EMPTINESS, REFUGE AND GURU

PRELIMINARIES AND DEDICATION

In order to make the most out of the following analytical meditations, it is important to realise that one should not only observe the analytical mind, but also the emotions and feelings that come up. It is adviseable to read the pages on Meditation Theory (chapter on Vipashyana) and Meditation Practice if you are not used to (analytical) meditation.
It is strongly advised to start with a good motivation beforehand, to take a few minutes to calm down (doing e.g. a brief breathing meditation is very good) and to dedicate the positive energy afterwards.
For this, the following traditional prayers can be used, but feel free to use any other positive and unselfish thoughts:

Taking Refuge

I go for refuge to the Buddha, I go for refuge to the Dharma, I go for refuge to the Sangha. (3x)

Setting the Mind to Enlightenment

By virtue of giving and so forth,
may I become a Buddha for the benefit of all sentient beings. (3x)

4 Immeasurables

May all sentient beings have equanimity, free from attachment, aggression and prejudice.
May they be happy, and have the causes for happiness.
May they be free from suffering and causes for suffering.
May they never be separated from the happiness that is free from suffering. (3x)

7-Limbed Prayer

Respectfully I prostrate with body, speech and mind; I present clouds of every type of offerings, actual and imagined; I declare all the negative actions I have done since beginningless time,
and rejoice in the merit of all Aryas and ordinary beings.
Please teacher, remain until cyclic existence ends
and turn the wheel of Dharma for all sentient beings. I dedicate the virtues of myself and others to the great Enlightenment.

Dedication

By this virtue may I soon
reach a Guru-Buddha-state,
and lead each and every being
to that state of Buddhahood.

May the precious Bodhicitta
not yet born, arise and grow
may that born have no decline
but increase forever more.

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EMPTINESS: DISSOLVE BODY & MIND

A Note by His Holiness the Dalai Lama on meditation on emptiness from Answers: Discussions with Western Buddhists:

Now in terms of the actual practice, when one is immersed in the contemplation of the clear light, since all dualistic appearances vanish, it becomes impossible to distinguish the object from the consciousness perceiving it. They seem to become as if they were one, like water mixed with water. Of course, strictly speaking, there are two entities, subject and object, but within the experience of the clear light this duality is lost.

- Is my body 'I' ?
- But 'I' have a body, so the 'I' must be something else
- Visualise the body dissolving into space

- Is my mind 'I' ?
- But 'I' have a mind, so 'I' must be something else
- Dissolve all thoughts & feelings, let all float away into space.

- As soon as the 'I' comes up, repeat the above: is it body, is it mind?
- Where is the permanent, independent 'I' ?
- If you have not found it; this is emptiness of the self, hold this feeling as long as possible.
Dedication to understanding of emptiness

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EMPTINESS: 4-POINT ANALYSIS OF THE 'I'

Think about 'I , myself, me' as independent person.

- How does 'I' feel, what does 'I' feel, where is 'I' , what is 'I' ?
- Is my body 'I' ?
- Is it my head, my feet, my hands, my heart, my lungs?
- Do 'I' have a body? Then the owner of the body must be separate from the body!

- Is my mind 'I' ?
- Which thought, feeling, emotion is 'I' ?
- Is the 'I' my memories of the past, or my worries about the future?
- Do 'I' have a mind? Then the owner of the mind must be something separate from the mind!

- Is the 'I' the combination of body and mind?
- Then when 'I' loose a finger, I loose a part of my 'self', my 'I' , 'I' must feel incomplete ever after.
- When I forget something, I must loose something of my 'self', when something is lost in my mind, I loose part of my 'I'.
- Can anything be body and mind at the same time?

- Is the 'I' separate from the body and the mind?
- Is there a third thing or entity, independent of body and mind which is "me"?
- If so, where is the 'I'? Outside my body and mind?
- Are there any more possibilities for the 'I' ; if it is not the body, not the mind, not a combination and not separate from it?

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TAKING REFUGE

Here we take a look at the reasons for taking refuge
- When something bothers us, pain, discomfort etc., we go to a qualified doctor
- Similarly, we can see the Buddha as the ultimate doctor, do I think he is qualified?
- A doctor gives us appropriate medicine, could Buddha's teachings be true and effective as ultimate medicine?
- Nurses need to assist the sick, could the the spiritual community help me as friends?
- Does the medical treatment work; do real practitioners inspire me?
- Buddha's medicine is available in three types, to cure from: my suffering in future lower rebirths; my suffering in cyclic existence altogether; and lastly, the suffering of all sentient beings. Which medicine do I prefer?
- The treatment requires taking medicine and therapy; can I commit to some sort of practice?
- When we come to the conclusion that the Buddha, the Teachings and the Sangha can help me to relieve suffering, then it is time to take refuge.

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A GURU - WOULD I TRUST ONE?

- Did I educate myself, who taught me the things I know?
- Could I have learned to talk, read, write without relying on a teacher?
- Could a sceptical 6-year old ever learn to read, without having a positive and open attitude?
- Is it possible that other people know more than me?
- Do trustworthy people exist at all?
- What qualities would I expect of a real spiritual teacher?
- Would I recognise a real spiritual teacher when I met one?
- Would I like to have a spiritual teacher to make good progress or just to get rid of the responsibilities for my own life?

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BLESSING OF BODY, SPEECH AND MIND

- Imagine in front, my great example, spiritual teacher, Jesus, Mohammed, Maria, Moses or the Buddha; avoid the image of Jesus on the cross, better to take the resurrected Jesus.
- His or her face has a peaceful, loving expression.
- From the crown of his head, white light radiates out, and comes into my crown and fills the whole body.
- As the white, blissful light comes into my crown it purifies all my negative actions of the body; like killing, stealing etc.
- The blissful light cures all diseases of my body, making it strong and radiant.
- From the teacher's throat, red light shines forth which now enters my throat.
- This blissful red light fills up my whole body and purifies all negative actions of the speech: lying, slander, using harsh words etc.
- The blissful red light causes me to discover the divine qualities of speech.
- From the teacher's heart, radiant blue light shines forth, which enters my heart.
- The mind and all wrong ideas are purified; selfishness, hatred, greed, ignorance, doubt evaporate and disappear.
- My heart becomes like the sky, blue and embracing all of space.
- Now a white lotus flower appears in my heart.
- My great example enters my heart and manifests on the lotus.
- Whatever I eat or drink, will now be an offering to my teacher.

See here for a more specific meditation on Guru Shakyamuni Buddha

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