Like a Fish Leaping from Water

KTGR dancing mudra in blanket 
Khenpo Tsültrim Gyamtso Rinpoche 

 

Quote of the Week
January 27, 2012

  

 

 

 

Like a Fish Leaping from Water

 As soon as a thought has arisen, it has ceased. Like an ocean wave that has dissolved into the ocean, it has ceased. There is no need to pursue it. There is no need to pursue thoughts that have passed. When you realize that a thought has arisen and think, "I will look at that thought," look nakedly at whatever thought arises in the present and relax. Looked at and looker both appear. Do not look at the object. Look inward at the looker...

 In the tradition of mahamudra and ati, this is called "focusing upon awareness alone."... Awareness looks at awareness. You must do that a lot.

Like a fish leaping from water,
A thought arises suddenly.
Look nakedly at its nature.
Then look at awareness alone.
In the end awareness settles into itself.

 

Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, Mahamudra Vipahyana, Karme Choling, Summer 1993, p. 199, translated by Jules B. Levinson

 

Know this life to be like a dream.
See the mind’s unborn nature.
Aspire to be of benefit to others.

– Khenchen Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche
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