Six words of advice.

Tilopa was a MahaSidda, born into a priestly caste, in India, in CE. 988. An Indian Buddhist, he was the forefather of the Tibetan Kagyu lineage.

Tilopa's advice consists of only six words in Tibetan. The translation below was developed to capture its brevity and directness.

Don’t recall.

Don’t imagine.

Don’t think.

Don’t examine.

Don’t control.

Rest.

— Tilopa’s Six Words of Advice

Later, the translation shown below was developed, to expand on the paintings, for those who find them difficult to grasp. 

Don’t recall. Let go of what has passed.

Don’t imagine. Let go of what may come.

Don’t think. Let go of what is happening now.

Don’t examine. Don’t try to figure anything out.

Don’t control. Don’t try to make anything happen.

Rest. Relax, right now, and rest.

— Tilopa’s Six Words of Advice, translated by Ken McLeod.

When I read Tilopa’s six words of advice, they clearly portray the same, simple pointing as the contemporary Masters of nonduality, such as Ganga Mira, my own Master, HWL Poonja, her Master, and Ramana Maharshi, his Master..

Forget about the past.

Don’t imagine the future.

Don’t believe any thought.

Don’t try to work anything out.

Don’t try to do anything.

Rest at the source of all arisings.