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Milarepa

MACHIG LABDRON AND THE CHÖD TRADITION

To sever attachment to home, family, and friends, chödpas moved from valley to valley, village to village, sacred place to sacred place, charnel ground to charnel ground, staying only for brief periods in small tents and under trees before moving on. They would camp in groups, but only as close as the sound of a kangling could reach.

UNDER THE KIND GAZE OF AMA YANGRI

In 2016 I was fortunate enough to visit several power places of Padmasambhava, spending some weeks in retreat at one, and doing meditation and puja at others. I will share some of my experiences in the hope of encouraging others to visit these holy sites which confer blessings even though one lacks faith or even interest.

MILAREPA’S SONG TO SHAKYA GUNA

If these perceptions and samsara do not exist, then there seem to be no need for practice. If the mind does not exist, then there seems to be no doer. If there is no master, then one does not know how to practice. Please clarify these and also give me the pointing-out instruction to the nature of mind. In response, Jetsün Milarepa sang this song.

LISTEN UP – MILAREPA SINGS

Listen dear, listen up Rechungpa, your old man Milarepa here, I sleep sometimes & sleeping. . . meditate, sleeping & sleeping, just that is meditation, the murky fog turns clear, there’s a way & I’m the guy who knows how others don’t, but if they did, I’d be happy.

EVERYTHING IS EVERYTHING – A SONG BY MILAREPA

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.”

A PILGRIMAGE TO THE TIGER’S NEST

Taktsang is indeed a special place. It is the most holy and revered temple in all of Bhutan, perched dramatically on the edge of a cliff with a 900 meters drop beneath. The Indian yogi Padmasambhava, affectionately known as Guru Rinpoche in the Himalayas, flew to this cave on the back of a tiger.