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? […]
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.
(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
Self Liberate Even the Antidote Read Post »
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
What is Life? Who am I? Read Post »
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’?
Examine the Nature of the Unborn Mind Read Post »
I was reflection on the notion that attachment or desire is not just for objects, but also for our sense of self. We are not only attached to things of the material world, (and also to thoughts and emotions), but also to our sense of who we are too. All of them we think of
Illusory Objects of Desire Read Post »
I was reflecting on covetousness, and the whole area of craving this morning. I was in particular wondering why my mind tends to focus in a particular way in relation to this. In a sense, it has a choice. It can either focus on what it has already got, or on what it is lacking
Covetousness – Craving Read Post »
Is there anything more beautiful in this world of ours than a deep blue, almost clear sky, with traces of white puffy cloud? How indescribable is the depth of that ‘blueness’ …. seen in mind, in the present, with full awareness? Sky’s vast openness perfectly mirrors the nature of mind … open and unlimited, vivid
Space is designated as empty, Yet its exact nature cannot be verbalized. Similarly the mind is designated as luminously clear, Yet its exact nature is empty, with no ground for definition. Thus the self-nature of mind is and has been From the very beginning like that of space. Saraha … and how blessed I am
Reflections on Saraha, originator of Mahamudra Read Post »
Appearance is mind and emptiness is mind. Realisation is mind and confusion is mind. Arising is mind and cessation is mind. May all doubts about mind be resolved. from The Aspiration Prayer of Mahamudra3rd Karmapa, Rangjung Dorje How radically different this view is to how my mind often gravitates …. into seeing solid appearances ‘out
Reflections on All is Mind, from the Aspiration Prayer of Mahamudra Read Post »
