The Transmission of the Lamp

The animals must all be laughing

The animals must all be laughing. Animals laugh at man's seriousness. The animals must all be laughing: the master's insight—animals must be laughing at man. The Transmission of the Lamp: man is the only animal who takes himself seriously. The animals laugh at this absurdity.

A whole glass of water

A whole glass of water. A full glass—can't receive more. A whole glass of water: the master's metaphor—a full glass can't receive. The Transmission of the Lamp: the ego-full mind can't receive truth. Empty the glass—then the lamp is transmitted.

True balance

True balance. True balance—not lopsided. True balance: the master teaches—true balance. The Transmission of the Lamp: not extreme in either direction—balanced. The sage is balanced—body and soul, work and rest, speaking and silence.

Spreading a net of perfume

Spreading a net of perfume. A net of perfume—can't catch anything. Spreading a net of perfume: the master's metaphor—a net of perfume can't catch. The Transmission of the Lamp: the mind's efforts to catch truth are like a perfume net—too subtle. Truth is not caught—it's realized.

The very foundation for one world

The very foundation for one world. One world—the foundation. The very foundation for one world: the master's vision—one world is the foundation. The Transmission of the Lamp: not many nations but one world. The foundation is consciousness—shared awareness.

Pure consciousness has never gone mad

Pure consciousness has never gone mad. Pure consciousness doesn't go mad. Pure consciousness has never gone mad: the master declares—pure consciousness never goes mad. The Transmission of the Lamp: madness is of the mind; pure consciousness is beyond mind—beyond madness.

The caravan became bigger and bigger

The caravan became bigger and bigger. The caravan grows—more seekers join. The caravan became bigger and bigger: the master sees the caravan (of seekers) growing. The Transmission of the Lamp: more and more joining the journey. The caravan of consciousness expands.

Change is the law of life

Change is the law of life. Change is life's law—don't resist. Change is the law of life: the master teaches—change is the law. The Transmission of the Lamp: existence changes constantly; resisting change is resisting life. Flow with change—the sage does.

Get in tune with the essence

Get in tune with the essence. Tune with the essence—not the surface. Get in tune with the essence: the master teaches—tune with the essence. The Transmission of the Lamp: the surface (forms) changes; the essence (consciousness) remains. Tune with the essence.

When the heart is ready the guest comes

When the heart is ready the guest comes. The guest comes—when the heart is ready. When the heart is ready the guest comes: the master teaches—the guest (divine) comes when the heart is ready. The Transmission of the Lamp: the heart must be prepared. When ready—the guest arrives.

Footprints in the sky

Footprints in the sky. The sage leaves no trace—footprints in the sky. Footprints in the sky: the master's metaphor—the sage leaves footprints in the sky. The Transmission of the Lamp: the sage passes without leaving a trace—like a bird in the sky. No ego-trail.

Laughter is the highest spiritual quality

Laughter is the highest spiritual quality. Laughter is the highest—not solemnity. Laughter is the highest spiritual quality: the master declares—laughter is the highest. The Transmission of the Lamp: the sage's laughter is the highest spirituality. Not solemnity—laughter.

Boots, flesh, marrow, and...,

Boots, flesh, marrow, and... The layers—boots, flesh, marrow. Boots, flesh, marrow, and: the master uses the metaphor of layers—boots (surface), flesh (body), marrow (core). The Transmission of the Lamp: peel the layers—the essence is within. Go to the marrow.

The greatest surgery possible

The greatest surgery possible. The master's work—the greatest surgery. The greatest surgery possible: the master's work is the greatest surgery—on the ego. The Transmission of the Lamp: not physical but spiritual surgery. The ego is the tumor—the master removes it.

: There are times when you need the open sky

There are times when you need the open sky. Sometimes you need the open sky—freedom. There are times when you need the open sky: the master teaches—sometimes you need the open sky. The Transmission of the Lamp: the cage (routine) suffocates; the open sky frees. Go to the sky.

When it is ripe, the heart opens

When it is ripe, the heart opens. The heart opens—when ripe. When it is ripe, the heart opens: the master teaches—the heart opens when ripe. The Transmission of the Lamp: like a fruit—the heart ripens, then opens. Don't force—let it ripen. Then it opens.

If you live totally, once is enough

If you live totally, once is enough. One life—lived totally—is enough. If you live totally, once is enough: the master teaches—one total life is enough. The Transmission of the Lamp: not many lives but one lived totally. Quality, not quantity. Once, totally—enough.

You just have to gather courage

You just have to gather courage. Gather courage—that's all. You just have to gather courage: the master's encouragement—gather courage. The Transmission of the Lamp: the path needs courage. Not knowledge, not technique—courage. Gather it—and walk.

Don't miss the head

Don't miss the head. Don't miss the head—the essential. Don't miss the head: the master's metaphor—don't miss the head (the essential). The Transmission of the Lamp: the head (core) is what matters—not the periphery. Don't miss the head while chasing the tail.

The revenge of the pygmies

The revenge of the pygmies. The pygmies take revenge—small minds against the great. The revenge of the pygmies: the master sees—small minds (pygmies) take revenge on the great. The Transmission of the Lamp: the mediocre persecute the awakened. The pygmies' revenge.

Spice in buddha's pot

Spice in buddha's pot. The Buddha's pot has spice—not bland. Spice in Buddha's pot: the master teaches—the Buddha's teaching has spice. The Transmission of the Lamp: not bland spirituality but spiced—with humor, paradox, provocation. The Buddha's pot is spicy.

Man has suffered enough

Man has suffered enough. Man has suffered enough—it's time for joy. Man has suffered enough: the master declares—man has suffered enough. The Transmission of the Lamp: millennia of suffering—it's time for celebration. Enough suffering—now joy.

Nothing but a dead skeleton

Nothing but a dead skeleton. The ego is a dead skeleton—not alive. Nothing but a dead skeleton: the master's metaphor—the ego is a dead skeleton. The Transmission of the Lamp: the ego looks alive but is dead—just bones. The sage sees through the skeleton.

Souls are not male or female

Souls are not male or female. The soul has no gender. Souls are not male or female: the master declares—souls are genderless. The Transmission of the Lamp: the body has gender; the soul doesn't. Beyond male and female is the soul. Consciousness has no sex.

Bravo, America!

Bravo, America! The master's sarcasm—Bravo, America! Bravo, America! the master's sarcasm—bravo, America. The Transmission of the Lamp: America claims freedom but denies it. The sarcasm cuts through the hypocrisy. Bravo—for the wrong reasons.

Cut the social crap completely

Cut the social crap completely. Cut the social nonsense—completely. Cut the social crap completely: the master's instruction—cut the social nonsense. The Transmission of the Lamp: social conventions, politeness, hypocrisy—cut it all. Be real, not social.

Go on, go on!

Go on, go on! Keep going—don't stop. Go on, go on! the master's encouragement—keep going. The Transmission of the Lamp: the path is endless—don't stop. Go on, go on. Each step reveals more. The journey doesn't end.

Unless your feet are holy...

Unless your feet are holy... Your feet must be holy—to walk the path. Unless your feet are holy: the master teaches—your feet (your foundation) must be holy. The Transmission of the Lamp: not physical feet but the foundation of your being. Make it holy—then walk.

Just like ripe fruit

Just like ripe fruit. The sage ripens—like a fruit. Just like ripe fruit: the master's metaphor—the sage ripens like fruit. The Transmission of the Lamp: the fruit doesn't try to ripen—it just does. The sage doesn't try to awaken—he ripens naturally.

This chair is empty

This chair is empty. The empty chair—the master's absence. This chair is empty: the master refers to the empty chair—his eventual absence. The Transmission of the Lamp: the chair will be empty—the body will go. But the transmission continues—in the disciples.

I am an adamant optimist

I am an adamant optimist. The master is an adamant optimist. I am an adamant optimist: the master declares—he's an adamant optimist. The Transmission of the Lamp: despite all persecution, he remains optimistic. The golden future is coming—he's certain.

Water into wine is not the real miracle

Water into wine is not the real miracle. Water to wine is not the real miracle. Water into wine is not the real miracle: the master declares—water to wine is not the real miracle. The Transmission of the Lamp: the real miracle is transforming the ego into consciousness.

I need your intelligence, not your surrender

I need your intelligence, not your surrender. The master wants intelligence—not blind surrender. I need your intelligence, not your surrender: the master declares—he wants intelligence. The Transmission of the Lamp: not blind following but intelligent understanding. Use your intelligence.

Truth cannot be humiliated

Truth cannot be humiliated. Truth can't be humiliated—by persecution. Truth cannot be humiliated: the master declares—truth can't be humiliated. The Transmission of the Lamp: they can humiliate the body, not the truth. Truth is beyond humiliation.

Worship may be a worse crucifixion

Worship may be a worse crucifixion. Worship can be worse—than crucifixion. Worship may be a worse crucifixion: the master's insight—worship can be worse than crucifixion. The Transmission of the Lamp: worship freezes the master into an idol—worse than killing him. Don't worship—understand.

And if the song bursts forth...

And if the song bursts forth... When the song bursts—let it. And if the song bursts forth: the master teaches—when the inner song bursts, let it. The Transmission of the Lamp: the song of the soul—when it comes, don't hold it. Let it burst forth.

There is no power which is higher than love

There is no power which is higher than love. Love is the highest power. There is no power which is higher than love: the master declares—love is the highest power. The Transmission of the Lamp: not military, not political—love. The highest power is love.

Base humanity into golden humanity

Base humanity into golden humanity. Transform base humanity—into golden. Base humanity into golden humanity: the master's vision—transform base humanity into golden. The Transmission of the Lamp: the alchemy—base metal (sleep) into gold (awareness). The golden humanity.

Donkeys carrying great scriptures

Donkeys carrying great scriptures. Scholars are donkeys—carrying scriptures. Donkeys carrying great scriptures: the master's metaphor—scholars are donkeys carrying scriptures. The Transmission of the Lamp: they carry the words but don't understand. The donkey doesn't become wise by carrying wisdom.

In this mood of festivity all rules are put aside

In this mood of festivity all rules are put aside. In festivity—rules are aside. In this mood of festivity all rules are put aside: the master teaches—in festivity, rules go. The Transmission of the Lamp: the sage's life is a festival—no rules. Celebration has no rules.

The salt of the earth

The salt of the earth. The awakened ones are the salt—of the earth. The salt of the earth: the master declares—the awakened are the earth's salt. The Transmission of the Lamp: without them, the earth is tasteless. They give flavor—meaning—to existence.

Reality is far richer than imagination

Reality is far richer than imagination. Reality exceeds imagination—far richer. Reality is far richer than imagination: the master teaches—reality is richer than imagination. The Transmission of the Lamp: the mind imagines; reality is vaster. Don't settle for imagination—find the real.

The monkey is dead

The monkey is dead. The mind-monkey is dead—silence. The monkey is dead: the master declares—the monkey (mind) is dead. The Transmission of the Lamp: the Chinese call the mind 'the monkey'—restless, jumping. When it dies—silence. The monkey is dead.

The very perfume of love

The very perfume of love. Love's perfume—the essence. The very perfume of love: the master teaches—the perfume of love is the essence. The Transmission of the Lamp: the flower (love) has a perfume (compassion). The perfume is the ultimate—the fragrance that remains.

I am the only challenge

I am the only challenge. The master as the only challenge. I am the only challenge: the master declares—he's the only challenge. The Transmission of the Lamp: not a teacher—a challenge. He challenges you to be yourself. The only challenge.

Energy moves better when it is warmer

Energy moves better when it is warmer. Warm energy moves better—be warm. Energy moves better when it is warmer: the master teaches—warm energy moves. The Transmission of the Lamp: the cold (rigid) energy stagnates; the warm (loving) energy flows. Be warm—let energy move.