Experience and Realisation

by Kalu Rinpoche

As beginners, it is difficult for us to experience meditation that is really clear and detached. But with the help of our lama, we can learn to leave our mind in its naturally transparent, clear state - vigilant, totally open - and let it simply rest in this way, maintaining just enough acuity to safeguard alertness. If we meditate regularly this way, our mind will gradually become clearer, more detached and vigilant, and the practice will unfold.

RECOGNISING, CULTIVATING, STABILISING

Take again the example of the sky darkened by clouds-an image of the ignorant state of ordinary beings. Space and the sun are there, but space is completely obscured; light cannot shine through. The genuine experiences of meditation that begin to develop are like the slightest opening in the clouds; a small clearing allows a ray of sun to pierce through with some light. We glimpse the emptiness, clarity, or limitlessness of the mind. More and more, the clouds disperse and the sky opens to the sun's brightness. The layers dissolve, uncovering the jewel's brilliance.

What we just said are only words, empty sound. To understand it means to realise emptiness, but that is not easy. We must first receive from our lama the introduction to this practice of recognising natural mind; then we have to develop it, cultivate it nonstop in all our activities, until the practice definitely stabilises. These are the steps to realisation.

THE FOUR YOGAS

The progression of the realisation of mahamudra is described as following four yogas, or four levels of approach to unification with the experience of mahamudra. Each of these four is divided into three, which makes a total of twelve levels.

The first is unification (tsechig in Tibetan). At this stage, after having received initiation into the practice of mahamudra and having recognised it, we cultivate "direct mind" without distraction: at first in sitting meditation and then in meditation in action, that is, in all circumstances and activities. As it becomes more stable, we pass through the three levels of unification. When it has become completely stable, day and night, we have reached the superior level of unification. The experience of the next level is not far off. The second level is called simplicity, or "without thought," because it is beyond all the productions of habitual mind. This level's realisation is the direct experience of emptiness. In Mahayana classification, this is the Path of Insight, the attainment of the first bodhisattva bhumi, or ground; the beginning of freedom from samsara's illusions. 

The third level is called "one taste," as all experiences now have the one taste of mahasukha, or the great bliss which is mahamudra. The fourth level is nonmeditation. It is the final realisation wholly beyond any notion of meditation and nonmeditation. The superior level of absence of meditation corresponds to what the dzogchen tradition calls the experience of the exhaustion of emptiness and is the ultimate state of buddhahood.

CONCLUSION

When we begin to have glimpses of what mahamudra practice is, we need to have faith in the teaching of the Three Jewels and to meditate as much as we can, praying to our lama constantly. This way, the practice will advance. If we do not understand what mahamudra practice is about, it is because our mind is still clouded by the many veils of ignorance and mental afflictions, so it is very important to be diligent about the practices of accumulation and purification.

The practice of mahamudra is the path that all the lineages' adepts have followed. Through it, all the extraordinary lamas - Milarepa and so many others-reached enlightenment.

MILAREPA'S LAST TEACHING

One day, Milarepa warned Gampopa that the time had come for him to depart. He told Gampopa, "You've received the entire transmission. I have given you all the teachings, as if pouring water from one vase into another. Only one pith instruction remains that I haven't taught you. It's very secret." He then accompanied Gampopa to a river, where they were to part. Gampopa made prostrations to take his leave and started across. But Milarepa called him back: "You really are a good disciple. Anyway, I will give you this last teaching."

Overjoyed, Gampopa prostrated nine times, then waited for the instruction. Milarepa proceeded to turn around and pull up his robe, showing Gampopa his bottom. "Do you see?"

And Gampopa said, "Uh ... yes."

"Do you really see?" Gampopa was not sure what he was supposed to see. Milarepa had calluses on his buttocks; they looked as though they were half flesh and half stone.

"You see, this is how I reached enlightenment: sitting and meditating. If you want to reach it in this life, make the same effort. That is my final teaching. I have nothing more to add."