If you find it difficult to see your own mind, it is due to obscurations
which come from afflicting emotions. Transcendent wisdom dispels afflicting
emotions. That wisdom is the blessing of the lama. To receive the lama's
blessing you need the sun of devotion, which in turn gives rise to compassion. A
drop of tear by the force of devotion purifies or dispels a mountain of
obscurations.
Generally speaking, Buddha and sentient beings are like one river. Buddha,
however, realizes the nature of the self and, free from doubt, sees that all the
activities of samsara are like a dream or illusion. Buddha's mind abides like
the nature of space, like a river that cannot be frozen. Sentient beings, on the
other hand, have not realized their own nature, and their minds are influenced
by conditions which cause afflicting emotions. This is like meeting very cold
water and freezing, the ice then becoming like a rock that cannot be broken.
If the heat of devotion and compassion melts this frozen mind, one will
realize there is no difference between oneself and Buddha. Therefore, the single
most important source of blessings is devotion. It is like a hundred rivers
going under one bridge.
When you look at your mind just after strong devotion, that awareness is the
cause of attaining enlightenment. Within that, look again at the very face of
awareness. It dissolves into emptiness - both subject and object. A beginner
does not believe it, but this dissolution is Buddhahood. Therefore, Tilopa said,
"Seeing nothing is the supreme insight."
It will not last long, so meditate for a short time, again and again each
session. This will dispel obstacles and enhance your meditation.
Devotion is the single essential point. When you practice devotion, visualize
the lama in front of you in space as actually residing there. The lama's mind is
Buddha, so when you supplicate, the blessing will be definite, and the lama will
keep you in his or her mind.
