The limitless expanse of emptinessIs luminous with all-pervading light,In clear mind sky, free from complexities,The rainbow of phenomena shines forth. Where neither confusion nor freedom has ever existed,The father and mother of all, Universal Goodness,Dwell in the secret great bliss beyond thoughtYet reveal the miracles of love’s unceasing play. Whatever the eye sees is sacred […]
Aspiration of Great Perfection Read Post »
I was sitting next to our bath last night, with my toddler playing with his bubbles. And I was reflecting that for many years, when I first came to practice, and first had children, I used to feel very strongly that my goal in life, the goal of spiritual life, was ‘somewhere else’, ‘something else’,
Is This All There Is? Read Post »
Mahamudra is traditionally said to be difficult to realise due to Four Faults. The nature of our mind is right here, right now for us to recognise, but somehow we may not manage that. The Four Faults are: It’s Too Easy We may have an idea that seeing the nature of our mind must be
Mahamudra Is Too Easy, Close, Good, Deep Read Post »
I used to imagine that the Buddha was so very far away. Enlightenment was so inconceivably difficult to attain, and the path there so very long. With my swirling emotions and obscurations, how long the journey seemed, and how very hard I had to strive in order to reach the state of perfect Awakening. When
Dharmakaya, Sambhogakaya, Nirmanakaya Read Post »
I thought I’d respond to Al’s comment on my previous post here, and share something of how Deity mediation works in a Vajrayana and Mahamudra context. Seems like you’re in a great space – if I may ask – how much “concentration” is applied during your meditation – I do recall you mentioning devotional aspect
Deity Yoga and Concentration Read Post »
There are some beautiful changes in my meditation at present which I thought I’d share. A month or so ago I switched to doing my daily meditation out in the open again, having spent much of the last 6 months meditating indoors. It’s been such a joy to meditate under the open sky, regardless of
The Blessings of Meditation Read Post »
Mahamudra meditation instruction is often presented in terms of two-fold advice – the common, and the uncommon. These could be said to be the general and the detailed or specific instructions. The common or general instructions seem intended to be the base or background upon which all the uncommon or detailed instructions build. For me
Reflections on Tilopa – Mahamudra Pith Instructions Read Post »
Response to a question on a List: How do you access your mind. Thoughts are like waves and the mind is like the ocean. How do you access the ocean? Looking at your question, I will respond in three parts: – How do you access your mind? – Thoughts are like waves and the mind
The Ocean and Waves of Mind Read Post »
In response to the notion that: the teachings of Madhyamaka (Great Middle Way, or UmaChenpo in tib.) are the foundation of the view in Kagyu tradition. I didn’t say that Madhyamaka was the foundation of the Kagyu view. I actually said that within the tradition it is often said to be “most useful for clarifying
Madhyamaka and Shentong – Luminosity and Emptiness Read Post »
In response to a mail where it was said that: 3rd Karmapa in his Mahamudra verses actually says that 3 different approaches – Maha Ati, Mahamudra and Madhyamaka – lead to the same goal and, when you realize one, you realize other two as well. So, from the level of accomplishment, they are the same
Madhyamaka, Shentong and Realising Mahamudra Read Post »
