Buddha nature

Buddha nature is, for many of us, subject to many misconceptions. We think about what it might be, how it should be, what it looks like, and in this way we create a lot of pressure on our intellect. This reading and wanting to know and wanting to read more and wanting to know more is intellectual knowledge and that intellectual knowledge is only one level. Thinking and reflecting on this knowledge might be considered as a second level, but this is also in a way still only intellectual.

The nature of our mind is very simple. How simple? Let me explain: There is no strength, there is no separation, there is no gap, there is no weight, there is no willingness, there is no imagination, there is nothing such as bright light, there is no form either.

It is natural for our body and mind to want to have contact, and wish for our body to be comfortable. Similarly, when you try to meditate the Buddha nature in a natural way, there is no need for even the slightest movement of your body or your mind; nor for some kind of total emptiness either.

One way to recognize the Buddha nature is stop your imagination. Imagination can get in the way. So remove your imagination as an idea, how it looks like, how should you look like. All these are expectations, desires and imaginations. You need to remove these three from your mind first. Once you have stability in your mind, no need to use strength, no need to use your brain, no need to use weight, no need to use pressure, no need to use any method; rest naturally, and rely on the instructions of your teacher.

And once you recognize the moment, the clarity, and the purity, which has no form, focus on the clarity of the mind, with no pressure; just be natural.

And living in a natural way is the way to recognize the Buddha nature. Knowing how to live in a natural state of mind is the way to recognize Buddha nature.

When your teacher tells you, this is Buddha nature, with brightness, no image, but awareness, this awareness is no thing; but is something nevertheless.

It is the natural state of mind itself, which will have no form, no weight, no pressure, not even the slightest desire. If there is even a glimpse of the slightest desire, then there is no Buddha nature.

Without even the slightest desire, without a slightest, not even the mini-second of expectation, you will be living in that natural state of mind, with no past, with no present, with no future, with clarity itself, in a state of completeness, peacefulness and fulfillment; that is the Buddha nature.

Love and respect from your Kalu Rimpoche