In the Dzogchen tradition there are the teachings on what are known as the five wisdoms. One is called Mirror-like Wisdom. In a very simple way, Mirror-like Wisdom can be described as an awareness that sees the truth, not of something specific, rather it is more like being open and aware and being able to accommodate your experiences, and being able to host them openly, without getting identified or trapped, or confused or angry with those experiences.

You are not what you think. You’re not what you do. You are not what you own. You are definitely not your pain. Yet all of these experiences are simply there in our life. Mirror-like Wisdom is able to see the ceaseless manifestation of appearances and energy in that boundless space. It is able to perceive, to witness, to experience them in the same way that images arise in a mirror. That is a very simple way to understand what the term Mirror-like Wisdom refers to.

To illustrate, I use the example of the mirror that’s located in the public bathroom within a busy airport. Thousands of tired, hurried people will stand in front of that mirror. And many will then walk away dissatisfied with their appearance in the mirror, or they will try to fix their appearance there in the mirror. But does the mirror have any issues with any of those people? No, the mirror is all good! Kuntuzangpo! The mirror is able to accept everybody as they are. The mirror neither complements nor criticizes as you are standing there regardless of your appearance in it, and importantly, regardless of whatever it is that your pain identity or ego is saying about that appearance. The mirror allows you to be just who you are without judging how you appear in it. The mirror always holds that Mirror-like Wisdom quality for every single appearance that arises in it.

One simple exercise instruction would be, just be like a mirror. And sometimes in meditation you can be like that – being just like a mirror – aware but not judging.

Take a look and see, right now in this moment in your life, are you being that mirror? Are you being cognizant of that nonjudgmental boundless space of awareness, that mirror, or are you getting caught up and attached to one single image in that mirror? Can you see your ability to host, to accommodate, to observe, to guide, and to transform the images and stories that are arising? And can you see your ability not to be affected or destroyed by any of those arisings? Where does that strength come from? It comes from awareness, which in this case is called Mirror-like Wisdom. And the qualities that manifest if you are in that state of the mirror instead of its reflections would be that you are non-judgmental and non-grasping, rather than holding on to what arises, sticking to it like glue.

And if I feel that I am accommodating what arises; if I feel that I am a good host; if I feel that I allow my appearances; if I feel that my are appearances are not me and therefore they’re not affecting me; if that is my identity, then every single appearance arising is called an ornament signifying that it is simply the display of the empty-awareness nature of the mind. And that is why in the teachings it says that the mirror is the one that shows the truth. The one that shows the light. The one that shows what is.

Okay, so you are probably seeing right away that, theoretically, it makes sense – our being the Mirror-like Wisdom awareness and not the images. But experientially in your meditation, can you actually separate yourself from those particular reflections appearing as your challenges, your threats and your pains? And can you experientially separate yourself from the reflections appearing as particular events, and stories, and persons within your life? Do you find that you can do that? Because, you are not any of those. Rather, you are a great host to all of them; you are a great mother to all of them. You are the witness of all of your experiences.

Someone may say, yes, but it’s not possible to remain as the witness all of the time. Okay, but if you can be the witness some of the time at least, then it’s a clear sign that you can be the witness. And if that is the case, then you also have the opportunity of becoming that witness more and more frequently. And then with that growing familiarization, you will be able to be the witness, the mirror-like awareness, at those times in the future when it is absolutely necessary, and when you need it most.

So, it’s important that you not treat these ancient teachings simply as dry, theoretical subject matter, valuing them only in terms of your intellectual understanding, which you then store away somewhere in your head. Rather, the way that you actually come to learn this teaching is through its manifesting more and more in experiences in your life. And again, it needs to be able to manifest in any moment that you really need it to manifest and really need to understand it. And unless that happens, it’s just simply stored information, which in the midst of those crucial moments will no longer be that important to you.

When we were growing up in the monastery, we memorized a lot of things – many, many pages worth. And of course that is great. It’s fine. However, I’m trying to bring those teachings more alive – more into our everyday lived experience. And as a result, the more I feel an effect and a shift occurring in me and around me. And the more I am seeing some of these shifts and changes in others, as well. At least, that is clearly where my intentions are.

So how was your meditation in the session that we did a few minutes ago? Are you like the mirror, or are you the reflection in the mirror? Do you feel that you are like that mirror; do you feel that you are like that boundless sky? And although all of the various kinds of weather are occurring there in that sky-self, none of them are affecting it. All of these experiences are happening and you can see that they are not you. You are simply a great host, no matter what appears.