Starlight
Written by Mila Khyentse
Blog | Reflections on life | What about me?
In “Starlight”, Mila Khyentse talks about winter nights, starlight and light of mind. We just have to look up!
Winter skies are ideal for admiring the constant magic unfolding before our eyes. All we have to do is make the “effort” to look up!
Contemplating the celestial canopy propels us into another world, another reality, generally vaster and more spacious than our daily existence. Taking in the sky with a single glance, we can then realize that we are much more than the sum of our daily actions.
What an incredible sight! The twinkling of starlight (Tib. skar ma’i ‘od, pronounced karmä ö) pierces the darkness of space and brings it to life. The ballet of the constellations (Tib. skar ma’i chags stangs, pronounced karmä tchagtang) unfolds endlessly from nightfall to dawn, night after night. We realize that what we call “darkness” is in fact full of life and movement.
“In the Dzogchen tradition, it is said that observing the starry sky is like observing the infinite magic of our own mind.”
In the Dzogchen tradition, it is said that observing the starry sky is like observing the infinite magic of our own mind. As soon as we think of looking up, we are reminded once again that we are part of a reality that is much more beautiful and much more essential than we usually believe. In fact, certain practices that we do during retreats in this tradition allow us to “use” the light of the stars to recognize that of our own mind. I must admit, these are the practices I enjoyed most during these times. Going outside and sitting in front of the door of your hermitage and watching the stars rise until they set, like shepherds, is an extraordinary experience. Witnessing the endless dance of the natural twinkling of the space of reality is completely beyond words. Above all, realizing that all of this is happening within our own minds allows us to tell ourselves: “I am not (just) my difficult daily life.”
So, during the longest nights of the year, I wish for all of us to be able to stop for a few minutes and simply contemplate the starry vault of our own minds. To remind ourselves of who we really are.
Have a wonderful end of the year!