Thursday, July 12, 2007

All-Purpose Good Advice

I have found these Six Words of Advice from Tilopa very useful (as translated by Ken McLeod):

Don't recall.
Don't imagine.
Don't think.
Don't examine.
Don't control.
Rest.

The advice consists of only six words in Tibetan. The above translation was developed to capture its brevity and directness. Some years ago, McLeod developed the translation shown below, which he says some people prefer:

Let go of what has passed.
Let go of what may come.
Let go of what is happening now.
Don't try to figure anything out.
Don't try to make anything happen.
Relax, right now, and rest.

A blessed formulation for anyone up against anything, and ~ I've found ~ a sound injunction for anyone who asks "What should be my approach in volunteering my services in support of someone who is seriously ill, dying or bereaved?"

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