The analogy of a dream state is illustrative in that it introduces you to the perspective that sensory appearances derive from the mind.

When you awaken from a dream, you perceive that its images are empty; in fact they become empty by nature, and their innate purity becomes evident once the lack of recognition vanishes.

This understanding undermines any fixation on external sense objects as truly existing.

The analogy of illusion is illustrative in that it introduces you to to the power and influence of sensory appearances and mind.

You come to understand that whatever you perceive is empty in and of itself, a product of the habit patterns of confusion. 

The analogy of reflection is illustrative in that it introduces you to the nature of mind itself.

You come to understand that sensory appearances are empty as such, free of mind’s dualistic fixation.

The analogy of mist is illustrative in that it introduces you to the perspective that sensory appearances are the display of mind.

You come to the realization that the objects you perceive, being empty, naturally vanish.

The analogy of a rainbow is illustrative in that it introduces you to the perspective that sensory appearances are the adornment of the mind.

Like a rainbow dissolving into space, these appearances are free as natural manifestations of timeless awareness.

The analogy of the crystal is illustrative in that it introduces you to the perspective that sensory appearances are the natural radiance of the mind.

The true nature of mind is naturally radiant, free as nondual timeless awareness.

Longchen Rabjam