You Are IT

When we question ego-mind directly, it is exposed for what it is: the absence of everything we believe it to be.

We can actually see through this seemingly solid ego-mind, or self. But what are we left with then? We are left with an open, intelligent awareness, unfettered by a self to cherish or protect.

This is the primordial wisdom mind of all beings. Relaxing into this discovery is true meditation—and true meditation brings ultimate realization and freedom from suffering.

– Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, from “Searching for Self”

Simply by turning on the light, you can instantly destroy the darkness. Likewise, even a rather simple analysis of ego-clinging and afflictive emotions can make them collapse. By suppression we may temporarily subdue our afflictive emotions, but only an investigation of their true nature will completely eradicate them.

– Dilgo Kyentse Rinpoche, from “An Investigation of the Mind”

I wandered for many years
After leaving the dusty world,
Then built a cozy home
On the blue mountain.
Loving fidelity, I plant a
Thousand bamboos
And a hundred foot pine
As symbols of my integrity.
I plant mums around the wall,
I’m comfortably secluded;
I recite poems in the moonlight;
The sound is crisp and clean.
There’s no pleasure like growing
Old on the mountain.
Why should I go crazy
When the road is blocked?

– Buhyu Sunsoo (1543-1615)

Finding a teacher to learn the truth
Is nothing special
It’s like riding a cow to return home.
If you can stride freely atop
A hundred foot pole
Countless buddhas will only be
Sparks in your eyes.

– Buhyu Sunsoo (1543-1615)

Reality does not need or want to be changed. It has gone to great trouble to establish itself as it is, and it is perfect. This very world of today, as it appears before us in all its glory and horror, is the sacred landscape we live in. What is. Our role is not to arrogantly critique this Great Perfection, picking and choosing in it according to the conventional wisdom of the day; our job is simply to join in with it. And there’s no need to have a poverty mentality about the life in this world. It is not now and has never been in any danger. No matter what happens on this planet, there will always be plenty of good life-filled worlds for us to join in with.

– John McClellan, from “Nondual Ecology”

Mind is unlimited. So therefore, you have many different conceptions and different phenomena’s, because your mind’s unlimited. The only limitation is in the way of thinking.

-Thinley Norbu Rinpoche

The person who is free and easy
Beyond every boundary, is enlightened.
He doesn’t hoe much,
But there are no weeds in his field.

– Jungkwan Haean (b 1567)

Acts at random,
In ignorance of
The constant, bode ill.
Knowing the constant
Gives perspective;
This perspective is impartial.
Impartiality is the highest nobility;
The highest nobility is divine,
And the divine is the Way.
This Way is everlasting,
Not endangered by physical death.

– Tao-te Ching

Cut and drilled into, the blue cliff
Has lost its original beauty,
And frightens the birds,
And spills dirt into your eyes.
Nirvana has nothing to do with stones.
Enlightenment isn’t limited to man.
Mountains, water, and earth
Are the Buddha’s bodies.

– Jungkwan Haean (b 1567)