The Essential Point of Effortless Profound Meditation

The Essential Point of Effortless Profound Meditation

By Mipham Rinpoche

Homage to Jamgön Mipham Jampal Jepei Dorje!

Homage to Guru Padmasambhava!

In general, to explain the original nature of all phenomena, which is known as dharmadhatu, the ultimate perfection, tathagatagarbha, and so forth, many names and many presentations are mentioned in the profound [Mahayana] Sutras.

So many profound skillful methods of pith instructions are taught in order to reach the realization of the true nature. The ultimate meaning of the true nature is explained in the Mantrayana.

The ultimate goal is to establish the view as the supreme, indivisible dharmakaya,

Or the inborn nature, the self-emanated original primordial wisdom,

Indestructible innate mind,

Great bliss,

Pure from the beginning, spontaneously inherited, awareness-emptiness, the single sphere, and so forth. These names refer to the absolute true nature that is explained in the Mahayana Sutras

As well as in the supreme vehicle of the Mantrayana. Whichever path you follow, establish the view.

Ultimately innate, fresh, naked nature is realized by the carefree technique beyond adding or omitting; otherwise, there is no alternative method.

From the glorious teachers, receive the empowerment of the power of awareness and the transference of the lineage blessings of realization in one’s own mind stream.

One’s own nature of mind is fresh awareness-emptiness that never changed from the beginning, and is free from accepting, rejecting, and effort. Abide directly in this nature with confidence. This is the great Dzogchen, the ultimate nature of all phenomena.

Within that, both the displays of samsara and nirvana are complete. At the same time, it is originally beyond delusion, liberation, rejection, and acceptance.

When you don’t have this realization, the power of duality mind creates labels that do not exist in reality.

All the environments of the six realms that appear are deluded displays of one’s own mind.

When this happens, even though the nature is originally liberated, it will not be of benefit at that moment.

For this reason, you have to realize the true nature. Even intellectually knowing the nature won’t help.

Again and again, become more familiar with this nature.

[However, just] being familiar will not be of benefit. You have to reach the essential point.

When you arrive at the original natural state by meditation,

Then you’ve passed through treacherous meditation to the fortress of the view.

At that time, when you check your mind and see clearly that negative emotions and their resulting sufferings are not disturbing you,

It is known as liberating [duality] mind.

And yet, relying [only] on intellectual knowledge of the true nature, we proclaim that there are no rules about accepting and rejecting, [even though] at the present time we are unable to tolerate small pains, minor bad circumstances, attachment and hatred, and small harsh words.

[On the other hand], Dharma practitioners should not think that the profound teaching is not helpful if we don’t [yet] have the realization of the ultimate true nature of great equanimity.

Therefore, build up your wisdom of certainty in the profound meaning of the ultimate teaching.

By merely hearing the teaching, emotions are not purified.

Why are they not purified? Because of not meditating enough. With the attitude of seeing that as an error, relax continually in the state of rigpa. Then you will reach the ultimate goal of the vidyadharas.

As requested by Guru Shri,

[I wrote] the essential point of the profound meaning of meditation

As taught by the ancient lineage of vidyadharas.

This was written by Mipham, who blazes with the fire of the five poisons.

While I was giving the transmission of the Sutra of Namkhe Nyingpo,

This instruction was completed.

By this merit, may the supreme path be bright.

May beings infinite as space reach the primordial state of realization.

Written by Mipham in the Iron Tiger Year on 10th day of the 5th month (June 27, 1890). Mangalam.

Translated by Ven. Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche and Pema Dondrub at Padma Samye Ling in 2021.