Lesson 1
Relationship As The Path To Freedom
Relationship as the Path to Freedom. Relationship is the context of our whole existence. We explore how resisting what arises keeps us stuck, and how relationship, met consciously, becomes a path to freedom from our struggles and our stories.
The Song of the Mahamudra – Part One: The Ultimate Experience
in his song of mahamudra, tilopa says:
mahamudra is beyond all words and symbols,
but for you, Naropa, earnest and loyal, must this be said:
the void needs no reliance, mahamudra rests on naught.
without making an effort, but remaining loose and natural,
one can break the yoke—thus gaining liberation.
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Lesson 2
Untying The Knots That Block Grace
Untying the Knots That Block Grace. Following Tilopa, we begin untying the inner knots that keep grace from flowing — learning to see not the object of our reaction but the spacious opening around it.
The Song of the Mahamudra – Part 2: Chapter 2
The Root Problem
the song continues:
if one sees nothing when staring into space;
if with the mind one then observes the mind,
one destroys distinctions and reaches buddhahood.
the clouds that wander through the sky
have no roots, no home;
nor do the distinctive thoughts floating through the mind.
once the self-mind is seen, discrimination stops.
in space, shapes and colors form,
but neither by black nor white is space tinged.
from the self-mind all things emerge;
the mind, by virtues and by vices, is not stained.
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Lesson 3
Releasing Expectation, Meeting The Void
Expectations are invitations for disappointment. Releasing that weight, we touch the spacious void of consciousness that holds on to nothing and rests, open and free.
The song of the mahamudra – chapter 3: the nature of darkness and light
the song continues:
the darkness of ages cannot shroud the glowing sun;
the long kalpas of samsara ne’er can hide the mind’s brilliant light.
though words are spoken to explain the void, the void as such can never be expressed.
though we say “the mind is bright as light,” it is beyond all words and symbols.
although the mind is void in essence, it embraces and contains all things.
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Lesson 4
From Lack To Bounty, Befriending Silence
From Lack to Bounty, Befriending Silence
So much of relationship is driven by a sense of lack. We discover a consciousness that rests in bounty — already whole — and learn to make silence our friend.
We'll continue with the song of mahamudra:
Chapter 4 – be like a hollow bamboo
the song continues:
do nought with the body but relax;
shut firm the mouth and remain silent;
empty your mind and think of nought.
like a hollow bamboo, rest at ease with your body.
giving not nor taking, put your mind at rest.
mahamudra is like a mind that clings to nothing.
thus practicing, in time you will reach buddhahood.
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Lesson 5
The Balanced Life, Grace At The Midpoint
The Balanced Life, Grace at the Midpoint
At the halfway point, we meet relationship from both the ground of daily life and the highest view, exploring how a balanced life and steady practice support grace.
We’ll also continue with the song of mahamudra:
Chapter 5 – the innate truth
the song continues:
the practice of mantra and paramita,
instruction in the sutras and precepts,
and teaching from the schools and scriptures,
will not bring realization of the innate truth.
for if the mind, when filled with some desire,
should seek a goal, it only hides the light.
he who keeps tantric precepts, yet discriminates,
betrays the spirit of samaya.
cease all activity, abandon all desire,
let thoughts rise and fall as they will, like ocean waves.
he who never harms the non-abiding,
nor the principle of non-distinction,
upholds the tantric precepts.
he who abandons craving and clings not to this and that,
perceives the real meaning given in the scriptures.
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Lesson 6
The Other Is Yourself
A great secret: you and the other are one consciousness meeting itself. Beyond the small teachings of what to do and avoid, we rest in the oneness where separation dissolves.
We will also continue our journey through The Song of Mahamudra, using its wisdom to reflect on the nature of awakened consciousness and how it relates to our connections with others.
Chapter 6 – the Great Teaching
the song continues:
in mahamudra all one’s sins are burned;
in mahamudra one is released from the prison of this world.
this is the dharma’s supreme torch.
those who disbelieve it are fools, who ever wallow in misery and sorrow.
to strive for liberation one should rely on a guru.
when your mind receives his blessing, emancipation is at hand.
alas, all things in this world are meaningless, they are but sorrow’s seeds.
small teachings lead to acts – one should only follow teachings that are great.
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Lesson 7
Remembering The Truth Between Us
Remembering the Truth Between Us
We bring whatever stands unresolved between us and freedom, and learn to return, again and again, to the open, cloudless sky of awareness.
The Song of the Mahamudra – Chapter 7:
The Pathless Path
the song continues:
to transcend duality is the kingly view.
to conquer distractions is the royal practice.
the path of no-practice is the way of all buddhas.
he who treads that path reaches buddhahood.
transient is this world, like phantoms and dreams, substance it has none.
renounce it and forsake your kin,
cut the strings of lust and hatred,
and meditate in woods and mountains.
If without effort you remain loosely in the natural state,
soon mahamudra you will win
and attain the nonattainment.
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Lesson 8
Cutting the Root, Love Beyond Fear
Cutting the Root, Love Beyond Fear
Cut the root of the mind and the tree of suffering withers. We explore how fear creates distance, and how love can be passionate from fullness rather than need.
The Song of the Mahamudra – Chapter 8: Cut the Root
the song continues:
cut the root of a tree and the leaves will wither;
cut the root of your mind and samsara falls.
the light of any lamp dispels in a moment
the darkness of long kalpas;
the strong light of the mind in but a flash
will burn the veil of ignorance.
Whoever clings to mind sees not
the truth of what’s beyond the mind.
Whoever strives to practice dharma
finds not the truth of beyond-practice.
to know what is beyond both mind and practice,
one should cut cleanly through the root of mind
and stare naked.
one should thus break away from all distinctions
and remain at ease.
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Lesson 9
Beyond Giving And Taking
Beyond Giving and Taking
Relationship so easily becomes a negotiation of give and take. We discover the one who is always free to choose, and a way of meeting each other naturally, just as we are.
The song of the Mahamudra
The song continues: One should not give or take, but remain natural—for Mahamudra is beyond all acceptance and rejection. Since alaya is not born, no one can obstruct or soil it; staying in the unborn realm, all appearance will dissolve into dharmata, and self-will and pride will vanish into nought.
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Lesson 10
Relationships Melting into Oneness
Relationships Melting into Oneness
In this closing session, we rise to the highest perspective, seeing how the story of separation is born of false identification — and how, seen through, it melts into oneness.
We will also follow the next chapter in The Song of the Mahamudra:
Chapter 10: The Supreme Understanding
The song ends: The supreme understanding transcends all this and that. The supreme action embraces great resourcefulness without attachment. The supreme accomplishment is to realize immanence without hope.
At first, a yogi feels his mind is tumbling like a waterfall; in mid-course, like the Ganges, it flows on slow and gentle; in the end, it is a great vast ocean where the lights of son and mother merge in one.
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