I’ve noticed a change in my meditation lately. After quite a period of formless mahamudra meditation, I’ve recently been practicing Shamatha with the breath as the focus. But, funny thing, I can’t really find the breath to focus on. It’s pretty much there when I start … a sense of it popping up here and […]
Where did my breath go? Read Post »
I bow down at the feet of the supreme lama! It’s the mind fixated on objects that causes samsara.If you recognize as spontaneousThe luminous self-awareness, free of fixation,You’ll taste the fruit of the first yoga, one-pointedness. Some talk and talk about union, yet their meditation is all conceptual,They talk and talk about cause and effect,
Reflections on Milarepa – The Song of Distinguishing the Four Yogas Read Post »
To innermost bliss, I pay homage! Were I to explain Mahamudra, I would say—All phenomena? Your own mind!If you look outside for meaning, you’ll get confused.Phenomena are like a dream, empty of true nature,And mind is merely the flux of awareness,No self nature: just energy flow.No true nature: just like the sky.All phenomena are alike,
Reflections on Maitripa – Essential Mahamudra Verses Read Post »
Mental projections way outnumber the dust motes you see in the sunlight;A great yogi knows what appears for what it is. At bottom, the nature of things isn’t a product of causes, nor of conditionsA great yogi cuts to the core of the issue. Even a hundred men with spears couldn’t stop the thought-bubbles of
Reflections on Milarepa – Song of Six Essential Points Read Post »
I thought I’d once again share a comment I made on another blog I’ve enjoyed greatly of late – Sacred West. We’d had a brief dialogue about a post on Strong Back, Soft Front, after which Sacred West was relating their experience from that morning: Sacred West : I awoke and thought of a stressful
Working with Anxiety Read Post »
Vajra queen, mother of all buddhas,Dark-brown woman wearing bone ornaments who flies through space,You bestow supreme accomplishment on your fortunate disciples:Noble Niguma, to you I pray. You were born in the wonderful land of Kashmir,In a sublime cityKnown as Incomparable in the Land of Jambu,Emanated through Madhyantika’s blessing; to you I pray. In the family
Reflections on The Melody of Wisdom : A Supplication to the Wisdom Dakini Niguma Read Post »
The winds have died, but flowers go on falling; birds call, but silence penetrates each song. The Mystery! Unknowable, unlearnable. The virtue of Kannon. Ryokan These incomparable words express so eloquently the mystery of inseparable emptiness and appearances. It’s also a stunning reflection on transience and the Deathless. How he holds both sets of seeming
Ryokan – The Winds have Died Read Post »
The great achievements of the world are but snowflakes melting on fire, Accomplishments that move oceans are but dew disappearing in the glare of the sun, Why live a dream in this ethereal life of dreams, I forsake all to walk towards the great eternal truth. Toeong SeongcheolKorean Seon (Zen) Master – on becoming a
Seongcheol – Snowflakes Melting on Fire Read Post »
Some reflections on a dialogue between Chinul (also known as Bojo, and Jinul), a 12th century Korean master and one of his students: Question: In our case, what is this mind of void and calm, numinous awareness? Chinul: What has just asked me this question is precisely your mind of void and calm, numinous awareness.
Reflections on Chinul – Pointing to your Original Mind Read Post »
Following on from yesterday’s reflection on the simple pleasure of sitting, just sitting – it struck me today how odd it is in a way that I can get so much joy from just looking at trees, the sky and the wind. I’d just finished meditating yesterday, and looked up and out at the trees.
