Tag: consciousness
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Who am I?
In 1886, Austrian physicist and philosopher Ernst Mach sketched a self-portrait that appeared in his book, The Analysis of Sensations. It takes a minute to recognize what is going on in the sketch because it’s not what you think. It’s not the usual self-portrait. The question, “Who am I?” is a very important question. For…
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Houston and the Authentic Voice
In the 70’s, Houston was a boomtown. That’s why my family moved there. We moved in the summer before my sixth grade. Maybe nobody cares about this. But I care about it. It’s a story that I remember. So, I’m just telling stories here. That’s what much of our thinking is, isn’t it? Our thoughts…
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Chasing Illusion
Many years ago, when I first began Buddhist studies, I read a book by Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, edited by Laura M. Roth and translated by Ngodup Burkhar and Chojor Radha called Dharma Paths. It was published in 1992 by Snow Lion. Khenpo Karthar’s book was formative for me. I read it sometime around 1993, when…
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Commentary on Tilopa’s Song to Naropa, part 1.
This is part 1 in a series of commentaries I am writing on the text, “Tilopa’s Song to Naropa,” or, as it is sometimes called, “Tilopa’s Song of the Mahamudra.” 1. “Mahamudra, the royal way, is freefrom every word and sacred symbol.“ The word, “mahamudra:” The word “mahamudra” is a Sanskrit term. It combines two…
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Milarepa’s Fortress
My teacher, Khenchen Konchok Gyaltsen, once gave a short talk on Milarepa that was very powerful. It went something like this: Khenchen said, “The only way to be free from the fear of death is to practice the Dharma. We all know we will die someday. But we don’t know when. We think we are…
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Tilopa’s Song to Naropa
original text, translated by Lex Hixon The Text: Song of the Mahamudra (Tilopa’s Song to Naropa) by Tilopa English version by Lex Hixon Mahamudra, the royal way, is freefrom every word and sacred symbol.For you alone, beloved Naropa,this wonderful song springs forth from Tilopaas spontaneous friendship that never ends. The completely open natureof all dimensions and…
Ed Gabrielsen 