Search found 70 matches

by Yontan
Mon Oct 29, 2012 1:15 am
Forum: Nyingma
Topic: Nyingma Scriptural Studies
Replies: 18
Views: 6865

Re: Nyingma Scriptural Studies

Tom, being Nyingma doesn't preclude any particular studies. Namdroling's curriculum will certainly steer you right, but assuming you have ngondro, three roots, etc., practice I would suggest besides focusing on that just study whatever suits you. I really enjoy digging into Tsongkhapa, Jangya, Khedr...
by Yontan
Mon Oct 29, 2012 12:57 am
Forum: Nyingma
Topic: On Keeping the Samaya of the 10th & 25th
Replies: 39
Views: 8827

Re: On Keeping the Samaya of the 10th & 25th

Literally, the word tshogs just means gathering, or assembly. "Gathering circle" tshogs kyi 'khor lo is a bit euphemistic, but the word "feast" is only implied. It's only semantics, but it can be confusing. Making offering, mchod pa is just a part of the tsok. These sorts of Q's ...
by Yontan
Mon Oct 22, 2012 6:30 am
Forum: Language
Topic: Svasamvedana
Replies: 11
Views: 5814

Re: Svasamvedana

Yudron, those two terms are great examples. We can see the difference here in taking "rang" as self, either metaphysically or personally, versus "on its own, auto ." "Auto-liberation" isn't very sexy, but it gets around the connotations of the word "self." Eve...
by Yontan
Mon Sep 17, 2012 6:49 am
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: Which Of The 17 Dzogchen Tantras Have Been Published?
Replies: 70
Views: 27799

Re: Which Of The 17 Dzogchen Tantras Have Been Published?

About how long would it take a Dzogchen practitioner who is between lower and medium scope at best regarding their capacity—yet who also has average or slightly-above-average intellectual-faculties—to learn Tibetan well enough in order to at least 'somewhat grasp' the sense of what is written in th...
by Yontan
Sun Sep 16, 2012 8:56 pm
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: Which Of The 17 Dzogchen Tantras Have Been Published?
Replies: 70
Views: 27799

Re: Which Of The 17 Dzogchen Tantras Have Been Published?

About how long would it take a Dzogchen practitioner who is between lower and medium scope at best regarding their capacity—yet who also has average or slightly-above-average intellectual-faculties—to learn Tibetan well enough in order to at least 'somewhat grasp' the sense of what is written in th...
by Yontan
Sat Aug 11, 2012 6:54 am
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: History of 17 Tantras
Replies: 3
Views: 1821

Re: History of 17 Tantras

Just ask it.
by Yontan
Sun Jul 15, 2012 2:45 am
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: transmissions, ngondro, samaya
Replies: 41
Views: 10494

Re: transmissions, ngondro, samaya

Samaya is the bond between you and your teacher. If that isn't strong enough to run the question by them, I'm not sure it matters. Just keep practicing whatever keeps you practicing.
by Yontan
Fri Jul 13, 2012 6:49 pm
Forum: Nyingma
Topic: Tibetan text of Dudjom Tersar Sa Ter Ngondro
Replies: 7
Views: 2754

Re: Tibetan text of Dudjom Tersar Sa Ter Ngondro

Search TBRC for
zab gsang mkha' 'gro'i snying thig gi sngon 'gro'i ngag 'don zung 'jug lam gyi shing rta/
I don't have the new book and translation, but I believe that's it.
by Yontan
Fri Jul 13, 2012 6:21 pm
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: Four Dharmas of Longchenpa
Replies: 5
Views: 3614

Re: Four Dharmas of Longchenpa

It's a great little book. There's an edition out there from about thirty-five years ago if you can find it, called "Four-Themed Precious Garland" that has Dudjom Rinpoche and Beru Khyentse's commentary.
(Kagyu lamrim teaching, used by Longchenpa to lay out dzogchen.)
by Yontan
Sat Jul 07, 2012 5:58 am
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: Some practice-related questions
Replies: 62
Views: 13942

Re: Some practice-related questions

I guess I'll offer something germane to the OP. I am sure most of us who practice with any dedication for a few years will have some dream experiences, and it can be very difficult to suss out what is wisdom and what is mind. I've had a number of dream experiences that - mind or not - have given me ...
by Yontan
Sun Jun 24, 2012 4:31 am
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: Dzogchen Teaching is Free From Limitations
Replies: 242
Views: 47841

Re: Dzogchen Teaching is Free From Limitations

Hrrmmmm.
Especially odd since I've never met CNNR....
by Yontan
Sun Jun 24, 2012 1:54 am
Forum: Nyingma
Topic: Ngondro Challenges
Replies: 62
Views: 17610

Re: Ngondro Challenges

So, there is a common misunderstanding that the goal of Buddhadharma is the elimination of emotional states: ridding oneself of sorrow and happiness since they go hand in hand, and living in a flat, cosmic dullness. This is not the goal of the path. It's difficult to see through the blinders, but ev...
by Yontan
Sun Jun 24, 2012 1:41 am
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: Dzogchen Teaching is Free From Limitations
Replies: 242
Views: 47841

Re: Dzogchen Teaching is Free From Limitations

I remember well her shock, as Gangteng Tulku advised a student (sorry if you've heard this story before) whose mother was always quite distressed every Sunday during their visits because the student would not attend church service with her. "Just go to church! Pray." He pointed out that wi...
by Yontan
Sun Jun 17, 2012 11:27 pm
Forum: Nyingma
Topic: Ngondro Challenges
Replies: 62
Views: 17610

Re: Ngondro Challenges

Challenge23, figuring out how to work through our own blocks is a difficult part of the path. Sometimes we need many different methods and it's not simply that this one didn't work so I must try another one. If you're committed to finishing your prostrations, it may help to simply do them without as...
by Yontan
Fri May 25, 2012 3:39 am
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: Abandoning past practice commitments
Replies: 169
Views: 38835

Re: Abandoning past practice commitments

There's no benefit to "worrying" about past commitments, but from our confused pov, the importance of maintaining prior commitments is not something to poo-poo and abandon. When we commit to and engage in a higher practice it encompasses the intent of the lower practice. It reminds us of t...
by Yontan
Mon May 14, 2012 4:58 am
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: Dzogchen and the concept of progress....
Replies: 22
Views: 4576

Re: Dzogchen and the concept of progress....

It's kind of a self-correcting problem assuming you're working with a qualified lineage holder. If you catch yourself thinking you are improving upon your nature - before your teacher corrects you - kudos. If you see the qualities of compassion and broader view increasing and those of self-concern a...
by Yontan
Tue May 01, 2012 3:53 am
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: What creates the illusion of time?
Replies: 56
Views: 11089

Re: What creates the illusion of time?

That's the point. We can't sit in a world of things and wonder how "time isn't real."
by Yontan
Mon Apr 30, 2012 5:33 am
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: What creates the illusion of time?
Replies: 56
Views: 11089

Re: What creates the illusion of time?

Time, space and everything else is LIKE and illusion, spinning firebrand, gandharva city, rope snake, dream, bubble, etc. Time is as real as anything else. Your question can be applied as rightly to a cup of morning tea or your loved ones. Please don't fall into thinking "time is an illusion.&q...
by Yontan
Mon Apr 09, 2012 5:14 am
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: Peter Fenner - "Radiant Mind"
Replies: 40
Views: 11450

Re: Peter Fenner - "Radiant Mind"

Agreed. Longchenpa has done his best to give us a leg up. I believe his Resting at Ease trilogy has good info. Paltrul's seminal ngondro text has good help as well. At the least a teacher's students should show some bodhicitta, but even that can be hard to discern when first starting out. I suppose ...
by Yontan
Mon Apr 09, 2012 12:19 am
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: Question concerning Dzogchen practice of Dream Yoga.
Replies: 35
Views: 10725

Re: Question concerning Dzogchen practice of Dream Yoga.

nah. Not unless you really want to. Amazing things happen to people all the time. It can be downright distracting. Better to practice the preliminaries, settle into good meditation, purify karma, etc. I used to have semi-lucid out-of-body dreams on a regular basis, talk to ghosts, spend minutes in d...

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