oldbob wrote:monktastic wrote:rai wrote:hi ,
the quote comes from "An Introduction to the Practice of Contemplation". it is a step-by-step practice manual. there is a whole chapter about released shine.
http://www.shangshungstore.org/index.ph ... etail&p=42" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Thanks! Guessing they won't let me buy it unless I've had transmission from ChNN...
After emailing the blogger, there's a snippet posted now at the bottom of that post. In another thread here, I was also told to look for the translations "shiné without focus" and "shiné that delights the tathagathas." In neither case am I finding useful "instructions," but the posted snippet gives me a hint
Dear monktastic, all, and All,
Since I've received Shine without transmission, I think that it is ok to pass it on in the same way. Please, old timers feel free to jump in if I get something wrong, or leave something out.
Beginning shine uses concentration on an object, such as concentrating on a small 2-3", white Tibetan letter ah, placed on a stick, about the same level as your eyes when you are sitting, and placed at a comfortable distance away from you. Then, you train your mind to concentrate on this object, for as long as it feels comfortable. Many short sessions are better than forcing yourself. When your mind rests easily on an object, then gently relax your focus so that there is no single object in focus. Your eyes are open, your senses are open but there is no object in focus. You relax your focus by gently dropping your focus back.
For example, if you were in a room with a wall about 20 feet away from you, you would gently relax your focus to about 15 (not exact - just has to work) feet away from you. Everything that was in front of your eyes is still there but you are no longer focusing on a single object. This is an analogy to the mind looking at itself, but again you don't call it this or comment on this. You watch it, and let it go, as it arises. You cannot say that relaxing the focus is the cause of the state or vice-versa. It is a non-dual experience. You can train yourself to rest in this non-dual state. PM, if you have any questions. Again, many short sessions are better than forcing yourself.
Then, when you take this state into movement through the Song of the Vajra, or Vajra Dance, or integrate with whatever arises, 24/7, then this is Dzogchen, but Dzogchen never calls itself Dzogchen, or anything else. Dzogchen does not know its own name. This is your name before you were born.
Long life to the Dzogchen Masters. May they live long, in good health, and with success in all things.
Ya monktastic - I don't know anything either so I blah blah a lot, just for our amusement. Here is some more blah blah.
Go for what you know. I am agreeing with everything you are saying, and especially with what the incomparable Tsoknyi Rinpoche is saying. It all sounds right to me too.
What Skywalker wrote is also very accurate. It is another way into shine without focus.
The key point is to gently bring your mind back, when it wanders, and not to push yourself from your comfort zone, by forcing meditation too long.
Whatever thoughts arise, watch them and let them go as they arise, simultaneously. Sure it is natural to comment on your experience, and chain the thoughts, but this will slowly calm down.
You can also call this "releasing grasping."
Please re-read what I wrote above with the following in mind.
When I am using the word "focus" I am using focus in the mechanical visual/optical sense, not as meaning concentration or intentional concentration.
For me, all "shine without support" is "shine without focus." For me, "shine without support", with focus, is not contemplation. I think in the golden quote of Ven. Tsoknyi Rinpoche he is using focus in the sense of concentration, not visual "focus".
Try keeping your body still, your gaze fixed and keep the visual field in focus. When I try this, my eyes flit around the various objects in my visual field.
As soon as I relax my focus, contemplation arises: my gaze rests on itself.
Released shine is carrying the contemplation of "shine without focus" into all activity, or non activity, 24/7, whether focused or non-focused. It is tricky/impossible to talk about.
Dzogchen has nothing to say, and couldn't if it wanted to, yet everything is said appropriately. Isn't it amazing!
This is why the key point in learning Dzogchen is taking pointing out instruction from a Dzogchen Master. This is the one point that answers all.