How to Stop by Shabkar

When all I do is think about reality
And let awareness undermine itself —
I must stop.

When I let go
Of fighting, loving, dealing,
Prostrating, circumambulating,
Sacred dance and gesture —
I am alone and independent.

When I let go
Of mundane chatter,
Chants, prayers,
Psychic-energetic recitation —
I am in silence.

When I let go
Of muddled mundane thought,
Faith, compassion,
Esoteric practices —
I’m open, vivid.

Why?

When you stop running —
The body’s at ease,
When it’s at ease,
Nerves are settled,
When they’re settled,
Mind energy’s settled,

When it’s settled,
Thoughts stop by themselves,
Luminous intelligence erupts.

(The yogi’s never sick
Because his body’s undisturbed.)

When you stop language games —
Wordless concentration starts,
Free flowing energy inside
Nerves of kati’s crystal hollow
Intensifies the light.

(The yogi’s life is long
Because his energy’s at ease.)

When you stop thinking —
The twists and turns of thought stop,
You break free.

From The Flight of the Garuda (Thod rgal: 37b, iii – 38b, i., 1825), translated by Stephen Batchelor, 1998.

Note: the kati: is “a crystalline translucent nerve or channel connecting the heart with the eyes.” (John Myrdhin Reynolds, The Golden Letters, p. 307).