Many people think that since I am a solitary Tibetan living in this area I must get lonely and miss my home and family. They think it would be better for me to have a Tibetan friend to talk to, so when I had a Tibetan guest arrive to stay with me my disciples were very happy about it. At that time some of my friends expressed to me their sincere wish that I not stay by myself so much. They offered to take me to the beach for picnics, and some wanted to take me to the movies. It was difficult for me to refuse because they really like hanging out with me. External shows, however, are the same every day, beautiful displays of the elements, earth, water, fire, wind, and so on. If you know how to look at the internal movies of the mind, however, they are much more interesting and can’t be found in the external world. Only a few people with very good fortune know how to watch that show! Even if they do know how to watch it, they can’t sustain it for long. When Buddha saw that display he was amazed and said,
I have found a nectar-like Dharma of profound peace,
Unborn clear light, free of elaboration!
If I reveal it to anyone, however, no one will understand me,
So better I remain here silent at the edge of the jungle!
Thanks to the kindness of my root Guru I gained a little knowledge of how to watch the inner show, so I will keep watching it continually as long as I live. For that reason I consider myself extremely fortunate. There is nothing I like more than solitude. If I have a companion we have to agree on many things and a lot of time that could be spent in Dharma practice goes to waste. At worst it opens the door to a lot of idle gossip and the danger of creating serious negative karma. When I stay by myself only good karma is created and practically no bad karma at all. In particular, I can then conscientiously meditate on the true nature of my mind with mindfulness and alertness. My best friend in this life is my practice of Dharma. Although friends and family might be able to help me with physical difficulties that I encounter, I cannot be protected from the disease of the mind’s delusions, which is so difficult to cure, except through internal, mental healing. I can not find anyone to protect me from mental suffering but myself. Buddha also said “You are your own master”. If anyone wants ultimate, eternal happiness they should not be deceived by the deceptive display of illusory, external pleasures, but instead watch the ‘inner show’, meditating on the special undefiled bliss of the mind’s true nature; then you will eventually experience stainless, eternal happiness, guaranteed!
You who want perfect undefiled happiness!
Don’t watch the outer show! Turn within!
The outer show is like a city of illusion.
It will trap you in samsara, so take care!
