After having taken Refuge in the morning, one may informally and at any time during the day let the Lama appear in front and receive his blessing. I know of no more effective meditation. Therefore, practice and enjoy.
Yours,
Tomek, Caty, Hannah and Lama Ole
We feel the formless stream of air at the tips of our noses and let thoughts and feelings pass without evaluation. Then we focus on the four basic thoughts which turn mind towards liberation and enlightenment: We recognize our precious opportunity in this life, that we can benefit countless beings through the methods of a Buddha. Few ever meet beyond-dualistic teachings and even fewer are able to use them. We remember the impermanence of everything composite. Only the unlimited clear space of mind is lasting and nobody knows how long conditions will remain for recognizing that. We understand causality. That it is up to us what will come. Former thoughts, words and actions became our present state and right now we are sowing the seeds for our future. Finally we see the reasons for working with mind: Enlightenment is timeless highest bliss and we cannot benefit others while confused and suffering ourselves. Not experiencing the world as we would wish to, we now open up to those who have that power. For the good of all beings we take Refuge in our goal, Buddha, the full development of mind; in the teachings which bring us there; in our friends and helpers on the way; and especially in the Lama, our teacher. In the Karma Kagyu Lineage he always represents the Karmapa, now Thaye Dorje. Uniting blessing, methods and protection, he is needed for our fast development. Now out of space in front of us, condenses the golden, transparent form of the 16th Karmapa - a radiant field of energy and light. He wears the Black Crown, the shape of which can awaken mind’s deepest awareness and his face is golden and mild. His eyes see us clearly, he knows us and wishes us everything good. Expressing the state of compassion and wisdom inseparable, of bliss and space, his crossed hands hold a dorje and bell at his heart. Seated in the Dorje-position, he is surrounded by masses of light. We understand that he is not a limited being but an expression of space as truth and the essence of all Buddhas. His presence is there whether we can see his form clearly or not, and we strongly desire to accomplish his qualities for the benefit of all. Knowing our wish, Karmapa comes ever closer, now remaining at a pleasant distance in front of us. We think or say, "Dearest Lama, essence of all Buddhas, of you we ask, give us your power which removes the ignorance and obscurations of all beings and ourselves. Let mind’s timeless light awaken inside us."; Responding to our strong wish, Karmapa smiles. Now a powerful clear light radiates from his forehead and enters the same place between our eyebrows. It fills our head with powerful crystalline light and dissolves all disturbing impressions in brain, nerves and senses. The causes of harmful habits and diseases thus disappear and our body becomes a conscious tool for bringing protection, love and material things to others. While retaining the clear light for as long as desired, we hear the inner vibration of the syllable OM. Now, emanating from Karmapa’s throat, a radiant beam of red light enters our mouth and throat. Transparent and powerful, it dissolves all difficulties in our speech. The impressions of negative confused words disappear and our speech becomes compassion and wisdom, a conscious tool for benefiting others. Together with the red light, we hear the deep inner vibrations of the syllable AH. Now from the heart-center in the middle of Karmapa’s chest, an intense blue light shines out. It streams into the middle of our chest and fills it up. Thus mental difficulties disappear. Disturbing feelings and stiff ideas dissolve and our mind becomes spontaneous joy - space and bliss inseparable. Inseperable from the deep blue light vibrates the syllable HUNG. Then, the three lights enter us at the same time. Clear light fills our head, red light our throat and blue light our heart. Thus we obtain the essential state, encompassing all. While receiving the lights, we can use a mantra to further unite inner and outer truth, here in its expression as power. Each repetition of Karmapa Chenno - power of all the Buddhas, work through us, become one with us - puts us in the stream of enlightened activity. We repeat it loudly or inwardly for as long as we like while absorbing the lights. KARMAPA CHENNO, KARMAPA CHENNO, KARMAPA CHENNO, ........ (repeat mantra as long as you wish) Then, the golden form of Karmapa and his Black Crown dissolve into rainbowlight. It flows through us and all form disappears. Now there is only awareness with no middle or end, timeless and everywhere. Though thoughts or sensory impressions may appear: they are nothing but the free play of that space. When this state can no longer be held, again a world manifests, perfect and pure. Every atom vibrates with joy and is kept together by love. All is fresh and meaningful, radiant with unlimited potential. Beings near and far appear as female or male Buddhas, whether they know it or not. Sounds are Mantras and thoughts wisdom, for the sole reason that they can happen. Also our own body now condenses out of space, appearing as our preferred Buddha, our Lama or as our habitual form. But there is one major difference from before the meditation. Then, we were our body and thus vulnerable to old age, sickness and death. Now instead we have our body. Body and speech are our tools for benefiting others. What we really are - and we know that now - is that clear light which was conscious even when there was no form. We decide to keep this pure view in all situations of life and strengthen it whenever possible. Finally we wish that the good which just appeared may become limitless, stream out to all beings everywhere, remove all their suffering and bring them the only lasting joy, that of knowing their mind.
This meditation is available at our centers as a small booklet.
Copyright © 1995 Karma Kagyu Buddhist Network