Master on the Snowy Mountain

Parents love their children, and give them all sorts of helpful advice, telling them what is right and what is wrong: "If you do this, you will get into trouble; if you do that, it will help you," or "If you associate with that sort of person, he will help you, but be careful not to go around with that other person as he will trick you." It is beneficial to have good teachers, guarding our wellbeing, and saving us from painful mistakes.

QUALITIES of a MASTER

Acting for a moment, he breathes air, and continues living, choosing this or that, in order to achive what he has intended. The master chops wood for the fire, and carries water to drink and bathe. Aware of the trick, the apparent separation, he becomes tricky, playing his part, but no longer trapped, and able to leave his role in an instant's whim, for whatever reason pleases. He places the wood on his head, laughing, and sprinkles the water on rocks to wet them, and then dry in the sun. Putting on a performance within sensual appearance for he benefit of those needing further development

Once awake, all roles are available. Performance is the act of playing a life path. To actualize the infinite understanding through definite subject-object duality, for the partipation in the divine story. Doing the right things, taking the right steps, in a working order, without really trying too hard, or really know what's going on.

Exercises

They didn't hide it well enough. The ancient secrets are able to be revealed through the language itself. Further, ancient structures are still available within the body, just needing activation.

The language has been corrupted, with words designed to cast bad spells. Therefore, you have to pay attention to the sources of words that you are exposed to, guarding the gates against negative and deleterious spells.

Positive, helpful, kind, good. There's no argument, there's no discussion, for the seemingly opposing viewpoints are at issue. To ask why is to not know, to not be, beacause any thing apart is not that thing. True words spoken, both that there is no error and wisdom to see, but also the magic of speaking words, as long the words accord with truth, love, goodness.

For there is no one to possess anything, and no thing to be possessed. More truthfully, you are an energetic construction that stretches beyond your own capacity to perceive or reason. Think quantum entanglement, multi-dimensional substances, interference patterns, and start looking with more precise electronic instruments.

There is only one continuous whole, so nothing can be against anything, I Am One. There is nothing beside me, to be against me. There is only blindness and ignorance, both of which are curable.

The masters have wonderful powers, such as whatever they speak comes true, stemming equally from their power over energy flows and connection to truth as much as an ability to see the future. In fact, masters may manifest reality according to their inspiration (to be inspired by something, but also 'breathing it in').

Words are sacred, creation energy. Watch what you say most carefully, and let your word be your bond, meaning every word, not speaking lightly, nor speaking untruths. Keep your distance from speakers of nonsense, or worse, silly fools speaking curses or destructive words, and lastly, be far from evil-minded and evil-intentioned people, both in separation and distance, as well as not being like them.

In association, don't allow their blindness to turn off your sight. Lead by example, with less and less speaking, staying focused on the goal. Stop trying to explain yourself, as they cannot hear you well, and you are just stirring up trouble. Publish freely.

METHOD, TECHNIQUE

In meditation, don't sit woodenly, hoping something will happen if sitting long enough, but sit actively, with sufficient preparation aforehand. This explains why the information comes in the middle of the night, having prepared the conscious brain to transmit before sleep. Between practice sessions, treat yourself to a rest, as continued effort may yield diminishing results.

Clear the mind of years and years of accumulated experiences, inputs, memories. Every young child has a genius IQ and extraordinary abilities. Keep an open mind, not blank, but not occupied either, ready and open to concentrate on the task that you choose to pursue, where you see the most value for your time spent.

Meditate and clear the mind, allowing time to process the overload and backlog of sensory impressions received over years of unguarded and unprocessed input. Further, meditate in a quiet, isolated, dark place in order to limit the amount of new sense-data and impressions from building up.

Blend your experience of meditative equipoise with normal activity, for there is no mundane activity, only lack of concentration and apparent division. The achievers report that there is nothing separate from the world, no extra-material enlightenment to seek.

Memories are what you make them. Choose to remember the past according to your imagination, as poorly-crafted memories may bring regret, causing disturbance. The power of creation lies within you. Applying your merit, begin to correct past mistakes, reworking events magically within your mind, as if you had made better choices, both in actions, as well as words and thoughts. Again, working backwards from today, repair your energetic body, and having made peace with your demons, let them go. Utilize the teachings in your everyday experiences.

LIFE REVIEW

Review your life, year by year, day by day where possible, hour by hour, recounting each good deed you did that others benefitted from, replaying the whole situation in your mind. Can you recall what was said? The clothes worn? Where it happened? Who else was there? How they benefitted? What they felt? How their face looked. After visualizing as fully as you are able, taking your time, and in fullness, moving on to the next event of focus.

Review your life, recounting and replaying every bad experience you ever had, event by event, withh the same detaill and focus as above. In each case, learn too accept what happened, integrate it into your being, apologizing in person to those who youu hurt where possible, and if not, telepathically. Also, accept and learn from, dismiss, and forgive those who hurt you.

Start the prayer by reviewing mentally all the good things you’ve done, beginning with today, and working backwards, for as long as you can hold the concentration. It’s perfectly fine if your mind starts to wander, as that’s natural. Just remember that you’re sitting there to pray, not work on other things, and get back on track. It may help to keep a notebook beside you, to write down all the things that seem to keep surfacing while you’re purposely trying not to think about them. It’s common during prayer to have a brainstorm about a problem that’s been bothering you at work, so write it down, as long as the solution keeps coming. You have all the time you need.

Same goes with relationship issues, or just remembering something you wanted to get done or buy at the market. This is your time, but then get back to your purpose when everything is safely written down, which is working on your connection with your deeper self, or starting to make progress along 'the straight and narrow path,' if you’re ready.

OK, you’ve finished recounting your impossibly long list of good deeds, and your back and legs are fully stretched, now what? Well, first of all, if you find you don’t have a long list of good deeds to recount, take a deep breath, stand up, and get out in the world. Your prayer today will be composed of good, old fashioned charity and love.

If you did have many good acts to recall, good for you. Did you keep your attention focused on what you were thinking, and could you actually see yourself as the actor playing the role of husband or wife, worker or student, or was it more in your mind, but you couldn’t 'actually see' yourself? We’ll work on this, especially in dreams.

CONCENTRATION

Both attention and time are limited, so focus on that which you most value. Engaging in many activities and duties splinters your ability to concentrate. Don't pursue fame or celebrity (8 Worldy Concerns), taking up valuable time. Same with seeking to accumulate wealth, then being concerned guarding its loss. It's easy to be caught up in ordinary concerns, as the causes are endless.

It is extremely important to cut through complexity. Cut through thinking about many different things, moving from one interesting topic to the next, in a never-ending distraction from concentrating on proper meditation in retreat.

You may find yourself thinking about mental fabrications, scientific and cultural complexities. If your mind wanders to objects of knowledge, by recollecting your inspiration, your fundamental reason for being in retreat and practicing meditation, you can cut through the tendency to think about distractions. The reason these distractions and complexities arise is that when you start to practice and have nothing else to think about, your mind will start to try to fill the gap.

AWAKENING

Thinking of the place in winter, freezing, isolated, hidden among the forbidding cliffs and the snow covered boulders I felt awe at its austere strength of purpose. We climbed up the slope to the cave. The building was three storeys high and filled the cavern's entrance. Some monks welcomed us and led us through the door into a dark passageway and up a lightless flight of steps to an upper chamber. We sat on cushions in a row and were offered tea. The lads went around the building with great reverence paying respects to the images painted on the walls.

A heavy stillness which seemed ageless hung about the room. We talked little, responding to simple questions about our homeland and the crossing of the pass. Butter tea, warm, comforting and with a novel not unpleasant taste, was served by an old, attentive monk. After a while, I turned and gazed out of the window. The consequence was extraordinary.

The window looked out into a space so enormous that my mind reeled. The valley fell away below the building, immediately opposite rose sheer cliffs with the great sky arched above. A torrent of water was pouring over a ledge and huge boulders, swept down from some glacier above, came crashing over the edge. The sun's heat of the last week had unfrozen the power of the ice and, where the boulders hit the hillside, the earth was being torn away, swept down in a mud-laden tumult of rushing sand, stones and water. As it poured into the stream below, it set up a standing wave which reached across to the bank below us which was steadily falling away into the flood. The whole landscape seemed to be coming apart and the sound of its dissolution hung in the all-including silence of the air.

All my thoughts disappeared as I watched it, my mind seemed to be drawn out into the landscape, leaving behind an inner stillness like a mirror. A meditative absorption possessed me, filling me with a peace of mind such as I have rarely known. Into an ever widening stillness came the atmosphere of the room in which a curious silence slowly spread. I seemed released from all the cares of the expedition and the excitement of arrival. I felt an inner emptiness in which the silence of the room now merged with the vastness of the outer space. I no longer felt myself to be a separate entity observing it. I sat astonished with wonder. I could hear the voices of my friends talking, I knew what they said but had no response. Looking around the room I saw the old monk standing in the shadow of a pillar. Out of the darkness his bright eyes gazed with a crystalline intensity into mine. For a moment our eyes held, and then he looked away. I felt he understood.

After a while I got away from the others and found myself on the roof. The experience persisted. It was as if there was no one there: my experience was the landscape, the landscape itself was my experience. It went on for about half an hour as I gazed around. Slowly I returned and the observer once more looked at the observed. The others were already descending the hillside, going back for a rest in camp. After some time I followed them.

Write the words down, not only to share with others, but that you may read and study them as well. Don't write difficult-to-understand passages. Make it simple, easy to understand, easy to follow.

PRACTICE

There will never be a time when you will cease to be occupied, so set aside time now, and practice diligently. As challenging as it is to begin practicing, it is more challenging to reach the point of continuous effort.

The idea stage, while at the beginning of production and the most delicate, is at the same time the most open to input from other dimensions of awareness. Speech is somewhere between ideas and action. The final product, the creation, the material object, while being the most concrete, is at the same time the hardest to change, and the least open to creative input from more subtle planes and states of awareness.

Live as if we can read the keys.

Do the right thing boldly, with respect and honor, helping your fellow beings, where you meet them. For it is no coincidence that they are sent.

Be content with what you’ve got and stick tight. Make due and don't complain. Otherwise, one day you’ll end up a nuisance, a show-off in robes who just rambles on from one valley to the next, sniffing around like a stray dog.

Guard your practice in secret, not to be an outward show, due to the possession of a self.

Don't try to understand the whole of the law. Rather, use your present, imperfect understanding to improve your state. You ask for more knowledge, more freedom, and greater abilities. Stop asking for more food until you've finished the food already on your plate.

Let go of your compulsion for planning for the accomplishment of mundane objectives. If you indulge in planning, and preparing large projects for the future, involvement will never end. Should you wish to retire to some isolated place and pursue your spiritual practice, go whenever you think of doing so, without losing sight of your intention. If you don't do it then, adverse conditions may divert you in innumerable ways.

Do not wait to find an ideal place for solitary retreat. Practice where you are. Practice what you have studied, and the meaning will take on new life in application and examination. Generate internal states of realization and awareness before sharing your treasure with the mundance world.

Let it suffice for today to understand and practice today's message. Let the work of today and its cares be sufficient for today, neither rushing nor dawdling, neither trying too hard, or not enough. Just right, just in time, according to the audience's capacity and desire. Things have their correct time and place, and we must not fight the natural order. Zen masters worked on becoming aware of correct timing, place, action and speech.

Give material aid, and teachings where appropriate, if anyone is home to receive. Do not turn a blind eye against the poor and the hungry, feed the starving until you yourself die starving. GOOD CONDUCT Act wrathfully when appropriate.
Apologize when the opportunity arises.
Act and behave in ways that will inspire others, and are apropriate to the situation.
Praise the good qualities of others.
Help others to avoid errors, or loss of face.
Don't criticise, shame, ridicule, tease, or make others feel badly.
Be respectful to others.
Act in accordance with the inclinations of others.
Set clear and dependable boundaries.
Don't make rules, or control others. Allow freedom.

Be chaste, not promiscuous. Build up energy.
Be content, not desiring what belongs to others. Don't be jealous.
Tell the truth, don't lie.
Don't steal or cheat. Don't threaten verbally, or threaten bad actions.
Don't retaliate to harm or abuse received.
Abandon negative actions. Do no harm.
Don't accept stolen property, or proceeds.
Don't associate with criminals.
Deal with stress without so much personal investment.
Diligent effort is the antidote for laziness.
Don't use miraculous powers for mundane desires
Hide your virtues, and expose your faults.
Negative karma may result from far in the past. Don't judge.
Introduce good karma at every turn.
Be a hero, stand up and fight for what is right. Understretching is lack of confidence, avoidance. Stand up for your rights, and the rights of others.

KARMA

To know the likely effects of given causes is the beginning of wisdom. Choose wise actions, and sow the seeds of good causes. Through many small, good steps, you can improve your situation. Help others to see more clearly and pursue their goals, but don't neglect your own business. As it is written, don't ignore your own poor, in going forth to assist the world.

If you are happy, and healthy, it shows that many systems are functioning. Similar to a truck tha runs well, and doesn't shake or make noise. You don't have to understand all systems, just recognize that mostly, they are ok.

There exist precious, pivotal moments of choice, where you choose good or bad futures for yourself (and others associated with you) but may be unaware of the future results of present causes, some being so slight as to be unnoticed. We may underestimate the results in any case, unbelieving that such slight causes or even the accumulation thereof could be considerable and unchangeable later. The situation is like tiny snowflakes falling so gently.

Whatever you do, past karma must be exhausted, so balance the scales of justice at every opportunity. Since there are yet causes remaining in place, so there remain actions to complete, taking up your attention. It is rare when you are able to realize your dreams, and accomplish what you set out to do in a human lifetime. Invest some quality time remembering your childhood, back to birth, reaching the bardo state, and then previous lives.

DISTRACTION

Choose what to work on. There is too much information to cover all reasonably. Select a piece of the puzzle, a piece of pie, to take on as your own. Trying to stuff a whole pie in your face, you simply make a mess. Focus your efforts through time.

Due to ambition, greed, and desiring worldly involvement, you may avoid dwelling in solitude on mountains, and instead adopt a material view, becoming involved in the profit and loss of business.

Sensual pleasures, participation and desire are like salt water. The more you indulge, the more thirst increases. Abandon at once those things which breed clinging attachment, before their hold on you increases in strength.

Organize mundane affairs to afford excellent opportunities for study and practice. Take care not to allow your possessions and property to take possession of you, using money and time primarily to create auspicious circumstances. Establish a balance from the beginning.

Consciousness may become engrossed in the objects of the senses, mistaking perception for reality. This is considered the root of hallucination and the source of all suffering. A moth may be attracted by a burning lamp, its vision attracted to the bright flame; fish may be attracted to bait, its sense of taste lured by the flavour. In the same way, our attraction to the displays of sense perception catch us in the ephemeral world, a dance of sights, sounds, tastes, smells, and sensations.

Due to impermancence, and the limitation of time in a body, avoid building large organizations, as it may interfere with your practice. Prioritize the tasks at hand, and beware that in the haste to acquire a building, you do not un-necessarily involve yourself, using up the scant time left to you. Whatever you do, whatever your plans and goals, all must be left behind at death, so be sure there is value in having done it. Make due with utilitarian objects. Don't use clothing or objects made from animals.

The price of entrance into higher realms is attention and awareness. Not that we must put aside material participation, only that we must select out of it that which has interest and value, in our estimation. As a child grows, games that once enthralled fall by the wayside, no longer captivating interest, not stimulating enthusiasm.

Forgo making plans for the years ahead, and instead devote whatever resources you have to the here and now. Study the works of those you admire, and emulate their successes, breaking down their achievements into steps small enough that you can follow.

Don't focus on mundane issues, not to mention arguing over them, or holding a position one way or the other, as these involvements may distract you from a clear view of the root nature of mind. Relinquish attitudes of ownership and personal ambition. Nothing may be owned, as nothing is solid in the first place. Use whatever riches you amass to further your spiritual development, and benefit other beings. Improper conduct, such as being quarrelsome and mean-spirited, shows you have made little progress on the path.

Attractive objects, although they may seem beautiful, may test your renunciation, so give up attachment - Trivial concerns, irrelevant occupation, wasting time -

The powers, like siddhis, are told not to be sought, as a distraction, but in identification with the powers, and the achievement of those powers, accidental mastery happens.

INSPIRING VIDEOS

Don't get too excited if phenomena start expressing, yearning to tell anyone nearby about the mystical nature of the experience, which of course drives the energy right away. Onlookers may be aware of nothing more than a little dance. Don't place your hopes in communication at this early stage, multiplying the difficulty of maintaining the right state of mind.

Hold onto the correct tones, notes. A sustained effort will be required, and what you hold in mind and heart without distraction will become yourself.

Respond coherently to the situation that presents itself in a reasonable manner. Do not indulge in reckless or bizarre behavior, even for fun, as it may be misunderstood.

Boredom is a challenge to creativity and worthwhile action. STUDY & PRACTICE Study the teachings, then take the required steps in order to achieve success. You have all the requirements in place. It's yourself who is in charge of maintaining the connection, and who's slowing down this transmission. Depart from rational thinking and logical deduction. Move into right-brain activities and growth. You haven't scratched the surface of what's humanly possible. If you would talk to angels and be in their company, then be like an angel so they can stand being in your company.

By doing the work of heaven while yet on earth, we dismiss the artifice called death. To do such work, you must know what that work is.
Dispel evil.
Fight injustice.
Counter-balance unfairness
Reduce suffering
Speak in a deep resonant voice, and take the steps precribed, in order to move forward and progress more quickly. We individually (and collectively) are officially out of time.

Guard your treasure, for where your desire is (your interest, attention, perception, focus, concentration, and understanding), there you are, or more precisely, that's what you are, for you are built out of these things.

Meditative awareness, intense, concentrated practice. Replay (in real time, as long as takes) all the good acts you have done in your lifetime, just as the review will take place after death. Study the lives of the achievers, identifying yourself with them, first through reading, but then in imagination and visualization, daydreaming until you see your mind's eyes matching what passes for consensual reality in the material plane. Replay all the bad acts you have done, making peace with your mistakes, learning from them, and resolving not to repeat errors.

The sorrow and longing due to parting with love, is inherent in the joy and connection felt upon meeting. Because you fear separation, you do not leave home and your loved ones, sacrificing what might have been.

CONCENTRATION

The lifespan of human beings being short, and there being many fields of knowledge one may pursue, seek to accomplish the greatest value understood. Don't busy yourself with activities of mundane livelihood, such as acquiring possessions. One needs to turn one's mind away from pleasures and generating and protecting fortunes.

As you narrow the focus, power increases. As you focus concentration, ultimately to a single point, power increases exponentially.

Focus on maintaining the bare necessities, freeing up time for that which you consider valuable. Preoccupation with trivial, external matters leaves scant time remaining to attend to important work. They fritter away the time given in a thousand off-hand ways.

Identification with possessions create never-ending problems and distractions from realizing the root-nature of mind and being.

TEACHING

When the Buddha experienced enlightenment, he refrained from talking about the full measure of his realization. Instead, he taught more accessible doctrines, such as the four noble truths, as most immediately accessible and appropriate for the people of his day. Moreover, he separated the path into levels of complexity, delivering simple lessons to less well-prepared minds, and more complex or more difficult to understand lessons to those who had sufficient self-preparation or ability.

Use your knowledge to meet other beings where they are, and gain attention and trust, before using skillful methods to bring them into awareness and participation. Test and assess competency, examine objectives, enlist cooperation and participation, and accomodate speed or ability.

Without a valid audience, the teaching hasn't been transmitted, and the angels know the work of today hasn't been accomplished.

Not enough to say, "Sit up straight (for 10 hours), do you do that? CAN you do that?

We might say (to a beginner), look at this posture, this photo, this video. Try to sit as I sit, do what I do. Let's sit for 10 minutes like this.

Knowledge was only transmitted to those whose worth had been proved by a series of tests. This transmittal took place in the temples, in secret, among those prepared for the effort. On the one hand, do not ignore students who are worthy recipients of the teachings. Conversely, do not give profound teachings to unworthy recipients, even worse trying to push unwanted understandings on unwilling or combative associates. All are welcome who are able to conduct themselves within decent limits, and if they have difficulties, all the more appropriate that they're in a place of refuge, where assistance may be found.

You can't take the steps for them, but you can take the steps yourself. A broken vehicle isn't useful, so repair yourself to a place of practice. It's you who's slowing down this transmission, you who interfere with the message. Cleanse the body, cleanse your mind and your heart.

Important, complex subjects require time to understand, and still more time to integrate, then time to practice.

Sacrifice your time for those who may follow. Consider that you are lucky to find the writings of great teachers, which would not be available to you if others who came before you had not taken the time and effort to share.

Don't lament that many unfortunate and destructive choices are being made around you, but rather concentrate on the goodness that you can do. Care for others, but don't get in their business. Leave people alone, so that they may be themseleves. Lament for their suffering and the karmic seeds that they plant in harming others, both in deed (indeed) as well as in intention, for the worst is to intentionally harm, even in the name of doing good.

Every man or woman, every child or cat or rock, all is me. If they disturb you, do not think to correct them in your understanding, for I made them, leave that to me. All will be revealed. Even the man talking loudly in the hall. Isn't he you? Don't you sing loudly, disturbing others?

Don't teach too much, nor too soon, and be satisfied to share any good thing, giving clear, easy-to-understand teachings. Do not take part in gossip or criticism. With love and patience, encourage goodness. With discipline, put halt inappropriate behavior or speech. Put what you know into practice, and don't seek more until you apply what you have already. Be content with what you have, and what is given. Respect your limits and those of others. Two principles that the Master observed in his teaching were 'not too much' and 'not too early.'

Don't teach, don't preach, just answer the question asked. And if there was no question, then don't speak. Don't change the subject when asked a question, as an opportunity to teach. If lacking patience, excuse yourself and depart. Limit your speech to instruction and supportive statements, not pointing out other's faults unasked. If they wanted to know, they would have asked.

Keep the teachings appropriate to the listener. People need comfort and leadership, not erudite teachings that only create distance and confusion. Great teachers encourage and lead others through skillful means, patience, and stepwise progression. Do the best you can to help, and leave others to settle their own karmic debts. Take precautions to guard yourself against harm in association.

It is a 'pull system,' driven not by the actual question asked verbally, but by the need, the desire, attraction, value, perception of the receiver.

Just as in the case of a student differentiating value, the teacher having limited resources and time, must differentiate among students, selecting out those with the greatest potential to succeed.

A long and difficult journey is recommended to reach important centers of initiation, the places where valid teaching is given, and practice is performed. The distance and difficulty separates the merely curious and weak-willed entrants from making entrance. Let the location be remote and difficult to reach, the air cold and clean. Let the requirements for entry be desire and willingness to suffer trials of improvement and obey the teachers' wise and compassionate commands. Further, internal journeys and preparation are required to be able to benefit from, and realize the understandings offered, meaning also that centres of initiation are within us, and that we must journey and prepare, in order to be able to reach them.

Teach only those who can 'hear' you speak. Faced with a staircase ascending to the temple, you wouldn't argue with someone unwilling to climb the stairs. They must make their own decisions. Lucky to hear you explain clearly one time, just the once, and then write it down. That way, they may read it as many times as they wish, or not at all.

Don't write difficult-to-understand passages, but rather make it simple, with easy-to-follow examples and stories. It is not your fault if others refuse to see, or refuse to follow. Be content that you have done your part.

Not all students are willing and able at every moment. Until sufficient negative karma is exhausted, it is difficult to be guided, to accept valid instruction, to differentiate valid teachings in the first place, or even to hear the teachings, and realize that they have importance. It is not for all to realize at this time, nor for everyone to be prepared and ready to know. Judge more wisely, recognizing them in their respective places, and making them happy and well-satisfied with challenges and stimulation appropriate for their particular individual mental and psychological development. Also, be aware of their interests and choices, not just their limitations. Allow people their freedom to choose activities they may participate in and feel good about, and a speed that they feel comfortable with.

Only give teachings to those who request instruction. Similarly, when an outsider joined the group, and began to talk on lighter topics, the master would immediately change the subject and join the outsider in his talk. Similarly, if he noticed students' attention was not fully concentrated, he would stop further exposition. In this way, in the absence of particularly suitable circumstances, he observed reticence, and reatined his knowledge for more auspicious moments.

Focus your energies on the task at hand, and not be distracted with individual conversation, and individuals any longer. There are so many words, so many ideas, so much distraction. With eyes to see, I will show you. Would you like to see? Do you want to know? Then Look! Open your eyes, I command you, and you must obey.

Don't try to correct or change others, work on yourself.

Wandering, ascetic teachers do not starve. Coincidentally helping all beings at the moment of their need, they attracts those essentials needed for survival, and gathers suitable students and helpers that may benefit from association. Even in lack of supplies, and physical suffering and pain, the opportunity for focus is found, deepening meditation.

Use situations to masterfully enact the drama of life, relating to others in a theatrical performance, showing the way. The master is supremely capable of playing useful roles, offering varied emotion and friendship; natural expression as a muse (to amuse, entertain, get the attention of). Remain diligent, constantly focused on the development of all beings. In the manner of a powerful dramatist or improvisational actor, words and actions may skillfully enlarged the scope of others' perceptions and concepts, gradually loosening the hard earth of rigid viewpoint, and ingrained patterns of thinking.

All the world is a stage, and the master plays many parts. Even if you show them, they still may not understand. Better to lead them in a way that enables them to take the steps needed to achieve for themselves. Tailor your performance to suit them, not eager to share the truth all in a rush, giving time for the energy to permeate their understanding in a systematic way, in order to be absorbed and integrated.

By showing the observable results of subtle causes, communication of otherwise imperceptible happenings is made easier. To explain is cumbersome. To show is clearer, simpler, and at least you gain their attention. Take time for beings, that they may understand, not exceeding capacity. Present the show of your presents (gifts) and your presence, not to entertain or teach, but to engage.

Pak Subuh

Look at the lives and deeds of those who have achieved. There is a direct transmission possible when reading biographies and hagiographies of achievers. If unable to directly associate with sages, then immerse yourself in study of their writings, so that they may speak to you across time and space. A true spiritual master can turn everyone around him to virtue and to the authentic Dharma by the sheer radiance of his enlightened qualities.

PEMA DUNDUL

His demeanor was a manifestation of his beautific realization. Wherever he went, hermits and meditators gathered around him. Pema Dündul often sang spontaneous songs of realization and recited poems. His words were like a chisel at his students’ solidified self-centeredness. A community of practitioners who shared the same intention.

Sogyal quickly became known for accepting comfort and discomfort, and happiness and suffering, with the same stable state of mind. He did not look for the faults in those who were devoid of mindfulness and awareness, nor did he needlessly dwell in the busyness of being hopeful or fearful for anything in the future.

DUDJOM LINGPA

Dudjom Lingpa was plagued by apparitions, and throughout his life demons challenged him or members of his entourage. Such events, experienced as crises, forced Dudjom Lingpa to evaluate himself and to flex his meditative muscles. He uses these encounters to demonstrate the difference between reacting to experience as being 'out there' versus owning it as being self-manifest. He chooses not to recognize challengers from a place of knee-jerk defensiveness, instead seeing them to be his own phenomena.

Dudjom Lingpa was free to do as he (and the deities) pleased, to practice meditation in retreat, focus on his writings, and amass a circle of exceptional students at his own pace. Success was preceded by decades of solitary struggle. Although Dudjom Lingpa remained immersed in his personal practice, retreat spaces and teaching venues eventually merged. As students began to seek him out and find him, a deity advised him to avoid transcribing lengthy texts, and keep his work pithy.

PATRUL RINPOCHE

ON A MOUNTAIN

Seek solitary places on a mountain where you can practice. Visit large, quiet monasteries, making the most of your time and opportunities while in a body. If you wish to swiftly follow in the wake of past masters, consider their actions and behavior and copy them. Spend time among the native peoples, among those who can not only listen but have something to say.

The developmental process generates heat, a little heat at first, but as you speed it up, it generates heat, a lot of Heat, and you need to integrate that heat externally, in a colder place, ever colder place, or you'll burn up. Too fast, beyond your ability and you'll hurt yourself. Do not hurt the body; it's the ony one you're getting, so take care of it, don't wear it out, don't wear it roughly. Listen to me, heed my words. Put yourself on a mountain, with cold, crisp air, a few meters at a time, step by step, to acclimate and adjust, to change. You think you're good at change, well a mighty change is coming, so run, with the wind at your back, run.

On a mountain top, with internet access via satellite. With trucks delivering containers of books, the right books, would you read, then make a library. you can't have a school without it. They will come. From miles, from other countries, from the moon they will come. A staff is again in the hands of David, a leader is among us. They will come. Have faith in the word. Read, study, treasure it, don't do anything else until you have done at least this much. The message is the words, power in the words, so read and write it down, sing a song, make a dance, write a book, make a movie, because in the creative endeavor is the golden cord, in creation, the act of creating, is creation. You are the maker, you are the chooser, so choose.

On a mountain, where-ever you are, bring the word until you memorize it, and are practicing well. Remove yourself from among the people, the entry is the mountain itself, the snow, the thin air, as bodies need to be readied for power. Seek out the strong among them, the bold and wise native people living in harmony with the earth. Learn from them, tell stories, listen to their stories, and enjoy the meeting.

On the mountain, where you will find me, and the entrance examination is their desire. Teach all who can reach you, and all whom you can reach. Let them see the light, and they will come. Don't doubt, it's in the word.

Go on the mountain, and bring the word with you, speak words, entertain and explain, dance and prance, speak and the weak shall come running. 'Bring me your sick, and I will heal them.' A healer, a dealer of cards, a joker, the fool, without direction or personal awareness, with honor and respect, with loving kindness. Away from them, let those who chose follow, but don't tell, don't insist, assist, just set the bar higher, and higher, move higher, start with a mountain.

Then snow, and then thin air, higher and higher until only the real can talk with me, only the real words can be spoken. There isn't much time. Only a moment left, so pay attention. To pay attention, you can't use money, so use the money to buy books, build a building, buy lands, go to a country, get helpers, buy land no-one wants, high on a mountain. Make your own electricity, or better still, write with pen and paper, no electricity, no internet.

The mountain is within us, as well as without. Also, it's OK to be alone, although support may accelerate the process. Move to the countryside, just go step by step. Builders, artists, musicians, teachers. Need to be generating heat internally already, have food, learn about plants, energy first. An entire group and building and teachers to be there on the mountain, with study, and arts, and exercises all governed in an orderly way.

Rest assured they will come. Not you alone, many helpers, surrounded by angels, and a planet full of birds and creeping things, to keep you company. And trees and bees and rocks and things. You are not alone. It has been given.

ANGELS

An angel from middle heaven asked to see the higher heavens, although a guardian angel kept repeating that it would not be possible, nor would it be a good idea in any case, even if special permission was granted. The lower angel persisted, begging for at least a brief glimpse of the higher realms, and the guardian angel reluctantly agreed. Holding the minor angel's soul in his love, they transported together. Immediately, it was completely black, with no sound, and the unprepared angel found it couldn't breathe. Choking and confused, it fell to earth as though dead. After a while, rising to the clouds, the soul found the angel waiting. "So, how was that? The higher heavens are a lot to handle, did you hear the singing and see the bright lights?" The lower soul complained that there was no light, sound, or air, and they might have taken a wrong turn somewhere. The higher angel laughed, "maybe we'll see each other another time, when you have developed further."

Angels don’t operate in time or space, rather appearing instantaneously at the focus of their attention, so that when an angel turns toward the person or experience that attracts it, it seems as though they materialize into that space.

Real, living angels. Each par of the body is beautiful as they approach it, but the eyeball is most complete. It is the organ of light and in light angels live. Earth is not their fitting residence. They belong to higher bodies like the sun, the stars, or light. Just as the air is the element of the angels, who are simply free and independent eyes, all eye, or the eye-type in its highest and most beautiful development. Thus, what in man is a subordinate organ, in the angels is of independent worth. But angels are single eyes.

Their language is light and their tones are colors. The eye-language of love hints at the speech of angels, these creatures of the sun with their ethereal bodies. Their skin is merely connected vapors, like soap bubbles. Their transparent nature can take on colors. They change their form and expand and contract according to their feelings. They are attraction or repulsion, and with this goes the wonderful color play. They are organisms. They move by hovering and sweeping along. General gravitation, which relates all bodies, is their sense. They feel the farthest thing in the universe and the slightest change in it. They are, in short, living planets and, in fine, the planets are angels.

One of the defining characteristics of Fechner's life is that he suffered a disease very much akin to the initiatory sickness known among shamans. In 1840 his eyesight began to fail him. Soon he could neither read nor write. He found he could not eat or drink and he was unable to endure society. He lost all control over his thoughts or his attention. His dreams tormented him. His own state seemed to him like the condition of a puppet. By the end of 1843, people believed him to be incurably blind and completely insane. He spent months in solitude in a dark room; and at a level deep within himself he never lost hope. It was in this state, literally the dark night of his soul, he felt he was called upon by God to do extraordinary things for which his sufferings had prepared him. He recovered after this self-perception and soon discovered within himself even greater physical strength and psychic sensitivity. The whole world now revealed itself to him in a splendor and detail exceeding his earlier visions. He resumed his academic work, no longer in physics but as a philosopher.

Angels can speak, but we do not listen nor pay attention, thinking they are not real.' Angels are literally made out of truth and goodness. An angel tried to be false and bad once, just as a weird experiment, and immediately ceased to be, simply folded up into nothingness. Angels are not apart from us, but it is we who stand apart, thinking we have individual existence in a body. The Lord gave us life, and will collect us when we die.

In order to communicate with angels and to enable them to 'withstand our presence,' you must be enough like them for that to happen.

Angels refuse all thanks for the good they do, and are displeased and withdraw if anyone attributes good to them. But doing good for the sake of good they call good from the Divine.