It’s said that:
If things really existed the way they appear,
then not even the Buddhas of the three times could help us…
The good news is that we all have this profound potential…
The mind that recognizes our Buddha Nature is the exact opposite of the one that doesn’t see what is of the highest value and meaning in oneself and others. These days in the West, realizing our Buddha Nature is what we need most. The negative mind not seeing our true nature is at the root of feelings of low self esteem and the denigration of both self and others in all its forms.
Seeing our fundamental nature is something different from the temporary high of feeling good about ourselves, which can be unstable, and easily threatened. We need to meditate to realize this truth.
This is our original, unborn, and undying wisdom, which radiates all the time,
says Khenpo Palden Sherab Rinoche.
He says,
This is the most powerful light. At this moment, the undying flame of wisdom is hidden behind or within our phenomenal conceptions. This inner light resides within us, never dimming, never losing its qualities, never dying out.
Whatever brightness, clarity, analytic energy, or understanding we have actually arise from that original, unborn wisdom. All are none other than the innate nature of our own mind.
Our true nature can be covered over by our concepts, even those of a positive nature, and by our disturbing emotions and their aftereffect. These coverings, or obscuring factors can be removed though, always, and that is what we affirm and then go on to tell others about when we take up the study and practice that reveals our true nature.
I like to call the affirmation of Buddha Nature the holy amen hallelujah of Buddhism. There is something in us that is indestructible, no matter what we or others have gone through. Its’ worth and beauty is undiminished. As it’s been said, it is not made better by realizing it, and not made worse by its neglect, or by not knowing it, no matter how long it’s been. This has got to be encouraging for anyone who hears it. As far as we or others may have fallen, in whatever realm or state of mind beings find themselves in, there is always hope for this reason.
The Buddha Nature teachings say – look at this very heart – mind in this moment. They say that all that is worthy of praise is within you, immutably.
All of our suffering since beginningless time has come about as a result of not knowing our own true nature, and the nature of others and this world, but this can be changed. We just need the right conditions coming together, of faith, and love, a good understanding of the teachings, and then diligent practice uncovering this true nature.
As Khamtrul Rinpoche, the teacher of Ani Tenzin Palmo said, once we have a glimpse of our Buddha Nature, also called the nature of mind, then we can begin meditating.
Buddha Nature is described as being like the sky, and the temporary conditions like the clouds, or the weather that can be cleared away.
We can refine our discernment, and give more emphasis in our lives to letting our mind settle by itself and become clear.
Many teachers have pointed out with the method of meditating on the nature of mind that we’re not trying to create something. Sometimes they even will refer to this meditation on Buddha Nature as uncontrived, and, as undistracted non-meditation. We just let the mind be as it is. Whether there are good or bad experiences, don’t grasp, and don’t cling. As far as thoughts are concerned, whether are thoughts or not, no matter. Just let them come and go, and continue being aware.
The Seventeenth Karmapa said:
When we meditate on Mahamudra or Dzogchen, this is not analytic meditation, but primarily it’s resting meditation…
We practice resting without altering the mind in any way, as a way to allow the wisdom that is within us to manifest…
Faith and devotion toward the teachers we have a special connection with will increase naturally, as the practice unfolds, as will love and compassion, and these become reliable means to awaken further to this truth we have within us at all times.
{See also: The Essential Characteristics of Buddha Nature}