A favorite (and I think very prosaic) pa**age from the Tibetan Book of the Dead. Not coincidentally, for Thanksgiving. Be a genius, honor your mind...
Observations Related to Examining the Nature of Mind
Be certain that the nature of mind is empty and without
foundation.
One's own mind is insubstantial, like an empty sky.
Look at your own mind to see whether it is like that or
not.
Divorced from views which constructedly determine [the
nature of] emptiness,
Be certain that pristine cognition, naturally originating, is
primordially radiant-
Just like the nucleus of the sun, which is itself naturally
originating.
Look at your own mind to see whether it is like that or not!
Be certain that this awareness, which is pristine cognition, is
uninterrupted,
Like the coursing central torrent of a river which flows
unceasingly.
Look at your own mind to see whether it is like that or not!
Be certain that conceptual thoughts and fleeting memories are
not strictly identifiable,
But insubstantial in their motion, like the breezes of the
atmosphere.
Look at your own mind to see whether it is like that or not!
Be certain that all that appears is naturally manifest [in the
mind],
Like the images in a mirror which [also] appear naturally.
Look at your own mind to see whether it is like that or not!
Be certain that all characteristics are liberated right where they
are,
Like the clouds of the atmosphere, naturally originating and
naturally dissolving.
Look at your own mind to see whether it is like that or not!
There are no phenomena extraneous to those that originate
from the mind.
[So], how could there be anything on which to meditate apart
from the mind?
There are no phenomena extraneous to those that originate
from the mind.
[So], there are no modes of conduct to be undertaken
extraneous [to those that originate from the mind].
There are no phenomena extraneous to those that originate
from the mind.
[So], there are no commitments to be kept extraneous [to those
that originate from the mind].
There are no phenomena extraneous to those that originate
from the mind.
[So], there are no results to be attained extraneous [to those
that originate in the mind].
There are no phenomena extraneous to those that originate
from the mind.
[So], one should observe one's own mind, looking into its
nature again and again.
If, upon looking outwards towards the external expanse of the
sky,
There are no projections emanated by the mind,
And if, on looking inwards at one's own mind,
There is no projectionist who projects [thoughts] by thinking
them,
Then, one's own mind, completely free from conceptual
projections, will become luminously clear.
[This] intrinsic awareness, [union of] inner radiance and
emptiness, is the Buddha-body of Reality,
[Appearing] like [the illuminating effect of] a sunrise on a clear
and cloudless sky,
It is clearly knowable, despite its lack of specific shape or form.
There is a great distinction between those who understand and
those who misunderstand this point.
This naturally originating inner radiance, uncreated from the
very beginning,
Is the parentless child of awareness– how amazing!
It is the naturally originating pristine cognition, uncreated by
anyone– how amazing!
[This radiant awareness] has never been born and will never
die– how amazing!
Though manifestly radiant, it lacks an [extraneous] perceiver–
how amazing!
Though it has roamed throughout cyclic existence, it does not
degenerate– how amazing!
Though it has seen buddahood itself, it does not improve–
how amazing!
Though it is present in everyone, it remains unrecognized–
how amazing!
Still, one hopes for some attainment other than this– how
amazing!
Though it is present within oneself, one continues to seek it
elsewhere– how amazing!