“To consider
adversity as a friend is the instruction of Chod.”
Machig
Labdron
True liberation happens when one is free from
the restraints of the ego. If you read Across many Mountains by Yangzom
Brauen--a book I wrote about last February--you are somewhat familiar with
Machig Labdron’s teachings. The Chod is a spiritual Tibetan practice introduced by a woman a thousand years ago. Her name was Machig Labdron, an eleventh century Tibetan
yogini.
After reading Across Many Mountains I
was intrigued to learn more about this aspect of Tibetan culture and Buddhism,
so I searched reading material on the subject, and I found “Machig Labdron and
the Foundations of Chod” by Jerome Edou. Jerome Edou has been an interpreter
for various lamas, and is an author and translator of works on Tibet and
Tibetan Buddhism.
The book chronicles the life story of Machig
Labdron, revealing her teachings and wisdom. The writer of this blog post has
been a meditation practitioner for many years; the book meets the needs of this
practitioner, responding to doubts and concerns and clearing spots of confusion. It
helps to integrate various aspects of meditation, transcending the act of
meditation itself.
It is not clear to me whether this book will
be appreciated by somebody who has no experience in the practice of meditation.
Machig Labdron’s words suggest there is truth in my statement:
“My Chod instructions consist in the authentic
teaching of Mahamudra,
And the
Mahamudra cannot be explained by words.”
Buddhists agree that people tend to be
enslaved by what the ego dictates. The
Chod guides the practitioner to let go of the desires of the ego. This
liberation enables the mind to find its state of true freedom and clarity.
If you are just starting to explore this
subject, Loving-kindness by Sharon Salzberg may be a good beginning to
introduce this topic. Eventually, you may choose Jerome Edou’s book
on Machig Labdron and the Foundations of Chod.
It is time
for a break. By the end of April I will be back to My Writing Life blog
with more book recommendations, both fiction and non-fiction.
Enjoy the
ride, wherever it takes you.
Till next
time.
Interesting
references:
https://www.taramandala.org/teachings/what-is-a-dakini/
