“This dream ends and begins exactly the same way, with a sick feeling of dread. At some point, there is an unbelievably violent boom, and explosion amid clouds of fire, a force that obliterates everything. Night after night I had this dream when I was young, especially very young. In the day, I would sit cross-legged, gain stability that way, meditating, looking at mind. I did not need anyone to tell me how to do this, it is engrained in my consciousness, my essence, my essence transmigrating through the bardos. I had received transmissions many times throughout many lifetimes. Even at three years of age I knew precisely what to do.”
From, The Frog: A Spiritual Autobiography, Spanning Many Lifetimes, pg. 254 © 2021.
When I was in the death bardo, looking back at this apparent existence, this life that I had been living on a somewhat obscure planet, within an undeniably dull and dark universe, it did not seem like coming back would be anything other than pointless agony. I remained in a state of expansive awareness, far beyond what we mere humans would ever think is possible. I looked at Earth, and all I saw was a hot mess, a thing of beauty barely keeping things together. War and destruction is the norm, along with stupidity, cruelty, greed and ego. A place like this verges on the brink of having absolutely no hope whatsoever.
Despite all of this revelation, held within awareness itself, I could see that an infinite number of wisdom beings had not given up on our little world. They worked diligently to help all beings to find their way to the light of wisdom and understanding who we really are. The darkness of our world was not sufficient to keep out the light entirely.
In the eighth century, the one who some regard as the second Buddha, Padmasambhava, predicted that the Dharma will come to the West. He said, “When the iron bird flies and horses run on wheels, the Tibetan people will be scattered like ants across the world, and the Dharma will come to the Land of the Red Man.” People might hear about this, shrug their shoulders and say, “So what? It’s just another prophecy.” Well, think about what people knew in the eighth century. Something like this would have been a complete mystery for hundreds of years.
Another prediction was as follows: “In every direction, pacify and turn back all war and invasion by military forces.” Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, said that beginning in 2024 it was imperative to begin diligently practicing mantras, as well as other forms of merit, in order to avert the possibility of nuclear war in 2030. We have the ability through practices of the mind and merit, to avert great tragedy; however, it will take a collective effort globally. We need to be diligent about it.
Now, in two recent talks, both on Podcast 25 and a talk I delivered at a local church, I have joined and reiterated the call to begin practicing mantras, hang prayer flags and engage in helping others whenever possible. Sound has the ability to bring us to enlightenment, it can change every atom in our body. Sound helps us to stay focused. If our focus is Bodhicitta, along with bringing benefit to all, collectively this is rather powerful.
So, we can practice as follows, by starting with the Seven Line Prayer:
HŪM
OGYÁN YULGYI NUBJYĂṄ CÀM
BADMA GĚSAR DÓṄBOLA
YACÀN QÓGGI ṄÓS DRŬB ŇÉS
BADMA JYÙṄNÁS XĚSSU DRĂG
KÒRDU KÀDRÒ MAṄBOS GOR
KYEDGI JÉSSU DÁG DRÚBGYI
JYĬNGIS LÁBQYIR XÈGSU SÒL
GURU PADMA SIDDHI HŪM
Then chant the Guru Rinpoche Mantra, as follows, 3, 21, 108 or many more times:
OM AH HUNG VAJRA GURU PEMA SIDDHI HUNG
OM AH HUNG VAJRA GURU PEMA SIDDHI HUNG
OM AH HUNG VAJRA GURU PAMA SIDDHI HUNG
Then chant the Vajrasattva Mantra, as many times as we can:
OM
VAJRA SATTVA SA MA YA
MA NU PA LA YA VAJRA SATTVA
TE NO PA TISITTHA
DRI DHO ME BHA WA
SU TO KA YO ME BHA WA
SU PO KA YO ME BHA WA
ANU RAKTO ME BHA WA
SARVA SIDDHIM ME PRA YATSA
SARVA KARMA SU TSA ME
TSITTAM SHRE YAM KU RU
HUM
HA HA HA HA
HO
BHA GA WAN SARVA TA THA GA TA
VAJRA MA ME MUNTSA
VAJRI BHA WA
MA HA SA MA YA SATTVA
AH
Then dedicate the merit by wishing all beings great blessings of realization and enlightenment.
This practice does not need to be complicated. Simply do what you can, do your best. The Guru Rinpoche Mantra bring blessings. The Vajrasattva Mantra removes obstacles. If we are coming to a time of great global conflict, then these are some tremendous obstacles. The sound carried on the wind will make a difference, if we are willing to do this collectively. It is mind that makes events happen; so, it is mind that must provide the remedy.
I hope you are able to take a little time each day, just a small effort to help us all. I am planning to hang prayer flags on July 6, which is considered an auspicious day to do that. May we all awaken.
Blessings in Light,
Robert Aho
(Please go to Podcast 25 for more information.)