‘Question and answer’ oral instructions of the Wisdom Ḍākinī to Tilopa Shrī vajraḍākinī namo! Tilopa asked the wisdom Ḍākinī: what is awakening [Buddha]? The wisdom Ḍākinī responded: Tilopa! When the mind looks at mind, the ‘looker’ is mind, the ‘looked at’ is also mind. Like space gazing at space, both the ‘gazer’ and the ‘gazed […]
Severing the Bardo ‘Once and for All’ Read Post »
Today I came across Longchenpa’s final testament – The Immaculate Radiance. I found it profoundly moving, reading the words of this incomparable Dzogchen master who was giving his final teaching, just before he died. What a life he led. How could you begin to estimate his contribution, perhaps unlike that of any other? At the
Immaculate Radiance: A Testament – Longchenpa Read Post »
This Jisei, or death poem by the 19th century Japanese poet Kiba captures so poignantly the ephemeral effervescence that is a human life. Life is so fleeting. My old body: a drop of dew grown heavy at the leaf tip Kiba, 1868Japanese Death Poems: Written by Zen Monks and Haiku Poets on the Verge of DeathYoel
Life’s Fleeting Nature: Kiba’s Poignant Jisei Death Poem Read Post »
There’s nothing to add to this Jisei (death poem). So profound. Empty-handed I entered the world Barefoot I leave it. My coming, my going — Two simple happenings That got entangled. Kozan IchikyoJapanese Death Poems Written by Zen Monks and Haiku Poets on the Verge of DeathYoel Hoffman Original source: Tuttle Publishing
Empty-Handed I Entered The World – Kozan Ichikyo Read Post »
Today is a good day to die! Tasunka Witko, Crazy Horse If you are truly prepared for death like this, then you are truly prepared for life too. Only then.
Today is a Good Day to Die – Crazy Horse Read Post »
This silence, this moment, every moment, if it’s genuinely inside you, brings what you need. There’s nothing to believe. Only when I stopped believing in myself did I come into this beauty. Sit quietly, and listen for a voice that will say, ‘Be more silent.’ Die and be quiet. Quietness is the surest sign that
Rumi – Live in silence Read Post »
Did I love well? Did I live fully? Did I learn to let go? Jack KornfieldA Path with Heart I’ve recently been delving back into ‘A Path with Heart’ by Jack Kornfield after many years, and once again came across this lovely aphorism. He relates how when one is lying on your deathbed you are
The Measure of a Life Read Post »
I came across this the other day .. what a delight! Taking everything onto the path … nothing is outside of the path, nothing is essentially problematic …. all is the path, all is mind, all is same taste …. Namo Ratna Guru ! When thoughts that there is something perceived and a perceiverLure my
Gotsampa – Seven Delights: A Song About Taking Difficult Circumstances to the Path Read Post »
I remember very clearly my new boss at a company telling me (upon my finding out that he was a Buddhist and asking him what practices he does), that he doesn’t practice, that he’s taking a ‘holiday’ in this life, and that he’ll practice in the next life. It struck me at the time that
The most amazing thing about my life …. is that after going to sleep at night …. each morning …. I wake up again! When I really think about this …. no …. really think about this …. how extraordinary that life continues throughout my dullness during sleep, during my unconsciousness …. and somehow I
