You must…be very careful not to mistake the idea of emptiness for the actual experience. The idea of emptiness has to do with intellectual understanding, proving assumptions and drawing conclusions, whereas experience is to see it for what it is, within you, not as a theory but in actuality. You should make sure that you do not make the mistake of taking an idea for the actual experience.

Thrangu Rinpoche

from the book Crystal Clear: Practical Advice for Mahamudra Meditators

translated by Erik Pema Kunsang


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Further quotes from the book Crystal Clear:

• Looking at the perceiving mind
• The nature of thoughts and emotions
• Only ignorance can sustain it
• Being ever more careful in our behavior
• Mind and the object of meditation
• No longer being overcome by thoughts
• In the moment of love