Meditation: Shentong Approach

Fifth and last in a series of meditations based upon my interpretation of Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche's

"Progressive Stages of Meditation on Emptiness."

1. Conceptual
Taking Refuge & Arousing Bodhicitta

Focus: "the Clear Light Nature of Mind"

Implications to date:
Shravaka = "no inherent self,"
Cittamatra = "no inherent other,"
Svatantrika = "merely mind streams of empty moments of consciousness,"
Prasangika = "silence completely the conceptual mind,"
Shentong = "rest in the self-liberating nonconceptual mind."

Methods:
"...Whatever thoughts arise, there is no need to stop them; in that state they simply liberate themselves. It is like waves on an ocean that simply come to rest in themselves. No effort is required to still them. (Jamgom Kongtrul)"

Implication: It is possible and desirable to meditate between formal sessions. "From time to time one can stop whatever one is doing and rest the mind in its Clear Natural Light, and then carry that awareness over into whatever one is doing."

Vehicle: Mahayana/Bodhisattvayana (Relieving the suffering of all)
Branch: Madhyamaka (Middle Way)
Sub-Type: Shentong (Empty of Other; Stainless Buddha-nature)

Exponent: See the works of Maitreya.

Phase #1: Dreams - "... [D]reams arise quite clearly from the luminous quality of the mind itself."

Phase #2: "Sometimes [in the beginning] there will be the effort to see the emptiness of what arises, sometimes the effort to see the Clear Light Nature, sometimes an effort to see them both as inseparable, sometimes an effort to grasp the non-conceptual state, to understand it intellectually, or try to fix and maintain it somehow. [Although conceptual this is moving in the right direction.]"

Note:

Awakened mind is by nature primordially pure.
The true nature of phenomena is such that there is

nothing to discard or adopt,
nothing that comes or goes,

nothing to achieve by trying.
Rather, the sun and moon of utter lucidity arise
when one rests naturally in the spacious expanse

that is the true nature of phenomena.

- Longchen Rabjam (Longchenpa), "A Treasure Trove of
Scriptural Transmission [Choying Dzod]" ISBN
1-881847-30-6

2. Non-Conceptual
Now sit in "emptiness meditation, free of conceptual contrivance" cf. "Naked Awareness; Calm Abiding; Insight Meditation"

3. Conceptual
Sealing the Merit with Emptiness

Note: All errors in this interpretation are mine! Please see the original for study. Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso's "Progressive Stages of Meditation on Emptiness" is obtainable as - [ISBN 1-877294-01-2].

Meditation: Prasangika Approach

Fourth in a series of meditations based upon my interpretation of Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche's

"Progressive Stages of Meditation on Emptiness."

1. Conceptual
Taking Refuge & Arousing Bodhicitta

Focus: "Conceptual mind is always in error. {Don't contrive!}"

Implications to date:
Shravaka = "no inherent self,"
Cittamatra = "no inherent other,"
Svatantrika = "merely mind streams of empty moments of consciousness,"
Prasangika = "silence completely the conceptual mind."

Methods:
Inner and outer phenomena arise neither:
1) "from self,"
2) "from other,"
3) "from both,"
4) "from neither (causelessly)."

Implication: Even time and moments of conceptual mind are challenged.

Vehicle: Mahayana/Bodhisattvayana (Relieving the suffering of all)
Branch: Madhyamaka (Middle Way)
Sub-Type-1: Rangtong (Self-Empty)
Sub-Type-2: Prasangika (Refuting self-nature of phenomena, Espousing nothing conceptually.)

Exponent: Chandrakirti's interpretation of Nagarjuna's Madhyamaka, "Middle Way System" in defense of Buddhapalita's writings.

Phase #1: Dreams - Beyond the conceptual contrivance of "real" and "unreal."

Phase #2: "...[L]et the mind rest naturally without contrivance in the natural emptiness of mind... Whenever strong emotions arise... rest without contrivance, without doing anything at all. They [will] simply subside and come to rest by themselves."

Note: "The methods of evaluating reality that are used in the system of Natural Great Perfection [caps are mine] - for example, determining it to be free of limitation - are largely in accord with those of the syllogistic Prasangika approach in the Middle Way school. But the Middle Way school takes as its working basis sheer emptiness that is like space, while this system takes as its basis awareness, pure and simple - originally pure in all its nakedness and unceasing, though it has never existed as anything - so that awareness and the phenomena that arise within its scope are judged to be free of limitation, like space." - Longchen Rabjam (Longchenpa), "A Treasure Trove of Scriptural Transmission [Choying Dzod]" ISBN 1-881847-30-6

2. Non-Conceptual
Now sit in "emptiness meditation, free of conceptual contrivance" cf. "Naked Awareness; Calm Abiding; Insight Meditation"

3. Conceptual
Sealing the Merit with Emptiness

Note: All errors in this interpretation are mine! Please see the original for study. Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso's "Progressive Stages of Meditation on Emptiness" is obtainable as - [ISBN 1-877294-01-2].

Meditation: Svatantrika Approach

Third in a series of meditations based upon my interpretation of Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche's

"Progressive Stages of Meditation on Emptiness."

1. Conceptual
Taking Refuge & Arousing Bodhicitta

Focus: "All phenomena (outer appearing objects and inner mental phenomena) are empty of essence."

Implications to date:
Shravaka = "no inherent self,"
Cittamatra = "no inherent other,"
Svatantrika = "merely mind streams of empty moments of consciousness"

Methods:
1) "neither single, nor multiple" and
2) "merely dependent arising"

Vehicle: Mahayana/Bodhisattvayana (Relieving the suffering of all)
Branch: Madhyamaka (Middle Way)
Sub-Type-1: Rangtong (Self-Empty)
Sub-Type-2: Svatantrika (Refuting self-nature of phenomena, Espousing "emptiness.")

Exponent: Bhavaviveka's interpretation of Nagarjuna's Madhyamaka, "Middle Way System."

Phase #1: Dreams - "All dharmas are emptiness."

Note: See all 18 elements (6-sense organs, 6-sense objects, and 6-consciousnesses.)

Phase #2: Using listening and reflection examine the "emptiness" of all inner and outer phenomena

Note: See Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso's "The Sun of Wisdom [ISBN 1-57062-999-4 (PBK.)]" for a quick introduction to Nagarjuna's method of demonstrating 27 common concepts being conceptual fabrications in "The Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way."

2. Non-Conceptual
Now sit in "emptiness meditation, free of conceptual contrivance"
cf. "Naked Awareness; Calm Abiding"

3. Conceptual
Sealing the Merit with Emptiness

Note: All errors in this interpretation are mine! Please see the original for study. Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso's "Progressive Stages of Meditation on Emptiness" is obtainable as - [ISBN 1-877294-01-2].

Meditation: Cittamatra Approach

As noted before, the guided meditations in this series are based upon my interpretation of Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche's

"Progressive Stages of Meditation on Emptiness."

1. Conceptual
Taking Refuge & Arousing Bodhicitta

Focus: "The division of each moment of awareness into an inner perceiving mind and an outer perceived object is a conceptual invention."

Implication: As the "self" can not be shown to have an inherent existence, as a result "outer objects" cannot be shown to have an inherent existence.

Proposition: the non-dual "self-illuminating, self-aware mind" is "truly existent." (to be revised later)

Vehicle: Mahayana/Bodhisattvayana (Relieving the suffering of all)

Phase #1: Dreams - As the "self" does not truly exist in dreams, the "other objects" do not have true existence.

Phase #2: The Three Natures of Experience.

1. imaginary nature - "the assumption that dream entities are real"

2. dependent nature - "the actual dream experience of the mind"

3. truly existent nature - "the emptiness of the mind and entities"

2. Non-Conceptual
Now sit in "emptiness meditation," cf. "Naked Awareness; Calm Abiding"

3. Conceptual
Sealing the Merit with Emptiness

Note: Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso's "Progressive Stages of Meditation on Emptiness" is obtainable as - [ISBN 1-877294-01-2].

Meditation: Shravaka Approach

The following guided meditation is based upon my interpretation of Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche's

"Progressive Stages of Meditation on Emptiness."

1. Conceptual
Taking Refuge & Arousing Bodhicitta

Focus: Watching the clinging to an emotional self that is:
1) single, 2) permanent, and 3) independent.

Vehicle: Hinayana/Basic Foundation (relieving personal suffering)

Phase #1: Dreams - The relative and absolute aspects of "self" in dreams.

Phase #2: Skandhas - Looking for "self" in Mind and Body

* Form:
Where in the body is the self?
[examine singularity = one versus many]
Note: If "self" is located in the brain, what part of the brain is removed to avoid suffering.

* Feeling:
Is the "self" liking, disliking or indifference?
[complex, constantly changing, and dependent!]

* Perception:
Is the "self" the recognitions of things?
[complex, constantly changing, and dependent!]
See Meditation and the Sixth sense/consciousness.

* Mental Constructions/Intellect:
Is the "self" the samskaras?
[complex, constantly changing, and dependent!]
Note: Kleshas, Karmic winds, "Fangs of ego."
See the Seventh sense/consciousness.

* Consciousnesses:
Is the "self" the "moment-to-moment" stream of mental activity?
[complex, constantly changing, dependent!]
See the Eighth sense/consciousness.

2. Non-Conceptual
Now sit in "emptiness meditation," cf. "Naked Awareness, Calm Abiding"


3. Conceptual
Sealing the Merit with Emptiness

For a justification of this attempted preliminary step in the alignment of Dzogchen, Mahamudra, and Madyamika guided meditations see:

Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche commentary "Song of Karmapa," pp. 92-95. [ISBN 962-7341-14-2 (PBK)]

Tai Situ Rinpoche's commentary "The Third Karmapa's Mahamudra Prayer," pp. 83-84. [ISBN 1-55939-169-3]

Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche's commentary "The Third Karmapa Rangjung Dorje's Aspirational Prayer for Mahamudra," pp. 44-45. [ISBN 1-877294-18-7]

See also Lama Surya Das' "Swooping Down From Above"

Note: Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso's "Progressive Stages of Meditation on Emptiness" is obtainable as -
[ISBN 1-877294-01-2].

Blending Verbal Perspectives

I am fascinated by the teaching treasured by Nyoshul Khenpo...:

Good in the beginning (Arousing Bodhicitta)
Good in the Middle (Practicing Naked Awareness)
Good in the End (Sealing the Merit with Emptiness)

...compared to Lama Surya Das,
abstracting the theme of this teaching from a similar Dzogchen perspective as:

Conceptual Practice (Arriving & Intensifying)
Non-Conceptual Practice (Relaxation)
Conceptual Practice (Intensification)

Aside: Kalu Rinpoche taught that mantra work [conceptual practice] empowers/energizes the naked awareness [non-conceptual] practice.

Personal Reminder: It would be good to list other conceptual intensification practices. In particular, I should look at Venerable Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche's "Progressive Stages of Meditation on Emptiness" to integrate the Madyamaka perspective into the frame above.

Guided Meditations

I have been fascinated by the number of guided meditations and contemplations that Lama Surya Das has embedded in "Awakening the Buddha Within: Tibetan Wisdom for the Western World."

Here is a provisional list and where they start:

Page 021 - "Where to Begin"
Page 049 - "Daily Necessities" (A contemplation)
Page 071 - "Mingling Dharma with Your Daily Life" (A contemplation)

A Daily Meditation:
Page 128 - "Four Transforming Thoughts That Redirect the Mind"

Page 135 - "Visualizing Your World as a Buddha Field"

The Six-syllable Mantra Meditation:
Page 141 - "Om Mani Padme Hung"

Page 162 - "Tonglen Meditation: Exchanging Oneself for Others"
Page 189 - "The Heart Sutra" (A Sutra to Chant)
Page 195 - "Try a Little Silence"
Page 228 - "Meditation on Right Action"
Page 256 - "Contemplating the Possibility of Right Livelihood"

A Meditation on the Four Divine Abodes:
Page 292 - "The Best Place to Live"

Page 299 - "The Mirror of Mindfulness" (A Vajra Song to Contemplate)
Page 312 - "The Three-Stage Meditation

Finding the Natural Mini-meditations in Your Own Life:
Page 318 - "Beach Chair Meditation"

Page 326 - "Living up to Death: A Meditation"
Page 332 - "Dream Yoga: A Meditation"

Concentration Exercises:
Page 340 - "Breath Counting"
Page 343 - "Awareness of Breathing"
Page 345 - "Walking Meditation"
Page 346 - "Walking-Breathing-Synchronization Meditation"
Page 347 - "Standing and Walking Backward Meditation"
Page 348 - "Chewing Meditation/Chew This Over"

Dzogchen Meditations:
Page 358 - "A Rushen Meditation - Discerning Differences"
Page 360 - "Dzogchen Five-Element Meditation"
Page 362 - "Sky-Gazing Meditation"
Page 364 - "Ahhh Meditation"

Visualizations:
Page 367 - "Candle-Flame Concentration/Visualization Meditation"
Page 369 - "Buddha Light Visualization Meditation"

Vajra Song by Venerable Lama Gendun Rinpoche:
Page 374 - "Free and Easy: A Spontaneous Song"


It would be nice to have these 30 meditations/contemplations in a separate notebook for small group work. Perhaps I'll check Lama Surya's other texts for more contemplative and concentration exercises.

Awareness & Meditation

I am still digesting the following thought from Lama Surya Das, "Awakening the Buddha Within":

"Meditation is about bringing awareness to whatever is, in the present moment. It is about knowing reality. In meditation we bring awareness to everything, including our thoughts and feelings. We are cultivating present moment-to-moment awareness. We want to be conscious, awake, and aware --- not oblivious. Because of our meditation training, we will be better able to notice and appreciate the flowers coming through the cracks in the sidewalk. We will be better able to find joy in the children playing at the beach with their tiny shovels and plastic pails ( p. 309)."

This seems to blend meditation training with post-meditation training in a very powerful way. I am reminded that the Buddha said the objects of meditation were the body, thoughts and emotions, outer phenomnena, and events.

Ephemeral Poem #2

Longchenpa's Final Word

Awareness
And even this is
Metaphor

Lama Surya Das - Swooping Down from Above

Here is one of my favorite teachings from Lama Surya, a commentary on the Third Karmapa, Ranjung Dorje's " The Single Word of Heart-Advice." It is so crisp and to the point. Because this teaching might seem to be something to hold onto too strongly, it will be followed by an emphemeral poem paraphrasing a teaching from Rangjung Dorje's Dharma brother Longchenpa.

Ephemeral Poem #1

I have been experimenting with creating short titled prose poems in a 3/5/3 structure. They seem to be nice devices for packing teachings into bite-size thoughts to memorize. Here is an example:

Poem: Emptiness

Eleven
Syllables and I
Don't exist!

Lama Surya Das

The inspiration for this site came from Lama Surya's Blog.

Additional information on Lama Surya Das can be found at www.dzogchen.org and http://www.surya.org.

A wonderful quote: Looking Inside

"There are people who are willing and eager to plunge deep within themselves, to study and practice the teachings, making sacrifices even, in order to exert themselves in the cultivation of spiritual awareness. Isn't the Dharma everywhere? Is there anywhere else to seek and discover it, except within oneself, within one's own heart mind?" Nyoshul Khenpo and Lama Surya Das - "Natural Great Perfection: Dzogchen Teachings and Vajra Songs."