Prajñāpāramitā: Entries into emptiness and related practices

“As for this sparkling awareness, which is called “mind,” even though one says that it exists, it does not actually exist. (On the other hand) as a source, it is the origin of the diversity of all the bliss of Nirvana and all of the sorrow of Samsara. And as for it’s being something desirable; it is cherished alike in the Eleven Vehicles. With respect to its having a name, the various names that are applied to it are inconceivable (in their numbers).


Some call it “the nature of the mind” or “mind itself.”
Some Tirthikas call it by the name Atman or “the Self.”
The Sravakas call it the doctrine of Anatman or “the absence of a self.”
The Chittamatrins call it by the name Chitta or “the Mind.”
Some call it the Prajñāpāramitā or “the Perfection of Wisdom.”
Some call it the name Tathagata-garbha or “the embryo of Buddhahood.”
Some call it by the name Mahamudra or “the Great Symbol.”
Some call it by the name “the Unique Sphere.”
Some call it by the name Dharmadhatu or “the dimension of Reality.”
Some call it by the name Alaya or “the basis of everything.”
And some simply call it by the name “ordinary awareness.””

– Padmasambhava

Below are various entries that can result in realizing and deepening emptiness and suchness.

It is my ongoing aspiration to help preserve and bring awareness to these incredibly transformative and liberating dharma doors. May all beings directly realize prajñāpāramitā.

Read First: How emptiness practices work

The first method to try

Inquiry and searching

Walking practices

Birth and death

Letting go

Patient uncreation

Surrender back to nature

What feels like “me”?

Where is my mind?

Don’t bother

Entry through jhana

Listening to intuitive wisdom

7-point posture

Awareness of awareness of awareness

Buddha name recitation

Die before you die

Evolving chanting

Opening up into emptiness

Relaxing back

Breath counting

Stillness and inquiry

Contrasting with emptiness

Hearing and the Surangama sound

Unborn

Opening the gaze

Welcoming

Gazing into space

Mantra into stillness

Awareness of thought

Next…?

Tossing it all back

Letting body and mind play

RRSR

Not paying attention

Four empty immeasurables

Ornaments in space

It’s like this

Luminous Dharma