appearances – Luminous Emptiness

Niguma, the Dakini of Timeless Awareness

Reflections on The Melody of Wisdom : A Supplication to the Wisdom Dakini Niguma

26/06/2008 | Leave a Comment

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 […]

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Zen

Ryokan – The Winds have Died

28/05/2008 | Leave a Comment

The winds have died, but flowers go on falling; birds call, but silence penetrates each song. The Mystery! Unknowable, unlearnable. The virtue of Kannon. Ryōkan Taigu (良寛大愚) 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

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Zen

Seongcheol – Snowflakes Melting on Fire

27/05/2008 | Leave a Comment

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 Seongcheol (성철)Korean Seon (Zen) Master – on becoming

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Zen

Reflections on Chinul – Pointing to your Original Mind

26/05/2008 | Leave a Comment

Some reflections on a dialogue between Jinul Puril Bojo Daesa (보조지눌), also also known as Bojo, and Chinul, 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

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General Buddhism

More Simplicity

09/05/2008 | 1 Comment

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.

Simple Pleasure

08/05/2008 | Leave a Comment

I’ve found myself experiencing some wonderment recently, at how pleasurable simply sitting still is, and doing absolutely nothing, (other than remaining in awareness). Doing nothing? How much of my life is caught up in doing? How much of it is to do with getting somewhere, achieving something, or trying to somehow alter what actually is?

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Mahamudra

Reflections on Gampopa – Compassion with Reference to Sentient Beings, Reference to Dharma, and without Reference Point

12/11/2007 | Leave a Comment

In a sense, what distinguishes the three types of Compassion that Gampopa sets out in ‘Jewel Ornament of Liberation’ is the development and level of our Compassion and our Wisdom. With the first, Compassion with reference to Sentient Beings, we see beings suffering, and we feel a response to that suffering which is our compassion.

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Mahayana

Self Liberate Even the Antidote

26/10/2007 | 2 Comments

(The third slogan of the Seven Points of Mind Training). This slogan is the third of the points on the actual practice – the cultivation of Bodhicitta. Let even the remedy subside …. The antidote will vanish of itself …. Even the Antidote Itself is Liberated in its own Place …. What is the Remedy

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Mahamudra

What is Life? Who am I?

23/10/2007 | Leave a Comment

What is this thing called life? When I look at what I experience … what do I see? Things and people I interact with? …. actually, colours and shapes and sounds that arise in experience. When I look for them ….these people and things … where are they? Nowhere. Only shapes and colours, and sounds

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Mahamudra Mahayana

Examine the Nature of the Unborn Mind

15/03/2007 | 3 Comments

Second slogan of the 7 Point Mind Training. What is this teaching pointing at? Well, just like the previous slogan it emphasises the ultimate aspect of mind. Previously we were enjoined to examine the nature of appearances. What is the nature of what we experience, of all the phenomena which appear to our ‘minds eye’?

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Thanks Chris, that's exceedingly kind of you. I love the Gateless Gate quote - everything's the same nature indeed!

This is the way...

This post is one of the best I've ever read on the different paths. Deep bows for taking the time…

Thanks Sofia. Just to point out, if not already clear, that the sense of emptiness being pointed to on my…

Thanks Nigel for this. I'm going to share some thoughts which are my own, as I've not been taught specifically…