No. 93 July, August 2008

Upcoming Retreats with Chögyal

Photo: D. Littlejohn 2008 Italy Merigar West September 26–October 3 Teaching Retreat: Training with the sounds of elements from Dzogchen Upadesha root Retreat participants following teachings outside the Merigar West Gonpa. Photo: N. Zeitz “Dra Thalgyur” Closed webcast www.dzogchen.it Dra Thalgyur Teaching with October 6–9 Santi Maha III Level Exam October 10–17 Santi Maha Sangha IV Level Training Chögyal Namkhai Norbu October 31–November 4 Practice and Teaching dedicated to the Merigar West, Italy, August 11–18, 2008 Dead Lauri Denyer Spain, Barcelona November 14–20 rom August 11th to August 18th what he was teaching about, the subdivi- that enables humans and beings to relate Dzogchen Upadesha transmission and Chögyal Namkhai Norbu sions of emotion, reminded him of when to the material in a concrete way, since it instruction “Kunsang Jaku”, a Fgave a concise teaching from the he was studying Abbidharmakosa, and would be impossible for us to compre- teaching by the great terton Duddul Dorje commentaries of Vimilamitra on the Dra that if we wanted to really get into this hend the communication directly from Closed webcast Thalgyur, the root Upadesha tantra of knowledge, we could do that too. to Sambogakaya. www.dzogchen.es Dzogchen. This teaching comes from one Brazil, São Paulo of the thirteen dimensions, and was trans- Rinpoche taught from the fi rst two chap- Since all beings have the same primordial November 26–30 mitted by Tenpa Ngowa Tonpa. It is very ters of the six chapters of the Dra Thalgyur. potentiality, but are dominated by igno- Transmission and instructions of ancient. In our epoch the teacher is Garab The fi rst chapter detailed the twelve subdi- rance, the wheel of transmigration turns Longsal Guru Yoga of White A Dorje, before whom this teaching did not visions of the explanation of what creates without ceasing. The descriptions of the www.dzogchen.com.br exist on our planet. This text explains the samsara and , and the three root ways in which cause and effect work, and origins of Samsara and Nirvana and how types of marigpa. There are immensely de- what the role of secondary causes is in pro- Chile, Santiago they are different. tailed explanations of all the factors, which ducing a result, the nature of the elements December 5–7 develop samsara, answers to the question: and the fi ve colors, the way negative karma Weekend Retreat As Rinpoche said, having this book with- If we are perfected since the beginning, produces emotions and then manifest on www.dzogchen.cl out having transmission would not be very why are we in samsara? The base of sam- a material level, accepting and rejecting, Argentina, Tashigar Sur useful, so it was very fortunate to receive sara and nirvana is the same, the primor- the increasing materiality of samsara, and December 26–January 1 these teachings. Rinpoche very kindly of- dial state, and it is possible to get beyond how to understand this and reverse it are The Dzogchen tredchod teaching of Jigmed fered examples throughout, which were them, to return to this root. The format of all contained in this chapter. There are Lingpa from the Instruction “Yeshe ” very benefi cial in understanding the mate- the book is in questions from Devas as stu- many categories related to the relation- Closed Webcast rial. At one point he chuckled, saying that dents and answers from Vajradhara, and ship of the three root emotions to our fi ve www.tashigar-sur.com.ar >> continued on page 4

2009 Teaching Teaching Dejamling, Santi Maha Sangha New Zealand, Auckland Jan. 23–25 Chögyal Namkhai Yeshi Silvano 10 years of Weekend seminar Norbu Namkhai Dejamling, (See International Contacts page for info) “The Song of the The Presence France Australia, Sydney Vajra is the very called Instant Jan. 30 –Feb. 1 essence” Presence Weekend seminar www.dzogchen.org.au >> continued on page 19 » Page 2 » Page 3 » Pages 12, 13 THE MIRROR · No. 93 · July, August 2008

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even though I had received many Dzogchen instructions and teachings, I still did not have much knowledge of it. When I had that dream of the Song of the Vajra I did not know what it was and how important it was. I asked my uncle, Khyentse Rinpoche about it and he said it was a tag- drol . I asked him what a tagdrol was and he replied that it was related to the 6 liberations. Then I thought that maybe it was something important. I asked him to give me that teaching and later he gave me a kind of initiation of that. I was satisfi ed when I received it but I still did not know the real meaning. I was only interested in knowing how to sing it and I asked my uncle to teach me how to sing it but he said that he didn’t know. Then I told him that in my dream he was with me and was singing it. He said to me, “That was your dream,” and that he had never learned it. In this dream there was another mantra that was also called a Vajra Song mainly used during Ganapuja. My uncle was also very ex- pert at singing this during my dream. Then I said to him that if you don’t know this one, you should at least know the other one because in the Sakyapa tradition when they do the puja for the Guardians there is an to the at the end of the puja and at that time they chant this mantra. But they don’t sing, they use the damaru and bell and recite it very quickly. I’d learned this ritual by heart because I had learned all the rituals of the Sakyapa tradition and my uncle used it when he did the puja of the Photo: Grzegorz Ladra Guardians so I said to him, “I am sure you know this”. He replied that he knew it a little because he had had some dreams but he didn’t generally sing it. Then I asked him, “How do you sing it in your dreams?” “The Song of the Vajra but he said that he didn’t remember very well and asked me how it was in my dream. I told him that I only remem- bered some of the melody. He wanted to listen to that and so I tried to show him. He said that it was perfect so he is the very essence” must have remembered something but he said that he had never heard the Song of the Vajra. He told me to ask Merigar West, August 16th 2008 my uncle Togden because perhaps the students of Adzom Drugpa sing it sometimes at Adzomgar. Later when I met my uncle Togden, I asked him and he said that he knew it hen we do Guruyoga, we always add the Song Just seeing the letters of the Song of the Vajra creates a a little. I insisted that he sing it but it wasn’t anything like of the Vajra. You already know that the principle good cause. Then when we hear it, it makes a good cause. the melody I had heard. He sang a bit like they chant the Wof Guruyoga is being in your real nature. The For example, when practitioners sing the Song of the prayers normally at the monastery. Song of the Vajra is our existence, body, speech and mind, Vajra, many sentient beings hear it who will have a precise Later on I found a book by Adzom Drugpa’s students subject, object, everything for integrating in that state. cause to join the path in the future. This is called thödrol. about how to sing this Song of the Vajra and how to dance When we haven’t discovered our real nature yet, then the Then we have the ‘ thödrol’ mainly with , in- it. I tried to understand the explanations but it was similar Song of the Vajra becomes very important for discovering vocations of Shitro, the Song of the Vajra etc., and when to the way they dance and sing the Lama Dances. This was it and having that experience, that knowledge. We can fi nd people are dying we read this [to them]. So you can un- how I had my fi rst contact with the Song of the Vajra. that explanation in the original texts of the tantra. In the derstand why it is called thödrol because thödrol is more But then later on when I met my teacher, Changchub Upadesha tantra there is the ‘Nyida Khajor’, which means developed, more diffused than others like, for example, Dorje, received into Dzogchen teach- the union of the sun and moon. Its real meaning is an the Tibetan Book of the Dead, the Shitro of Karma Lingpa ing and fi nally knew what Dzogchen really was, after that explanation of all the different aspects of the state of the which is a very nice invocation of the Bardo thödrol. I had many dreams. In my dreams I was always singing bardo. In the bardo, in particular the bardo of the - All ‘Bardo thödrol’ have explanations about the the Song of the Vajra and was always very expert at singing ta, which means after death, our potentiality – sound and Song of the Vajra mentioning the two kinds of [Vajra it but when I woke up, I didn’t know how to sing it. But light and rays – is naked at that moment and not condi- Songs of the] state of and Samantabhadri. gradually I started to learn it and then later I knew how to tioned by the material level. For that reason if we have had We can fi nd many different versions of these two and in sing it. And even today I still have many dreams in which I some experience [of our real nature] during our lifetime, each terma you read, the Song of the Vajra is not always am singing the Song of the Vajra at different moments, in then we recognise it and can have the realisation of the the same. Many people ask which is the correct one be- different dimensions. Sambhogakaya at that moment. So the Song of the Vajra is cause people always think that one is correct and the other In many traditions of Dzogchen, they do not use the mainly related to that. is wrong. But in the real sense, all of them are correct be- Song of the Vajra that we use, but that doesn’t mean they In general we say the Song of the Vajra. Vajra means cause this teaching did not come from only one place or at don’t know its importance. Not only singing but also our potentiality, our real nature. When there are teach- only one time. There are so many places, so many dimen- dancing. If you study the ‘Nyida Khajor’ tantra then you ings, methods, for discovering and getting in our real na- sions, so many realised beings in the universe and differ- can understand what it means when it says we should ture, we add the name ‘vajra’. For example, we call teach- ent termas originated in different dimensions. Don’t worry ‘sing’ and ‘dance’. By singing and dancing it, we can in- ers of Dzogchen ‘dorje lobpon’ or ‘master of the vajra’ and if they are slightly different. What is important is to follow crease our capacity of Dzogchen practice. In particular students who follow that kind of teaching ‘dorje lobma’, or the transmission that you received. those who have no knowledge of Dzogchen can wake up ‘students of the vajra’. So vajra always indicates our real We also have, for example, the complete terma teaching when they use it. This is the explanation we can fi nd in the nature and the Song of the Vajra is for bringing us into of my teacher, Changchub Dorje, which has a lot of words Dzogchen tantra. that knowledge, that state. that make it different from others. But what we use in the Then its says that anywhere you sing the Song of the The Song of the Vajra that we use can be found in the Song of the Vajra is called the non-dual state of Samantab- Vajra, even though you think you are singing it alone, you Nyida Khajor tantra. In general there are so many different hadra and Samantabhadri. There is only one state, not are never alone. When you sing the Song of the Vajra mil- kinds of tantras, particularly tantras that are terma teach- two. Its real nature is called chönyi kyi rang dra, the natural lions of dakas and dakinis are present. When you sing the ings. Most of them are called tagdrol tantras, which means sound of the Dharmata, which means that sound develops Song of the Vajra, that place will always be a sacred place that when we wear them, they are the cause of liberation from emptiness. Then how does its potentiality manifest? meaning that there is a potentiality, people go there and it because they are related to the 6 senses. When we have That is natural sound. So the Song of the Vajra is that kind makes a cause for liberation. So you see that the Song of contact with our 6 senses it can always create a cause for of sound. the Vajra is really very important. That is why we always liberation, not just for practitioners but for all sentient be- Its title is the Song of the Vajra; ‘song’ means that we use it. ings. must sing and ‘singing’ means that we work with our ex- A lot of people sometimes ask me why other Dzogchen We have our 6 senses – hearing, seeing, tasting etc., istence through these words and sing them. In the ‘Nyida masters and practitioners don’t sing it and why only I sing and then with our mind we do meditation, visualisation. Khajor’ tantra it talks about singing and dancing the Song it and teach it. This is because I fi nd that the Song of the For that we have 6 things called tagdrol, thongdrol, thödrol of the Vajra and that is what we practitioners should ap- Vajra is the very essence: when you learn the real mean- etc. Thongdrol means an image is prepared with the fi g- ply. But even though it is explained that way in the tantra ing of the Song of the Vajra it is something like a key to ure of Samantabhadra yab yum and a formed by and most Dzogchen masters and practitioners know that all knowledge. The root of all the different methods of a mantra . Sometimes we can fi nd this in very important it is very important, singing and dancing it are not very the Dzogchen semde, longde and upadesha are related to the places and when people see it, it creates the cause of a very diffused. Song of the Vajra. good relationship, meaning that in the future they will I had my fi rst contact with the Song of the Vajra through The syllables of the Song of the Vajra govern all our have the possibility to have a connection with that path in dreams when I was 13 years old. At that time I consid- vajra body. For example, when we pronounce ‘Ema kiri some way. The Song of the Vajra has that potentiality and ered myself to be a scholar, a very intellectual person kiri’ etc., each syllable corresponds to a different place, the short version, the 6 syllables, also has that function. because I had started to study many teachings. But different chakra – main chakras, secondary chakras – all are THE MIRROR · No. 93 · July, August 2008 Yeshi Silvano Namkhai

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we talk about clarity, in general, The Presence called Instant Presence we talk about the method we should apply to have benefi t, to Yeshi Silvano Namkhai have some results in terms of ac- quiring knowledge. Then, as we , Russia, 09. 07. 2008 said, at the end we should also have pure vision which means we oday I will focus on the Finally we have a third kind of practically go beyond form, so we fi rst verses of this text, vision, very mysterious, which we don’t focus anymore on the idea T Rigpai Kyujug. It is a cryp- call pure vision. So we understand of having or not having a form, tic introductory text that briefl y quite easily that with karmic vi- or applying or not applying the explains, in poetic form, the es- sion we create a state of suffering method. sence of the Dzogchen Teaching and that whatever we do creates When we think about our in terms of a state, something suffering at the end. Somehow Teacher it’s important that the more than a method. The fi rst we have an idea what the vision Teacher represents all three two verses present vision in a very of a practitioner is in terms of the states. If it’s simple to under- concise way. Generally we have path. In terms of the path, vision stand the human level, being two or three main ideas about vi- means that somehow we should human, we can sort of imagine sion. have an attitude, we should have how it works on an energy level. When we introduce the state a sort of behaviour and we should Sometimes it becomes very diffi - of Dzogchen, we start from the follow the teaching and apply it cult to imagine what pure vision idea of vision. With vision we in a certain way. We face all these means, such as the level beyond don’t mean vision like fantasy but instructions understanding that form like Samanthabhadra. Gen- our idea of reality in general. So the real meaning of Dzogchen erally this state is called the mind basically we identify three kinds is a state of perfection. We try to level and is explained through of vision. First is karmic vision understand what having a sort of some experience like an experi- which means our usual, ordinary behaviour or attitude means and ence of emptiness or presence. view. When we talk about karmic try to integrate with the idea of a What should immediately be vision, we are immediately re- perfect state. clear to all of us is that we have minded that there is a sort of law We always have the problem of different understandings of ac- and that is the law of karma. The balancing our karmic vision and tion on these three levels. So if we law of karma means that some- our vision as practitioners and, Yeshi Namkhai in Galenting. are on the human level, we have how we have some debts with in the end, something that repre- a lot of action and movement as suffering and we have to suffer. sents the state of enlightenment, humans because we move all the Then there are all the possible our Teacher, which is a kind of like Buddha. Then another day or gets ill or has an ordinary life. time. When we go to the energy ways of perceiving reality and pure vision. We always have the we see him eating or going to the We, too, are in the same state in level, we are already using some creating bad karma. Then we ba- problem of understanding what bathroom and another day we which we also go to the bath- methods and are starting to do a sically speak about passion. an enlightened Teacher means. see him ill in the hospital. Some- room, get ill and so on. sort of contemplation. We start We have a different vision We have the problem of under- how we should understand what On the other hand, when we to meditate and deal more with called the vision of the practitio- standing what pure vision means these three visions mean. When talk about the vision of the prac- the internal than the external uni- ner, the vision of people follow- in general. In the end, we always we talk about three visions, we titioner on the path, it means that verse. ing the path, which should be confuse the idea of recognizing a are reminded of the three levels we are talking more about our You know that at the human our correct vision. It is connected teacher as a root teacher with the of existence. So of course, we energy level, the voice level. In level we work a lot outside of our- with our understanding of recog- one that introduces us to our real have a human level and on a hu- this context we understand how selves with our actions or move- nizing a Teacher, recognizing a condition. man level we have karmic vision. we deal with experience because ments. When we work at an ener- method in terms of the teaching At a certain point, we see our In the same way, we have a Teach- when we talk about the energy gy level, we create a link between and, of course, applying it. Teacher on the throne looking er who has to go to the bathroom level, we talk about clarity. When >> continued on next page

>> continued from left page Our thumb, index fi nger and ringer fi nger are also re- cover that, then when we go there and do some practice governed by these sounds. When practitioners are more lated to our potentiality and we can have different kinds of we can have more effects of developing our clarity and our familiar with this practice, if you apply pressure to some experiences but mainly experiences of emptiness, clarity practice. This is all a bit related to the Song of the Vajra. of these places, doing visualisation of the seed syllable and sensation. If you observe a statue of Buddha in medi- A lot of people ask what type of visualisation they that governs that place, sounding that sound, you can co- tation, the hands are joined and the thumbs touch because should do when they sing the Song of the Vajra. People ordinate that energy. For example, if you have a very bad uniting the thumbs is the principle of connecting energy, think that if they do some visualisation it becomes im- pain in your knee, you should know which sound of the which gives the experience of emptiness. When you put portant, then when they know a little what they should do Song of the Vajra governs that place. Then you do that vi- the thumbs together you fi nd it easier to be in the state of and what it means, they feel it is perfect. But this type of sualisation, pronounce that sound and you can coordinate emptiness. knowledge is always related to the mind. Mind does not all this energy. That is an example according to our vajra The index fi nger is related to the potentiality of clarity. have much value. Mind is very good at creating samsara but body. You can see a lot of statues of fi gures in a state of medita- not at bringing us to nirvana or realisation. For that reason Then our vajra body corresponds to all our dimension: tion such as who unify the thumb and index when we need to have some type of realisation we should our nearest dimension is our globe. We are on this globe. fi nger and place them on the knees – emptiness and clar- go beyond mind. Where is it? In our solar system. Where is our solar sys- ity unifi ed. You can have that kind of experience more. When we sing the Song of the Vajra we are not using tem? In what we consider to be our universe. Each of these The ring fi nger has mainly the potentiality of sensation mind. Even though a lot of thoughts arise while we are correspondences exists within our vajra body. That prin- that is more related to our physical body while clarity is singing, we do not go after them and we only remain in ciple exists not only in the Dzogchen teaching but this ex- more related to our energy. Unifying the thumb and ring the presence of the sound. If you have experience of in- planation can also be found in the Chakrasamvara tantra. fi nger is the principle of detong [experience related to the stant presence, you are in that state, integrated with that Sometimes we don’t fi nd very detailed explanations of sensation of pleasure (de) and emptiness (tong)]. This is sound, it is perfect. And even if you don’t have that capac- these things in the Dzogchen texts, only rough explana- necessary for a lot of practices in which you ex- ity yet, you can do Guruyoga, with the visualisation of the tions. But in many of the teachings related to longsal which perience not only emptiness but emptiness and live sensa- white A in a thigle, you relax so that you are only in that I received through my dreams, there are very precise ex- tion. presence, and then you sing the Song of the Vajra, remain- planations. One day, when people have really matured, I This is how we explain in the Song of the Vajra and you ing in that sound. The sounds continue to change, one af- will teach them that longsal teaching. At the moment I feel should also learn how it governs all important functions. ter the other, until the end of the Song of the Vajra. Even a little afraid to teach this kind of teaching because a lot Particularly for Dzogchen practitioners, it is very impor- though we do not have knowledge of instant presence that of people will consider it very good for doing healing and tant for integration, not only integrating your physical is not so diffi cult to do. In that way knowledge of instant will want to use it as a kind of therapy instead of Dzogchen body in your practice but also your dimension. In the same presence can arise. teaching. Dzogchen teaching is not only doing therapy. way that there are different types of chakras in our body In the ‘Nyida Khajor’ tantra it says that if you have a First of all it is for discovering our real nature, having total there are also similar ones outside us. problem discovering your real nature, when, for example, realisation. In this case according to our circumstances, In India, Oddiyana, , China, etc., in ancient times the Master gives the introduction, you follow but fi nd it we can use different ways. they talked about 24 places and 32 different sacred places diffi cult, or you are not sure whether you have discovered When we sing the Song of the Vajra, there are ten syl- mostly because this knowledge was found in these places. it, then it says you shouldn’t insist on only doing that but lables at the end called wang chu or the 10 potentialities. In India there are many sacred places which mainly come you should relax in the Song of the Vajra and sing it. That There are also these points of potentiality on our body. For from the Chakrasamvara tantra. There is also this explana- way it will arise one day. We don’t know which day it will example, when we follow the method of the Dzogchen tion when you do the practice of . When we do be but we have many days in our life. What is important is longde teaching related to the longsal, we press on these longsal practice we learn about a lot of sacred places but going ahead in a correct way and one day we will have that points and can have different types of experiences. In gen- there are still a lot we do not know about. This is an exam- knowledge.  eral even though there are no explanations, we can under- ple of the relationship between our internal and external stand them because they are used and [knowledge of them chakras. When we are expert with our inner chakras, we can Transcribed by Liz Granger, is] widespread. easily discover the places of the outer chakras. If we dis- editing J. Winkler, L. Granger THE MIRROR · No. 93 · July, August 2008 News

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>> continued from last page If I light a candle or incense, but you start to feel there are also our capacity, potentiality and for example, I am doing an action. sounds, a depth of space. It could what is external. That’s why we The action I am doing is lighting be a dark place or a place full of do things like visualization and incense or a candle for the altar. light but somehow there is some we transform into something, for Every day you make a sort of offer- action in terms of light, some example. We understand there is ing and sometimes you notice a movement of light, of people, that a relation between our internal little bit beyond the simple action could be full or empty or could be and external self. We always say of lighting candles and incense, an echo. Slowly you notice that this our ‘self’ because whatever we as if you were in a big monastery simple candle or incense brings to perceive is in our mind so it’s cre- or church, some place that gives mind something broader in you. ated by us. When we go beyond you a deep, profound feeling of If we can keep our state of ob- this idea of form, it means we spirituality. Something like this. servation a little bit, like medita- also go beyond dualistic vision. If you do this action with a little tion, and not go directly into this We don’t have the idea anymore bit of presence like in a state of vision of the church or whatever about external and internal, there meditation, it may happen that you see, and we keep this state of is only one state and it’s basi- smelling this incense or looking observing the relation between cally made of our presence. Pres- at the candle, you have a feeling the candle, the incense and this ence means that the rest is only a about this big spiritual space. At vision, in this understanding we feeling that is observing reality, that moment, if you look well at have a kind of presence called in- observing manifestation and ob- what you perceive, what you feel, stant presence. serving our own manifestation. If you immediately notice that it is we make a simple example about not limited to only smelling in- Transcribed by Dasha Mikhailova and this, it’s easier to understand. cense or looking at the candle, Edited by Naomi Zeitz

leaving a job that was better than Developing our culture: her current one. A few words about the relationship the offi ce of the Dzogchen Community between Gar and Ling The Mirror: Can you tell us about in Grosseto, Italy the projects that the offi ce is Paolo Ferraro working on? Assistant to Yeshi Namkhai for the International Gakyil The Mirror spoke to Paolo Ferraro, Ye- that I have to my credit is that I Paolo: The fundamental thing shi Namkhai’s assistant, who runs the never lost sight of him! When is to spread the culture of the oth Gar and Ling are plac- turn, according to the vision of offi ce of the Dzogchen Community in he came back from Tibet Yeshi Community while maintaining es where practitioners the Mandala, means the survival the town of Grosseto, Italy, about how helped me a lot. I had been work- the uniqueness and authentic- Bmeet and practice Dhar- of the Community itself. the offi ce was created and his involve- ing for a year on the editorial staff ity that characterize it. Naturally ma. In the Mandala of the Com- The Ling has a fundamental ment in it. of a television channel but the Yeshi Namkhai carries out this munity they are tightly linked. role: as the basic element of the The Mirror: Paolo, how did the job literally revolted me (I don’t delicate task of interpretation The link of interdependence be- organizational structure it ex- idea to open an offi ce for the even know myself why I hated it at world level. I only try to fol- tween Gar and Ling must express presses the local dimension but, Community in Grosseto (a small so much). The fact was that I was low his guidelines by drawing up itself by means of mutual collab- at the same time, it takes part in town in Tuscany 50 km west of depressed and didn’t feel like project documents in the belief oration and support. The aims the global dimension in as much Merigar West) come about? doing anything. The television that it can be useful to let people and objects are the same, they as it is indissolubly linked to the Paolo: Grosseto is the place people asked me to come back know how precious our cultural only differ in the physical dimen- Gar. The Gar, in its turn, having where Yeshi Namkhai and his to work but, with my overall feel- patrimony is. I think that if the sion: in the Mandala, as well as in a higher heritage than the Ling, family have been living for sev- ing of inertia, I decided to leave Norwegian Nobel Committee samsaric vision, a Gar is nearer must transmit its knowledge eral years. After he came back for good. Yeshi pulled me out of has accepted the request to make the Master than a Ling. Several (stock of experiences) so as to from Tibet in August 2007, Yeshi my depression thanks to his ex- Chögyal Namkhai Norbu a can- Lings orbit around a Gar and ob- promote the local Community. decided to dedicate himself to- traordinary dynamism. He saw didate for the Nobel Peace Prize, viously the people taking part in a Both the Gakyil of the Gar and tally to the Community and to the me in that condition and told me it is also minimally due to the fact Ling do the same with a Gar. The the Gakyil of the Ling must ful- teaching. So he felt it was nec- straight away – why don’t you do that we have developed an accu- membership is the same, only ly collaborate. Although there is essary to fi nd a place where his this, why don’t you do that? This rate diffusion of our culture. The distance and dimension make a not any hierarchic tie, the Gaky- ideas about how to develop the was how he woke me up from my same thing could be said for the difference. il of the Gar carries out a more culture of the Community could inertia and I started to collabo- project regarding the Museum For a Gar and its survival it is delicate and articulate role (for take root and grow in the best rate with him by putting myself of and Culture that necessary to have the contribu- reasons of physical closeness to way possible. at his disposal. I realised that it was presented to the mayor of tion of a large number of practi- the Master and the bigness of the In December 2007 he saw would be very diffi cult but the Arcidosso in July and also, for tioners. In samsaric vision the di- Gar) than the Gakyil of the Ling an announcement for selling a way things have turned out I can example, the website for Merigar mension of a Gar means the ne- and we must not forget this in the small offi ce in a shopping centre say that there are some moments West which will be completely cessity of facing a big economic relationship of collaboration. and in January 208 he became the in life in which certain things renewed, making use of some effort to make sure of its survival. Beyond the complicated man- owner of it. Everything happened have to happen. wonderful quotations: those of The economic dimension of a agement structure, due to our quickly and spontaneously. In January 2008 when he got our precious Master. Ling, as big as it might be, can- dualistic vision, in the Mandala the offi ce, Yeshi said to me, why I repeat that the fundamental not be so heavy as it is for a Gar. of the Community, the Gars, the The Mirror: And how did you ar- don’t you come and live in Gros- aim of the offi ce is to keep alive For this reason, particularly with Lings and the practitioners are all rive in Grosseto? seto and work on a series of proj- the authenticity of our culture as the present fi nancial assets, all integrated in the golden symbol Paolo: Well, I have to start from ects? I accepted enthusiastically transmitted by Rinpoche. Yeshi the Lings must contribute to the of the Longsal, the authentic state way back… in 1979 when I was and, once I had found a house, Namkhai has devoted himself to maintenance of the Gar. If they of knowledge of Dzogchen. nine years old I had the great for- in May I came to Grosseto to live pursue this objective and it is up do not do so, even if they have tune to meet Yeshi Namkhai and and work. I also have to thank my to us all to follow his example. serious reasons, they risk the become his friend. The only thing wife who moved here with me survival of the Gar, which in its

>> Dra Thalgyur continued from page 1 tioned by illusion, the absence of of the reality of this view, and a many countries, and the web cast is always impressive. Good food senses and organs and objects of the concept of illusion or non-il- desire to make it part of my real included at least 800 audio and is available and plentiful both senses, many divisions and sub- lusion, the absence of dualistic understanding, since just hear- between 70 and 80 video connec- at the Golden House and at the divisions, all very useful to hear vision, and many other discus- ing it made the denseness of my tions. Meribar. There are books and about and try to understand, in sions of this nature were aspects own samsaric vision less oppres- DVDs of all the practices avail- order to really examine the ways of the material of the beginning sive. But as Rinpoche said, those Merigar is a place where the able at the Shang Shung booth, we are in conditioned and formed of this chapter. There were also who go to a teacher for teachings teachings feel as natural as the and an enormous selection of the by these factors. then discussions of how our real should apply what he teaches, wind in the trees, as refreshing wider world of Dharma books at nature is empty, and non-dual. and do practice, not just listen as the fall of soft rain on the dry the shop. Many lings from other The second chapter contains the And so on. and understand in an intellectual earth (however, it did not rain at countries also offer useful mate- ten subdivisions of the nature of way, like receiving medicine from this retreat), as vast as the blue rials to sell. In general it was a the real condition, beyond suffer- Although for me the various cat- a doctor and not taking it. sky above it. It is the perfect blissful and congenial gathering, ing and deals with questions such egories and subdivisions and place of assembly for the thou- with much benefi t both for those as “What are sentient beings, the structure itself of this teach- This very rich retreat stimulated sands who come here each year fortunate enough to participate what is their condition?” “How ing were beyond my intellectual discussion and brought great to hear teachings. The way in and for all sentient beings every- is our real condition beyond any capacity to assimilate and un- satisfaction to students every- which the Community here has where. kind of illusion?” The real state derstand in an ordered way, the where. It was attended in Merigar learned to offer all necessities of enlightened beings, uncondi- effect was to produce a sense by more than 500 students from to the students in a simple way THE MIRROR · No. 93 · July, August 2008 News

5 Finding the perfect Sky Mandala July retreat with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu at Merigar East

Liz Granger & Andrei Besedin

he new Gar at Merigar though we are in this tent, we en- East, Romania, hosted joy the situation as it is.” T its second annual retreat with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu On the opening day of the retreat in mid-July. It is situated in east Rinpoche was greeted by the Romania about 35 km from Merigar East Gakyil who wel- the ancient port of Constanta, comed him saying that, “We turn founded by the Greeks in the 6th to you as sunfl owers to the sun” century BC, conquered fi rst by the in order to receive his teaching. Romans and then much later by This is the distinctive fl ower that the Ottomans. Originally called the Master chose the year before Tomis, legend has it that Jason to be the symbol of the Gar be- landed here with the Argonauts cause it fi lls so many of the sur- after fi nding the Golden Fleece. rounding fi elds under the power- The area has a very long history ful July sun and, as the sun passes intermingling a wide variety of from east to west, so the sunfl ow- different cultures and beliefs and ers turn their faces to it. The new logo of Merigar East. All photos by Jacek Machowski is now home to the Dzogchen Teaching with its roots reaching For this retreat, the Master had ter commented that, “The aim of Amitayus and we did the prac- As usual Rinpoche rounded up back before written history. chosen to explain a commen- Dzogchen is to take you beyond tice together. He also explained the retreat with advice on how to The Gar is off the beaten track tary on ‘Khorde Rushen’ from limitations. This is what you can that this practice is a terma teach- integrate the practice into daily a few kilometers from the tiny the Root Tantra ‘Dra Thalgyur’ discover with this teaching. You ing discovered by Nyagla Padma life and gave the trilungs of many village of 23 August, walking dis- by Vimalamitra, an important can overcome your attachment to Dündul and described the cir- Dzogchen Community practices. tance from the Black Sea coast Dzogchen Master who lived at the body…” As the session closed cumstances in which he attained After the fi nal practice he warned and a little distant from the noisy the time of the rain gradually stopped leav- the . Rinpoche people about the dangers of tourist resorts that dot the coast. and who manifested the Great ing the air fresh and cool. explained how he had received certain Gyalpo practices and It is close to the beach and sur- Transference. The Master began the teaching directly from Ayu strongly advised those present rounded by broad stretches of the teaching session by giving a The turbulence of the elements Khandro, his lady master who not to get involved in them and fi elds of wheat and sunfl owers detailed history of the origin or continued the day after with was a student of Padma Dündul how to protect themselves. extending far into the distance nyengyü of the teaching and then the wind blowing strongly as and also from the son of Chang- and which, at the height of the went on to describe how he had the teaching tent creaked and chub Dorje. After the teaching In spite of the ‘nomadic’ situa- summer, are fi lled with yellow been able to fi nd two versions groaned like an ancient galleon session the Master and his wife tion, the lack of running water wheat stubble and a few rogue of the commentary, which was at sea and fl apped almost as if it Rosa visited the lunch tent and and electricity on the land and sunfl owers. practically unknown in Tibet and was going to fl y away in the force shared a simple meal with prac- the, at times, inclement weather, Just like last year the enormous very rare. Since the copies came of the wind. Rinpoche continued titioners. the organization of the retreat white Gompa tent was in a large from two different sources in bare fl at fi eld stretching as far as Tibet and were hand-written he the eye could see, under an enor- had found many mistakes and mous space of bright blue sky. differences between the two. Af- Strings of coloured prayer fl ags ter managing to put them on the fl apped in the breeze around the computer, Rinpoche said that he teaching tent, fl anked by a small- had been comparing and correct- er tent for eating and sitting and ing the two versions and in the another for registration. future hopes to be able to pres- The day before the retreat, ent the book in a form that can Rinpoche came to the Gar and be translated. The ‘Dra Thalgyur’ spoke to a group of his students explains many methods very who were gathered in the Gompa clearly which are the essence of tent. Dzogchen practice and by dis- “Look around, you see, there’s covering the nature of mind, one more sky than earth. It’s like a discovers the state of Dzogchen. big sky mandala. It is rare to fi nd It is a discovery not only an intel- such a perfect sky mandala.” lectual idea. Then he explained that before starting the retreat the next day, The second day of teaching we still had something to do. Rinpoche gave an extensive expla- “What can we do?” nation of Guruyoga before start- His students were silent for a ing to introduce Vimalamitra’s bit, and then someone suggest- commentary. “Our mind is like ed, “Guru yoga?” a monkey”, he said, because we “Who said Guru yoga? That’s always follow our thoughts and with the main teaching regard- On the 6th day Rinpoche gave was very smooth and relaxed correct! We always have to deal this is one of our heaviest prob- ing the rushen of Mind saying that detailed explanations of the thanks to a lot of dedicated hard with Guru yoga”, said Rinpoche. lems. The value of rushen practice when “…one has concrete expe- rushen practice found in other work on the part of a very enthu- “Let’s do a Guru yoga with the is to learn how to distinguish our rience, one discovers how one is Dzozgchen tantras. In particu- siastic gakyil, retreat organizers Song of the Vajra!” mind from our state of mind. limited”. After describing how lar the terma teaching received by and the students who came to And so we did. to apply this rushen, he explained Ratna Lingpa and the method of help prepare before the start of The weather elements manifest- that the practice is not complete Vimalamitra from the Nyingthig the retreat. As always, we partici- This year’s retreat welcomed ed dramatically the following day without nalwab or relaxing in Yazhi which differs a little. He pants were overjoyed to be able to about 250 participants from all during the morning session dur- our real nature immediately after also spoke about a famous mas- receive such profound teaching parts of Europe with the major- ing which the Master started to the practice, which is the main ter in east Tibet that his father from Chögyal Namkhai Norbu ity coming from Russia and the explain the main teaching. With point. received teachings from and re- and hope that in the future the Ukraine. There were also many a precision similar to that of the lated this to shine and lhagthong Master will be teaching at Meri- young practitioners from East- Master’s, at exactly 10 o’clock the The fi fth day was air and fi re – the in Dzogchen. “Integration is the gar East in a new Gompa. ern Europe – the Czech Republic, blustery grey skies opened up just strong breeze lifting the Vajra main point in Dzogchen,” said Slovakia, Poland, Hungary and at the moment Rinpoche started Dance in waves off the the Master, “but it is essential to so on. The mood was festive, the the main teaching and the rain fl oor of the tent while the sun discover our real nature fi rst.” ambient a little spartan yet per- poured down so strongly that bore down from a limpid sky. It In the Dzogchen Community, fect for receiving such important it was diffi cult to hear him even was also a full moon day and, the he said, we use the inner rushen Dzogchen teachings. As the Mas- through the loudspeakers. While Master explained, good for doing practice with the 6 Lokas which ter himself commented, “Even explaining the instructions on the practice to increase and purify so is linked to a terma teaching by rushen of Body and Mind the Mas- he gave the transmission of Guru Changchub Dorje. THE MIRROR · No. 93 · July, August 2008 News

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Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s First Retreat with the Dzogchen Community of Toronto Introduction to Dzogchen July 3rd–6th, 2008

Jacqueline Hanley

n the summer of 2006 a small beautiful clear, sunny morning group of Chögyal Namkhai before the retreat we went with I Norbu’s students gave rise Rinpoche, Rosa, Fabio, Naomi to another small group, driven by and most of the Tsegyalgar and energy and a desire to learn and Toronto community helpers on follow Rinpoche’s teachings. a boat tour of Toronto harbour, Soon we were joined by a few and around the Toronto islands others and in the Fall of 2006 we which are beautiful with great invited Jim Valby to teach Santi willows sweeping down to the Maha Sangha. This was a great margin of the lake. Something success, followed in short order about it, perhaps the city skyline by a workshop on reminded Rinpoche of Vladivo- with Michael Katz and a Yantra stok. He looked around at all the Yoga retreat with Oni McKinstry beauty, remarking that the trees in November 2007. Oni suggest- show us the peace of Nirvana and ed that the word in Tsegyalgar that when we came full circle back (actually from Naomi Zeitz) was to where we started, we could ex- that if we were to form a Gakyil perience the cycle of Samsara. He and invite Rinpoche – he might talked about his idea of creating a very well accept. fl oating Gar “The Precious Ship”, The group was thunderstruck. which would travel around the Photo: A. Wai We formed a tiny Gakyil of three world. We could go on retreat for at lightning speed and invited months at a time. herself and her teaching travels. tion with the normal happenings a Ling. This would be a place Rinpoche to come. He replied The venue for the retreat, Trin- Again people were delighted. A of everyday life. He wanted us to where people could listen to web- that, regretfully, he couldn’t ity St. Paul’s United Church, is a woman who hadn’t slept well for fully understand that there is no casts and practice. He gave the come. His schedule was too full. very venerable institution, home years said after Yantra she slept comparison between mere intel- Community some Jnanadakini With a mixture of disappoint- to the internationally respected soundly. People wondered when lectual understanding (to which pills to be distributed. These ment and relief we accepted this. Tafelmusik baroque orchestra they might have these teachings we give too much credence) and pills, we feel will be of enormous Lo and behold a few days later and to an enormous variety of again and how soon they could experiential knowledge, which benefi t for our minds, our prog- Rinpoche wrote again and said other groups refl ecting the di- come and practice together. can only be gained by sustained ress and our Samaya. he had re-jigged his schedule and versity of Canadian culture. Dur- he could come! We got into high ing the Ganapuja there was an gear again and by mid-December accompanying jump-up of salsa of 2007 we were buzzing around dance and music from the gym like blue-arse fl ies (as they say in next door. It was very peaceful the U.K.). We’ve been doing that during Rinpoche’s teachings ever since – until the aftermath of in the main Sanctuary of the the retreat died down in mid-July, Church. Behind Rinpoche on 2008. his right was a huge banner of a Not knowing what to expect, tiger and on his left a balancing we did P.R. as best we could with one of a toucan (both very apt). enormous help from the people The atmosphere in the sanctuary in Conway and our local person was warm, inviting and redolent who seems to know every inch of many years of devotion as well of Toronto and to be connected as a sweet trace of incense. There with the whole Toronto-wide were beautiful circular stained web of dharma practitioners. glass windows like mandalas We thought perhaps 20 people diffusing light with strong clear would show up – maybe 50 or colours. Rinpoche looked right 60. In the end over 200 came to at home in the setting. People the public talk and about 120 to were rapt as they listened and Chögyal Namkhai Norbu was practice. Although this is indeed The Gakyil and our team of the retreat. Many are long-time the strength and directness of happy with the retreat and the set- simple, it is by no means easy or dedicated helpers would like to practitioners of several teachers the teaching expanded each day. ting. He enjoyed being in Canada effortless! express our profound gratitude around Toronto About 15 peo- Many remarked that the fi nal ses- and joked about coming here if People who came to the retreat to Chogyal Namkhai Norbu for ple came from Quebec. Others sion on Sunday was very special he wanted to see some snow! were so thrilled that Rinpoche fi - coming to Canada and we will do came from western Canada and to them. They had gotten used Rinpoche was giving an in- nally came and over and over they whatever we can so we may see the U.S. We had many volunteers to Rinpoche’s language and the troduction to Dzogchen and he expressed deep gratitude and joy him here again in Toronto very and people on work-study who sometimes fuzzy acoustics in the talked about three main levels of over this. After the retreat there soon. seemed to be always there when nave. the Buddhist path – Sutra, Maha- are roughly 100 new members. We are very happy that Rin- you needed them. A crew of expe- Quite a number of Toronto’s yana and Tantra – or Vajrayana, Now, instead of practicing qui- poche and his teaching and prac- rienced retreat organizers came 5,000-strong Tibetan communi- stressing that strictly speaking, etly in someone’s house we are tice has been introduced to so from Tsegyalgar to help. The ty came for the teachings. although the Dzogchen teach- moving into larger spaces in or- many in Ontario and Quebec – coming together of the Canadian There were demonstrations in ings fi t comfortably with Bud- der to be able to observe auspi- some of whom said, “What took and American crews threw up a the gym of Yantra Yoga with Fa- dhist teachings, they are also cious days with practice with you [so long]”. seismic wave of energy and every- bio Andrico and of Vajra Dance non-religious and can therefore our new members. We are also Our great gratitude to all from thing got done with some minor by Anastasia McGhee, who had be followed by a person within planning for a 10-day Santi Maha Tsegyalgar East and Toronto who glitches here and there. kindly agreed to come and teach any religious tradition. He talk- Sangha retreat with Jim Valby in gave so generously of themselves Before the retreat we wanted the basics. ed about people with different early September, 2008, a week- to make our fi rst retreat (Intro- to be sure that he and Rosa Nam- One of our Mandala enthu- capacities, that of simply being end of Introductory Vajra Dance duction to Dzogchen) a great khai were comfortable in the siasts sewed – at her farm in able to hear the teachings, being teaching with Anastasia McGhee success! Grand Hotel and that Rinpoche Eastern Ontario – an astounding able to understand and especially in November and another Yantra himself would have time to rest portable Mandala out of nylon to be able to practice. He empha- Yoga program, most likely in Yulia Jitkova, Vitaly Gritsenko and relax before the teachings. sail material in the fi ve elemen- sized that practice does not mean February, 2009. and Jacqueline Hanley (Toronto We heard he had the beautiful tal colours. The Mandala took separating oneself from normal On the last day Rinpoche made Gakyil) and helpers Andy Wai, swimming pool almost to him- about 150 hours to make and re- life for a designated period, but our Gakyil an offering towards Ani Chodron. Marie Axler, Mar- self but that he met there a little quired half a mile of thread. We being able to work with circum- fi nding a stable place to practice gherita, Matthew Simpson, Mark girl from the place in Australia were all blown away, especially stances and in doing so to inte- and he gave us a lot of encourage- Sherman, Ron and Irene Fuchs, where Rinpoche has a Gar. One Anastasia who requested one for grate the practice of contempla- ment to move towards becoming Paul kc.Ong. THE MIRROR · No. 93 · July, August 2008 ASIA

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esides their work in Tibet, A.S.I.A. also promotes Bdistance adoption projects in India and Nepal to support the diaspora. Every month hundreds of Tibetans arrive here, mainly children, who have escaped in the hope of being able to build a future in keeping with their na- tive culture. Since 1959 when the 14th Tenzin Gyat- so escaped from Lhasa, a large number of institutions have been created in India, Nepal and Bhu- tan to safeguard : schools, institutes of traditional art, monasteries. The Tibetan Homes Foundation is one of 11 centres that A.S.I.A. supports in north India. The scholastic insti- tute has classes of all types and levels and supports and educates about 2,500 children. his school, his home and his life. “actively in the life of the house” But in fact once more I was At this particularly diffi cult Thanks to Roberta’s help at ASIA and, most importantly, shake able to observe directly that only Khamdogar Project moment for Tibet, distance sup- Onlus in Rome, I had already hands with Tenzin Chomphel, simplicity, goodness, willing- Update port for Tibetan children in exile contacted Kalsang Nyamgal, his best friend. After this we went ness and generosity can bring is essential in order to help the the secretary at the Mussoorie to visit a park near his home and about feelings and sensations of History new generations not to lose their school to let him know about climbed up to the highest peak wellbeing and peace, strength hamdogar is the ancient cultural identity and to receive an my visit and asking to be able to in Mussoorie in the midst of the and courage within ourselves. community of practi- education necessary for becom- visit the school where the Karma most boundless landscape at the Perhaps we should really hurry K tioners founded by Rig- ing part of modern society. Rapten is studying. The meeting foot of Everest. I had never been before it is too late and not over- dzin Changchub Dorje, the mas- We would like to share with took place in his offi ce where I up so high before nor felt the look a thought among the many ter of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu you the account of an Italian sup- received information about the thrill of such a steep ravine be- that arose from this experience Rinpoche, in the early 1900s. porter who, during a trip to In- organisation, the type of prepa- low my feet, wrapped in the mist, that every time you do something Rigdzin Changcub Dorje, a dia, met the student he has been ration that students receive, the soaked by the rain, but the pres- good for someone, you will fi nd Dzogchen master and a famous supporting since 2004. activities they do, a copy of the ence of Karma and his best friend joy and peace of mind within Terton (discoverer of treasures) results of Karma’s last exams and made me feel something I had yourself. lived in this place with his family the timetables for the holiday that never felt before that was diffi cult Mario Ciravegna working as a doctor and trans- Karma, Tenzin, start next December and fi nish in to describe. We wrote our names Pollenzo, July 25, 2008 mitted his Teachings in a com- Tseten – to meet March. Well done, Karma. Top of with a piece of brick on the wall pletely informal manner without the class!!! of a tumbledown building and For information on distance creating monasteries or religious and not to forget Then I was handed over to Karma wrote in different styles support projects: structures. Over the years monks Tsering Youdon who opened the of Tibetan writing (there are at [email protected] and lay people came together Tashi Delek, door for the meeting with Kar- least 6 styles in their culture). 0039 06 44 34 00 34 around him in order to receive I have wanted to visit Tibet in In- ma. It was a really special - I hope that writing stays there his Teachings and practice, cre- dia for a long time. In July I de- ment. At fi rst, both of us were a long time as a memory of an ating a lay community to which cided that the time had arrived very timid but then slowly our unparalleled moment. Then we each person contributed his or for a trip to discover a different relationship started to open up said goodbye to the family, to his her work. world, a world that would be new in a spontaneous, relaxed simple housemates, took another photo Near Khamdogar, in an area for me and which I had been par- way and as time passed, our con- in the area where his studies and called Dedrol, there is a cave in ticularly linked to for some time. versation focussed on more and the view of the jungle and moun- which Atha Lhamo, the daughter But besides the touristic and cul- more questions, requests, infor- tains that surrounds the Home. A of Master Changchub Dorje, lived tural aspects, underneath there mation about our lives, our expe- last photo together with Karma and practiced. After a long period were more important things that riences, our future. Eight years and hope to see you soon, very of inactivity due to the Cultural led me to undertake this path: I ago, Karma had left his family soon, I hope. Revolution, the nuns have man- am a distance sponsor to Karma who still live in Tibet. Today he From each of my trips I have aged to build a small monastery Rapten, a 17 year old boy who is a healthy robust young man, come back richer: each trip is an and take up their spiritual activi- lives at the Tibetan Homes Foun- cheerful and interested in all as- exchange, a discovery and growth ties again. At the moment there dation in Mussoorie and this was pects of life. He has not met his even if the aim is not clear until I are 66 nuns who live in retreat the opportunity to meet him and little sister who was born a short get home. But coming back from for long periods without contact get to know him fi rst hand. The time ago but he manages to com- Mussoorie, from Karma and all with the outer world. trip duly started with a visit to municate with his parents and he the people I had met was a rich- At present, because of the dif- McLeod Ganj near Dharamsala has an uncle who has been living er experience than I could have fi cult situation in Tibet, the en- in Himachal Pradesh, which is a in Dharamsala for some time and imagined. As a “comfortable” tire complex of Khamdogar is in small town at 1700 m where the who gives him advice. It was this Westerner I had suffered to see ruins and the local people live in Dalia Lama and the Tibetan gov- uncle who pointed out to him the and experience those situations conditions of extreme poverty. ernment in exile reside. possibility of reaching the THF that can be defi ned as incredible There is the very real chance that Then from Dharamsala I had where he would have an opportu- in our society or for people like if adequate support is not pro- an interesting trip through Indian nity, a future different from what us who live our luxurious lives in vided, we will lose this irreplace- towns and villages to reach Mus- he would have had if he had re- the pursuit of globalisation and able spiritual heritage of our soorie in the state of Uttaranchal. mained in Tibet. where, to be frank, we lack abso- Dzogchen Community. A thick fog perpetually covers the Together we visited the school, lutely nothing. No human being Concerned about this situa- valley and town of Dehra Dun and the music room where he plays should endure the impossibility tion, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu you have the feeling that you are his favourite instrument, on to of having their cultural identity Rinpoche asked Tsegyalgar East walking in clouds. But in spite of the temple and then walked up recognised, of not being able to and ASIA to help this community the adverse weather conditions to the highest point where the travel outside set borders, of not in order to preserve the Teach- and the necessity to climb up to prayer fl ags were. The following being able to go back home or to ings transmitted by his Master 2200 m., I was strongly aware day I was able to visit Home no.4 see their family. and provide aid to the practitio- that I was getting closer to the where Karma lives with another ners there. long awaited moment and goal of 20 girls and boys, meet his “par- >> continued on next page my trip: meeting Karma Rapten, ents”, see how they all participate THE MIRROR · No. 93 · July, August 2008 ASIA

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>> continued from last page The objective is to raise these PayPal can make payments To make a donation by cred- Thank you very much for your ASIA America, in collaboration funds as soon as possible. easily and securely at www. it card please contact Asruh at kind collaboration. Together, we with Tsegyalgar East, had a suc- khamdogar.com [email protected] can ensure that our Dzogchen cessful fundraising drive during Long Distance Support for the These are made of clear quartz To donate by check/money or- heritage at Khamdogar is not 2006 and 2007 in which many Nuns crystal, formed into a sphere. der mail to: ASIA, P. O. Box 124, lost! Dzogchen Community members ASIA has started a program of Then a 3D model of the Longsal Conway, MA 01341-0124. Sincerely, participated. Thank you to all the Sponsorship at a Distance for symbol is laser engraved inside For US, Canada, Mexico wire The ASIA America board many people who have already do- the 66 nuns who live in retreat of the crystal sphere. Each sphere transfer/direct deposit: Include members and staff: Barbara, nated to this project! It is through at Dedrol Gonpa. The Sponsor- is 80 mm in diameter. They come “Khamdogar Project” memo, Jim, Nathan, Damien, Laurence, your practice of Generosity that ship at a Distance Project, ASIA with a seven color AC unit light Bank of Western Massachusetts, Miranda and Andrea ASIA has been able to deliver aid currently sponsors over 1,000 base. 134 Elm Street, Deerfi eld, MA to Khamdogar. These funds were individuals, and is one of ASIA’s 01373, Account #1236141502, Association for International used to initiate the restoration of most successful projects, bring- ABA Routing #011802488. Solidarity in ASIA, Inc. the old temple, where the Chor- ing concrete aid directly to indi- For international wire trans- ASIA, Post Offi ce Box 124, ten of Rigdzin Changchub Dorje viduals and creating great benefi t fer: Include “Khamdogar Proj- Conway, MA 01341-0124 USA is kept, and which desperately for them and, often, for others ect” memo, Via S. Martino della Tel: 413.369.4153, Fax: 413.369.4473 needed attention. around them as well. Battaglia, 31, 00185 ROMA, Con- [email protected] It is yet another year and The objective is to contribute to Corrente n. 5622.72 Monte dei www.asia-onlus.org our efforts continue to sustain to maintaining all 66 nuns by Paschi di Siena S. p. a. Filiale di Khamdogar. Several people have 2008. This objective has not yet Arcidosso (GR) ABI 01030 CAB Longsal spheres for Khamdogar become new sponsors and there been reached. 72160. website: www.khamdogar.com are two new fundraising projects Our Vajra sisters in Khamdo- for the building and restoration gar do not have enough food and Become a Sponsor ASIA America is a non-profi t or- projects! water. We are in need of 25 new To provide support to a per- ganization with 501c3 status, sponsors by the end of 2008. son doing spiritual retreat is of registered in the Commonwealth The chortens, temple with relics The Tsegyalgar Gakyil donated great and benefi t. With of Massachusetts. All donations of Changchub Dorje and print- $ 7,500, the funding to cover Kunye for Khamdogar $ 300 USD per year you can pro- are tax deductible in accordance ing house where his Teachings these 25 individuals through the Would you like to receive a re- vide the basic needs for a practi- with the law. are preserved on traditional end of 2008 because the situation laxing, healing Kunye massage tioner at Khamdogar. That’s only wood blocks, are all in danger is so desperate. treatment in exchange for mak- $ 25 USD per month! Payments of collapsing. Please consider We need 23 new sponsors (2 ing a donation to the Khamdogar can by made in full by credit participating in one of our new people became new sponsors after Project? Who wouldn’t! Please card to secretary@tsegyalgar. fundraising projects! the Ganapuja on the Anniversary contact Marie Lascombes, at org, or monthly/bi-monthly/bi- of Guru Rinpoche at Tsegyal gar [email protected] for all the annually/in full, etc. by check/ Projects – thank you!) and there are an- details or to schedule a treatment money order/direct deposit/ 1) Building a small study and other 19 individuals sponsored by at your next retreat. All proceeds wire transfer. Please contact us practice college. Estimated a single donor through 2010 – we to benefi t Khamdogar. Enjoy! at [email protected] or cost $ 66,121 USD. 45,000 Eu- will need 19 additional people to [email protected] if you ros start sponsorships by 2011. Please Make a Tax Deductible Donation have any questions. We will glad- 2) Construction of an aqueduct. consider starting a sponsorship You can contribute with a tax-de- ly email you the sponsor applica- Estimated cost $ 51,427 USD. at this time! The cost is just $25/ ductible donation of any amount, tion and regulations. 35,000 Euros month or $ 300/year. to be part of the collaborative ef- 3) Restoration of the old temple fort to save Khamdogar. Please Good news! Help spread the word where the Chorten of Rigdzin What you can do consider joining us by making a about Khamdogar! Changchub Dorje is preserved. Participate in the Khamdogar donation according to your cir- We are sending a 15 minute Estimated cost 58,774 USD. Fundraising Projects! cumstances. Khamdogar DVD, with foot- 40,000 Euros Longsal Crystal Spheres age of Rinpoche when he visited 4) Restoration of the printing Available now, only through the Khamdo gar, to each Gar, and house and the Chortens built Khamdogar fundraising project, to each Gakyil/practice group by Rigdzin Changchub Dorje. you can purchase a beautiful throughout North America. We Estimated cost $ 51,427 USD. Longsal crystal sphere! Just make encourage you to share this in- 35,000 Euros a donation of $ 200 or more on spiring fi lm with anyone you The total cost of these projects is our Khamdogar webpage. think might be interested in help- $ 227,749 USD. 155,000 Euros ing with these projects.

The Shang Shung Institute wants to inform you about new publications: New First Level Santi Maha Sangha Texts available! Chögyal Namkhai Norbu: Chang Chog from Shitro The new edition of The Ati Treasury of Contempla- Teachings of Namchö Mingyur Dorje (DVD) tion – The First Level of Santi Maha Sangha and In our modern western world, when our father, mother, the Santi Maha Sangha First Level Preliminary friends or relatives die, we remain helpless and disheart- Practices are now available. ened witnesses of the transient nature of life without the possibility to help those who have departed and are These books are restricted to those who have re- moving on to another life. ceived transmission of their contents from Chög- Here, going beyond the delusion that our existence yal Namkhai Norbu during Santi Maha Sangha will end after death or will last eternally in some other First Level Training. world, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu presents, for the fi rst time in the Western world, a ritual whose aim is to pu- To order these books, please write to: rify the negative karma and obstacles of the deceased, [email protected], specifying your giving them a chance of accessing a higher knowledge. name and where and when you participated in This ritual embodies a new and authentic approach to death which allows us to SMS First Level Training. Then you will receive help the deceased thanks to the special relation we had with them in our life, while information on how to purchase the books. providing us with the strength to overcome the suffering of our loss. Connected to the Shitro Teachings of Namchö Mingyur Dorje, this short form of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu the Chang Chog ritual can be performed by all those who have received the trans- The Ati Treasury of Contemplation – The First mission and wish to help their dear ones who have passed away. It is equally valid Level of Santi Maha Sangha and benefi cial for those who died recently and those who departed years ago. Euro 20.00 The DVD contains the explanation of the meaning of the different phases of the Santi Maha Sangha First Level Preliminary ritual along with the practice and related preparations, based on a retreat held by Practices Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in November 2007 in Merigar, Italy. Euro 5.00 In order to be able to receive this DVD one must have received the transmission from the Master. Shang Shung Institute, 2008 Euro 22.00 www.shangshunginstitute.org THE MIRROR · No. 93 · July, August 2008 SeitenüberschriftShang Shung Institute

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The History and Importance Further highlights in 2007 were: of the International • Shang Shung Editions became a part of the Institute Shang Shung Institute • the Shang Shung Institute of A personal report America offi cially received its Li- cense from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Oliver Leick Education

t was the year 1982 when my best to work for the mainte- During numerous retreats this Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in- nance of Tibetan culture. year, we also presented the work Ivited various experts of Tibet- and activities of the Institute to an Medicine, particularly from Two years after this, in the large audiences, and the draw- Asia, to the First International year 1989, Chögyal Namkhai ing of our fundraising raffl e was Conference on Tibetan Medicine Norbu founded two separate as- even webcast. On several occa- in Venice, Italy. This event was sociations which began to help to sions, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu the fi rst meeting and conference protect Tibetan people and their emphasized the importance of on Tibetan Medicine ever held in culture; A.S.I.A. and the Shang the Shang Shung Institute, and the West. At this time, very few Shung Institute. While A.S.I.A. thanked everyone who partici- people knew the value of Tibetan was to work mainly in Asia to try pated in the preservation of Ti- Medicine, and the complex topics to better the living conditions of betan culture. He also stressed of the immense treasure of Tibet- the Tibetan people by construct- the importance of collaborating an culture were almost complete- ing hospitals, schools, and hous- with the Institute as much as pos- ly unknown to Westerners. es, the task of the Shang Shung Photo: T. Dolkar sible. Institute was to preserve all as- This conference was the initial pects of Tibetan culture in the ter Translation Project, with two In three years – from 2004 until We hope 2008 will be a year with starting point for Shang Shung West. aims: 2006 – a huge internal change many highlights, as well. Here Institute, though it was not in the structure of the Dzogchen are only some of the projects we founded until seven years later. 1989 was also the year in which • to enable students of the Tibet- Community and the Shang are working on: During this seven years, the con- H.H. the XIV Dalai Lama was an language to have several years Shung Institute took place. Yeshi ditions of the Tibetan people given the Nobel Peace Prize. of focused training under a quali- Namkhai and Luigi Ottaviani • “Books of Wisdom for the Pub- continued to worsen, and there This award was a milestone for fi ed instructor, to develop their put enormous effort into the re- lic” Our aim is to publish books was almost no protection for Ti- Tibetan people and Tibetan cul- skills as translators of Tibetan organization of the international by Rinpoche and other masters betan culture, yet many did not ture, because from that time on into English, and Dzogchen Community and the connected to Rinpoche in the realize this. Chögyal Namkhai the topic “Tibet” was known to • to make excellent and accurate Shang Shung Institute, as the old widest possible way, making Norbu was moved very deeply by many people all over the world translations of ancient Dzogchen structures which had been used these books available in book- this situation and several times and there was great interest in Tantras by offering the most qual- for many years no longer corre- shops. mentioned a prophecy by Guru the treasure of this culture. ifi ed translators of the Dzogchen sponded to the requirements of • A new local branch of the Shang Padmasambhava. In this proph- Community a kind of social secu- the new millennium. Things that Shung Institute is to be estab- ecy, it is said: In 1990, H.H. the Dalai Lama rity, so they would have a situa- were unthinkable some years lished in the UK. accepted an invitation from tion in which they could dedicate ago suddenly were a part of our • Courses and seminars on Tibet- “The moment Tibetan people Chögyal Namkhai Norbu to visit themselves to their translation life; webcasts of the Teachings of an Medicine will continue, and start to fl y like ants, that will be Merigar, the European seat of the work. Chögyal Namkhai Norbu; buy- be expanded, in America. the end of the Tibetan culture.” international Dzogchen Commu- ing books, DVDs, or CDs online • Production and distribution of nity in Italy, and offi cially inaugu- Also during this time, thanks to from anywhere in the world. new Tibetan herbal medicines In 1987, Chögyal Namkhai rated the Shang Shung Institute. the untiring efforts of Dr. Phun- That would not have been possi- based on authentic recipes will Norbu explained this prophecy Following this, several activities tsog Wangmo from the Shang ble without the internet, around begin. to me in a private moment in Los took place in Italy. An interna- Shung Institute in America, the which much of the reorganiza- • Ka-ter Translation Project: the Angeles: tional congress on Tibetan lan- value of Tibetan Medicine was tion of the Dzogchen Communi- next training for translators will “You see, Oliver, now is the time guage with many famous Tibet- becoming more widely known ty and the Shang Shung Institute be held in Merigar this summer when many Tibetans and Tibet- ologists from all over the world and respected. Public talks, sem- is based. and we are hoping to publish a an are fl ying from Asia to was organized, some young inars and courses were offered translation of a Dzogchen Tan- the west in order to give Teach- Tibetans were invited to stay in and many people became inter- 18 years have now passed since tra. ings and to spread the Dharma. Italy and received a scholarship ested in this unique tradition. the foundation of the Shang • A new accounting and admin- But how do they come to the to help in the archive and the li- Shung Institute, and 2007 was istration system for members of west? They fl y with airplanes. brary, photo-exhibitions about And in Italy, several people were the year of our largest growth. the Dzogchen Community and This corresponds very much to Tibet were shown in several Ital- working on the archive of the Our various organizations now the Shang Shung Institute will be the prophecy of Guru Padmasam- ian cities, and so on. Shang Shung Institute. All the present themselves as one, in the completed. bhava. In the life of ants there is teachings and talks by Rinpoche, form of the international Shang a certain moment in which some In 1994, the Shang Shung Insti- as well as by other masters who Shung Institute and its activities. You all know that the work of the of them start to fl y – this is just a tute of America was founded, have taught at Merigar over the Shang Shung Institute is fi nanced sign that they will die very soon and the Shang Shung Institute of last 30 years, were digitalized Some of our accomplishments by private donations and grants, afterwards. So now we Tibetans Austria followed in 2000. Even and stored. Even if one does not this year include: and by the income of the mem- are very similar to the ants – we though many activities and ini- understand fully the immensity bership fees. In order to continue started to fl y from one place to tiatives were taking place – trans- of this undertaking, it is of great • launching the fi rst website of our work, we need your support another and we must remember lations of Tibetan texts into Eng- importance. If we did not pre- the International Shang Shung and your collaboration. the prophecy of Guru Padmasam- lish, seminars and possibilities serve these unique recordings Institute showing all the main bhava. If we do not start to work for studies in Tibetan Medicine, in a satisfactory way, they would initiatives and projects of the In- The best way to demonstrate your immediately for the preservation seminars on Tibetan massage – have been lost in a very short time stitute in Italy, America and Aus- interest in our work for the pres- of Tibetan culture, if we don’t try the existence of the Shang Shung due to the natural aging of the re- tria; ervation of Tibetan culture is to to do our best in that regard – the Institute was relatively unknown. cording materials. Thousands of • introducing just one set mem- become a member of the Insti- end of Tibetan culture will come Many thought that the Shang working hours were necessary bership valid for all seats of the tute or to participate in one of our very soon. It might be that in a Shung Institute was merely for this task, and it is ongoing, Institute; fundraising activities. few years all the knowledge and Shang Shung Editions, only pro- and will continue in the future. • carrying out the fi rst (on-line) wisdom of Tibetan people and ducing books. raffl e of the Institute, the rev- Thank you so much for the warm their culture will be completely People of the Institute have also enues of which will be used for hearted and kind feed-back I lost and we won’t be able to have 2002 was the next milestone in produced all the extremely help- projects of the international In- have received in these last weeks. any access to that treasure which the history of the Shang Shung ful practice supports we have, stitute; Thank you also for all your gener- could be of such immense value Institute. The Shang Shung Insti- in the form of DVDs, CDs, and • publishing the fi rst issue of osity and loving kindness. I hope for all human beings. If we don’t tute of Austria was offi cially in- MP3s. Another example of this Phonya, the international news- that we can collaborate in a har- act now, it might be too late.” augurated by Chögyal Namkhai excellent work is the Video Jour- paper of the Institute, in English; monious way again in 2008. Norbu and we received a kind nal. I am always looking forward • publishing the “Foundations of I was so touched by Rinpoche‘s donation that made it possible to to seeing the next issue, as it is the Shang Shung Institute” which is Very best wishes and Tashi Delegs, words that I sat next to him with- start new projects. The following wonderful and relaxing to see valid for all seats of the Institute. Yours, out being able to say anything. year, in 2003, we started the Ka- and hear Rinpoche, and the sto- Oliver Leick It was most likely exactly at that ries of Community life all over moment that I made my inner de- the world, while sitting comfort- Reprinted with permission from the Merigar cision to try to be active and do ably at home in my arm-chair. Letter Number 7 Year 2 April 2008 THE MIRROR · No. 93 · July, August 2008 SeitenüberschriftShang Shung Institute

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Shang Shung Institute Aging in Good Health International Institute for Tibetan Friday, October 3rd, 7–9 pm New! Free Studies Every human wants to live a long Consultations in and healthy life, but there are Tibetan Medicine many factors that affect this pos- the Student Clinic Monthly Talks sibility. In Tibetan Medicine the two main ways of staying healthy The Shang Shung Institute’s with Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo through old age are ones diet and fi rst class of four-year students, lifestyle. In this talk, Dr. Phunt- the class of 2009, is now in their sog Wangmo will discuss this last year of study. They will now First Friday of every month from understanding and give key tips be accompanying Dr. Phuntsog 7–9 pm in Northampton, MA at on how to maintain good health Wangmo in a clinical setting. If the Shang Shung Tibetan Heal- in the aging process. you are interested in a consulta- ing tion and would like to participate Pediatrics in Tibetan Medicine in the student’s learning process Seasonal Diets Friday, November 7th, 7–9 pm you can now come to the Shang Friday, September 5th, 7–9 pm Tibetan Medicine has many Shung Tibetan Healing Center Doctors and class participants at the Tibetan Medical classes Photo: M. Kacurova In Tibetan Medicine it is not con- unique and practical methods of for a free consultation, normally at Dondrubling, Berkeley. sidered that there is one diet that caring for infants and children. $ 75. The consultation will be is good for everybody. In order This talk will provide a basic lead and guided by Dr. Phunt- courses were successful and to know what diet will benefi t a background of this topic and sog Wangmo. Students will par- Summer 2008 well attended. Concurrently, Dr person, the Tibetan physician offer everybody some helpful ticipate in order to deepen their at the Shang Phuntsog Wangmo, Dr. Yang- will take into consideration the knowledge to support the health practical knowledge. Dr. Phunt- dron Kalsang and the dedicated persons age, constitution, liv- of children. sog Wangmo will give herbal Shung Institute of staff and students of SSI Amer- ing environment, lifestyle and recommendations. The cost of America ica organized the fi rst basic lev- other specifi c conditions of the Recommended donation of $ 15 herbs is $ 50 for a one-month el course of the Tibetan Kunye individual. One key factor for un- per talk. Limited space available. supply and is not included in the Therapy Certifi cation course at derstanding an appropriate diet Please RSVP for each talk by free offer. Call the clinic to set Summer at Shang Shung Institute Dondrubling, in Berkeley, Cali- is the infl uence of the seasons. emailing [email protected] up your appointment. There are USA has been busy and success- fornia. The current level ends in Based on the particular elements or by calling (413) 585-10 81. openings on Mondays between ful. During the months of June, September, and will be followed of each season different foods Address: Shang Shung Tibetan 2 pm–5 pm and on Wednesday July and August, the Institute of- by an advanced level in January. should be eaten to maintain good Healing Center, Central Cham- from 4:30 pm–7:30 pm. fered courses in moxibustion, Last but not least, SSI America health. bers Building, 16 Center St. Suite To make an appointment mental illness, kunye massage also welcomes the new class en- 323, Northampton, MA 01060. call (413) 585-10 81 or email and wound healing taught by tering the four-year program this [email protected] Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo, Dr. Kun- fall. We look forward to an in- Ask about our free introductory Shang Shung Tibetan Healing chog Gyaltsen, and Dr. Yang Ga, tense, productive and fulfi lling massage offer! Center, 16 Center St. Suite 323, in Conway, Massachusetts. The semester. Northampton, MA 01060 THE MIRROR · No. 93 · July, August 2008

11 West Merigar West Merigar Arcidosso 58031 phone: 39 0564 966837 merigaroffi [email protected] GR Italy fax: 39 0564 968110 www.dzogchen.it

October October 17–19 November December October 4–8 Yantra Yoga Course with November 4–10 December 6–8 Calendar Explanation and practice of the 1st SMS Explanation & Practice of Tsandul Vajra Dance Course, 2nd part Long life practice retreat level with Jim Valby Tiziana Gottardi Margit Martinu supervised Starts the 6th at 5 pm of Events 150 € – discounts for members Participants should have already by Adriana Dal Borgo Finishes the 8th at 1 pm 4th–5th: 9.00–12.00 & 16.00–19.00 attended a Yantra Yoga beginners course 280 € discounts for members 6th–8th: to be decided Starts on October 17th at 5 pm Starts 4th at 5 pm December 15–19 2008 60 € with discounts for members Finishes 10th at 1 pm Yeshi Silvano Namkhai October 6–9 Dzogchen Teaching Retreat 3rd Level SMS Exam October 19–26 November 14–20 (title and time to be announced) September Vajra Dance Teachers’ Training Closed Webcast Audio & Video Sep. 26–Oct. 3 October 10–17 Reserved for authorized instructors only Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Dec. 26–Jan. 1 ’09 Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Prima Mai, Adriana Dal Borgo Dzogchen Teaching Retreat Closed Webcast Audio & Video: Dzogchen Teaching Retreat Training of the 4th SMS level 320 € no discounts “Terma teaching Kunsang Jaku by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Training with the sound of the 400 € no discounts Starts the 19th at 5 pm the great terton Duddul Dorje” Dzogchen Teaching Retreat elements from the Dzogchen Finishes the 26th at 1 pm Barcelona, Spain “Dzogchen Tregchö Teaching of Upadesha root tantra “Dra Thalgyur” Jigmed Lingpa from the Instruction Cost: 400 € discounts for members Oct. 31–Nov. 4 Yeshe Lama” Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Tashigar Sud – Argentina Teaching and Practice dedicated to the Dead For Vajra Dance and Yantra Yoga Cost: 250 € – discounts for members Teachers’ Training courses, please ask the Merigar offi ce for a special application form.

upcoming upcoming New Gakyil Yantra Yoga Course with Explanation Mandarava Practice weekend in Venice Blue: and Practice of Tsandul With Nina Robinson Franca Fubini, Giada Manca – Director Led by Tiziana Gottardi Friday October 10–Monday October 13 Lella Guidotti October 17–19, 2008 The retreat starts on Friday afternoon Red: Who can attend? Those who have and fi nishes Monday morning. Gabriele Marazzi, Claudio Donadio, already attended a beginners course of Oct. 11(Saturday) and Oct. 12 (Sunday) Patrice Bricaire Yantra Yoga. practice and explanation will be both in The course starts on Friday 17 October the morning and in the afternoon. We Yellow: at 5.00 pm will learn the new melody and do the Luna Lattarulo – Vice-Director, The cost is 60 Euros with discounts for practice. Rosanna De Bastiani, Anna Pucci members. The place: chez Marco Baseggio, Fonda- Geköes: Important! Please register before the menta de l’Abazia, n. 3556, Cannaregio, Franco Cocco with his partner course starts, by email or phone. It will Venezia. Claudia Paltera also be possible to register on the fi rst day of the course with the secretary of Information: Marco Baseggio, Merigar. tel.+39-0410-99 40 79 or 34 83 43 20 69 [email protected] Phone: +39-0564-96 68 37 merigaroffi [email protected]

New Generation at Work At the past summer retreat at Merigar West, some Austrian and German young women helped to sell and clear away some of the old stock from the Merigar store rooms. All the money made was given as an offering to Merigar West. The lower prices made it easier for people to buy items and some people even donated items to sell! The young business women did a great job and had a lot of fun. In the end they made about 600 Euros! *

Yantra Yoga, the 5th group and pranayama with Laura Evangelisti and Fabio Andrico at Merigar West in August. Photo: M. Piazza

Passages Born: Congratulations! Mattia Tsewang was born to Tsering Choden and David Surrichio in Foligno Italy on April 18, 2008 at 4:45 am.

* Passages Born: Anna Prisco and Filippo Resasco are happy to announce the birth of their son Michele who was born on Thursday 7 August at 5 am on an auspicious day.

THE MIRROR · No. 93 · July, August 2008 Dejamling

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This summer, 2008, we celebrated Impressions from the 10th anniversary of Dejamling! Dejam Ling and Jean-Francois Ayme Romania from three Santi Maha ejam Ling, The Place of course in breath training with Fa- Infi nite Bliss, was cre- bio Andrico, and a Dance of the Sangha French Dated in 1998 by Chögyal course with Stoffe- applicants Namkhai Norbu, as the center lina Verdonk. for the Dzogchen community in About Jim and the SMS Exam! France. It rests in the Cevennes, We celebrated, basking in the a mountainous area in the South warmth of our Master’s Precious e had an unforgettable of France, about a one-hour drive Teachings, Transmission, be- one-week teaching in from Montpellier. Surrounded by neath the French sunshine and WDejam Ling prior to beautiful wild French nature, the the stars, with our Vajra broth- the SMS Base Exam. First, we met land has an ancient house, and ers and sisters from around the Jim which means big embracing. now a big room for the Gonpa world, and of course enjoying For those who do not know how and Vajra Dance mandala. typical French meals! develop a personal retreat cabin who came to help with these it works, you start to disappear with DC members from Russia, preparations, without whom it in his arms, then you can hear a To celebrate, we had the plea- To prepare for these retreats, a England, Poland, Slovakia, Mol- wouldn’t have been possible. voice saying that you do not have sure to have a Santi Maha Sangha program of karma yoga was or- davia and Peru. to worry about the exam. You Base level retreat with Jim Valby, ganized particularly with the in- It was an anniversary of practice, think that these words are some followed by an advanced Vajra tention to repair the mandala, We would like to thank warmly and a time of bliss, insight and kind of welcome but actually, Jim Dance course with Prima Mai, a prepare the house and to further our Vajra brothers and sisters enjoyment! really means it. First lesson: gen- erosity and compassion ! Many questions arouse during the sessions, leaving space for Breathing course direct teaching from Jim, always with Fabio Andrico pure and limpid. Jim is very fond of illustrations when teaching. at Dejamling Sometimes, when completely in- France volved in explanations, he sud- denly makes fun with daily situ- August 4–8 August 2008 ations making us laugh our head off. Jim knows that Dharma is Lorraine Gaultier diffi cult and that skilful means are necessary to help us liberate e were 15 practitioners all the fantasies that our mind from France and one constantly builds. Wfrom Germany who Jim knows that the SMS Exam were fortunate to participate in is very demanding, that it is a this interesting course which great commitment for each ap- took place at Dejamling, a charm- plicant who prepares it carefully ing place in the south of France and, even though examiners show “auspicious for meditation and great compassion, no one can feel retreats” according to Fabio. certain about the fi nal decision. He was very patient and adapt- But whatever the result, one ed his course to the young and can say that SMS is the most pro- not so young, fl exible and less digious experience one should fl exible. By means of simple yet not use habitually and that are During the lunches (prepared humor and joy about his trips all live. And, as far as we are con- profound exercises he taught closed. Through these experi- each time by different people around the world. cerned, it did not only give us the us to feel the breathing in our ences we became more aware of who helped us to discover new A practitioner offered us a rit- opportunity to meet Jim, Igor, body especially in places we do trying to make them breathe. tastes) Fabio told us stories with ual tea ceremony under the stars. Fabio and so many other nice Thank you very much to Fabio people, but also to receive such who gave his precious time while a golden nugget from our Mas- he is so busy taking good care of ter Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. We Rinpoche and of the web cast. started a long journey to Enlight- He spent his free time between enment under the most precious 2 retreats giving this precious guidance: a great Master and a course. fabulous teachings. Now, we bet- He gave us a series of simple ter not hide the nugget under the exercises that last a few minutes pillow! in order to help us to continue on We extend our profound gratitude a daily basis. to our Master Chögyal Namkhai We very much hope to be able Norbu and to all the people who to invite him next year. helped us in so many ways.

Thank you Nicole Morineau & Elisabeth Dong

House For Sale near Merigar West place where we live with other The other important point was Case Brezza Vajra Dance Course practitioners so we get to know to ‘recognize’ one another on the between Pescina held by Prima Mai each other quite closely and can Mandala and acknowledge each and Seggiano get the feeling of Sangha beyond other’s presence by opening the Giada Villa Hermosa friendship. Dancing on the Man- attention usually self-focused 120 sq.m., 3 large dala, for many hours morning to the global movement on the bedrooms, 2 bath- t the end of July I moved and afternoon, increased this Mandala. rooms, Kitchen/ from the island of Elba to feeling. Prima put special stress Every time one takes a course in dining room, sitting room with fi replace, store- A the island of Dejamling. on the timing; one slowly dis- the Vajra Dance there is some- room, pizza oven outside, gas heating, completely Of course, Dejamling is not an covers how following the right thing new to discover; a deeper renovated, new roof. 270,000 euro/negotiable island in the geographical sense, rhythm brings you to more fl uid- experience of one’s inner and nested as it is among the Cev- ity and continuity of movement. outer energy, and a different con- Contact: Sangiorgi Tel: 0039 34 95 40 22 70 ennes mountains in the south As Prima suggested, it is a bit like nection between movement and Email: [email protected] of France, but it is a marvelous being underwater where abrupt sound. or Tuscanary: [email protected] island as a feeling. A Ling is a movements become impossible. THE MIRROR · No. 93 · July, August 2008 Santi Maha Sangha

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SMS First Level participants at Merigar East, Romania July 2008. Photo credit: Aleksky Novgorodtsev

These four days of examinations matter, that these long months the rest followed automatically. I were also several people from Santi Maha Sangha were very intensive, both for the of studying and practice are valu- was very pleased to see her smil- the Czech and Slovak Republics, Base Exam and participants as well as examin- able in itself, but still the perspec- ing face and the faces of all the Europe, North and South Amer- ers. Around 154 people from dif- tive of being rejected seemed a other people passing the exam. ica, and even Japan – 250 people Level One Training ferent countries took the exam, bit upsetting. And, of course, we altogether. It surely shows that Merigar East, Romania mostly from Russia and the ex- hoped Jim would not ask about At the end of the fourth day we many people took to heart the July 21–31, 2008 Russian countries, some coming the thorough explanation of the all knew the results; almost ev- words of Rinpoche regarding from places far away like Burya- four phases of approach and at- erybody passed. It seems that the importance of Santi Maha tia and Vladivostok. This was tainment or the great accumula- the new system of applying three Sangha and somehow decided to Artur Skura the largest group of SMS Level tion of the chakra of the letters. months earlier and answering prepare for this challenge. One Training participants ever. the questions regarding the un- s I know how important There were two examiners: Jim We entered the examination cor- derstanding, practice and atti- This year for the fi rst time the is the Santi Maha Sangha Valby and Igor Berkhin, sitting in ner and saw Jim and Naomi sit- tude really works very well and retreat of the First Level last- Atraining for Rinpoche and a separated space of the tent that ting there with joyful faces and helps people understand what ed seven days, instead of fi ve. for the continuation of Dzogchen usually served as the canteen. making jokes and that helped really needs to be done in order Rinpoche said in he future it will teachings in its pure form, I was The candidates were waiting in to relax us a bit. But the begin- to prepare well for the exam. take ten days, but even if it took very happy that Rinpoche would the other part of the tent, most of ning was hard; when asked about two weeks, it would be diffi cult give the fi rst level training this them with a copy of The Precious the Four Immeasurables, Kasia When our Vajra Brothers and Sis- to explain everything in detail. year in Merigar East. The training Vase or their personal notes. couldn’t even remember the ters gathered in the tent for the We received all teachings and was immediately after the sum- names, even though I remem- fi rst day of teachings, I was very transmissions, while Rinpoche mer retreat, separated by four I was serving as a translator for ber her doing these practices for surprised how many people at- tirelessly explained the more dif- days of examinations of the Base my wife, Kasia, and I have to ad- days! But when Jim started with tended. By far the most numer- fi cult points. Level. mit I was even more nervous than the fi rst one, it somehow trig- ous group was from the Russian- she was. We knew that it doesn’t gered something in her mind and speaking countries, but there In the afternoon we had explana- tions by Igor and Jim, learning and practicing together. What is interesting, Jim collects pre- cise statistics of all Santi Maha Sangha retreats and he shared some of them with us. There have been 21 SMS 1st level trainings so far, with 1174 Vajra Brothers and Sisters participating. Almost 40 % of them (467 people) were from Russian speaking coun- tries. Another numerous group comes from English-speaking countries, with 20 % (237). Not surprising the Italians come next, with 16 % (184 people), then the Germans, Polish, French, Czech, Japanese, Dutch, Slovakian, Hun- garian, Finnish, Serbian, Tibetan and so on. Jim reminded us of saying that 27 of them are no longer with us. We fi nished the retreat with a sense of responsibility and com- mitment, being aware that the main part is just starting: study- ing and applying the profound practices of the First Level, in- tegrating it with the daily life, dealing with various challenges. And we hope to meet again, more mature and relaxed, for the train- ing of the Second Level. May the Master stay with us, allowing all us fortunate students to gain ex- periences and realization! THE MIRROR · No. 93 · July, August 2008

14 MerigarWest

our instructors living in the USA, First Time Training Oni McKinstry, will be going on a for Yantra Yoga national tour to present the book. (see page 17) Instructors A new web site dedicated to Yantra, www.yantrayoga.org, is Sergio Quaranta under construction with the help of Thinley Koblensky and rom August 20th to the Gabriele Marrazzi, coordinated 24th 2008 in Merigar’s by Naomi Zeitz and the Shang FGonpa, ten certifi ed Yan- Shung Institute. It will soon be tra Yoga instructors and two on available on the net. It will contain their path towards the exam (see all the information about Yantra photo) met with the two inter- Yoga in relation to Rinpoche and national teachers, Fabio Andrico the Dzogchen Community, pro- and Laura Evangelisti. grams from all over the world, The aim of the meeting, the the profi les of the instructors, fi rst of its kind, was to carefully video clips and more. check each person and deepen As the book release approach- Photo: C. Storch the aspect of the breathing, es- es, an aspect that is becoming a pecially, and also to exchange in- bit worrisome is that the number practice it, the Gakyils should This means that all teachers a sense of a wider Community and formation on how Yantra Yoga is of active authorized teachers is help encourage young practi- should update their diploma the goal ahead of us. developing world-wide. Before, not very high. It seems that not tioners to take this responsibil- regularly. Next year, most likely, I want to personally thank this kind of activity had always very many practitioners of Yantra, ity, and maybe even help support there will be a training for this Laura and Fabio for encouraging been part of a teacher’s training especially younger people, are them fi nancially towards partici- special purpose. me and helped me to feel my limi- or seminar. The relatively small willing to engage in the task of pation in training and courses The atmosphere of the meet- tations in a less heavy way. I am number of participants made it becoming certifi ed instructors. when possible, if it is really need- ing was very nice and relaxed, we sure that all the other participants possible to do thorough work on Yantra Yoga, to ensure its contin- ed and worthwhile. enjoyed Fabio’s funny faces and share the same sense of gratitude. all these aspects and allowed Fa- uation in the future, needs new We were able to complete and laughed a lot, but we also did a lot We are very fortunate to have re- bio and Laura to see the partici- and young dedicated people. It review only the fi rst level of Yan- of good work, correcting, clarify- ceived such a wonderful teaching pants more clearly and work with is a very important issue. Laura tra, actually the “old” fi rst level, ing, receiving advice on how teach from our Master, and to make it each person more closely. and Fabio asked that each of us that used to include the yantras some tricky aspects, and exchang- available in the most pure form First the good news, which is interested in Yantra Yoga become up to the second group. Recently, ing experiences about our local possible to interested people. that the complete text on Yantra aware of this and try to get the lo- in fact, Rinpoche suggested that situations. Besides these very prac- This is not only a duty, but an im- Yoga will be published in English cal Gakyils involved. Since Yantra the Yantra Yoga instructors of tical aspects, we were also able to mense pleasure for all of us. There and released by Snow Lion Publi- is a resource for all the Commu- fi rst level should also know the get to know each other more deep- is a lot to do ahead of us, but it is cations in early October. One of nity and not only for those who main yantras of all fi ve groups. ly, develop a real closeness and get also an exciting challenge!

Accommodation Service at Merigar Christina von Geispitzheim Information for people who intend to come to Merigar for Email: [email protected] retreats or to follow courses Phone: 0039 0564 957542 If you are looking for accommodation, airport transfer, local car Mobile phone: 0039 339 1370739 hire or only logistic assistance, you can contact the following information and reservation service: We cooperate with local hotels, family pensions, residences, agriturismo, Community members who have rooms or houses to rent or sublet. Also we can advise on car rental Accommodation Service (at airports or locally), on the best itinerary and time tables of (Information available in English, German, French and Italian) trains and buses, and we have now a circuit of residents who offer Information service and reservation of accommodation during various useful services like transfer from the airports, local taxi retreats, local transport, & logistic solutions: service, translations, baby sitting, etc.

East Merigar East 23 August 907005 phone: 0040 746 26 08 61 Merigar Asociatia Culturala Comunitatea Dzog-Chen Constanta offi [email protected] Romania wwww.dzogchen.ro

Merigar East Gakyil & Geköe Merigar East is happy to announce new Gakyil members: Blue: Tereza Starkova (CZ), Fijalka Turzikova (CZ/I), Elisha Koppensteiner (AU) [email protected] Yellow: Abel Paizs (HU), Maria Mironova (RU), Geogre Tender (HU) [email protected] www.jcrows.com Red: Gabriella Schneider (D/RO), Greg Ladra (PL/D), Ondrej Stefi k (SK) ® [email protected] J. Crow’s Mulling Spice Geköe: Greg Ladra Folk Medicine Tibetan Medicine [email protected] SpicedCider.com fax or phone: 1 800 878 1965 603 878 1965 [email protected] New Merigar East Gakyil and Gekö with International Gakyil. Photo: N. Zeitz THE MIRROR · No. 93 · July, August 2008

15 Application Form This is a course for all people that have Name: already received transmission and have Europe Czech Republic France Address: upcoming already practiced the eight preliminary Telephone number: Passages Vajra Dance Course of Six Spaces of movements of Yantra Yoga. Email: Samantabhadra Married: Olga Shmulovich (Israel) and Place: Forum 104, Membership: led by Stoffelina Verdonk Ales Ryznar (Czech Republic) were mar- 104 rue de Vaugirard, 75006 Paris Contact: Arianna De Toni Cannes ried on July 11, 2008 in Horni Berkovice, Tel: 06 78 82 59 51 September 19–21, 2008 Timetable: Czech Republic. [email protected] October 9 evening: 18 h 30–22 h 00 Location: Maison des Associations 9, October 10 evening: 18 h 30–22 h 00 rue Louis Braille 06400 Cannes October 11 afternoon and evening: (South-East of France) Germany 14 h 00 –22 h 00 upcoming Price: 120 euros with usual discount for October 12 morning and afternoon: The German Dzogchen Community is happy members 9 h 00–18 h 00 to anounce a course of: Santi Maha Sangha 1. Level Registration: Please contact Helene Fees: 120 Euros (ordinary membership) with Jakob Winkler and Lafage: [email protected] 70 Euros (low budget membership) Alexander ( Sasha) Pubants Free (meritorious membership) * in Höfen near Neustadt Aisch/ upcoming How do you apply? Germany Yantra Yoga Course Send the application form and check (to 24–26th October 2008 Intermediate level (1st and 2nd series) Association Dzog Chen France) of 50 % with Laura Evangelisti Information and registration: of fee corresponding to your member- in Paris Barbara Schwesig ship to the following address: October 9–12, 2008 0049-170-914 75 32 Elisabeth Dong [email protected] 14 square Dunois, Apt 260, 75013 Paris

Italy Kunsalling, the place of total luminosity The Ling in Brescia, Italy, is trying to become bigger

practice retreat of the Guruyoga of the white A A was held at Kunsalling with Costantino Albini from Au- gust 1–3. Kunsalling is a retreat Photo: Enrico Dell’Angelo Photo: Enrico Dell’Angelo place situated in Valvestino, in the province of Brescia, in the of modern “civilisation”. For this and, for those who had not been acteristics of the place that are become the exclusive property of Alto Garda Nature Park between reason we have decided that the here before, Kunsalling was an especially suitable for personal the Community. Today the time Garda Lake and Idro Lake. It is a maximum number of people who exciting discovery. retreats. Since then practitioners is ripe to start buying this land. wonderful place at 1350 m. above can participate in a retreat should Chögyal Namkhai Norbu vis- from all over the world have used The cost of buying it is 35,000 sea level, in an isolated valley, sur- not be more than 10–15 people. ited this place in 1991 and stayed it. The Kunsalling gakyil takes euro and up to now we have col- rounded by woods and protected We were 20 participants at the here for 3 days. He sang the Song care of the Ling so that it is al- lected about 15,000. by cliffs. It consists of a large retreat, which was guided by of the Vajra on the highest moun- ways ready for practitioners who For further information, you can barn which is used as a Gonpa Costantino with his great capaci- tain in the valley from whose peak are interested in going there. contact: (and at night becomes a dormi- ty and helpfulness in putting into you can see a view that goes from Then Rinpoche advised us to Alberto Benassa – Yellow gakyil tory) and a smaller house with a practice the wonderful teaching the Alps to the Apennines and af- buy the bordering land on which tel. 333-251 99 32 kitchen and a room that can be transmitted by Master Chögyal ter giving some precious advice there is an old barn in order to [email protected] used even for dark retreats. Namkhai Norbu. Collaboration to his disciples gathered there, guarantee total privacy which is (only Italian) The place can only be reached and the very relaxed atmosphere he consecrated the place calling it indispensible for practice. In this Fulvio Ferrari – in charge of on foot with a 20–30 minute walk that was immediately created be- Kunsalling, ‘the place of total lu- way the small valley in which the retreats tel. 0365-82 51 65 and does not have all the comforts tween participants did the rest minosity’ and explained the char- retreat place is situated would [email protected]

Mirror: Why was the area of Mirror: How do you explain this will always be strangers, at times Mirror: Doesn’t the arrival of The new Adzamling Molise in particular chosen for sudden increase in the number of to snub, to compete with, other new students depend on their in south Italy the Ling? practitioners in an area with such times to manipulate … and in connection with the Master and Enzo: I came back to Molise in a small population? this case things in the Commu- the Teaching? 1998 after living at Merigar for Enzo: I think it really depends on nity will not go so well. Enzo: If we take a wider view of The new Adzamling was founded re- seven years. I was on my own at the openness that practitioners things we understand that there cently in south central Italy near the fi rst then we became three prac- have towards new people and Mirror: So you believe that devel- are countless beings who have a sea and has already hosted several titioners. Then the group grew perhaps developing an awareness opments at Adzamling are due to relationship with the Master and Vajra Dance and Yantra Yoga activi- some more and in 2004 we had of how important it is to have a this Vajra relationship? the Teaching. A Vajra relationship ties. The Mirror spoke to Enzo Terzano, our fi rst Gakyil and there was an cohesive and harmonious group. Enzo: I think that respect towards which is correct and governed by a practitioner who has dedicated a lot increase in the number of people Practitioners give special atten- the life of each practitioner and presence means that the rela- of time and energy to the Ling to fi nd participating in the activities. tion to their Vajra relationships. participation in important mo- tionship becomes a net of light out how the situation is developing. Now we are 19 people who have As the Master has taught us, ments in it create cohesion in the which catches beings in samsara received the transmission of the many things depend on this rela- Community. We practice together who have a connection with the Mirror: Enzo, you have been Teaching and together with the tionship such as the liberation of several times a week and so there is Teaching and it puts them on the closely involved in the creation people who have come to the oneself and others and also how a mutual respect for the transmis- path to liberation through direct of the new Adzamling, could you open courses we are 32. Consid- the Community is going ahead. sion and we listen to each other contact with the Master. A retreat tell us about its beginnings? ering the amount of interest in the If our Vajra relationships are carefully. I believe this reciprocal doesn’t go by in which the Mas- Enzo: The Ling was created in area, I would say we have quite a based on lovingness, kindness, kindness and respect is the basis ter does not ask us to be kind and September 2007 when a group of large number of practitioners. In solidarity between practitioners, for the development of Adzamling welcome new people. This kind practitioners from Molise went 2006 we rented a gym where we the warmth of this kind of rela- and the attraction that the Com- of welcoming lasts a few hours to the Master and received his practice Vajra Dance, we drew up tionship fi lls everyone with joy munity has for newcomers. and then everyone goes back blessing to renew the tradition a statue and that is how the Ling and enthusiasm for the practice home and closes himself up in his of the old Adzamling. In the past came about. and for activities. If, on the other house. This is the reason, I think, the Ling was in the Alps in north- hand, we are indifferent, like a why some situations are basically west Italy but now it is located stone on the bottom of a river (in static for years. Fundamentally it near the sea in Campobasso the famous example given by the is not diffi cult to understand that province. Master), our brothers and sisters compassionate attention or sim- THE MIRROR · No. 93 · July, August 2008

16

got about 500 signatures. The ac- channel of communication which selves, one to one, one together Europe >> continued tivity that was most moving for us is always open. Then we contrib- with another, creating a network was the liberation of about 10,000 ute to the Gar with our member- of golden threads and a perfectly ply the feeling of love can be an sea snails and clams into the sea ships, book sales, donations and integrated geometric fi gure. important cohesive factor. in Abruzzo for the benefi t of peo- directing people in our area who ple who were ill. And then we are interested towards Merigar. Mirror: Does Adzamling organ- have created a website which you Besides this we also want to open ise activities for people outside can visit at www.adzamling.it channels of direct communica- the Ling? tion with others Lings just like Enzo: We publicize open cours- Mirror: In what ways does the Santi Maha Sangha symbol es with posters, invitations and Adzamling interact with the Gar? in which the Gar communicates e-mail. Then we had an intense Enzo: First of all there is close with many Lings, the Lings with campaign on behalf of ASIA and contact with the Gar through a the Gar and also between them-

explanations. Igor started by stating Poland Santi Maha Sangha that if we really want to study a book The cabin project – a Base in Paldenling like The Precious Vase, we should look message from the Polish community into it, not outside, but instead as if May 9–18, 2008 we were looking in the mirror and then We are happy to inform you that we have what we study is really helps us to rec- fi nished laying out the foundations, and Marek Macko ognize our own state. a protective vase from Rinpoche has been placed in it during a consecration ceremony. You can track the status of the whole project at the web page: http://dzogczen.pl/darkretreat/status. php Till now thanks to generous donations we managed to get ca. 8,000 euro. We need another 6,000 euro by the end of August in order to fi nish and close the building. All your help is very much ap- preciated. We especially invite you to Dream Yoga with Michael Katz, Warsaw, August 20–23. get the “Virtual Bricks” that you can order online: http://dzogczen.pl/darkretreat/vb.php You can get 14 days of free retreat time with each brick. n the last years there have been So in these days we mainly practiced several Santi Maha Sangha retreats Dzogchen methods like rushen of voice Also, if there is anyone who could lend us in Paldenling. Paldenling is situated and mind, for separating the mind from the missing amount of 6,000 euro for a I in Southeast Poland and is very good the nature of mind, and also the seven period of 6 –9 months that would help us place for such retreats because is quite main semdzins for discovering our own a lot and give us enough time to gather far from main roads and towns and is state and fi nding shine and lhagthong the necessary funds. In this case please isolated in the mountains. This past May simultaneously. We did these practices contact: [email protected] to we also had such a possibility. It was not only in one way, but we tried some discuss the details. only a pity that there were not so many variations as well. For us it was a rare Thank you very, very much for all your participants from Poland and Slovakia. occasion to go more deeply into the support! Igor had to travel a great distance from essence of Rinpoche’s precious teach- With Best Wishes, East Ukraine, but maybe it happened ings, and prepare for further study and The Dark Cabin Project Team like that because we had to change the practice of the Base Santi Maha Sangha date in short notice. ourselves. When Igor arrived, he announced that the retreat would be more dedi- cated to practice than to lectures and Dream Yoga with Michael Katz, Krakow, August 24–25.

Contact: SMS Base Retreat Vase. Elio clarifi ed for us as well some Russia Spain [email protected] with Elio Guarisco points of Santi Maha Sangha Basis us- New Gakyil Spain [email protected] Kundusling, July 27–30, 2008 ing pertinent examples, like the story of Passages [email protected] and Gampopa to illustrate the Yellow Gakyil: [email protected] The fi rst Course of Santi Maha Sangha chapter of the . We look forward Died: Alexander Vyaznikovtsev died on [email protected] Base at the Spanish Ling, Kundusling, to have him again soon at Kundusling. July 30th 2008 in Ulan-Ude, Buryatia. [email protected] Nov. 21–23 took place on July the 27–30 with Elio We thank him for his kindness and He was one of those who fi rst invited Yantra Yoga Base level Blue Gakyil: Guarisco. We were a group of 12–15 patience and for transmitting to us the Rinpoche to Russia in 1992. with Laura Evangelisti [email protected] people eager to go into the Teachings in idea that the most important of the Open to all depth. It was also a great opportunity study of The Precious Vase is to assume Red Gakyil: Contact: to get ready for the exam of the Santi an authentic commitment with the [email protected] [email protected] Maha Sangha Basis next July. Thanks to Teachings and with the Master. [email protected] [email protected] Elio’s ability to synthesize and his schol- Thanks to our Precious Master for Nov. 27–30 arly view, we were able to understand his infi nite compassion and for the * Yantra Yoga 2nd series the vision of the book The Precious Santi Maha Sangha! 2008 Program Barcelona with Laura Evangelisti October 8–12 Contact: First part of Dance of The Song of Vajra [email protected] with Ludmila Kislinchenko [email protected] Contact: December 5–7 [email protected] Advanced Dance of the Six Spaces of [email protected] Samantabhadra Nov. 14–20 with Adriana del Borgo Dzogchen Retreat Contact: with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu [email protected] Dzogchen Upadesha transmission and [email protected] instruction Kunsag Jaku, Rainbow body of Samantabhadra “Terma teaching of the great Terton Duddul Dorje” 320 euros THE MIRROR · No. 93 · July, August 2008

17

Europe >> continued

This was the fi rst 10 days of a 2 part course on Ku Nye given by Aldo Oneto at Kundusling, Dance of Three Vajras June 13–15, 2008 with Yolanda Ferrándiz in Barcelona. Barcelona, Spain, July 21–20 2008. Photo: C. Janez

East DCA Tsegyalgar East Tsegyalgar PO Box 479 Phone: 413 369 4153 [email protected] Conway, MA 01341 USA Fax & Bookstore: 413 369 4473 www.www.tsegyalgareast.org

Ganapujas are at 7:30 pm September October October at the Schoolhouse. Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th October 20–24* Green Practice Green Tara Practice Schedule Yantra Yoga activities TBA. Long Life Practice of the and Karma Yoga Weekend and Karma Yoga Weekend Mandarava with Tsalung Vajra Dance every Sunday at 11:30 am 9:30 am Green Tara See Sept. Karma Yoga Weekend for schedule Conway Instructor: Elio Guarisco at the Schoolhouse. 10:30–1 pm Karma Yoga Thursday 9th – Guru Rinpoche Day 1–2:30 pm Lunch For more information contact Contact our secretary Ganapuja 2:30–3:30 Green Tara 2008 Tsegyalgar East: ([email protected] or 3:30–6:30 Karma Yoga Tuesday 14th – Full Moon Ganapuja Tel: 413 369 41 53, Fax: 413 369 44 73 369-4153) or Geko (geko@tsegyalgar. 6:30–7:30 Break/Dinner with Email: [email protected] org or 413-230-8305) to sign up for 7:30–8:30 Green Tara * These dates are subject to change to include courses and inform of participation in Thursday 23rd – Dakini Day Ganapuja a weekend karma yoga Wednesday 24th – Dakini Day Ganapuja Tuesday 28th – New Moon Ganapuja Sunday 28th, 4–6 pm Guardian Practice in Guardian Cabin Monday 29th – New Moon Ganapuja

is planning a 10-city North American together with energy, activity, support, · Professional or competent amateur den of cost as well as the benefi t of the Yantra Yoga tour with Oni McKinstry. Oni is a 1st and fi nances to help promote this tour, photographers in various locales to fruit, everything will be much easier! level YY instructor certifi ed by Chögyal which will be of great benefi t to all take professional-style photos of some E. Here is the list of cities we are Book Tour Namkhai Norbu. This tour is aimed to members of the International Dzogchen local Yantra Yoga instructors that we currently considering. Depending on We have confi rmed two stops on the help promote the book, and also give Community and beyond. In the end, can use in our promotional materials. response and commitment, we will see book tour and two Yoga Journal Trade the general public the opportunity to this activity could be inspirational for We especially need photographers in which places can be actual participants Shows: have contact with Yantra Yoga and the the Worldwide Community as a model the UK, Russia, Australia, Brazil and in this wonderful opportunity! If your Berkeley California November 1–2, 2008 Dzogchen Teachings. The tour will con- they may want to try in their respective Italy. city is not on this list, and you feel it Portland Oregon December 4–7, 2008 sist of a series of free, 2-day introduc- places. · We need committed Community should be, please let us know where Yoga Journal Shows: tory weekend workshops with Oni. Each At this point in time we have decided members from the local areas at the and why! Miami Florida Mid November, 2008 weekend will consist of 4, 2-hour ses- to begin the tour with 3 test cities. Port- tour sites and near by to participate by: San Francisco California Mid January, 2009 sions. At each location Oni will give an land, Berkeley and Los Angeles. We have A. Finding appropriate venues for Here is tentative list of more than 10 overview of the history and principles already had a very positive response the workshop. Some suggested venues places to be worked with and culled For information on these events please of this system of Yantra Yoga. She will from Darren Littlejohn in Portland and can be: bookstores, gymnasiums, yoga down depending on response, possibil- contact Naomi Zeitz also teach introductory breathing and the Blue Gakyil of the West Coast Com- or martial arts studios, and lastly uni- ity, and cost. [email protected] or movement, and disseminate promo- munity, and we hope to hear from the versities. The reasoning for this is that · Northampton (also to test the waters) [email protected] tional materials such as the book, CD’s, other location, as well as all the other the gyms and martial arts studios have · Boston and Yantra Yoga manuals. cities mentioned and maybe some not more space and present to a broader · NYC (Kundrolling) Dear Dzogchen Community, North American The great value of such a tour is mentioned for the future. We intend to audience. They may able to offer free · Berkeley (Dondrubling) Gars, Lings, Communities and interested not only to use Yantra Yoga as an en- start on the West Coast in late October space in order to promote something · Baja (Tsegyalgar West) individuals, try point for people to learn about the into December. It seems the best time free, bring new people to their business, · Portland and/or Seattle am writing on behalf of the Yantra Dzogchen Teachings, but also to pro- for Portland is early December. Since and also maybe discover something · Chicago Yoga instructors, practitioners, the mote Yantra Yoga as a method that can there will be a beginners course in unique to promote in the future. We · Ann Arbor, Michigan I Dzogchen Community of Tsegyalgar provide tremendous benefi t to society Berkeley in December, it may be ad- will provide promotional materials for · Toronto East, and the Shang Shung Institute. by helping facilitate relaxation, har- vantageous to have the Berkeley visit by the people researching and fi nding the · Miami As you all know, our Community has a mony, and coordination of energy of the Oni in mid to late November and maybe venues such as brochures, DVD’s, and · Santa Fe wonderful, precious, and long awaited individual, as well as bring new people Los Angeles in late October. manuals. · Washington, DC book called A Stainless Mirror of Jewels. to our local Communities and stimulate B. Researching different yoga con- · Mexico City (Padzomling) This book is the comprehensive com- more activity in our Lings and smaller We would like to ask all members of the ferences in your area and fi nding out · Los Angeles mentary by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Dzogchen Communities throughout Dzogchen Community, and particularly entry details. on the original Yantra Yoga text, Nyida North America. the people in the 10 chosen tour loca- C. Offering housing for Oni and pro- If anyone is interested to give much Kaljyor, The Union of Sun and Moon Yantra, In order to pursue this avenue of tions, to collaborate to make this won- viding teacher care for the 2 or 3 days needed fi nancial support to this great which was written by Vairocana in the development of our local Communities, derful opportunity a reality. of her visit, including transport to and promotion of Yantra Yoga, please con- 8th century. Snow Lion Publications city centers and Lings, there needs to be Below, you can fi nd many ways to from the airport, housing, food, and tact Asruh, the secretary at Tsegyalgar plans to release this unique book in some stimulus of activity and program- help with this project. The list is pre- transport to and from the venue. East and she can help you! the fi rst week of October 2008. This ming. We at Tsegyalgar East strongly sented in order of chronological need, D. We would like to ask each loca- Tel: 413 369 41 53 marvelous text is a great boon not only feel that a Yantra Yoga promotional and NOT in order of importance: tion on the tour to participate by giv- Fax: 413 369 44 73 for practitioners, and but also for all book tour could be an excellent means · A graphic designer to help design a ing fi nancial support towards the tour [email protected] beings able who will have the possibility to bring in new people and interface promotional brochure and other mate- activity. The tour will be costly due to have contact with these teachings. with society in a broader way than we rials that will also be posted to a Yantra to airfares. It will be much less costly Thank you!!! As part of the joyful occasion of the traditionally have. Yoga website established by SSI-Italy. If since we can participate by offering Thank you for your time and participation. release of this text, the Dzogchen Com- We would like to ask all the Lings, someone is able to help with the website places and transport for Oni within the We look forward to hearing from you! munity of North America, in conjunc- the 10 chosen locations, and the local design this is also highly desirable. Community, but the airfares will still be Naomi Zeitz for The Yantra Yoga Book tion with the Shang Shung Institute, Dzogchen Communities to collaborate high. Therefore if we all share the bur- Tour THE MIRROR · No. 93 · July, August 2008

18 Tsegyalgar East

Khandroling

panning 220 acres (89 hectares) of picturesque hills, streams, a Spond, meadows, fi elds and for- est, Khandroling, or “the Land of the Dakinis,” offers Dzogchen Community members a place to deepen their con- nection to Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s Dzogchen transmission. Through the clarity of his dreams, Rinpoche received many teachings on this land, includ- ing the Dance of the Vajra. It was also here, that Rinpoche painted the fi rst Vajra Dance Mandala in 1990. In 2003, Rinpoche declared that Khandroling was the Seat of Dzogchen Master Go- madevi. He has also said that in this special place, it is possible to realize in 6 days of practice what it would take 6 months elsewhere. construct 3 separate cabins dedicated Showing Support Recognizing Support Development to the Practice of the Dakini Gomadevi, There are a variety of ways to show sup- Tsegyalgar East has created a number In 2005, Rinpoche instructed the Dzog- the Practice of the Dakini Sinhamukha, port for the projects on Khandroling. of gifts to show their thanks and recog- chen Community of Tsegyalgar to and the Practice of Todgal. People who are interested to participate nize all donations. construct a pavilion to protect a Vajra in the Khandroling projects in any way Dance Mandala of the Universe that Collaboration can contact the secretary at Tsegyalgar $ 50,000 & up: Model with relics will be located on the crown peak of These projects are important to the con- East at [email protected] of Changchub Dorje the mountain retreat land. In addition tinuation of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s $ 25,000–$ 49,999: Large Deity Statue: We accept donations by check, money he said that Tsegyalgar must prepare precious transmission. Everyone who is Gomadevi, Jñanadakini Yab Yum, Man- order or credit card: for the pilgrims that will come by con- connected to Rinpoche’s transmission darava Send a check or money order to: structing a guesthouse. is also connected to this special land. In $ 10,000–$ 24,999: Small Deity Statue: order for these important projects to be The Khandroling Project Gomadevi, Jñanadakini Yab Yum, Sinha- Tsegyalgar East has begun fundraising completed, we need the collaboration Tsegyalgar East mukha, for the construction of the Vajra Dance of the whole mandala of the Dzogchen P.O. Box 479 $ 5,000–$9,999: Large Thanka of Pavilion, a guesthouse, and a home Community. The completion date for 18 Schoolhouse Rd. Goma devi $ 250–$499: Cotton shoulder bag with for Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. Retreat the Khandroling development project Conway, MA 01341 $ 2,500–$ 4,999: Small Thanka of embroidered Longsal Symbol cabins available on Khandroling now has been decided by Rinpoche to be 2011 USA Gomadevi $ 100–$ 249: Cotton Pecha Bag (to include: Rinpoche’s personal retreat to commemorate the 25th Anniversary $ 1,000–$ 2,499: Nice print of the Uni- carry practice books) with embroidered cabin, a retreat cabin dedicated to of Rinpoche’s very fi rst dream of the For credit card contributions, please versal Mandala created by Ans Swart or Longsal symbol. Guardian practice, and a cabin dedi- Vajra Dance while on Khandroling, July call the Tsegyalgar East secretary at Prima Mai Any donation at any level (even less cated to the Long Life Practice of the 7th, 1986. 413-369-41 53 or donate through our $ 500–$ 999: Print of “Gomadevi” calli- than $100) also receives a picture of Dakini Mandarava. In addition, Tsegyal- website at www.tsegyalgareast.org/ graphy handwritten by Rinpoche, silk- Rinpoche dancing the Vajra Dance on gar will fulfi ll Rinpoche’s request to participate/donations.php screened on rice paper Khandroling.

We are also very happy to welcome New Gakyil and announce Tsegyalgar East’s new Geköe, David Hayes, who can be and Geköe reached at [email protected] Red Gakyil: or 413-230-83 05. Paula Barry (Secretary) * [email protected] Cindy Thibeau (Vice-Director) [email protected] Yellow Gakyil: Vern Harrington (Treasurer) [email protected] Terre Satterthwaite [email protected] Blue Gakyil: Leela Whitcomb-Hewitt [email protected] Ed Hayes (Director) [email protected] Jeff Wood, [email protected] Dance of the Six Spaces with Bodhi Krause at Tsegyalgar East August 2008. SMS Base Level Retreat with Jim Valby at Khandroling August 2008. Photo: B. Krause

Main Offi ce: PO Box 479, Conway, MA 01341, USA * Tel: 413 369 4208 * Fax: 413 369 44 73 * [email protected] * * European Offi ce: The Mirror, Merigar, Arcidosso, 58031 GR, Italy * Tel: 39 32 98 86 52 92 * Fax: 39 05 64-96 81 10 * [email protected] * * Editorial Staff: Naomi Zeitz, Tsegyalgar, Conway, MA, USA * Liz Granger, Merigar, Arcidosso, Italy * * Literary Editor: John Shane * * Advisors: Des Barry, Adriano Clemente, Anna Eid, Barbara Paparazzo, Jim Valby * * International Blue Gakyil Advisor: Fabio Andrico, International Publications Committee * * English Language Advisor: Liz Granger * * Layout & Design: Thomas Eifl er * * Web Site Managers: Thomas Eifl er, Malcolm Smith * * Printer: Turley Publications, Palmer, MA, USA * * Distribution: Tsegyalgar at Conway, MA, USA * * Subscription Rate/6 Issues: $35 US available through Tsegyalgar; 35 € through Merigar * * Visa and Master card welcome * * Online Mirror: www..com * * All material © 2007 by The Mirror * * Reprint by permission only * * We reserve the right to edit all submissions. THE MIRROR · No. 93 · July, August 2008

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that something was wrong. His New York City His Holiness in NYC Holiness said that the creation of Kundrolling Fall Program July 17, 2008 this spirit was perverted and done Radio City Music Hall through wrong prayers, so its Special Courses by Visiting Teachers aim is to harm Buddhadharma. – outlined below, visit website for more He himself stopped the practice information: Naomi Zeitz and became more public about it, and most Tibetans follow his September 20–21 is Holiness taught the wishes. Contrary to what some Dream Yoga Retreat with Michael Katz teaching of The Four people say, in reality Shugden is November 7–9 Noble Truths to a full a very sectarian practice and His H SMS Base Retreat with Jim Valby house at Radio City Music Hall Holiness felt he had no religious in the center of Manhattan Is- freedom when he practiced this December 13–14 land, New York City, on Thursday practice. He said that the 5th and Yantra Yoga weekend with Naomi Zeitz July 17, 2008. Radio City Music 13th Dalai Lamas both made re- Ganapujas: Hall houses approximately 6000 strictions on this practice, so he Week nights @ 7 pm, people and it was packed. On the felt he must continue and do the Weekends @ 5 pm way to the Hall, it became evident same. August 16, 26, 30; September 10, 15, that somewhere there was an im- Photo: S. Ross The third question was what is 24, 29; October 9, 14, 23, 28; portant event for Tibetan and Hi- the best and quickest way to serve November 8, 13, 19, 27; December 7, 12, malayan people as the numbers the Tibetan people. There was no tory mantras. His Holiness then other beings? His Holiness said 21, 27 of traditional attire and kadags in- better way to do so than to invite gave extensive teachings on The that this depends on the circum- creased in the subways, on buses and receive teachings from the , the truth of stances, but to keep in your mind Next World Wide Transmission: and on the street. Living Buddha, His Holiness the suffering, the cause of suffer- the more compassionate way and Anniversary Adzom Drugpa: The Himalyan Buddhist Com- Dalai Lama. ing, the cessation of suffering minimize a self-serving attitude. Sat Nov 22nd at 7 am precisely munity, a non-for profi t organi- After an introduction by Rob- and the path. His Holiness began He then said, “At least smile.” New York Dzogchen Community zation, hosted this event. It is a ert Thurman, His Holiness en- with the basic principle that the The fi nal question was, “What 151 West 30th Street, Level 4 union of all peoples from the Hi- tered the stage and received man- creation of happiness for others makes you the most happy?” His New York, NY 10001 malyan region, and was founded dala offerings from the various gives oneself happiness and that Holiness replied that we are all Hotline: 212-564-1024 to preserve and nourish Hima- representatives of the Himala- is based in the law of cause and the same. Communication and [email protected] layan culture and heritage and yan Communities. His Holiness effect. friendship are most important. www.nydzgochen.com to promote harmony among the asked each person which region His Holiness closed the teach- All beings are a part of your fam- thousands of Himalyan people they represented. ings with questions and answers ily. He summed it up with, “I love scattered a round the globe liv- His Holiness opened the teach- from the audience. The fi rst sleep!” ing in Diaspora. It is an um- ing by saying, “There are more question was how the Himalyan As always happens when His also some tears, as the knowl- brella organization comprised than 100,000 Tibetan refugees people can help the Tibetans in Holiness graces any place with edge of impermanence became primarily of people from Nepal and many live in Nepal and India. their struggle. His Holiness said his presence, the crowd wished concrete and we realized that we and Lhadhak, but also the fol- The Buddhist culture is one of that the best way is to promote him farewell with a mixture of must develop within each and ev- lowing groups: Chum, Dolpo, peace and compassion and now understanding of the Buddhad- great joy for the opportunity of ery one of us the magnifi cence of Gyalsumdo, Manang, Mustang, we have lost our freedom. Now harma and not to rely on magic receiving teachings from the the mandala of His Holiness the Nupri, Sherpa, Tamang, Thakali, in America the people of Nepal of the lamas for enlightenment. mouth of the Living Buddha, but Dalai Lama. Walung and Yolmo, and is based are meeting with me and I feel He said that study is important in New York City. There could be their support. Tibetan and Nepali and that Tibetan ecology is very no better place to host such an Buddhists are very close. In the delicate and needs to be protect- event, since NYC is known for its of the Tibetan tradition ed. He also said that people need capacity to embrace all peoples there are many Nepali masters. In to be educated about the reality living far from their native lands modern America, they are show- of the Tibetan struggle and that Passages and providing refuge from perse- ing their concern and interest in Buddhist tradition should be pre- cution. their cultural heritage and asked served through modern educa- Died: Taktser Rinpoche, the el- After an impressive multi me- for this explanation of The Four tion. dest brother of His Holiness dia exhibit of the Himalyan re- Noble Truths. The Tibetan cul- The second question was about the Dalai Lama, passed away on gion, a few members of the or- tural heritage is now dying. It is a the practice of . September 5 at home in Indiana, ganization introduced the event sad period. So it is wonderful the His Holiness said that he once United States, after having been and explained that at this cru- Himalyan Community wants to practiced this practice and then ill for several years. He was 86 cial and diffi cult time in history maintain its cultural heritage.” became suspicious after reading years old. We heard that he was for the Tibetan people and their Then His Holiness, together the biography of the fi fth Dalai sitting up, much improved from land, the Himalyan Community with the monks and Lamas on Lama and hearing other stories. his hospital stay, gave a deep wished to show its solidarity with the stage, recited the prepara- He gradually started to notice breath and passed away.

West Tsegyalgar West Upcoming Retreats Tsegyalgar Baja California Sur, Mexico with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu [email protected] >> continued from page 1 At Tsegyalgar West itself: [email protected] http://jardindelosnaranjos.org/ Australia Namgyalgar, Tilba Tilba Feb. 9–15 Retreat Save these Dates!!! Teaching of Rigbai Red Gakyil Member Yeshi Silvano Dzogchen Community West Feb. 17–19 Kujyug or “Six wanted for Namkhai will visit www.dzogchencommunitywest.org Santi Maha Sangha Base Exam Vajra Verses” and give teachings 2748 #D Adeline Street, Berkeley, Feb. 20–26 Tsegyalgar West CA 94703 Santi Maha Sangha I Level Training Yeshi Namkhai comes to Tsegyalgar at Dondrub Ling, Phone: 510.644.22 60 The Gakyil of Tsegyalgar West is look- Caloundra West, Baja, Mexico Berkeley California USA ing for a Red Gakyil member. March 16–21 November 21–24, 2008 November 2008 The person interested should be willing Teaching retreat Paula Barry will teach an introductory to visit the Gar in Baja Sur, Mexico at The basics of the schedule so far are as Melbourne Yantra Yoga course during these same least once during the year. The ability to follows: April 3–5 dates. speak Spanish is an important asset. If Dondrub Ling Teachings Weekend retreat For more information, please contact: interested, please contact Michael Hass November 14–16, 2008. Elisa Gonzalez, the Gar Secretary at at [email protected] Topic: Explanations about The total Namgyalgar [email protected] (Habla Espanol). space of Vajrasattva (Dorje Sempa April 10–15 Namkha Che), is the main lung or es- Retreat sential text of the Dzogchen Semde. April 17–22 Note: Other activities may be scheduled Retreat and further details will be announced as they become available. Check the Singapore websites frequently. Information will May 1–3 also be posted on Norbunet. Weekend retreat (See International Contacts page for info) THE MIRROR · No. 93 · July, August 2008

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Norte Tashigar North /Finca Tashigar Prolongación de la Calle Bolivar Tel: 0058 0295 2580332 Tashigar Valle de Pedro González [email protected] Isla de Margarita www.tashigarnorte.org

Living in Tashigar Norte Paola Civile

Practice All Saturdays we practice the Sang after a Thun, depending on the date of calendar. Every evening the Mandala is alive with the Vajra Dance. Every day, from today, we prac- tice Guru Dragphur in a very in- The SMS study group. Karma Yoga. Passages tensive way to help the health of Jean Francois. In the Gonpa Then, we weigh it and we make products made of tamarind, pa- Married: Rolo Carrasco and Eliana Ian- The carpenter is working hard many bags of 2 kilos. Our gekö paya, etc. nece were married on Margarita Island, SMS Study and we hope soon Migmar and Rolo is a very creative chef and This is hard work, some- Venezuela, August 11, 2008. Each Sunday morning in the his team come to paint. This is a he prepares mango ice cream, times there are only three people, * churuata, we meet to study the wish of Rinpoche and also ours. jelly of mango, mango jam, and sometimes more, but when we Caracas, Venezuela Santi Maha Sangha Base level. all they very delicious. And, fi - meet together with many people, New Gakyil We are 12 people and some have Agriculture work and Karma Yoga nally, some practitioners look for we enjoy with beer and a fantastic passed the exam, and some not. Some months ago we have orga- restaurants interested to buy our dinner that some volunteers have We are pleased to announce the new Every one chooses a paper with a nized the collection of lemons products. made. members of Gakyil Caracas 2008/2009. question and they must explain and mangos. We’re selling the Every Wednesday there is a Blue: Eliana Iannece Civile it to others. Anyone can ask for lemons in supermarkets and res- “Tashimarket” and Ashe sells our Yellow: Berthnelly Pacheco clarifi cation if they have some taurants. We wash and take off products to residents in Tashigar Red: Jamilette León doubts. the skin of the mangos we col- Norte: lemons, mangos and her lect, and put the pulp in a big pot. [email protected]

Sur Tashigar South Tanti 5155 Phone & Fax: 0054 - 3541 - 498 356 Tashigar Comunidad Dzogchen Tashigar Pcia. de Córdoba [email protected] Calle pública S/N Argentina

7th Lojong Retreat at Tashigar South Yantra Yoga instructor Marisa Alonso month an enthusiastic group of practi- we have invited Ricky and Marisa to led three-day retreats focusing on the tioners got together at the small Gonpa lead a weeklong retreat on this mind by Ana Garcia three types of experiences described in Tashigar South ready to follow the in- training again in January 2009. Every- During the months of June, July and in the 7th Lojong to help practitioners structions given by the teachers. These one is welcome! August SMS teacher Ricky Sued and get in the state beyond thoughts. Each retreats have been very successful, and

Namgyalgar PO Box 214 Central Tilba [email protected] Namgyalgar Dzogchen Community in NSW 2546 www.dzogchen.org.au Australia Phone/Fax: 61 02 4473 7668 and Pacifi c Rim

For detailed information about the Chögyal Namkhai events and for Registration please go New Gakyil in Norbu to the Events page at: Singapore Australia & Asia www.dzogchen.org.au * July 2008 – June 2009 Pacifi c Schedule upcoming Blue: January to May 2009 Namgyalgar Santi Maha Sangha KC ONG – President Spring Retreat titad@pacifi c.net.sg Auckland, New Zealand Saturday September 27th Hui Qing LIN – Secretary Weekend Teachings; 23–25 January to Sunday October 5th [email protected] Led by Elise Stutchbury, authorized Red: Australia, Sydney, NSW SMS teacher. Michael FOO – Committee member Weekend Teachings: 30 Jan.–1 Feb. Developing Prajnaparamita, the [email protected] Friday night Public Talk / Weekend Paramita of Discriminating Wisdom, Seminar Understanding View, Meditation and Yellow: Namgyalgar, Tilba Tilba, NSW Behavior. Yi Hui TAN – Vice Treasurer [email protected] Dzogchen Retreat: 9–15 February Inquiries and registration: Adam SIM – Treasurer Namgyalgar Secretary SMS Base Level Exam: 17–19 February [email protected] SMS Level 1 Training: 20–26 February Tel/Fax:02.44.737668 / Email: [email protected] Caloundra, Queensland * Dzogchen Retreat: 16–21 March upcoming Melbourne, Vic. The Complete Harmonious Breathing Weekend Teachings: 3–5 April Courses with Fabio Andrico Friday night Public Talk / Weekend in Australia 2009 Seminar Sydney: 2–5 February Namgyalgar, Tilba Tilba, NSW Melbourne: 27–29 March Dzogchen Retreat 1: 10–15 April: further details at: Dzogchen Retreat 2: 17–22 April www.dzogchen.org.au Singapore Weekend Teachings: 1–3 May THE MIRROR · No. 93 · July, August 2008

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Rinchenling, Moscow Karmaling, Kharkov International Community [email protected] [email protected] Sangeling, St. Petersburg [email protected] USA Contacts Tsegyalgar East Buryatia www.tsegyalgareast.org Nikolai Dudka, [email protected] (details on Tsegyalgar East page) If any of this information is outdated or in- Germany Mexico Samara DC Alaska correct, please send the correct information Dzogchen Gemeinschaft Deutschland Tsegyalgar West, Baja to [email protected] Viktor Krecker Oni McKinstry and Jonathan Schaeffer c/o Helga Betz www.jardindelosnaranjos.org Thank you! [email protected] [email protected] & Tel & fax 49 (0)211 68 26 57 (details on Tsegyalgar West page) [email protected] offi [email protected] Pelzomling /ex Yugoslavia www.dzogchen.de Serbia Chicago Argentina Tabasco #67 Jelena Zagorcic Tashigar Sur, Cordoba Tel: 773 784 4168 (between Merida and Frontera streets) Tel: 381 11 46 25 55 www.tashigar-sur.com.ar www.dzogchenchicago.org Great Britain Colonia Roma, Mexico City [email protected] (details on Tashigar Sur page) Amely Becker Tel: (011 52 55) 5511 0550 Dondrup Ling, West Coast Tel: 020 8348 6253 Ivana Radicevic Karaman 2748 Adeline St. Suite D [email protected] Blue Gakyil: Monica Patiño Tel: 381 11 604115 Australia Berkeley, CA 94703 Namgyalgar, NSW www.redsandstonehill.net/dzogchen/ [email protected] [email protected] Tel: 510 644 2260 www.dzogchen.org.au www.dzogchencommunitywest.org (details on Namgyalgar page) Greece Montenegro Singapore Garabling Dubravka Velasevic Shelley Han, Blue Gakyil Miami, Florida Austria 7 Chryssopiliotissis st., 10560 Athens [email protected] [email protected] www.dzogchenmiami.org www.dzogchen.at [email protected] Dominik Niceva, Tel: (1) 305-726-90 35 www.dzogchen.gr Dzogchen Community of Vienna Nepal Slovenia [email protected] Monica Gentile, Pokhara Peter Novak Canic Elisha Koppensteiner Tel: 061 531429 [email protected] New Mexico Tel: 0043 1 208-22-32 or Holland Dzogchen Community Netherlands [email protected] Josefa Candelaria, Albuquerque 0660/817-13-28 Postbox 11119, 1001 GC Amsterdam Tel: (505) 440-41 12 [email protected] South Africa [email protected] New Caledonia Darryl van Blerk, Cape Town [email protected] Dzogchen Community Austria, www.dzogchen.nl As. Dzogchen NC Tel: 27-21-447 01 29 Colorado Regions, Oliver F. Leick Tel: (687) 24 16 69 [email protected] Lidian King, Crestone Tel & Fax: 03386-85 71 or 0676-322 13 65 [email protected] Hong Kong Tel: 719 256 52 63 offi [email protected] Tim Leung Spain [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] New Zealand Asociación Cultural de la New Zealand Dzogchen Community Comunidad Dzogchen de España Kundrolling, New York City Brazil Hungary PO Box 18-183, Glen Innes Auckland 1743 www.dzogchen.es 151 W. 30th St., #403, NYC Lhundrubling, São Paulo Hungarian Dzogchen Community [email protected] Tel: 212-564 10 24 Kundusling, Barcelona Rua José Maria Lisboa, 860, 9th fl oor – cj 93 H-1062 Budapest, Aradi u. 42 [email protected] Paora Joseph: Passatge de la Pau 10 bis 3o 1a São Paulo – SP – CEP 01423-000 [email protected] [email protected] 08002 Barcelona New York City Dzogchen Community Tel: 00 55 11 32 87 13 24 www.dzogchen.hu Sachiko Fullita c/o Jane Fulton [email protected] Gabrielle Kearney: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.dzogchen.com.br Israel Dzogchen Community of Israel Norway Madrid Hawaii Canada www.ati.org.il Gordon Cranmer, tel: (47) 51 72 46 64 María Arévalo Jerene, tel: 808 323-9714 Peter Dimitrov, Vancouver [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Alex Polak [email protected] www.go.to/dzogchen.no Tel: 00972-52-602 03 74 Melinda Sacarob, tel: 808-328-94 73 Jacqueline Hanley, Toronto [email protected] Sweden Domenico Battista Seattle DC [email protected] Peru Yael Rotbard Paul Sablich, Lima Tel: 0046-8-604 94 78 Tel: 425 822 50 80 William Hoyos, Montreal Tel: 972-54-992-8888, 972-3-6491147 [email protected] Cell: 0046-70-721 52 76 www.DzogchenSeattle.org Tel: 450 674 74 28 [email protected] [email protected] Portland Oregon DC [email protected] Poland portlanddzogchencommunity.com Italy Wspolnota Dzogczen Switzerland Chile Merigar West Urzad Pocztowy nr 141 Swiss German Region Salem Oregon Dzogchen Community Lorena Hume, Santiago (Details on Merigar West page) ul. Lanciego 13 Peter Eisenegger [email protected] Tel: 056-2-474-47 82 www.dzogchen.it Skrytka Pocztowa 33 Tel: 0041(0)419 17 02 45 Mob: 56-9-91 38 14 30 02-794 Warszawa [email protected] Zhenphenling, Rome Venezuela [email protected] [email protected] Tashigar Norte Via G. Miani 5, 00154 Rome Swiss French Region www.dzogczen.pl www.tashigarnorte.org Tel. 0039 06 57 30 03 46 Fabienne Rey-Duc (see details on Tashigar North page) Cyprus [email protected] Paldenling Tel: 0041(0)273 23 23 93 George S. Hadjipanayiotou, Pafos Lysa Gora 168, 38-230 Nowy Zmigrod [email protected] Pablo Lau Rivera, Caracas Tel: 0035 799 16 04 46, 0035 799 46 53 12 Kunsalling, (Brescia) Tel: 48 887 95 79 44 Tel: 58 2 442 14 34 [email protected] Fulvio Ferrari, tel: (+39) 0365 82 51 65 Swiss Italian Region www.dzogczen.pl/Paldenling [email protected] [email protected] Julie Breukel Michel Cezary Wozniak, Krakow Tel: 0041(0)917 30 99 91 Elias Capriles, Merida Czech Republic Namdeling, Napoli Tel: +420 777 627 319 Tel: 012-425 27 00, mobile: 609 22 22 11 [email protected] Tel & Fax: +58 274 244 00 26 Via Ponti Rossi 113 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] or www.dzogchennapoli.org www.dzogchen.cz Taiwan [email protected] Japan Portugal Frances Hsu, Taipei (North Taiwan) Lydia Ferreiera Cell phone: 886-910 07 75 86 Denmark Ms. Tsugiko Kiyohashi, Tokyo Lisbeth Agersnap, Copenhagen [email protected] [email protected] Teacher Contacts Tel & fax (home): +81 3 3712 75 07 Mandarava and Chöd: Tel: +0045-35 35 20 60 Peter Pan, Kaohsiung (South Taiwan) Nina Robinson [email protected] Romania [email protected] [email protected] Latvia Merigar East Padmaling www.dzogchen.ro Chöd Estonia Gertrudes 5a, Riga, LV-1010 Svetlana Kollyakova (Details on Merigar East page) Thailand Costantino Albini [email protected] Geoffrey Blake & Lynne Klapecki [email protected] [email protected] Tel: 66 (0)2255-51 50, 66 (0)2254-90 61 Russian Federation [email protected] Dream Yoga Lithuania Russian-speaking countries gakyil Finland Lithuanian Community Dorjeling Michael Katz Mika Sillanpaa [email protected] Alex Souter, Bangkok [email protected] [email protected] Mika.Sillanpaa@uku.fi Tel: 09 039 39 92 or 02 742 19 65 www.dzogcenas.lt Kunphenling Seventh Lojong 142500 Russia, Moscow region, Algis Lukosevicius, Vilnius Oliver Leick France Pavlovskiy Posad, RUPS, a/ya 13, Ukraine Dejam Ling, Le Deves Tel: +370-614-180 56 Kiev [email protected] BF Dostoyanie F30570 St Andre de Majencoules [email protected] Tel: 7 096 43 211 56, 7 095 740 79 98 Tel: 33-(0)467 82 44 90 (Info line) Luxembourg [email protected] Donetsk www.association-dzogchen.org Katia Lytridou, tel. +352 366591 [email protected] Helene Lafage, [email protected] [email protected] THE MIRROR · No. 93 · July, August 2008 Refl ections

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happens around us and that feel- acceptance of the other. What Sometimes in India we can a true tender heart can emerge. ing permeates all our being. It was once a loving relation slowly see people with a curious genetic It emerges spontaneously, when A Tender Heart seems we are at the centre of the becomes a series of quarrels and malformation begging on the one witnesses ordinary people universe. We feel well and re- misunderstandings and our ten- street. Usually they are physically who are ignorant of their authen- Elio Guarisco newed, as if we were stripping der heart is lost. underdeveloped youths that lack tic nature. At that point the ten- ourselves of our habits, and new Having lived such experiences, the ribs above the region of the der heart is not artifi cial, it is not May all beings be free from suffering world opens to us. We think this many people close themselves heart so their heart can be seen a result constructed by an effort and its cause. wonderful feeling of wellbeing and do not allow that kind of beating under a thin layer of skin, of the mind. A tender heart itself has arisen because of the exter- love to emerge. They always live almost nakedly exposed. The ten- is not different from knowledge ven if we try to be loving nal presence of the woman or in the suspicion that the “other” der heart is like that, a heart that of one’s real nature, it is just an and kind most of the time the man we like and thus we start man or woman is going to take does not have any thick cover on indistinguishable side of it. Eour heart remains hard, to desire that person more and advantage of them so they shut it, it is vulnerable, it can feel eas- One’s real nature seems to like a stone that, lying at the bot- more. When our thoughts come the door to the possibility of even ily as it is touched even slightly. pervade everything without dis- tom of a lake, does not become and go following the images of enjoying healthy worldly plea- How, then, can we unearth tinction and similarly the tender softer. We do not feel the suffer- our beloved, attachment arises sures and become idealists. But this treasure that exists within heart pervades everything with- ing of others, nor do we partici- and with attachment comes a this kind of reaction is similar to ourselves? Some say that we have out any object or person to rest pate in it. We just pursue our own strong longing for that person a person’s refusal to eat after hav- to cultivate an altruistic intention upon. It is beyond attachment self-interest without any care for and the desire of wanting to pos- ing food poisoning. through the methods explained and aversion, beyond feeling others. sess that person and make them In any case, a real tender heart in the path of the . close to some and distant from Certainly some conditions and “mine”. At that point we have does not depend on an external But the methods for developing others. circumstances can make our fallen into the trap of “having” as conditions, it is not something altruism in the paths When being with others, one heart tender. For example when opposed to “being”. we acquire from outside, it is al- are mostly conceptual and how- is the tender heart. When be- we fall in love with a woman or What ensues is common ways part of our nature. It is part ever much effort and struggle we ing alone, one is the knowledge a man, we are willing to accept knowledge. Our desire to pos- of the nature of every living be- make in applying them, such a of one’s natural condition. Like the other person in their entirety, sess eventually comes in the way ing, it is the nature of every living tender heart will never arise in a butter added to fi re, the tender with his or her faults and quali- of a good and healthy relation- being. Also a tender heart does genuine way. A true tender heart heart makes one plunge into ties. That total acceptance acts ship with the other person and not have only one focus, in fact, is not the result of training. What one’s real nature even more and as a catalyst that opens our heart suffocates the space that fosters it does not have any focus at all, results from training is always with the increase of the knowl- and there emerges in us a tender the relationship. Jealousy comes it is aimless. A tender heart is the within the domain of the work- edge of one’s real nature, the heart, a compassionate feeling to replace the feeling of affection heart of one who does not defend ing mind and of concepts, thus tender heart waxes like the full that wants to protect the other for the other person. Suspicion him or herself, it is the heart of artifi cial. moon. In Buddhist terminolo- person from dangers and fears. comes to replace the sense of one who accepts everything as It is only when we come to un- gy these two are what are called It is as if our being melts by full trust in our beloved. Owner- part of him or herself. It is a heart derstand our real nature, that is conventional and ultimate Bodhi- the power of that feeling, we be- ship comes to replace pure love. that can receive harm. ineffable, beyond defi nitions, and chitta, the two legs of the path to come less concerned with what Anger comes to replace patient come to dwell in that nature, that self-realization.

A melong of the previous batch is the stick. When Rinpoche did a How to make a always included in the alloy. The month long personal retreat of Dadar fi rst batch contained a gold mel- Mandarava practice in Merigar in ong that was made for Rinpoche August 2007 he had dreams clar- Nina Robinson and which he wore for several ifying some aspects of the Man- years. So there is always a small darava practice. In the fi rst dream Da” means arrow. A dadar part of that original melong in ev- he discovered that 3 lines were is a ritual arrow decorated ery new one. missing from the terma he wrote “with silk ribbons. It is used down in 1984. One of them, from in many Long Life practices for the description of the visualiza- recalling all the aspects of our vi- tion, was that the dadar was deco- tal energy that are damaged, lost rated with fi ve coloured jewels. or stolen. The manifestations of So we can use turquoise (blue Guru Amitayus and his Yum hold and green), lapis lazuli, amber, dadars and so do Mandarava and coral, pearls or any others jewels all the Dakinis in her mandala. we may have. Also we can use a dadar when we If you can’t fi nd the materi- do the Long life Practice of the als described here you can make Immortal Dakini Mandarava. a dadar with whatever suitable The dadar can be constructed materials are available to you. in a more or less elaborate way, Some people buy an arrow from according to one’s wishes and a “sports” shop, or you can cut a possibilities. It represents our straight stick from a tree or any life. Its main features are a stick other plant. You can buy a small and fi ve silk ribbons or scarves, round mirror from a pet shop: jewels and a melong or mirror. The the kind they use in birdcages. stick symbolizes our yab aspect; And if you have no jewels you it is stable and represents form, can use glass or plastic beads. thab (method). The silk ribbons I haven’t heard of any rules for represent our yum aspect: they How to hold the Dadar. making a dadar. As long as we are light and move in the air and Nina holding Dadar. Photo: N. Zeitz keep in mind the main features symbolize sherab, wisdom and An arrow also needs a point. and symbols we can improvise energy and the essence of the fi ve fi ne. When Rinpoche gave the The melong can be tied on at You can make it in any way you as much as we like, but remem- elements. The jewels attached to Mandarava initiation he used a the top of the arrow, at the point like. For example, I used a crys- ber the dadar symbolizes our life the dadar represent concentra- dadar that had amber and coral where you tie on the ribbons, us- tal but many other people had so let’s try to make it as beautiful tions of energy. The melong is a threaded onto the whole length ing a short, narrow piece of rib- points made of gold or silver or and as perfect as we can! symbol of our primordial poten- of the stick. bon or strong thread. It can be other metals. But it is also possi- tiality. So these are the essential The ribbons should be one of the same ribbon or thread that ble to just cut the stick to a point. features. each of the colors of the essences is used to tie on the ribbons. Anyway it’s better not to make The stick should be a little lon- of the fi ve elements: white for wa- Rinpoche has used quite a few it too sharp or it will bother you ger than one cubit or the length ter, yellow for earth, red for fi re, different dadars when leading when you practice. At the very top from your elbow to your fi nger- green for air and blue for space. practices in the Community and an arrow usually has feathers. We tips, but it doesn’t matter if it’s a They can be tied on near the top on the one he used last August can use any feathers we like. I bit longer. We usually use a bam- of the stick making a kind of loop (2007) a small melong was at- used peacock feathers because boo stick because it is light and at the top of each one. They can tached at the bottom of one of they look like tigles and have Tan- strong. If you can fi nd one with hang down almost to the bottom the strings of jewels. The melongs tric and Dzogchen symbolic sig- fi ve joints or knots that is good of the stick. You can also tie silk sold at Merigar, made by a mem- nifi cance. because they would symbolize threads of the fi ve colors on the ber of the community are always If we want to make our dadars the fi ve main chakras. But if that stick below the ribbons. made using fi ve metals: gold even richer and more elaborate is not possible three knots is also and silver, copper, tin and iron. we can tie strings of jewels onto did not want pupils. He always derful in his presence. I felt that answered all questions of techni- I had found what I was looking How I met cal nature, but general questions for. Somebody brought rice and or such on philosophy only got tea and there I was sitting next to some sort of smile but no com- Lama Yeshe having a comfortable Chögyal Namkhai Norbu ment. When Master Tsuda left, to and relaxing lunch. Lama Yeshe or, How I found my Family my surprise, he authorized me to asked a few questions on our teach Seitei in Italy. So now I had whereabouts and after a while, Christina von Geispitzheim a Master, but one who did not after we had fi nished lunch, he want pupils. Here I was now con- got up and went into one of the any of the stories of whereabouts so they would not and there is actually a lot to this nected to the “oriental” world, houses. I would never speak to “How I met Chögyal worry, in fact they were not, and about compassion, attach- the Far East, like I had seen my- him again. MNamkhai Norbu” end I received a reply saying ok, stay ment, and clarity, to mention self as a child. up being small life stories. In a there if this is what you want. only the most obvious.” After three months our visa ex- certain sense the meeting with It was quite interesting; after I pired and we went back to Italy. the Master is a culminating point So now I had my freedom; no- Now my reading focus took an started macrobiotics and Seitei Somehow the priorities for my to which one’s whole life is point- body to tell me what to do or what Eastern direction. I discovered everything was on the move. I husband and me were drifting a ing, only that in the early stages to think. I had found a corner in the books of Alexandra David- met many new people, all look- part. I was weary of the art scene one maybe does not know why he a new type of society, much more Neal and , and ing for something to improve and galleries, and we separated, or she feels compelled to go in a adapted for shedding a bit of cul- in a certain way they showed me their life style. The many con- remaining good friends for all the certain direction. Then one starts tural and social conditioning; in the direction of where I wanted nections I had in the art world years to come. My macro biotic to glimpse a direction, maybe short I was at the “starting gate”. to go, to travel to these fascinat- were interested to regain their lessons were always on demand starts to think concretely that he I spent the following fi ve years ing places like David-Neal and health and youthfulness. I met and I decided to open a vegetari- or she is looking for a Master, in Paris, in the summer I would study the way of life of the people Fran cesca San Felice and family an restaurant. I bought a Pizzeria than they have to go on, some the go to St. Tropez where the scene there. Probably it came also from who were also interested in in the center of Milano and with hard way, and some the smooth moved, and enjoyed the compa- a longing for adventure to proj- working with macrobiotics and the help of a few sponsors, peo- way. All in all, it is really a big ad- ny of international friends, just ect my thinking so far from my had opened a macrobiotic center ple who had found better health venture! listening to their discussions on origin, but I defi nitely felt drawn in Milan where I could give talks, thanks to the cooking lessons, philosophy, politics, religion, to these people in the Himalayas cooking lessons and personal ad- and of my now ex-husband who As a child I was living in Vienna, psychology and you name it. A and on the roof of the world and vice and where I also conducted mobilized for me architects and Austria, and somehow I often had new world opened to me – before wanted to meet them. sessions of Seitei. I wrote a book suppliers of furniture, I succeed- the idea that I was Chinese, in re- that it had never occurred to me on how to practice macrobiotics ed in raising the capital and re- ality for me Chinese meant ASIA that there could be more than one In the meanwhile I had married European style and knew that it structuring the place completely. or the Orient as a whole, and I vision or point of view to explore. Stan Tomshinsky, a New Yorker would be much in demand, be- It became quite cozy. The name saw myself with almond eyes on I listened and listened, nearly of Russian origins, in Paris. He cause so many people needed to of the restaurant was called, “IL the part of the globe where I had never said a word for months and had quit his journalistic career go back to a more natural way of DORJE TIBETANO” (The Tibetan seen China written. Obviously my years, just listening to the discus- to become a painter. He also eating. The after war economic Dorje). I did not know that the parents did not take any of those sions of these people from all had great interest for Buddhism boom and abundance had made place would be host to a number ideas seriously and meanwhile over the world. I had the oppor- and for . After a few years in people forget the quality of natu- of great Masters in the years to sent me to the French school tunity to observe many types of France and traveling around in ral food. come. Chögyal Namkhai Norbu to study, or even better, to soon manifestations of human nature; Europe, we settled in Milano, Rinpoche gave teachings and meet and marry a nice young this was quite different from Italy, in the artists’ quarter of In the Brera quarter in Milan I Yantra Yoga lessons there in Sep- man from some exclusive family. what I had known from Vienna. Brera. I organized shows at art hade met a few interesting peo- tember 1977. (Maybe it would not have been so I tried to make myself more in- galleries throughout Italy and ple who would help determine and Dugu Choegyal Rinpoche bad after all, who knows?) ternational, sometimes through abroad, traded the paintings of the next events to come. Piero came to visit and have meals, books, even already in the sixties my husband, and as this was the Cerri and Claudio Cipullo, young Itsuo Tsuda, and Baba Bedi as As soon as I fi nished college, I in Paris libraries and bookshops pre sixty-eight era, the economy men from Milanese families, well, and many of their pupils. decided to leave my home and all over had books, even second was prosperous, people in Eu- sometimes came to visit us and The Dorje Tibetano was a bit the family and go to Paris. I did not hand, on all topics, which in rope still had faith in the future told us about their meeting with information center for a number tell anybody of my plans, as I was Vienna would be available only to and bought art work and paint- a Tibetan Lama in Nepal and that of spiritual groups operating in still legally a minor, and I was sure a small academic elite. I started to ings, and so in those years life they were going back there to Milano. they would not let me go. Luckily read all the books I could get on was fairly agreeable. deepen their knowledge on Ti- I had a passport from previous philosophy and religions from all betan Buddhism at a retreat cen- Piero and Claudio, who in the holiday trips. I left a note on the parts of the world. Some of those At this point a quite important ter. From then on I tried to con- meantime had become monks, table saying I would visit friends books quite impressed me, but event was to happen. One of the vince my husband that we had to announced the First Tibetan in the mountains and went to the most did not touch me too much French connection, Betrand, go to India and Nepal soon. Af- Meditation Course of Italy that national highway going West, and seemed a bit complicated to came to visit us. We had left him ter a few months we were on our was to be held near one of the from where it took me three days me. Then I discovered the book- in Paris very sick and miserable way to a big pilgrimage through lakes north of Milan. Lama Ye- and three nights to arrive in Paris let “101 stories Zen” compiled by and here he was in good health northern India to visit all the holy she would give teaching. At this as I had no experience of hitch- . This one I read hun- and like new. He had cured him- Buddhist places. Then we went to retreat I met some of our Vajra hiking and did not even have a dreds of times, and I loved the self with Yoga and a Zen diet. Ob- Kathmandu, because Piero and brothers and sisters who are now road map. I did not really have a stories and had the feeling that viously it was macrobiotics, but Claudio, who later on were the students of Norbu Rinpoche too, plan or a project. The decision to there was something in these at that time macrobiotics was co-founders of the Tsong Kapa like our vajra brothers the Des- go to Paris was intuitive, a short stories that touched me deeply. totally unknown in Italy. I knew Insitute of Pomaia, had given us sole family from Sardegna who cut to be on my own and to take My preferred was the one of the that I had to try all that out, this the address where we could fi nd soon after would organize Re- my life in my own hands. dirt road: was for me: Yoga and a Zen way their Master, a Tibetan Lama. All treats with Norbu Rinpoche in of living. I tried it all out on my it said was Bodanath, Kopan. We Sardegna (Costa Paradiso, Lu Paris in the early summer seemed “The monks Tanzan and Ekido husband and me, luckily he liked had to ask our way many times, Cumitoni). enchanting to me, it was in the are walking together on a dirt that too, and then I stocked up Kopan was not known yet, and fi - sixties and there were less cars road. It rains. After a turn they in books on those topics. Af- nally after about one hour of an Back in Milano I met a number than now and one could just walk see a young girl, nicely dressed ter experiencing and studying, I uphill walk, we arrived on top of of people interested in the Bud- around for hours, so that’s what in a silk kimono. She could not followed stages of macrobiotics the hill and could see a few hous- dhist Teaching, one of them I did. I explored the city on foot cross the road because the mud in various countries. In Gstaad es and a nice garden with Bodhi Aldo Oneto, who had connec- and landed in the Quartier Latin, was too deep. ‘Come dear girl’ (Switzerland) I met my fi rst Mas- trees. A few people were sitting tions with people following oth- the Boulevard St. Germain, and said the monk Tanzan, who took ter, Itsuo Tsuda. He was Mas- around two tables. er schools of . got a small room at the Hotel de her in his arms and carried her ter of Aikido and Seitei and also They were following the Kagyupa Sports on Place de la Contrescar- like this over the mud hole. Ekido introduced us to Za-zen. Seitei, I went straight to one of the tables Tradition. So together with Aldo, pe, which seemed a really very in- didn’t say anything until evening known in the western world as where I saw a man who seemed a we went to France and made a teresting place. There were peo- when they reached the temple “Regeneration movement”, is a monk, and it was Lama Thubten kind of big tour of Dharma cen- ple living there from all over the where they would stay overnight. marvelous practice to keep body Yeshe. Lama Yeshe smiled to me ters from Paris to the Dordogne world – painters, writers, musi- Here Ekido couldn’t keep it to and mind in a natural state and and said: “Hello, do you want a to Aix and the Cote d’Azur. I met cians, actors, British, American, himself anymore: ‘We monks balances disequilibrium. I did a cup of rice?” This was it, for me Kalu Rinpoche who impressed Swiss, German, Scandinavian, do not go near women, and less six-week retreat with Master Tsu- it was the coup de foudre, I was me deeply, received a big number Irish and many others from all to young women who are good da on the Cote d’Azur to deepen feeling so happy, and Lama Yeshe of initiations, and I liked the gen- the neighboring European coun- looking, it is dangerous, why did the knowledge on Seitei. We also emanated such joyfulness that eral ambiance. tries. Paris was fascinating for a you do it?” “I left the girl there did Za-zen sessions every day and it seemed contagious. He had teenager like me, and so I decid- on the road, are you still carrying chanted the in Japanese. such warmth and understand- Somehow it seemed that the ed I would stay. I wrote a letter to her with you?’ replied Tanzan. I Itsuo Tsuda certainly was a great ing and I never had met a person teachings tended to be a bit mys- my parents to inform them of my thought about that over and over, master, but it was clear that he like this before so I just felt won- terious, or diffi cult to access, and 24

>> How I met continued from last page important connection for future steps for- not everybody could receive them. Some ward in meeting Norbu Rinpoche. I met people I met were always looking for new Laura and Costantino Albini. Right away occasions to get teachings or initiations; it I felt drawn like a sister to Laura, she was seemed they were hunting lungs and man- somehow the kind of Austrian I could tras and proud to get new ones. However, understand, and so I found that we had the teaching we learned was not easy to re- certain aspects of our education in com- alize in daily life in a city in the 20th cen- mon. I went to visit Laura in Rome and tury, and to me there seemed to be a cul- learned from her that she knew an im- tural barrier. I tried to do prostrations as portant Rinpoche who actually was living we had learned when back home. After in Italy and spoke Italian. The important a few weeks I told myself that I really did Rinpoche she mentioned was none other not want to go on doing prostrations, it than Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche. made me feel like having to punish myself for some bad behavior, so I tried a man- A few months after the retreat in tra, and this seemed more natural. This Marzio, then Spring 1976, Laura Albini was a major issue for me; they all said you made a phone call to us at the Dorje Tibeta- should meditate, practice, make pujas and no and announced with great joy that Chö- so on, but this would take hours every day. gyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche had agreed I had no inclination of dedicating hours to give teachings in Italy. She would rent Christina on the left with Rinpoche center and Bianca Dessole 1998 in Porto Cervo, Sardegna. and hours to meditation, as the priority a big villa situated in the Roman hills, the for me was to live and see what came up. name of the township nearby was Subia- Rinpoche entered the sitting room on the one could apply them in all possible life Also I had just opened my restaurant, it co, and that we from north Italy who were scheduled day and took his seat, not even situations. No need to go away from so- worked fi ne and I liked it and had a myriad interested in Buddhism were welcome to on the wooden seat, but on the fl oor, on ciety to live the Dzogchen teachings. I felt of things to look after and organize. So I participate. She said also that it was to be a a cushion, with Yeshi next to him. This that Rinpoche knew about our actual ef- put my energy in the restaurant, which group of 21 people, and the retreat would was the moment when Chögyal Namkhai forts and diffi culties in coping with daily became kind of meeting place for people start the last week of June and go on the Norbu Rinpoche in his great compassion life and that he could show us the possible from northern Italy who were interested in whole summer until the fi rst week of Sep- started to offi cially give teachings in Italy. and true path to self-liberation. I felt also Buddhism, Yoga, Zen and various healing tember. Laura Albini took care of all the that in case I would have a specifi c question practices. preparations, and wanted to construct a From this historical day on we had than on how to resolve some personal impasse, throne for Rinpoche as she had seen in the privilege to receive teachings every day, I could ask Rinpoche, and that his advice Lama Ghendun held a historic medita- Nepal in the monasteries. So she entrusted not following a fi xed timetable, but more would be helpful and authentic. I was feel- tion course of the Kagyupa Tradition at one of our Vajra brothers to construct a big according to daily circumstances, some- ing like on a cloud and protected by a circle the Non-Libreria, translated from Tibet- throne before the arrival of Rinpoche to re- times in the sitting room, sometimes in the of fi re, I knew that now nothing could re - an to English by his accompanying Anila ceive and place him with due honor as by garden, or in the dining room, and some- ally harm me any more. This was the link; I (nun) and in Italian by Mario Maglietti. We tradition. The throne did not grow much times in the morning or at night. As this had fi nally found my own real family. And moved the weeklong meditation course in height, and somehow the wood was not was such a small a group, everybody could this was only the beginning; many retreats for about 40 participants into a quiet little enough, so when we arrived we saw just a ask questions, and they did, hundreds and were to follow, from California to Sydney. hotel of a friend of mine in the mountains, podium about 30 centimeters high. How- hundreds of questions were answered by For a few years now I have lived near Meri- to Marzio, north of Milan. This Kagyupa ever Laura had brought smooth carpets Rinpoche on all topics: specifi c clarifi ca- gar and the adventure goes on. meditation course would remain unfor- and furs and placed them on the podium tions of texts, questions on the history of gettable and signifi cant for most people for Rinpoche to sit on. People had arrived Buddhism and of Tibet, on Rinpoche’s who were there, several who are now pu- from various parts of Italy and everybody personal life in Tibet, on pronunciation pils of Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche: Giulia- had high expectations. Rinpoche had ar- and melody of practices, as well as ques- no Casiraghi, Enrico dell’Angelo, Muriella rived by car with his son Yeshi and a man tions on conduct and ethics. Colajacomo, Stefano Pirovano, Paolino from Naples named Gennaro who seemed Perrela, and Massimo Moncelesan. How- to act as his factotum. After a few days I understood that now I had ever, on the occasion of the Kagyupa medi- found my Master, the teachings and expla- tation retreat in Marzio, I made the most nations were so clear and understandable,

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