For several years we have been translating the
shamatha and vipashyana sections of Karmapa Wangchuk
Dorje's medium-length work on mahamudra, Dispelling
the Darkness of Ignorance. This is to complement
our translation of the Karmapa's Pointing Out
the Dharmakaya, which is his most concise mahamudra
instruction. This latter translation was originally
accomplished at the request of Thrangu Rinpoche
for the Söpa Chöling three-year retreat,
but is now available to all tantrikas to practice.
The following passage of meditation instruction
is taken from the shamatha section of Dispelling
the Darkness of Ignorance:
Directing your mind to no support: Look with
unfocussed gaze at the space directly in front
of you. There is no object to focus on. Not thinking
about anything, simply do not wander. Not pondering
what is and what isn't, the past or the future,
with great exertion post the bare watcher that
is mindful that you do not wander, and rest relaxed
and at ease in unaltered freshness. Not wandering
for even a moment, be like someone threading a
needle. Without turbulence, be like an ocean without
waves. Without striving, rest like a garuda soaring
in the sky. Be without any hope or fear.
As there is no set way to let the mind rest,
do not hold on to any state of mind. If your mind
is still, let it rest. If it goes, let it go.
Do not restrict it, but let it be. Completely
cut all discursive thought, such as thinking,
"This is meditation," and "This
is not meditation," and the hope that mind
will be still and the fear that it will not. Without
meditating on anything and without letting yourself
wander for even an instant, let your mind be colored
with mindfulness.
