Ocean, Waves, and Wind: A Song on the Nature of Mind

Namo guru!

The ocean of mind is stirred by the wind of grasping at subject and object.

The childish take the waves of appearance as something to reject.

For the wise, the waves are none other than the water itself.

In the ultimate, there is no river and no waves.

When the waves cause harm, abandon the wind.

When they do not harm, they are like a fair wind for a boat.

If one is willing to make use of this wind, it becomes a companion on the path.

When it causes harm, the very wind itself is the means of release.

You, Yogi, understand it in this way!

Evaṃ

COLOPHON

None

NOTES

* “Ocean, Waves, and Wind: A Vajra Song on the Nature of Mind” is a title supplied by the translators since this “song,” or doha, is untitled in the Collected Songs of Tsangnyön Heruka.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Tsangnyön Heruka (gtsang smyon he ru ka rus paʼi rgyan can). rje btsun gtsang smyon he ru kas la phyi nas blangs pa’i nyams mgur. In gtsang smyon he ru kaʼi mgur ʼbum, 1 vol., 1, compiled by Godtsangpa Natsok Rangdröl (rgod tshang pa sna tshogs rang grol). BDRC MW4CZ1248.

Abstract

Sung by Tsangnyön Heruka (1452–1507) in response to a student’s meditation report, this short mgur serves as a direct pointing-out instruction. Having received guidance on recognising the nature of mind, Tashi Rinchen Palsangpo reports his meditative experience to Tsangnyön, who replies in song. Through the recurring imagery of ocean, wind, and waves, Tsangnyön gives vivid expression to the relation between mind, dualistic grasping, and appearances, directing the listener to the nature of mind itself. By Tsangnyön’s own account, the highest use of mgur is to sing to realised yogins of view, meditation, conduct, and fruition, and this song stands as a succinct expression of precisely that purpose.