The Song of Mahamudra by Tilopa (Excerpted by Ram Dass)

Excerpt from Journey of Awakening: A Meditator's Guidebook by Ram Dass:

Source: RamDass.org

Most meditative practices give very specific instructions as to what to focus on, what to think, or what to do. But in the last analysis, the meditative state goes beyond practices. Such methods are but stepping off points to this state, but they aren't always needed. There are ways to perceive yourself and the world, fright from the outset, that catapult you into the meditative state without the necessity of practices. These ways of perceiving allow you to be keenly alert, to be choiceless awareness, to have clarity. These methodless methods are found in the writings of all traditions. One of the most beautiful statements of this non-technique is found in the Song of Mahamudra by Tilopa:

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 nought.

Without making an effort,

But remaining loose and natural,

One can break the yoke

Thus gaining Liberation.

If one sees nought when staring into space,

If with the mind one when observed the mind,

One destroys distinctions

And reaches Buddhahood.

The clouds that wander through the sky

Have to roots, no home; nor do the distinctive

Thoughts floating through the mind.

Once the Self-mind is seen,

Discrimination stops.

Do nought with the body but relax,

Shut from the mouth and silent remain,

Empty your mind and think of nought.

Like a hollow bamboo

Rest at ease your body.

Giving not nor taking,

Put your mind at rest.

Mahamudra is like a mind that clings to nought.

Thus practicing, in time you will reach

Buddhahood.

Cease all activity, abandon

All desire, let thoughts rise and fall

As they will like the ocean waves.

He who abandons craving

And clings not to this or that,

Perceives the real meaning

Given in the Scriptures.

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,

Meditate in woods and mountains.

If without effort you remain

Loosely in the "natural state,"

Soon Mahamudra you will win

And attain the Non-attainment.

Cut the root of a tree

And the leaves will wither;

Cut the root of your mind

And Samsara falls.

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.

One should not give or take

But remain natural,

For Mahamudra is beyond

All acceptance and rejection.

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.

- Tilopa

Teachings of Tibetan Yoga

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