One of the things that I really appreciate about Mahamudra is that there are instructions that seem to just ‘hit the mark’ for me. Sometimes I feel I need detailed instructions, and there are many of those. There are primary texts such as those by Tilopa (The Six Words of Advice, The Ganges Mahamudra), Naropa […]
Mahamudra Inspiration Read Post »
I’ve recently discovered a blog called if you see the dhamma … written by Joseiem, which I’ve really enjoyed reading, and commenting on. I thought I’d just lift a set of replies I posted to Joseiem’s comments. I’ve used the title of this post to highlight what I’m trying to point at, not to characterise
Starting from Experience and Starting from Thought Read Post »
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
Reflections on Chinul – Pointing to your Original Mind Read Post »
(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 »
I thought I’d just share this teaching from Pema Chodron on one of the slogans of the 7 Point Mind Training. This one cuts really deep for me, and has had a profound influence on my practice. It’s such an interesting area … this tension between trying to get somewhere (other than where we are
Abandon any Hope of Fruition Read Post »
Is there anything I can do to make myself enlightened? As little as you can do to make the sun rise in the morning. Then of what use are the spiritual exercises you prescribe? To make sure you are not asleep when the sun begins to rise. Anthony deMelloOne Minute Wisdom Not sure who Anthony
Anthony deMello – The Dawning of Enlightenment 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 »
‘Regard all dharmas as dreams’. This is the first slogan of the second section of the ‘Seven Points of Mind Training’. It’s the first of the slogans which emphasise the ultimate quality of Bodhicitta – that of Emptiness. I’ve been bringing this to mind the last few days. I remember many years ago, when first
Regard all Phenomena as Dreams Read Post »
In the ‘Jewel Ornament of Liberation’, Gampopa (as do other teachers of orthodox Dharma) asserts that there are three types of suffering, which are: 1 – the suffering of suffering2 – the suffering of change3 – all-pervasive suffering The suffering of suffering In brief, the suffering of suffering is simply the stuff that really hurts,
The Three Types of Suffering Read Post »
