Great-Bliss-Tantric-Sex-and-the-Path-to-Inner-Awakening

of emptiness is not the cessation of suffering,” because a much greater experience awaits you
through realization of Buddha Essence. While the Mind Only teachings express that ultimate
reality is your mind, Buddha Essence teachings observe primordial reality is not mind (citta) in
the conventional sense, and even mind does not exist as an independent entity, so meditating on
“Mind Only” could lead you to miss the true ultimate reality as well. What only exists is the
infinite, primordial wisdom mind (jñāna), also called the Clear Light nature of your mind
(Prabhāsvara citta).
Buddhahood as Wisdom and Compassion
The Supreme Continuum reveals, “Buddhahood is the radiance of primordial wisdom.” In this
very moment, you are a buddha – there is nothing else you could ever possibly be. Your
complete perfection as a buddha is already fully present but momentarily obscured by illusion.
Buddhahood, primordially existent, is the only thing that exists. It does not arise due to causes
and conditions, but is “uncreated,” “the self-existent,” “the supreme nirvāṇa,” and “the selfnature.”
Its self-nature is its indestructible spaciousness, wisdom, and luminous clarity.
Because all appearances are illusory, even the appearances of buddhas are illusory. “These are
just appearances,” The Supreme Continuum notes dispassionately. Images of buddhas arise from
the deluded minds of beings, and are not true arisings - “Ordinary beings do not understand the
fact that these are the manifestations of their own mind.” There is no action that buddhas actually
perform; they are always in perfect peace. At the same time, their activities towards beings
trapped in illusion are unlimited, effortless, ceaseless, and spontaneously arising.
Path
“One should understand that the path cannot be compressed into one limitless eon.”
- Asaṅga, The Bodhisattva Levels
The Bodhisattva
At the heart of the Mahāyāna is the determination to end suffering for all beings. As difficult as it
is for even one person to attain enlightenment, a bodhisattva (lit. awakened being), motivated by
great compassion (karuṇa), seeks to bring all beings throughout limitless time and space without
exception to final liberation. Kamalaśīla inspires with an example, saying “Just as a mother
responds to her small, beloved, and suffering child, when you develop a spontaneous and equal
sense of compassion toward all beings, you have perfected the practice of compassion. And this
is known as great compassion.”
As a bodhisattva, you generate bodhicitta (lit. awakened mind) - the compassionate aspiration for
enlightenment. Bodhicitta is the profound intention to liberate yourself and all beings from
suffering. It is the unique driving power of a bodhisattva that gives him or her their
inconceivable powers of wisdom and compassion, without which it is impossible to attain
enlightenment. It is not simply a desire for all beings to be happy, but a profound commitment
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