Original Poetry by Karmapawo

The following are original poems composed by

Stream of Consciousness © 2004 Karmapawo

Reflections on Mind

No discernment, clear;
Yet able to reflect its environs.
So is a pool of water,
So is the Mind.

Objects seemingly intrude;
Reflections appear.
So is a pool of water,
So is the Mind.

Winds blow, leaves fall;
Ripples arrise and settle.
So is a pool of water,
So are thoughts in the Mind.

Ripples needn't cease
To see the essence of the pool is water.
Thoughts and appearances needn't cease
To see the essence of the Mind.
So is a pool of water,
So is the mind.

True natures, so evident;
Yet so readily disregarded.
What misfortune!
So is a pool of water,
So is the Mind.

16 October 2006

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Fog & Breeze

The breeze creates shapes in the fog,
Just as forms produce thoughts in the Mind.

Breeze and fog seem to be different,
in opposition.
In reality they are of the same nature;
that of the air.

Mind and form seem to be different in nature,
But in reality are of the same nature; Dharmakaya.

The breeze clears the fog away, revealing bright sunlight.

Just so,
When mind and appearances are seen to be of the same nature,
Delusion is cleared away.
Clarity and emptiness shine forth.

30 November 2006

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Rain of Karma

Rain falls on the earth,
Its force creating furrows in the land.
When again the rain falls,
In the furrows, will the water run.

Actions rain upon the mind,
Their force creating habits,
Patterns of thought,
Like furrows in the mind.

When again objects appear to the mind,
Our thoughts surge through the furrows.
The furrows, our actions determine.
In ignorance we yeild to their bondage.

The furrows, our karma,
Directs our thoughts and actions.
As ignorance is pierced by wisdom,
The mind is freed from its bondage.

10 January 2007

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Light and Life © 2003 Karmapawo

Wisdom & Action

The sun in a clear blue sky; open, spacious, and bright.
Free from all obscuring clouds, it illuminates all just as it is.

NAMO GURU VAJRASATTVAYA
Guru Vajrasattva,
Embodiment of mirror like wisdom,
Clear, bright, free from all obscuration,
Like the sun in clear blue sky,
Illuminating everything without distortion.

From the light of the sun in a clear blue sky springs life,
Verdant, green, and full of activity.

NAMO ARYA TARAYE
Arya Tara,
Embodiment of the activity of all the Buddhas,
Like life springing forth from brilliant sunlight,
You arise spontaneously from clear wisdom
Manifesting activity for all beings benefit.

Guru Vajrasattva,
May your wisdom always blaze forth,
A clear light illuminating the undefiled nature of all phenomena
Like the sun in a clear blue sky.

Arya Tara,
May your activity always endure,
A refuge for all beings, leading them out of ignorance and suffering,
Into the lucidity and simplicity of enlightenment.

13 June 2007

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Stream of Consciousness © 2004 Karmapawo	Reflections on Mind No discernment, clear; Yet able to reflect its environs. So is a pool of water, So is the Mind. Objects seemingly intrude; Reflections appear. So is a pool of water, So is the Mind. Winds blow, leaves fall; Ripples arrise and settle. So is a pool of water, So are thoughts in the Mind. Ripples needn't cease To see the essence of the pool is water. Thoughts and appearances needn't cease To see the essence of the Mind. So is a pool of water, So is the mind. True natures, so evident; Yet so readily disregarded. What misfortune! So is a pool of water, So is the Mind. 16 October 2006
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	Fog & Breeze The breeze creates shapes in the fog, Just as forms produce thoughts in the Mind. Breeze and fog seem to be different, in opposition. In reality they are of the same nature; that of the air. Mind and form seem to be different in nature, But in reality are of the same nature; Dharmakaya. The breeze clears the fog away, revealing bright sunlight. Just so, When mind and appearances are seen to be of the same nature, Delusion is cleared away. Clarity and emptiness shine forth. 30 November 2006
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	Rain of Karma Rain falls on the earth, Its force creating furrows in the land. When again the rain falls, In the furrows, will the water run. Actions rain upon the mind, Their force creating habits, Patterns of thought, Like furrows in the mind. When again objects appear to the mind, Our thoughts surge through the furrows. The furrows, our actions determine. In ignorance we yeild to their bondage. The furrows, our karma, Directs our thoughts and actions. As ignorance is pierced by wisdom, The mind is freed from its bondage. 10 January 2007
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Light and Life © 2003 Karmapawo	Wisdom & Action The sun in a clear blue sky; open, spacious, and bright. Free from all obscuring clouds, it illuminates all just as it is. NAMO GURU VAJRASATTVAYA Guru Vajrasattva, Embodiment of mirror like wisdom, Clear, bright, free from all obscuration, Like the sun in clear blue sky, Illuminating everything without distortion. From the light of the sun in a clear blue sky springs life, Verdant, green, and full of activity. NAMO ARYA TARAYE Arya Tara, Embodiment of the activity of all the Buddhas, Like life springing forth from brilliant sunlight, You arise spontaneously from clear wisdom Manifesting activity for all beings benefit. Guru Vajrasattva, May your wisdom always blaze forth, A clear light illuminating the undefiled nature of all phenomena Like the sun in a clear blue sky. Arya Tara, May your activity always endure, A refuge for all beings, leading them out of ignorance and suffering, Into the lucidity and simplicity of enlightenment. 13 June 2007
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