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EVERYTHING IS EVERYTHING – A SONG BY MILAREPA

I was inspired to render this song into English based on the following experience. Once while walking down the street a homeless guy asked me for some money. I glanced into his clear open eyes and was seized with a yearning to be of assistance. I fumbled for change, but had none. I looked at him, again, and said “I’m sorry, man, I have nothing”. And he said: “That’s alright man, everything is everything.”

 

appearance & emptiness
when they’re no different
everything is my view

dream time & wake time
when they’re no different
everything is my meditation

bliss & emptiness
when they’re no different
everything is my activity

now & later
when there’s no difference
everything is naturally real

mind & space
when there’s no difference
everything is dharmakaya

happy & sad
when there’s no difference
everything is guru’s instruction

upset & wisdom
when there’s no difference
everything is the realized state

my mind & buddha mind
when there’s no difference
everything is complete


Painting by unknown.
This poetry appeared in Tibetan Literary Arts, Curated by Marit Cranmer, published By Shang Shung Institute, Neilson Library, Smith College, May 2007.
Recommended reading by and about Milarepa.



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