Search found 143 matches

by steve_bakr
Wed Aug 15, 2018 4:29 am
Forum: Zen
Topic: Pointing-Out-Instructions and Zen
Replies: 36
Views: 10140

Re: Pointing-Out-Instructions and Zen

You are proving my point. Didn't I say I had it done by a teacher? Be that as it may, this book, "Self-Liberation Through Seeing With Naked Awareness," by Guru Padmasambhava and translated by John Myrdin, is a pointing out instruction which says in the book itself that it can be received t...
by steve_bakr
Tue Aug 14, 2018 5:11 pm
Forum: Zen
Topic: Pointing-Out-Instructions and Zen
Replies: 36
Views: 10140

Re: Pointing-Out-Instructions and Zen

Interesting. My first pointing out instruction came from a book called, "Self-Liberation Through Seeing With Naked Awareness." But I was heavily criticized for this, so I got it done by a teacher. Dzogchen students are very sensitive about the idea that the teacher empowers the pointing ou...
by steve_bakr
Tue Aug 14, 2018 4:23 pm
Forum: Chan
Topic: in practice chan do I need teacher !
Replies: 26
Views: 22206

Re: in practice chan do I need teacher !

Of course, it is always best to have a teacher. But that is not always possible. In this age, there is an abundance of Chan literature which you can learn from. So, don't let not having a teacher keep you from practicing. Also, you mentioned birth in the Pure Land, which is generally associated with...
by steve_bakr
Tue Aug 14, 2018 3:48 pm
Forum: Rinzai
Topic: Koans and Kensho
Replies: 13
Views: 11185

Koans and Kensho

My question is about Koans and Kensho. I have solved a few Koans and received verification from a Zen master that because of distance I currently don't have access to. After solving these Koans, I discovered that I also knew the solutions to a lot of other related Koans. Although, there are many mor...
by steve_bakr
Wed Jul 20, 2016 9:52 pm
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: Dzogchen & Vipashyana on thoughts
Replies: 339
Views: 63898

Re: Dzogchen & Vipashyana on thoughts

Hello all I came across this fellow in the internet who is a teacher of dzogchen. One of the things he says is that the empty awareness or knowing (yeshe) is always separate from thoughts (namshe). This is dualism afaik. What about the the empty nature of thoughts? After that realization both the k...
by steve_bakr
Sun Jun 12, 2016 6:59 pm
Forum: Mahamudra
Topic: Mahamudra meditation problem: locating the mind
Replies: 476
Views: 95376

Re: Mahamudra meditation problem: locating the mind

The mind is without location. However, it is quite normal to feel that you are looking out from behind your eyes. We, after, all, reside in a body, so to speak. I have had experiences when my mind was somewhere outside of my body. But you cannot function very well in the world that way--i.e. interac...
by steve_bakr
Sun Jun 12, 2016 6:14 pm
Forum: Mahamudra
Topic: Pointing Out through Appearances
Replies: 25
Views: 9682

Re: Pointing Out through Appearances

I'm wondering how this works on an interpersonal level. I mean, yes, ultimately it's all concepts and fabrications, but practically speaking there are other people and it seems important to interact on a human level. How do we cultivate the "mind-only" perspective while not losing sight o...
by steve_bakr
Sun Jun 12, 2016 4:34 pm
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: The Treasury of Basic Space of Phenomena
Replies: 26
Views: 7771

Re: The Treasury of Basic Space of Phenomena

Update: I have been reading Longchenpa's commentary and am finding it to be extremely instructive. Not that I fathom everything, but my eyes have been opened in a lot of ways.
by steve_bakr
Sun Jun 12, 2016 4:28 pm
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: Alan Wallace retreat video and empowerment
Replies: 3
Views: 2046

Re: Alan Wallace retreat video and empowerment

I would say to procede with due caution. I would not attempt Togal, for example, without one-on-one instruction. ChNN gives a lot of instruction through live webcasts.
by steve_bakr
Sun Jun 12, 2016 4:14 pm
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: Familiarization
Replies: 1
Views: 1266

Re: Familiarization

I will attempt to answer my own question. If others contribute, I will be most grateful. As far as I have been able to gather, the process of familiarization is simply to remain undistracted on a continuous basis.
by steve_bakr
Fri Jun 10, 2016 9:02 pm
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: Dzogchen & Vipashyana on thoughts
Replies: 339
Views: 63898

Re: Dzogchen & Vipashyana on thoughts

Hello all I came across this fellow in the internet who is a teacher of dzogchen. One of the things he says is that the empty awareness or knowing (yeshe) is always separate from thoughts (namshe). This is dualism afaik. What about the the empty nature of thoughts? After that realization both the k...
by steve_bakr
Fri Jun 10, 2016 6:44 pm
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: Familiarization
Replies: 1
Views: 1266

Familiarization

I first heard the term "familiarization" in connection with the short work titled, "The Way of the Realized Old Dogs." I think it corresponds with the term "stabilization." I am asking the Dzogchen practitioners here for a discussion of familiarization, its techniques, ...
by steve_bakr
Fri Jun 10, 2016 4:52 pm
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: Gradualism in Dzogchen teachings nowadays ?
Replies: 27
Views: 7236

Re: Gradualism in Dzogchen teachings nowadays ?

The preliminary excercises and 25 Yantras are taught publicly now, even without D.I. Realization its self may be non gradual but stabilizing recognition is something that needs ongoing application. Non-gradual doesn't mean a magic light switch comes on only once and you're completely finished unles...
by steve_bakr
Thu Jun 09, 2016 2:47 am
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: Gradualism in Dzogchen teachings nowadays ?
Replies: 27
Views: 7236

Re: Gradualism in Dzogchen teachings nowadays ?

You can do yantra right after receiving DI, or SMS practice's. The preliminary excercises and 25 Yantras are taught publicly now, even without D.I. Realization its self may be non gradual but stabilizing recognition is something that needs ongoing application. Non-gradual doesn't mean a magic light...
by steve_bakr
Mon Jun 06, 2016 7:46 pm
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: The Treasury of Basic Space of Phenomena
Replies: 26
Views: 7771

Re: The Treasury of Basic Space of Phenomena

Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche on Space : Two basic principles in Dzogchen teachings are space and awareness, in Tibetan ying and rigpa. Ying is defined as unconstructed space devoid of concepts, while rigpa means the 'knowing' of that basic space. In the context of practice, ying is defined as a clear sky ...
by steve_bakr
Mon Jun 06, 2016 6:37 pm
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: The Treasury of Basic Space of Phenomena
Replies: 26
Views: 7771

Re: The Treasury of Basic Space of Phenomena

Regarding my question about space, I have just come across a comment from Longchen Rabjam. The Quote is from "A Treasure Trove of Scriptural Transmission." "The basic space of phenomena-naturally occurring time-less awareness, totally pure by nature-is mind itself, ultimate truth."
by steve_bakr
Mon Jun 06, 2016 5:25 pm
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: The Treasury of Basic Space of Phenomena
Replies: 26
Views: 7771

Re: The Treasury of Basic Space of Phenomena

Basic space of phenomena, chose dbyings, (Skt. dharmadhatu) A Treasure Trove of Scriptural Transmission is Longchen Rabjam Drime Ozers commentary. Get this commentary. Not everything will click upon first read but you'll have a better idea about the overall meaning. Thanks, I managed to download a ...
by steve_bakr
Mon Jun 06, 2016 5:19 pm
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: The Treasury of Basic Space of Phenomena
Replies: 26
Views: 7771

Re: The Treasury of Basic Space of Phenomena

I read another work by Longchepa (the name escapes me) in which the basis is Rigpa. Here the basis is the space which is the environment or medium in which all phenomena appear. As a beginner, I am asking if there is any connection between the two. Does space have a cognitive aspect? I keep thinkin...
by steve_bakr
Mon Jun 06, 2016 6:36 am
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: Scientifically satisfactory evidence for the rainbow body[?]
Replies: 172
Views: 35982

Re: Scientifically satisfactory evidence for the rainbow body[?]

I highly doubt that this phenomenon has been subject to scientific observation. This is just me. I do not think that accounts of the Rainbow Body is what needs to be emphasized in the teaching of Dzogchen. I venture to say that it is not what is important. It might even serve to alienate some potent...
by steve_bakr
Mon Jun 06, 2016 3:06 am
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: The Treasury of Basic Space of Phenomena
Replies: 26
Views: 7771

Re: The Treasury of Basic Space of Phenomena

I read another work by Longchepa (the name escapes me) in which the basis is Rigpa. Here the basis is the space which is the environment or medium in which all phenomena appear. As a beginner, I am asking if there is any connection between the two. Does space have a cognitive aspect? I keep thinkin...

Go to advanced search