The 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.
Saraha
quoted in the book
Read a random quote or see all quotes by Saraha.
Further quotes from the book The Ninth Karmapa, Wangchuk Dorje's Ocean of Certainty :
- Maintaining awareness
- The root of samsara and nirvana
- Realizing the nature of mind
- Mind’s reflections
- Diversity and unity
- Relaxing in an unconditional state
- Free from all empirical characteristics
- Maintaing awareness in the states of agitation and meditative equipoise