Tuesday, October 22, 2019

A poem by Nyendrak Lungrig Nyima

Although subject and object are not two,
They appear to us as fundamentally distinct entities.

And through attachment to them, we further strengthen this tendency.
Samsara is nothing else but that.

While good and bad actions are devoid of true reality,
By the power of our intention they produce joys and sorrows,
Just as seeds of sweet or bitter plants
Give fruits of corresponding taste.

Thus, the world appears similarly
To those with common karma,
And differently to those whose karma is different.

In fact, even if one “goes” to hell or elsewhere,
It is only a change in one’s perception of the world.
As in dreams, where the things that appear do not exist,
The root of all our illusory perceptions is the mind.

The nature of mind transcends the notions of existence
And nonexistence, eternity and nothingness:
To this nature is given the simple name “absolute space.”

That space, in itself perfectly pure,
That immaculate sky, empty and luminous, with no center or periphery,

Has always been in the heart of every being,
Its face obscured by the temporary veil of mental constructs.

It is hard to put an end by force
To the continuous chain of thoughts,
But if, when they occur, their nature is recognized,
Thoughts have no choice
But to be liberated in their own sphere.

Without pursuing past thoughts
Or inviting future thoughts,
Remain in the present moment, and simply recognize
The nature of whatever arises in your mind.
Relax in simplicity, free of intentions and attachments.

Although there is nothing to meditate on
Remain fully present without getting distracted.
By getting used to the way things occur of themselves, without altering anything,
Primordial wisdom, self-luminous, will arise from within.

“How is this so?” you might ask.
If you leave cloudy water undisturbed,
It will naturally become clear.
Most other meditations
Are only temporary ways to calm the mind.

The space of great unchanging emptiness
And the simple luminosity of uninterrupted wakeful presence
Have always been inseparable.
You must yourself experience that essential thing
Which is within you: no one can do it for you.

Ricard, Matthieu. On the Path to Enlightenment: Heart Advice from the Great Tibetan Masters (pp. 166-167). Shambhala. Kindle Edition. 

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