No. 90 January, February 2008

upcoming retreats with CHÖGYAL

Photo: Romain Piro 2008 Venezuela Margarita Island, Tashigar Norte March 21–26

Dzogchen Teaching retreat Photo: N. Zeitz Open Webcast receives gifts from the children at the end of the retreat. April 4–9 Santi Maha Sangha, Yantra Yoga & Dance Teachers Training the mirror of total clarity April 25–30 Teaching Retreat shine and lhagthong retreat with CHÖGYAL NAMKHAI NORBU Open Webcast feb 1–6, 2008, tashigar south, argentina May 9–14 naomi zeitz Dzogchen Teaching Retreat Open Webcast The Mirror Of Total Clarity – An Explanation of Argentina. The teachings were based on Dani Simonelli added a new member, Edu- the General Principles About How to Practice a 72-page text written by Chögyal Nam- ardo Gromaches from Spain and his Ma- USA the Yogas of Shine and Lhagtong in the khai Norbu on Shine and Lhagthong in cintosh, so the space fi lled by the tireless New York City Tradition of Dzogchen Atiyoga Dzogchen. This retreat was a closed web technicians expanded and the entire seat- May 23–25 cast, so along with the approximately 200 ing of the retreat participants shifted over The essential Dzogchen teaching of Sangyas ati dzogchen lugsu shi lhag gi naljor chitar participants hailing from around the world to accommodate the area and wires need- Lingpa according to the Longsal teaching nyamsu lenpai tsul ragtsam tenpa kunsal in the newly painted Tashigar Gonpa, were ed for this invaluable service to all the in- Tsegyalgar East melong shechawa zhugso some 2000 practitioners, old and new, re- ternational Dzogchen Community, refi ned May 30 –June 6 ceiving the teaching in all the corners of and perfected by Yeshi Namkhai and Luigi Jigmed Lingpa’s Dzogchen teaching Yeshes a ti rdzogs chen lugs su zhi lhag gi rnal ‘byor ji the globe. Ottaviani. ltar nyams su len pa’i tshul rags tsam bstan pa As always at Tashigar, the days before On day one Rinpoche welcomed every- kun gsal me long zhes bya na bzhugs so the retreat were fi lled with a fl urry of activ- one and said they should feel at home, as June 13–15 ity and tents popped up like mushrooms in if in a family, and asked older practitioners Santi Maha Sangha III Level Exams the shady and tranquil camping area close to be aware of the new people and that ev- June 16–22 “If thought arises, you observe its face.” to the Gonpa. Previous to this for a cou- eryone should open to each other and not Santi Maha Sangha IV Level Training Garab Dorje ple of weeks, under the guidance of Rosa remain isolated. Then he introduced shine Namkhai, a dedicated and diligent crew and lhagthong as the practice for those of Canada of painters renovated both the inside and lower capacity and not something widely Toronto or six days surrounded by some- outside of the Quincho style Gonpa with diffused in the Dzogchen system. He said July 4–6 times torrential and relentless sum- fresh paint and embellished the columns that we use shine and lhagthong for develop- Dzogchen Teaching Retreat Fmer rains, from February 1 to 6, inside with lovely painted fl owers, based ing clarity. Romania a Shine and Lhagtong retreat taught by on the style of the Merigar Gonpa. On day two Rinpoche spoke about how Merigar East Chögyal Namkhai Norbu took place at Inside the Gonpa, the web cast team Dzogchen teaching is always connected July 14–20 beautiful Tashigar South, Cordoba State, normally comprised of Fabio Andrico and with transmission, but that shine is dif- Teaching Retreat >> continued on page 21 Open Webcast July 21–24 Teaching Interview Tashigar Sur Santi Maha Sangha Base Level Exam July 25–31 The origins Santi Maha Sangha Level I Training Chögyal Namkhai Yeshi Silvano of Tashigar Norbu Namkhai Italy South, Merigar West ’s Chozhi “It’s perfect from Argentina August 11–18 Rinchen Phrengwa the beginning” Teaching Retreat – The Necklace of Open Webcast the Four Precious >> continued on page 5 » Page 2 » Pages 4–5 » Pages 12, 13 THE MIRROR · No. 90 · January, February 2008

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ood day everybody everywhere. Today we will start together with ordinary people and we follow them, and we with the practice of Guruyoga. I already told you don’t know who they are or their condition, we can create Gthat the practice of Guruyoga is very important, many problems. We can also increase many distractions and that Guruyoga is a way of integrating what we have and useless actions; anger, fi ghting, and discussions de- learned. velop. Then chag dang increases; chag means attachment, We began the explanation of the fi rst of the four dhar- and dang means anger, and this is the main manifestation mas of Gampopa yesterday. We explained how precious of our ego. When we have that ego, we are always saying our human life is and also about impermanence. We “I like, I don’t like, I accept, I don’t accept”. We are always learned and try to be present in that awareness. Today we going ahead in that way and suffering increases. We can- have another from the fi rst group: the condition of karma not fi nd any essence of something positive. and its cause and effect and how the consequence of kar- People are not so satisfi ed in general even when we do ma is related with transmigration. We will learn these two our best. We have a saying: “Even Buddha will not be suc- arguments today. ceed to make everybody happy”. This manifests very much Impermanence not only means that one day we will die, in daily life. If we do something good, for example, like we but after death we can also have another birth. So birth, think that we want to do something benefi cial for others death and birth are suffering; that is our condition. We and do service for a group of people or a community, some can have birth in any dimension of the six lokas; there is people are happy, but some are not happy and they criti- not one single place where we have only happiness. The cize. Even if they criticize, for example, if they criticize me, nature of samsara is like a dimension of fi re, if we make a I know how the teaching is and I don’t really care if some- big fi re and in that dimension it is always hot, then it is not one criticizes me. I don’t really care and I don’t feel bad, really comfortable to be there. So we try to be free in this but I feel a little badly for them, because that is the igno- moment and with this occasion free from suffering. rance of the ego. Still I try to explain, to make the teaching So this is an explanation of the various sufferings of and the manifestation of the ego understood. Day after samsara. The dimension of hell is hot and cold sufferings. day and year after year, if the ego still manifests, I feel sad The dimension of the preta is hunger; hunger where there for them. In general, people do not feel sad but angry, and is nothing to eat or drink. The dimension of animals is they want to discuss, fi ght and struggle. Practitioners see always very heavy as they have very heavy ignorance; they Photo: Fabio Andrico things a little differently. There is never a moment when eat each other and are always suffering in that kind of all people are satisfi ed. condition. The suffering of human beings is related with You teach and explain in a correct way for many peo- our three emotions and all those problems. Then there LONGCHENPA’S ple, and they have understood and have benefi t, maybe are the Asuras who are always jealous and fi ghting. The not total benefi t, but all people can have some benefi t. Devas have the suffering of death and falling down at the We explain and give the teaching in the best way we can, end into the lower states. Even though in the Deva realm chozhi rinchen but everyone does not consider this something fantastic. there is some slight happiness, it is not permanent and For example, you give a Dzogchen teaching, the essence is always changing, and very often there is suffering. For phrengwa – the teaching like Guruyoga, how you integrate, and how you example, if someone is in a dimension of Deva, they can must be in instant presence. If you have understood this, enjoy and be happy. Then at one moment their life is inter- it is the real essence of the teaching. Some people don’t rupted and they fall down. Then they have the suffering of necklace of the understand that, and maybe the teacher explains everyday, the fi re of hell, because as we already said yesterday, in the but they want something else. Maybe they know some Deva realm they consume all merits and there is no merit four precious book titles or a famous teaching and would like to learn left for happiness. So we know these things and try to lib- that instead. So that is an example of a person who is not erate from samsara. satisfi ed. Our vision of this life is just like when we wake up from dharmas You can become a good friend and keep your relation- sleeping, at that moment we discover what kind of dream ship with someone, and manifest in a very kind way, but we had and that it is all impermanent and unreal. For that day two then at the end maybe they don’t feel that way and there reason, even if we have some happiness, at the end we will tashigar sur, december 29, 2007 is a kind of separation. We have many dependents, many leave all these things and go away. Even if we became very relations and friends we deal with, and we do our best for famous, a very important person, with so many depen- them, but then everything is impermanent and maybe they dents and great wealth, when we go away we go alone. All It is very important that we learn what the Bodhisat- all become a secondary cause for negativity, and for not these things are of no use. For that reason, it is very im- tvas taught. The said döpa chung, and that progressing in your practice. Instead of dealing with all portant that we try to apply and integrate the . means having less desire. If you feel hungry and you have these kinds of people, you can decide to go alone some- All our desires are like poison, similar to an army for no food, of course you have the desire to get food. That where to practice like Longchenpa. Longchenpa went killing or fi re for burning. All these things seem to bring is something concrete, but when you fi nd a little food, to the mountain of Kangri Thökar and in that way, like happiness provisionally, but then they all produce suffer- you are satisfi ed. That is how Buddhist monks did in an- Longchenpa, you can have more benefi t. Many practitio- ing. When we accumulate wealth and riches and protect it cient times, including Buddha. Then a rule developed for ners practice that way. Many practitioners give teachings with sacrifi ce, and we try to multiply that wealth day after monks that they could not keep food in the house, other- and have many followers, and that becomes negative for day, in the real sense we are multiplying and protecting wise desire develops. Everyday the monks would go out to their realization. If there are ten students, for example, the cause of suffering. It means that it is very important get small quantities of food. Maybe sometimes they would ten very perfect students is positive, and there are no neg- that we have that knowledge and understanding. Kheng go to four or fi ve families and then put all the food togeth- ativities or problems. or Longchenpa lived on a means, for example, that you become rich and feel very er and return before midday and at midday they would sit mountain and if someone was seriously interested in the important. Jung means that even though you have wealth, together and eat. They would not eat, only drink, until the teaching, they would have to sacrifi ce to follow the teach- you still need more and more, because you are never sat- next day. This is what they did in order to not have too ing, but there are not many students like that. For exam- isfi ed. Kun tang tsö che means for all these reasons we dis- much desire. ple, I remember my Uncle Khyentse Rinpoche. My uncle cuss, fi ght, and create problems for other people, and In Mahayana we do not follow the Hinayana tradition, lived in a cave where there was snow even in the summer- in the end what we produce and multiply is all kinds of so it is not necessary to do that, but we are always aware of time, so there was no place for people to stay. Once my emotions. Tagtu ching means we become more and more the reason and we try to have less desire. Chog she means uncle gave Nyingthig Yazhi, the very essential Upadesha attached and believe something is important and real. Du that when you have something you are satisfi ed. If you teaching, and nearly forty of his students came from dif- dzi yeng means that we always dedicate our time for these think that you have this, but maybe you need something ferent places. We had no place for them to sleep or receive kinds of actions. Lü tang sog la gol means that sometimes more, when these thoughts arise you immediately recog- the teaching. There was a small cave inside this cave, but because of our power and position, we lose our precious nize that you have more desire. Then you think that what we couldn’t sit in an ordinary way. If we sat in an ordinary body and life. When we are dedicated to this kind of con- you have is enough. This is called chog she. In Tibetan this way twenty people fi lled the place, so we all sat in the po- dition, we have many things to do. We never feel very free, is called dö chung chog she, and is famous for practitioners. sition of the rishi and my uncle gave teaching to us that and we always say that we are occupied with this or that, Ngang gi gewa phel means if we are dö chung chog she, we way. We fi nished the teaching and all the students went and give it too much importance. We do not even have automatically increase virtue. For that reason, people who down the mountain before dark because it was in a forest, enough time to practice, so all this is contrary to Dharma. follow the path of the liberation try to have less desire and and they slept in the forest under the trees. In the morn- Phagpa nam means like a , a holy person who try to be satisfi ed. ing they woke up and came back up the mountain. That has such knowledge, who considers these kinds of activi- If someone has no desire, that person is a kind of Bod- means that these people really had the capacity to sacri- ties of little use. People who have less desire, for example, hisattva. People who have less desire are of the Bodhisat- fi ce and were seriously interested in the teaching. They are satisfi ed with a small house to live in. It is called döpa tva family, so that is good. People who have more desire became good students. Our condition is different. When chung when one has less desire. Contrary to that, someone multiply suffering and emotions, so to the contrary, if we we say ‘we do a retreat’, people come and if it is not com- who has made a small house needs a bigger one tomor- have less desire, we automatically increase virtue. For that fortable they discuss and say that there is no good food, row. Then when you have a big house, you are not satisfi ed reason we follow the holy masters of ancient times and no place to sit or sleep, and they also say, “Why did we pay and you need another house somewhere else. If you have try to be satisfi ed and live in a very simple way. We try not and there is no preparation?”. nothing and you get a bicycle you are happy, but when you to be elegant or get rich, more powerful, or get a higher We must understand our situation in society. We are have more possibility you are no longer satisfi ed with a position, etc. Particularly people who follow sutra should not on a mountain; we are in a city, in a country, we have bicycle, and you need a car. Then after a little while you be this way. electricity, houses, and we buy everything we need with are not satisfi ed with a car, but you need a big and good When we are with other people we can create and de- money. Of course people need to pay, otherwise who pays? car. This is our real condition. All people have this kind velop many negativities. If we are together with a good The teacher is giving teaching, but someone needs to pay of desire. practitioner, of course we can have benefi t, but if we are the teacher. Sometimes the teacher travels, so you should THE MIRROR · No. 90 · January, February 2008 News

3 important words a marvelous teaching from CHÖGYAL in the argentine summer NAMKHAI NORBU LONGCHENPA’s chozhi rinchen phrengwa – the necklace of the four precious dharmas f people remain in the Dzog- chen Community and are georgia mcdonald Inot interested in my teach- ing, but continue to create seri- t is summer in the south- ous problems, the Gakyil of the ern hemisphere and many Community where that person Inew and old students from is a member has the right to expel all over the world have gathered that person from the Dzogchen in Tashigar Sur at Christmas Community. The Gakyil should time for Rinpoche’s retreat on also inform the worldwide Dzog- Longchenpa’s commentary to chen Community of the situa- the Four Dharmas of Gampopa. tion. With the warm summer breeze fi ltering in through the Gonpa’s If someone has problems or ten- open windows and the sounds of sions with people of the Gakyil birds chirping away in the sur- or the Gakyil’s activities, then the rounding woods, many fortunate Gakyil and that person should students had the opportunity meet together and try to discover to receive Rinpoche’s profound and festivities that was enjoyed place of the fi rst wooden fl oored liable electricity source could be the root of the problem. In that teachings mixed with entertain- by all, and included an indoor that was built at Tashi- guaranteed to transmit the web- way they can discuss with each ing stories and anecdotes from Olympics and then spontaneous gar by Rinpoche himself along casts of Rinpoche, and also more other and fi nd the correct way to his vast life experience. songs from students from across with students in 1990, but has money was needed to go towards proceed. In this way no one can the globe, with Rinpoche mak- been updated with a new, dura- the cost of the new external man- be egoistical because we all are Summer in Tashigar Sur, Argen- ing a contribution of some songs ble concrete base, and a beautiful dala. An atmosphere of happy related with the Vajra samaya; tina, is a mix of warm, balmy from which he played on French-style shingled roof, for spending pervaded the Gonpa, then the problem can be over- days and sudden thunder storms his fl ute. dancing in the rain! with international rivalry coming come and solved. in the early evening that send ev- to the fore as the bids went up eryone outside to verandas to en- Every morning as Rinpoche and Gampopa was one of the best stu- and up, especially over the won- We must try to remember who joy the cool, refreshing breeze students arrived at the Gonpa, dents of Milarepa and wrote these derful objects that Rinpoche gen- we are and what we are doing. they bring. From the Gonpa win- billowing white smoke, offer- four Dharmas incorporating the erously donated. The Gakyil was We must try to purify the wrong dows we can see the little woods ing and purifying, could be seen global teachings of the Buddha very pleased to announce at the things we have done and contin- across the now dry creek bed coming from the sangkhang. The Shakyamuni, including Sutra, end of the evening that they had ue to do. All the followers of my where many students camp in the second of the four Dharmas, and Dzogchen teachings. raised close to US$ 8500. teachings are seriously brothers shade of the trees, and the slant- Rinpoche explained, is that once Longchenpa also had knowledge and sisters of Vajra. This is the ing football pitch where some hi- we are aware of the precious op- of these four Dharmas and so To sum up the last of the four most important point for our larious games have been played portunity that we have had in composed a short teaching about dharmas, Rinpoche described practitioners and is their main in past years. It is a superb set- coming into contact with the them while he was living at his how illusory vision manifests as practice. ting for receiving these precious Dharma, we must make sure that personal retreat place on ‘Snow wisdom, and taught us to try and teachings from the Master. what we learned becomes some- Mountain’ in Bhutan. For the maintain presence and not be dis- If a Gakyil or single person, who- thing concrete, the path. In order third Dharma Rinpoche taught tracted by thoughts but to simply ever, does not want to go in this As the days grew longer, with the for something to become con- us that even though now we are ‘observe the face’ of them. direction, then I ask them not to winding of the clocks to daylight crete, we need to follow a perfect on this path, we still have dualis- follow my teaching and not to do savings time, Rinpoche explained teacher in the best way we can, tic vision and live in illusion, and This marvelous teaching was anything associated or related to the meaning of the fi rst of the for both our own benefi t and for so he gave further details about transmitted also via webcast to the Dzogchen Community. By not four Dharmas, the preciousness the benefi t of all sentient beings. the three ways to liberate this vi- hundreds of students around the going in the direction I ask, there of our human condition and to sion with the common, particu- globe who could thus also par- are no benefi ts for you or the always remember the famous The sunny days at Tashigar Sur lar and supreme methods. ticipate in this retreat beyond Dzogchen Community and it cre- words of the Buddha, that ‘life is were fi lled with activities from the limits of distance. And so ates many samaya problems.  just like a big dream’. morning till night, with Yantra On the second to last day of the from the depths of all our hearts Yoga, courses in the Dance of the retreat after the Ganapuja, an we offer our sincere thanks to On New Year’s Eve everyone came Vajra and explanations of collec- auction was held to raise money our Master for these wonderful together in the Gonpa once again tive practices. It was wonderful for the projects of the Commu- teachings. for ‘Toasts’ with the Master and to see the opening of the external nity of Tashigar Sur. Most im- Rosa. The Tashigar Sur Gakyil mandala for Dance of the Vajra portant to achieve was buying a organized a great program of fun during this retreat. It is in the new generator so that a more re-

>> continued from left page also pay the travel expenses. Many people don’t under- ation becomes something of that kind. For that reason, telephone, etc. Someone in Italy, at Merigar, went to do a stand these things and they say ask why they should pay Longchenpa says it is very important that we try to do our dark retreat, and the geköe of Merigar was doing service for the Dharma. If you go to a mountain like where Mi- best to be alone and do practice. for that person, and when the geköe went to bring food larepa lived, then you don’t have to pay and if you don’t All ancient masters, teachers, say they lived in a quiet to that person, they asked the geköe to charge their cell need to eat you can go there. Many people come to our place, did personal retreat and obtained realization. For phone. That is interesting, huh?! retreats, and not always people who are seriously inter- that reason Longchenpa said he remained alone at this There are less distractions, so devotion and the knowl- ested. Some people come out of curiosity and it is com- place called Kangri Thöka, which is on a top of a moun- edge of the condition of samsara arise and manifest that fortable for them. Maybe they need to spend some money, tain. Before that he lived in many places, in monasteries feeling in a more natural way. There is no contact with but maybe they have the money to spend. Then these same and also went around and gave teachings. His nickname people and less activity. It is not necessary to think of oth- people criticize and that is very diffi cult. was bsam yas pa, Samye (bsam yas) is the monastery built er people, what you can and can’t do, and you are freer. If a teacher wanted to check people one by one to see if by Guru and Longchenpa lived in that Rang wang means we are free, jorde means we feel happy they are serious or not, that would be diffi cult. The teacher monastery. He gave teachings there so he became the and do not lack anything. Day and night we can integrate should give the teaching seriously even to students who are ‘teacher of bsam yas’. Later when he saw how the situa- with the practice. We put our precious human condition not serious, it doesn’t matter. When the students receive tion was, he escaped to the mountain. in a more important position and for the benefi t of this the teaching seriously, they are connected with samaya. If I could escape like Longchenpa maybe I would feel human condition we do our best with our body, speech, Later ignorant students do not respect each other, discuss very happy. The solitary place where all the Buddhas and mind, and everything.  and create problems with each other. If you are a teacher Bodhisattvas are is said to be the best place. That means like this, you must think a little. Sometimes I feel very sad no one creates problems for you, like discussing, arguing, Transcribed by Georgia McDonald because somehow I cannot leave my students when they or accusing you. There may be some animals like mosqui- Edited by Naomi Zeitz say they need to do a retreat. Of course, we go ahead and toes. That is possible. In this place, very deep contempla- do a retreat. When we go ahead we have so many of these tion and knowledge increases. Then all that you do, day kinds of problems and we don’t know what to do. Tibet- after day, is integrated with Dharma. You can have more ans use a saying, for example, what should you do if there presence and awareness of impermanence. You have no is boiling iron in your hand, if you throw it is not good desire to buy this or that because on the mountain you and if you hold it, it is also not so easy for you. This situ- don’t need anything. In a city you need a computer, a THE MIRROR · No. 90 · January, February 2008 News

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“it’s perfect from the beginning” update from yeshi namkhai tashigar south, argentina feb 17, 2008

Mirror: Yeshi, it has been a while what electricity is and it is not un- since we last met. Could you tell til she gets an electric shock that us what’s new in your life and in she truly understands electricity’s the work you have been doing for potentiality. When we deal with the Dzogchen community? metaphysical concepts (mean- Yeshi: As a matter of fact I have ing concepts that transcend our been quite busy in the two past senses) usually we behave like years and I have not had the children and thus we sponta- chance to share with everyone the neously create “abstract” ideas work I have done and the results that will later become, through we have obtained. Right now I our experiences, concrete. But at am focusing on “high-risk” proj- times it is not east to build this ects in collaboration with the relationship and so we do not International Gakyil, and on the recognize ourselves and the idea Webcast that gives us the gift of remains abstract: and indeed “to our Master’s vision and precious contextualize” is diffi cult. teachings each month Yeshi and Rinpoche at the Shitro Initiation, Tashigar South, February 2008. Photo: E. Rubinat Mirror: A little like math in Mirror: You have only referred in school, fi rst you must under- Mirror: Then to be part of a gaky- of awareness, that is, of always in the attempt to suggest simple passing to the most obvious re- stand the theorem and then you il can be a burdensome commit- trying to keep in mind our limita- behaviors and procedures to bet- sults of the work done over the can apply it. But if the problem ment? tions and that we must strive to ter convey this document’s main past four years, such as econom- becomes more complex we are Yeshi: Well, it is serious appli- make “conditions correspond to points. ic stability, or the increased col- not always able to solve it. cation. It means to integrate circumstances”. In other words, laboration between local groups, Yeshi: Yes, with the difference daily and to work with circum- we should not spend too much Mirror: Could it be the case that sites and gakyils, so I guess you that mathematics is a “defi ned” stances for the sake of the Com- time looking at ourselves and at Community members see them- do not consider them important fi eld, that is, a fi eld with rules munity and of oneself. To apply our emotions: rather we should selves differently from the way they achievements? (for instance, the Abelian fi eld – a principle is always an impor- make an effort to contextualize are described in this document? Yeshi: Of course these are impor- [Translator’s note: An Abelian fi eld or tant commitment: in my work well our problems. Two years ago Yeshi: Yes, this is the main rea- tant achievements but they are domain is a set of elements a, b, c, … experience this has always been I compiled the most important son, and as we all know, change after all relative ones; besides, I forming Abelian groups with addition what has made the difference. advice to improve collaboration is scary, but often we are not do not like to take center stage and multiplication as group opera- As you know, aside from being in the Community, and I would aware that everything changes because it reminds me too much tions where a(b + c) = ab + ac]. When a husband and a father, I also encourage everyone to read this while our idea of ourselves re- the business world and I have we speak of knowledge and of in- have normal job and my profes- document carefully. When we mains the same. For instance, nothing to sell or to show. There tegration of the teachings in daily sional life deals with consulting do not succeed in understand- my son said that he wants to are two aspects that I have been life it is a little more complicated. for medium and large compa- ing concretely the meaning of learn how to skateboard. So we trying to emphasize all along: We are Westerners, and we are nies. I have always related to the a word it can happen that not got him one, but I did not im- knowledge and its integration in used to think only of two basic times of the information technol- matter how clear this word may mediately go ahead and jump in everyday life, even if I have often aspects: mind and body, and on ogy and of organization through be, it may not make sense to us: the middle of the street, racing at used terms that are commonly their basis we build our identity. the principles of the teachings. I and indeed the fi rst complaints neck-breaking speed. First of all, used in the Western cultural con- For example, we Europeans from have been successful in this, and regarding this document had to I have gotten older, and I could text. After all these are the two the Old Continent say that we my career has been quite fast: bit deal with the fact that it has many fall; and in any case, the things main motivations for the people have thousands of years of histo- aside from this, I have also dis- business terms and that it refers I knew how to do with a skate- drawn to the teachings, namely, ry, while North Americans, from tinguished myself for having the to complicated procedures. For board when I was younger are the desire to know and move be- the New Continent, are modern right and balanced approach, sure the material we have written most likely out of fashion today, yond their limitations. and love progress. So we can talk and I have always brought my cli- over the past two years have tried or even ridiculous. So we went for hours without truly proving ents towards a real understand- to develop the Master’s vision in and saw what kids do today with Mirror: It seems that as time goes anything. When we instead do ing of their problems. Obviously a modern and professional way, their boards and I understood by, your language and your work not deal with universal problems, I was never one to shine for sale and in this sense they may come that it is a sport for older kids. mode are getting closer and clos- but with daily ones, we often end numbers, but I have consistently across at times as challenging. So my son and I are now learning er to the principles of the teach- up engaging in psychological in- distinguished myself for leader- Then again, once the terms have slowly, slowly the essentials of ings. Is this just an impression or trospection. It is not by chance ship, and for my ability to coordi- been explained, the ideas are easy skate-boarding and then, if when has this been true all along? that we are always drawn to psy- nate and to train others, so much to apply. What I fi nd very strange my son’s passion will continue Yeshi: Actually this has always chology, but then when we meet so that I became a manager very are observations such as “[…] when he grows older, he will fi nd been the case. The fact of the mat- the teachings we discover the quickly. I have tried and use all this document constantly refers his own way. Many people do not ter is that at the beginning there energy level and we do not really the time available to integrate to writing and also to writing for realize that the world changes as were circumstances that at fi rst know how to converse with it. the teachings in my daily life, others. I have neither the time years go by: even the Community required a language more orient- including the many hours spent nor the skill to do this: why am I has changed, but many attitudes ed towards the business world, Mirror: Interesting: do you mean driving and my nights spent in forced to do it?” have not. These attitudes are usu- and then called for concrete ac- “to converse” because we are al- various hotels, but especially in ally motivated by “nostalgia” or tion. Only now I am able to use ways, after all, using body and the choice of projects and in my Mirror: This is a common ques- by resistance to the “excessive a language that is for me more mind to understand everything, approach to them. Often I would tion: what is your answer? modernity of computers and the spontaneous and direct in order like it works with philosophy as begin by selling software to then Yeshi: When the answer is obvi- web”. But these complaints often to give a more correct form. well? come to wrap things up by trying ous, I try and make the person come from the same people who Yeshi: Exactly. When teachings to explain attitude and the impor- think, maybe by asking her an- will immediately use their cells to Mirror: I do not understand what say that you must go to the es- tance of knowledge. To work for other question such as: “Well, send text messages as soon as I you mean: could you give me an sence and not stop at the intellec- a company or for the Community why do we then dedicate merits?” look elsewhere, something that I, example? tual level we must not think that makes no difference, what mat- Can you believe that many peo- for one, have never even learned Yeshi: Sure. Think of how we, they are referring to “scholars” ters are your approach and com- ple have gone so far as to ask me how to do (because I use a palm as well intentioned parents, try debating holy texts. They mean mitment. Of course, to work to if the Master had truly read and organizer). and answer a child who asks for us and our abstract ideas, and increase the profi t of your com- understood the document?! I am the fi rst time why the light goes these abstract ideas need to cor- pany might be less gratifying, but always very proud to answer with Mirror: (laughs) Interesting! What off when we use the light switch. respond to our experience and obviously it is all relative. this sentence: “In 2004 I went to are you working on right now? We adults know that electricity clarity for our knowledge of our Tashigar Norte and in less than Yeshi: As the head of the Inter- is what generates light and that true state to become authentic. Mirror: What advice would you three hours [the Master] had read national Gakyil, I try and follow the light-bulb is its medium, but And in order for this to happen, give to the many people who are and approved the document, and high stakes’ projects, or I solve this is not easy to explain and we information and method are not interested in becoming a gakyil all I had to do was to explain an diffi cult issues. I take care of the end up doing so at a physical and enough: we need the teacher, the member or who wish to collabo- economic or technical term here webcasts and of developing the chemical level. The child under- transmission and application. rate with the Community? and there”. In any event, after all entire technological framework. stands the relationship between This is why I am saying that to Yeshi: I would give them fi rst of all the complaints, I have outlined When I can, I try and go to the light-bulb and electricity, but re- contextualize is not easy. my best wishes. Then I would ask the essential points of this text different Community centers to mains with an “abstract” idea of them to refl ect on the importance and have sent it to all the gakyils, help out and to train people. This THE MIRROR · No. 90 · January, February 2008 News

5 takes most of my working day, give you an example related to quality. So we began improving plaining in detail the solution so judge them or to display them in and this year I have left my job as the webcasts. In the beginning, the webcast conditions in the lo- that I can make an appropriate public. For sure there are things a manager and have gone back Luigi and I, focusing on common cal gars, but we have not always evaluation of the proposal, what that are just wrong, killing for to consulting. I have opened an sense, had examined different succeeded, and once in a while I get are either very imaginative instance. Choosing what is good offi ce in Grosseto to be able to solutions that would work for the the transmission has not been 100-page documents or just emp- and what is bad does not make combine my job with helping technological framework of Mer- perfect, and thus the fi nal prod- ty words. And I end up being the sense, but I have no doubt that concretely the gakyils. Right now igar West and of possibly the rest uct would not be either. So in the one writing the three pages and for instance the webcast is a very various gakyil members from all of the Community. The simplest end, those who seemed happy making the evaluations myself in important thing, because it al- over the world contact Merigar and most advantageous solution have begun to complain again the middle of the night. So what lows us to come in contact with West for any type of query. I am was based on Microsoft and al- and to propose alternatives: and we need is the good sense to un- the Master almost once a month. hoping to soon be able to offer lowed to set up all the necessary now we are once more receiv- derstand who we are and how we them a direct and preferential collaboration tools as well as the ing very creative proposals based are organized. This in turn will Mirror: Since our time is up, is line of communication. I also Webcast according to schedule. now on the original Microsoft- allow us to understand better our there anything else you would want to continue implementing So we created a prototype with based platform! Thus this story limitations and to fi nd a simple like to add, though we hope that concretely a project that I have al- these guidelines, and showed it shows that there are no perfect solution that will help us. If then we will be able to continue this ready been involved in for many to the Master, who liked it. After things, but that we must work this solution can be deployed in a conversation in Italy? years, namely training the gaky- we began the webcasts, however, with circumstances, and that we context that will allow us to cre- Yeshi: I must say I run out of ils, and improving communica- we ran into some problems due must try and be simple and prac- ate the foundations for our es- ideas, and I could talk for hours. tion between people and gaky- to incompatibility issues between tical. We need some common sential services, then everything But in the end what we need are ils. I would like to offer online the Mac and Linux operating sys- sense. I always joke that at Meri- will become cheaper and more always the same few and simple course to cut down the time in- tems. From there all possible gar West we try and do things like effi cient. things. Every time I speak with a volved in becoming active in any interpretations and accusations the Christians, because we still gakyil they always ask me: “So you given gakyil. I am also checking came forth: fi rst of all we were have not understood how Bud- Mirror: I see that you have a lot have any special ideas for us?”, internal communication as well seen as ignorant and incompe- dhists should operate… to say about each issue, which or something along those lines, as communication with the out- tent in information technology, means that your involvement in and indeed there is a tendency to side world, which means col- then as wanting to support multi- Mirror: (laughs) Very funny! Dur- all of them is very deep. How do look for something external that laboration tools and websites. national companies (such as Mi- ing the last webcast you sent an you manage to balance family, will take care of everything. This All these projects require money, crosoft), then we were even seen email dealing with the diffi cul- career and Community? attitude often stems from the in- time, and multiple skills: I hope as people who always want to give ties that had come up: what hap- Yeshi: First of all, I have a very terpretation of the principles of that with my new offi ce I will be orders and control everything. So pened exactly? effi cient wife who is also very the teachings, we have so much able to build a bridge for collab- we started receiving very imagi- Yeshi: For the fi rst two years I had devoted to the teachings. Then I to apply that little time is left in oration and also to divide some native projects that almost invari- an Italian sponsor, but then we have next to me people who share one lifetime. I have never made a of the tasks among gakyils and ably would have in common soft- ran out of money and the Istituto my approach and give themselves separation between work and the community. ware based on open-source tech- Shang Shung is doing its best to to their tasks completely, and for teachings. For me they are exactly nology. In short, we understood keep the system running. During those I am always thankful. I also the same thing, the point is you Mirror: As a matter of fact it is that in the end our goal was not the last webcast we had serious have good professional sense, don’t mix things in the wrong too much to deal with all this by to create problems: we knew very problems, and now I would like but fi rst and foremost, I have a way and you follow the principles yourself: how come you do not well that open source means in- to make everything much more very profound devotion to the of the teachings, so things go have collaborators? stability and greater costs but in stable and professional but this teachings and to our Master. well. Most of the problems we Yeshi: There are two main factors the end we decided to accommo- will require more collaboration have are that people are mixing that make working together dif- date people. So we took the best and a higher yearly cost. In order Mirror: It is very stimulating to things in the wrong way. What I fi cult: barriers and knowledge. aspects of the open-source sys- to make everything simpler and hear this type of talk, especial- mean by mixing is that people in- By “barriers” I mean any type of tem and of the characteristics of more functional we must col- ly since often people complain terpret things incorrectly instead geographical, technological, lin- web TV’s professional products laborate and employ useful tech- about doubts and insecurities. of applying them. Interpreting is guistic distance. The former has and we invented a HD system nical solutions, in short, without What do you think about this? different. You have to keep the been, historically, the biggest that today has become standard- having each person following his Yeshi: I cannot really say, I have principle always pure. “It’s per- obstacle in our Community, but ized. When we did this, people or her idea and without a con- never had doubts about certain fect from the beginning”, you ap- it is one we can overcome with seemed happy, but we are now stant fl ow of “expert opinion”. things, and I do not usually give ply the method and that method some good will and effort. The left with lots of manual labor be- Yes, in the Community when we importance to other things, be- should correspond to the prin- latter means knowledge as un- cause the open-source systems speak of collectivity there are al- cause often they are very relative ciple and the conditions you have derstanding of the Community’s are not meant to deal with indus- ways so many experts and scien- and can manifest one way or an- in that moment. history and motivations, but fi rst trial scale work. Our webcast sys- tists who have done it all, from other without much difference. and foremost it means under- tem could transmit in DVD qual- going to the Moon to working The teachings, Tibetan culture, Mirror: Thank you very much standing of the principles of the ity, but since quite a few gars do for the President of the United integration in society and other Yeshi. teachings. This second obstacle not have good DSL connections, States. But when the time comes similar things are very important Yeshi: You are most welcome and is also hard to explain: let me we must broadcast at very low to write a three-page paper ex- to me, and I do not waste time to I will see you in Italy.

>> upcoming retreats continued from page 1

Kalmykia Brazil September 8–15 November 26–30 Dzogchen Teaching Brazil Retreat Retreat Argentina Open Webcast December 5–8 Italy Buenos Aires Merigar West Weekend Retreat Sept. 26–Oct. 3 Tashigar Sur Dzogchen Teaching Dec. 26–Jan. 1 Retreat Dzogchen Teaching October 6–9 Retreat Santi Maha Sangha Open Webcast III Level Exam www.jcrows.com October 10–17 Santi Maha Sangha IV Level Training J. Crow’s ® Oct. 31–Nov. 3 Mulling Spice Practice and Folk Medicine Teaching dedicated to those who have Tibetan Medicine died SpicedCider.com Spain fax or phone: November 14–20 1 800 878 1965 603 878 1965 Barcelona Retreat [email protected] THE MIRROR · No. 90 · January, February 2008 ASIA

6 urgent need of funds for the construction of derge tibetan school

Dear Members, Last year we made an appeal to raise funds for the construction of an elementary school in the Tibetan region of Derge. Thanks to the generous response from ASIA’s supporters, we were able to start this project. Currently the The classes in the old building. classrooms are fi nished, and the construction of the dormitories has already started. However, the kitchen, dining hall, bathrooms and recreation rooms have not been built yet.

We need to fi nish the construc- tion of the school by next sum- mer, so that the children can be- gin their school year in Septem- ber of 2008.

More than ever your contribution is vital in order to fi nish the con- struction and furnishing of the school. Please spread the word. Together we can make the Derge elementary school a reality! Classrooms in construction. The completed classrooms. Thank you once again for your kind support and your precious Derge is a small town of about Khempo Sonam is pleased, and collaboration. 5,000 inhabitants, sitting in a together we admire the exterior valley surrounded by high moun- of the building. Inside, the class- Happy New Year from all the ASIA tains. A peaceful country life fi lls rooms are fi nished. There is a staff! the streets. Here the Chinese in- smell of new wood fl oors, and Andrea Dell’Angelo fl uence is felt less than in the big- the sunlight streams through the (Director) ger cities, and the infl uence of Ti- red wooden windows. We stop betan culture seems to be stron- to look at the trumpet wall effect, P.S. Riccardo, an ASIA representa- ger. All is in fact very “Tibetan”, the huge glass face heats the in- tive, has just returned from Tibet and from the style of the houses, to ternal gap, and warm air enters hurry up. Soon we are back in Please make your donations wants to tell us what he saw: the simplicity of the people, and the room through big openings Derge, among the nomads still through the following: the sense of spirituality. providing natural heat. walking around the Print House · bank account n. 3893.50 fter an 8-hour drive across and smiling and greeting as we at Monte dei Paschi di Siena in the mountain roads of On the way to Khempo Sonam’s The students’ rooms are ready to pass by in our car. the name of A.S.I.A. Onlus AEastern Tibet, I arrive in residence, I participate in a Kora be furnished, but we need to wait IBAN: IT 27 M 01030 72160 0000 Derge. I have come from Cham- (a walk around a sacred place) until spring to build the dining Riccardo Ducci 00389350 do, one of the eastern most towns around the Print House of Derge hall and the bathrooms. Winters International Projects SWIFT BIC: PASC IT M1G99 of the Tibetan Autonomous Re- with a lot of pilgrims. The Print are harsh here, and it is too cold · credit card: visit our web page: gion – TAR, where I went to get House of Derge, the oldest pub- to pour cement. We also need to www.asia-onlus.org or calling permits from the local authori- lishing house in Tibet, contains wait for milder temperatures to How you can contribute: us at 00 39 06 44 34 00 34 ties to offer health care training about 70 % of all the sacred pub- allow workers coming from else- $ 73 US / 50 Euro buys an educa- to local residents. lications. I also pass the wonder- where to camp on the construc- tional materials kit for fi ve chil- Also, for U.S. donors: ful and traditional residences of tion sight. dren · Mail check made out to “ASIA,” Half an hour from Derge, I run the most important of the $ 218 US / 150 Euro buys furni- to ASIA, P.O. Box 124, Conway, into a police roadblock that looks region. It is important to take advantage ture for the kitchen and the din- MA, 01341-0124 USA, please write like a border crossing. It marks of the winter to continue with ing hall “Derge School” and specifi c the end of the TAR and the en- Khempo Sonam receives me in a the fundraising campaign for the $ 725 US / 500 Euro helps with aspect of project (school kits, trance to the Sichuan region – warm and welcoming room, full Derge Elementary School, and the construction of a bedroom furniture or bedroom) in Memo the administrative seat of Derge. of colored fabrics and religious begin the spring with enough We welcome all donations or make a general donation by The situation should be calmer. thankas. It is a welcome meet- money to fi nish construction in writing “Derge School – general Less pressure and fewer checks ing, not at all a working meeting: time for the start of the school donation. by the police, no authorization times and manners here are very year in September 2008. needed to move from one village different compared to what we · Pay by credit card through to another, and no special visa for are used to in the west. Welcom- Khempo Sonam is eager to move PayPal – please email asia- Derge. ing and listening to the guest are the students into the new build- [email protected] for details. more important than everything ing, so that they don’t spend However the situation is tense to- else. Finally we discuss the Derge another year in the old school · Direct deposit: Bank of West- day and there are many Lamas in School, and we plan a visit to or the monastery’s dormitories. ern Massachusetts, South Deer- town. People tell me that the local check the progress. Moreover, Khempo Sonam’s new fi eld, Massachusetts authorities have demanded the school will also admit girls, who Account #12 36 14 15 02 presence of Lamas from different The Derge School is just outside until now could not stay in the Routing# 011 80 24 88 monasteries across the region. the center of town on a street that monastery’s dormitory. This also The infl uence of the Burmese un- passes in front of a monastery. doubles the number of students rest reaches here as well. The school is a two-story build- at the new Derge School. ing whose traditional architec- Just as I settle into our offi ce, in tural style integrates with the The sun is disappearing behind front of the river crossing the surrounding mountains. Derge the mountains and the tempera- town, I receive a welcome invita- lies below and all around there is ture is dropping. Khempo So- tion to visit Khempo Sonam. silence and light. nam slowly closes the main door of the building and tells me to THE MIRROR · No. 90 · January, February 2008 Shang Shung Institute

7

membership update shang shung To register for the intensives USA please contact Miranda at for shang shung institute institute [email protected] or update call (413)369-49 28. Hello everybody, and best wishes for a inside, or a calendar with pho- very happy and successful New Year! tos from Tibet produced by the Please join us in welcoming the USA Bookstore Shang Shung Institute, or one new class of 2012 starting this As of January 1, 2008 the Tseg- e would like to thank item spring semester in Conway, MA. yalgar Bookstore has become everyone who became · a CD, or a DVD (produced by We would also like to introduce the Shang-Shung Institute – USA Wa member of the In- the SSI), or a book (produced by our new administrative assistant, Bookstore. We plan to offer the stitute in 2007, and supported us Shang Shung Edizioni) of your Miranda Simmons Shannon, a same great service, including a in that way. As each membership choice from our website: long time community member. full selection of Chögyal Namkhai lasts only from the payment of · a luxury ballpoint pen of the SSI The next Traditional Tibetan Norbu Rinpoche’s books, CDs, the membership fee until the 31st · free mailing of these gifts to santi maha sangha Medicine 4 year class is expect- and DVDs and fast shipping. of December of the same year, everywhere in the world ed to begin in September 2008. We hope to create a new larger and is not renewed automati- · full access to our web shop. update The Shang-Shung Institute also website that will include all our cally, it would be wonderful and the new procedures for offers a monthly talk series in products soon. For now, you can extremely helpful if you could be- 3. Sustaining membership: the santi maha sangha Northampton, MA as well as nu- buy public materials online at come a member again in 2008. 108 Euro or US $ 160 examinations merous intensive courses. www.shangshung.org/shop/. Maybe this year even a sustaining Each sustaining member receives: or meritorious member? · a crystal with the logo of the The documents containing the Shang Shung Institute printed new procedures for the Santi By joining us as a member, you inside or a calendar with photos Maha Sangha examinations will prove your interest in Ti- from Tibet produced by the are now available at a web page betan culture and your commit- Shang Shung Institute where they can be downloaded: ment to preserve it for all future · one item – a CD, or a DVD (pro- http://www.dzogchen.it/pages/ generations. With your concrete duced by the SSI), or a book (pro- santi-maha-sangha.php_ support, you will help us ensure duced by Shang Shung Edizioni) In the fi le called SMS Exams that the wisdom and knowledge of your choice from our website. Guidelines point fi ve was added of such a rare and unique civiliza- · a luxury ballpoint pen of the SSI to the Admission Request. Please tion will not be endangered. · free mailing of these gifts to ev- read it carefully before sending erywhere in the world your request. In 2008, we again offer four dif- · full access to our web shop. ferent kinds of memberships and Every Gakyil is requested to keep each full member will receive sev- 4. Meritorious membership: a copy of these documents in their eral „goodies“. 360 Euro or US $ 500 archives and make them available Class of 2012 with Dr. Tenzin Dagpa in the center. Photo: J. Mella Each meritorious member to their members and practitio- 1. Preliminary membership: receives: ners. For any clarifi cation please Following are the 2008 Tibetan In order to buy restricted items, 5 Euros or US $ 7 · 10% discount on all courses contact the Santi Maha Sangha Medicine Summer Intensives in please download our catalog at In order to be able to purchase and seminars of the ISSI coordinator of your Gar or the Conway, MA: www.tsegyalgareast.org/book some items from our shop, one · a crystal with the SSI-logo print- Santi Maha Sangha coordinating Moxibustion store. must be a member of the inter- ed inside or a calendar with pho- center of the Shang Shung Insti- with Dr. Tanzin Dargye Please keep in mind that our new national Shang Shung Institute. tos from Tibet produced by the tute at Merigar. June 7th – 9th, 2008 policy states that you must have The preliminary membership is a Shang Shung Institute Fee: $ 225 received transmission as well as limited membership and no com- · a crystal with the A printed in- Best wishes, be a current Dzogchen commu- mitments regarding the Shang side Shang Shung Institute Tibetan Medicine Symposium nity member in order to buy re- Shung Institute are being taken · two items – CDs, or DVDs (pro- SMS Coordinating Center with Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo and stricted materials. with this membership. This kind duced by the SSI), or books (pro- keynote address by Chögyal Our mailing address has changed, of membership is just a manda- duced by Shang Shung Edizioni) Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche but all of our other contact infor- tory requirement to purchase any of your choice from our website. Santi Maha Sangha Coordinators: June 13th – 15th, 2008 mation remains the same: of the products offered by the · a luxury ballpoint pen of the SSI Merigar West/East: Igor Legati, Shang Shung Institute. · a calculator of the SSI [email protected] Mental Illness Shang-Shung Institute – USA Actual members of the inter- · full access to the web shop Tsegyalgar East/West: Jim Valby, with Dr. Kunchog Gyaltsen Bookstore, national Dzogchen Community · free mailing of these gifts to [email protected] June 17th–18th, 2008 P.O. Box 278 do not need to get this prelimi- everywhere in the world. Fee: $ 150 Conway, MA 01341, USA Tashigar South/North: nary membership. The free ac- Phone/Fax: (413)369-44 73 Ricardo Sued, cess to the web shop of the Shang You can renew, or get your new Tibetan Kunye Massage Level 1 Email: [email protected] Shung Institute is a free service to membership, on our website or with Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo [email protected] all actual members of the Inter- directly in our shop. Namgyalgar: Elise Stutchbury, June 25th – 29th, 2008 national Dzogchen Community. [email protected] Fee: $ 380 Please make checks out to: Thank you very much for your gener- Russian Countries: Igor Berkhin, “Shang-Shung Institute.” We 2. Ordinary membership: osity and your collaboration, [email protected] Tibetan Kunye Massage Level 2 can no longer accept checks in 50 Euro or US $ 70 with Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo the name of “Tsegyalgar Book- Each ordinary member receives: Oliver Leick, Luigi Ottaviani SMS Coordinating Center: July 17th – 20th, 2008 store” or “DCA”. · a crystal with the logo of the and Paola Zamperini Shang Shung Institute Fee: $ 380 Shang Shung Institute printed www.shangshunginstitute.org [email protected] worldwide yantra

yoga and vajra place from July 22 2008 until Au- never attended a previous train- Thank you and best wishes, dance courses training for gust 9 2008, again at Merigar, in ing, will have to pass a test. Oliver Leick Italy. International Shang Shung Dear members of Dzogchen Community, translators 2. Less advanced Institute The new worldwide Yantra Yoga and summer merigar 2008 We plan to offer two courses, This course is intended for people Vajra Dance Courses schedule for 2008 which will be held at the same who have either participated in a www.shangshunginstitute.org is now available. Hello everyone, time. previous training, or have an in- [email protected] Below you can fi nd the link to download I would like to inform you about terest to learn, but do not have as the pdf fi les. the next Training for Translators 1. Advanced much experience. Fabian Sand- Worldwide Yantra Yoga Courses from Tibetan in 2008. This spe- This course is intended for those ers will lead it and the group will Schedule: http://www.dzogchen.it/ cifi c training is an initiative of people who have already attend- work on a smaller and less com- index.php?section=15 the Ka-ter Translation Project of ed at least one training, and have plicated text about Dzogchen. the International Shang Shung a requisite amount of knowl- This course is open to all people. Worldwide Vajra Dance Courses Institute. This is the sixth year edge and experience. Either Elio To attend one of these courses, Schedule: http://www.dzogchen.it/ of the training and represents a Guarisco or Fabian Sanders will one must be an active member of index.php?section=17 unique opportunity to increase lead it and this group will work on the International Shang Shung one’s knowledge of, and capac- a specifi c text about Dzogchen. Institute. For further questions, Best wishes ity to translate from, Classical All new people who want to par- please contact us at the address Shang Shung Institute Tibetan. The Training will take ticipate in this training, but have below. THE MIRROR · No. 90 · January, February 2008 Special Practice Calendar

8 June Double 3rd Month, 30th day special practice calendar Tue. 3rd June 2008 New Moon. Today is the anniversary of Sangyas Lingpa (1340–1396) a great for the earth mouse year terton and Dzogchen master. You can do a Guruyoga of the White A from the 2008–2009 cycle of teachings Universal Clarity with a Ganapuja. It is also a good day to do the Purifi cation of the Six Loka.

4th Month, 6th and 8th days Global Timetable 9th & 11th June 2008 Anniversary of Padmasambhava Anniversary of Adzam Drugpa April Kalachakra so it is good to do a Gana- These are important days for the 6th Tibetan month – 10th day 9th Tibetan month – 25th day 2nd Month, 25th day puja or Long Tun in the evening either practice of Ekajati so try to do a long or Celebration at 8 a.m. Oddiyana time Tue. 1st April 2008 collectively or alone. medium Tun with your Vajra brothers and Saturday 22nd November 2008 This is a day so try to do a Gana- sisters. If that is not possible you can Sunday 10th August 2008 01.00 Wellington, Auckland puja with your Vajra brothers and sisters 3rd Month, 25th day do the medium Tun alone, reciting the 17:00 Hawaii 02.00 Hawaii or if that is not possible, a Medium Tun, Wed. 30th April 2008 heart of Ekajati as many times 20:00 San Francisco, Los Angeles, 03.00 Fairbanks either collectively or alone. Today is a Dakini day. If you have the as possible. Vancouver 04.00 San Francisco, Los Angeles, possibility, it is good to do a Ganapuja 21:00 Denver, Salt Lake City, Pagosa Vancouver 2nd Month, 30th day with an intensive practice of Ekajati, 4th month, 7th day Springs, Edmonton 05.00 Denver, Salt Lake City, Pagosa Sun. 6th April 2008 repeating the heart mantra as many Tue. 10th June 2008 22:00 Lima, Quito, Chicago, Mexico City Springs, Edmonton Dark Moon. On this day, which is the times as possible. Otherwise you can This is the anniversary of the birth of 23:00 Caracas, San Juan, Santiago, 06.00 Chicago, Mexico City anniversary of the great Terton Loter do the Medium Tun with the practice of Buddha Shakyamuni, an important day New York, Conway, Montreal, 07.00 New York, Conway, Mon- Wangpo, try to do the Akar Lamai Naljor, Ekajati, repeating the heart mantra as for all Buddhists, so try to a Ganapuja Atlanta, Detroit, Havana, treal, Atlanta, Detroit, Havana, Guruyoga of the White A with the Mas- much as possible. The best time for this with your Vajra brothers and sisters. Kingston, Indianapolis, Ottawa Kingston, Indianapolis, Ot- ter Garab Dorje either collectively or practice is around 8 in the evening. tawa, Lima, Quito alone, with a Ganapuja if possible. 4th Month, 10th day Monday 11th August 2008 08.00 Caracas May Fri. 13th June 2008 00:00 Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Rio de 09.00 Buenos Aires, Sao Paolo, Rio de 3rd Month, 4th day 3rd Month, 30th day Today is the day of Guru Padmasam- Janeiro, Bermuda Janeiro, Santiago Wed. 9th April 2008 Mon. 5th May 2008 bhava. In general you can do the prac- 03:00 GMT, Reykjavic, 12.00 GMT, London, Dublin, Lisbon This is an important day for the practice New Moon. Today is a good day to do tice of the Guruyoga of Padmasambhava 04:00 London, Dublin, Lisbon 13.00 Rome, Berlin, Oslo, Paris, Ma- of Ekajati, so try to do a Long or Medium a Ganapuja and the Purifi cation of the Six on this day. If you have the possibility 05:00 Johannesburg, Rome, Berlin, drid, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Tun in the usual way, reciting the heart Loka. and enough time you can do a collective Oslo, Paris, Madrid, Amster- Brussels, Geneva, Prague, mantra of Ekajati as many times as pos- Ganapuja with your Vajra brothers and dam, Copenhagen, Brussels, Salzburg, Stockholm, Budapest, sible. Double 3rd Month, 4th day sisters otherwise you can do the longlife Geneva, Prague, Salz burg, Vienna, Warsaw Fri. 9th May 2008 practice “Union of Primordial Essences”. Stockholm, Budapest, Vienna, 14.00 Helsinki, Athens, Ankara, 3rd Month, 10th day This is an important day for the practice Warsaw Beirut, Jerusalem, Vilnius, Tue. 15th April 2008 of Ekajati so try to do a long or medium 4th Month, 15th day 06:00 Kuwait City, Riyadh, Tashkent, Johannesburg This is a special day of Guru Padma- Tun with your Vajra brothers and sis- Wed. 18th June 2008 Helsinki, Athens, Ankara, Bei- 15.00 Moscow, Murmansk, Baghdad, sambhava. Those who have received ters. If that is not possible you can do Full Moon. This is the anniversary of the rut, Jerusalem, Tallinn, Vilnius, Kuwait City, Riyadh, Tashkent transmission should do a Guruyoga the medium Tun alone, reciting the Paranirvana of Buddha Sakyamuni as Istanbul 16.00 Kabul with Padmasambhava with the longlife heart mantra of Ekajati as many times well as an important day for the longlife 07:00 Moscow, Murmansk, Baghdad 17.00 ODDIYANA, Islamabad mantra and a Ganapuja as we usually as possible. practice “Cycle of Life’s Vajra”. There- 08:00 ODDIYANA, Islamabad 17.30 Delhi, Bombay do, otherwise you can do the longlife fore if you can, do the practice of the 08:30 New Delhi, Bombay 17.45 Kathmandu practice “Universal Wisdom Union”. If Double 3rd Month, 10th day Dakini Mandarava in the morning (the 08:45 Kathmandu 18.00 Dacca it is possible, the best time to do the Wed. 14th May 2008 best time is between 7 and 8 am) and a 09:00 Dacca 19.00 Bangkok, Jakarta, Saigon Guruyoga and longlife practice is in the This is a special day of Guru Padma- collective Ganapuja in the afternoon or 09:30 Rangoon 20.00 Singapore, Beijing, , morning between 7 and 8. You can do sambhava. Those who have received evening according to your possibilities. 10:00 Bangkok, Jakarta, Saigon Manila, Hong Kong, Kuala the Ganapuja later in the afternoon. transmission should do a Guruyoga 11:00 Singapore, Beijing, Lhasa, Lumpur, Taipei, Perth Usually the best way to do the Ganapuja with Padmasambhava with the longlife 4th Month, 25th day Manila, Hong Kong, Kuala 21.00 Tokyo, Seoul and the Guruyoga is collectively, with mantra and a Ganapuja as we usually Sat. 28th June 2008 Lumpur, Taipei, Perth 22.00 Brisbane, Vladivostok your Vajra brothers and sisters, but do, otherwise you can do the longlife Today is Dakini day. It is also the anni- 12:00 Tokyo, Seoul, 22.30 Adelaide if this is not possible you can always practice “Universal Wisdom Union”. versary of Ngor Chen (a great master of 12:30 Darwin, Adelaide 23.00 Kamchatka, Melbourne, Sydney do this practice alone when you have the Shakyapa tradition and initiator of 13:00 Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney time. The important thing is to try to Double 3rd month, 15th day the Ngor lineage), therefore it is a good 14:00 Vladivostok communicate with all practitioners Mon. 19th May 2008 day to do the Guruyoga of the White A, 15:00 Fiji, Wellington, Auckland, Kam- linked to the same transmission so that Full Moon. This is one of the best days Akar Lamai Naljor, collectively or alone. chatka you can develop the potentiality of the for long-life practices and in particular transmission that you have received for the practice of the “Union of Primor- July and through it your understanding and dial Essences”, or a Long Tun or a Ganapuja, 4th Month, 30th day March capacity to integrate your daily life in collectively or alone. Thu. 3rd July 2008 1st Month, 30th day 2nd Month, 12th day the state of contemplation. New Moon. Today is the anniversary Fri. 7th March 2008 Tue. 18th March 2008 Those who have not received the trans- Double 3rd Month, 25th day of Nyagla Padma Dundul (1816–1872), Dark Moon. This day is suitable for This is the anniversary of Jetsun Dragpa mission of the Tun practice can learn Fri. 30th May 2008 one of the Masters of Chang-chub Dorje purifi cation practice so try to do purifi - Gyaltsen (1147–1216), one of the fi rst it from other practitioners and then Today is a Dakini day. It is also the anni- and the main Master of Namkhai Norbu cation with the Namcho Shitroi Naljor, the great Masters of the Sakyapa tradition, receive the transmission when there is versary of the Fifth , a great Rinpoche. He discovered the practice of the peaceful and wrathful so try to do the Akar Lamai Naljor, the the opportunity. Otherwise on this day terton and practitioner of Dzogchen so “Tsedrub Gongdu” which two of his manifestations, either collectively or Guruyoga of the White A. those who have not received transmis- it is a very benefi cial day to reinforce disciples, Ayu Khandro and Changchub alone, as well as a collective Ganapuja. sion of the Tun practice can do a puri- the function of our energy and create Dorje, transmitted to Namkhai Norbu 2nd Month, 15th day fi cation practice with breathing and a more vital contact with the energy of Rinpoche. Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche 2nd Month, 6th day Fri. 21st March 2008 Yantra Yoga exercises and movements the universe. If you have the possibility, practised this method as much as pos- Thu. 13th March 2008 Full Moon. This is one of the best days or practices linked to controlling the it is good to do a Guruyoga of the White sible and started to transmit it to his This is an important day for the practice for doing the longlife practice of Guru prana. A in the morning and in the evening a students after visiting the sacred cave of Ekajati, so try to do a Long or Medium Amitayus, with a Ganapuja if possible. Ganapuja with an intensive practice of at Maratika. Therefore try to do the Tun in the usual way, reciting the heart Try to do it collectively or, if that is not 3rd month, 15th day Ekajati, repeating the heart mantra longlife practice “Union of Primordial Es- mantra of Ekajati as many times as pos- possible, alone. Sun. 20th April 2008 as many times as possible. Otherwise sences” in the morning. In the afternoon sible. Full Moon. This is one of the best days you can do the Medium Tun with the or evening you can do the Guruyoga 2nd Month, 20th day for longlife practices and in particular practice of Ekajati, repeating the heart of the White A, Akar Lamai Naljor, col- 2nd Month, 10th day Wed. 26th March 2008 for the practice of the “Union of Primor- mantra as much as possible. The best lectively or alone, with a Ganapuja if Sun. 16th March 2008 This is the anniversary of the great dial Essences”. It is best to do it early in time for this practice is around 8 in the possible. This is a special day of Guru Padma- Dzogchen Master Do Gyaltsen Yeshe the morning between 7 and 8 am if you evening. sambhava, the day on which the king Dorje (born 1800), a disciple of the fi rst can but if this isn’t possible you can do 5th Month, 1st day Sahora tried to burn him alive and when Dodrubchen Rinpoche and a master of it in the afternoon or even in the eve- Fri. 4th July 2008 he transformed the fi re into a lake, so Nyagla Padma Dundul. It is therefore ning when you are not busy. This is the anniversary of Chogyur Ling- try to perform a Ganapuja collectively, a good day to do Akar Lamai Naljor, the Today is also the anniversary of the pa (1829–1870) a Nyingmapa Master of but if that is not possible do the Longlife Guruyoga with the White A. Kalachakra, the day when Buddha Dzogchen, one of the three most impor- practice Universal Wisdom Union. Sakyamuni fi rst gave the teaching of tant Rimed masters of the 19th century. THE MIRROR · No. 90 · January, February 2008 Special Practice Calendar

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Try to do a practice of the Guruyoga of the longlife mantra and a Ganapuja as 7th Month, 25th day November December the White A, Akar Lamai Naljor. we usually do, otherwise you can do Wed. 24th September 2008 9th Month, 3rd day 10th Month, 10th day the longlife practice “Union of Universal This is a Dakini day and also the an- Sat. 1st November 2008 Sun. 7th December 2008 5th Month, 10th day Wisdom”. niversary of Phagmo Drugpa (1110– This is the anniversary of Rigdzin Jigmed Today is a special day of Guru Padma- Sat. 12th July 2008 See the global timetable 1170), the chief disciple of Gampopa. Lingpa (1729–1798), a great Dzogchen sambhava, the day on which he arrived Today is a special day of Guru Padma- Try to do a Ganapuja together with your master who was the author of many in central Tibet. It is considered that on sambhava. In general you can do the 6th Month, 14th day Vajra sisters and brothers. If there are books, among which is the Longchen this day, at the end of the 8th century, Guruyoga of Padmasambhava practice on Fri. 15th August 2008 no other practitioners nearby, you can Nyingthig, which he wrote after having King Songtsen Gampo, the ancient king this day. If you can, try to do a Ganapuja This is the anniversary of the Third Kar- do a medium Tun on your own. In either contact with Longchenpa through vi- of Dharma, vanished dissolving into a collectively with your Vajra brothers mapa, Rangjung Dorje (1284–1339), a case, when you transform yourself into sions. Therefore, on this important day, statue of Avalokiteshvara. Therefore and sisters, otherwise you can do the disciple of Rigdzin Chenpo Kumaradza the Dakini Simhamuka, recite her heart you should try to do Akar Lamai Naljor, it is good to do the Guruyoga of Padma- longlife practice “Union of Primordial and a famous master of Dzogchen mantra as much as possible and then the Guruyoga with the White A. sambhava with the long-life mantra and Essences”. Upadesa. On this day it is good to do do an intensive practice of Ekajati. a Ganapuja. Otherwise you can do the Akar Lamai Naljor, Guruyoga with the 9th Month, 10th day long-life practice “Universal Wisdom 5th Month, 14th day Thu. White A, collectively or alone. 7th Month, 30th day Sat. 8th November 2008 Union”. If it is possible, the best mo- 17th July 2008 Mon. 29th September 2008 This is a special day of Guru Padma- ment to do the Guruyoga is early in the This is an important day for the practice 6th Month, 15th day Dark Moon. This day is ideal for purifi - sambhava. It is also the anniversary of morning between 7 and 8. You can do of Ekajati, so try to do a long or medium Sat. 16th August 2008 cation practices. Try to do either the Pu- Tertön Sogyal, a previous reincarnation the Ganapuja later in the afternoon. Tun collectively or alone, reciting the Full Moon. This is the anniversary of rifi cation of the Six Lokas or the Namchos of Sogyal Rinpoche and discoverer of heart mantra of Ekajati as many times Gampopa, the main disciple of Mila- Shitroi Naljyor, the Yoga of the Peaceful many terma. It is therefore a good day 10th Month, 11th day as possible. repa, founder of the Kagyupa school and Wrathful Manifestations, either to do the long-life practice of Guru Pad- Mon. 8th December 2008 and author or “The Precious Ornament collectively or on your own. Try to do a masambhava “Universal Wisdom Union”, This is an important day for the practice 5th Month, 15th day of Liberation”. It is, therefore, an ex- Ganapuja as well, if possible. which is included in the medium or long of Ekajati. Fri. 18th July 2008 cellent day to do Akar Lamai Naljor, the Tun. You can do this in the usual way or, (Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s birthday) Full Moon. This is a special day for the Guru yoga with the White A. It is also October if you have the possibility, you can do it longlife practice of Amitayus, so you good to do the longlife practice “Union 8th Month, 10th day with a Ganapuja. 10th Month, 15th day can do the Longlife practice “Union of of Primordial Essences” of Guru Amitayus Thu. 9th October 2008 Fri. 12th December 2008 Primordial Essences”. The best moment to and, if possible, a Ganapuja. This is a special day of Guru Padma- 9th Month, 15th day Full Moon. This day is considered to be do it is between 7 and 8 in the morning, sambhava, therefore you can do the Thu. 13th November 2008 the day to honour the Lord Buddha in if possible, either collectively or alone. If 6th Month, 25th day Guruyoga of Padmasambhava. If you have Full Moon. This is a day of the Buddha general, and it is one of the best days you can, try to a Ganapuja as well. Tue. 26th August 2008 time and the possibility you can do a Ga- and a good day to do the long-life prac- to do the long-life Practice with the Dakini It is also the Dzamling Chisang (Lit. This is a Dakini day, so it is a positive napuja with the Guruyoga and the long- tice of Amitayus, “Union of Primordial Es- Mandarava in particular. Generally the ‘smoke puja of the world in general’) so day for reinforcing the function of our life practice of Guru Padmasambhava sences”, either collectively or individually best moment to do this kind of practice if you know how to do it, you can do the energy and creating a vital contact with together with your Vajra brothers and according to your possibilities, in the is between 7 and 8 in the morning but if Sanqod (Sangchod) in the morning. the energy of the universe by doing sisters. Otherwise you can do the long- morning and in the evening a Ganapuja. you don’t have this possibility, then do it a Ganapuja with our Vajra sisters and life practice “Universal Wisdom Union”. in the afternoon or later in the evening 5th Month, 24th day brothers. If there are no other practi- 9th Month, 22nd day when you are free. It is also a good day Sun. 27th July 2008 tioners nearby you can do a medium Tun 8th Month, 15th day Wed. 19th November 2008 to do a Ganapuja. This month there is no 25th day so today on your own. In either case, when you Tue. 14th October 2008 This day is the important celebration is Dakini day as well as an important transform into the Dakini Simhamuka, Full Moon. This is an important day to of Buddha Shakyamuni’s descent to 10th Month, 25th day day for the practice of Ekajati, so try to recite her heart mantra as many times do the long-life practice of Amitayus, earth from the realm of the Divinities. Sun. 21st December 2008 do a Ganapuja or a long Tun collectively as possible. “Union of Primordial Essences”. It is best It is called “Lhabab Tuchen”, the Great Today is a Dakini day and the anniver- with your Vajra brothers and sisters, or to do it early in the morning and a Gana- Time of the Descent of the Divinities. sary of Tsongkhapa (1357–1491), who a medium Tun alone. In either case re- 6th Month, 30th day puja in the evening. It is an ideal day to do a Ganapuja with made a synthesis of the previous schools cite the heart mantra of Ekajati as many Sat. 30th August 2008 your Vajra brothers and sisters. If there and founded the Gelugpa school. It is a times as possible. New Moon. This is a very important day 8th Month, 19th day are none nearby, you can do a short or very benefi cial day for reinforcing the to do purifi cation practices, especially Sat. 18th October 2008 medium Tun on your own. energy of the universe so try to perform August the “Purifi cation of the Six Lokas”. If you This is an important day for the practice a Ganapuja with your Vajra brothers and 5th Month, 30th day have the chance, you can also do a short of Ekajati, so try to do a long Tun with 9th Month, 25th day sisters. If there are no other practitio- Fri. 1st August 2008 or medium Tun or a Ganapuja, collectively your Vajra brothers and sisters, or if Sat. 22nd November 2008 ners nearby you can do the medium Tun New Moon. This is a day for purifi cation or alone. that is not possible, you can do a medium The 25th is a Dakini day and also the an- on your own, transforming into the Da- practices. It is best to do the Purifi cation Tun alone reciting the heart mantra of niversary of the great Dzogchen Master kini Simhamuka and reciting the heart of the Six Lokas either collectively or September Ekajati as many times as possible. Adzam Drugpa (1842–1924), a previ- mantra as many times as possible. alone, preferably in the early morning. 7th Month, 9th day ous reincarnation of Chögyal Namkhai Otherwise you can do a medium or short Tue. 9th September 2008 8th Month, 25th day Norbu. He was a disciple of Jamyang 10th Month, 30th day Tun or a Ganapuja. This is an important day for the practice Thu. 23rd October 2008 Khyentse Wangpo and a master of Sat. 27th December 2008 of Ekajati. This is a Dakini day and also the anni- great masters such as Changchub Dorje Dark Moon. This is an excellent day to 6th Month, 4th day versary of two great Dzogchen masters, and Ayu Khandro. Therefore, when it is do purifi cation practice so try to do the Tue. 5th August 2008 7th Month, 10th day Rigzin Kumaraja, who transmitted the 7 pm in East Tibet on this day, Chögyal Purifi cation of the Six Lokas and a Ganapuja This is the anniversary of the Dharma- Wed. 10th September 2008 Dzogchen teachings to Longchenpa and Namkhai Norbu will give the transmis- in the evening. chakra (the fi rst turning of the Wheel of It is a special day of Guru Padmasam- to the third , and of Rigzin sion of Guruyoga with the specifi c prac- the Dharma): the fi rst time that Buddha bhava as well as the anniversary of Tsewang Norbu (1698 –1755), a great tice linked to the anniversary of Adzam January Shakyamuni gave the teaching of the Jomo Menmo (1248–1283), a famous Dzogchen master of the Nyingmapa Drugpa. In this way the transmission 11th Month, 8th day Four Noble Truths to his disciples at yogini, terton and reincarnation of school. It is therefore an excellent day will be live because the transmission Sun. 4th January 2009 Sarnath, after his illumination. To hon- Yeshe Tsogyal and consort of the terton to do Akar Lamai Naljor, the Guruyoga has no distance. Rinpoche will transmit This is a special day for doing the prac- our the Lord Buddha on this special day Guru Chowang. Therefore it is an ideal with the White A. If you can do it in the and throughout the world people who tice of Ekajati so try to do a long Tun, you can do a Ganapuja with your Vajra day to do Akar Lamai Naljor, the Guru- morning, that is best. Then, if you have do the practice at the same moment collectively or alone, reciting the heart brothers and sisters. yoga of the White A, and a Ganapuja, if the time, you can do a medium or long Tun will be in the transmission and will thus mantra as many times as possible. you have the possibility. later in the day, with an intense practice receive the transmission. This practice 6th Month, 10th day of Simhamuka, or a Ganapuja, if you should be done at the appointed time 11th Month, 10th day Mon. 11th August 2008 7th Month, 15th day have the possibility. together with your Vajra brothers and Tue. 6th January 2009 Today is the anniversary of the birth of Mon. 15th September 2008 sisters or, if that is not possible, alone. This is a special day of Guru Padma- Padmasambhava. On this day when it Full Moon. This is the anniversary of 8th Month, 27th day (In Italy, this practice will be done at sambhava called Padma Gyalpo: it is the is 8 am in Oddiyana Chögyal Namkhai Tsarchen Losal Gyatso and Padma Sat. 25th October 2008 1 pm.) day on which he arrived in the capital of Norbu will give the transmission of Karpo, a famous 17th century Drugpa This is an important day for the practice See the global timetable Oddiyana and became prince to King Guru yoga with the specifi c practice Kargyupa Master. Therefore it is an of Ekajati, so try to do a long Tun with Idrabhodi. Therefore it is an excellent linked to the anniversary of Padma- excellent day to do the longlife practice your Vajra brothers and sisters, or if 9th Month, 30th day day to do the Guruyoga of Padmasamb- sambhava. In this way the transmission of the Dakini Mandarava, “Cycle of Life’s that is not possible, you can do a medium Thu. 27th November 2008 hava with a Ganapuja. will be live because the transmission Vajra”, with a Ganapuja if possible as Tun alone reciting the heart mantra of Dark Moon. This is a good day to do has no distance. Rinpoche will transmit well as Akar Lamai Naljor, the Guruyoga Ekajati as many times as possible. Namcho Shitroi Naljor, the Yoga of the 11th Month, 15th day and throughout the world people who of the White A collectively with your Peaceful and Wrathful Manifestations, Sun. 11th January 2009 do the practice at the same moment Vajra brothers and sisters or alone. 8th Month, 30th day in the morning. It is also an important Full Moon. Today it is important to try will be in the transmission and will thus Tue. 28th October 2008 day for the practice of Ekajati, so try to do the long-life practice of Guru Ami- receive the transmission. (In Italy, this 7th Month 19th day Dark Moon. This day is excellent for to do a long or medium Tun, reciting the tayus, Union of Primordial Essences, in the practice will be done at 5 am.) Fri. 19th September. 2008 practising the “Purifi cation of the Six Lo- heart mantra of Ekajati as many times usual way, and, if possible, a Ganapuja. It is also the anniversary of Yeshe Tsog- This is an important day for the practice kas” if you know how to do it. Otherwise as possible. yal, the main consort and disciple of of Ekajati, so try to do a long or medium Tun you can do the medium or long Tun or a Padmasambhava so it will be benefi cial in the usual way, reciting the heart man- Ganapuja. to do a Guruyoga of Padmasambhava with tra of Ekajati as many times as possible. THE MIRROR · No. 90 · January, February 2008

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Chögyal Namkhai Norbu July Finishes the 7th at 13 Finishes 9th at 13 SMS Base Open Webcast Audio & Video: July 4–8 with Costantino Albini Dzogchen Teaching Retreat Explanation of the Tsalung of September 8–15 November 14–20 180 € discounts for members Tashigar Nord, Venezuela Mandarava with Elio Guarisco Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Starts the 1st at 16 150 € – discounts for members Dzogchen Teaching Retreat Dzogchen Teaching Retreat 22nd–30th: 10–13 May 9–14 Starts the 4h at 16 Kalmykia Barcelona, Spain Mandarava Long life practice March 29–30 Starts the 9th at 10 July 14–20 September 19–21 December Weekend of Yantra Yoga Practice Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Yantra Yoga Beginner’s Course December 6–8 Starts 29th at 10 May 17–18 Open Webcast Audio & Video: Open to everyone Long life retreat practice of Mandarava Finishes the 30th at 13 Explanation & practice of “Secret Dzogchen Teaching Retreat with Laura Evangelisti Starts the 6th at 17 Khorde Rushen”&”The 7 Semdzins” Merigar East, Romania 120 € – discounts for members Finishes the 8th at 13 (SMS Base) with Fabio Risolo Starts the 19 at 17 60 € discounts for members Finishes 21st at 13 26 Dec.–1 Jan. ’09 retreat cabins at merigar Starts the 17 at 10 Chögyal Namkhai Norbu There are three retreat cabins available Finishes 18 at 13 26 Sep.–3 Oct. Open Webcast Audio & Video: (two for dark retreat) in the small forest Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Dzogchen Teaching Retreat of Merigar. If you want to book a cabin Dzogchen Teaching Retreat Tashigar Sud – Argentina please send an email to the Gekös Tom Starts 26th September, at 16.00 and Filip: [email protected] Cost: 400 € discounts for members

The shooting was done from 3 different the initial work of fi lming has been com- fi lming the new vajra dance dvd angles of the Gonpa, some of the shots pleted, the task of editing and creating a were taken from above while others from fi nal version will begin. liz granger with the collaboration of rita renzi below with the roof of the Gonpa which has the syllables of the song of the Vajra It is interesting to note that the fi lming of he second week in January was a pe- and Salima Celeri as makeup artist, as well painted on it in the background. the Dances took place on a Solar Mandala riod of intense activity at the Meri- as for the teachers of the Vajra Dances, par- which is a medium size mandala represent- T gar West Gonpa as fi lming took ticularly for Prima Mai who painstakingly Although the weather was cold and the sky ing our solar system. It is larger than the place for the new DVD of the Vajra Danc- went over and over the various movements grey it turned out to be favorable for fi lm- one which is usually used and which rep- es. The weeklong session was organized of the Dances for the cameras. ing since bright sunlight makes photogra- resents our planet earth. The Solar Man- by Maurizio Mingotti of the Shang Shung phy in the Gonpa quite diffi cult due to the dala just managed to fi t into the area of Institute who had invited Marc Beneria, a In different shots Prima Mai demonstrat- refl ections on the glass. the Merigar West Gonpa. The other Solar professional fi lmmaker from Barcelona, ed both the male and female parts for all Mandala in existence at the moment is at and Gianni Baggi, whose professional three Dances – the Dance of the Vajra, the The week was a period of hard work and Tashigar Norte in Venezuela. The largest skills as a photographer and equipment Dance of the Six Liberations and the Om long hours but the general feeling was that of the is the Universal Mandala were vital for shooting in the best way pos- A Hum Dance. At times Prima Mai and it was a harmonious and positive experi- and there is only one of its kind at the mo- sible inside the Gonpa for the occasion. Adriana Dal Borgo were both on the man- ence. The new DVD will be a high quality ment on the land at Khandroling in Mas- Marc was also assisted in the fi lming by dala in order to focus on the parts of the production created by professionals using sachusetts, USA. The Solar Mandala used Carla Caponi from the Institute and Glo- Dances during which the Pamo and Pawo professional equipment and is intended as for the fi lming was brand new and used ria Pera. pass by each other, and at other times Rita a comprehensive aid in perfecting and re- for the fi rst time during the shooting of Renzi joined them on the Mandala in or- fi ning different aspects of movement and the video. It was a week of concentrated work for der to have an overall view of the combined positions for those who have already stud- the fi lm crew, who were assisted by Lella movements. ied and practiced the Dances rather than to When Chögyal Namkhai Norbu fi rst start- Guidotti, Maurizio Piazza for the lighting teach the Dances to beginners. Now that ed teaching the Vajra Dance, he used the THE MIRROR · No. 90 · January, February 2008

11 text he had written in Tibetan in which it. He asked the Community’s translator, he recounted his dreams about the Vajra Adriano Clemente, to start translating the Dances and described the movements and books on the Dance and since then Adria- mudras of the three Dances, giving a very no has started to study the Dances and will broad overview. In order that his students shortly start on translation of the Master’s in Italy could study the Dances in more de- fi rst precious work. tail, he recorded his Italian translation of the text on audio cassettes, which were in For those who already practice the Vajra turn transcribed by different people and Dance or wish to learn it, this year of the published at the time under the title of ‘La Earth Mouse is particularly auspicious Luce Preziosa’ [The Precious Light]. The with the new Vajra Dance DVD to be re- transcripts, however, were never edited or leased soon and translation of Rinpoche’s translated into English. text to begin.

Last summer during a Karma Yoga ses- sion at Merigar West, the Master said that he had had several dreams about the Vajra Dance performed on the larger Solar Mandala and that he had written a text on Prima Mai dancing on the Solar Mandala in the Gonpa at Merigar West. upcoming Rome Yantra Yoga, Second Series New Gakyil of Zhenphenling Accommodation Service at Merigar Christina von Geispitzheim Led by Tiziana Gottardi Information for people who intend Email: [email protected] Blue March 8–9, 2008 to come to Merigar for retreats or to Phone: 0039 0564 957542 Sergio Quaranta (President): follow courses Mobile phone: 0039 339 1370739 Who can attend? [email protected] If you are looking for accommodation, This course is for those who already Massimo Pelliccioni: airport transfer, local car hire or We cooperate with local hotels, family know the preliminaries of the Yantra [email protected] only logistic assistance, you can pensions, residences, agriturismo, Yoga. Yellow contact the following information and Community members who have The course starts on Saturday 8th at 10.00 Alessandra Burali: reservation service: rooms or houses to rent or sublet. [email protected] Also we can advise on car rental The cost is 60 Euros – with discounts for Mirella D’Angelo: (at airports or locally), on the best the members [email protected] Accommodation Service itinerary and time tables of trains Important: for organizational purposes (Information available in English, and buses, and we have now a Red we ask you to please register before the German, French and Italian) circuit of residents who offer various Gabriella Dalesio: course starts, by e-mail or phone. Information service and reservation useful services like transfer from [email protected] of accommodation during retreats, the airports, local taxi service, Tel: +39-0564-96 68 37 Monica Formichetti: local transport, & logistic solutions: translations, baby sitting, etc. merigaroffi [email protected] [email protected] www.dzogchen.it

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

All Community members in Eastern Eu- The positions of a Geköe and The participants are required to be important rope, even if there is no Gakyil in their Secretary for Merigar East in Russia members of Dzogchen Community and area at the moment, i.e. Serbia, should Romania are vacant. Kunphenling Retreat Center have transmission from Chögyal Nam- international gakyil refer to Merigar East as their Gar of 1) The Geköe of Merigar East has to khai Norbu. Dear Vajra family, news membership. Cyprus and Israel might speak Romanian and English, needs Early registration is welcome. want to join as well. The membership a driving licence and basic computer Most of you know already that ex-Kun- For additional information and to regis- policy will be the same as Merigar West, skills. A good worker, open to many dif- sangar (Moscow) now is called Kun- merigar east update ter please contact: following the idea of “One Dzogchen ferent people and languages, enduring phenling and is now a big retreat center Kirill Mironov at Dear members of the Dzogchen Community, Community Worldwide”. hardships like: no geköe appartment, of Dzogchen Community, also actively [email protected] Our Teacher, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu very simple life circumstances, small co-operating with other Dharma cen- Practitioners from other Communities Rinpoche, decided some time ago to For further information please contact Community, a lot of work, and an ex- ters. are welcome. We will provide them establish a place of the Dzogchen Com- the Yellow Gakyil of Merigar East: treme climate. Job lasts until at least Today we are glad to inform you that support with accommodation. munity for Eastern Europe and Russian [email protected] or the Interna- August 2008. English version of Kunphenling’s web- * speaking Communities. The name of tional Gakyil: [email protected] 2) The Secretary of Merigar East site is already available: http://www. the place is Merigar East and is situated needs to speak and write Romanian May all our activities bear good fruit! kunphenling.com/ – welcome and at the Black Sea in Romania, near the and English well, have basic computer have a nice stay! village of the 23rd of August. In summer Many greetings from the International skills, driving licence and needs to 2007, Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche held Gakyil be very open and collaborative! Until Please be aware that some pages are the fi rst retreat there in a huge tent. Yeshi Silvano Namkhai May 2008, this task can be followed up still in process of translating and edit- As you know, there are plans to build a Fabio Andrico from anywhere by internet, from May ing. We’re working on it and promise to Gonpa at Merigar East soon. Karin Eisenegger onwards to August the secretary has to complete it as soon as possible! live in 23 August, Merigar East. With many Tashi Delegs, From 2008 on, Merigar East needs sup- For both jobs the Merigar East Gakyil Retreat Center Kunphenling port through membership in an orga- passages offers free simple lodging and food, a nized way; therefore Chögyal Namkhai * Born: Dechen Dorjievna Dugarova Community car to use and a small sal- Norbu Rinpoche decided in the summer upcoming was born on November 19, 2007 in ary, similiar to those in other Gars of of 2007 that some of the eastern coun- St. Petersburg Ulan-Ude, Republic of Buryatia to the Dzogchen Community. tries that now belong to Merigar West Yantra Yoga Courses Dorjo Dugarov Batodalaevich and should support the Merigar East! Applications with photo please send to March 4–9, 2008 Natalia Tsyrendashieva. This day was the coordinating unit of Merigar East: 1st level of Yantra Yoga for beginners Guru Rinpoche’s Day and also the day Some of these countries have already Karin Eisenegger-Koppensteiner, red supervised by Laura Evangelisti and led of Buddha Shakyamuny according to sent delegates to the new Merigar East IG, [email protected] by Lena Kuzminskaya, a candidate for a the Orthodox Christian tradition (Day Gakyil of nine persons, which began its local instructor from St Petersburg. of Saint Prince Losafat). If there are any questions regarding work in December of 2007. These coun- these job offers, please do not hesitate March 10–14, 2008 tries are Bulgaria, Czech Republic (to- to write for clarifi cation to the above 2nd level of Yantra Yoga supervised by gether with Slovakia), Poland, Hungary mentioned email address. Laura Evangelisti and led by intermedi- and the Russian Speaking Communities ate 1st level instructor Zhenya Rud. Gakyil. The International Gakyil The Gakyil of Merigar East, Romania THE MIRROR · No. 90 · January, February 2008 Tashigar Sur

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Yeshi riding into Tashigar South. Photo: N. Zeitz Ellen and Lucia with the eight auspicious symbols made by them. Photo: N. Zeitz New Mandala and Roof. arrival of yeshi namkhai the origins of tashigar south, argentina tashigar south, argentina 1989–2008 february 13, 2008 interview with ricky sued and marisa alonso with the mirror he morning of Yeshi Nam- Community. He graciously rode khai’s arrival dawned with a white horse from the entrance Ta sunny and clear blue sky of the Gar, with everyone merri- “The time to come and enjoy this RS: There was a group here in on February 13th, Tashigar South, ly making their way to the com- place is now!” Cordoba that was involved in Argentina. There was excited an- modore for tea while serenaded psychology, psychotherapy and ticipation in the air days before by the music of the gauchos. The Mirror: Hello. We would like Osho. Jorge Stolkiner and Gerar- as welcome preparations were We toasted Yeshi’s arrival with to interview you both about the do Aboud brought the fi rst Lamas Marisa Alonso, Ricky Sued. made. Prayer fl ags were hung the tea and sweets. Ricky Sued, the origin and development of Tashi- that came to Argentina, so there I 3rd day of along the road Gakyil Director, presented Yeshi gar South, since you both were began my relationship with the than us, of course, and said no, where Yeshi would make his en- with a vajra, the symbol of Tashi- instrumental in its beginnings dharma. We were involved in a no, this [now Tashigar South] is trance onto the Gar, the eight gar South. It may be redundant to and are very important here. Karma group and when the place. So we agreed. auspicious symbols were drawn say, but the truth of the matter is Marisa: Yes we were like the pio- we came back from Kagyuling in M: So how did you purchase this in chalk on the same road by El- that out of the clear blue sky, an neers. We were the fi rst ones, in France, in that moment, Jennifer place? How did you pay? len Halbert and Lucia Gru; paint- enormous double rainbow man- the Gar, with the membership Fox told us there was a fantastic RS: I don’t know. (laughter) But ing, cleaning and gardening were ifested around the sun toward cards, and everything. and incredible Lama that we had someone paid. all done with the wish to offer Ye- evening and again the next day. Ricky: So you were very impor- to meet. MA: Have you seen the Dorje shi a heartfelt South American We wish to welcome Yeshi Nam- tant! MA: The funny thing was, when Legpa on the wall? That was the welcome. Yeshi arrived from the khai to the warmhearted South- MA: Yes! (laughing) we were in France, for example, fi rst thing we did; we painted that airport with Rosa Namkhai and ern Hemisphere! M: So Marisa can you tell us a lit- the dollar was one to one, and and did a lot of Ganapujas. But of was greeted by gauchos, horses, The Mirror tle about how you met Rinpoche when we came back we already course most of the money came music and joyful members of and what you were doing, etc.? had huge debts for all our travel- from Merigar. The fi rst retreat we MA: I met Rinpoche at a retreat ing, the dollar suddenly went to did here we were crazy about the in Venezuela in1989. A friend of seven. So it was our ruin. Also money because we needed a lot, ours gave us money for travel- when we came back our house so we charged a lot for everything. ing because we had no possibil- was robbed. The poor people who came here ity at all to go. So we went there RS: Really, I forgot. What hap- may still remember, we charged and met Rinpoche and after the pened? so much for everything. At Tashi- retreats we invited him to Argen- MA: You forgot! (laughter) It was bar, Rinpoche painted the fi rst tina and he said ok. Also Alicia as if we had to pay to purify ev- Tashibar where we now have the Caballeros was there. We came erything. We had a lot of debts in tool shed near the entrance of the back and organized a retreat and dollars. Suddenly we had noth- Gar, we charged $ 5 for a tea. Ev- it was very successful. It was in a ing. erybody was so upset but we were convent in Alta Gracia. Then we M: You had a business together upset also; we said, “But you were talking to Rinpoche and then? don’t understand, this is not for said how nice it would be to have MA: Yes we were making clothes. us, it is to pay for Tashigar!” But a place here, some land, to do RS: When Jennifer said to this was not the way to do it. retreat, and Rinpoche said ok, us “Please you come to meet M: When and what was the fi rst Yeshi speaks to the Community in the Gonpa. Photo: N. Zeitz search for land. We had a friend Rinpoche”, I said, “No, I don’t retreat? who worked in real estate and we want to meet anymore Masters, RS: It was in 1990. It was The Song called him and around three days it’s ok.” Then she paid for us to of the Vajra Retreat. They made later we went and looked at a cou- go and so I said ok and then after the book from this transcription desde el sur ple places and we came here with the fi rst day, that was it. by Gina Tuell. There were about fi ne jewelry and Rinpoche and there were a lot M: So in 1989 you came here with 200 –250 people there. vajra dance shoes of big birds fl ying and Rinpoche Rinpoche and he said this was MA: We had nothing. We were said, “This is the place.” the place. And then? under one tree one day, another M: All this all happened in the MA: We were very upset because tree another day. We were mov- same year, 1989? we liked another place, a place ing around everywhere. People MA: Yes, he came here 2 months very beautiful and more rugged; were staying in tents. We rented tel: after we left Venezuela. it was a place like in a fantasy, a a house for Rinpoche near by. 0054 351 488 09 94 M: So you and Ricky were a cou- place for yogis, very hard to get The structures we had were the email: ple at this time, correct? to, with high ledges, etc. It was central house, but it was in bad [email protected] MA: Yes. in La Falda; not far from here. shape, down below was noth- cordoba, argentina M: So Ricky, how did you enter So we thought that this was the ing, where the commodore is adriana battisti designer the dharma? place where we can be yogis. But now was nothing, and the gekö’s Rinpoche was absolutely clearer THE MIRROR · No. 90 · January, February 2008 Tashigar Sur

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Photo: L. Hume New Year’s party. Photo: N. Zeitz house needed repair. But it was a with a very famous group from also be inspired by him. The fact place that embraces the children. are many projects for Tashigar really nice retreat. Cordoba – we did a great show that he is here now is very relax- They are the future practitioners Mandala, and it seems to me like M: When did you build the Gon- and made so much money – we ing for us because we are always from this place, because we el- a fascinating, fantastic and beau- pa? got together with the group in my guessing at what he is trying to ders don’t have much time left. tiful project, but it is very diffi cult RS: We made it for the second re- house to count the money to pay do, what he wants to say, and We need to build a place for the because it touches the center of treat, around 1992. everyone and there was a knock where he is going. Now that he is children to stay during retreats the ego, which is the property. M: So how did the idea of the on the door. We opened the door here we can ask him and share. It because sometimes it rains a lot, And with this so many problems Tashigar Mandala come to be? and there were thieves with guns. is very good. etc. etc. Many people stay in tents, arose, but as part of the path it is This is the fi rst Gar where people They took everything. But it was RS: I am open. I don’t know what and we have to rebuild the camp- wonderful. To have a Community built houses to live on the Gar. great because I didn’t want to live to say about Yeshi and the future. ing and make a better a kitchen of practitioners is marvelous. MA: Yes well, we said to Rinpoche in Cordoba anymore and I was a I only want to remain open and and a quincho for people to hang M: How many lots are still avail- once, “Oh it would be so nice, little paranoid when I arrived in we will see. out in. Another project more is able? this land is so big, if each one of the night to my house. I needed M: What are the main projects for to build dormitories for people MA: Yes there are still spaces us had a little place to come and another place to live, so I built my Tashigar? to sleep. Rinpoche indicated an available and Rinpoche told us do practice in a more private way. house in Tashigar South. RS: There are many projects. area for retreat cabins and the once if we need more places, we And Rinpoche said, “No, no, not M: Today was the arrival of Yeshi One project is that we have to project was never realized. An- buy more land. It is not a prob- just to do practice but for living.” Namkhai. What are your hopes change the quincho Gonpa be- other project has to do with the lem. There is one place adjacent So we went for it. Everything we for how Yeshi’s visit can benefi t cause it is outdated, and we have roads because Tashigar Mandala to my house where he said we asked him, he said, “Yes, go for Tashigar South and the whole to change the orientation of the is a big and very nice project; now cannot build because it is already it.” Dzogchen Community? whole structure. There are many there are 20 houses the potential inhabited by other beings that we M: Who built the fi rst house here? MA: I think he has very clear projects. Another one is to build is for 45 houses, and if we are all cannot see, but they are there, so MA: Ricky did. ideas and he inspires a very par- a place for the children because joined by roads it is a symbol that he said this is a place for special RS: In this time we were in the ticular vision for the future of the there are many children here and we are unifi ed. That way we can practice cabins. business of producing rock con- Community that is absolutely in there is a lot of beautiful land and go and move around and it be- M: How big is Tashigar? certs. One night after a concert service to our Master and may it would be very nice to have a comes like a small town. There MA: 50 hectares including Tashi- gar Mandala. M: Can you tell us a little about the fi rst Mandala built in Tashi- gar? When was it fi rst construct- ed, etc.? MA: Rinpoche made that Man- dala with his own hands in 1990. We were younger and very enthu- siastic and we worked together all day and Rinpoche sat there singing Tibetan songs and we all sang together while we sand- ed and polished, etc. It was very nice. So now we know there are other and bigger Mandalas and I hope some day we construct some here, the Solar and Univer- sal Mandalas as well. M: So this new Mandala that has been made in the spot of the orig- inal one, is it fi nished? We know you made a new roof. MA: Yes but now we need some kind of enclosure, glass or some- thing, so we can use it in all sea- sons. M: How and why did you build the fi rst Mandala? Did Rinpoche have some dreams? MA: Yes Rinpoche had some dreams and when people see the place they ask why was it built here, so near the house? This was all part of the dream that Rinpoche had of this place very >> continued on next page THE MIRROR · No. 90 · January, February 2008

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>> Interview continued from last page M: Do you also have some branch tice is improving that means that near the pine trees and in his of SSI here? the place, the Gar, will develop. dream he was dancing there, so MA: No and this is also a kind of We don’t have to think about the Mandala was made there. dream, to have some courses, etc. outer things, like construction, M: How was it, did Rinpoche But we also need more people to because that is a result. For me himself teach the dance at that work on these kinds of projects. the most diffi cult and important time? M: In general do you need more situation in the Community is the MA: Yes it was very beautiful; people involved here? relationship among the practitio- we danced and practiced and he MA: Yes that would be nice. But ners. would correct us and it was re- I think there will be in the future M: Any wishes in a concrete sense? ally beautiful. It was the Song of because people can live here and MA: We have said most, but only the Vajra Dance. I remember it that is not the same as other Gars. that people can come and enjoy. was so strong, when he was in I have been in other Gars and it is It is such a beautiful place. the place where you had to do not easy for people to work and RS: And to discover that now we the yab/yum position with him; to stay is almost impossible. We have the unique opportunity. your heart would be pounding are really very fortunate. To live in People who had the opportunity until the moment it happened. It a Gar is not the same. to live here and didn’t, some of was very strong. We danced many M: How many people live here all these people are dying or have Practicioners await the arrival of Yeshi Namkhai. Photo: N. Zeitz hours a day and he was very en- your around? died and no longer have this op- thusiastic. It was very nice! RS: Not so many, maybe 10 to 15. portunity. RS: There is not much time to en- Ricky Sued lives in Tashigar South I want to say that another im- M: So what is your wish for the MA: The time to come and enjoy joy this beauty and of the Master with his wife Noe and 2 children, Zoe portant project here is the pub- future of Tashigar? this place is now! Many people and the practice. and Uma. He is the current director of lishing house. This publishing RS: I believe that among all the say, people also from Argentina, M: Thank you both for your time the Tashigar South Gakyil and is the house is for all Spanish publica- projects the most important is that they will come in the future, and all your dedicated work for Santi Maha Sangha contact person for tions and is centered here. Now that the relationship among the build their house in the future, the Community! South America. it is under the auspices of the practitioners and that it improves, and some of these people are al- Marisa Alonso lives in Tashigar South Shang Shung Institute. It is very because that means that the prac- ready dead. and is an authorized 2nd level Yantra important. tice is working. And if the prac- Yoga instructor.

Place: Shambhala Tai Chi Zentrum lator for the German speaking Sangha Europe Bennogasse 8, 1080 for some years at various retreats in Denmark Merigar. Guenter was married and had Vajra Dance Course for Beginners Cost: 130 Euro with the usual discounts Austria lived and worked in Portugal in the last with Karin Heinemann upcoming Information and registration for this years. Copenhagen, 14–16 March 2008 Vajra Dance of the 6 Spaces – course contact: Please include Guenter in your Shitro Schedule: Friday: 6–9 p.m. Beginners Course Elisha Koppensteiner practice. Saturday: 9–12 and 16–19 p.m. with Maurizio Mingotti Mobile: +43 (0)699 11 96 47 06 Thank you and very best wishes, Sunday 9–12 March 21–23, 2008 Email: [email protected] Oliver Leick Vienna, Austria * Gakyil-member and old friend of Price: 100 euros for the 3 days with Guenter usual discounts for Members: Schedule: Friday 21 18:00–21:00, passages Ordinary 20 %; Reduced 50 %; Saturday and Sunday 10:00 –13:00 and Died: Guenter Faschinger Sustaining 80 % and Meritorious 100 %. 16:00–19:00. On Sunday afternoon we Czech Republic Dear Vajra family, New Gakyil may start and fi nish a bit earlier. Place: Sofi egade 1. 1418 Copenhagen K. I am very sad that I have to inform you, Blue: Pavel Spanily, Katerina Osancova, Please note: On Monday March 24 you that one of our Vajra brothers from since the early eighties, died in an ava- Daniel Kopriva Information or registration: have the possibility to participate in a Austria died on the January 28th, 2008. lanche in the Austrian mountains. Red: Martin Zmydloch, Jakub Augus- Christen Norre Bundgaard practice day of the learned Dance from Guenter Faschinger, 51 years old and Guenter and I practiced Yantra Yoga tinsky, Cyril Lojda Tel. +45 60633460 10:00–21:00, costs for this day are a disciple of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu together and we did several practice re- Yellow: Petr Lisy, Michal Kunes, Martin Email: [email protected] 15Euros. treats together. He also was the trans- Erhardt www.dzogchencommunity.dk

Poland Virtual Bricks for Paldenling Mandarava with Nina Robinson in Dark Retreat Cabin available Paldenling 2007 by Marek Macko Dear Vajra Family, We have prepared a set of Virtual Bricks From November 14–18, 2007 Palden- for the construction of Dark retreat ling (a famous place in Poland) had a Cabin in Paldenling Poland. For 100 great opportunity. Nina Robinson came ling, a precious instructor and some because Mandarava has many aspects Michal met Rinpoche in 1992 in Lodz, euro you not only present a generous to give us some more detailed explana- days of precious time, we tried to do the not easily learned in a few days, there- Poland and later on he spent some time donation, but also gain the possibility tions about the practice of Mandarava. practice with some more preparations. fore the ideal would be if an instructor at Merigar helping to paint the Murals to do a two-week retreat there anytime Mandarava is not only a long-life prac- First of all, Nina prepared dough like Nina could come every year to in the Gonpa. He was very devoted to you want! tice, but a complete path to realization from which we made long-life pills Paldenling. Rinpoche and the teachings and he fol- belonging to Anuyoga and Atiyoga. Virtual Bricks can also be bought as (these are not the chulen pills and have The time of this retreat at Paldenling lowed many retreats with him all around Moreover it is the terma of our Master gifts – the owner is entitled to make use another function), which were resting took on the white clothes of thick snow. the world. Unfortunately he didn’t have belonging to Longsal Cycle. of 14 days of free retreat in Paldenling on the altar until the end of our retreat We had to do ganapuja not the last day much connection with sitting medita- whenever he or she feels. Individual Every few years Rinpoche is trying and taking the power from the practice. of retreat but the day before on Satur- tion or control of the three doors of practitioners, groups and Communities to transmit us the new aspects of Man- Also we had got the chulen pills and we day, since Nina’s fl ight was on Monday existence. In the end this is what killed in different countries – please partici- darava practice and still more details, were using them while keeping a special morning from Warsaw. him, not the heavy illness he had, but pate! You can learn more and make a which he is discovering in his dreams. diet. Also we were making dadars from * the too big attachment to completely donation here: As everybody knows the practice of bamboo sticks, ribbons of fi ve colors passages living the independent life he lived. http://dzogczen.pl/darkretreat/vb.php Mandarava can be done with elaborate and from different precious gems. Also Many of you will remember his unusual preparations, with less preparations we received some explanations about Died: On the fi rst Saturday of this year, character: warm-hearted, sensitive and We would also like to thank all of you for and without preparations (going more three kinds of chulen: Nirmanakaya- January 5th, 2008, our Vajra brother intelligent on one hand, rough-and- your generous donations and support! strictly to the essence) according to the chulen (diet and pills), Sambhogakaya- and friend Michal Bajbakow (born in ready on the other: a real down-to-earth Best Wishes, circumstances we are in or what kind of chulen (pills), and Dharmakaja-chulen 1966) died around 9 a.m. in the hospital character … The Cabin Project Team things are available for us at the mo- (breathing). in Warsaw, Poland. He was a Polish art- Please don’t forget him in your prac- [email protected] ment. Because we had to our disposal Although we were trying to learn as ist who had been living and working in tice. * especially precious place that is Palden- much as possible, it was little diffi cult Cologne, Germany for many years. Devoted friends THE MIRROR · No. 90 · January, February 2008

15 Spain New Gakyils of Spain Kundusling (Barcelona) Yellow: Montse Gombau: [email protected] Olaya Martínez: [email protected] Red: Carles Jañez: [email protected] Pablo Flores-Guerra: [email protected] Blue: Sachiko Fullita: [email protected] Peter Guest: [email protected] Also, there is now a Gakyil in Madrid, We have all enjoyed the time that we Santi Maha Sangha Base Level helpful for all of us, but especially for Slovakia chosen by the members there. The fi rst 7th Lojong spent with Oliver, who was actually with Jakob Winkler those folks, whose want to pass the ex- time in the history of the Spanish Com- with Oliver Leick one of the fi rst teachers who came to We had a weekend break after the amination this year. We had a very good munity we have two Gakyils! The start of the New Year was really our country from the beginning of our retreat with Oliver and then we had occasion for clarifying our doubts and Madrid blissful for our small Slovak Sangha. activity. It was very inspiring for all of another retreat with Jakob Winkler in Jakob showed his good teacher’s ability, Blue: María Arévalo: – On the second day of the New Year we us to listen to an experienced long-term beautiful Valley near a little spa town when he patiently answer our question [email protected] started a weekend retreat with Oliver student of our Master. Oliver gave us Trencianske Teplice. Jakob visited this by trying to enter into dimension of Leick of the “The 7th Lojong” in our plenty of examples from his own prac- place couple times before, and we had student. Red: Debora Murillo capital city, Bratislava. We had an inter- tice. His humble and direct approach to very nice family atmosphere in that Thank you. – [email protected] national retreat with 24 people. We met the teaching helped us so much. Thank exquisite shiny weekend. More than Yellow: Sonia Chica – Vajra sisters and brothers from Czech you. twenty people took part in that retreat. [email protected] Republic, Hungary and even from Po- * We went through the “famous” fi fth land. And of course from Slovakia and chapter of the book Santi Maha Sangha, Best wishes from the Spanish Community Austria (Oliver). Precious Vase, Base Level. It was very for the New Year!

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

May 23–25 May 30–June 6 July 21–28 August 23–26 schedule New York City Tsegyalgar East Dzogchen Retreat with Jnanadakkini Practice Retreat SMS Level 1 Dzogchen Retreat with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu on Khandroling Instructors: Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Jigmed Lingpa’s Dzogchen Teaching with Intermediate Yantra Yoga Santi Maha Sangha with Jim Valby conway The Essence Dzogchen Teaching of “Yeshes Lama” Led by Naomi Zeitz Yantra Yoga with Paula Barry & Naomi Sangyas Lingpa according to the $500 full price or $70/day Full price $ 160 or $ 10/session Zeitz 2008 Longsal Teaching Vajra Dance with Bodhi Krause $ 200 full price or $ 70/day June August $ 1000 full price for entire retreat June 13–15 August 8–26 $ 275 for each 4-day session or $ 25 for April May 25, 27, 28, 29 Santi Maha Sangha III Level Exams Santi Maha Sangha Retreat each individual session (specifi c weekend dates TBA) New York City with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu on Khandroling Song of Vajra Dance Course Introductory Breathing Course June 16–22 Four sessions: October Instructor: Anastasia McGhee Instructor: Fabio Andrico Santi Maha Sangha IV Level Training August 8–11 October 20–24 $ 140 full price or $ 30/session To register, please contact the with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu SMS Base, Emphasis on Semdzin Long Life Practice of the Dakini NYC Dzogchen Community $ 350 full price August 13–16 Mandarava with Tsalung May www.nydzogchen.com SMS Base, Emphasis on Rushen Instructor: Elio Guarisco May 16–18 Fee: TBA July August 18–21 Full Price: $ 300 or $ 25/session Yantra Yoga: 3rd and 4th series July 4–6 SMS Base, Emphasis on 7th Mind Train- Pranayamas and Yantras May 27–30 Toronto Dzogchen Retreat ing with Kumbhaka Instructed by Lynn Sutherland, Advanced Song of the Vajra Dance with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche Supervised by Fabio Andrico Course $ 180 full price or $ 70/session $ 140 full price or $ 30/session Instructor: Adriana Del Borgo Full price: $ 250 or $ 65/day

The offi cial fundraising campaign will fundraising for be starting soon but we are accepting any donations for the project. khandroling Please send a check to the address big projects in the below. works! Another way to help is to look around you: Are there any items to donate for the Dear All, auction at the Tsegyalgar East retreat Warm greetings from Tsegyalgar East! with Rinpoche in June? As some of you may know, the Khandro- The items can also be something to sell ling project, under the direction of Chö- in the Khandroling shop that will be gyal Namkhai Norbu, involves building setup during the retreat. a Vajra Hall to cover the Universal Man- Offerings for the project connect you to dala. The Vajra Hall is a one of a kind the sacred land of our lineage, the seat sacred monument, architecturally chal- of Goma Devi, Khandroling, Vajra Dance Course with Anastasia McGhee from February 16 –18, 2008, Tsegyalgar East, Conway. Photo: J. Mella lenging and enormous. (The Merigar Everything will be tax deductible. Gonpa would fi t inside.) The project also For those qualifi ed and interested can- · Ask local Gakyil to send a letter to knowing this process and following the includes building Rinpoche’s house and Khandroling welcomes you! didates, in order to register please be Tsegyalgar East on your behavior guidelines provided. remodeling the farmhouse so that our Kyu, Tsegyalgar Yellow Gakyil aware of the following responsibilities: · Submit a completed application to operations and activities will be central- at Khandroling To all local Gakyils, Gars, and interested can- · E-mail the Secretary of Tsegyalgar Tsegyalgar East by May 12, 2008 ized at Khandroling. This is biggest and didates, please let us know if we can assist * East at [email protected] most ambitious undertaking ever at the Tsegyalgar East is happy to host a As soon as a candidate contacts our sec- you in this process by contacting our Secre- stating your intention to present for Tsegyalgar East. Our Sangha is united Santi Maha Sangha Level III retary, he/she will be sent by email the tary at [email protected]. this examination by March 12, 2008 and we are all excited; yet substantial Examination current Santi Maha Sangha guidelines · Karma Yoga forms need to be submitted Thank you for your collaboration. funding is needed for the project. June 13–15, 2008 PDF document published by the Shang to your local Gakyil by March 12, 2008 Tsegyalgar East Gakyil Shung Institute. Complete description If every one of us helps, in small or big Santi Maha Sangha Level IV Training · Applying to the examiner (Jim Valby) of the process is in this document and ways, the project will manifest. June 16–22, 2008 and SMS coordinating offi ce (in Meri- each candidate is fully responsible for Your involvement is absolutely essential. with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu gar), and once approved, THE MIRROR · No. 90 · January, February 2008

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west Tsegyalgar West/Baja Mexico 755 Euclid Ave. [email protected] tsegyalgar Dzogchen Community West Coast Berkeley, CA 94708 carolfi [email protected] www.bahasangha.org tsegyalgar west news New developments and fundraiser: This has been an eventful year so far for Tesgyalgar West. We have restructured our membership system to be more in synch with Tsegyalgar East’s. We now have a new Gakyil secretary, Elisa Gon- zalez, and a Gar land supervisor, Bertha Saenz. Soon, we will have additional staff. And we have made many new improvements to the land, including concrete work that protects our road from washouts in rainy season and a Katz. One improvement we are most miscommunication, our locally based, contribute, please send your donations Checks or money orders should be pay- concrete pad for a Teaching and Vajra proud of is a roof support system that very reliable contractor began build- via check or money order (information able to DCWC Winter Gar Fund and sent Dance space. Two composting-toilet allows us to practice under a beautiful ing it before we had raised the funds to given below), or, to wire funds, please to: “lavatories” are in progress as is work shaded area using a sturdy tent cover- pay for it. We know the community has contact Elisa Gonzalez, TW Secretary, Elisa Gonzalez, Secretary, on three more casitas. ing a rectangular teaching space and many fi nancial needs, but if you would for details of how to do so. To make a Tsegyalgar West circular Mandala area. Eventually, we like to contribute money to a concrete PayPal donation, please see our web 1533 Austin Hwy, Ste 102, #402 The new staff and these improvements will install a palapa-style roof. project that has immediate benefi t for site (jardindelosnaranjos.org) under San Antonio, TX 78218 have allowed us to organize our recent practitioners, we would be very grate- the Membership tab for the link. Which- Elisa’s e-mail address: Santi Maha Sangha Base-level retreat This wonderful addition to the land ful for any contributions. We need ever form of payment, please label your [email protected] with Jim Valby and an upcoming Dream makes it immediately more usable for a total of $ 17,000 to completely pay donations Roof Support System. Yoga and Rushen retreat with Michael the community. However, because of a * for the roof system. If you are able to upcoming SMS Base-Level Retreat Mandala and enter into, fi rst, the dance Lucas and San Jose area. A few of us Dream Yoga and Rushen Retreat with Jim Valby of the A before beginning instruction in came over from mainland Mexico and with Michael Katz 19–24 February 2008 the Dance of the Three in our new the United States. While some had met April 20–24, 2008 Mandala space, with its expansive view Rinpoche before at retreats with him “At beautiful Tsegyalgar West in of the mountains of Baja California Sur at Tsegyalgar West and elsewhere, for $ 80/day of retreat – with membership Mexico, earth, water, fi re, air and under a deepening-blue late-afternoon several it was the fi rst time to encoun- discounts space manifest a perfect place for sky. And then dinner (again delicious), ter his precious teachings. And so it was (20 % ordinary, 80 % sustaining and our study & practice.” another session with Jim, a little time perfect that one of the three times per meritorious, 50 % reduced) Jim Valby, February 2008 spent under (this time) the desert-clear year that Rinpoche offers us worldwide or Special Price for coming for the whole e began each day with coffee night sky. transmission of Guru Yoga occurred in time, beginning the night before the or tea, fresh-squeezed orange the early part of the retreat. retreat begins. For some of us who had been there juice, perhaps a bowl of fresh W before, we also appreciated the way That there was a full-moon eclipse Arrive April 19 and stay until the morn- tropical fruit with made-from-scratch the Gar is developing into a more and simultaneous with the Anniversary of ing of April 25 for US $ 150 or 1500 granola, before we settled in for our more comfortable place to be. For Garab Dorje seemed especially auspi- pesos. fi rst session of the day with Jim Valby. example, the fi rst day we practiced in cious, as Rinpoche noted in his webcast (This includes light dinner the night of We practiced and laughed, delighted the fi g grove, which most people who explanation beforehand. For us in Tseg- April 19 and breakfast the morning of in the many ways Jim could restate the have been to Tsegyalgar West will re- yalgar West, the earth’s purple shadow, April 25.) essential points so that we could begin member well – a protected place with fi rst covering and then uncovering the Cost includes retreat, camping sites to remember them. We occasionally its ancient trees sheltering us from the moon’s brightness, was startlingly vis- passages (BYO camping gear), potable water, helped our generous volunteer transla- sun, the trees’ thick roots visible in the ible before and after we received direct Born: Adam was born to Martina three great meals a day, and a ride to tors (who probably didn’t really need giant rocks that characterize the Gar’s transmission from Rinpoche at 8:00 Kacurova and Jakub Muller on Sunday and from Los Cabos airport (SJD). our help) when they paused over choos- land. This is a really a wonderful place p.m. Baja Sur time. January 20, 2008 at 1:20 pm at home in ing a word. After a midmorning break, to be. The second day, however, we set Richmond,California. He weighed in at E-mail Elisa Gonzalez (Tsegyalgar we gathered again for a second session During the retreat, Jim Valby comment- ourselves up in our new teaching space, 7 pounds and 2o zs. and was 18 inches West Secretary) for more information: with Jim for more. ed, “At beautiful Tsegyalgar West in just uphill from our new Mandala space, long. [email protected] Mexico, earth, water, fi re, air and space And then lunch – organic greens and bringing up a nice comfortable chair for manifest a perfect place for our study * something healthy, tasty, like fi sh Jim, a little table for an altar, a chair for & practice.” We relaxed, we studied, the translator. Each day we improved it tacos with fresh-made blue-corn tor- we practiced, we learned, we enjoyed. tillas – and a longish break, and then a little more. By the end of the retreat I think that most of us departed feeling a session of learning the Vajra Dance we had thoroughly moved in. more free than we did when we arrived: with Bodhi Krause, who patiently and Most of the retreatants were local, a perfect conclusion. gently helped everyone to relax on the from La Paz and the nearby Cabo San *

Subscribe to The Mirror The New Year is upon us and if you have made You can subscribe through your local a New Years resolution to stay in closer contact Community or by contacting us directly at: with the Dzogchen Community, what better way than with a subscription to The Mirror. In USA many Gars and Lings and even some smaller Naomi Zeitz: [email protected] Communities, The Mirror is included in mem- 413 369 4208 bership in some form. Membership is the best Tsegyalgar offi ce and bookstore: overall way to maintain contact with Chögyal 413 369 41 53, 413 369 44 73 Namkhai Norbu and the Vajra Family, and of- ten you will receive access to the Mirror in Italy that way. Liz Granger: [email protected] The Mirror The Mirror c/o Merigar PO Box 479 Arcidosso 58031 If you would like to subscribe to The Mirror: You can purchase subscriptions on line at Conway, MA 01341 GR Italy www.melong.com USA $ 35 US or 35 Euro in Europe for paper only. $ 25 US or 25 Euro in Europe for on line only. For South America and Mexico we have Happy Holidays! $ 50 US or 50 Euro in Europe for both paper reduced rates, so please contact The Mirror Staff and on line subscriptions. [email protected] for more information. Liz Granger, Naomi Zeitz and Thomas Eifl er THE MIRROR · No. 90 · January, February 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.dzogchenvenezuela.org

Shung Institute) regarding to the · Have been attended at least three re- For a list or responsibilities contact tashigar norte present new gakyil members reorganization of the International treats with Rinpoche the Gakyil of Tashigar Norte. Dzogchen Community · Motivated to offer a year of work in the gonpa painting General Attitude: needed · “Margarita Guidelines” by Yeshi Silvano service of the Community Dear Vajra Brothers and Sisters, · The attitude of the Gekö needs to be Dear Community Namkhai (International Gakyil) · Be able to work in a group Here in Tashigar Norte we have the patient and friendly We would like to inform you that in · “Modifi cation to the Structure of the · Speak Spanish and English good fortune to see the paintings in the · The Gekö should be visible and avail- March 2008, Tashigar Norte will renew Dzogchen Community”, by Chögyal · Be gentle, kind and principally pa- Gonpa spread day by day over the roof, able to all members the Gakyil. Namkhai Norbu (for Tashigar Norte) tience with others creating a piece of Tibet in Margarita. · The whole area designated as Gar or · Work collaboratively and in a spirit of They are beautifully designed and To assemble the New Gakyil, we are If you need some of the texts mentioned ACTN land needs to be clean and in open communication with the Gakyil painted, by the four artists who have looking for people with the following above, contact us and we will send you good order in executing the responsibilities of this come from Merigar for the purpose characteristics a copy. · A two way Collaboration with the very important position. (Migmar, Michele, Nicola, Ivan) and · Active members for at least three PCTN caretaker is necessary for a If you are interested to apply for be others from the local community who years and have annual membership In order to work under the advices good working relationship member of the Gakyil of Tashigar are assisting them. fee fully paid and with the motivation of Rinpoche’s Norte, please send your application to Benefi ts However, the project turns out to be · Have attended at least three retreats wishes, is necessary to have read: [email protected] Salary Bs.F 900 more complicated than expected, and with Rinpoche · The Blue Book of the Dzogchen Com- House and services the money allocated is not suffi cient. · Motivated to offer a year of work in Gakyil and Secretary of Tashigar Norte munity, “Principles and Guidelines for Retreats with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu free We are appealing to the Community for service of the Community Practitioners and Gakyil Members” by donations so that the decoration of the · Be able to work in a group and with * Chögyal Namkhai Norbu If you are interested to apply for this Gonpa can continue and be completed open communication · The Document “Collaboration” by Yeshi position, please send your application new gekö needed in the best possible way, worthy of the · Be gentle and kind with others Silvano Namkhai and Luigi Ottaviani to [email protected] teachings we receive there. · Speak Spanish and English preferably Dear Community (Shang Shung Institute) regarding Gakyil and Secretary of Tashigar Norte For see more photos, please click We would like to inform you that at the to the reorganization of the Interna- In order to work under the advices here http://www.fl ickr.com/photos/ end of March 2008, the Gekö position at tional Dzogchen Community * and with the motivation of Rinpoche’s dhakini/sets/72157603953394386/ Tashigar Norte will be available. · “Margarita Guidelines” by Yeshi Silvano wishes, is necessary to have reed: show/ Namkhai (International Gakyil) · The Blue Book of the Dzogchen Com- For this position, we are looking for If you are able to support the project, · “Modifi cation to the Structure of the munity, “Principles and Guidelines for someone with the following charac- please contact our secretary to Dzogchen Community”, by Chögyal Practitioners and Gakyil Members” by teristics: [email protected] Namkhai Norbu (for Tashigar Norte) Chögyal Namkhai Norbu · Active member for at least three years Thanks a lot for your collaboration. · The Document “Collaboration” by and have annual membership fee If you need some of the texts mentioned Tashigar Norte Community Yeshi Silvano Namkhai (International paid above, contact us and we will send you Gakyil) and Luigi Ottaviani (Shang a copy.

ing around many thigles within the ornamentation of the which are the principal seed syl- tashigar norte gonpa lables and symbols. lauri denyer The team of artists from Meri- gar consists of Michele, Migmar, year ago, Rosa Namkhai A series of smooth panels were Nicola Cassano, and Ivan Droz- asked Michele Salvatore affi xed to the main supports of dov. Many people from Tashigar Aand Anna Pucci to oversee the roof beams, covering the North are also assisting, includ- the ornamentation of the Tashi- crisscrossing steel members ing anyone who would like to gar Norte Gonpa, saying that it with surfaces on which it would participate and who is not afraid was time to change the industrial be suitable for large designs to be of heights (the work is being appearance that it had retained, painted. These panels were then done on a high scaffolding). The despite its architectural enhance- painted a deep red, in prepara- painters work diligently, 6 days ment and impressive outer ap- tion for the future work. a week from early morning until pearance. This quality, some- dusk, with a short break at mid- where between that of an airline Designs were proposed, but none day. hanger and a barn, was accept- were suitable. Rinpoche said that able but not ideal for a gonpa in Migmar would know how to Tashigar del Norte sponsors the which the most sublime teach- make a proper design, so he was project. At this point (February ings are given by our Master, consulted once again. Migmar 23rd), there is one more week of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. was invited to Tashigar Norte, af- work to do on these surfaces. Af- ter a meeting about the project in ter that, there is more to decorate Last year the project commenced Merigar in the autumn, to put the the yellow sections below these with the ornamentation of the necessary artistry into the work. panels. Then next year, if fund- columns in the main part of the The design revolves around the ing can be found, there will be Gonpa. Migmar was consulted twelve animals of the Tibetan zo- another season of similar work about the design, and a team of diac, at Rinpoche’s request. It is to do here, to bring the painting students diligently applied them- augmented with the Eight Auspi- to completion. selves to the task of painting cious Symbols, and the whole of them, in order to be ready for the it comprises an abundant display Drupchen retreat. of fl owers, leaves and vines, twin- Migmar painting the Gonpa at Tashigar North. all upcoming knowledge of the state of contempla- Course of the Vajra Dance of Vajra Dance Teacher Training Dzogchen Community membership is Vajra Dance Courses 2008 tion. Six Spaces of Samantabhadra First Level required. This integration is one of the most for beginners with the Main Instructors Prima Mai & In the Dzogchen Teaching sound and Please send an e-mail confi rming your important aims of a Dzogchen practi- with the Intermediate Instructor Adriana Dal Borgo movement are very important because participation and telling us when, were tioner. Carmen Rivas March 28th–April 3rd they are the means to integrate oneself and with whom you learned the Vajra The Vajra Dance is practiced on a Man- March 9th–13th into the state of contemplation. Who can attend? Dance. dala, which represents the correspon- The Vajra Dance is principally a practice Who can attend? All those who know the female and male dence between the internal dimension Fee: Bs.F 1.750/$ 350 – discounts for to harmonize the energy of the indi- Open to all those who are interested. Is part of the Vajra Dance of Six Spaces of of the individual and the outer dimen- members don’t apply vidual. not necessary have been received the Samantabhadra and The Vajra Dance of sion of the world. If one has a more profound knowledge Transmission from Chögyal Namkhai Three Vajras, and aspire to become a >> continued on next page of the meaning of the Dance, it becomes Norbu Vajra Dance teacher, or want to deepen a method for integrating the three exis- their knowledge and understanding of Fee: Bs.F 250/$ 50 – with usual tences of body, voice and mind into the the practice. discounts for Members THE MIRROR · No. 90 · January, February 2008

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>> upcoming courses continued from last page Vajra Dance Course of the Song of “Making one’s Chest of Drawers for Orga- If you are interested to attend this is coordinated and harmonized, so as to Course on the Third Series of Yantras the Vajra for Advanced nizing the Teachings of SMS Base Level”) course, please register by email at: let the mind fi nd the authentic balance with Variations for advanced with the Main Instructor Prima Mai Levels of Meaning According to Paths [email protected] and relaxation, which is the basis for with the Main Instructor Laura Evangelisti May 5th–8th Levels of Meaning According to Vehicles getting into contemplation. May 1st–4th Gakyil and Secretary of Tashigar Norte Outer, Inner and Secret (and in some Who can attend? Yantra Yoga Teacher Training Who can attend? cases Super-Secret) Meanings * All those who know the female or male First Level All those who have a basic knowledge of Provisional (neyartha/drangdön [drang- Yantra Yoga Courses 2008 part of the Vajra Dance of the Song of with the Main Instructors Yantra Yoga. don]) and Defi nitive (nitartha/ngedön the Vajra. Yantra Yoga or the Yoga of Movement Fabio Andrico & Laura Evangelisti Dzogchen Community membership is [nges-don]) Meanings Dzogchen Community membership is is an ancient system of Tibetan yoga April 15th–23rd required. required. If you are interested to attend this based on the text /The Union of the Who can attend? Fee: Bs.F 650/$ 130 – with usual course, please contact Sun and the Moon/, written in the 8th Fee: Bs.F 750/$ 150 – with usual All those who already have experience discounts for Members. [email protected] century by the master and translator discounts for Members with Yantra Yoga and aspire to become Vairocana. Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Please register by e-mail to Prices will be announced soon a teacher, or want to deepen their Please register by email to wrote a detailed commentary on the [email protected] knowledge and understanding of the [email protected] Gakyil and Secretary of Tashigar Norte root text and started to transmit this practice. Gakyil & Secretary of Tashigar Norte teaching in the West at the beginning of * * Dzogchen Community membership is Tashigar Norte is pleased to announce Tashigar Norte is pleased to announce the seventies. * required. Santi Maha Sangha Base Level Retreat Santi Maha Sangha Base Level Retreat Yantra Yoga is a fundamental method with SMS Base Instructor Elías Capriles Practice and Study to integrate the profound essence of the Fee: Bs.F 1.750/$ 350 – Discounts for March 14th–17th, 2008 with SMS Base Instructor Grisha Mokhin Dzogchen Teaching in the three doors members don’t apply April 11th–14th, 2008 (body, voice and mind) of the practitio- Retreat Focus ner. Through positions and movements Distinguishing Levels of Meaning in the Fee: Bs.F 250/$ 50 – with usual combined with breathing one’s energy Santi Maha Sangha Base Training (Or discounts for Members upcoming course will be an introduction to the determine moxabustion points · Four May 19th: Tashigar Norte is pleased to announce Moxibustion Course practice of moxibustion on the basis different methods of applying moxa- Morning: 10:00 am–12:30 am Mandarava Tsalung Retreat with Elio Guarisco of the principles of Tibetan medicine, bustion · Norms to be followed after Bodily location of the three humors · with Elio Guarisco First Level: May 17th–19th illustrating the 500 points on which moxabustion · Benefi ts of moxabustion Characteristics of the three humors · May 22nd–25th Second Level: May 28th–30th moxa can be applied and the relative · Reference books for the Clear Crystal Location of the 74 moxabustion points Schedule Third Level: June 6th–8th therapeutic indications, and also using Mirror manual of moxabustion on the lateral part of the back · Thera- 6:00 a.m. 1st Thun the different method of application peutic benefi ts of applying moxabustion Tibetan Medicine May 18th: 9:00 a.m. 2nd Thun on the 74 points · Training in recognition The healing power of the heat First Level Morning: 10:00 am–12:30 am 5:00 p.m. Explanations of the 74 points In Tibetan medicine moxibustion is May 17th: Location of 80 moxabustion points on Afternoon: 3:30 pm–5:30 pm Fee: Bs.F 250 – with the usual discounts the queen of all external therapies. Morning: 10:00 am–12:30 am the central part of the back · Therapeu- Symptoms of the imbalance of the for Dzogchen Community Members Moxa uses heat which has the power General introduction to the practice of tic benefi ts of applying moxabustion on three humors · Training in applying to unblock the causes and the effects moxabustion · Methods for preparing the 80 points · Training in recognition of Please confi rm your participation to: moxabustion on the 74 points of the illnesses. This course is inspired by the artemisia for moxabustion · Illnesses the 80 points [email protected] lateral part of the back · Seven types of work and the vast research conducted for which moxabustion is indicated · Afternoon: 3:30 pm–5:30 pm humoral constitutions Blue Gakyil & Secretary of Tashigar Norte by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu over many Illnesses for which moxabustion is not Method of applying moxabustion on the years, studying and comparing numer- indicated · Points on the body where 80 points of the central part of the back If you are interested to attend these ous ancient sources on Tibetan moxi- moxabustion is not to be done · Training in applying moxabustion on courses please register by e-mail to bustion. The Shang Shung Institute is Afternoon: 3:30 pm–5:30 pm the 80 points of the central part of the [email protected] organizing a course of moxibustion on Moxabustion points indicated by an back · Moxabustion points on the cervi- Prices will be announce soon three levels. Each level consists of three illness · Moxabustion points to be lo- cal vertebrae · Introduction to the three Blue Gakyil and Secretary of Tashigar Norte days of explanation and practice. The cated by measures · Measures used to humors of Tibetan Medicine *

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 tashigar mandala fi rst general assembly meeting with yeshi namkhai february 21, 2008

he fi rst general assembly of current and prospective hom- T eowners or ‘usufructuaries’ of Tashigar Mandala took place in the Gonpa of Tashigar South on February 21, 2008. At present there are about 25 homes constructed with the possibility of about 45 altogether. The meeting be- gan with a presentation of work done to date by Pepe Poncio, the past and newly reelected Mandala Administrator. This was followed by a lively discussion of the projects to be undertaken like water SMS Second Level Training, January 11–17, 2008. Breathing course with Fabio Andrico, January 23–26, 2008. Photo: N. Zeitz source and distribution – drinkable and other – roads, electricity, telephone the Mandala Administrator, as well as Yeshi Namkhai was present at the more global vision, and from this base and various infrastructure issues. There the three representatives of the three meeting and offered valuable input and we can move ahead and develop Tashi- were 2 main proposals addressing the “neighborhoods”, Martha Trillo, Anna advice. One important piece of advice gar Mandala. problem of potable water. The assem- Garcia and Alicia Caballeros. he gave was that we had to decide if bly then voted to reelect Pepe Poncio as we wanted to have condominiums or a THE MIRROR · No. 90 · January, February 2008

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in a more organized manner, buenos aires retreat with less worries and responsi- december 15–16, 2007 bilities. We usually try to design a program for the New Year that is a challenge; then it becomes elina lerner a combination of courage and strategy. wo days could be a long The Buenos Aires Gakyil start- or short time according ed organizing the retreat with T to our vision. Every time Rinpoche with enthusiasm in Chögyal Namkhai Norbu comes August of 2007. We tried to com- to Argentina, he spends a few municate well since Buenos Aires days in Buenos Aires and offers is a very big city and we don’t yet his teachings. During the month have a common place to meet, of December, Buenos Aires has therefore we must travel long a moderate climate. After a very distances and that takes a lot of rough winter and spring, ev- time. Because of this obstacle, we eryone was anxiously awaiting benefi ted by an increased effort the end of the year and vacation towards communication. Some- Dance of 6 Spaces of Samantabhadra and Three Vajras for Advanced Photo: N. Zeitz time. times it felt like our telephones with Adriana dal Borgo, January 27–31, 2008. December is a month when an were on fi re as people tried to old and eternal myth reappears in fi nd out about the next Ganapuja, Gar of Tashigar South and that ings and to increase the number Dzogchen Community a new the porteños tradition of Buenos Yantra Yoga or Vajra Dance prac- was often challenging. of people interested in the teach- space where the teachings could Aires. Everyone wants to fi nish tice. The last year we also started We had two objectives in 2007 ings. It seems we fulfi lled both be taught for the benefi t of all what was started with the deep to realize that we needed to col- and they were to offer a very nice aims. We hope in 2008 to offer sentient beings! desire of starting the New Year laborate more positively with the place to our Master for the teach- our precious Master and all the

passages: Died: Horacio Toledo died on Febru- ary 29 at 10pm in Cordoba, Argentina. Horacio entered the Dzogchen Com- munity with the fi rst retreat in Alta Gracia in1989. He was Gekö at different times and also a Red Gakyil member. He always cooked asado [barbeque] for all in the Community. He was married to Luisa, who is also a member of the Community. He died very peacefully. Please keep him in your practice. Kumar Kumari at Tashigar South with Carolina Mingolla. Photo: L. Hume

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

Rinpoche’s teachings in Tashi- eryday we found some time to go news from gar. Santi Maha Sangha teacher and swim at the fantastic beaches Angie Gilbert revised the mean- near the Gar, and integrate a little namgyalgar ing of what had been taught each with the powerful and majestic star pulsford day, helping us to understand any elements of this area. points we had missed. The web Sitting silently with our Vajra t is now almost 5 years since cast teachings were combined brothers and sisters on the grassy our Master has been here in with a retreat of the Chod, lead slopes of Namgyalgar after prac- Ihis physical form, so the re- by Angie, who explained gradu- ticing the Chod, staring at the cent news of his intention to re- ally the meaning of the practice, vast jewelled night sky, our Eu- turn at the end of January 2009 as well as how to use the damaru ropean Vajra brother here for the created a deep stir of excitement and bell and giving us the chance fi rst time, seemed to read all our and joy throughout the Namgyal- to practice the Chod many times. minds saying, “This is something gar summer retreats. Everywhere The retreat schedule was full, special we will never forget”. It is true, conversations of his return were and well attended with several I think we are all aware; time here audible. Excited voices discuss- groups travelling over 2000 at Namgyalgar is so precious. ing plans of ways to get time off kilometres to attend the retreats, Emily Coleing with Kumar Kumari students. The chance to practice these deep work to spend the 3 months with some of whom for which the methods with our Vajra broth- Rinpoche, enthusiastic abandon- retreat was their fi rst contact stration of what they had learned and second series to interested ers and sisters, at this precious ment of individuals’ previous with Rinpoche’s teachings. Local at the conclusion of the retreat. new comers, and some of us us- place blessed by the Master, fi lls plans, as well as the disappoint- teachers taught the Dance of the This retreat was followed by a ing the opportunity to practice the heart with joy and gratitude. ed voice of a child, “Do you mean Three Vajras in the mornings and Vajra Dance retreat lead by Lynne the 3rd and 4th groups as well. My heart is singing knowing our I still have to wait a whole year to see Yantra Yoga in the afternoons. For Geary, with one week of prac- Namgyalgar, which once used precious master intends to come Rinpoche?” – to which came the the fi rst time ever at Namgyalgar tice of all 3 dances. At the time to seem cold and rainy at this time here again to Namgyalgar very gentle reply of one of our dance a children’s program was incor- of writing this retreat is still go- of year, in recent years has be- soon!!! We await you! – and from teachers, “We have waited now al- porated into the retreat, with the ing, the mandala is full, and the come warm and delightful, even the heart invite all our Vajra fam- ready for 5 years, so for us to wait just Kumar Kumari being taught by smooth coordinated energy and the crops the farmers grow near ily from around the world, who one more year is very short”. Yantra Yoga teacher Emily Cole- blessings of this practice evident by have changed, to adapt to the have opportunity to travel, to Our summer retreat began ing to a dedicated group of chil- all around. Soon we will begin a warmer weather. This year again come and join us here with you!!! with a precious opportunity to dren, who impressed us all with week of Yantra Yoga practice with followed this pattern with huge attend the video web cast of an elegant and serious demon- Emily Coleing teaching the fi rst blue skies and sunny days. Ev- THE MIRROR · No. 90 · January, February 2008 Reviews

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If up to this point I have mainly re- book review ferred to passages that are funda- mentally conceptual - and poten- the old man basking in the sun tially at risk of actually mislead- ing some readers – I would like to raimondo bultrini bring your attention to other im- translation by liz granger ages contained in Longchenpa’s verses in The Old Man Basking in the Sun that are deeply symbolic of the process of self-liberation: The Old Man Basking in the Sun realization of Ati Dzogchen. Now Longchenpa’s Treasury of Natural he has translated this extraordi- “Now here, now gone, thoughts leave Perfection nary text, The treasury of Natural no trace, Foreword by Perfection, and it can become part And opened wide to seamless gnosis Chögyal Namkhai Norbu of the lives of fortunate Western- Hopes and fears are not longer Translation and commentary by ers, its inestimable value will be- credible, Keith Dowman come immediately apparent”. The stake that tethers the mind in its 2006, Pg 303 fi eld is extracted, Vajra Publications, It is a good premise to attribute And samsara, the city of delusion, is Jyatha Thamel, Nepal due importance to the text, but of his style, he often manages to the fi nal account of that ledger evacuated”. www.vajrabooks.com.np reading it directly is, without create a sparkling play of mirrors to a superior entity one day. But doubt, a jump into experience, with new refl ections for readers what does this entity correspond Or: “Unchanging and unchange- Eye of the Storm to say the least, of the type of lan- who are already used to more tra- to? To our most impartial con- able, nothing is there to desire, and Vairotsana’s Five Original guage used to describe the state, ditional but substantially similar sciousness? And where does this with nothing to hold on to, not even Transmissions or the states of Dzogchen and the translations. consciousness reside? In which a mind”. Translation and commentary by link with the transmission. corner of the mind did the con- Keith Dowman Besides we shouldn’t forget the cept of a judging consciousness Before leaving you to read the 2006, Pg 106 Timeless – unborn and unceasing, respect that is due to the honest take form? many facets of this text some of Vajra Publications motionless – without coming or inspiration of a translator im- which are even controversial, I going, mersed in the original texts of a In the approach to Dzogchen will simply quote a fi nal passage the master’s contemplation is all in- master such as Longchenpa. In the supposition is to free one- from Longchenpa that condenses In the ultimate defi nitive analysis clusive, his introduction to The Old Man self from this conditioning “be- the essence of many refl ections Just as golden chains and hempen so spontaneity is a pure unwavering Chögyal Namkhai Norbu re- yond doubt”, beyond the rules of on the nature of phenomena and ropes are equally binding, Samadhi minds us of the importance of Cause and Effect that imply that on “illumination” itself. So the sacred and the profane do both and all events are assimilated to non- Longchenpa as a direct emana- phenomena have an origin and enslave us; action. tion “not only of Garab Dorje, an evolution according to the ac- Why do we say that everything is And just as white and black clouds the source of the Dzogchen tra- tion undertaken. But in order to mind? are equally enshrouding, Besides this text by Longchenpa, dition, but also of Vimalamitra, reveal the tricks created by the Mind is the source and multiplicity So virtue and vice alike veil gnosis: there is another translation by a renowned successor to Garab ordinary mind during this pro- mind. The yogin or yogini who understand Dowman printed almost at the Dorje.” cess of self-liberation, based on Can Buddha arise as product that same time by the small but ac- a non-gradual and non-formal Or sentient beings evolve into Fosters release from moral conditioning tive publishing company Vajra Without a shadow of a doubt all teaching like Dzogchen, some of buddhas? Books in Thamel, Kathmandu. of their teachings dwell on a sin- the passages in which Dowman Take charcoal for example – we can o read and present a book The second one has an equally gle focal point that would remain comments on Longchenpa’s text polish it, of teachings containing suggestive title, Eye of the Storm, completely alien to our capacity can turn out to be extremely use- But try as we may it does not become T such precise images and and is a text by Vairotsana who, of ordinary perception without ful. white; symbols – a diffi cult challenge together with Padmasambhava their explanations. There are not In the same way, deluded beings, for the limits of the conceptual and Vimalamitra, was one of the many masters who have realized “The Dzogchen transmission taken as Though they practice endless mind – is an act of practice rather three main fi gures in the fi rst in- this experience and know how to the cause of some future benefi t indi- meditation, than one of writing. It calls for a troduction of into Ti- communicate it to their disciples. cates a mind at work at the lower end Can never become Buddha. plunge into the universe of teach- bet. Besides being the centre of Frequently ascetics with great of the spectrum of its recipients. More- ings by realized yogis such as the movement, the eye of the storm powers have never known how over it is a dangerous error to interpret great Longchenpa, the author of symbolizes the heart of the heart to verbally transmit instructions the percept “nondiscrimination” as li- the quotation. Fortunately the of the turmoil created in the mind about their own practices to the cense to indulge the peculiar personal book we are talking about is al- by the words of practitioners who ordinary minds of aspiring prac- weirdnesses that genetic and personal ready the fruit of the practice of have realized their nature. Be- titioners. Under the guidance of karma engender. In the moment, in the translator Keith Dowman, a yond cause and effect. And it is a real master, starting from one’s the here and now, the originally real expert of Dzogchen. precisely this power in the use fi rst approach to Dzogchen, the pure mind of natural perfection makes of words that Dowman refers to limits of the conceptual mind no discrimination between right and The title given to the work, The Old when he presents the fi ve poems of every serious practitioner are wrong, good and bad, high and low, Man Basking in the Sun, evokes an to directly induce “a vision of nat- pushed to the boundaries of the and between the poles of any dichoto- image which is not ambiguous: ural perfection in the mind of the Ultimate Truth, through words my that social conditioning and intel- a human being in the fi nal stage reader”. “This” – explains Dow- coming to perceive the impor- lectual idealism have inculcated, and of his existence is enjoying him- man in the introduction – “is not tance of the integration between it gives no positive reaction to the good self in the warm luminous nature done by logic or causal connec- inner and outer, material and nor any denial of the bad”. of the elements which he fi nally tion but through the magic, the spiritual reality. But one needs di- feels part of. He enjoys them and ambiguity, of poetry”. rect experience in order to reach It is in this delicate interpretation gives enjoyment to those who un- the origin or the source of the of the transition between relative derstand the level of his peaceful We can make an extreme synthe- process that has matured in the Truth and absolute Truth that the contemplative integration. sis of words to describe the in- mind. great and mysterious game of defi nable state beyond ordinary karma is played out. “Acceptance These are intense moments like mind. “No-one and no-thing to Every act of the ethical behavior of the totality of human potential” the light that surrounds the Old change” and later on, “No con- of an ordinary individual implies – writes Dowman – “may expand to Man, refl ected in the pages skill- troller! No control!” but in practi- a personal way of accepting or re- infi nity the horizons of our experience, fully translated and commented cal terms – writes Dowman in The futing things in the world around but if the self serving rational mind on by Dowman, a disciple of one Old Man – “...the percept “nonac- him and in his own experiences. takes hold of the notion that all and the most important yogis of the tion” should not be understood Right from our early learning everything is permitted and uses it as modern tradition of Ati Yoga, as cause to cease and desist in years we are the severe or liberal principle to act upon through time, Dujom Rinpoche. In his intro- any discipline whatsoever, par- judges of ourselves as well as of then the expectation that karma will duction to the book, master Chö- ticularly on the progressive paths others. We know that by pardon- perform its worst will not be disap- gyal Namkhai Norbu explains of spiritual aspiration”. ing or condemning ourselves pointed. Karma may not exist in the that “Kusho Keith Dowman has – therefore judging how we do timeless moment of nondual aware- spent many years living in India Dowman does not translate for in the processes of desire and ness, but is certainly lethal in the cred- and Nepal in communion with Tibetans but for Western minds aversion – we create a substan- ulous rational mind in which a frame many great masters who have re- like his and in turn comments tial part of our karma, almost as of moral conditioning is taken to be alized the Dzogchen view. Study- on passages from classical texts if we were keeping an unneces- incontrovertible and in which moral ing within their purview, fully using a wide range of personal sary account book. From here causality is operative”. immersed in the sacred teaching, expressions. Even though some arises the fear or worry that we he has fortuitously absorbed the scholars may not be appreciative all feel about having to present THE MIRROR · No. 90 · January, February 2008 Stories of the Masters

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a servant said to her, “and your rived near the dwelling of the yo- After this the yogini said to the laksminkara husband-to-be, the prince, went gini; they were returning from a king: “You cannot be my disci- the mad divine princess deep into the woods and man- hunting expedition and had lost ple, but go to one of your road- aged to kill all these animals.” their way. They were exhausted sweepers; he is my disciple and he The princess, disgusted by the and were looking for a place to could be your master. He has just aksminkara was the sis- barbarity of the hunt which was rest, so, by chance they stopped attained knowledge; he could be ter of King Indrabhuti, the carried out with the sole aim of near the cave where Laksminka- the best friend for you.” “There Lsovereign of two hundred fi lling the stomach, thought, “My ra lived. Seeing the woman, the are many sweepers at court, so thousand cities of Oddiyana. brother is a king who defends king thought, “Who is that mad how will I recognize him?” asked From infancy Laksminkara pos- the Buddhist faith: how could he woman?” But then he noticed a the king. “It isn’t hard to fi nd sessed many inner qualities due permit my marriage with such a supernatural light shining from him, because he is always offer- to the reawakening in her of the heretic?” and thinking this, she inside the cave and from every ing food to the poor. Go to him potentiality for total realization. fainted. corner divine girls arrived who tonight,” answered the princess. Besides this she had listened to made offerings to the yogini the discourses of great Tantric When she recovered she gave all and sang songs of praise to her. When the king found the sweep- adepts, including Lwavapa, and her wealth to the inhabitants of When the king had managed er he examined him carefully and she was expert in numerous Tan- Lankapura and she gave her per- to return to his palace a sincere recognized in him the qualities tras. When the messengers of sonal ornaments to the ladies faith in the woman had arisen in of a master. He made him sit on King Jalendra – to whose son her of her retinue. Then she closed him. It was not long before king the throne and he paid respect to brother Indrabhuti had arranged herself in her lodgings making she sought a way to get out of the Jalendra returned to the cave to him and asked him to explain his for her to be married – accompa- it known that she did not want to situation she found herself in. pay homage to Laksminkara. doctrine. The sweeper conferred nied her to Lanka to celebrate the receive anyone for ten days. “Why do you revere a mad wom- on the king the initiation that wedding, she took with her a large She fl ed from Lankapura, tak- an like me?” Laksminkara asked transfers the power of knowl- retinue of Buddhist scholars and She shaved off her hair and ing refuge in a cemetery to prac- him. The king replied that he de- edge. The road sweeper and the infi nite wealth. But when she saw stripped naked, covering herself tice the teachings of her masters. sired to receive her knowledge princess showed their miracu- that the population of Lankapura with ashes. She seemed to have Even though she seemed like a and the yogini said: lous powers and their knowledge was not Buddhist, Laksminkara gone crazy, but her heart was de- mad hermit, in reality she was to the inhabitants of Lankapura became very sad. The astrologers termined: she wanted to attain determined to attain the fi nal “All beings in conditioned exis- and taught their disciples the held that it was not a favorable supreme knowledge without hes- goal. After seven years of medita- tence suffer the pain which per- generation and completion stag- time for the princess to enter the itation. The king and the court, tion she attained knowledge and meates such existence.There is es of meditation on the natural palace of Jalendra, king of Lanka, being very worried, sent doctors powerful realizations. no real joy for them.Those who state according to the Tantra of and so Laksminkara stayed in a and medicine to the princess, but are born must die. Even the gods Vajravarahi. At the end of their house in the city. she violently chased away every- One of the king’s road sweep- who have the most sublime exis- enlightened activity they went to- one who approached her, send- ers became her disciple and she tence, are bound to that destiny. gether, in their own bodies to the The prince she was engaged to ing brass plates and saucepans transmitted her knowledge to The three forms of lower life are paradise of the . and his convoy, which was re- fl ying across the rooms. him. This man understood the torments: some eat each other, turning from a hunting expedi- unreal nature of things and acted others are always hungry, yet oth- Reprinted with permission from the tion, went to visit her to welcome King Jalendra let King Indrabhu- in such a way as to let others at- ers are tortured by fi re and ice Merigar Letter. her with a lot of game. “Who ti know that he could come and tain such understanding. Oh King, seek the bliss of libera- Translated from the Tibetan by Elio killed all these animals?” asked take back his sister. The heart of tion!” Guarisco the princess, horrifi ed. “We are the princess was turned far from Some time later King Jalendra, English Translation by Nina coming back from the hunt”, the ordinary things of life and accompanied by his retinue, ar- Robinson

>> The Mirror of total Clarity continued from page 1 thought. Garab Dorje said that if real nature is in their physical di- ong, and compassion manifests. fused in all traditions. Rinpoche in that state, this is called realiza- anything (thought) arises, you do mension. He talked about how We are not satisfi ed that only we discussed specifi c shine practices tion. not escape; you just observe its when we discover our real nature have that realization, but that all related with the various levels of On day three Rinpoche talk- face. That is the way of self-lib- and the point of view is perfect, beings do, and this becomes seri- lower capacity – higher, medium ed about and gave three types of eration. Rinpoche went on to say then we do not look outside and ous compassion. Otherwise only and lower – including practices Direct Introduction, connected that when we liberate the inside, think and judge; we already know artifi cial compassion develops. of shine with and without sup- to clarity, emptiness and sensa- the outside is automatically liber- our condition. We must reverse As is usual during retreats, port. Rinpoche also talked about tion. Firstly he spoke about how ated. Rinpoche said that in Sutra, the direction of our senses inside there were morning classes in how a practitioner can remain for in Sutra we can realize empty lhagthong means prajna param- and observe the real tawa (view) both beginners’ Yantra Yoga that centuries in a state of nepa (calm space and that is absolute truth, ita. He told how Milarepa said inside and not be conditioned by focused on the Eight Movements state) becoming like a stone and it but in that is not com- to Gampopa, his student who our three gates. and the Vajra Dance of the Six may be necessary for that person plete. There is a famous saying bragged that he could remain sev- On day six, the last day of the Liberations, as well as practice to be awakened by a Bodhisattva. in Vajrayana: “Mantrayana door en days in a state of shine: “If that retreat, Rinpoche said that medi- sessions in the late afternoon for He illustrated this with a story of is opened with initiation.” Then is meditation, then the four samtens tation does not mean being in a both. a rich businessman who traveled Rinpoche said that in Dzogchen or dhyanas (the level of some dewas) one pointed way in emptiness. The retreat ended mid-day here and there in Tibet, and when the principle is not initiation, must also be meditation. Fortunately That is not contemplation. To de- of the sixth day, and there was he had the chance he would fi nd a but that we need to discover our you met me or you would be reborn velop the main point of instant a fi nal Ganapuja that was web nice cave and practice shine there. potentiality through movement. as a dewa!” Rinpoche said that in presence, we try to be aware in cast worldwide. Following the One time, the businessman re- We have infi nite potentiality in Dzogchen, lhagthong is called mi out daily life. That is our fi nal Ganapuja was an auction where mained for three days in shine our real nature and the unique yowa because the practitioner is “address” or destination. We Tashigar South was able to raise and then after the three days he method of discovery is through integrated with movement. Mi should learn by being present much needed seed money for the “fell asleep” in the state of shine, experience. yowa means you are totally inte- in each moment. Instant pres- various projects (see interview page and for years his companions On day four Rinpoche entered grated with movement and the ence is beyond time. Rinpoche 12) planned for the future, includ- searched for him. They found his into the topic of lhagthong and knowledge of that principle. If stressed the aspect of lhagthong ing a new Gonpa! As always, joy body still alive, with long hair, in that wisdom means movement you do not go after movement mi yowa, the natural state, under- and sadness mingle on the last a cave years later and had to ask related with our real nature, and you face it, then you liberate standing the state of Dzogchen. day of the precious time spent an expert teacher to wake him movement is part of our real na- it and you have the moment of in- Rinpoche summed up by say- with Rinpoche in the mandala up. Rinpoche wound up day two ture, and the name lhagthong is stant presence. ing that we relax in the state of of the teaching. Once again, we by saying that shine becomes con- always the same but its descrip- On day 5 the discussion of knowledge beyond dualism and thank Rinpoche with words for templation when we remain in tion varies. There is the alterna- lhagthong continued and Rin- we slowly manifest all. This is something far beyond and look emptiness and discover who is tion of emptiness and movement, poche opened by saying that lhagthong mi yowa. We do not sep- forward to the next possibility to noticing the emptiness. As well, but in Dzogchen we do not aban- lhagthong means that we are in a arate shine and lhagthong; shine be- bask in the rays of the marvelous if we increase this presence dis- don thoughts, there is no differ- state of contemplation in our real comes contemplation and is con- Dzogchen teaching. covered in shine and we integrate ence between thought and no nature. For sentient beings their nected with movement, lhagth-

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Whatever I do, it is but the cause of kleshas and With sincere renunciation and weariness. cloud banks of nectar suffering. Having attained awareness, super-knowledge and a yearning supplication and aspiration Letting my mind turn completely away samadhi to the three roots From the futile concerns of this world, In the delightful secluded phases of sacred mountain Please make me spend day and night in Dharma practice. dwellings, Incorrect thinking is like overlapping waves. Please enable us to arrive, within this very lifetime, LONGCHENPA Various conceptualizations chase after the fi ve sense At the celestial realm of great bliss, the spontaneous objects. accomplishment of the two benefi ts. Victorious Ones and Your Sons in the ten directions, Please pacify the eight collections, the tendencies and Exerting ourselves in practice, alone with perseverance, All assemblies of noble Shravakas and Pratyekabuddhas, the all-ground May we not drift toward the concerns of this life for an And everyone who practices the Dharma, I supplicate Within Dharmadhatu. instant. you respectfully. Conceptual tendencies, the klesha-mind of the desire Perfecting the siddhis in the footsteps of the forefathers, Regard me with compassion and grant your blessings. realm, May we always please our spiritual master. Gurus of the three lineages, peaceful and wrathful And habitual tendencies connected with the samsaric Free from the fl ows of broken samayas, deities, mind And realizing unmistakably the meaning of the view, Dakas and Dakinis, Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, Of the clarity of the form realm and the nonthought of meditation, action and result, Dharma Protectors and Samaya-holders, Rishis who have the formless, Without wavering from the luminous state, day and attained true speech, Please purify all of them. night, Lovingly bestow your blessings on this supplicating Having turned away from the pursuit of solitary peace – May we accomplish the twofold benefi t for self and child. The inferior attitude of practicing for the benefi t of others. Kyema Kyihu, a wretched one like me, oneself, Perfecting development and completion, the purity of Has been tormented by unbearable karma and the Let me enter the path of the supreme outer, inner and what appears and exists, kleshas for so long. secret teachings Let the ocean of dakinis samaya-holders gather like cloud Stretch out your hands with great love and compassion And enable me to act vastly for the benefi t of others. banks. And guide me this very moment. Completely purifying karma, the kleshas and tendencies With the twofold siddhis descending on us like rain, Although my nature is primordially enlightened, Of all beings who are on an inferior, perverted or May we accomplish the four activities. Because of ignorance and confusion I have wandered mistaken path, With pure perception and devotion arising without bias, throughout existence. Please help everyone, without exception, to journey With uninterrupted love and compassion, I am desolate in this dream-like samsara. together And with experience and realization – the virtues of view Please be my refuge and protect me. To the liberated citadel of the wishfulfi lling mind- and meditation – blazing forth, Please rescue me and countless sentient beings essence. May we impartially act for the welfare of beings. From the endless ocean of samsara, so diffi cult to cross We have remained for so long, without beginning or end Through this, our perfect devotion and merit, Take us across the sea of suffering In the ocean of obscurations, murky with emotions, May all beings be fully liberated together, without In the unsurpassable boat of wisdom. With no chance for emancipation by ourselves. exception, The manifestations of tendencies – habits for so long, Please liberate us with your great compassion. And journey within this very lifetime And dualistic grasping to deluded experience, are more From the strong and intense emotions, so hard to To Samantabhadra’s realm of spontaneously present imposing than Mount Sumeru. endure, great bliss. Please demolish them this very moment From the pain of existence with so much suffering, With the wisdom vajra of supreme liberation. And from the level of carelessness, dependency and The darkness of ignorance, such a dense obscuration, laziness This supplication was made at Lharing Drag, the seat of the has lasted so long, Please fully liberate us this very day. Self-Born Padma, by Longchen Rabjam, a yogin of the supreme It is hard to fathom and its end is impossible to see. May we fully realize that all futile phenomena vehicle who has attained unshakable faith in all the holy masters With your wisdom light rays please clear away Are impermanent, unstable, a magical enticement for the and is wealthy with the richness of learning. May this be This immense cover which obscures the luminous mind. auspicious throughout all directions and times. essence. Please enable us to spend day and night continuously

year of the yellow jacket LONGCHEN RABJAM says, “awakened earth rat stephan hill mind is self knowing awareness jacqueline gens equal to space.”

Yellow jacket michael white What comes to mind is a certain crawling slow brawn, a radiant boldness ly that defi es the boundaries of can’t do over screen of my tent The natural stream of awareness, or won’t make it happen. utterly lucid I’ve seen you look askance, Seeking freedom and spontaneously present, your single eye focused is the treasury of appearances. in the strut through garbage and refuse – Behind him, It is infi nite expanse All the heaps of discouragements the tent door blows open with no identity in itself that hinder others but excite your passion yet all else arises within it for excellence and a worthy prosperity. Mr. Yellow Jacket, I can see your as ornaments Let’s move mountains, problem. of the vastness of mind. scale globes of gold, In this basic space of phenomenon defy the house rules But, appearances are concrete manifestations of emptiness to blaze a path towards realization how can i explain it to you? having no inherent existence arising from such unlikely origins outside the uncontrived equanimity as the lowly earth rat of the pure and total presence who never says No. that is all inclusive, ever fresh, and totally complete. 2. 7. 08 Primordial presence Jacqueline Gens requires no effort Brattleboro, VT and seeks no achievement. USA This open dimension of the total fi eld of events and meanings, liberated from ideology, released from adherence to any point of view, is the limitlessly benefi cial creative excitement of intrinsic freedom. THE MIRROR · No. 90 · January, February 2008 Memories

23 impermanence, the preciousness of human birth and the precious master

gerry steinberg troduced Mr. Anderson to Chö- gyal Namkhai Norbu’s teachings don’t remember so much through transcripts of a retreat in about this particular retreat, Sardinia. We would read the ex- I but I do remember these cerpts together. Prior to this, we times. This photo was taken had received teachings and em- in 1983, the third retreat with powerments. Initially it seemed Rinpoche in Conway. There was somewhat foreign and strange, a retreat in 1982, and this was the passively going along with our second one in the fall of 1983. teacher Mr. Anderson and trust- We were so fortunate. There were ing in his understanding that two teaching sessions a day, ev- this was the right path for us. ery evening a Medium Tun with Chöd practice with Rinpoche Then everything changed. Chö- and lots of time altogether with gyal Namkhai Norbu came to Rinpoche. There were impromp- Conway. I remember the fi rst tu teachings and lungs and spon- time I laid eyes on the Master. taneous activity. This photo an I was standing on the steps of example. We were making these the group house. Rinpoche was banners and Rinpoche brought a getting out of the car and some- with the Community. How could passing! Now twenty-fi ve years michael katz few of us across the street to the how I was prepared. I had been they leave? What a unique op- later we can only try to be in these fi elds to take this photo. It was working cleaning the kitchen portunity we have: this Master, teachings and this practice. That o look at this old photo not just a photo, but somehow a with Alex Siedlecki, and was mi- this Teaching, so precious, how is the best I can do and am most as we gathered with the symbol of our journey together in raculously in a state of presence fortunate to be born into this op- grateful for the opportunity. T Maestro in a fi eld during this boat. at the point I didn’t understand. portunity. How about me? Then a brilliant autumn day in Conway The moment I made contact with I was so full of dreams, fanta- Homage to the Master! Massachusetts, I am reminded of When I was fi rst introduced to Rinpoche’s presence I had no sies and possibilities. Imperma- impermanence. I am also re- Rinpoche’s teachings I was a doubt this was my Teacher, my nence and the preciousness of minded of Rinpoche’s unshake- passive recipient. Mr. Anderson, Master. During the next weeks human birth were mere concepts able commitment to the teach- the teacher of the Gurdjieff Com- the teaching put everything into to pay lip service to, and on some ings and to his students. It brings munity in Conway, had devel- perspective; everything seemed level there always seemed to be back memories of the many oped an interest and connection to fi t together. plenty of time to realize these days of teachings and the many to Buddhist teachings. His fi rst teachings. What a unique and nights gathered with friends. I connection was with Dodrup Initially, when I looked at the precious opportunity we have to am also reminded that some of Chen Rinpoche and Dudjom photo again I judged those who have been born in this time and us had more hair back then. May Rinpoche. Bob Kragen then in- are no longer actively involved place with this Master. Time is Rinpoche’s life be long!

Share your old photos and memories of the early days with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. Please send photos and stories to [email protected] or [email protected] Thank you, The Mirror Staff

“deposited” me in this place, and to bed crying and asking myself, how i arrived at tashigar south that was that. “Why am I here? Why have I left I returned to the Ashram after the Ashram where I was so safe maria estrella being informed about their pro- and comfortable to stay at this gram, but without any particular unknown place, so far away from intention. I only wanted to con- everything.” oday is Saturday, Feb. tention: “Piedras del Sol Ashram, tinue my stay at the Ashram, be- I observed my fear, accepted it, 2nd, 2008. I’m in Cordo- yoga, meditation, etc.” Of course, cause that’s what I had planned. and in this way I fell asleep. T ba State, Argentina, and I entered. It was a beautiful place. Friday, Feb. 1st, the beginning Saturday, when the Master it was my fi rst day as a practitio- They told me about their sched- of the retreat, just at midday, I started the teaching, he fi rst ner of “something” about which ule and explained me what it was was going to climb some rocks started talking about new peo- I have no idea. about. So I thought: ”One day I’ll and read before my yoga ses- ple. He asked for hospitality for I’m still in awe and feel strange, come back to spend some time sion, when suddenly a lady that the newcomers, and I started as I could never have imagined here”. So, Monday, January 28th was also staying at the Ashram to feel that tears returned to my these practices and programs to- of the next year, I arrived at the and to whom I’d never spoken to, eyes. But now I feel warmth in my tally unknown to someone of my Ashram. Everything was so or- Maria and Katya at the Photo: N. Zeitz walked by carrying many things, heart. 57 years. ganized and calm that I felt great commodore of Tashigar South. including a vacuum. So I offered And here I am, on top of a There’s a Master that draws comfort. On Wednesday, January to help her, convinced I could re- great question mark, trying to people from great distances just 30th, in the morning, something we arrived at the entrance of the turn to my book afterwards. stop my thoughts, my uncertain- to listen to his teachings. People happened out of the blue. While I Ashram where I should have en- She was Maria Octavia, from ties and my fears. I am trying not congregate from Russia, Italy, was returning from a nice walk, a tered. So I said good-bye to her, Venezuela. As we walked by, she to hide behind familiarities of ev- Greece, France, USA, Venezuela, little girl that was passing by sud- but immediately she asked me told me she was going to the re- ery day. Peru, Nicaragua, Chile, etc., etc, denly turned around, smiled at “Aren’t you coming with me?” treat, and told me I should stay at I still have some time before and everyone with different lan- me in such a friendly and joyful I couldn’t say no to such a Tashigar. Just “by chance” I had next Saturday when I promised guages and cultures. way that I thought she had mis- sweet offer, so I blindly followed a tent and an infl atable mattress Maria Octavia to take her to the Although somehow different taken me for somebody else. her. in my car. This was too much of a airport. So I’ve decided to stay in and strange, I didn’t resist what She came towards me and im- She continued talking until coincidence to me. Tashigar until Saturday. was happening. It was as if this mediately started talking without all of a sudden she pointed out I packed in fi ve minutes. Maria Besides the above-mentioned “mysterious” path was destined interruption. She told me that a house, visible from the road. Octavia dropped all her plans in “coincidences”, there were many for me. her name was Katya, she was “That is the Master’s house”, she order to help me settle in. others more subtle and fragile; Everything started one Sun- ten years old, that she was car- said, “And that’s his swimming And here I am, in Tashigar. those that only oneself can con- day, during the month of August rying a doll in her arms, that she pool”. Friday afternoon, yesterday, template and understand. I real- 2007. I came to Tanti to paint and was keeping her house key in her That moment I knew where I I met the Master during the fi rst ize that I’m not making any deci- rest. One day after having fi n- pocket (and that she shouldn’t was and what “Tashigar” meant. day of the teachings. Everything sions by myself. The only thing ished my painting and, without lose it), and that she was on her I had heard about a Buddhist was new to me, so I tried to fol- I do is to follow what every day any particular reason, instead of way to meet her mother who was Center in the Ashram, and I re- low the “ceremony” even though throws at me. returning to Cordoba I decided working in Tashigar. This name alized it was this place. When I did not understand a word. God will have the last word … to explore further. Driving my car was new to me, but I didn’t ask we arrived, Katya took me to the At the end, with the last few in no particular direction, a big her anything so as not to confuse kitchen, introduced me to her seconds of daylight, I entered my advertisement captured my at- her. We continued walking until mother, and fl ew away. She had tent. I was so afraid that I went 24

ings. One night there is an auction to raise money for this, and Rinpoche is very enter- how i met taining in his promotion of some of the ob- jects auctioned. The bids fl y back and forth around the room and the sums rise fast. chögyal namkhai norbu Without thinking I fi nd myself bidding on a pair of earrings made by a vendor at the ellen halbert retreat. Almost before I realize what has happened I bid $200, a ridiculous sum for a pair of earrings, and no one counters. In n my dream, the one that I call my life, That afternoon I sit among many strangers shock, I realize that the earrings are mine I am driving from Virginia to Massa- on the fl oor of an elementary school audi- and I will pay this outrageous amount. Ichusetts, almost a full day’s journey. torium. We all stand when a jovial man en- When I stand up to accept the earrings It is early spring, but I am driving north, ters and sits at the front. He speaks Eng- Rinpoche looks at me. It is not an ordinary back into winter. I am in a bad mood. lish with a strong accent and uses Tibetan look, but an intense, almost fi erce, focused words to introduce some concepts quite gaze. For a long moment my dream stops As I drive, I scold myself for having ar- foreign to me. I take notes as best I can, and I don’t understand what is happening. ranged this trip. I have a very demanding trying to approximate the sounds of the Afterward I think maybe he has seen every- job as an art therapist at a day treatment Tibetan words, often evaporating from my thing about me – inside and outside, past, center for mentally ill adults. There has mind before I can capture them on paper. Ellen at the new outdoor mandala Photo: N. Zeitz present and future. been too much work, too few staff, and too My mind strains to grasp what I hear. Yet at Tashigar South. many clients in crisis. I need a break – a strangely, at the same time, I feel sure that The next day Rinpoche gives countless week relaxing on a beach in the Caribbean what I am hearing is the most profound, The following days of my dream turn many transmissions of practices, and the peo- maybe. Instead I am driving north to sit all beautiful truth that I have ever encoun- of the strangers into friends, and I happily ple from Massachusetts announce that day for 10 days taking notes on teachings tered. I feel as if the top of my head has enter into the fl ow of activities. I do strange enough money has been raised to make to be given by a Tibetan lama I have never been removed and I am being fi lled with movements that make my body feel new the down payment on the schoolhouse. In met, on a subject I have never heard of. I warm, delicious nectar. and different. I sound AH along with ev- a festive mood we close with a Ganapuja. am doing this because someone I trust rec- erybody else. Although I am not sure what ommended it. I must be crazy – what was I As predicted, that night a blizzard hits. In is supposed to happen when we do this. I I drive the long way home as if fl oating thinking when I made this decision? the morning 3 feet of snow covers every- furtively peek at the people around me for on a cloud, and laugh at the difference in thing, and the cars in the parking lot are clues, but fi nally give up, and just close my my attitude from when I came. I feel such Finally, in the state of Massachusetts, I en- almost invisible under it. Plows are bus- eyes and make the sound. gratitude and deep joy for all that has hap- ter a frozen wonderland of conifer forests ily clearing the roads and hotel employees pened. I have not met Rinpoche in the tra- covered with snow, huge icicles hanging shovel diligently to uncover our cars. Soon The teaching we are being given is called ditional sense – I was too terrifi ed to speak from eves, and swollen streams rushing the way is clear and I easily arrive again at Longde, and we make measurements for to him personally. But I know that I have over rocks. The beauty lightens my mood a the retreat hall where teachings resume special sticks that will support our prac- found my teacher and my path. little. When I arrive at my hotel they tell me promptly as scheduled. I marvel at the ap- tice. I try to draw the strange positions and a blizzard is expected that night. It’s good parent ease with which this has been ac- to understand their purpose. I try to imag- In my dream, the years since have held you arrived now rather than later, they say. complished. ine a time when I might feel confi dent do- many marvelous experiences and diffi - I laugh ruefully. ing all of this. cult challenges. The schoolhouse in Mas- sachusetts has become Tsegyalgar, and I The participants from Massachusetts are have become a practitioner and a member trying to raise money to buy a schoolhouse of the Dzogchen community. And this has and some land in a nearby town where changed my dream forever, until I fi nally they want to make a center for the teach- wake up.

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