Glimpses Along the Path: Songs of Mahamudra

Description of Glimpses along the Path This work is about a series of experiences gained through mahamudra investigations. Mahamudra, Tibetan for the Great Seal Mahamudra investigations are undertaken to understand the nature of the mind which must be understood to experience reality which is the world without illusion. Most of the poems in this volume are my recollections of experiences achieved while meditating. Meditation strips the world of its illusions and allows it to be seen as it is. After each poem title there is a short statement about the content of the poem. Mahamudra Experiences The works that attempt descriptions of mahamudra experiences are as follow: Basic Goodness Comment: Attaining the experience of basic goodness is the beginning and the end of the path (which does not exist) to enlightenment. "Mahamudra Mind Contemplation" p. 17 Comment: Thoughts are the empty play of the mind.Ordinary Mind Practice"Ordinary mind is the mind without thought or conceptuality. "Intensity.. 21 A feeling experienced in meditation with no specific meaning Mahamuda Morning" 24 Comment: An experience of ground mahamudra; reality as it is. Mahamudra Sensations" 25 Comment: Sensations are empty thoughts that vanish when the cause is removed. Mahamudra Teachingp. 27In my opinion the rhetoric describing mahamudra experiences is overblown and exaggerated. "Mahamudra's Answer"p. 28 Comment: Experiences must be examined over and over again to attain a realization. "Song of Mahamudra" p. 30 Metaphors that give an idea (perhaps a feeling) of the mahamudra experience The Portrait" 32Comment: Meditating on the picture one pointedly duality vanishes."The Three Poisons p. 33Comment: Strong negative emotions experienced and dealt with in meditation The View"p. 34 Comment: Buddha nature is at the center of all sentient beings. "Thoughts of Mahamudra"p. 35Comment: Insight attained by looking at thoughts during mahamudra meditation. "Mahamudra Doubts" p. 41Comment: Thoughts that can arise during meditation. "Mahamudra in Darkness" p. 42Meditation in the dark. "Mahamudra Madhyamakap. 43: Questions to ask in analytical meditation"Mahamudra Questions".comment: Questions that arose during mahamudra meditation. Vipashyana- Moving Mind. 46 Comment: Metaphor describing the nature the thinking mind."Mahamudra's Promisep. 47 Comment: That the difference between perceiver and perception will disappear and duality vanishes. "The Trap that Destroys Mahamudra" p. 50 Comment: Hope and fear result in joy and despair which destroys meditative equipoise "View of Mahamudra" p. 53Comment: Appearances are not real. Mahamudra History and Practice These poems offer some insights into the history and practice of mahamudra."Open House Talk" p. 1 "Dharma Transporter". 13 "A Morning's Practice"p. 14 "Diet Tonglen"p. 15 Complementarity: he Unity of Opposites" p.19 "Mahamudra/Dzochen Congruence"p. 23": Provisional or Definitive" p. 29 "The Fire". 31"Kyudo (Zen Archery)". 40"Mahamudra Smile"p. 45"Request for the Guru's Blessing p. 54 The Ego's Delusion"p. 55Painful Illusions48 Poems for Contemplation These verses were written to rouse emotions which could be looked at in the practice of mahamudra. "Deathp. 20Comment: Death is welcomed.Love at Dawn" 22 Comment: Dawn is used as a metaphor for love. "Thoughts on Death: In Memory Of George Hastyp. 36 Comment: A good man is eulogized "Through a Red Glass Darkly" p. 37omment: Poetic description of the view through a"To Khandra Tseyang on the Occasion of Her Empowerment " p. 38Comment: A celebration of her beauty, talent and "The Druk Sakyong Wangmo"p. 39Comment: A celebration of a strong woman's character and loyalty. Poems for Contemplation (cont.) "The Wild Fire"p. 51 Comment: Fire and ocean as metaphors for love."Mutant's Passing 76Comment: Sorrow at the passing of a beloved pet. "Concluding Rhymes"p. 771 Comment: A verse concluding the volum Poem