The Yoga of Mind

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Written Tue, 2010-11-09

The following is a handout for the Global Dharma study program:

                              The Yoga of Mind

The Yoga of Mind is a name I use to describe an approach to mental training found in various forms in many Asian spiritual lineages. In this approach the practitioner directs the attention inward to explore the subjective source of consciousness and awareness.  

Here is a short selection of quotes from various Asian traditions, intended to support and inform reflection and meditation.

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* Reverse gazing, observing mind, looking inward toward the source of awareness, is called in the Taoist teaching, turning the light around. . . . "Look back, again and again into the source of mind, whatever you are doing, not sticking to any image of person or self at all, then this is turning the light around . . . This is the finest practice.”                                                                                                                                   Taoist text: The Secret of the Golden Flower  –  Thomas Cleary commentary and translation

*  “Buddha Mind is the basis”      Zen Master Mumon – Shibayama edition  

*  “Again and again, look inside your own mind . . . The uncreated, self-radiant wisdom of your original mind. . . is itself the perfect practice.”                                                                                                                   Padmasambhava, founder of Tibetan Buddism  –  Stephen Mitchell translation  

*  “Using your own light / you return to the source of light / and free yourself from danger.”                                      Lao Tzu in Tao Te Ching, chap.  52  – John Sprague translation  

* “The entire universe, including inanimate objects, is saturated with consciousness, just as the soil becomes totally soaked during the rainy season. . . .   Remain merged in meditation on (this) essence, which is akhanda satchidananda – indivisible Reality, Awareness, and Joy ”                                                               Hindu sage Ramakrishna  – Lex Hixon's rendition  

*  “Awareness of nowness is the Buddha.”                                                                                                             Dudjom Rinpoche, 20th century Tibetan Buddhist leader.

* “The Self is pure awareness, nothing else.”                                                                                                         from the Ashtavakra Gita, Hindu text – Thomas Byrom translation

*  “May the mind-flower bloom in eternal spring.”      Zen blessing