I like the Patrul R quote in your signature suggesting we are "phantoms". It reminds me of Malcolm's Mipham R quote in his signature.
Me too.
Even my eyes or my conceptual mind cannot comprehend this. I think when my conceptual mind tries to understand this, it can be dangerous. Then there can be a problem as there is a subject ( knowing me) neglecting objects since text says they aren’t or are just so. This is catastrophe.
As long as Nature of Mind “is hidden” by our confusion, there are persons/ all beings and things and events and whatever kind of solid phenomena, all apart from the perceiving mind. These phenomena we then reject or accept. That’s’ why we need to completely trust a Guru (even we do not understand all the time) , and Guru Appearance is not apart from Mind. Recognition of the union of appearances-emptiness or existence-nonexistence by realizing the Nature of Mind, Guru is representing and helping us to “see” as well. Then there are no solid phenomena, nothing to compare, but there is compassion, Genuine Compassion as aspect of selflessness. ( not pity, which is delusion)
Guru Rinpoche said “nonexistence is taught and empty essence”. But when we keep it just by that, what then?
Then he said: “then existence is taught and the cognized nature is explained”. And then he said: unity or union of nonexistence-existence is ‘taught’.” Since this is indescribable, there is the need of Realized Nature/Guru.
I know I wrote that already somewhere but when becoming older, we start to repeat things all the time. Maybe there is also my grasping concern to not go in cold blankness. Apologize.
Let me repeat myself
Oh well, its' contageous.