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Padmasambhava Instructions On Dreaming 2
Padmasambhava Instructions On Dreaming 2
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Table of contents
Padmasambhava: Instructions on Dreaming ............ 3
01. Apprehending the Dream-state ......................................................................... 3 02. Training in Dream Emanation and Transformation ............................................ 5 03. Dispelling Obstacles of Dreaming ..................................................................... 6 a. Dispersal through Waking ................................................................................ 6 b. Dispersal through Forgetfulness ...................................................................... 6 c. Dispersal through Confusion ............................................................................ 6 d. Dispersal through Insomnia ............................................................................. 7 e. Dispersal through Indolence ............................................................................ 7
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In particular, it is crucial to practice the instructions on daytime appearances and the illusory body. At this time, powerfully imagine that your environment, city, house, companions, conversations, and all activities are a dream; and even say out loud This is a dream.
Continually imagine that this is just a dream. Then when you go to bed in the evening, cultivate the Spirit of Awakening, thinking, For the sake of all sentient beings throughout space, I shall practice the illusion-like Samadhi, and I shall achieve perfect Buddhahood. For that purpose, I shall train in dreaming.
Then as you lie down, rest on your right shoulder, with your head pointing north, your right hand pressed against your cheek, and your left placed upon your thigh. Clearly imagine your body as your chosen deity [a practice of Tantric Deity Yoga where one imagines they are the embodiment of a divine figure, in order to actualize our inner purity and dispel the ego].
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If your visualization is not clear, establish the [dignity] of thinking, I am the chosen deity [yidam; the deity you feel close to].
Imagine that on your pillow your head is resting in the lap of your primary spiritual mentor; and vividly focus your attention upon Orgyen Padma at your throat, the size of your thumb joint, with a smiling, lustrous countenance, appearing and yet having no inherent nature. Mentally offer the supplication, Bless me that I may apprehend the dreamstate. Bless me that I may recognize the dream-state as the dream-state.
Lie in the sleeping-lion position [described above], and bring forth a powerful yearning to recognize the dream-state as the dream-stare; and while so doing, fall asleep without being interrupted by any other thoughts. Even if you do not apprehend it at the first try, repeat this many times, and earnestly do it with powerful yearning. In the morning when you wake up, forcefully and distinctly consider, Not a single one of any of the dreams I had last night remains when I wake up. Likewise, not a single one of all these daytime appearances today will appear tonight in my dreams. There is no difference between the dreams of the day and the night, so they are illusions, they are dreams.
That is one session. If you still do not apprehend the dream-state even after practicing that many times, then with the other practices as they were before, imagine yourself as your single, heroic, chosen deity, and clearly, vividly imagine at your throat your chosen deity once again, the size of your thumb joint. Direct your consciousness without forcing it, and fall asleep while envisioning that you will know the dream-state as the dreamstare. That is the second session. [The third session is dependent upon knowing Tibetan letters, so we omit it.] If... you still do not apprehend the dream-state in that way, focus your attention clearly and vividly on a bindu [seed or dot] or light at your throat; and with the anticipation of dreaming, fall asleep and thereby apprehend the dream-state. That is the fourth session. for internal use of Shi De only
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Meditate by alternating among the meditative objects, and practice with a powerful sense that daytime appearances are dreams. Even the least of practitioners will apprehend the dream-state within one month. At first, there will be more dreams, then they will become clearer, and then they will be apprehended. In the event of a frightening circumstance, it is easy to recognize, This is a dream. It is difficult for it to be apprehended spontaneously, but if it is so apprehended, this is stable. If it is not apprehended in any of those ways, there may be an infraction of your tantric pledges, so apply yourself to [purifying practices, such as] going for refuge [through prayer], cultivating the spirit of awakening, restoration through confession [pratimokcha], the hundred-syllable mantra, the ganacakra offering, avoiding contamination, and meditating in the previous way. By so doing, the dreamstate will be apprehended in just two or three months, and eventually you will be able to apprehend it regularly.
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When on the verge of sleep, it is important that you direct your attention to whatever you are apprehending at your throat, be it your spiritual mentor, your chosen deity, seed syllables [mantras], or a bindu; and it is crucial that this not be interrupted by latent predispositions.
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