Malcolm wrote: ↑Mon Nov 20, 2017 5:12 pm
It is not relevant to discussions here.
Maybe not, but you're a semi-famous person, especially in the Buddhist scene, have written some books, done translations, so if not a "public" person per se, something pretty close where someone might want to write a bio / wikipedia article, amazon.com bio, etc one day, so was curious.
I discourage curiosity about my personal life.
DNS your not the only one that has wondered this. I have often thought Malcolm supported himself with Tibetan Medicine or teaching. Definitely curious hah!
Also Malcolm could you go a bit more personal into your practice and translation work, any translations that have really stood out to you and why? Things in practice that you wish you could tell your younger self.
Coëmgenu wrote: ↑Mon Nov 20, 2017 12:26 am
I appreciate your nomination, but I feel that my place has been considerably less well-earned.
I'm currently working two jobs, construction and at a bakery on-and-off.
I wouldn't consider myself a heavyweight of DharmaWheel. Perhaps I would have back when I used to fight regularly with DavidBrainerd over at DhammaWheel, but even then, that was mostly vanity work.
Most of my posts, actually, although I try my best to make them informative and useful, are actually a small part vanity work. If I try to be nice to myself about it, I would say 20-30%, but when I am feeling cynical, I wonder if it is not more.
I re-read them, my posts, back and back obsessively checking for spelling mistakes or ways I could have wrote it better. I actually limit my time actually logged-on to this forum, because of its tendencies to interact with my intellectual vanity.
I bet you didn't expect me to say that!
How did you become such a scholar on the texts! Lol
CedarTree wrote: ↑Sun Nov 19, 2017 9:37 pm
I proposed this before but there was some hesitation I think maybe now might be a good time on the forum for it.
Astus
Malcolm
Coëmgenu
...
thankful I didn't make this list
The periods implied you.... Start talking... Also tell Astus to get in here
CedarTree wrote: ↑Sun Nov 19, 2017 9:37 pm
I proposed this before but there was some hesitation I think maybe now might be a good time on the forum for it.
Astus
Malcolm
Coëmgenu
and other heavyweights *Let's be honest we all know who you are lol*
Tell us about your practice history, what were some big stand out things that you think happened or insights or things you learned or experienced and so forth that helped bring you to where you are now. And where are you now? *Meaning what are you doing, studying, practicing, and how do you see your life and practice as well as others and others practices*
I study Dzogchen. I practice Dzogchen. I translate ancient texts of Dzogchen. I take breaks for food, coffee, wine, sex, sleep, and tv.
CedarTree wrote: ↑Sun Nov 19, 2017 9:37 pm
I proposed this before but there was some hesitation I think maybe now might be a good time on the forum for it.
Astus
Malcolm
Coëmgenu
...
thankful I didn't make this list
The periods implied you.... Start talking...
But I'm not really a heavyweight, am I? BMI of 27.
Maybe not, but you're a semi-famous person, especially in the Buddhist scene, have written some books, done translations, so if not a "public" person per se, something pretty close where someone might want to write a bio / wikipedia article, amazon.com bio, etc one day, so was curious.
I discourage curiosity about my personal life.
DNS your not the only one that has wondered this. I have often thought Malcolm supported himself with Tibetan Medicine or teaching. Definitely curious hah!
Also Malcolm could you go a bit more personal into your practice and translation work, any translations that have really stood out to you and why? Things in practice that you wish you could tell your younger self.
I never discuss my practice. Long standing policy.
I am very enthused our translation (Zangthal Editions) of two major Dzogchen tantras will be released by Wisdom August, 28th, 2018.
Generally, enjoyment of speech is the gateway to poor [results]. So it becomes the foundation for generating all negative emotional states. Jampel Pawo, The Certainty of the Diamond Mind
Coëmgenu wrote: ↑Mon Nov 20, 2017 12:26 am
I appreciate your nomination, but I feel that my place has been considerably less well-earned.
I'm currently working two jobs, construction and at a bakery on-and-off.
I wouldn't consider myself a heavyweight of DharmaWheel. Perhaps I would have back when I used to fight regularly with DavidBrainerd over at DhammaWheel, but even then, that was mostly vanity work.
Most of my posts, actually, although I try my best to make them informative and useful, are actually a small part vanity work. If I try to be nice to myself about it, I would say 20-30%, but when I am feeling cynical, I wonder if it is not more.
I re-read them, my posts, back and back obsessively checking for spelling mistakes or ways I could have wrote it better. I actually limit my time actually logged-on to this forum, because of its tendencies to interact with my intellectual vanity.
I bet you didn't expect me to say that!
How did you become such a scholar on the texts! Lol
The internet!
I also don't think I am a scholar concerning these texts. For instance, I don't think I could get published. I don't have any qualifications. I am teaching myself Chinese currently with the interest of learning it as a dharma language, but I don't have any degrees or certifications for it.
I have a BFA with a specialization in Music that is almost complete, though. If that counts.
Then, the monks uttered this gāthā:
These bodies are like foam.
Them being frail, who can rejoice in them?
The Buddha attained the vajra-body.
Still, it becomes inconstant and ruined.
The many Buddhas are vajra-entities.
All are also subject to inconstancy.
Quickly ended, like melting snow --
how could things be different?
The Buddha passed into parinirvāṇa afterward. (T1.27b10 Mahāparinirvāṇasūtra DĀ 2)
"Absolute Truth is not an object of analytical discourse or great discriminating wisdom,
It is realized through the blessing grace of the Guru and fortunate Karmic potential.
Like this, mistaken ideas of discriminating wisdom are clarified."
- (Kyabje Bokar Rinpoche, from his summary of "The Ocean of Definitive Meaning")
In that case you are hereby removed from the list of heavy weights. Your new weight class is welterweight.
Yippee!
Now, can you do something about my graying hair?
Sure, easy. Come on over and I'll shave your head like mine.
Isn't it funny how arbitrary my attachments are? I am happy to shed some pounds, but hang on to my (graying) hair. Reminds me of Milarepa's "Finger sweater" which was meant for another member......
"Absolute Truth is not an object of analytical discourse or great discriminating wisdom,
It is realized through the blessing grace of the Guru and fortunate Karmic potential.
Like this, mistaken ideas of discriminating wisdom are clarified."
- (Kyabje Bokar Rinpoche, from his summary of "The Ocean of Definitive Meaning")
CedarTree wrote: ↑Sun Nov 19, 2017 9:37 pm
I proposed this before but there was some hesitation I think maybe now might be a good time on the forum for it.
Astus
Malcolm
Coëmgenu
...
thankful I didn't make this list
An omission in my view.
“You don’t know it. You just know about it. That is not the same thing.”
Yippee!
Now, can you do something about my graying hair?
Sure, easy. Come on over and I'll shave your head like mine.
Isn't it funny how arbitrary my attachments are? I am happy to shed some pounds, but hang on to my (graying) hair. Reminds me of Milarepa's "Finger sweater" which was meant for another member......
And another omission. One of the most respected posters among the Vajrayana members.
“You don’t know it. You just know about it. That is not the same thing.”