I’ve been reflecting back quite a bit recently about my journey, and how I’ve taken many approaches at different times – I believe because they’ve each been appropriate at the time. I don’t know if I’ve ever had a ‘one size fits all’ type attitude when it comes to whatever this strange thing that we […]
A Dzogchen Guide to Buddhist Yanas Read Post »
Issa Kobayashi’s poignant haiku about life’s fleeting nature. So few in words, yet so utterly profound. This World of Dew: The world of dew — A world of dew it is indeed, And yet, and yet . . . 露の世は露の世ながらさりながらTsuyu no yo wa tsuyu no yo nagara sari nagara Issa KobayashiDew on the Grass: The
This World of Dew – Issa Kobayashi Read Post »
The birds have vanished into the sky,and now the last cloud drains away. We sit together, the mountain and me,until only the mountain remains. from Endless River: Li Po and Tu Fu: A Friendship in Poetry, Translated by Sam Hami. This is so evocative. A truly beautiful image, of Li Po sitting *with* the mountain,
Li Bai / Li Po – The Birds Have Vanished Into The Sky Read Post »
To innermost bliss, I pay homage! Were I to explain Mahamudra, I would say—All phenomena? Your own mind!If you look outside for meaning, you’ll get confused.Phenomena are like a dream, empty of true nature,And mind is merely the flux of awareness,No self nature: just energy flow.No true nature: just like the sky.All phenomena are alike,
Reflections on Maitripa – Essential Mahamudra Verses Read Post »
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.
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 reflecting this morning on how much devotion images of the deity Prajnaparamita bring forth from me. Given that she is the deity who represents Wisdom, rather than Love, Compassion, Patience and so on …. how interesting that she inspires so much devotion in me. Pretty much every image I’ve ever seen of her
Devotion to Prajnaparamita Read Post »
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 »
I thought I’d post on the nature of mantras and how they work, as I’ve recently responded to a question asking this on a Dharma list …. Firstly though, I’d like to say that I wholeheartedly agree with the suggestions already made that the way to truly find out what mantras are and how they
If both the moving and the calm aspects of the mind are the same, then why should we meditate and learn to reach the calm aspect? Responses on a Dharma list In an important sense, both aspects are not the same. From the relative point of view, are they the same? Do they both appear
Mind Moving and Mind Still Read Post »
