Difference between revisions of "Clear Light Mind"
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| − | In [[Tibetan Buddhism]], often the so-called '[[clear-light mind]]' is mentioned. This is the most subtle level of [[mind]] (see also [[death]] & [[rebirth]]), which we are normally not even aware of. It appears to the very advanced [[meditator]] and during the [[death]] process, but in this case, also only advanced [[meditators]] will be able to notice it. It is a [[non-conceptual]], '{{Wiki|primordial}}' state of [[mind]]. | + | In [[Tibetan Buddhism]], often the so-called '[[clear-light mind]]' is mentioned. This is the most {{Wiki|subtle}} level of [[mind]] (see also [[death]] & [[rebirth]]), which we are normally not even {{Wiki|aware}} of. It appears to the very advanced [[meditator]] and during the [[death]] process, but in this case, also only advanced [[meditators]] will be able to notice it. It is a [[non-conceptual]], '{{Wiki|primordial}}' state of [[mind]]. |
| − | From a talk given by HH [[Dalai Lama]]. Oct. 11-14, 1991 New York City. [[Path]] of [[Compassion]] teaching preliminary to [[Kalachakra]]: | + | From a talk given by HH [[Dalai Lama]]. Oct. 11-14, 1991 {{Wiki|New York City}}. [[Path]] of [[Compassion]] [[teaching]] preliminary to [[Kalachakra]]: |
| − | Question: When people hear of {{Wiki|luminosity}} of clear light that dawns at the moment of [[death]] they ask why it is called [[clear light]]. What has this got to do with light as we know it? | + | Question: When [[people]] hear of {{Wiki|luminosity}} of [[clear light]] that dawns at the moment of [[death]] they ask why it is called [[clear light]]. What has this got to do with {{Wiki|light}} as we know it? |
[[Dalai Lama]]: | [[Dalai Lama]]: | ||
| − | "I don't think that in the term [[clear light]], light should be taken literally. It is sort of {{Wiki|metaphoric}}. This could have its roots in our terminology of [[mental]] will. According to [[Buddhism]], all [[consciousness]] or all {{Wiki|cognitive}} [[mental]] events are said to be in the nature of {{Wiki|clarity}} and {{Wiki|luminosity}}. So it is from that point of view that the choice of the term light is used. [[Clear light]] is the most {{Wiki|subtle}} level of [[mind]], which can be seen as the basis or the source from which eventual experience or {{Wiki|realisation}} of [[Buddhahood]], [[Buddha]]'s [[wisdom]] might come about, therefore it is called [[clear light]]. [[Clear light]] is a state of [[mind]] which becomes fully manifest only as a consequence of certain sequences or stages of dissolution, where the [[mind]] becomes devoid of certain types of obscurations, which are again metaphorically described in terms of sun-like, moonlike and darkness. These refer to the earlier three stages of dissolution which are technically called, including the [[clear light]] stage, the four empties. At the final stage of dissolution the [[mind]] is totally free of all these factors of obscuration. Therefore it is called [[clear light]]. Sort of a light. It is also possible to understand the usage of the term [[clear light]] in terms of the nature of [[mind]] itself. [[Mind]] or [[consciousness]] is a [[phenomena]] which lacks any obstructive quality. It is non-obstructed." | + | "I don't think that in the term [[clear light]], {{Wiki|light}} should be taken [[literally]]. It is sort of {{Wiki|metaphoric}}. This could have its [[roots]] in our {{Wiki|terminology}} of [[mental]] will. According to [[Buddhism]], all [[consciousness]] or all {{Wiki|cognitive}} [[mental]] events are said to be in the [[nature]] of {{Wiki|clarity}} and {{Wiki|luminosity}}. So it is from that point of [[view]] that the choice of the term {{Wiki|light}} is used. [[Clear light]] is the most {{Wiki|subtle}} level of [[mind]], which can be seen as the basis or the source from which eventual [[experience]] or {{Wiki|realisation}} of [[Buddhahood]], [[Buddha]]'s [[wisdom]] might come about, therefore it is called [[clear light]]. [[Clear light]] is a state of [[mind]] which becomes fully [[manifest]] only as a consequence of certain sequences or stages of [[dissolution]], where the [[mind]] becomes devoid of certain types of [[obscurations]], which are again {{Wiki|metaphorically}} described in terms of sun-like, moonlike and {{Wiki|darkness}}. These refer to the earlier three stages of [[dissolution]] which are technically called, including the [[clear light]] stage, the [[four empties]]. At the final stage of [[dissolution]] the [[mind]] is totally free of all these factors of {{Wiki|obscuration}}. Therefore it is called [[clear light]]. Sort of a {{Wiki|light}}. It is also possible to understand the usage of the term [[clear light]] in terms of the [[nature]] of [[mind]] itself. [[Mind]] or [[consciousness]] is a [[phenomena]] which lacks any obstructive quality. It is non-obstructed." |
| − | A teaching from Venerable Ajahn Chah (Pra Bhodinyana Thera): | + | A [[teaching]] from [[Venerable]] [[Ajahn Chah]] (Pra Bhodinyana [[Thera]]): |
| − | "About this [[mind]]... In [[truth]] there is nothing really wrong with it. It is intrinsically pure. Within itself it's already peaceful. That the [[mind]] is not peaceful these days is because it follows moods. The real [[mind]] doesn't have anything to it, it is simply (an aspect of) Nature. It becomes peaceful or agitated because moods deceive it. The untrained [[mind]] is stupid. Sense [[impressions]] come and trick it into [[happiness]], [[suffering]], {{Wiki|gladness}} and {{Wiki|sorrow}}, but the [[mind]]'s true nature is none of those things. That gladness or sadness is not the [[mind]], but only a mood coming to deceive us. The untrained [[mind]] gets lost and follows these things, it forgets itself. Then we think that it is we who are upset or at ease or whatever. | + | "About this [[mind]]... In [[truth]] there is nothing really wrong with it. It is intrinsically [[pure]]. Within itself it's already [[peaceful]]. That the [[mind]] is not [[peaceful]] these days is because it follows moods. The real [[mind]] doesn't have anything to it, it is simply (an aspect of) [[Nature]]. It becomes [[peaceful]] or agitated because moods deceive it. The untrained [[mind]] is stupid. [[Sense]] [[impressions]] come and trick it into [[happiness]], [[suffering]], {{Wiki|gladness}} and {{Wiki|sorrow}}, but the [[mind]]'s [[true nature]] is none of those things. That gladness or [[sadness]] is not the [[mind]], but only a [[mood]] coming to deceive us. The untrained [[mind]] gets lost and follows these things, it forgets itself. Then we think that it is we who are upset or at ease or whatever. |
| − | But really this [[mind]] of ours is already unmoving and peaceful... really peaceful! Just like a leaf which is still as long as no wind blows. If a wind comes up the leaf flutters. The fluttering is due to the wind -- the 'fluttering' is due to those [[sense]] [[impressions]]; the [[mind]] follows them. If it doesn't follow them, it doesn't 'flutter.' If we know fully the true nature of sense [[impressions]] we will be unmoved. | + | But really this [[mind]] of ours is already unmoving and [[peaceful]]... really [[peaceful]]! Just like a leaf which is still as long as no [[wind]] blows. If a [[wind]] comes up the leaf flutters. The fluttering is due to the [[wind]] -- the 'fluttering' is due to those [[sense]] [[impressions]]; the [[mind]] follows them. If it doesn't follow them, it doesn't 'flutter.' If we know fully the [[true nature]] of [[sense]] [[impressions]] we will be unmoved. |
| − | Our practice is simply to see the Original [[Mind]]. So we must train the [[mind]] to know those sense [[impressions]], and not get lost in them. To make it peaceful. Just this is the aim of all this difficult practice we put ourselves through." | + | Our practice is simply to see the Original [[Mind]]. So we must train the [[mind]] to know those [[sense]] [[impressions]], and not get lost in them. To make it [[peaceful]]. Just this is the aim of all this difficult practice we put ourselves through." |
</poem> | </poem> | ||
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
[http://viewonbuddhism.org/mind.html viewonbuddhism.org] | [http://viewonbuddhism.org/mind.html viewonbuddhism.org] | ||
[[Category: Luminous mind]] | [[Category: Luminous mind]] | ||
Latest revision as of 04:06, 29 August 2014
In Tibetan Buddhism, often the so-called 'clear-light mind' is mentioned. This is the most subtle level of mind (see also death & rebirth), which we are normally not even aware of. It appears to the very advanced meditator and during the death process, but in this case, also only advanced meditators will be able to notice it. It is a non-conceptual, 'primordial' state of mind.
From a talk given by HH Dalai Lama. Oct. 11-14, 1991 New York City. Path of Compassion teaching preliminary to Kalachakra:
Question: When people hear of luminosity of clear light that dawns at the moment of death they ask why it is called clear light. What has this got to do with light as we know it?
Dalai Lama:
"I don't think that in the term clear light, light should be taken literally. It is sort of metaphoric. This could have its roots in our terminology of mental will. According to Buddhism, all consciousness or all cognitive mental events are said to be in the nature of clarity and luminosity. So it is from that point of view that the choice of the term light is used. Clear light is the most subtle level of mind, which can be seen as the basis or the source from which eventual experience or realisation of Buddhahood, Buddha's wisdom might come about, therefore it is called clear light. Clear light is a state of mind which becomes fully manifest only as a consequence of certain sequences or stages of dissolution, where the mind becomes devoid of certain types of obscurations, which are again metaphorically described in terms of sun-like, moonlike and darkness. These refer to the earlier three stages of dissolution which are technically called, including the clear light stage, the four empties. At the final stage of dissolution the mind is totally free of all these factors of obscuration. Therefore it is called clear light. Sort of a light. It is also possible to understand the usage of the term clear light in terms of the nature of mind itself. Mind or consciousness is a phenomena which lacks any obstructive quality. It is non-obstructed."
A teaching from Venerable Ajahn Chah (Pra Bhodinyana Thera):
"About this mind... In truth there is nothing really wrong with it. It is intrinsically pure. Within itself it's already peaceful. That the mind is not peaceful these days is because it follows moods. The real mind doesn't have anything to it, it is simply (an aspect of) Nature. It becomes peaceful or agitated because moods deceive it. The untrained mind is stupid. Sense impressions come and trick it into happiness, suffering, gladness and sorrow, but the mind's true nature is none of those things. That gladness or sadness is not the mind, but only a mood coming to deceive us. The untrained mind gets lost and follows these things, it forgets itself. Then we think that it is we who are upset or at ease or whatever.
But really this mind of ours is already unmoving and peaceful... really peaceful! Just like a leaf which is still as long as no wind blows. If a wind comes up the leaf flutters. The fluttering is due to the wind -- the 'fluttering' is due to those sense impressions; the mind follows them. If it doesn't follow them, it doesn't 'flutter.' If we know fully the true nature of sense impressions we will be unmoved.
Our practice is simply to see the Original Mind. So we must train the mind to know those sense impressions, and not get lost in them. To make it peaceful. Just this is the aim of all this difficult practice we put ourselves through."
