Dzogchen materials not requiring DI?

[kausalya]

I see potential benefit in integrating Dzogchen with my existing practices.

Assuming ChNN goes ahead with his next Worldwide Transmission -- which I've been told takes place on July 21, 2018, from 8 pm to 9 pm PT -- there's a good chance I'll be around to receive it.

For my sake:

• Are there any texts or other resources that could be useful to me in the meantime?

• Is there a particular "threshold practice," like trekchöd, above which DI is necessary?

Much gratitude...

[Norwegian]

I see potential benefit in integrating Dzogchen with my existing practices.

Assuming ChNN goes ahead with his next Worldwide Transmission -- which I've been told takes place on July 21, 2018, from 8 pm to 9 pm PT -- there's a good chance I'll be around to receive it.

For my sake:

• Are there any texts or other resources that could be useful to me in the meantime?

• Is there a particular "threshold practice," like trekchöd, above which DI is necessary?

Much gratitude...

You could buy ChNN's The Crystal & The Way of Light. Most excellent book.

[chimechodra]

You can buy the Guru Yoga book, they allow anyone who plans on receiving DI to purchase that book. Definitely recommend reading it before the WWT. Likely smartest to get the PDF version so you can get it in time.

[kausalya]

You could buy ChNN's The Crystal & The Way of Light. Most excellent book.

You can buy the Guru Yoga book, they allow anyone who plans on receiving DI to purchase that book.

I've had a look at both books -- they're wonderful, as far as I can tell.

Perhaps I should make another thread for this, but the process for receiving the transmission seems complicated, for a few reasons.

Is there a sensible way to break the information into chunks for memorizing? I'm not looking at making it easy, just no harder than it needs to be.

Alternatively, am I overthinking this? Could I get just as much benefit from simply doing my best as I would from preparing the recitations/visualizations/etc.?

[Johnny Dangerous]

You could buy ChNN's The Crystal & The Way of Light. Most excellent book.

You can buy the Guru Yoga book, they allow anyone who plans on receiving DI to purchase that book.

I've had a look at both books -- they're wonderful, as far as I can tell.

Perhaps I should make another thread for this, but the process for receiving the transmission seems complicated, for a few reasons.

Is there a sensible way to break the information into chunks for memorizing? I'm not looking at making it easy, just no harder than it needs to be.

Alternatively, am I overthinking this? Could I get just as much benefit from simply doing my best as I would from preparing the recitations/visualizations/etc.?

I would use the GY book to prepare, and then just be present during the DI. To the degree that worrying about visualization and recitation decreases your ability to be present, dial it back and do what you can. That is of course just my experience and may be 'wrong" on some level.

[kausalya]

I would use the GY book to prepare, and then just be present during the DI. To the degree that worrying about visualization and recitation decreases your ability to be present, dial it back and do what you can. That is of course just my experience and may be 'wrong" on some level.

Thanks. There are three outward obstacles I can think of, in this regard:

• As a Gelug practitioner, a lot of the ritual text is just plain unfamiliar to me.

• The Tibetan is romanized in a unique way, making pronunciation less intuitive, at least to my eyes.

• I have impaired coordination; although I can do basic mudras (like the offering mudras) more complicated ones are... more complicated.

In case it's possible for someone to set my mind at ease (did I just make a joke? ), I will be forever grateful.

[chimechodra]

I would use the GY book to prepare, and then just be present during the DI. To the degree that worrying about visualization and recitation decreases your ability to be present, dial it back and do what you can. That is of course just my experience and may be 'wrong" on some level.

Thanks. There are three outward obstacles I can think of, in this regard:

• As a Gelug practitioner, a lot of the ritual text is just plain unfamiliar to me.

• The Tibetan is romanized in a unique way, making pronunciation less intuitive, at least to my eyes.

• I have impaired coordination; although I can do basic mudras (like the offering mudras) more complicated ones are... more complicated.

In case it's possible for someone to set my mind at ease (did I just make a joke? ), I will be forever grateful.

Malcolm and others have mentioned multiple times on this forum that it's absolutely not critical you have all the visualizations and mudras and what not memorized before the WWT. The most important thing is to be present, and really try to feel Rinpoche's presence and integrate with it.

[kausalya]

Malcolm and others have mentioned multiple times on this forum that it's absolutely not critical you have all the visualizations and mudras and what not memorized before the WWT. The most important thing is to be present, and really try to feel Rinpoche's presence and integrate with it.

Thanks for this! That's all I needed to know. Apologies for neglecting the search function.

[Johnny Dangerous]

I would use the GY book to prepare, and then just be present during the DI. To the degree that worrying about visualization and recitation decreases your ability to be present, dial it back and do what you can. That is of course just my experience and may be 'wrong" on some level.

Thanks. There are three outward obstacles I can think of, in this regard:

• As a Gelug practitioner, a lot of the ritual text is just plain unfamiliar to me.

• The Tibetan is romanized in a unique way, making pronunciation less intuitive, at least to my eyes.

• I have impaired coordination; although I can do basic mudras (like the offering mudras) more complicated ones are... more complicated.

In case it's possible for someone to set my mind at ease (did I just make a joke? ), I will be forever grateful.

You just sing along with Rinpoche really, if you have the text near or memorize it, or print it out you'll be fine. Again, I feel like niggling over details is beside the point, you just "do your best" and :work with your circumstances" as Rinpoche says, it's more important to really be present than anything else.

[kausalya]

I would use the GY book to prepare, and then just be present during the DI. To the degree that worrying about visualization and recitation decreases your ability to be present, dial it back and do what you can. That is of course just my experience and may be 'wrong" on some level.

Thanks. There are three outward obstacles I can think of, in this regard:

• As a Gelug practitioner, a lot of the ritual text is just plain unfamiliar to me.

• The Tibetan is romanized in a unique way, making pronunciation less intuitive, at least to my eyes.

• I have impaired coordination; although I can do basic mudras (like the offering mudras) more complicated ones are... more complicated.

In case it's possible for someone to set my mind at ease (did I just make a joke? ), I will be forever grateful.

You just sing along with Rinpoche really, if you have the text near or memorize it, or print it out you'll be fine. Again, I feel like niggling over details is beside the point, you just "do your best" and :work with your circumstances" as Rinpoche says, it's more important to really be present than anything else.

You're right! This is one reason why I have the sense that Dzogchen might be beneficial in my case -- lessening unproductive striving, quieting discursive thoughts...

[PeterC]

Several gars do a session prior to WWT where they explain everything - I believe the NY location as a dial-in number for that. Worth joining if you can.

[florin]

Several gars do a session prior to WWT where they explain everything - I believe the NY location as a dial-in number for that. Worth joining if you can.

of course.
Some people in the past said " no, no no dont buy the guru yoga book because that is only intended for those with transmission". Really ?
I mean how are people suppose to prepare for transmissions ? And not to mention that as you say the various gars do preparatory session for the new people wanting to receive transmission.

On top of that there are regional contacts responsible with preparing people. This i what happened in my case as well.I contacted someone locally and asked if i could be prepared for the upcoming transmission.Inevitably when at one of those meetings you are imparted some restricted material.

[kausalya]

On top of that there are regional contacts responsible with preparing people. This i what happened in my case as well.I contacted someone locally and asked if i could be prepared for the upcoming transmission.Inevitably when at one of those meetings you are imparted some restricted material.

I guess it all comes out in the wash for someone with the sincere wish & the opportunity to pursue the proper permission.

[Aryjna]

I think the best idea is to email the nearest gar or ling. They can send you the practice text and maybe instructions. Also, if you get the book, you do not have to read everything, the explanations for the transmission must be around 10 pages. You can read the rest after the transmission.

[kausalya]

Also, if you get the book, you do not have to read everything, the explanations for the transmission must be around 10 pages. You can read the rest after the transmission.

Good point! It's so obvious I never thought of it.

[haha]

Actually, it is good to know how CNNR will present the teaching before you are receiving the transmission. Otherwise, if one has been preconditioned by presentation of sutras and tantras, his presentation will shake the ground. Foundation of the Path, Dzogchen Teachings, and Crystal and the Way of Light would be supportive.
If you sing the song of vajra, it would be great help. (Actually, I did many times before participating his webcast.) Many elements of your current practice also help a lot.

I see potential benefit in integrating Dzogchen with my existing practices.

No doubt.

[Pema Rigdzin]

Kausalya,

Also, you should know that the Dzogchen state—your own Buddha nature, your own essential knowledge—is completely unfabricated and nonconceptual. It is utterly free of fixation, tension, and unharmed by discursive thoughts. So during the transmission, know that although you’ll fabricate a visualization, this is only to usher you into the natural state, which you don’t create or contrive, but rather come to know. In other words, the actual practice doesn’t involve any visualization or deliberation. And maybe you’ll experience an obvious glimpse of this knowledge of your state during the transmission, though it’s probably more likely it’ll come about through subsequent practice. During the transmission, it’s good to do your best to do the visualization and recite along with as much understanding of the meaning as you can, but without grasping at some better, more ideal level of ability you think you should have; don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good and make you all stressed and distracted and tense. Better to relax and, as needed, rest on your faith in the lama, your true nature, and the teachings and just pay attention contentedly.

[kausalya]

Kausalya,

Also, you should know that the Dzogchen state—your own Buddha nature, your own essential knowledge—is completely unfabricated and nonconceptual. It is utterly free of fixation, tension, and unharmed by discursive thoughts. So during the transmission, know that although you’ll fabricate a visualization, this is only to usher you into the natural state, which you don’t create or contrive, but rather come to know. In other words, the actual practice doesn’t involve any visualization or deliberation. And maybe you’ll experience an obvious glimpse of this knowledge of your state during the transmission, though it’s probably more likely it’ll come about through subsequent practice. During the transmission, it’s good to do your best to do the visualization and recite along with as much understanding of the meaning as you can, but without grasping at some better, more ideal level of ability you think you should have; don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good and make you all stressed and distracted and tense. Better to relax and, as needed, rest on your faith in the lama, your true nature, and the teachings and just pay attention contentedly.

This helps! Thanks for the time you've taken to explain it.

[Virgo]

If you sing the song of vajra, it would be great help. (Actually, I did many times before participating his webcast.)

Well actually afaik it is necessary to have transmission to engage in that.

Kevin...

[Pema Rigdzin]

This helps! Thanks for the time you've taken to explain it.

You’re welcome! Glad it helped. I just wanna make a clarification to something I said. When I said the main practice “doesn’t involve visualization,” I was referring to resting in the natural state, which is the ultimate point. But Dzogchen practice always takes place in the context of guru yoga practice, all versions of which involve some sort of visualization, and then dissolution of said visualization. So that visualization can be likened to the traditional Buddhist symbolism of the “raft,” which when you get to the “other shore”—in this case, the natural state—you relinquish.