Timeless Rapture: Inspired Verse from the Shangpa Masters

MÉTRIPA
The illustrious, accomplished master Shavari accepted as his
direct disciple Métripa, who received a prediction that he would
reach Great Seal’s supreme accomplishment during the intermediate state
after death. Conqueror Métripa, also known as Advayavajra, was chief of
infinite numbers of spiritual heroes and dakinis and lord of the profound
teachings of dwelling without mental activity in the essential, ultimate
nature of mind.
While he lived as a hidden [tantric practitioner] in Vikramashila
Monastery, he drank alcohol and enjoyed sexual relations with a woman.
When other members of the monastic community discovered this, they
expelled him from their grounds. At the banks of the Ganges, Métripa
spread a mat made of antelope’s skin [on the water], used his staff as an oar,
and sailed away, singing this song:
To approach the noble master brings happiness.
To drink his profound teachings’ ambrosia brings happiness. 4
To gain experience in them brings happiness.
To gain no experience at all brings happiness.
To have a view without hope or fear brings happiness.
If it is spontaneously present, this brings even more happiness.
To meditate without dualistic clinging brings happiness.
To have no reference points brings even more happiness.
To engage in choiceless conduct brings happiness.
To have no hesitation brings even more happiness.
50