Dilgo Khyentse RinpocheYou can pile up grass to the height of a mountain, but if you take each blade of grass one by one, you will end up with nothing, with no such thing as a “mountain” entity. In the same way, with many stones we can make a solid wall. But if we then remove the stones one by one, not even the name “wall” will be left. Sometimes bubbles appear on the surface of a body of water. From the outside they look like spheres, with a certain solid form that lasts. But when they burst, nothing is left. Similarly, we have taken for granted that the body is existent when in reality there is no such thing. Unavoidably we come to the conclusion that the body does not truly exist.
Impermanence is everywhere ~ Patrul Rinpoche
Patrul RinpocheImpermanence is everywhere, yet I still think things will last.
I have reached the gates of old age, yet I still pretend I am young.
Bless me and misguided beings like me,
That we may truly understand impermanence.
Phenomena adorn emptiness ~ Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
Dilgo Khyentse RinpocheThe presence of space makes it possible for the whole universe to be set out within it, and yet this does not alter or condition space in any way. Although rainbows appear in the sky, they do not make any difference to the sky; it is simply that the sky makes the appearance of rainbows possible. Phenomena adorn emptiness, but never corrupt it.
Nothing to fear ~ Yeshe Tsogyal
Yeshe TsogyalI see nothing to fear in inner space.
Cutting free ~ Kyong Ho
Kyong HoBe equal to every hindrance. Buddha attained Supreme Enlightenment without hindrance. Seekers after truth are schooled in adversity. When they are confronted by a hindrance, they can’t be over-come. Then, cutting free, their treasure is great.
There is continuity ~ Khunu Rinpoche
Khunu RinpocheAfter death, our mind doesn’t come to a complete stop – like water drying up or a flame going out. There is continuity. Just as wherever the body goes, the shadow comes along with it – similarly, wherever our mind goes, our karma comes along too. You must have an unshakably firm belief in this.
Generation Stage Practice ~ Thrangu Rinpoche
Thrangu RinpocheThe main practice in vajrayana consists of the generation stage, the cultivation of the practice of regarding oneself as the deity. From an ordinary point of view, we might regard this as useless. We would think, “Well, I am not a deity. What use is there in pretending to be a deity?” But in fact, the root of samsara is the habit of impure perception. By regarding oneself as a deity one gradually purifies, weakens, and removes that habit and replaces it with the positive habit of pure perception. It is for this reason that the meditation upon oneself as a deity is considered so important.
A great holiday for the mind ~ Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Lama Zopa RinpocheAs ordinary people, we often complain about others abusing us, disrespecting us, and harming us. But if we practice exchanging self for others — the letting go of self-cherishing thought and cherishing others instead — these troubles simply stop. As we do this practice we will find we no longer receive harm from others and instead experience much peace, happiness, and success. Practice becomes easier and liberation and enlightenment become that much closer. Every moment of every day becomes one of contentment and happiness. Cherishing others is like a great holiday for the mind, a wonderful vacation from the oppressive self-cherishing thought.
Hardships can entail valuable aspects ~ 14th Dalai Lama
14th Dalai LamaPersonally, I have lost my country and, worse still, in my country there has been a lot of destruction, suffering and unhappiness. I have spent not only the majority of my life but also the best part of my life outside Tibet. If you think of this from that angle alone, there is hardly anything that is positive. But from another angle, you can see that because of these unfortunate things I have had another type of freedom, such as the opportunity of meeting different people from different traditions and also of meeting scientists from different fields. From those experiences my life has been enriched and I have learned many valuable things. So my tragic experiences have also had some valuable aspects.
Relaxing in an unconditional state ~ Tilopa
TilopaAllow the mind to relax in an unconditional state,
Because when the mind is relaxed, you will achieve liberation.
Entering the Tantric Path ~ Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Lama Zopa RinpocheThe Tantric path is entered through attaining the general path, meaning the three principal aspects of the path: renunciation, bodhichitta, and the realization of emptiness. This makes it very clear that we need these three realizations before we can enter the Vajrayana, otherwise any tantric practice we do will not even be the cause for liberation. Without renunciation we can never free ourselves from attachment; without emptiness we can never eliminate the root of samsara; without bodhichitta we can never develop the cause of enlightenment.
Like a dewdrop on a blade of grass ~ Buddha Shakyamuni
Buddha ShakyamuniAll things move and change and are impermanent like clouds;
They may be likened to a flash of lightning.
They are like a dewdrop on a blade of grass, and deceptive like an empty fist;
They have no essence and no self, and lack intrinsic existence in every way.
Under the influence of the three poison ~ Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
Dilgo Khyentse RinpocheWith ignorance comes attachment to all that is pleasant to the ego as well as hatred and repulsion for all that is unpleasant. In that way the three poisons — ignorance, attachment, and hatred — come into being. Under the influence of these three poisons, the mind becomes like a servant running here and there. This is how the suffering of samsara is built up. It all derives from a lack of discernment and a distorted perception of the nature of phenomena.
Just being here again and again and again ~ Pema Chödron
Pema ChödronIt is never too late for any of us to look at our minds. We can always sit down and allow the space for anything to arise. Sometimes we have a shocking experience of ourselves. Sometimes we try to hide. Sometimes we have a surprising experience of ourselves. Often we get carried away. Without judging, without buying into likes and dislikes, we can always encourage ourselves to just be here again and again and again.
The three characteristics of mindfulness ~ Thrangu Rinpoche
Thrangu RinpocheMindfulness has three characteristics. First, one has a sharpness and clearness of mind in which the instructions are not forgotten. Second, although the mind is very sharp and focused, there are not many thoughts arising because meditation is nonconceptual, so the mind is naturally focused one-pointedly on an object. Third, because one has trust and faith and has the suppleness or flexibility of having become well trained, meditation becomes pleasant with a sense of comfort and pleasure.
Diversity and unity ~ Shantarakshita
ShantarakshitaWithin emptiness, everything exists in a harmonious state,
Whether it is good, bad, beautiful, or ugly.
Just as all the oceans have the flavor of salt,
The diversity of things participates in the unity of emptiness.
It is only your mind that experiences ~ Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche
Tulku Urgyen RinpocheThe essential practice is about nothing other than realizing the nature of your mind. It is only your mind that experiences. There is nothing other in this world that can experience. The five outer and inner elements, comprising the world and your body, don’t experience anything. Neither do the five sense organs. Thus, it is this mind that we need to be one hundred percent clear about.
Then ends rebirth ~ Buddha Shakyamuni
Buddha ShakyamuniThrough not seeing the Four Noble truths
Long was the weary path from birth to birth.
When these are known, removed is rebirth’s cause,
The root of sorrow plucked; then ends rebirth.
The way to rest the mind ~ Saraha
SarahaThe way to rest the mind
Should be neither too intense nor too relaxed.
Let the mind rest with clarity and without distraction,
Like a lamp on a windless night.
Let the mind wander to various objects with awareness,
Like a bird set free from a ship at sea.
Regard whatever arises in the mind as part of mahamudra,
Like the flames of a forest fire.
Regard all sensory impressions as part of meditation,
Like reflections of the moon on water.
A yogi allows the mind to wander and rest with ease,
Like a skilful elephant herder looks after his elephants.
A yogi should delight in sensory experiences,
Just as fields rely on water and manure.
Spiritual value is limitless ~ 14th Dalai Lama
14th Dalai LamaMaterial value is limited; spiritual value is limitless. And while daily we hear people talking about these two values, I’m not convinced that people fully understand inner value, even just the ability to rest and relax on a mental level. In modern society, material value is more prized as a path to contentment, but it is limited. The truer path to contentment is found in spiritual value, which is not concerned with material and physical things, and is limitless.