Milarepa was a Tibetan master who lived in the 11th century. He is known for his songs and poems that express his spiritual insights and experiences. He transformed from a criminal to a saint and is famous for writing spiritual poems and songs about his insights and experiences. Some of the thoughts on Milarepa are
The importance of meditation: Milarepa emphasized the practice as the way to realize the true nature of the mind and attain liberation from suffering. He said: Life is short, and the time of death is uncertain, so apply yourself to meditation. Avoid doing evil, and acquire merit, to the best of your ability. Even at the cost of life itself. In short: Act so that you have no cause to be ashamed of yourselves and hold fast to this rule”.
The futility of worldly pursuits: Milarepa renounced all worldly attachments and pleasures and lived a simple and austere life in caves and mountains. He said: All worldly pursuits have but one inevitable end, which is sorrow; acquisitions end in dispersion, buildings in destruction, meetings in separation, births in death. Knowing this, from the very first, one should renounce acquisitions and storing-up, construction, and discussion, and be faithful to the commands of an eminent Guru, set about realizing the Truth. That alone is the best of religious observances.
The power of the mind: Milarepa taught that the mind is the source of happiness and misery and that mastering the mind can overcome all obstacles and achieve enlightenment. He said: “When you run after your thoughts, you are like a dog chasing a stick: every time a stick is thrown, you run after it. Instead, be like a lion who, rather than chasing after the stick, turns to face the thrower. One only throws a stick at a lion once.”
The value of compassion Milarepa stressed that compassion is the essence of Buddhism and that without compassion, one cannot attain Buddhahood. He said:” All meditation must begin with arousing deep compassion. Whatever one does must emerge from an attitude of love and benefitting others”
The joy of realization Milarepa expressed his happiness and gratitude for realizing the ultimate truth of reality, which he described as non-dual, luminous, blissful, and empty. He said: “In the gap between thoughts nonconceptual wisdom shines continuously”
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