Mahamudra Teaching - Dharma Media

The meaning of this method is that the mind stays now with us. It does not follow the thoughts of the
past. We often just follow or investigate what we did in the past, for example with resentment,
hatred, or with attachment. We just think of the past constantly. But that will not bring any benefit at
this moment since the past is completely gone. There is no use in doing this. For example, in the past
someone may have hated me or “hurt me real bad” or destroyed such or such. If we contemplate on
that past event, it will not bring us any benefit or any result. In actuality, it has completely left. At this
moment it does not exist. So there is no benefit to resenting this or attaching to that. So just be now, in
this moment.
Or sometimes we think about the future, we plan for the future. Thinking, “I will do this,” “I will do
that,” we chase the future. We just keep chasing the future. Then, most of the time, whatever we plan
does not happen. And so therefore instead of planning and chasing the future so much, do things
right, right now. Gather and create good karma. Avoid bad karma. Because the future depends on the
causes that we create, if we do things right and avoid all the non-virtuous actions, if we develop all
the virtues, then without planning, everything will fall in the right place. If we make a mistake at this
moment and prepare such a great and wonderful plan, for example, that “we will transform all to
nirvana,” still it will not happen. So therefore with “not chasing the future” and “not following the
past”, just be now in this right place.
When mind is calm and peaceful, at that time you can see. First of all you will experience harmony
and peace and at that time mind is so clear. So there is the opportunity to see, to know at that time. It
is like a pond or basin or water pool. When the water is so calm, you can see what is inside. You can
see what kind of bugs are there. You can see all the insects, which are there. You can see what kind of
dirt is there. You can see everything very clearly. However, if the water is busily churning away and
just keeps on running you cannot see what is in the water. Similarly, if our mind is just running and
running and running, after the past or after the future, you cannot see what the mind looks like. If
we could have such a calm and peaceful state of mind, then, at that time you can see how mind is,
you can see your mental position and your mental state. This is the first, most important point to
realizing peace and harmony just in this life. And this is also a special cause for bringing forth the
special insight.
For example, right now we are listening to or studying shamatha or calmly abiding. After receiving
these instructions when you get some understanding of how to practice, then you do the practice. Of
course you have heard of the seven body postures or five body postures of meditation, and so forth.
Maybe sometimes it is difficult for you to have all of those qualities of body. What is important is that
when you meditate you just sit with your body straight. You make your backbone straight and at the
same time relax. Don’t be so uptight. So with body straight yet in a relaxed position you are ready for
meditation. The benefits of shamatha or calmly abiding meditation, also called the equipoised state of
mind, is that when you have a good state of meditation, with mind relaxed, calm, and peaceful, that
also very much helps to relax your body. When your body is relaxed and comfortable and your
mental state is in harmony then your body also tends to be free from sickness and disease.
Most of the causes of suffering in this life are through the afflictive emotions or negative thoughts.
The afflictive emotions or negative thoughts themselves are of the nature of suffering; they are the
cause of suffering. So there is no difference between the two. We cannot say “this is suffering” and
“that is a negative thought.” The moment we have negative thought, such as say anger, attachment,
pride, hatred, right in that place we have suffering. Right there, there is no peace. In addition, they
create further suffering for us. But at the same time when you look at them, these negative thoughts