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ADVAITA VEDANTA | BUDDHIST SUTRAS | CONTEMPORARY
SIDDHA YOGA, KASHMIR SHAIVISM | SUFISM
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Gems of the Lankavatara

Nothing moves except the mind

When ideas of body, property and abode are seen, discriminated and cherished in what after all is nothing but what is conceived by the mind itself, an external world is perceived under the aspects of individuality and generality which, however, are not realities, and, therefore, neither a gradual nor a simultaneous rising of things is possible. It is only when the mind-system comes into activity and discriminates the manifestations of mind that existence can be said to come into view. For these reasons, Mahamati, you must get rid of notions of gradation and simultaneity in the combination of causal activities.

(The Goddard translation) Excerpt of the Buddhist Bible under copyright.

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Cultivating the Empty Field

Sit Empty of Worldly Anxiety

 

If you truly appreciate a single thread your can suitably meet the world and its changes. Seeing clearly, do not be fooled, and the ten thousand situations cannot shroud you. Moonlight falls on the water; wind blows over the pines. Light and shadow do not confuse us; sounds or voices do not block us. The whistling wind can resonate, pervading without impediment through the various structures. Flowing along with things, harmonizing without deviation, thoroughly abandoning webs of dust, still one does yet arrive in the original home. Put to rest the remnants of your conditioning. Sit empty of worldly anxiety, silent and bright, clear and illuminating, blank and accepting, far-reaching and responsive. Without encountering external dusts, fulfilled in your own spirit, arrive at this field and immediately recognize your ancestors.

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3 poems by Laleshwari

Translated by Coleman Barks

From his book called Naked Song (Maypop Books)

 

Laleshwari was an Indian Sadhu that walked through (northern?)India, naked. She was called the "sky clad saint". She had a tremendoussurrender and devotion to her Guru, which she often coveys in her poetry. Her enlightenment was complete and still, she sometimes addressed God as though there was separation.Many names she gave the essential Truth, such as Self, Shiva, my beloved, life and you.She was rooted in Kashmir Shavism, which expounds the non-dual nature ofShiva. The teachings of Kashmir Shavism, though non dual, considersthe intricate attributes of life’s multileveled spectrum. It is a fascinating system.Laleshwari was called by many names and you may find more poems

by her name Lali as well. Her passion for the Truth has echoed throughout

the centuries in her fiery, yet delicate poems.

 

For a look at Kashmir Shavisim and a very well integrated, comprehensive

read-able text, refer to *Jayidev Singh’s books (preferred reading list on this web site).

Jaidev Singh’s work is for those who love a non-dual sutra with a fine commentary.

*Spelling correction of Jaideva Singh’s name as it was miss-spelled on our web page before.

 

Poem #1 by the Sky Clad Saint, Laleshwari

Loosen the load of sweetness I’m carrying.
The sling knot is biting into my shoulder.This day has been so meaningless.
I feel I can’t go on.When I was with my Master I heard a truth,
that hurt my heart, like a blister.The tender pain of seeing something
that I loved as an illusion.The flocks I tended are gone.I am a shepherd without even a memory
as to what that means.Climbing this mountain, I feel so lost.This was my inward way, until I came into
the presence of a moon.This new wisdom of how like-nesses unite.Good friend, everything is You. I see only God.Now the delightful forms and motions
are transparent. I look through themAnd see myself as the Absolute. And here’s the answer to the riddle of this dream:

You leave;
so we two can do ONE dance.

  Poem #2 by Laleshwari There is a lake so tiny that
a mustard seed would cover
it easily, yet everyone drinks
from this lake.Deer, jackals, rhinoceroses, and
Sea elephants continue to fall into it.Falling and dissolving.

Almost before they have time to be born.

Poem #3 by LaleshwariLet them throw their curses.If inside, I am connected
to what’s true, my soul
stays quiet and clear.Do you think Shiva worries
what people say?

If a few ashes fall on a mirror,
use them to polish it.