor l dydhar maswi l ldi mi ni s hcommensur at ewi t hy our r e al i z at i onoft heI l l us or yBody . 5.Respectt hel awsofkarmaandbodhi ci t t a.Real i zi ngt heI l l usoryBodydoesnot me ane mbr ac i ngani hi l i s t i cv i e w.I ns t e ad,r e al i z i ngt heI l l us o r yBo dyi sno di ffer entt henr eal i zi ngt heuni t yofyourcompassi onandwi sdom.Your compass i onandr es pec tf orcauseandeffec tshoul di ncr easeandbecomev ast .
Facets of Being Series
( 3)Knowi ngTi me Co nv e nt i o nal l y ,t i mei sappr e c i at e dasas o ur c eofl i be r at i o nandf e ar e dasat hr e att o
t hec ont i nuat i o no fe x i s t e nc e . Cont empl at et hef ol l owi ng: •
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Comparet her el at i vemeasur eofdi ffer entmagni t udesoft i me( e. g.nanoseconds t omi nut esandmi nut est ot housandsofye ar s)Compar et hem t oeachot herso t haty o uc ang e tadi s t i nc ts e ns eoft hi s .The nt r yt oc utapi e c eoft i mei nt o c ons e c ut i v e l ys mal l e rands mal l e rpi e c e s.Do est hes mal l e s tpi e c eoft i mes t i l l possesal lt hecharact eri st i csoft i me?Now st epbyst epexpandt hesmal l i nt e r valoft i meunt i li ti nc l ude s‘ al loft i me . ’Re l axi nt heflav oroft hi s . Det er mi nehow asenseoft hemeasur eoft heflow oft i meexi st s.I st heflow of t i mear e l at i v et hi ng( e . g .t wope o pl ewi t hr e s pe c tt oe ac ho t he r ,o rwo r kwi t h r e s pe ctt oac l oc k) ? Compar ebackwar dandf or war dflowi ngt i me.How ar et heyt hes ame( e. g.t i mei nv a r i antl a ws ) ,ho w ar et he ydi ffe r e nt( e . g .t i me v a r i antl a wss uc hast he Sec ondLaw ofTher modynami csdeal i ngwi t hent r opy) ? Fr om oneper spect i v e,canev ent sbevi ewedasflowi ngbackwar dsf r om t he f ut ur ei nt ot hepas t ?Co ns i de ry o uro wnl i f ef r o mt hi spe r s pe c t i v e .No wt r yt o ho l dbo t hv i e ws( pas tt of ut ur eandf ut ur et opas t )s i mul t ane ous l y ,asi fal l event sar egi vent oget heri nonet i meandi nonespace.Vi ew al lt heevent sof y ourl i f ei nonet i meandi nonespac e. Takeat i mei nt er v alandi nv es t i gat et heboundar i esofi t .Whendoe si tbegi n? Whendoesi tend?Re consi de ri t .Agai n,whe ndoesi tbegi n?Whe ndoesi tend? Co ns i de ry o ur s e l ft r a v e l i ngi nt i me .Y ouar edo i ngt hi sal r e adyasy ou( i nt he pr esent )movef r om t hepast( knownsetofeve nt swhi chhavev ani shed)t ot he f ut ur e( unknownsetofeve nt swhi charey ett oappear) .Consi derhow youare mov i ngf r om t hatwhi c hi sknownt ot hatwhi c hi sunknown,ne w knowl edgeo r new exper i ences. Consi dert hatev eni fyoucoul dt r avelbackwardi nt i me,youwoul dmove f r om t heal r eadyknownt onew knowl edge,soi nasenseexper i ent i al l y , not hi ngwoul dc hange . Consi dert hateveni fyoucoul dt r avelbackwardorf orwar di nt i meat v ar yi ngspeeds( andy ouar emovi ngf or war di nt i me ,bydefini t i on)y ou r emai ni nt hepr esent .Sof r om anexper i ent i alper spect i ve,your emai ni n t he‘ now’ ,howevere l usi vet hatmi ghtbe.
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Di vei nt ot hef ut ur er epeat edl y .Thendi vei nt ot hepast .Seewhathappenst o y ourse nseoft i meandy ourawar eness. Gent l yt ryt of r eezet i mef oramomentwi t hyourawar eness.I st hi spossi bl e? Whataboutt hese ns eoft i mei nt hespac ebe t weent hought s?How dot hought s ac tasc l o c ksorbe ar e r soft i me ? Expl or eal loft he s ei nv e s t i g at i onsi nl i g htofs ubt l e rs el v e se v oke di nl at e r medi t at i onsonsel f i dent i t y .Dosomeot herse l vesmaket i met r avelmoreofa pos si bi l i t y ?Ho w about ,l e s sofapos si bi l i t y ? Now si mpl yat t enddi r ect l yt ot heflow ordanceoft i mei nyourexperi ence. DogenZenj iwaspr of oundl ymov edbywat chi ngt hei nce nsebur nathi s mot her ’ sf uner alcer emony .Wi t houtt hi nki ngaboutanal ogi es,j ustat t endt o t i mei t s e l f .Se eho wc e r t ai no fy o urunde r s t andi ng sar et i me do ut ,l i keas o ng . Seehow ever yt hi ngwhi chyouexperi enceorr egardt obeasel fi sact ual l ya flashi ngf ort hi nt i me.At t endt osoundssuchast hesoundofvoi cesort hewi nd o rflo wi ngwat e ro rr ai nf al l .Re s ty o ura war e ne s sont i mei t s e l f .Se eho wf r e s h e v e r yt hi ngi si nt hi se v e rv i br a ntwe l l s pr i ng .Se et hats t ag nat i oni sac ompl e t e i l l usi on.Savort hi sf r eshnesswhi chi spr esenti nyouri mmedi at eawar enessof t hemoment .I ncl udeanyt i ght nessorst i ffnessy oumayhaveandal l ow i tt o r e l a x . Now uni t eyourawar enesswi t ht i mei t sel f .Al l ow t her et obenosepar at i on be t weeny ourawar enessandt i mei t s el f .
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.Donotexpectanyt hi ngf r om t hesei nvest i gat i onsoft i me.Rel ax. 2.Thef at he roft heKar maKagy ui sknownasDüsum Khye npa,‘ Knoweroft he Thr eeTi me s. ’How ar et hepas t ,pr e se nt ,andf ut ur ei de nt i c al ?Whatc hange s wi t ht i me?Whats t ayst hesame?How c oul doneknow al lt hr e et i mes?Consi der i fawarenessi t sel fmovest hr ought i meori ff r om t heper spect i veofawareness t her ei sonl yanet ernalnow. 3.I st heflow oft i mei l l usory? 4.I thasbeensai dt hati mpermancei st hegr eat estofal lt hemedi t at i onsof Buddhi s m.I tl e a v e sane l e phants i z ef o ot pr i nto no ne .Thi si sa l s or e g a r de dt o beoneoft hemos tpr of oundmedi t at i onsofDz ogc he n. 5.Ti mecor r es pondst ot hewi ndel ementandt het hr oatce nt er .
Facets of Being Series
( 4)Knowi ngSpace Convent i onal l y ,spacei sappr eci at edwhenaccessi bl eandpr ovi di ngf r eedom and f e ar e dwhe nl i mi t e dt os uc hane x t e ntt hati tbe c ome sr e s t r i c t i v e . Cont empl at et hef ol l owi ng: •
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Comparet her el at i vemeasur eofdi ffer entmagni t udesofspace( e. g.mi cr onst o i nchesandi nchest ot housandsofmi l es)Compar et hem t oeachot hersot hat y ouc ange tadi s t i nctsenseoft hi s .Thent r yt oc utapi eceofs pacei nt o c o ns e c ut i v e l ys mal l e ra nds mal l e rpi e c e s .Do e st hes mal l e s tpi e c eo fs pac es t i l l possesal lt hecharact eri st i csofspace?Now st epbyst epexpandt hesmal l r e g i onofs pac eunt i li ti nc l ude s‘ al lofs pac e. ’Re l axi nt heflav oro ft hi s . Det er mi nehow asenseoft hemeasur eofspaceexi st s.I st hesi zeofspacea r el at i vet hi ng?Doessi zemeananyt hi ngt oaspacewi t houtobj ect s? Compar ebac kwar dandf or war dmov ementi nspac e.Thenconsi derupwar ds anddownwar dsmov ement .Bef or et her ewer eai r pl anes ,wast hese nset hat mancoul dnevergetoff t hesurf aceoft heeart h( i . e.const r ai nedt ot wodi me ns i o ns )s i mi l art ot hese ns eofl i mi t at i o nswi t hr e s pe c tt ot i met r a v e l( e . g . onedi mensi on,wi t huni di r ect i on) .How arespaceandt i met hesame( e. g. spacei nvari antl aws,suchasbackandf ort honasur f ace) ,how aret hey di ffe r e nt( e . g .di r e c t i o nal l y ,upwar dsmo v e me ntne aragr a v i t at i o nalbo dy r equi r esener gy ,downwar dsmove mentyi el dsener gy) ? Canoneobj ectl ocat edi nspaceappeart obemovi ngi nonedi r ect i onata c e r t ai ns pe e d,i nano t he rdi r e c t i o n atadi ffe r e nts pe e do rs t at i o nar yal latt he samet i me?Forexampl e,i magi neobser ver sont hr eet r ai ns,onest at i onaryand t womovi ngpastanobj ectatdi ffer entspeedsandi ndi ffer entdi r ect i ons. Consi deryourownmovementf r om t hi sper spect i ve.Now t ryt ohol dal lt hr ee vi e ws( SpeedAi nonedi r e ct i on,Spee dB i nanot herdi r ect i on,ands t at i onar yor s pe e do fz e r o)s i mul t ane ous l y ,asi fal le v e nt sar eg i v e nt og e t he ri no net i mei n ones pace . Takease ct i onofs paceandi nv e s t i gat et heboundar i e sofi t .Wher edoesi t begi n?Whe r edoe si tend?Reconsi deri t .Agai n,wher edoesi tbegi n?Whe r e doesi tend?Now consi dert heboundarywi t hr espectt ot i me.Whendoesi t begi n?Whe ndoesi tend?Mov ewi t hy ourawar enesst hr oughy ouri magi ned spaceandt heboundari es .
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Consi dery our sel ft r avel i ngi nspace.Youar edoi ngt hi sal r eadyasyoumove ar oundf r om momentt omoment .Consi derhow t r av elt hr oughspacer equi r es t i me( e. g.measur esi ndi st anceovert i meormi l esperhour ) .Consi dert het i me aspectoft r avelt ober el at edt ohow youaremovi ngf r om t hatwhi chi sknownt o t hatwhi chi snew knowl edgeoranew experi ence.I nasense,t i mei t sel fal l ows t hesenseore xper i enceofmove mentt hr oughspace( i nt onewerspaces ) . o
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Eve ni fyoucoul dt r ave lbackwar dorf orwar di nspace,youwoul dmove f r om t heal r eadyknownt onew knowl edge,soi nasenseexper i ent i al l y , not hi ngchanges .Soyourmove menti st i edt ot i me. Eveni fyoucoul dt r avelbackwardorf orwardi nspaceyour emai ni n ‘ he r e . ’Whe r e v e ry oug o,y ouar e‘ he r e . ’Sof r o m ane xpe r i e nt i al pe r s pe c t i v e ,y o ur e mai ni nt he‘ ’ he r e ’ ,ho we v e re l us i v et hatmi g htbe .Y ou ne v e rr e al l yt r a v e lany whe r e . Lo okc ar e f ul l yho wy o urpe r c e pt i o no fs e l fandno ns e l fal l o wsf o rt he i l l us i onoft r a v el .I st r av e lr e al l yani l l us i on?Whot r a v el s ?
Di vei nt ot hespacer epeat edl yi ndi ffer entdi r ect i onswi t hyourawareness.See whathappenst oy ours enseofspaceanddi r ect i onal i t y . No wt r yt os t a ys t at i o nar yi ns pac e .Gi v e nt hene v e re ndi ngflo wo ft i me ,i si t pos si bl et o‘ bes t i l l ’i ns pac e? Expl or eal loft he s ei nv e s t i g at i onsi nl i g htofs ubt l e rs el v e se v oke di nl at e r medi t at i onsonsel f i dent i t y .Dosomeot hersel vesmakespacet r avelmoreofa pos si bi l i t y ?Ho w about ,l e s sofapos si bi l i t y ? Now si mpl yat t enddi r ect l yt ot heexper i enceofr oom orspacei nyouri mmedi at e exper i ence.Seehow cer t ai nofyourunder st andi ngsaredrawnont ospace,l i ke at r anspare ntpi ct ur e.Seehow ever yt hi ngwhi chyouexper i enceorr egar dt obe as e l fi sac t ual l yaflas hi ngf or t hi ns pac e .I ti sl i keadr a wi i ngont hes ur f ac eof wat er .At t e ndt ospac essuc hast hespaceoft her oom y ouar ei nort hespaces ofyourexper i encesort heskyorar ai nbow.Restyourawarenessonspace i t s e l f .Se eho wo pe ne v e r y t hi ngi si nt hi se v e rune s t abl i s he ddi s pl a y .Se et hat c l o s ur ei sac ompl e t ei l l us i o n.Sa v ort hi so pe nne s swhi c hi spr e s e nti ny o ur i mmedi at eawar enes soft hemoment . Now mi xoruni t eyouraware nesswi t hspacei t sel f .Al l ow t her et obeno separ at i onbet weenyouraware nessandspacei t sel f . Onadaywhent heskyi scl ear ,at t endt ot heskyi t sel f .Mi xyourawareness wi t ht hesky .Lookatt heskyi nt hedi r e ct i onawayf r om t hesun. Onadaywhenyouaref eel i ngespeci al l yr el axedandspaci ous,si tdownand
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Consi deral lf ormsandappearancesaski ndsofspace. Consi deral lmot i onanddel i neat i onst obeki ndsoft i me. Rel axt hesenseofanobser veroronewhocont r ol st hi ngs.Consi dert hat t hepl a yofs pac eandt i mei sno t‘ out s i de ’ofy ou.Thi spl a y ,i t s el f,c ar r i e s a‘ knowi ngness ’wi t hi twhi chdoesnotdependonyou.Ther ei snoneedt o de c l ar ey our s e l ft obet he‘ kno we r . ’ Re l axandi nc l udee v e r y t hi ngi nt hi sunde r s t andi ng .Par t i c i pat edi r e c t l y i nt hepl ayofspace,t i me,andawar eness.Letgoofworki ngsohar dt o mai nt ai na‘ s e l f ’whi c hi sdi s t i nc tf r o mt hi s .
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.Donotexpectanyt hi ngf r om t hesei nvest i gat i onsofspace.Don’ tal l ow t hese i nv e s t i g at i onst oj us tr e i nf or c eol dwa ysofde si r i ngora voi di ngt hi ng s.Re l ax. 2.I st heext ensi onofspaceandmovementt hr oughi ti l l usory? 3.Mi xi ngorbl endi ngormi ngl i ngoruni t i ngofawar enessandspacei sakey Dz o gc he npr ac t i c e .I nf ac t ,i ti st her o o to fDz o gc he npr a c t i c e . 4.Consi der ,doyoueve re xper i encea‘ deadspace?’I nves t i gat eanydeadspaces di r ec t l ywi t hyourawar enes sandopent hem up. 5.Spacei sassoci at edwi t ht heel ementspace( whi chconsi st soft heot her el ement si nsubt l ef orm)andt heheadcent er .
Facets of Being Series
( 5)ThePl ayofKnowl edge Awar enessort heknowi ngnessqual i t yofourbe i ngi st hebasi sf orf r eedom andf or suffer i ng.Ourmi ndcr eat esbot hni rv anaandsamsar a. Cont empl at et hef ol l owi ng: •
Comparet her el at i vemeasur eofdi ffer entmagni t udesofknowl edge( e. g.one t houghtaboutt heshapeoft hel et t er‘ A’andat houghtaboutt hemeani ngof ‘ l o v e ’ ’ ;a war e ne s soft het i po fy o urno s et oawar e ne s sase xpans i v east he g al ax y ,t hef e e l i ngofbe i ngwhe ne x pe r i e nc i ngami g r a i neandt hef e e l i ngof bei ngwhenheal t hyandonawal konas unnyday) .Compar et hee xper i enceof
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e ac ho ft he s edi r e c t l yunt i ly o ug e tadi s t i nc ts e ns eoft he m.The nt r yt oc uta pi eceofknowi ngnessi nt oconsecut i vel ysmal l erandsmal l erpi eces.Doest he s mal l e s tpi e c eo fkno wi ng ne s ss t i l lpos s e sal lt hec har a c t e r i s t i c so f knowi ngness ?Now expandt hi sknowi ngnessunt i li tencompassesev er yt hi ngi n t heuni v e r s e .Re l axi nt hi s . Det er mi nehow asenseoft hemeasur eofknowl edgeexi st s.Compar e‘ cont ent ori ent ed’or‘ message–beari ng’knowl edge( e. g.‘ Johncanswi m’ )t oknowi ngness whi c hi ssel f e vi de ntandnotcar r yi ngpoi nt er st ot hi ngsout si dei t se l f( e . g.t he e x pe r i e nc eoft hec ol o rbl ueo r‘ bl ue ne s s ’ ) .I st heme ani ng f ul ne s sofkno wl e dg ea r el at i vet hi ng?Doesexperi encecarr yani nt ri nsi cknowi ngnesswi t hi twhi ch do e sno tde pe ndo nr e f e r e nc e st ot hi ng sout s i deofi t s e l f ? Compar et heknowi ngnes sofpai nt ot heknowi ngnes sofpl easur e. Compar ebackwar dandf or war dmov ementi nknowl edg e.How doesoneg ai n knowl edge ?How doesonel osei t ?Bef or ey ouencount er edMahamudr a medi t at i on,di dyouhaveanysenset hatyoucoul dev erknow i ndependentof t her e al mo fc o nc e pt ualkno wl e dg e( i . e .f r e ef r o mt hec o ns t r ai nt so fl ang uag e ori ent edknowl edge) ? Whatne w ki ndsofknowi ngeme r gei nmedi t at i onpr ac t i c e? How ar et hes ewaysofknowi ngt hes ameast i meandspace ?How ar et hey di ffe r e nt ?I st he r er e al l yadi s t i nc t i o n be t we e nt he s e ? Comparet hequal i t i esofdi ffer entl evel sofknowi ngorawareness. Fr om oneper spect i ve,canknowl edgel ocat edi nt hef ut ur eappeart obegai ned whi l ef r om anot herper s pe ct i v et hatgai nr e pr esent sal ossi nknowl edge?Cana l o s so fkno wl e dg e( e . g .af al s ekno wl e dg el i keapr e j udi c e )bec ons i de r e dag ai n? Consi dert hatal lyourknowl edgei st her e,compl et ei nyourbei ngri ghtnow. Vi sual i z eal i ght .Behol di tandt heknowi ngnessqual i t ywhi c hi spr esent wi t hi t . No wv i s ual i z eal i g htabo v e ,be ne at h,i nf r o ntof ,be hi nd,t ot her i g ht ,and t ot hel e f toft hi sl i g ht .Eac hl i g hti sj us taspur eandbr i g htast hece nt r a l l i ght . Now l eteachoneoft heseserveasi t sowncent erwi t hsi xl i ght sar oundi t . Ke e pdo i ngt hi sunt i lal lofs pac ei sfil l e dwi t ht hi spur ebr i g htl i g ht .Y our awar enes sshoul dbemi xedwi t ht hi s. Thendi ss ol v et hel i ghti nt ospaceandmi xy ourawar e ne sswi t hi t . Si mi l arl y ,f r om t i met ot i met akenur t ur i ngf eel i ngsandaccumul at et hem andal l ow t hem t oper meat eal lofspace.Thi scanbemosteffect i vewi t h kumnyeo rt ummopr act i ce .
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Fi nal l y ,t akeno t eoft hel umi no usandf r e s hq ual i t yofal ly o ur per cept i ons.Al l ow t hesenseof‘ knowi ng’evi dentt hr ought hem t o commi ngl ei nt oonegr eatspaceofknowi ngnesswhi chi ncl udes e v e r yt hi ngwi t ho utf abr i c at i ngt hi s .
Takeanamountof‘ knowi ngness ’andi nv es t i gat et heboundar i esofi t .Whe r e doesi tbegi n?Wher edoesi tend?Reconsi deri t .Agai n,wher edoesi tbegi n? Wher edoesi tend?Now cons i deri t sboundar i esi nt i me.Whe ndoesi tbegi n? Whendoesi tend?Mov ewi t hy ourawar ene sst hr oughy ouri magi ned knowi ngnessandi t sboundari es.Now consi derwher et her ei s‘ knowi ngness ’ andwher et her ei s‘ notknowi ngness . ’Compar et heset oeachot herandsee whe t he rt he r ei sasens eofknowi nge v eni nt henotknowi ngandasenseofnot knowi ngi nt heknowi ng. At t e ndt oanobj ec ti ny oure xper i ence.Per hapst her ei sas enseofy ou, t hekno we r ,o v e rhe r eandt heo bj e c t ,o v e rt he r e . Se ei ft hee xpe r i e nc eoft heobj e cti t s e l fhasakno wi ngqual i t yt oi t .Se ei f t heobj ectmayexi stasar adi anceoft hesubj ect . Now r ever set hesi t uat i on.Lett heobj ectknow you.Leti tbet heknower andyoubet heobj ect .Repeatt hi ssever alt i mes.
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Consi deryour sel faccumul at i ngi nknowl edge.You aredoi ngt hi sal r eadyasyou l i vef r om momentt omoment .Consi derhow change si nknowl edger el at et obot h spaceandt i me.Consi dert heknowl edgeaspectofmov ementt hr oughspaceand t i me.Whomov es ?Whol ear ns ? o
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Eveni fyoucoul dgai nknowl edgeorl osei t ,st i l lyouwoul dhaveyour gr oundofawar eness .Wher ev eryougo,whenyouconsi deri t ,youar e ‘ a war e , ’y o u‘ kno w. ’Sof r o m ane x pe r i e nt i alpe r s p ec t i v e ,y o ur e mai ni n awar enesshowev erel usi vet henat ur eoft hatawar enessmi ghtbe.You neverr eal l ychangeanyt hi ngbyknowi ngorf orge t t i nganyt hi ng. Lookcaref ul l yhow yourunder st andi ngofsel fandnonsel fal l owsf ort he c o nc e pto fg ai nandl o s so fkno wl e dg e .I s‘ kno wl e dg e ’ani l l us i o n?I sl ac k ofknowl edgeani l l usi on?I st her eal evelofknowl edgewhi chdoesnot s e e mi l l us o r yatal l ,whi c hs e e msr e l e v antandi nde s t r uc t i bl e ?
Di v ei nt ot hekno wi ng i ne s so fe x pe r i e nc eaf t e re x pe r i e nc er e pe at e dl yi ndi ffe r e nt di r ect i onswi t hyourawar eness .Seewhathappenst oyoursenseofknowl edge
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andl ossandgai n. Now t ryt ost ayst at i onaryi nknowi ngness.Gi vent heneve rendi ngflow oft i me, i si tpos s i bl et o‘ bes t i l l ’i nkno wi ng ne s s ?I nv e s t i g at et hemo v e me nto f knowi ngnessandt hest i l l nessofi tandcompar et het wo.Whati st hesame? Whati sdi ffer e nt ? Expl or eal loft he s ei nv e s t i g at i onsi nl i g htofs ubt l e rs el v e se v oke di nl at e r medi t at i onsonsel f i mage.Dosomeot hersel ve smakeknowl edgegai nsandl oss mo r eofapo ss i bi l i t y ?Ho w abo ut ,l e s sofapos s i bi l i t y ? Now si mpl yat t enddi r ect l yt ot heexper i enceofknowi ngnessorawarenessi n y ouri mmedi at ee xpe r i e nce.Seewhe t he rev er yt hi ngwhi c hy oue xper i enc eor r e g ar dt obeas e l fi sac t ual l yaflas hi ngf o r t ho fkno wi ng ne s si t s e l f .Se ei ft hi s knowi ngnesscarr i esspaceandt i mewi t hi t .At t endt ol umi nosi t ysuchast he l i ghtoft her oom youarei nort heknowi ngqual i t yofyourexperi encesort he exper i enceoft heskyorofar ai nbow oroft heeart horamount ai n.Restyour a war e ne s sont hi sa war e ne s si t s e l f .Se eho wl uc i de v e r y t hi ngi si nt hi se v e r knowi ngnat ur e.Seet hatl ackofknowl edgei sacompl et ei l l usi on.Seet hat ‘ ha v i ngo rpo s se s s i ngkno wl e dg e ’i sal s oac o mpl e t ef abr i c at i o n.Sa v ort hi s knowi ngnesswhi chi spr ese nti nyouri mmedi at eawar enessoft hemoment ,f r ee f r om l ossandgai n. Now uni t eyourawarenesswi t hknowi ngnessi t sel f .Al l ow t her et obeno se par at i onbet wee nyourawar enes sandknowi ngnes swhi chari sewi t handi n be t weenal lofy oure xper i encesandi dent i t i e s. Onadaywhent heskyi scl ear ,at t endt ot hesur f aceofal ar gel akeorocean. Mi xyourawar enesswi t ht hel i ghtshi mmer i ngont hesur f aceoft heocean. Consi derhow yourmi ndandi t sknowl edgei sl i ket heoceanandi t swave s. Re fle c to nt hi sf r o mt i met ot i me .The nr e t ur nt oj us tl o oki ngatt hel i g ht r e fle c t i ngoffo ft hes ur f ac eoft hewat e r . Cons i de rt he‘ mi r r or l i ke ’qual i t yofmi nd.I tr e fle ct sev e r yt hi ng ,l ar g eors mal l , ne aro rf ar ,be aut i f ulorugl y ,wi t houtdi s t i nc t i on.I ne ac hc as e,not r a cei sl e f t . Mai nt ai nawarenessoft hi squal i t yofmi ndwhi l eact i vel yengagedi nt hi ngs. Al l ow t hegenui neconfide ncei nt hi saspe ctt oper me at ey ourbei ng.
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.Rel axyourdr i vet oobt ai nmor eknowl edge.Rel axi nt hec ompl et enessofyour i nt r i ns i ckno wl e dg e . 2.Looki ngwi t hawar enessatawar enessi satt hehear tofbot hMahamudr aand Dz og c hen.
3.Consi der ,doyoueverexperi encea‘ notknowi ngspace?’I nvest i gat eany‘ not knowi ngspaces’di r ect l ywi t hyouraware nessandopent hem up.I nves t i gat e ‘ notknowi ngt i mes ’di r ect l ywi t hyourawar enessandopent hem up.Havey ou everbeeni naspaceort i mewi t houtawareness?Consi dert hi sascaref ul l yasi f y ouwer ehol di ngy ourowne y esi ny ourhands. 4.Aware nessi sei t herassoci at edwi t ht heel ementfir eort heel ement consci ousness( somet i mesconsi der edt obeasi xt hel ement )andi sr el at edt o t hehe ar tc e nt e r .
Facets of Being Series
( 6)Gr oundofBei ngandSel f I dent i t y Mai nt ai nundi st r act edawar enessi nar el axedmanner . ( 1)Gr oundExper i enceThr oughBr eat h-At t endt ot hese nsat i onsandknowi ngnes s whi c hi spr es entwi t hy ourbr eat h.Br eat hee v enl yt hr ought henoseandmo ut h( See Rest i ngMi ndSeri es,Fol l owi ngBr eat h( 6) )andj ustr estyourawarenessont hebr eat h. Cont i nuei nt hi swayf orawhi l e. Now consi deryoursenseofsel fasi temer gesi nyouri mmedi at eexper i ence.What br i ngsi tf or t h( e. g.fir s tt hi ngi nt hemor ni ngoraf t e ry ou‘ r eg ai ny our se l f ’i n medi t at i on) ?Whendoesi tdi ssol ve ?Consi dermoment swhenast r ongsenseofsel f emer ge ss uc hasmoment sofdange rore mbarr ass ment . Whenas t r ongsenseof‘ sel f ’i spr es ent ,l ookati tdi r ec t l y .Lookati t sor i gi ndi r e ct l y . Thenl ookati t sabi di ng.Fi nal l yl ookatwhe r ei tgoes.Not ehow t hei nt r i ns i cnat ur eof ‘ s e l f ’i snodi ffe r e ntt hant hei nt r i ni s i cna t ur eo ft ho ug ht sandappe ar anc e s .Co ns i de r t hesubt l esenseofsel fi nt hesamemanner .Wher edoesi tabi de? ( 2)Se l fandVi s ualAppe ar anc e s :Co ns i de rav i s uale x pe r i e nc eo fano bj e c t ’ s appe ar anc e .I nv e s t i g at et hel o c at i o no ft hes e ns eofs e l fwi t hi ny o ura war e ne s sr e l at e d t ot heobj e c t .Ar ey ouo nt he‘ f ars i de ’oft heobj e c t ?Ar ey ouo n‘ t hi ss i de ?’Ar ey ou abo v eo rbe ne at ht heobj e c to rt oi t sr i g hto rl e f t ? I nv e s t i g at et hes e ns eofs e par a t i o nbe t we e ny ouandt heobj e c t .I fs e l fi sov e rhe r e , wher ei sher eandwhatdi s t ancei st he r ebe t weenher eandt her e?I nv es t i gat et hi s
di r ect l ybymovi ngt hr ought hespacewi t hyourawar eness . ( 3)Sel fandSound:Consi deryoursenseofsel fasyoul i st ent osounds.I naroom wi t h o t he rpr ac t i t i o ne r sc hant i ngmant r asorwi t hat apeoft hi s ,at t e ndt ot hel o c at i o no f s e l fwi t hr e s pe c tt oso und.Se ei fy o uc ant r a v e lo nt hes oundande nt e rt he‘ i ns i de ’o f t hesound.I nves t i gat et hi sdi r ect l ybymovi ngt hr ought hespacewi t hyouraware ness. No w,s i t t i ngi nar o om whe r ey o u wi l lno tbe‘ s e l f c ons c i ous ’( e . g .bydi s t ur bi ngot he r s ) cal lyourownnameoutl oudt ot hewal li nf r ontofyou.Cal li tr epeat edl yi nwhi ch eve rmanneryouf eeli ncl i ned.Movet hr oughcal l sofki ndnessandanger ,j oyand sorr ow,pastandf ut ur e.Lookdi r ect l yatt hesenseofsel fevokedbyyourownname, andt her el at i onshi pbet weensoundandmeani ng,l anguageandsel f . ( 4)Sel fandThought s:At t endt osel fduri ngcal m abi di ngst at esandact i vet hi nki ng andemot i onalst at es.At t endt owhati st hesame.At t endt owhati sdi ffer ent . ( 5)Al t e r nat eSe l v e s :Di s s ol v ee v e r y t hi ngi nt ospac eandt he nmani f e s te i t he ra sa yi dam ( e. g.Chenr ez i g)orapur el i ght( e. g.whi t el i ght )oras eeds yl l abl e( e. g.AH) . Co ns i de rt hi s‘ pur emani f e s t at i o n’t obey o urs e l f .Co ns i de rho wt hi se xpe r i e nc eof ‘ s el f ’di ffe r sf r o mt hemor e‘ or di nar y ’s e ns eofs e l f . Pr act i ceayi dam pr act i cet oreal i zet hepuri t yofappearancesandt r ansf orm at t achmentt osel f .Now t heordi narysel fmayseem mor er eal ,butovert heyear s,t he yi dam wi l ls eem mor er ealt hant heor di nar ys el f .Thi sma ybehe l pf ult oy oui nt he bar do. ( 6)Sel fDuri ngSl eep:At t endt ot hedi ssol ut i onandemer genceofsel fasyou sl eepand awakeordr eam.Whatcont i nues?Whatchanges?I nvest i gat et hi sdi r ect l yf orse ver al days. ( 7)Dr eam Sel f :Consi derhow t hesel fduri ngadr eam i ssi mi l art ot heyi dam sel f pr ac t i c e de ar l i e r .Pr ac t i c edr e am y o g awhe r ey o ut r a v e landt r ans f o r ms e l f . ( 8)Se l fatDe at h:Co ns i de rwhathasc o nt i nue di ny o urs e ns eofs e l fs i nc e( a)be f o r e y ouwer ebor n,( b)si ncey ourwer eani nf ant ,( c)si ncey ourwer eay oungc hi l d,and( d) now.Cont i nuet hi si nvest i gat i onbyconsi deri ngf ut ur esel ves.Whowi l lyoube t omorr ow,t enyear sf r om now,onehundr ed,onet housand,fif t ybi l l i on?What
cont i nues ?Whatchanges ?Under st andandr ec ogni z et hatwhi chcont i nues . ( 9)WhoAm I ? Fi r stconsi dert hi sdi r ect l ybyl ooki ngandanal yzi ngwhatyousee.Ar eyouyour finger nai l s?Ar eyouyourhands?Ar eyouyourheart( whataboutt headve ntofheart sur ger y) ?Ar eyouyourexperi ences ?Ar eyouyourawar eness ? Fr om oneper spect i vet her ei sonl yt hatwhi chsees( Skt .dri sht i )andt hatwhi chi s s e e n.As k‘ Whoam It hats e e sal lt hi s ? ’I thasbe e ns ai d( Pat anj al i ,aut ho ro ft he Yoga Sut r as)t hatt hec aus eofal lmi s e r yi si de nt i fic at i o no ft hee t e r nals e e rwi t ht he t r ans i t o r yse e n.Li be r a t i o n( Skt .kai v al y a)o nl yoc c ur swhe nt hes e e ra bi de si nhi so wn st at e( Skt .svarupe‘ vast hanam) .Consi derbot ht heseerandseenaspect sof experi encef r om t heseper spect i ves. Doesi dent i ficat i onwi t hanypi eceofexperi encei nevi t abl yresul ti nsufferi ng?Why? Consi derev eryt hi ngwhi chari sesasnotbei ngyou.‘ Iam nott hi s’( Skt .anasmi t a) . Whatabouti dent i fic at i onwi t haspect soft henat ur eofmi nd,s uc hast i meands pace oraware ness?Ar et heyyou?Youshoul dconsi dert hi sexhaust i vel y . ( b)Now consi dert hatyouar eeveryt hi ngwhi chari ses.Thi nk," Iam al sot hat "( Skt . asmi t a)t husdevel opi ngani nt i macywhi chembr acesev er yt hi ngandev er yone. ( c )Fi nal l y ,pr a c t i c et heme di t at i o nbyl o oki ngdi r e c t l yats e l fasgui de dbyt heq ue s t i o n ‘ Whoam I ?’Thi smedi t at i onwast aughtbyMi l ar epa.Res ti nt hi snondualawar eness .
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.Ipr act i cedt hebr eat hi ngmedi t at i on( fir stparagr aphunder( 1)f orfiveyears whi l ewor ki ngonunder s t andi ngkunz hi ) .Dur i ngt hi st i me ,dul ls t at eswer el e f t asdul l ,l i g ht e rs t at e sasl i g ht .Onl yl at e rdi daDz o gc he nt e ac he rc l ar i f yt hato ne mus tno tdwe l li nt hedul l ne s sbutr at he rl i g ht e ni tupal i t t l eandt he i mport anceofdi st i ngui shi ngbet weeni gnoranceandawarenessorr i gpa.See ho wi ti sf o ry ou. 2.‘ WhoAm I ?’i st heke ymedi t at i onofRamanaMahar shiwhowasagr eatse l f r e a l i z e dy og i .Ipar t i c i pat e di name di t at i o nr e t r e atwi t hs t ude nt sofhi sbac ki n
1971i nSwi t zer l and.Hi smedi t at i oni sver ysi mi l art oMahamudr aasi ti nvol ves di r ect l yl ooki ngwi t hmi ndats el f .Twochant sdevel opedbyhi sst udent st o r e me mberhi m byar e‘ Ar unuac hal aSi v a’and‘ NamurRamanay a. ’ 3.Consi derPat anj al i ’ st hr eesut r as: Yogai st hece ssat i on( ni r odah)oft hewhi r l pool soft hemi nd( ci t t a) . Att hatt i met hesee r( dr asht ah)abi desi nhi st r uenat ur e( swar upa) . Atot hert i mes,t hese eri dent i fieswi t ht hesee n. Thi si sanel egantandsi mpl ewayofvi e wi ngt hehumanc ondi t i on.
Facets of Being Series
( 7)TheFi veEl ement sandTheFi veFemal eBuddhas Ref ugei sar equi r ementf ort hi spr act i ce. Thefiv easpe ct sorel e me nt sofmi ndar espac e( open,empt y) ,fir e( l umi nous, knowi ng) ,wi nd( unceasi ng,uni mpededpl ay,t i me) ,wat er( cont i nui t y ,flowi ngwi t hout i nt e r r upt i o n) ,and( e ar t h( g r o undo fal l ,g r o undo fal le x pe r i e nc e ,s ams ar aand ni r v a na) .Thefiv ee l e me nt sr e s pe c t i v e l ymani f e s te x t e r nal l yass pac e ,l umi no s i t y , mo t i l i t y ,flui di t yands o l i di t yandi nt hebo dyasc av i t i e s ,r adi anc eandwar mt h,br e at h andener gy ,bl oodandflui ds,andfles handbones . Pr e s e nt l y ,t he s emani f e s ti nani mpur es t at e .I ti sne c e s s ar yt or e al i z et he m asno t s e l f e xi s t e nt ,whi c hi st he i rpur es t at e .I nt hepur es t at e ,t hefiv ee l e me nt sar ecal l e d t hefivef emal eBuddhas. Wear econcei v e dwhe nt her edandwhi t eel ement s( eac hofwhi c hi scomposedoft he fiv ee l e me nt s )o fo urmo t he ra ndf at he r ,r e s pe c t i v e l y ,uni t et o ge t he rwi t ho ur c o ns c i o us ne s s( whi c hi sf r e que nt l yt r e at e dasasi x t he l e me nt ) .Af t e rwear ebo r n,i n dependenceont henour i shmentoft hefiveel ement swegr ow st r ongerunt i lev ent ual l y weweakenanddi e.I ti ss ai dt hataf t erde at hmos tofusbecomeunconsc i ousf ora whi l e .The nt hesefiv eel ement sdawn,i nt ur n,i nt hei rpur ef or m asr adi antl i ght s. Event ual l yt heel ement scombi nei nt ot i gl es ( s ome t hi ngl i kedr o pl e t s )t opr e s e ntt ous ‘ i mpur e’f orms.I nt hi sconf usedst at eourconsci ousnessmayonceagai nbedr awnt o
t heuni onofr edandwhi t eel ement sofanew se tofpar ent s,andonceagai nwet ake bi r t h. Thi sme di t at i oni shel pf ulf orpr epar i ngf orde at h. Af t e rt aki ngr ef ugeande ngender i ngbodhi ci t t a,pl acemi ndont hef ol l owi ng vi sual i z at i onsofs hape sofl i ght .Eac hshapei saboutf ourfinger si nwi dt handonet o t wofinger si ndept h,wi t ht heexcept i onoft hespher eswhi chareperf ect l yround.I n consi deri ngt hesevi sual i zat i ons,donott hi nkonehasabodyort hatonedoesn’ thave o ne .Do n’ tr e g ar dt he s el i g ht sasbe i nge i t he ri nt hebo dyoro ut s i de . Pr oceedt hr ougheachoft hesegr adual l y: ( a)Vi s ual i z eay e l l o ws quar e( 3D asde s c r i be dabo v e )whi c hi st hee s s e nc eofe ar t h. Co nc e nt r at ec l e ar l yandv i v i dl yont hi s .At t e ndo ne po i nt e dl yt ot hes q uar ewi t ho ut f ol l owi nganyt hought swhi chmayar i se.Donotanal yzet hesquare.Justr estmi ndon i t .Af t e rawhi l e ,v i s ual i z et hatt hees s enc eo fe ar t hdi s s ol v e si nt ot hees s e nc eo ft he nextel ement ,wat er . ( b)Vi s ual i z et hee s s enc eofwat e ra sawhi t edi s k.Thi si nt ur ndi s s ol v e si nt ot he essenceoffir e. ( c )Vi s ual i z et hee ss e nc eo ffir easar e dt r i ang l e .Thi si nt ur ndi s s ol v e si nt ot he ess enceofwi nd. ( d)Vi s ual i z et hee s s e nc eofwi ndasag r e e nhal f di s kdi s k( o pe ns i def ac i ngupwar ds ) . Thi si nt ur ndi s sol v esi nt ot hee ssenceofspace . ( e )Vi s ual i z et hee s s enc eofs pac easabl ues phe r e( pe r f e c t l ys ymme t r i c al ) .Thi si n t urndi ssol vesi nt ot heessenceofconsci ousness. ( f )Vi s ual i z et hee s se nc eofc ons c i o us ne s sasac r y s t al c l e ars phe r e .Thi si nt ur n di ssol vesawayl i kearai nbow f adi ngawayi nt oempt i ness. ( g )No wr e s tt hemi ndf o ras ho r twhi l ei nt hi suni t yofe mpt i ne s sandc l ar i t y . Cl osewi t hadedi cat i onofmeri t .
Facets of Being Series
( 8)TheFi veSkandhasandTheFi veMa Mal eBuddhas Ref ugei sar equi r em me entf ort hi spr act i ce. Thefiv eskandhas ( col l ect i onsoraggr egat esorheaps)whi chmakeuphumanbei ngs a r f e or m,s ens at i o n p , er c ept i on,i mpul ses,andconsci ousness .Al lskandhasarewi t hi n mi nd( sem) m)andt oget hert heye ncomp mpasst hef ul lr angeofhumanexperi ence.No exper i encepass esbeyondmi nd. I ti sne c e ss ar yt or e al i z et hefiv es kandhasasno ts e l f e xi s t e nt ,whi c hal l o ws wst he i r pur est at et odawn.Ther eby,f orm andhat r edarepuri fiedi nt ot hemi mi r r or l i kewi wi sdom oft heBuddhaAkshobhya.Sensat i onandarr ogancear epur i fiedi nt ot heal l equal i z i ngwi sdom oft heBuddhaRat nasamb mbhav a.Per ce pt i onanddesi r ear epur i fied i nt ot hedi sce r ni ngwi sdom oft heBuddhaAmi t abha.I mpul sesandj eal ousyar e pur i fiedi nt ot heal l accomp mpl i shi ngwi sdom oft heBuddhaAmoghasi ddhi . Consci ousnessandi gnor ancear epur i fiedi nt ot heal l perv adi ngwi sdom oft he BuddhaVai r ochana.I nt hepur es t at e,t hefiveskandhasar et hefivemal eBuddhas. Themedi t at i oni sv er yhe l pf uli nwor ki ngwi t hsel f i dent i ficat i onandpur i f yi ngsel f at t achment . Af t e rt aki ngr ef ugeande ngender i ngbodhi ci t t a,pl acemi ndont hef ol l owi ng vi sual i z at i onsofs pher esofl i ght .Eac hshapei saboutf ourfinge r si ndi ame t erand pe r f e c t l yr o und.I nc o ns i de r i ngt he s ev i s ual i z a t i o ns ,dono tt hi nko nehasabo dyor t hatonedoesn’ thaveone.Don’ tr egardt heseasbei ngei t heri nt hebodyorout si de. Don’ teve nr egar dt hem asbei ngi nt hemi mi ndorout si det hemi mi nd.I nf act ,t heyeach shoul dnotber egar dedasbei ngseparat ef r om t heessenceofmi ndi t sel f . Pr oceedt hr ougheachoft hesegr adual l y: ( a)Vi sual i zeawhi t espher eoft r anspar entl i ghtwhi chi st heessenceoft heskandha
f orm. m.Consi dert hi sspher et obei nsepar abl ef r om t heessenceofyourmi mi nd.Thi si n t urndi ssol vesi nt ot heessenceoft hesensat i onskandha. ( b)Vi s ual i z et hee s s e nc eofs e ns at i o nasay e l l o ws phe r e .Co ns i de rt hi ss phe r et obe i nseparabl ef r om t heessenceofyourmi nd.Thi si nt urndi ssol vesi nt ot heessenceof per ce pt i onskandha. ( c )Vi s ual i z et hee s s e nc eofpe r c e pt i o n asar e ds phe r e .Co ns i de rt hi ss phe r et obe i nseparabl ef r om t heessenceofyourmi nd.Thi si nt urndi ssol vesi nt ot heessenceof i mpul se ss kandha. ( d)Vi sual i zet heessenceofi mpul sesasagr eenspher e.Consi dert hi sspher et obe i nseparabl ef r om t heessenceofyourmi nd.Thi si nt urndi ssol vesi nt ot heessenceof consci ousness . ( e)Vi sual i zet heessenceofconsci ousnessasabl uespher e.Consi dert hi sspher et obe i nseparabl ef r om t heessenceofyourmi nd.Thi si nt urndi ssol vesi nt ot heessenceof mi nd. ( f )Vi s ual i z et hee s s e nc eofmi ndasac r y s t al c l e ars phe r e .Co ns i de rt hi ss phe r et obe i nsepar abl ef r om t heessenceofyourmi nd.Restyourmi ndont hi sspher et ot al l y . ( g)Now expandt hespher et oencomp mpassal lofspace,ev eryt hi ng. ( h)Re s tt hemi mi ndf o ras ho r twhi l ei nt hi suni t yofe mp mpt i ne s sandc l ar i t y . Cl osewi t hadedi cat i onofmeri t .
Ques t i ons/Comm mment s 1.A .Abr eakdownoft hes kandhasf ol l ows: •
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Fo r m -Caus al :e ar t h,wat e r ,fir e ,andwi nd.Re s ul t ant :e y e ,e ar ,no s e,t o ng ue , body ,si ght s,s ounds ,s me l l s,t as t es,andf e el i ngs.Al sosubat omi c,i magi ned, vi s i bl et omedi t at i on,v ows. Se ns at i o n -Pl e as ur a bl e ,pai nf ul ,o rne ut r a l .
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Pe r c e p t i o n–I de nt i fic at i o nanddi ffe r e nt i at i o n. I mpul ses( sams mskar a)–Fi f t yoneme ment alevent si ncl udi ngvi rt uous,non vi r t uous ,v ar i abl eandnei t her . Consci ousness( vi j nanaornammshe)–ey e,ear ,nose,t ongue,body ,mi nd, affli ffli ct edmi mi nd,gr ound.
"? Si mi l ar l y ,t hef ourkayas( bodi es)emb mbodyt hef ul lr angeofenl i ght enedhuman e x i s t e nc e .Thedhar makaya i st hemi mi ndasi ti s ,t heSamb mbho gakaya i sr el at e dt o
t hought sandt hecl ari t yofmi ndwhi chdonotpassbey ondmi ndasi ti s,and t heNi r manakaya i sr el at edt oappear ancesofmi ndwi t hi nmi ndasi ti s.The Svabhavakakaya i st henat ur albo dyi nwhi c hal lt hr e eoft he s ear eg i v e nas one.
Facets of Being Series
( 9)Dr eam Yoga Whenunde r t aki ngmedi t at i on,i nde pendenc eont hei rpr edi sposi t i ons ,s omepeopl e e x pe r i e nc e‘ a wa wakedr e ami ng ’s t at e s .The s ec anbehe l pf ulf o rr e al i z i ngt henat ur eof sel fandmi ndandpr act i ceoft hi sshoul dbecul t i vat ed. Medi t at ei nar el axedmannerwi t hawarenessandcl ari t yf oratl eastt went ymi mi nut es be f or egoi ngt obed. 1.Rel axasyou l aydownt ogot osl eep.Remi mi ndyour sel ft hatyouaregoi ngt ot ry t or e c o g ni z ey o urdr e ams .No wv i s ual i z eas of twhi t el o t usa tt hehe ar tc e nt e r wi t hf ourpe t al s.Eac hpe t alhasoneoft hes eeds yl l abl esAH,NU,TAandRA abo vei t( Ti be t an,i fy oupr e f e r ,ort heEng l i s hr e ndi t i oni sfine ) .Att hece nt e rof t hel o t usi st hes e e ds y l l abl eHU HUM.Vi s ual i z et he s eal s oaswhi t ei nc o l o r .Re s t y ourmi ndsi mpl yont hi s.Al l ow t hi si maget obesel f i l l umi nat i ng.I magi net hat i tl i ght supt her oom andyourmi nd,l i keaf ul lmoononacl earni ght .Now as y oupr ogr e ssi v el yf al lasl eeps hi f ty ourat t e nt i on,f r om t heAH t ot heNU,t hent o t heTA,t hent ot heRA,andt hent ot heHUM.Whenyo ur eac ht heHUM,y ou s ho ul dal mo s tbef ul l yas l e e p.Ev e nt ual l y ,y o u ma ybe g i nt or e a l i z e ,i nt hemi mi ds t ofadr eam t hatyouar edr eami mi ng. I ft hi sdoe s n’ thappe n,t r yt hr e et hi ng s:
a.I nc r e as ey o urde t e r mi nat i o n.Al mo s ts e l f hy pno t i c al l y ,r e mi ndy o ur s e l f t haty o ui nt e ndt odot hi s . b.Makesomet i mef orar e t r eatf ory our sel f .Pr act i cemedi t at i onasmuc has y oucan,ofcour seal l owi ngf orper i odsofr e s tandpr act i c i ngapur i f yi ng br e at hi nge xe r ci se.Seewhe t he rt hemedi t at i onbecomessohabi t ual ,t hat i tc ont i nue soni t so wn.I fi tdo es ,f r om t i met ot i mei twi l lc ont i nuee v e n af t e ryouf al las l e ep. c.Eveni nyourwaki ngst at e,r emi ndyour sel ft hatev eryt hi ngi sadr eam. Maket hi sahabi t .I fyouhavedr eamswi t hr ecur r i ngi mages,t r ai n y our sel fatt hi nki ngabout‘ Thi si sal ladr eam’whene nc ount e r i ngt he i magecausi ngyout o‘ wakeupsl i ght l y . ’ I fy ouf ai li nr e c og ni z i ngt hi saf t e rpe r s i s t e nte ffo r t ,t akeabr e akand r esumewi t hi tagai naf t erayearort wo.Fors ome,t hi sdoesnothappen wi t houtcont i nuedper s i s t ence.Forot her s,i tar i s eseffor t l e ssl y .I ti snota si gnofwi sdom,butj ustamat t eroft hechannel si none’ sbody . 1.Whenyoubecomea war ewi t hi nadr eam,se v er aldi ffer entt hi ngsmayhappen: a.Youmayhaveas l i ght l yawakeexper i encewher ey ouki ndofknow youar e dr e ami ng ,butr e al l yha v e n’ tr e al i z e dt hes i g ni fic anc eo ft hi s .Co nt i nue wi t heffor t st odee peny ourawakeni ngwi t hi nt hedr eam r eal m. b.Youmaybecomef ul l ycons ci ousi ny oursl eep,i nabodi l esss t at e.Thi si s aver yener get i cexper i enceandt hedream r eal m eve nvani shesi n compari sont ot hebl azeoft hi sr aw consci ousener gy.Normal l yonewi l l exper i encef eart hatonehasdi edandbet er r i fiedbyt her aw andvi vi d qual i t yoft heener gyassoci at edwi t ht hi s.Rel ax.Whent hi soccur syou ma yf e e lasi fe v e r y t hi ngi sc ompl e t e l youto fc ont r o l .I nt hi sc as e ,s i mpl y r et ur nt ot hewaki ngwor l dbyyoursheerdet er mi nat i on.Thi smaysee m t ot akeeonst oaccompl i sh,butwi l lhappenr eadi l y .Thenr el ax. c.Youmayr ec ogni z eyourdre am s t at eandbecomef ul l yawakei ni t ,but findt hatt heexci t ementcausesyou t owakeupt ot al l y .I nt hi scase,r el ax abi tmor eassoonasyoubec omeawar ewi t hi nyourdr eam.Don’ tge tt oo e xc i t e dabouti t . d.Wi t hc o nt i nue dpr ac t i c e ,e v e nt ual l yy ouwi l lbeabl et os t abi l i z ey o ur awakeawar enes si nt hedr eam r eal m.Whenyouar eabl et oaccompl i sh t hi s ,t r yt hef ol l ow:
1.Tryt ot r avelt hr ought hedr eam r eal mf r eel y .Experi mentwi t ht r avel i ng t hr oughwal l sandflyi ng.Not i cehow youcont r olt hel awsoft hedr eam r e al i t y .Y ouc anmakeawal lf e e lass o l i dasc o nc r e t eande x pe r i e nc et he t ext ur esofi tasyousl i deyourdr eam finger soveri toryoucanmake t hem ast r anspar entasspace . 2.You maysomet i mesfindyouarei nanal most‘ ast r alpr oj ect i ont ype’of r eal m,float i ngar oundi nadr eam body .Thi sst at e,al t houghf ul l yawake, doe sno tc ar r yt hecl ar i t y( e . g.f ul lc ol or )oft hepr e v i ouss t at ewi t hi t .The shapeofappear ance sandbei ngencount er edi ni tmayormaynot corr espondt ot hephysi calwor l d.Peopl ewhohaveencount er edt hi sover t heye ars( suchasS.Mul doon,H.Carr i ngt onandMoor e)havec onsi der ed i tt obeani nde pe nde ntr e al m.I nanyc as e ,i ti sj us tano t he rr e al m cr eat edi ndependenceont hemi nd. 3.Exper i menti nmeet i ngdi ffer entpeopl eandi nt r ansf ormi ngyour sel fi nt o ayi dam orl i ghtorot herf orms. 4.Takeupmedi t at i ondi r ect l yi nyourdr eam.I nt hi scasey oumayfindt hat y oue xpe r i encet hebodi l essener gys t at ement i onedear l i e r .Rel axi nt hi s experi enceasl ongasi tl ast s.Seehow new r eal msunf ol dwi t hi nt he cl ari t yandl umi nosi t yofyourmi nd. 5.Whenyouhavemast er edspace,awar enessandsel f i dent i t y ,experi ment wi t ht i met r av eli nt hedr eam r eal m.Whathappens?Whatme ani ngdoes t i met r avelhavei nadr eam r eal m? Wheny ouawakent ot he‘ r e alwor l d, ’consi dercar e f ul l yt hesi mi l ar i t i esbe t we ent he ‘ dr e am r e al i t i e s ’andt he‘ r e al i t i e s ’o ft hec o mmo na wakewo r l d.Co ns i de rt hepo we ro f y ourmi ndt oshapet hes er eal i t i esandr e al i z ef r eedom wi t hi nt he i rmi ds t .Lear nt o di scovert hecompl et ef r eedom oft hedr eam st at ei nyourwaki ngst at e.Consi dert hi s f r eedom ast henat ur alexpr essi onofmi ndandnotsomet hi ngwhi chasel fachi eves . Re al i z et hatt hes t abi l i t yo ft heda yt i mewo r l di sj us tani l l us i on,al t ho ug hatt hi st i me , i ts e e msmo r es t abl et hant hedr e am wo r l d.I ti st hev e r yi l l us i o no fs t abi l i t ywhi c h makespr act i ceofameani ngf ulpat hl i keMahamudr apossi bl eandi savi t alaspectof t hepr eci oushumanbi r t h. Fi nal l y ,r e t ur nt oj us tr e c og ni z i ngy ournat ur a ls t at ei nal lofl i f e ’ sc ondi t i ons ,whe t he r awake,dr eami ng,orsl eepi ng,heal t hyorsubj ectt ot r auma.
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.Agenui neexper i enceofabodi l ess,dr eam consci ousnessorener gyst at e usual l ygener at essever ef ear .Onef eel sonehasdi ed,andt hatonecannotget bac kt ot hebody .Some t i me sonemayf ee lasi fanuc l earbombhasgoneoff, t hi sdawni ngcanbesoi nt ense.Thi swi l lshakeoneupf oraf ew moment s,and y e tcar r yapr of oundsenseofj us thavi ngcont ac t edsomedeepaspectofone’ s bei ng.Wi t ht i me,t hi swi l lce aseandonewi l ll ear nt or el axi nwhat e v erar i ses . 2.I twasanear l ygoalofmi net oest abl i shcor r espondencebet weendr eam or ast r alworl dexperi encesandt hephysi calworl d.However ,Icoul dnever est abl i sht hi si nadefini t i veway.Ther ei smuchr oom f orr esearchher e.My or i g i nalmo t i v at i onf ordo i ngt hi swaspur e l ys c i e nt i fic .It ho ug htt hati fIc oul d est abl i shanawakedr eam exper i encewhi chhadal egi t i mat er el at i onshi pt ot he phy s i c alwor l d,Ic oul dus ei tno to nl yt ot r a v elwi t houtanyl i mi t at i oni ns pac e butt hr ought i measwe l l( anar eaoff asci nat i onf ormesi nceIwasal i t t l eki d andwhi chcause dmet ost udyphys i cs ) . 3.Myexperi mentwi t ht i met r avelr esul t edi never yt hi ngdi ssol vi ngi nt osheer , vi br antopenness.Thesheerabsur di t yofmovi ngt hr ought i mei nadr e am r eal m c o nf r o nt so nedi r e c t l y ,s i nc et he r ei snopas tno rf ut ur ei nadr e am r e al mt o pr o c ee dt o .Al li s‘ mi ndmade . ’ 4.Uset hesepract i cest oenhanceyourawarenessofcer t ai nt y . 5.Atsomepoi nt ,t heexperi enceofdr eamsmayceaseent i r el y .Donotbeal armed. Ther ei sas t ageofpur i ficat i onofdr eamswhe r et her ear ef e w kl e shass t r ong enought ol eavei mpr i nt si none’ sconsci ousnesswhi chcarr yoveri nt ot heday .
Facets of Being Series
( 10)Wr at hf ulMeans Fr om t i met ot i me,whenal lt heot hermet hodshavef ai l edut i l i zewr at hf ulmeans: ( 1)PHAT:Whenyouar esi t t i ngandsubt l et hought sar ecausi ngyout obecome di s t r ac t e do rr e s i dualf e e l i ng sar el i ng e r i ngandmai nt ai ni ngag r i po ny o u,f r o ma cl earandcal m st at e,suddenl yandvi gor ousl yshoutoutl oudPHAT( pr onouncedPE o rPHET) .The nr e l axr i g htwhe r ey o uar e .Se t t l ei nt hats t at e .Thi ss t at ebe y o nd
t hought si st hedharmakayaort hewaymi ndi s.Howeve r ,i ti snotj ustassoci at ed wi t ht hemomentofs t i l l nesswhennot hought sar i s ebutc ont i nue sr i ghti nt hemi ds t oft hemot i onoft het hought s. ( 2)AH Wi t hHeadRot at i ons:Si mi l ar l y ,r el axandt hensl owl ydr aw aci r cl ewi t hyour chi nasyour ot at eyourheadi nacl ockwi sedi r ect i onandchantAH l oudl yand cont i nuousl y .Thenr ever sedi r ect i onsandcont i nuewi t ht hepr act i ce.Donotdot hi si f y ouhav ehadane c ki nj ur y. ( 3)Cl apYourHands:Fi nal l y ,f r om t i met ot i mecl apyourhandst oget her .Thi si ssai d t o‘ scareawayt hedemons. ’I nt hi scase,t hedemonsar eonesofl azi nessor nerv ousnessordepr essi onoranxi et y .
Ques t i ons/Comment s 1.Ther ear ef ourdi ffer entmeansut i l i zedi nt heKagyul i neage:peacef ul ,powerf ul , i nt ensi f yi ngpowerf ul ,andwr at hf ul .I ngoverni ngacount ry ,peacef ulmeansar e depl oye dasmuchaspossi bl e( e. g.l aw andor der ) ,butsomet i mesmor epower f ul meanshavet obeappl i edandi nt ensi fied( pol i cepr esence) .I next r emecases wr at hf ulme ans( pol i c eact i on)hav et obeut i l i z edt obr i ngt hi ngsunderc ont r ol . Si mi l ar l y ,weshoul dbeflexi bl ewi t hr espectt oappl yi ngmeanst ocont r olour mi ndandhel pi ngourf r i endsont hepat h. l de nL e t t e r s f orawonderf uldi scussi onoft heappl i cat i onoft hePHAT "? SeeTheGo pr act i ceaccordi ngt oDzogchen.H.H.Dudj om Ri npochegi vesabeaut i f ulbr i ef comment aryont het hr eest at ementofGarabDorj ei nt hi st ext( t r ansl at edby JohnMyr dhi nRe ynol ds)whi c har epar aphr ase di nt hef ol l owi ng:
Recogni zeyourownnat ur edi r ectl y. Thi si st hef r e sh( soma)i mmedi at eawar enes sof t hi sv er ymoment .
Defini t i vel yr esol vet hi sonest ate. Al li st heunobs t r uct eddi spl ay( t sal )of awar e ne ss( r i g pa)i t s el f .
Cont i nuewi t hconfidencei nl i berat i on. I nr e c og ni z i ngt henat ur eo fal l ,e v e r yt hi ngi s se l f l i ber at ed. Al lofDz ogc he nandMahamudr aar econt ai nedi nt he ses t at ement s.Pl e as econsul t Reynol d’ sbook. Si ngt he‘ Songoft heVaj r a’( emahki r i ki ri …. r arar a)ort hevaj r agur umant r a( OM AH HUNG VAJRAGURU PEMASI DHHIHUNG)asmuchasy oucant omai nt ai nt hi s e xpe r i e nc eandi nt e gr at ei ti nt oal lofy ourl i f e . I fyouaredr awnt oDzoghcent eachi ngs,af t erobt ai ni ngt hepoi nt i ng–outofa Dz o gc he nmas t e r ,c ons ul tt he‘ r e s t r i c t e dt e xt s ’So ngo ft heVaj r a ( NamkhaiNor bu)and TheCi r c l eo ft heSun ( Tsl eNat sokRangdr ol ,t r ansl at edbyt heLot sawaEr i kPema Schmi dt ,Rangj ungYeshePubl i cat i ons)whi chpr ovi depi t hyyetmeani ngf ul summari esoft hepat hofDzogchen.Thel at t erwor kal socorr ect smi st aken as s umpt i o nsabo utt hegr ound,s uc hast hebe l i e ft hat" i ti smul t i f ac e t e d’ ,i . e .t het i t l e o ft hi sme di t at i o ns e r i e s .Thi si sonl yapar t i alunde r s t andi ngoft heg r o und. Chagc hen andDzo gc hen ar esomet i mesc al l edt het woey esbywhi choneknows r eal i t y .Mi l ar es pahasbee nquot edassayi ngt hatt hr oughMahamudr ahecamet o Dz ogc hen.
Facets of Being Series
( 11)TheGui di ngBody Pr act i t i oner sshoul dexpl or ef ormsofmovementwi t hawarenesss uchasTaiChi , wal ki ngme di t at i on( ki nhi n) ,Yoga,orKumNy e( i nc l udemas sage) .Thesehel pt o enhanceone’ spr act i ceandensur et hati tmovesoutoft hei nt el l ect ualr eal mt oan ac t ual i z e done . I nt egr at epr esenceofawarenesswi t hener gy ,movement ,andor der .
Wi t houtc l i ngi ngt os t i l l ness,l e tt hepl ayofawar ene ssunf ol di nact i on.
Facets of Being Series
( 12)I nAct i on Desi gnaspect sofyourdai l yl i f et osupportmi ndf ul ness,whet hermai nt ai ni ngasmal l shri ne,orweari nganeckl ace,orbui l di ngacurv edpat ht ot hef r ontdoori nst eadofa s t r a i g htone . Pr act i cel ovi ngki ndnesswhenyoucan.Don’ tf orceyourhel ponot her s.Thi sj ust do es n’ two r kandi sus ual l yar e s ul tofe goac t i v i t yi ns t e ado fl o vi ng ki ndne s s .Pr a c t i c e t hes i xpar ami t asofg e ne r o s i t y( t hi ng s ,f e ar l e s s ne s s ,dhar ma) ,mo r a l i t y( t aki ngup posi t i ve,abandoni ngnegat i veact i onsofbodyspeech,andmi nd) ,pat i ence( r emai ni ng f r e ef r o m ag i t at i on) ,j o yf ule ffor t( o ve r c omi ngl az i ne ss ,i nc l udi ngt hel az i ne ssof busi ness) ,medi t at i on,andwi s dom. Ar e centWes t er nTi be t anNunwhowast r av e l i ngi nt heU. S.af t ermanyy ear si nI ndi a s ai d, " I ti sr emarkabl ehow obsessedpeopl ei nt heWestareaboutmedi t at i onpr act i ce. Act ual l y ,dhar mai smai nl yc once r nedwi t hwor ki ngwi t hourdai l yl i f e .Medi t at i oni s onl yonepar tofi t . " Thesewor dsde mo ns t r at ehe rgenui ner eal i z at i onandar epar t i cul ar l yr el e v antt ot he concl usi onofamedi t at i onmanualwhi chf ocusesonmedi t at i on.Thei mport anceof t hes ewor dscannotbeove r emphasi z ed. Fi nal l y ,‘ Takeupvi rt uousact i ons,abandonnonvi rt ue,andt r ai nt hemi nd. ’ Of t eni tseemst hatmi ndf ul nessnat ur al l yi mbuedwi t hcari ngi st hebestpr act i ce. Tr e as ur ei ti ny ourdai l yl i f eandi twi l lt akecar eofy ou. Letussharei nt heaspi r at i onoft heThi r dKarmapa( t r ansl at i onperKenMcLeod)and t he r e byr e al i z et heme ani ngofourl i f e : ‘ Ma yIr e al i z et het r ut ho fpur ebe i ng ,c ompl e t es i mpl i c i t y . ’
Appendix A - An Introduction to 'uddhis!
Appendix A An !ntroduction to Buddhism
TheLi f eoft heBuddha Hi st ori cal l yspeaki ng,Buddhi sm begandur i ngt hesi xt hcent ur yBC wi t ht he enl i ght enmentofGaut amaBuddha,t hesonoft herul eroft heki ngdom ofShakyasi n whatt odayi sknownasNepal .Buddha i saSanskr i twor dwhi c hmeans" awakened one . "Buddha' s per sonalnamewasSi ddhar t ha.Hemarr i edatt heageofsi xt eenand ev ent ual l yhadasonnamedRahul a.I twass ai dhel e adav e r ypr i v i l e g e dand pr ot ect edl i f e.Whenher eachedt heageoft went yni ne,f ort hefir stt i mehecamef acet of acewi t ht hesufferi ngofhi speopl e,wi t nessi nghow t heyst ruggl edwi t hagi ng, di sease,anddeath.Hewasdeepl yt r oubl edbyt hi sexperi ence.Real i zi ngt hatevenhi s weal t hwoul dnotpr ot ec thi m orhi spe opl ef r om t her av agesofi l l ne ss,ol dage,and deat h,hedeci dedt ofindaspi ri t ualsol ut i on.Hel ef thi swi f e,sonandhomeand embarkedonaspi ri t ualexpl orat i on. Si nceBuddhadi dnotfindhappi nesst hr oughapri vi l egedl i f e,hedeci dedt ot ryt he
o t he re x t r e me :as c e t i c i s m,apr ac t i c ewhi c hwaspo pul ari nI ndi at he nandi ss t i l l pr act i cedt oday .Hesubsequent l ydet er mi nedt hathappi nessdi dnotcomef r om as c e t i c i s me i t he r .Al li nal l ,hes pe nts i xy ear ss t udy i ngwi t hdi ffe r e ntt e ac he r sand doi ngdi ffer entpr act i ces,i ncl udi ngsomeveryri gorousandaust er epr act i ces.Then, oneeveni ng,whi l espendi ngt heni ghtmedi t at i ngbeneat haBodhit r ee,heat t ai ned enl i ght enment . Buddhagavet hefir stt eachi ngsonhi senl i ght enmentatSarnat hi nNor t her nI ndi a ands pe ntt her e s tofhi sl i f e ,unt i lt heag eof80,t e ac hi ngabo uti tand" t het r ut h"as hehadcomet oknow i t .Af t erhi sdeat h,hi st eachi ngswer eorg ani zedi nt ot het hr ee t ur ni ngsoft hewheelofdharma.Evenwi t hhi sl astbr eat hsheaskedst udent st oask hi m ques t i onsabouthi st eachi ngsandexpre ssanydoubt st heymi ghtbehar bori ng sot hathecoul dt ryt ocl ari f yt hi ngsandbeofhel p.ThesedaysBuddhi sm hassi zabl e f ol l owi ngsi nsever alcount ri esi ncl udi ngSriLanka,Bhut an,Burma,Thai l and, Cambodi a,Vi et nam,Chi na,Japan,Mongol i a,Ti bet ,Kor ea,I ndi a,Paki st an,and Nepal .
TheFourNobl eTr ut hs Thefir s twhee lorse toft eac hi ngsgi v enbyt heBuddhai ncl udedt hef ournobl et r ut hs. Thesear esummar i z edi nt hef ol l owi ng:
r ut h ofsuffer i ng 1? Thet -Weneedt ounder st andhow suffer i ngi spr ev al enti n t hehuman condi t i on.Notonl yi si tpr esenti nobvi ouswaysvi at heoccurr ence ofi l l nessanddeath,i ti sal sopr esentmoresubt l yi nwhati scommonl y desi gnat edt obe" happi ness. "Fore xampl e,eve nweal t hyandheal t hypeopl e hav ebeenknownt obesounhappyast oputanendt ot hei rl i v es .Nosoonerdo weac hi e v ewhatwehav el ongedf orwhenwedi scov ert hatourhappi nessi snot guarant eedandi ssubj ectt ochange. r ut h ofcauseofsuffer i ng "? Thet -Oursuffer i ngi snotduet osomeext er nal c aus e ,s uc hasag odo ras our c eout s i deofo urc o nt r o l ;i to r i g i nat e si n our sel vesandi sapr oductofwhatwehavedone.I tbegi nswi t houri gnorance ofwhoandwhatwear eandi sper pet uat edbyact i onst akenbase dupont hes e mi s t ake nbe l i e f s .Bas e do ni g no r a nc e ,wegi v er i s et omi s t ake nno t i o nsof" s e l f " , ofexi st enceandnonexi st ence.Andf r om t hi swebecomesubj ectt oendl ess at t ac hme nt ,c r a v i ng ,andr e s t l e s s ne s s .Fi nal l y ,awe bo fc o nf us i o ne x pr e s s e s
i t sel fnotonl yi nourbewi l dermentbutal soi nouract i onsandcondi t i on.Sot he causesofoursuffer i ngaresai dt obeourment aldefil ement s( suchas i gnorance,gre ed,hat r ed)andt hecour sesofact i onwhi chperpet uat et hose. Andbycommi t t i ngnonvi r t uousac t i onsofbody( har mi ngot her s ,se xual mi s c onduc t ,s t e al i ng ) ,s pe e c h( l y i ng ,s l ande r ,c oar s e ag gr e s s i v e ,andus e l e s s speech) ,andmi nd( hat r ed,cove t ous,ori gnorantmi nds)wer emai nt r appedi n t hec y c l eo fs uffe r i ng . r ut h ofcessat i onofsuffer i ng $? Thet -Thegoodnewsi st hatwear et heones whohav econt r olov eroursuffer i ngsi nc eweal onear er espons i bl ef ori t s causes .Bygi vi ngupt hecauses ,wecanbecomecompl et el yf r eef r om suffer i ng. Fi r s to fal l ,o nav e r ypr ac t i c all e v e lwec anpr ac t i c ev i r t ueandabando nno n vi r t uousac t i onssi nc et hesedi r ect l yr e sul ti nhappi nessandunhappi ness, r espect i vel y .Forexampl e,bypr act i ci ngki ndnessandceasi ngf r om harmi ng o t he r s ,weo bv i o us l ywi l le xpe r i e nc ev e r ypos i t i v er e s ul t s .Se c ondl y ,weha v et o dealwi t ht her ootcauseofoursuffer i ng,ouri gnor ance.Thr oughr eflect i onand medi t at i onweexpl or e" whowear e"andi ndoi ngsodi sc ove rt hatourcommon unde r s t andi ngofs e l fi squi t emi s t ake n;whatwer e g ar dt obe" s e l f "i si nf ac t j us tami s t ake nper cept i onori l l usi on.Whenwei nv es t i gat ei ta" s el f "cannotbe f o undt oe xi s t .Andi ti spr e c i s e l ybe c aus eas e l fdo e sno te x i s tass uc ht hatwe havet hebasi sf orcompl et ef r eedom f r om suffer i ngandt heel i mi nat i onof ment aldefil ement s. r ut h ofpat h -Tohel pusf r eeupt hi sdeepr oot edmi st akensenseof '? Thet i de nt i t y ,Buddhaadv o c at e dane i g ht f o l dpat hc o ns i s t i ngofRi g ht Under st andi ng,Ri ghtThought ,Ri ghtSpeech,Ri ghtAct i on,Ri ghtLi vel i hood, Ri g htEffo r t ,Ri g htMi ndf ul ne s s ,andRi g htMe di t at i o n.The s ear et r adi t i o nal l y groupedi nt ot hr eear eas:( 1)et hi calconduct( encompassi ngspeech,act i on, l i v e l i hood) ,( 2)me nt aldi s ci pl i ne( e ffor t ,mi ndf ul ne s s,me di t at i on) ,and( 3) wi sdom ( t houghtandunder s t andi ng) .Buddhi sm i st heuni onofcompassi on andwi sdom,t hewi shf oral lbei ngst obef r eef r om sufferi ngi nal ast i ngway, andt heawar enessofhow t oaccompl i sht hi s.
TheMeani ngof" NoSel f " I nt hesecondsetorwheeloft eachi ngs,Buddhaemphasi ze dempt i nessof" sel f "or per sonsandphenomena.Per hapst hemos tdi fficul tconceptt ocomet ot er mswi t hi n Buddhi sm andt hemostr evol ut i onaryi deaf orwar dedbyi t ,i st heoneof" nosel f "or " no s o ul " A ( nat man i nSanskri t ) .Thi swasani deawhi chwasi ndi r ectopposi t i ont o
t hei de ao fape r mane nte v e r l as t i ngs e l f A (t man)advocat edbyt heHi ndusofhi st i me andbasedont heBuddha' sdi r ectexperi ence. Twot r adi t i onalar gument st ocl ar i f yt heme ani ngoft hi sf ol l ow: •
•
I fonehol dst wost i cksi none' shands,andonest i cki sl ongert hant heot her ,we maycal lonest i ck" l ong"andt heot her" short " .However ,assoonaswebri nga t hi r ds t i c ki nt ot hepi c t ur e ,l e t ' ssa yamuc hl ong e rone ,t he" l o ng "s t i c k bec omes" mi ddl es i z ed. "Thenot i on" l ong"doesnotappl y .Thepoi nti s at t r i but e ss uc has" l ong "and" s ho r t "ar eno ti nt r i ns i ct ot hi ng sbutj us ta pr o j e ct i onofourmi nds .Si mi l ar l y ," e xi s t i ng" ," none xi s t i ng " ," s el f " ," wor l d"and " o t he r s "ar ej us tpr o j e ct i onsofmi ndandno ti nt r i ns i cr e al i t i e s . I foneconsi der samor emat er i alt hi ng,suchasacompl et el ywoodenwagon. I ni t i al l yal lonehasi ssomewood,someofwhi chi scutupi nt owheel s,ot her part sofwhi chi scuti nt oabase,andanaxl e,andul t i mat el ywhenal lt hi s " wood"i sassembl edi tbecomesa" wagon" .Real l ynot hi nghaschanged,wehave notcr eat edanyt hi ngf undament al l ynew f r om t hewood.Wej usthavea col l ect i onofwood;butt oget heri tmakesa" wagon. "Sowesayt hatt he" wagon" r eal l yhasnoexi st enceot hert han ani mput edone.
Thesear gument sar emeantt ocl ar i f yt hatourcommonnot i onof" se l f "maybe compl et el ymi st aken.I nt heaboveexampl e," l ong"and" wagon"donotexi stassuch. Si mi l ar l y ,whatwehavecomet oregar das" sel f "andevent sassoci at edwi t hi tsuchas bi r t h,gr owt h,e xi s t e nce,de t e r i or at i on,anddeat hmaybec ompl e t e l ymi s t aken. I nt e r e s t i ng l y ,Buddhi s t sdono tr e g ar dc l i ng i ngt ot hec onc e pto f" nos e l f "asc or r e c t e i t he r .Thi si sr e gar de dasext r e me l yne g at i v eorni hi l i s t i c .Ther e al i t y(dhar mai n Sanskr i t )ofourbei ngi sbeyonddi sput eandbeyondourcharact er i zat i onsand c o nc e pt s .Thi s" nos e l f "i sno tac ompl e t eempt i ne s sl i keane mpt y ,de s ol at espac e .I ti s j us taswr ongt ohol dt hebe l i e ft hat" Ihav enosel f "asi ti st ohol dt hebel i efi n" Ihav e as e l f " .Byunde r s t andi ngours i t uat i o n andbe i ngco r r e c t l y ,andno ts ubj e c t i ngi tt o t heext r emevi ewsof" per manence"vs." i mper manence"or" exi st ence"vs." nonexi st ence" ,wearr i veatt r uepeaceandt hecessat i onofouri gnorance.
ThePr i mor di alBuddhaandaLast i ngLi ber at i on
Be s i de st heus ualf anf ar eofs pi r i t ualat t r i but e sas c r i be dt ot hehi s t o r i c alBuddha ( whonev ercl ai medt obeanyt hi ngbutaman) ,t het r uenat ur eofmanhascomet obe cal l ed" BuddhaNat ur e"or" Pr i mor di alBuddha"bysomeBuddhi st s.Thi sdesi gnat i on, i nmanyr espect s,i smor ei nl i newi t ht het eachi ngsofBuddhai nt hather egar ded t hat( 1)hi st eachi ngspoi nt edt ot hef undament al ,t ruehumancondi t i onand( 2)t hi s nat ur eorr eal i t ywasnotsubj ectt ot hepl ayofspaceandt i meandt husexi st s pr i mor di al l y . Howev er ,abasi cpr emi seofBuddhi sm i st hatwhi chi sborndi es.Sohow doesone achi evef r eedom f r om suffer i ngi nal ast i ngway? Theansweri sper hapsbe s tpr es ent edi nBuddha’ st hi r dse torwheeloft eac hi ngs.I n t hi sheemphasi ze dt hatf r eedom i sourt r ueandf undament alnat ur e,andt hat i g no r a nc eandbo ndag ear ei nc i de nt als t ai nswi t hr e s pe c tt ot hi snat ur e .I nf ac t , wi sdom andcompassi ont ur noutt obei nt r i nsi cqual i t i esofwhoandwhatwear e. Thi swi sdom c anf ur t herbede scr i be dasa" wi s dom whi c hknowsi t se l f "whi c hhas be enact i v epr i mor di al l y .I nTi be t anBuddhi s m at er mf ort hi se xi s t swhi c hmaybe t r ansl at edasa" sel f awar epri mordi alwi sdom"(r angr i gye s he i nTi be t an) .Ev e r y t hi ng wee xper i encei samani f es t at i onordi spl ayoft hi sbutsi ncewedonotr ecogni z ei tas s uc handi ns t e adf abr i c at ef al s ei de nt i t i e sandr e al i t i e s ,wesuffe r . I ti spoi nt edoutt hatatt hi sverymomentwear ebot hempt yofsel f ,l i ket heopensky , andsel f aware,l i ket hesel f l umi noussun.Thi suni onofopennessandawarenesshas al waysbeeni nevi denceandwi l lal wayscont i nuet obeso.Thusi tserve sasabasi s f orbot h" pri mordi albuddhahood"andal ast i ngl i ber at i onwhi chmayber eal i zed,an " achi evedbuddahood"sot ospeak,r esul t i ngf r om t hecessat i onofi gnoranceandt he ment aldefil ement s.Thi st eachi ngi satt hecor eoft het eachi ngsofMahamudr a. Ul t i mat el y ,t heBuddhi stpat hserv esast hebasi sf orr ecogni zi ngandr et urni ngt ot he " t r uenat ur e "whi c hi spr e s e nti ne v e r ys e nt i e ntbe i ng .Andi ti st hr o ug ht hi se nde a v or , bys t r i vi ngf ort hebenefitofs el fandot he r s,t hatt heBuddhi s tcomest oappr eci at e andr eal i zet hesi gni ficanceofhumanl i f e.Fi nal l y ,t heengender edconfidencecomest o pe r me at et hel i f eoft heBuddhi s tc o mpl e t e l y-no t hi ngi sl e f to ut-andt heBuddhi s t wor kst ocont i nuewi t ht heBuddhi s twayunt i lt hee ndoft hecy cl eofsuffer i ng ( Samsar a i nSans kr i t )i sr e ac he df ora l lbe i ng s.
ThePr act i ceofMedi t at i on Oneoft heot hermai nt hr ust sofBuddhi sm i se mphasi sonment aldi sci pl i neandt he useofmedi t at i onasameansofachi evi ngsel f cont r olandsel f under st andi ng. Wher easi ti sac knowl edge dt hatphysi calsuffer i ngcant akepl ace ,i tpoi nt soutt hat ment alsuffer i ngcanbeofmuchgr eat ersi gni ficancet hanphysi calsuffer i ng.For exampl e,aper sonwhohasment alpeacecanhandl eani l l nes sanddeat hwi t h equani mi t y;wher easaper sonwhoi ssubj ectt oment alangui sh,per hapst hr ough be i ngt hr eat e ne d,wi l lfinde v engoodheal t ht onotbet hesour ceofhappi ness.The r ol eofourmi ndsi smostf undament alt oourhappi nessandsor r ow.Andunt i lwe medi t at e,ourmi ndr emai nsl i keanuncont r ol l edel ephant ;power f ulandcapabl eof causi ngmuc hdamag e . I nBuddhi sm,t her ear et wopr i nci palt ypesofmedi t at i on:
ha 1.Shamat orr est i ngmedi t at i on-wher eemphasi si sonbei ngabl et opl acet he mi ndo no bj e c t sofc ho i c e ,whe t he rno nr e l i g i o us( f o re x ampl e ,a" pe bbl e " ,o ne ' s " br e at h" ,or" noobj e c tatal l " )orr e l i g i ous( f ore xampl e ,t hebody( api c t ur eor st at ue) ,speech( a" mant r a" ) ,ormi nd( apur el i ghtorempt i ness)oft heBuddha) . Her eonel ear nst odi sci pl i net hefluct uat i onsandwander i ngoft hemi ndand e s t abl i s he si t sbas i cc al mne s s . V spashyanaori 2 . i nsi ghtmedi t at i on-wher eemphasi si sonseei ngt het r ue nat ur eofmi nd,t hought s,andexperi ence.Her eonecul t i vat esrecogni t i onoft he r e al i t yofourc ondi t i onande s t a bl i s he st hes t a bi l i t yoft hi sr e c og ni t i on, ul t i mat e l yi nt e gr at i ngt hi sr e c ogni t i onwi t hal lac t i v i t y ,i nc l udi ngs i t t i ng, r e c l i ni ng ,e at i ng ,t al ki ng ,dr e a mi ng ,ands l e e pi ng . Wher easi nShamat ha onemayexper i encepeace,t hi speacedoesnotl astsi nce Shamat ha al onedoesnoter adi cat et hecausesofsuffer i ng.Thusonemustal so pr a ct i c eVi pashyana,whe r et het r uenat ur eofal lt hi ng sando urs e l fi si l l umi nat e d t he r e byc ut t i ngt hec aus e sofs uffe r i ngatt he i rr o ot . Eve ni nmedi t at i onBuddhi sm expre sse si t sel fast heuni onofcompassi onand wi sdom,wi t h Shamat ha mor er el at edt ot hepeaceofl oveandcompassi onand Vi pashyana mor er el at edt owi sdom.Mor eadvancedmedi t at i oni sacompl et euni onof
t hese.
Appendix ' ( )erspecti*es on Maha!udra
Appendix B "erspecti#es on Mahamudra
TheMeani ngofMahamudr a Basis, Path, and Result Mahamudr ai sr egar dedbyt heTi bet anKagyul i neaget obet heheartessenceofal lof t het eachi ngsoft heBuddha.Mahamudr aal sost andsf ort heessenceofmi ndi t sel f . Thet r uenat ur eoft hemi ndi scal l e dt hegr oundofoure xi s t enceor ground Mahamudr a ( g z hic hakc he n) .Pat hMahamudr a ( l am chakchen)begi nswi t hr ecogni t i on o ft hi se s s e nc e( ng owo )andc o nt i nue saspr o gr e s si smadeats t abi l i z i ngt hi s r ecogni t i on.Whent her ecogni t i onofmi ndasi t i s( semnyi d)becomescompl et el ypart ofourcondi t i on,wi t houtwaveri ng( yengme) ,andwebri ngf ort heffect i vemeansof f r e e i ngs e nt i e ntbe i ng sf r o mi g no r a nc eands uffe r i ng ,t he nt hi si sr e f e r r e dt oas
f r ui t i onMahamudr a ( t r a y buc hakc he n) .I ti ss ai dt ha tt hi sf r ui t i o nMahamudr ai sf r e e ofemot i onalore xper i ent i albewi l dermentandi sunt ouchedbydual i t yofsubj ectand o bj e c tort het hr e es phe r e so fs ubj e c t ,o bj e c t ,andac t i o n.
Mahamudr ai saSanskri twor dconsi st i ngoft wopart s:maha,whi chmeansgr eator v as t ,andmudr a,whi chmeansgest ur eorsymbol .TheTi bet anst r ansl at edt hi si nt o c hakgyac henpo ,wi t hgya corr espondi ngt osealormudr a andchenpo c orr espondi ng t omaha i nme ani ng .I naddi t i o n,t hes y l l abl echak i saddedwhi chi shonori ficf or " hand" .Thi shasbe e nt r ans l at e dv ar i o us l yi nt oEng l i s hast he" g r e a ts e a l "o r" g r e a t g e s t ur e "or" g r e ats ymbol " .Thee s s enc eofr e a l i t yi si nhe r e ntt oe v er y t hi ngandl i kea ki ngwhoappl i eshi ssealt ohi spr ocl amat i onswhi cht henappl i est ot heent i r e ki ngdom,t heul t i mat er eal i t ypervadesal lofsamsaraandni rvana.I ti st heessenceof o urmi ndandal li t smani f e s t at i o ns . Thenat ur eofmi ndort hewaymi ndi s( ngasl ug)i scompl e t el ypr esenti nourpr esent mi nd.I ti spr es entwhenwear eawake,whenwedr eam,andwhenwes l ee p,bef or e t hi sl i f e ,i nt hi sl i f e ,andaf t e rt hi sl i f e .Re cogni t i onoft hee ss enc eofmi ndi s somet hi ngwhi chwemustcul t i vat e.I naddi t i on,wemustl earnt ol i vei naccordwi t h t heunder st andi ngwhi chdevel opsf r om t hi sr ecogni t i on.Whyi st hi sso?Si ncei fwe don’ twewi l lcont i nuet osufferandsomet i mesoursuffer i ngandbewi l der mentwi l lbe unbearabl yi nt ense.Andwi t houtdoi ngsot hi ssufferi ngandt hecausesofi twi l l cont i nuewi t houtend. Somet i mesadi st i nct i oni smadebet weencausalpat hsandf r ui t i o n paths.I ncausal pat hs ,wepr ac t i c et oc ol l e c tt hec aus e sofe nl i g ht e nme nt ,whe r e asi nf r ui t i o npat hs webegi nwi t ht her eal i z at i onofoure xi s t i ngenl i ght e nednat ur eandpr ac t i c eont he basi soft hatr e al i z at i on.Mahamudr ai saf r ui t i onpat hwhi c hconsi der st hegr ound, pat h,andf r ui tt obeone.Onedoesn’ tst artwi t hanat ur ewhi chi sshr oudedi nnonenl i ght enmentandt henr emov et heshroudt oenl i ght enment .Rat heronehast he enl i ght enednat ur eatt heout setandpr act i cesbasedonunder st andi ngt hat .I n ac t ual i t y ,t hes hr o udhasne v e re x i s t e d;ho we v e r ,f r o mo urp er s pe c t i v ei ti sasi ft he r e hasbeenashr oudsi nceweareunabl et or ecogni zet hesi gni ficanceoft henat ur eof mi nd.Emphasi si spl acedonr ecogni zi ngt hi senl i ght enednat ur e( Skt .t at hagat ha g arba)s i nc eo nl yt he nc ant heq ual i t i e sofe nl i g ht e nme ntmani f e s ti no urc o ndi t i o n. TheUt t ar aT ant r a t el l st hest oryofsomeonewhol i vesi npover t yonhi sownl andand al t houghhi shomei sbui l taboveagol ddeposi t ,unt i lhebecomesawar eoft hi sf act ,i t
does n’ tdohi m anygood. Mahamudr ai sof t enr ef er r edt oast he" pr act i cel i neage. "Event houghwehavet he awakenat ur e,orpr eci sel ybecausewehavet hi ssel f awar enat ur e,t heval ueof e s t abl i s hi ngpr ac t i c ewi t hr e s pe c tt ot hatnat ur ei ss t r o ng l ye mphas i z e d.Ake ypo i nt r egardi ngt hi sawakenat ur ei st hati ti snotsomet hi ngwhi chi snewl ycreat edor f abr i c at e d.I ti sno ts o me t hi ngne wl ybr o ug htf o r t h.I tdo e sno tha v eas o ur c e ,no r do esi tmani f e s tv i ae s t abl i s hi ngadi v i neco nne c t i o n.Thi si nt r i ns i c pr i mo r di alwi s do m ( y es he )do e sno tmag i c al l yappe ari no urc o ndi t i o n asr e s ul to fdo i ngc e r t ai n pr a c t i c e s .Rat he rt hi swi s dom i sal r e a dyf ul l yse l f r e a l i z e dandf ul l yr i pewi t hi no ur be i ng.I ti sbe y ondt empor alc har act e r i s t i csandt hepl ayoft i me( t u) .Al so,i ti sbe y ond s pat i alc har a ct e r i s t i c sandde s cr i pt i oni nt e r msof( a)be i ng ,( b)nonbe i ng ,( c )bo t h be i ngandnonbei ng,and( d)nei t herbei ngornonbe i ng.Andy e tourconf us i onabout t hi si se v i de nti nho w wel i v e . Toensur et hatt her ei snoc onf usi onaboutt hi smos ti mpor t antpoi nt ,t he Mahamudr at r adi t i onuse ss uchspec i alt er mss uchas or di nar ymi nd( t hammalgyi i mor di alwi sdom whi c hkno wsbyi t sel f shepa)an dpr ( r ang r i gy e s he ) .Ho we v e r , di s c us s i ngt he s et e r msasobj e c t sofo uri nt e l l e c t( g om j a)i sofal mo s tnobe ne fitatal l t ous.Wemustcomet oknow t hei rmeani ngandr eal i t yi nourowncondi t i oni na di r e c t( t u)andfir s t handmanne r .Ano t he rwa yofs t at i ngt hi sf r ui t i o ni st hatt hr o ug h Mahamudr a,t het hought sandappear ance sofmi ndj oi nwi t ht hewayt hemi ndi s.I n effec t ,Mahamudr ai sawayofj oi ni ngorharmoni z i ngwi t ht hewayt hemi ndi s. I nc onj unc t i onwi t he s t abl i s hi ngt hi sf ami l i ar i t yori nt i mac ywi t hi no urbe i ng ,al lt he e nl i g ht e ne dqual i t i e smani f e s ti nt hepl a yofmi ndi t s e l f .Wedi s c ov e ro uri nt r i ns i c f r eedom andyetcont i nuet oseet heover whel mi ngsuffer i ngofot her s.Byt hi s,weare movedasst r ongl yasacr i ppl edmot herwhoseesheronl ychi l dbei ngcarr i edoff i na r i v e r .Wet he nno to nl ypo s se s st hewi s ht ohe l pal lbe i ng sr e a l i z ef r e e do mf r o mt he i r suffer i ng,weal sohavet hewi sdom t oknow how t odot hi si nal ast i ngway .Assuch, wobenefit s wema ycomet or e al i z et het :t hebe ne fito fs e l fandt hebe ne fito fal lo t he r sent i entbei ngs.Thi si sal soknownast her eal i zat i onoft heuni t yofwi sdom and compassi on.Thi si sr epr esent edi nt hesymbol soft ant r i cembr aceoft hemal eand f emal eBuddhaordei t i es( yabyum)andi nt hesymboloft hebel l( wi sdom)anddorj e ( compassi on) .
The Adventitious Stains of Ignorance and Path of Liberation Cl ear l yMahamudr ai sapat hwhi chpl acesemphasi sonsel f under st andi ng.I ti sal so knownast hepat ht ol i ber at i on( dr öl l am)t hr oughdi r ectper cept i on.Thequest i on mi ghtbel i ber at i onf r om what ?I ti st aughtt hatwedonotknow ourt r uenat ur eand i nnerwi sdom duet oadvent i t i ousobscur at i ons.Ourawareness( ri gpa)i ssubj ectt o obscur at i onsoft wot ype:obscur at i onsofknowl edge( mari gpa)andobscur at i onst o f r eedom,t heemot i onaldefil ement s.Obscur at i onsofknowl edgemani f estas i dent i ficat i onanddual i t yandaremoresubt l e;obscur at i onst of r eedom mani f estas aggressi on,cl i ngi ng,excessi vepri de,andj eal ousy .I nMahamudr awedevel opf r eedom f r om bot hoft hese. How di dwefir stgoast r ay?Wemaynev erknow f orsur e.Howev erbyl ooki ngathow ouri gnoranceari sesi nt hepr esentwecanact ual l yseehow i tori gi nat edatt he be gi nni ngoft i me.Onet r adi t i onale xpl anat i onf ol l ows . Ouruni v e r s eofe x pe r i e nc eandbe i ngor i g i nat e si nt hemi ndi t s e l f ,whi c hi si nt r i ns i c t oal l .Thenat ur eo ft hi smi ndi sauni o no fl umi no s i t y( ö ds al )o rc o mpas s i o n( t hug j e ort hab)andopenness( t ongnyi d)orwi sdom ( she) .Thi sgr oundofourbei ngor al l ground ( kunz hi )i st hef o undat i o nf o re v e r y t hi ng .Wi t hi ni nt hemi ndo ra l l g r o und ar i s e st hequal i t yore l e me nto fs pac e .Spac ei t s e l fdi s pl a yst hes ubt l ee l e me nt al q ual i t i e soft hef o ure l e me nt s ,wi nd,fir e ,wat e r ,ande ar t h,aspai r so fe v e nmo r ebas i c e ne r g i e sbas e do nt hee xpr e s s i o no fi t si nhe r e ntl umi no s i t y .Pai r soft he s ev e r ys ubt l e ener gi esi nt er actandworkt oget her ,andt huscomet oexhi bi tt hef ourdi ffer ent el ement alqual i t i esofwi nd,fir e,wat er ,andeart h.Theseel ement sr emai ni npur e f o r m whi c happe ara spur ec ol o r e dl i g ht sofg r e e n,r e d,whi t e ,andy e l l o w,r e s pe c t i v e l y . I nt hi sspac e ,apai ro fs ubt l eene r g i e si nt e r a ct sandt he r ei sas t i r r i ng ,whi c hi sl i kea wi nd,andt e mpor alpl aybegi ns.Ac oar sermani f e s t at i onofwi ndbecomesappar ent . Thi smo t i onhasaf r i ct i ont oi twhi c hi nt ur npr oducesheat .Theheatcausest he r et o beat e mper at ur ev ar i at i onandc ondensat i onwhi c hpr oduceswat e r .Fi nal l y ,wat er t endst omi xwi t hever yt hi ngel seandpr oduceseart h.Ori gi nal l yt heel ement sar ei n t he i rp ur ef o r m andde v o i do fdual i t y ,o rt i ng e dwi t ho nl yt hes ubt l e s tf o r msofdual i t y . Now t heygi ver i set oacoar sermani f est at i onoft heel ementspacewhi chcont ai nsal l f ourot herel ement si ni ti nsubt l ef orm andi ncl udest he al l g r o undc o ns c i o us ne ss ( kunzhinam she) .Ourbasi cnat ur ei scompl et el ydevoi dofdel usi on,butasour nat ur emani f est s,andt empor alandspat i alaspect sofbei ngorawarenessemer ge,a
l ac ko fawar e ne s so fo urt r uenat ur e ( mari gpa)al soemer ges.Ourl ackofawareness ari sesconcurr ent l ywi t hourse nseofbei ng.
Now t hei nt er est i ngpoi ntaboutt hedefil ement si st hatt heycomeandgo.I nf act ,al l oft hemani f es t at i onsofi gnor ancesuchasangerandhat r ed,comeandgo.They dependoncausesandcondi t i ons.I ncompari son,t hequal i t i esofmi nd,t hewaymi nd i s,per si st st hr ought i meandt ouchesal lofspaceofoure xperi ence.Soi tmaybesai d t hatt hei gnoranceandcausesofi tarei nci dent alevent swhi chhavenor ealst r engt h, norealst ayi ngpower ,wher easourenl i ght enednat ur e,t hei nt ri nsi cnat ur eofmi nd hasr e a ls t a yi ngpo we r .The r e f o r e ,o urpr o s pe c t sofs uc c e s sar ev e r y ,v e r ygo od,i fo nl y wemakeane ffor tt odoso. Gampopadi ffer ent i at edbet weent hr eespi r i t ualpat hswhi char ewor t hyofeffor tand bywhi c honemayr eal i z et het r ueofe xi s t enceandt her ebyt het r uenat ur eoft hi ngs: i nf er enc e,empo wer ment ,anddi r ec p t er c ept i on.Hed i st i ngui shesbet weent he pat ho f l i ber at i ont hr oughdi r ec tper c ept i on andt woot herpat hs. Thefir s tpat h,i nf e r e nc e ,r e l i e sonanal y t i c alr e as oni ng .Fi r s to nee xami ne s est abl i shest heempt i nessoft hi ngsbyappl yi ngr easoni ngsuchast he" oneandt he many . "Oneest abl i shest heempt i nessofal lt hi ngsandper sons.Usi ngr easoni ngone e s t abl i s he st hec or r e c tv i e wl i keabi r dflappi ngi t swi ng st oac hi e v eag r e a the i g htand t henonemedi t at esont hevi ew whi chhasbeenes t abl i shed.These condway , empower ment ,r el i esonpur i f yi ngone’ sper cept i onsvi ayi dam pr act i cesandwor ki ng wi t ht hec hannel s( t sa)ande ne r gi es( l ung)wi t hi nt hebody .Onet akesont hepr i de andaspect soft hedei t yt owhom onei si nt r oducedandwor ksonbr i ngi ngt he ener gi esi nt ot hecent r alchannel .Thi si sknownast hepat hofski l l f ulmeans( t hap l am) .Thet hi r dwa y ,di r e c tpe r c e pt i on,r e l i e sonwor ki ngdi r e c t l ywi t hal las pe c t so f one’ sbei ngandest abl i shi ngt heesse nceofmi nd,t hought s,andappearancest hr ough di r e c ti nv e s t i g at i o n.I twor ksdi r e c t l ywi t ho ure x pe r i e nc eandi sno tl i mi t e dt ot he appl i cat i onofr easoni ng.Thi si st hepat hofMahamudr awhi chi ssynonymouswi t h t hepat ho fl i be r a t i ont hr o ug hdi r e c tpe r c e pt i o n( dr o ll am) . I nal lt hr eecasesoneworkst oachi evel i ber at i onf r om t hedefil ement sore nsl avi ng e mo t i o nalaffli c t i o ns( s kt .kl e s ha;Ti b.ny o nmo ng ) :i g no r a nc e de l us i o n( mar i gpa) , ag gr e s s i o nhat r e d,g r a s pi ng at t ac hme nt ,ar r o g anc e pr i de ,andj e al o us y e nv y . Howev er ,t hee mphasi sonhow onewor kswi t ht hedefil ement si sdi ffer enti nt het hr ee appr oaches.I nt hefir st ,oneusesanal ysi st ounder st andt hatt her ei snoi ndependent
e x i s t e nc eofe i t he ro bj e c t sors e l f .T og i v eupne g at i v ede fil e me nt s ,o newo r ksat el i mi nat i ngt hem.I nt hepat hofempower ment s,i nst eadofabandoni ngt he defil ement s,onet r ansf ormst hem i nt ot hei rpur ewi sdom aspect s:al l per vadi ng wi sdom,mi r r or l i kewi sdom,di sce r ni ngwi sdom,al l equal i t ywi sdom,andal l accompl i shi ngwi sdom.I nusi ngdi r ectper cept i onast hepat h,t her ei snoassumpt i on ofsomet hi ngt obet r ansf ormedandonewhot r ansf orms;eve ryt hi ngar i sesast hepl ay o fmi ndandi ss e l f l i be r at e dass uc h. Theset hr e edi ffe r e ntwaysofde al i ngwi t hdefil ement sar ef ur t herel abor at eduponi n t het hr eevehi cl es( yanas)ofBuddhi sm:hi nayana,mahayana,vaj r ayana.The set hr ee v e hi c l escor r es pondappr oxi mat el ywi t ht het hr eewhe el soft hedhar maofBuddha. St ar t i ngatwhati sr e g a r d edt obet hehi g he s tl e v e lo fpr ac t i c e ,t he r ear et i me swhe n t hes e l f l i be r at i o no fde fil e me nt si sa c co mpl i s he dandt he r e f o r eo nei se ng ag e data Mahamudr a( byt hei rse l f l i ber at i on)orvaj r ayana( byt r ansf ormi ngt hem i nt othefive wi sdoms )l e v elofpr act i ce .Atot he rt i mes ,onei sc aughtupi nt he m,sot henone needst oappl yamor evi gor ousmet hodsuchast hatoft r ansf or mat i on.Forexampl e, wema ywor kont r ansf or mi ngourhat r edi nt oge nui nel ov e .Thi si smo r eofa mahayanaappr oach.Ori ft hedefil ement sar esos t r ongt hatwecan’ tdealwi t ht hem atal l ,t henwesi mpl yt akesome" t i meout "f r om t hecondi t i onswhi chcauset hem.We r enouncet hecondi t i onswhi chcauset heseemot i onst oar i seby" pushi ngour but t ons . "Thi si sr e gar dedt obemo r eofahi nayanaappr oac h. TheTi be t ant r adi t i onshav emai nt ai nedal lt hr eeappr oac hesandhow onewor kswi t h i tde pe ndsono ne ’ si nc l i nat i o ns .Al t ho ug hal lt hr e eappr o ac he sar ei nt e r mi ng l e d,i t hasbeennot edt hatt hosewhoemphasi zet heanal yt i calappr oacht endt obeschol ar monks,t hosewhoemphasi z ee mpower ment st endt obeyo gi s,t hosewhoemphasi z e t heMahamudr aappr oac ht endt obel aypeopl e .Howe v erMahamudr ai sbynomeans r e s t r i c t e dt oanypar t i c ul arl i f e st y l e .Asi ft obr i nghomet hi spoi nti ti si nt e r e s t i ngt hat Ti be t ’ sfir s tt hr eel i ne agehol der sofMahamudr ae xempl i fiedal lt hr eel i f es t yl es i ncl udi ngl ay( Marpa) ,monk( Gampopa) ,andyogi( Mi l are pa) . Si nceMahamudr ahasbeencombi nedi nt ot hei nf er ent i alandt ant r i cappr oaches, t hr eev er si onsofMahamudr aar es ome t i mesment i oned:sut r i cMahamudr a,t ant r i c Mahamudr a,andessenceMahamudr a.I nsut r i cMahamudr aoneusual l ywor kswi t h fir s tde v e l o pi ngno nanal y t i c al ,pe ac e f ulabi di ngme di t at i o n( s hina y)andt he n,by ut i l i z i ngt hes t i l l ne sswhi c hhasbe enc ul t i v at e d,de v el opi nganal y t i c ali ns i g ht( l hak t hong)pr act i cewhi chencompassesnotonl yt hest i l l nessbutal somove mentand
awareness.I nsome mecases,ast udenti sfirs ti nt r oducedt ot heess enceofmi ndand t he nus e spe ac e f ulabi di ngme me di t at i ont os t abi l i z et hi sv i e w.Ul t i mat e l yt heme me di t at i o n be come sauni t yofpeacef ulabi di ngandi nsi ght ,andone’ si nsi ghte v ol v est ot hepoi nt wher ei ti sent i r e l yi nde pe nde ntofcul t i v at eds t i l l nessandcanac commodat eany condi t i on.Emphasi si sont heuni t yofawar enessandemp mpt i nessandappear ances andemp mpt i ness .I nt ant r i cMa Mahamu mudr aoneusual l ywor kswi t hdev el opment( kye r i m) andc o mp mpl e t i o n( dz o g r i m)pr ac t i c e si nv o l v i ngv i s ual i z e dde i t i e s( y i dam)t owhi c ho ne hasbeeni nt r oducedandi ni t i at ed.Thi spr act i cecul mi nat esi nt heSi xYogasof Nar opawh whi chi ncl udei nnerheat( t ummo) ,i l l usorybody ,cl earl i ght ,dr eam,andbardo pr act i ces .Emphasi si sont heuni t yofbl i ssandemp mpt i nessandappear ancesand emp mpt i ness.I nessenceMa Mahamu mudr aoneusual l yi si nt r oduceddi r ect l yt oone’ snat ur e byat eac he r .Bot hsut r i candt ant r i cMahamudr ai ncl udet heut i l i z at i onofessence Mahamu mudr a.Emphasi si nal lt hr eef or msi sont hes ame menessofawar enessand emp mpt i nes sandappear ance sandemp mpt i nes s. I nMoonbe ams msofMahamu mudr a DakpoT ashiNamg mgy aldemo monst r at est hatGamp mpopa r eg ar dedMahamu mudr at obeanent i r el yi ndependentpat hwhi ch,al t hough r epr esent i ngt heessenceofbot ht hesut r asandt ant r as,can st andent i r el yoni t s own.Theemp mphasi si nt hi sme medi t at i onmanuali sconsi st entwi t hDakpoTashi Namg mgyal ’ spr esent at i on.Toavoi dt heconf usi onofusi ngMa Mahamu mudr at ore f ert ot he t ant r i cappr oacht oMa Mahamu mudr a,i nt hi st e xtt het er m Mahamu mudr a,whenuse d wi t houtaddi t i onalqual i fie r s,r e f er st hepat hofl i ber at i onbydi r ec tpe r c ept i onas summ mmar i z edbyGamp mpopa,t hef at heroft heDakpoKagy u.
Pr el i mi nar i es Re g ar di ngdi ffe r e ntappr o ac he sandt y peofpr ac t i t i o ne r s ,t r adi t i o nal l ya di ffe r e nt i at i o ni sma madebe t we e ns pe c i al l yg i f t e da ndmo r et y pi c alpr ac t i t i o ne r s . Spe c i al l yg i f t e dpr a ct i t i one r sr e c e i v eadi r e c ti nt r o duc t i onatt heout s e tf ol l o we we dby s t abi l i z a t i o no ft hev i e we s t abl i s he dbyt hei nt r o duc t i o nasi nt hec as eofSar ahaand Ti l opa,amongot her s.Thi si scons i s t entwi t ht heappr oac hge ne r al l yut i l i z edi n Dz o g c he n.I nc o nt r as t ,a v e r a g epr ac t i t i o ne r sr e c e i v ei ns t r uc t i o nsac c or di ngt oamo r e gr adualappr oach,wi t hfir stl earni ngt ore stt hemi mi ndandsubsequent l ydeve l opi ng i ns i g hti nt oi t snat ur e .Thee mp mphas i si nt hi st e x ti sonpr ac t i t i o ne r so ft hemo mo r e t y pi c alora ve r ag et y pe .The s eda ysi ti sr ar et oenc ount e rg i f t e dpr a ct i t i one r s . However ,i tshoul dbenot edatt heout sett hatpr el i mi nari esdependont he
pr a c t i t i one ra ndar eno tuni v e r s a li nappl i c at i o n. Unf o r t unat e l y ,s i nc ei t si nt r o duc t i o nt ot heWe We s tt he r ehasbe e nq ui t eabi to f conf usi onr egar di ngt hepr el i mi nari esofMahaumudr a.Seve r alt eacher shave err oneousl yt aughtt hatMa Mahamu mudr ai sst ri ct l yapat hoft r ansf orma mat i onorski l l f ul means( t hapl am) m) .Theyappar ent l ywer eunawaret hati ti st r adi t i onal l yan i nde pe nde ntpat ho fl i be r at i o n( dr ö ll am) .Thi shasl e dt oal o to fc o nf us i o n amo ng st udent swhower efir sti nt r oducedt ot hepathoft ant r a.Ihavewi t nessednol ess t hanadoz enocc asi onswher eupon r ec ei vi ngMa Mahamu mudr ai ns t r uct i onf r om aqual i fied t eacher ,al ongt i mest udentasksf orconfirma mat i ont hatt hi si si ndeedacompl et epat h t ol i ber at i ononi t sown.Thest udentmayal soaskwhet hert het ant ri cspeci al pr el i mi nari es( ngondr o)mustbecomp mpl et edpri ort oset t i ngoutont hepat hof Mahamu mudr a.Theanswerf r om l eadi ngt eacher soft hel i neageshasconsi st ent l ybeen, " Yes,Mahamudr ai sacompl et epat hofl i ber at i on.I tcan bedonebef ore,duri ng,or af t erngondr o. "I ndeed,Mahamu mudr ai nst r uct i oni sf r equent l ygi vent ost udent swh who ha v eno te v e nt ake nr e f ug e ,whi c hi sar e q ui r e me me ntf o ral lf ur t he ri ni t i at i o nsi nt he pat hoft ant r a.Ibel i evet hatt het eacher swh whoarei nerr orarespeaki ngbasedont hei r ownt r ai ni ngandexper i encei nwhi cht heyhavef oundt hecomb mbi nat i onoft hepat hof s ki l l f ulme ansandt hepat ho fl i be r a t i o nt obemo mo s tbe ne fic i al .Ho we v e r ,Ifindi t e x t r e me me l yunf o r t unat et hatt he ys t at et he i rbe l i e fi nane x c l us i v ewa yandt he r e by under mi nec onfidencei nt hos ewhomi mi ghtbenefitf r om amo mor edi r e ctMahamu mudr aor Dz ogc henappr oac h. Wi Wi t houtdoubt ,Mahamudr ahasbe endecl ar edt obeani ndependentpat hbyt he f at heroft heDakpoKagyul i neage,Gamp mpopa.Si mi l arl y ,t hef at herofDzogchen,Garab Dorj e,neve rma madet het ant ri cpr el i mi nari esar equi r eme mentf orDzogchen.Thus,t he st udentshoul dbeassur edt hatt hefir stfivecy cl espr esentt hepr of oundmedi t at i on pr ac t i c e soft hepat ho fl i be r at i o nbas e do nt heDa DakpoKag y ul i ne ag e .I ti si nt e r e s t i ng t onot et hataccordi ngt ot het eachi ngsoft heNyi ngma maandBonpol i neages,t hese Mahamu mudr apr act i cesar ev erys i mi l art ot heMi Mi ndSer i es( sem de)ofDzogchen.I n f act ,Dzogc hent eacher sf r equent l yi nt er mi ngl eMa Mahamu mudr at eachi ngswh whent eachi ng t hesemmdeser i es.Ther ef or et heyma mayal sobeconsi der edt or epr esentacomp mpl et epat h t ol i ber at i onf r om aDzogchenper spect i ve.Cer t ai nl y ,Mahamu mudr acanbepr act i ced i ndependentoft hepat hoft ant r aori nconj unct i onwi t ht hepat hoft ant r a,however onechooses. I nt heKagyu l i neageandot herl i neagesofTi bet an Buddhi sm, m,t he o r di nar y
pr el i mi nar i es ar et aughtpri ort ome medi t at i onsoft het ypei ncl udedi nt hi sma manual . Thesei nc l uder efle ct i ononandawar ene ssof( 1)t he p pr ec i oushumanexi s t enc e ,( 2) i mper mananc e ,( 3)c auseandeffec t orkarm ma a,and( 4)t h p epr ev al enc eofsuffer i ng ( s ams ar a ) .I naddi t i o n,s pe c i a p lr el i mi nar i es ar et aughtasaf oundat i ont ot ant ri c Mahamu mudr aandt ant r i cDzogchenpr act i ce.Thesei ncl ude( 1)r ef ugeandbodhi ci t t a, ( 2)Vaj r aSat t vapuri ficat i on,( 3)mandal aofferi ng,and( 4)guruyoga.Dzogchenhasi t s ownsetofpr el i mi nari eswhi chi nsome mesc hool si ncl uder eflect i ononandaware nessof t hei l l us o r ybo dyandt hepr ac t i c eofhe aty o g a( t ummo ) .I nt e r e s t i ng l y ,pr ac t i c e s si mi l art ot hesear eadvancedpr act i cesoft heKagyuandGel ug/Kagyul i neages.
I nanyc as e ,pr e l i mi nar i e sar ei ndi s pe ns abl et ot hepr ac t i t i o ne r .I ti sc ommo nl yno t e d byt e ac her st hatt hepr el i mi nar i esar ei nnowayl es si mpor t antt hant hemai nbodyof t e ac hi ng s.I nf ac ti ti ssai dt hatt hepr e l i mi nar i e sar e( 1)he l pf ulatt heout s e tt og e t onet ot ur nt ot hedharma ma,( 2)hel pf ulont hepat ht ogetonet oper si sti ndharma ma pr a c t i c e ,and( 3)he l pf ulatt hee ndt ohe l po nec ompl e t er e al i z a t i on.Thus ,t he i r i mport anceshoul dbeunder scored.Sever alexcel l entt ext sar enow avai l abl ef ort hose whowantt of ol l ow t heTi be t ant r adi t i onswi t hi nt hec ont e xtofi ndi v i duall i ne ages. Seri ousst udent sshoul dr ef ert ot hese. I naddi t i on,st udent sshoul dr eadat extsuchas Me Meani ngf ult oBehol d( acomme nt ar y byGes heKel s angGyat soonShant i dev a’ sGui det ot heWa Wayo fL i f eo faBo di s at v a )or TheJewe welOr namentofLi ber at i on ( seer ecentt r ansl at i onbyKhenpoKönchogGy Gyal t sen o ffe r e dbyVaj r aPubl i c at i ons ) .The s et e xt sar ef r e que nt l ygi v e nt ol a ypr a c t i t i one r si n Ti be tasf undame nt alt e xt sor" mus tr e adi ng. "I naddi t i on,bookssuc has ASear c hf or St ai nl e s sAmbr o s i a ( KhenpoKönchogGyal t se n)pr ovi deause f ulsummaryof f undame ment al swi t hwhi chev erypract i ci ngBuddhi stoft heKagyu t r adi t i onshoul dbe f ami l i ar . Asami ni mum s t udent ss houl dr efle ctont heor di nar ypr el i mi nar i esnot edabov eand de v e l o pa war e ne s soft he mi nt he i rl i v e s .I naddi t i o n,s t ude nt ss ho ul dc ul t i v a t ean al t r ui s t i cmo mo t i v a t i o nt owo r kf o rt hehappi ne s sofal ls e nt i e ntbe i ng sandt of r e et he m al lf r o ms uffe r i ng .Wi t ho utatl e as tt he s equal i t i e s ,i twi l lbedi ffic ul tt oac c ompl i s ht he deeperm me eani ngassoci at edwi t ht heseme medi t at i ons.
Spi r i t ualFr i end Thet hi r dKar mapaRangj ungDor j enot esi nhi sf amouspr ay er A ,Aspi r at i onsf or
Mahamudr a t hatas pi r i t ualf r i e ndi st hes our c eo ft heke yi ns t r uc t i onst o Mahamudr a.I fpossi bl e,st udent sshoul dunder t aket hesepr act i ceswi t ht hehel pofa spi r i t ualf r i end.At eacherdoesnothavet obeaBuddha.Thr anguRi npochedefinesa s pi r i t ualf r i e ndass ome onewi t h‘ al i t t l ebi tofe xpe r i e nc eandal i t t l ebi tofi nt e gr i t y’ . St i l lat eacherwhohasexperi encei nt hesepr act i cesandsomei nt egri t ymaybe di fficul tt ofindev enamongl amasi nt hesedegener at et i mes.Wheni ti snotpossi bl e t ofindasui t abl et eacher ,Ir ecommendt hatast udentatl eastobt ai ni ngacopyoft he Moonbe amsofMahamudr a fir s tt r a ns cr i ptof f r om NamoBuddhaPubl i cat i ons.Thi s t r ans c r i pto fThr ang uRi npo c he ’ si ns t r uc t i o nswi l lpr o v i deafir mf o undat i o nf o ro ne ’ s pr ac t i c eunt i ls uc ht i measasui t abl et e ac he rb e co me sav a i l abl e .
I thasbeensai dt hatt heBuddha’ swi sdom andcompassi onext endst oeve r yl i vi ng be i ngandwi t he noughconfidenceandde v ot i on,onecans uc ceedi nt hesepr act i ce s evenonone’ sown.Si ncel i f ei sshortanduncert ai n,Ist r ongl yr ecommendagai nst put t i ngoffpr ac t i c eunt i lo nefindst he‘ i de al ’t e ac he r .I thasbe e ns ai dt hatwhe n c o ns i de r e dandappl i e dc ar e f ul l yanddi l i g e nt l y ,t he s epr ac t i c e sal o nec anhe l po pe n t hedoort ot heheartofMahamudr a.Thepr act i cesser vet opoi nt outone’ st rue nat ur edi r ect l ywi t hi none’ sownexperi enceandcondi t i on.Gi vent hechoi cebet ween pr ac t i c i ngwi t ho utat e ac he ra ndno tpr ac t i c i ngatal l ,Ti be t ant e ac he r soft hepat ho f l i be r a t i onha v eal wa yssai dt hatt hef o r me ri si nfini t e l ypr e f e r a bl e .Thi si si nc ont r as t t ot hepat hoft ant r awher ei ti ssai dt hatpr act i cewi t houtt heempowermentofa t e ac he ri sf ut i l e . Not et hatagenui net eacherwi l laskast udentt oeval uat ehi sorherownpr ogre ssand par t i c i pat ei nde c i di ngonapr ac t i c eac c or di ng l y .Af undame nt alt e ac hi ngoft he Buddhai st hatast udentul t i mat el yr emai nsr esponsi bl ef orhi sorherown dev el opment .I nst r uct i onsar egi ve nwhi chempowert hest udentt oeval uat eandmake choi cesf orhi m orhersel f .TheBuddhasai dt hatev enhi swor dsshoul dbei nspect ed bye v er y one,andt hatt hi sshoul dbedoneascar ef ul l yasi fonewer ebuyi nggol dat t hebazaar ,wher et ri ckeryi srampant .Si mi l ar l y ,hesai dt hatone’ spr ogr essdepends ent i r el yonone’ sowneffort .Nooneel secant r eadt hepathf oryou. I ti scommont oobser vear el at i onshi pbet weenone’ seffortont hepat handot her f act ors.Forexampl e,one’ seffortvari esqui t eabi ti ndependenceuponone’ s c onfide nc ei no ne ’ ss pi r i t ualt e ac he r ,i nt het e ac hi ng s,andi nt hepr a c t i c e s .Thi si st he e s s e nc eoft her o l eo fat e ac he ra ndi nt hi sr e g a r d,t her e l at i o ns hi pbe t we e nt he t eacherandst udenti saverysi mpl eone." Gur uwor shi p"i st hr ownoutt hedoorbyal l
t e ac he r swo r t ht he i rs a l t ,al e s s ont hati ss t i l lpai ns t aki ng l yi g no r e dbymanys t ude nt s i nt heWes t .Genui net eac her sar ej usthappyt ohavehadsomeacce sst ot hedhar ma andt akej oyatshari ngt hi swi t hot her s.Thecert i ficat i onoft eacher sbymast er swho ‘ deem t hem r eady’i sasadst at eofaffai r swhi ch,notsurpri si ngl y ,hashad unf ort unat econsequencesi nt heWes tove rt hepastt went yyear s.WhenIwas ei ght eenyear sol dandhadr ecei vedcert ai npr el i mi naryt eachi ngsf r om Dukchen ThuksayRi npoc he( ac t i ngashe adoft heDr ukpaKagyuatt het i me)i nDar j e el i ng, I ndi a,i nmynai ve t e,Ii nqui r edaboutt eachi ngt hedharmat oot her suponmyr et ur n t ot heWe s t .Her e pl i e d," Asl o ngast he r ei so nebe i ngwhoi si nt e r e s t e di nt he dharma,youshoul dt each. "Ofcour se. Mahamudr ai sdescri bedasbot hal i neageofr eal i zat i onandal i neageofi nst ruct i on andt hespi r i t ualf r i e ndi st hel i v i ngandt ang i bl emani f e s t at i o no ft hi s . Tr adi t i onal l y ,t woances t r all i neage sar edefined:t hel ongandt heshor tl i neages.
The Long Lineage Neart heendofhi sl i f e,t hehi st ori calBuddhaShakyamunit houghtt hati twoul dbe ofbenefitt opr ovi dei nst r uct i onsont heessenceoft hedharma( chö) .Thushe pr ovi dedi nst r uct i ononMahamudr a,whi chwasr egar dedt obet hemostexc el l entof al lhi st e ac hi ng s .I naddi t i o n,hepr o phe s i z e dt hato t he r si nt hef ut ur ewo ul dal s odo so.Twobodhi sat t vasnamedManj ughosaandAval oki t esvar ar ei ncarnat edl at eri nt he f or m ofDev aRat namat iandDev aPut r aSukhant ha,r ece i ve dt hi si nst r uct i onf r om Vaj r adhar aandt he ngav et hi si ns t r uct i ont oSar ahawhor eal i z edi ti ns t ant l yand f ul l y .Sar ahapassedi tont ot heNagarj unawhoi sr enownedi nt hehi st oryof Buddhi sm. OneofNagarj una’ sst udent s,Savari ,r ecei vedandr eal i zedt het r ansmi ssi on.Somesay Savarir ecei vedt hi sdi r ect l yf r om Vaj r adharaandt het woBodhi sat t vas,Manj ushri andAval oki t esvar a.Hei nt ur npassedi tont oMai t r i pa,whopassedi tont oVaj r apani andot her s.
The Short Lineage TheI ndi anMahasi ddhaTi l opawassai dt ohav ebee ni ni ncar nat i onof Chakr asamvar aandr ec ei ve dt hei ns t r uct i onsonMahamudraandot hert eac hi ngs di r e c t l yf r o mt hepr i mo r di alBuddhaVa j r adhar a.I naddi t i o n,i ti ss ai dhes t udi e dwi t h
Nagar j una. Ti l opai nt ur npass edont hei ns t r uc t i onst oNar opa.Thefir s tTi be t ant or e cei v et hese t e ac hi ng svi at hi sl i ne ag ewasMar pa,t het r ans l at o r ,whor e c e i v e dt hee s s e nt i al i nst r uct i onsf r om bot hNaropaandMai t r i pa. Marpapassedont hel i neaget oMi l are pa,Ti bet ’ smostf amousandaccompl i shedyogi . Mi l ar epa’ sst udent si ncl udedt hei l l ust r i ousGampopa,whor enewedemphasi sont he qui nt essent i alMahamudr ai nst ruct i ons.I nt he Samadhi r aj aSut r a t heBuddha pr ophesi z edt hatt hesut r i cMahamudr at eachi ngswoul dber esur r ect edbyt he Bodhi sat t vaChandrapr abha.Gampopawasr eg ar dedt obeani ncar nat i onof Chandr apr abhaandi ssai dt ohavef ul fil l edt hi spr ophecy . Fr om t heset eacher s,count l essbr ancheshavef or med.Mahamudr aal l owsal otof l at i t udei nl i f e s t y l eandbo t ht e ac he r sands t ude nt sar ef r e et os e l e c ta s pe c t soft he pr ac t i c e swhi c ha r emo s ts ui t abl eandbe ne fic i alt oo ne .Thebas i cl i f es t o r i e soft he l i neagesonsanddaught er sser vet osuggestj ustwhatki ndofmot l eycr ew have be nefit edf r om i t !Count l esspr act i t i oner shav ecomet ot e r mswi t ht hei rhuman c o ndi t i o n anddi s c o v e r e dc o mpl e t el i be r a t i o ni ni t smi ds t .
Other Lineages I naddi t i ont ot heKagyu l i neage,manyaspect sofMahamudr ahavebeenj oi nedi nt o t heGe l ugt r adi t i o n.I t ’ sf o unde r ,T s ong kapa,r e c e i v e dandr e al i z e dt e ac hi ng so n Mahamudr aandt heSi xYogasofNar opa.Basedont het eachi ngsofoneof Tsongkapa’ ssucces sor ’ s ,t heFi r s tPanc henLamal at ere s t abl i shedt heGande nKagyu t r adi t i onofMahamudr awhi chr ec ombi nedGel ugandKagyus t r eams.Separat el y , s i nc et hee ar l i e s tda y st heNy i ng mat r adi t i o nc o nt ai ne das e r i e soft e ac hi ng sc al l e d t hemi nds e r i e s( s e m de ) ;t he s et o ge t he rwi t he l e me nt so ft hes pac es e r i e s( l o ngde ) andsec r ett eachi ngs( menngagde)oft hepat hknownast heGr eatCompl et i on( dz ok chen)i ncl udemanyoft hei nst r uct i onsonMahamudr a.Eve nt heor i gi nalshamani st i c Bont r adi t i onwhi chwasi nfluencedbyt hei nfluxofBuddhadhar mahasc omet o i ncl udet eachi ngsver ysi mi l art oMahamudr a,suchast heAKhri dt r adi t i on. Thes t r eamsofmot i v at i on,i ns t r uct i on,pr act i ce,r e al i z at i on,anddedi cat i onbehi nd t he s eal lar eone .I ti sas t r e a mo fbodhi c i t t a,t heas pi r a t i o nt o war d sandappl i c at i o n o fe nl i g ht e nme ntf o rt hebe ne fitf o ral lbe i ng s .I ti sas t r e am o fi ns t r uc t i o no nho wt o
f os t e rdi r e c tpe r c e pt i onofmi ndas i t i s .I ti sas t r e am ofpr a ct i c et o war ds ac c ompl i s hi ngt hi sr e c o gni t i on.I ti sas t r e am o fs t abi l i z e dr e al i z a t i onanda war e ne s s ofmi ndas i t i s .I ti sas t r e am ofde di c at i ont or e t ur nt hebe ne fitoft hi st oal lbe i ng s.
Per spect i vesf r om Thr eeKagyu Li neages Karma Kagyu Tradition Thefir s tpoi nti st hate ffor tdoesnotde pendonone’ se xt er nalc ondi t i ons,soone shoul dabandonal li deasaboutpr er equi si t esr equi r edt omakeaneffort .Wecan be gi nr i ghtwher ewes t andi nwhat e v e rcondi t i onwemayfindi t se l f .Thi st r adi t i oni s al s oc al l e dt hemahasi ddha t r a di t i o n.Me mbe r soft hi st r a di t i o nhi s t o r i c al l yha v ehe l d anyki ndo fl i f e s t y l e ,f r o m be g g art oki ng ,f r o my o git obut c he r .Wes ho ul dbe g i ni no ur condi t i onri ghtnow how i ti s.Thei deaofpr er equi si t esshoul dbeabandonedsi nce t hi sdemandore xpect at i oncanactasamaj orobst acl e.Event hei nst ruct i onont he ei ghtf r ee domsandt enendowment swhi c hmakeupapr ec i oushumanbi r t hshoul d i nnowayserveasadi scour agementher e,f orexampl e,i ncaseoneoft hef act orsi s mi ssi ng.Oneshoul dnotf eel ," Iam notr eadyort het i mei snotri ghtorIam t oobusy wi t hmywor kors t udi esorwi t hr ai si ngt wel v eki dsorIdon’ thav et her i ghtt eac heror what e v e r . "Sowebegi nwher ewes t and. Sowhatki ndofeffor tdowemake?Webegi nwi t hsomer enunci at i onordet achment ( s he nl o k)f o rpr e r e q ui s i t e si ndai l yl i f easweha v ec omet okno wi t .Wel e tg oo rc ut t hr oughourowndemandswepl aceont hi sl i f e.Fore xampl e,wecanacknowl edge t hatl ast i nghappi nesswi l lnotcomef r om worl dl y ,weal t h,honor ,andf ameandt hat ourhabi tofpur sui ngt hesewi t hsuchvi gorhast obecutt hr ough.Theywi l lbeofno as s i s t anc eaf t e rwedi e ,s owede c i det ogi v et he s eup.Si mi l ar l y ,wewo r kong i v i ngup i ncessantavoi danceofsufferi ng.Wecanr ecogni zet hatl ast i ngpeacewi l lnotcome outofcl umsy ,kneej er keffort st oavoi dsufferi ng.Al leffort st odat ehavenothadan i mpactwhi chwi l lendur e.I nf act ,suffer i nghassomeval ueandcanbeusedt o enhanceourr eal i zat i on,sowheni tari seswecanbet hankf ulf ori t .Sowhet herour c ur r e ntc o ndi t i o ni spo s i t i v e ,ne g at i v e ,o rne ut r al ,wemus tbe g i nt opr ac t i c e .Andwe mustl etgowi t hourobsessi onofavoi di ngt hepai nf ulandpur sui ngpl easur abl e experi ences. These condke ypoi nti st hatt her ei sar i c hl i neageofi ns t r uct i onandr e al i z at i on whi c hpr ovi desabas i sf ort hi spr ac t i c e.Wec ans e toutonourownandul t i mat el ywe
maycomet ot hesamepl ace,buti twi l lt akeani ncr edi bl yl ongt i me,andweare unl i ke l yt os uc c e edi nt hi sl i f e t i me .Byr e l y i ngo nt hei ns t r uc t i o nsoft hel i ne ag e hol der soft hepastandt hepr esent ,byreadi ngandl i st eni ngt othei rt eachi ngsand r eflect i ngont hei rmeani ng,andt henput t i ngt hem i nt opr act i ce,wecanmake subst ant i alpr ogres s.Whenwebecomeal i neagemember ,i ti sl i kewear enow abl et o i nher i twonder f ulr i chesandbenefiti mmensel yf r om t hoseeffort s.At eacheropens t hedoor st ot het r easuryofi nst ruct i ons( menngakt er go) .Appr oachi ngt hese t e ac hi ng sandpr ac t i c e swi t hs i nc e r i t y ,andc o upl i ngake e ni nt e r e s twi t happr e c i at i o n, wehe l pour s el v eshav et heoppor t uni t yt os uc cee d.I nf actt heoppor t uni t yf ors uc ces s i ss t r o ng l yde pe nde nto no uri nt e r e s tandappr e c i at i o n.Atfir s t ,t hi sat t i t udema ybe somewhatsuper fici albutwi t ht i mewemaydi scove rt hati tari sesnat ur al l ywi t hi nus. Thi r dl y ,weneedt oensur et hatwer ecogni z et henat ur eofmi ndandbec omefir ml y est abl i shedi nt hatr ecogni t i on.How dowedot hi s?Webegi nber ecei vi ngpoi nt i ngout i ns t r uc t i o nsoft hi sl i ne ag e ,asi fwear enudg e d( c hi nl o p)byt hee ffo r t soft ho s ewho havesomeexper i ence( geshes)i nMahamudr a.Basi cal l y ,t hesei nst ruct i ons,t hr ough t hei rpot ency ,enabl eust odi r ect l yper cei vet het ruenat ur eofmi ndi nourbei ngand i nourexperi ence.Si ncenot hi ngi scl oserandmor ei mmedi at et hanourown exper i ence,whenr eal i z at i ondawnsi ni t ,wecancomet oknow ourt r uenat ur ewi t h compl et econfidenceandal uci dcer t ai nt y . I nt hebe g i nni ng ,wee s t abl i s ht hi st hr o ug ht hepr ac t i c eo fmi ndf ul ne s s( dr e npa) , vi gi l antawar e ne ss( s he yshi n) ,andki ndnes scar i ng.Ev ent ual l ywec omet odi scov er t hati nt r i ns i ct oandatt hee s s e nc eofe v e r y t hi ngwhi c har i s e s ,i nc l udi ngourt ho ug ht s ( namt o k) ,t he r ei sal uc i do pe nne s s( t o ng ny i d) ,af r e s hne s s( s o mat e ) .Wedono tbr i ng t hi sf r e s hne s si nt os t ag nat i o no rc l o s eo fft hi sope nne s sbyf abr i c at i ngora l t e r i ng( mac hö )ne wr e al i t i e s ,s owel e ar nt or e l axal i t t l e .Wer e t ur nt oandr e s ti no uro r di nar y mi nd,f r eef r om f abr i cat i onorel aborat i on,t hewaymi ndi s.Thenweal sol earnhow wema ybemi s t akenaboutt hi ses senceorgoas t r ayi nourunder s t andi ngofi t . Ul t i mat el y ,i ti ssai dt hatwecomet ounder st andal lasMahamudr aort he dharmakaya,andast hepl ayofmi nd( mangakr ol pa)andt hatal lexper i ences, samsar aandni r vana,donotpassbey ondmi ndandshar et hes amee ss ence. Thi spr ece di ngsummar yi sal oos eov er vi e w oft hei ns t r uct i onsi nc l ude di nt heke y Kar maKagyupr act i cet ex tonMahamudr a,t heDor j eChangThunMa.Pl eas ese et he det ai l edt r ansl at i onoft het extmai nt ai nedbyMahamudr aMedi t at i onCent erf ora
cl eare randmor ecompr ehensi veunder st andi ngoft hi sprayer .
ru!"a Kagyu Tradition PemaKarpo’ scl assi cwor k Pr ac t i c eoft heCoemer gentMahamudr a ( t r ans l at e dby Anz anHoshi n)pr e sent sasucc i nctsummar yofpr act i ce soft hef oury ogasof Mahamudr a.Thi si st het extwhi chIencount er edi nEvansWent z ’ sandLamaKazi DawaSamdup’ sTi be t anY o gaandSe c r e tDo c t r i ne s a nds t ar t e dt opr ac t i c eatt heag eof f our t een.Pr act i ceoft hi sul t i mat el yi nspi r edmet ost udyunderDr ukpaKagyul amas i n1974.I tpr ovi desverysi mpl eandpr eci sei nst ruct i onsont hekeymedi t at i on pr act i ce sofMahamudr a. I ts t at e st hatt hepr e par at o r yi ns t r uc t i o nsi nc l udet heor di nar yands pe c i al pr e l i mi nar i e se xpl ai ne de ar l i e r .I naddi t i on,i ti ns t r uc t soneont hepr e r e qui s i t e sof body ,s peec h,andmi ndbye xpl ai ni ng( 1)t hese v e npoi nt edpos t ur eofVai r oc hana,( 2) s i l e nc e ,and( 3)Ti l o pa ’ si ns t r uc t i o nsr e g a r di ngt het hr e et i me sanddr o ppi nganal y s i s andmedi t at i on.Onceagai n,emphasi si sonnonwave r i ngofmi ndandcont i nued mi ndf ul ness . They ogaofonepoi nt ednesspr ov i desi ns t r uct i onsonmedi t at i onwi t hsuppor tand wi t houts uppor t .Wi t hs uppor tdi s t i ngui shesbe t we enor di nar yobj e ct s( e. g.r oc kor wood)andspe ci alobj e ct ssuc hassymbol soft heBuddha’ sbody( e. g.t hanka) ,spee c h ( s e e ds y l l abl es uc hasHUM) ,andmi nd( e . g .s mal ll i g ht . }I naddi t i o n,br e at hi ng medi t at i oni st aughtusi ngt hevaj r arec i t at i on( OM,AH,HUM)coupl edwi t hcount i ng, f ol l owi ngt hebr eath,i nvest i gat i ngbr eat hi ndependenceont hefiveel ement s,and v asebr eat h.Me di t at i onwi t houts uppor tuses( 1)de t ect i ngandcut t i ngdown di s t r a ct i onsass oonast he yar i s e ,( 2)‘ l e ti tbe ’wi t hr e s pe ctt owhat e v era r i s es ,and( 3) r e s t i ngmi ndi ni t so wnnat ur e .Thet hi r dpr a c t i c eco ns i s t soft hepr a c t i c eof( a)‘ no t t ool oos e,no tt oot i g ht ,j us tr i g ht ’l i keawe av i ngaBr a hmi n’ st hr e ad,( b)r e s t i ngi nt he boundl e sss t at eofmi ndl i ke‘ cut t i ngabundl eofhay’ ,( c)gaz i ngl i kea‘ as mal lc hi l d l o oki ngatf r e s co esi nat e mpl e ’and( d)r e s tl i ke‘ ane l e phant ’who ’ st hi c ks ki ni s pr i c ke dbyane e dl e . ’ They ogaoff r e edomf r ome l abor at i oni nv ol v es( 1)i nv es t i gat i ngt hemi ndwheni ti s s t i l landwhe ni ti smo v i ng ,( 2)us i ngobs t ac l e si nc l udi ngs ams ar aasai dsby‘ c ar r y i ng t he mt opat h, ’( 3)e x pl o r i ngt het hr e et i me s ,( 4)e x pl o r i ngt hes t uffo fmi nd,and( 5)
i nves t i gat i ngt heoneandmanywi t hr espectt omi nd. They ogaofonet as t ei nv ol v es( 1)under s t andi ngal lasi nsepar abl ef r om mi nd,suc has i ndr eams,( 2)t hesamenessofknowerandknown,and( 3)r est i ngal li ni t snat ur al condi t i onbyt heexampl eofwat erandwave s. They ogaofnonmedi t at i onpoi nt st ot hewi sdom whi c hknowsi t sel f( r angr i gy eshe) andt heeffor t l e s ss e l f l i be r a t i o no fi g no r anc e . Aspe ci alt e ac hi ngoft hi sl i neagee xi s t swi t hr egar dt ocar r yi ngal ldual i t i e sand affli ct i onsont hepat h.
ri!ung Kagyu Tradition Apar t i cul ar l yel egantuni t yoft heesse nt i alpat hsofGampopai smai nt ai nedbyt he Dr i kungKagyut r adi t i on.I nt hi semphasi si spl acedonafivef ol dappr oacht o Mahamudr awhi chcombi nes( 1)bodhi ci t t a( l ovi ngki ndness) ,( 2)yi dam pr act i ce,( 3) t eacherpract i ce,( 4)Mahamudr a( wi t hemphasi sonr eal i zi ngempt i nessvi a i nt e r de pe nde nc e ) ,( 5)de di c at i ono fme r i t .Thi si sc ons i s t e ntwi t ht hepr a c t i c e sofmos t o ft heo t he rl i ne ag e s,butt hi sf r a me wor ki nc l ude sal lt hev i t ale l e me nt s .Pl e as es e e TheGar l andofMahamudr aPr ac t i c es f o rade t ai l e di nt r o duc t i o nt ot he s efiv ear e asof pr ac t i c e. Abeaut i f uls ongbyLor dJi gt enSumg oncal l ed‘ TheSongoft heFi v ePr of oundPat hs ofMahamudr a’( se ePr ay erFl ag s :TheSpi r i t ualSo ng so fL or dJ i g t e nSumg o n , t r ansl at edbyKhenpoKönchogGyal t sen)out l i nest hecor eel ement soft hi spr act i ce andwast aughtbyKhenpoKönc hogGyal t se nt omember sofource nt eri n1993.I n 1996H.H.Chet sangRi npoche,oneoft heheadsoft heDr i kungKagyul i neage , aut hor edasadhanacal l ed" TheHear tEss enceofMahamudra"whi chi ncl udest he pr act i ceofal lfiveoft heaboveaspect s.Thi si sat ant ri cMahamudr apr act i ceand t her ef orer equi r esanempowermentf orpract i ce. I n1997,H.E.Gar chenRi npochegav eMahamudr at eac hi ngsi nCal i f or ni awhi chwer e basedont het eac hi ngsofLor dJi gt enSumg on,t hef ounde roft heDr i kungKagyu ( t r ansl at edbyKhenpoKönchogGyal t sen;t hesear eavai l abl ef r om Rat naShr iCent er i nSanFr anci sco) .
