Mind discovers itself

The sounds of the vulture’s flight are the methods of practice.  The great white vulture glides effortlessly above the range and reach of concept.  Through these movements, Mind discovers itself in the inherently free space of being.  The vulture has no fear of terrible heights – because the sky is her natural home.

p139, Tracts of the Sun : An Earth Orbit of Vajrayana Expressions.  Ngakpa Chögyam and Khandro Déchen, Aro Books, 2022, ISBN 978-1-898185-28-4  

Like the sky

Awareness is like the sky.  Consciousness is like a bird in the sky.  Birds fly into sight and out of sight.  If one concentrates on the movement of birds, one will lose concentration repeatedly. 

p264, Tracts of the Sun : An Earth Orbit of Vajrayana Expressions.  Ngakpa Chögyam and Khandro Déchen, Aro Books, 2022, ISBN 978-1-898185-28-4 

More in common with a spanner or monkey wrench

   The scope of intellect is rather narrow.  Although it can be used to point beyond itself, in terms of the teachings, it has more in common with a spanner or a monkey wrench than with our innate capacity of clarity.  Once you get a handle on this idea, you’ll be able to recognise when intellect is out of it’s depth.  At that point you’ll be able to make a springboard out of the stuff of intellect and dive off into the sky of experience.

p83, Wearing the Body of Visions, Ngakpa Chögyam, Aro Books, 1995, ISBN 1-898185-03-4

The sea and sky are our shrine room

"The sea and sky are our shrine room. The natural elements are our meditation."

Aro Buddhism, Ngak'chang Rinpoche