Four Ways of Leaving Things As They Are
The Four Ways of Leaving Things As They Are
by Yukhok Chatralwa Chöying Rangdrol
The "four ways of leaving things as they are" are described in the commentary to the Precious Treasury of the Basic Space of Phenomena (Chöying Dzö) as methods of resting used in both Trekchö and Tögal. However, there are several different ways in which they are explained.
1. View, like a Mountain: Leave It as It Is
According to one tradition, "view, like a mountain: leave it as it is" is explained in three ways based on (1) how the ground abides, (2) the oral instructions of direct introduction, and (3) recognition of the introduction.
The first refers to the fact that the single sphere of dharmakāya awareness and emptiness abides in the mental continuum of all sentient beings without shifting or changing in any way as stably as the king of mountains.
The second refers to the fact that the oral instructions of the lineage of powerful vidyādharas have no surplus or deficiency in their words and no errors or inaccuracies in their meaning.
The third refers to the fact that for anyone who has recognised the direct introduction the power of primordial wisdom that awakens in their mental continuum brings about a deep-seated, heartfelt confidence that is immune to others’ objections and erroneous states of mind.
2. Meditation, like an Ocean: Leave It as It Is
"Meditation, like an ocean: leave it as it is" means that when the six collections of consciousness are allowed to rest naturally, the five sensory objects manifest unobstructedly like planets and stars reflected on the surface of the ocean. Although objects appear, they leave no stain and are not constrained by the grasping mind.
3. Conduct, Oral Instructions: Leave Them as They Are
"Conduct, oral instructions: leave them as they are" means that when the six types of object are experienced as the play of subjective consciousness, at first you train in the power [of recognition]; in the next stage there is liberation upon arising; and finally all appearances dawn as the play of primordial wisdom, as if you were on a precious island where everything is made entirely of gold.
4. Fruition, Awareness: Leave It as It Is
"Fruition, awareness: leave it as it is" means that for the fruition of the path, practicing and gaining familiarity with the view, meditation, and conduct, as described above, causes the qualities of the ground to manifest more and more.
| Translated by Josh Capitanio & Adam Pearcey, 2026
Bibliography
Tibetan Edition
bya bral chos dbying rang grol. "cog bzhag bzhi'i rnam bzhag" In gsung ʼbum chos dbyings rang grol. Par gzhi dang po. Khreng tuʼu: Si khron dpe skrun tshogs pa si khron mi rigs dpe skrun khang, 2007. BDRC MW00KG07606. Vol. 2: 326–327
Version: 1.0-20260216
