The Path of Compassion: A Biography of Hor shul Khenpo Gelek Palsang Rinpoche — Invocation: A Song Calling the Guru from Afar

The Most Secret Dzogchen: The Garuḍa Spreading Its Wings

Author: Shabkar Tsokdruk Rangdröl

I was in retreat.

One clear afternoon, I walked to the mountaintop above my cave and sat alone in silence. Looking north, I saw a solitary white cloud drift slowly over a mountain peak, like boiling milk gradually rising. In an instant I remembered my revered spiritual father—my guru. The longing overwhelmed me, and I began softly singing this song of remembrance:

From the north, a solitary white cloud wells forth from the mountaintop—white as overflowing milk.

Seeing it, I remember the guru’s compassion.

Beneath that distant cloud lies the solitary high ground of Auspicious Hermitage.

The way the guru remains in retreat in that exceptional place

Appears within my mind.

Remembering his compassion,

My eyes fill with hot tears and sorrow wells up within me.

My own mind falters, its experiences uncertain—all is blurred and unreal.

How wondrous it would be if the guru appeared again!

I am an ordinary person, one of little faith.

Yet still I yearn to see him once more.

The guru abides in absolute space,

While his child, worthy of compassion, remains in the mud of saṃsāra.

Seeing a hundred flowers bloom upon the grassland,

I remember the face of the true guru.

Then I could still see him in person and receive encouragement; now I no longer have that fortune.

Remembering him again and again, the guru fills my mind.

Hearing the cuckoo call softly,

I remember the true guru’s voice, deep and harmonious.

Then I could still hear his pleasing voice in person; now I no longer have that fortune.

Remembering him again and again, the guru fills my mind.

Seeing the sun spread its radiance everywhere,

I remember the true guru’s wisdom and compassion.

Then he cared for me gently; now he is no longer here.

Remembering him again and again, the guru fills my mind.

I remember how, after months and years apart, the guru’s warm smiling face when I saw him again seemed present before my eyes.

Wherever I go, I remember the guru;

Whatever secluded place I inhabit, I remember the guru;

Whatever sign I see, I remember the guru—forever, at every moment, I remember my true guru.

Upon hearing me sing this sorrowful song, the solitary white cloud continued to expand until it took the form of a heap of jewels. Above the cloud, my root guru appeared, dancing gracefully within a pavilion of five-colored rainbow light. Holding the gesture of acceptance, he looked majestic and magnificent. His whole being radiated incomparable compassion and love. Smiling brilliantly, his brahmin-like voice came from space: “Noble child, you are just like my own mind. Do not be disheartened; listen to your father’s words. Through the power of prayers made in the past, father and son have met. Within the absolute realm of clear light, the two of us are inseparable. Son, from now on let the duration of your practice equal the length of your life. Wander in solitary mountain retreats and practice diligently and frugally. May you benefit all fortunate beings. Do not grieve. Look at the mind that feels grief. Guru and mind are nondual and inseparable. The mind that remembers the guru is itself the guru dissolving into the mind. Rest in the uncontrived nature of mind, the absolute realm.”

Then the guru, moving beautifully and lightly as though dancing, rose continually upward, receded into the distance, and finally dissolved into space like a rainbow.

Thereupon the solitary white cloud also vanished without a trace, and my sorrow disappeared with it. I remained for a long time in that peaceful state beyond thought, remembering how my gracious root guru, with perfect mastery and teachings suited to circumstances, carried out the activities of a buddha; remembering how the guru cherished the imperishable Buddhadharma and the teaching of the Nyingmapa at the summit of the nine vehicles; and drawing at will a few small waves from the ocean of his profound and secret wisdom, offering them before those with karmic affinity so that they might receive his ever-increasing blessings.