No. 94 September, October 2008

Upcoming Retreats with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu

Photo: A. Wai 2008

Spain, Barcelona November 14–20 Dzogchen Upadesha transmission and instruction “Kunsang Jaku”, a Terma teaching by the great terton Duddul Dorje Chögyal Namkhai Norbu giving Teaching in the main temple of Kalmykia. Photo: Ivan Shakhov Closed webcast www.dzogchen.es Brazil , São Paulo November 26–30 Brother country Transmission and instructions of Longsal Guru Yoga of White A Chögyal Namkhai Norbu visits Kalmykia www.dzogchen.com.br Darya Mikhaylova Chile, Santiago December 5–7 fter the extreme cold of August and Kamykia is located in the far southeast dress surrounded by monks and giving Weekend Retreat the crowds of Moscow, Elista, the of Russia, on the shores of Caspian Sea. It Teaching in the temple – the Gold Cell of www.dzogchen.cl A capital of Kalmykia, greeted our is a federal subject of Russia but in gener- Buddha Shakyamuni, the main temple of Argentina, Tashigar Sur Teacher with summer sun and heat. Not al it has a separate government (republic) Kalmykia. December 26–January 1 only the weather but also the friendly, tra- with its own sovereignty and constitution. In his interview for television, Rinpoche The Dzogchen tredchod teaching of Jigmed ditional Buddhist environment and people Worldwide, Kalmykia is known mostly as said that even though he had been living Lingpa from the Instruction “Yeshe Lama” around helped our Teacher to feel as if he a world chess center because its president, in Europe for so many years, he always felt Closed Webcast was in a ‘brother land’. the great player, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov has like a Tibetan and Tibetans and Mongo- www.tashigar-sur.com.ar For these few days in the middle of Sep- been president of FIDE (the World Chess lians always consider themselves to be one tember, the City in the city, a small nice Federation) since 1995. But most impor- family, so in Kalmykia he feels very much village called City Chess became home for tant for us is that Kalmykia is the only state like in his own country, because the cul- 2009 Rinpoche, Yeshi Namkhai, Fabio Andri- in Europe where the dominant religion is ture, environment, people and attitude are co and all the students who had followed Buddhism. You feel it as soon as the plane absolutely familiar to him. New Zealand, Auckland them from Moscow to Kalmykia. lands in Elista. On the walls in the airport In Elista, Rinpoche didn’t have a free Jan. 23–25 As many Dzogchen Community mem- you can notice not only the usual advertise- moment – empowering statues, bless- Weekend seminar bers may know, our fi rst idea was to hold ments but also Green Tara thangkas and ing the newly built stupa, visiting sacred Australia, Sydney the retreat in Kalmykia instead of doing protection mantras. Wherever you go, you places in Elista, giving press conferences, Jan. 30 –Feb. 1 it in Moscow or another Russian city. In see the images of His Holiness and bright audiences and meetings with Telo Tulku Weekend seminar the end, according to our circumstances, yellow Kalmykian fl ags with a white lotus (the head of Kalmyk Buddhists) and the www.dzogchen.org.au Rinpoche chose Moscow for the main in the center. For most of the Western stu- President of State. All the life of small El- Teaching, but also gave his kind agree- dents of Rinpoche who came to Elista it ista was concentrated around our precious Australia ment to spend a few days in Kalmykia and was really a shock to discover a tradition- Teacher. Namgyalgar, Tilba Tilba give Teaching and Initiation of Immortal al Buddhist environment not so far from The fi rst day, September 12th was dedi- Feb. 9–15 Dakini Mandarava there. their homes. Many of us saw Rinpoche cated to a Lecture about Dzogchen Teach- Retreat for the fi rst time in a traditional Tibetan ing: Rinpoche gave general information Feb. 17–19 >> continued on page 5 Santi Maha Sangha Base Exam Feb. 20–26 Santi Maha Sangha I Level Training Teaching Teaching Retreats Caloundra March 16–21 Chögyal Namkhai Yeshi Silvano Retreats in Teaching retreat Norbu Namkhai Moscow and Melbourne Being present and introduces the Merigar West April 3–5 working with 2nd European Weekend retreat circumstances Gakyils and Lings Meeting

>> continued on page 5 » Page 2 » Page 4 » Pages 12, 13 THE MIRROR · No. 94 · September, October 2008

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e are doing the principle practice of Dzogchen when we do Guruyoga and sing the Song of Wthe Vajra. When we learn and know something about Dzogchen, we should integrate. Integration is prac- tice, and this practice is very important once we have this knowledge. We always say we should discover our real nature; it is not suffi cient to learn pujas, visualizations of deities, or how to chant mantras, etc. These activities have benefi t, but they do not take us directly on the path. Life is very short, so we must do concrete practice in daily life. Otherwise we can have some nice fantasies, and if we al- ways go after and develop fantasy, we do not realize in the end. It’s a pity because we know the principle of the teach- ings and we should learn something concrete.

We have dualistic vision and we are like people who have a kind of illness; we have the illness of samsara and the problems of samsara. We can discover what kind of ill- ness we have and learn the teaching. We receive the princi- ple of how to cure that illness with the teaching. The best way to cure it is Guruyoga – the essence of all practices. There are many other practices, but we say that all oth- ers are secondary practices. If we apply Guruyoga we can have total realization and we can free ourselves from all our dualistic vision and problems. So we should do Gu- ruyoga practice.

We should try to go to the essence of Guruyoga, not after its form, title or words. The essence of Guruyoga is like a symbol of our primordial potentiality. We use that symbol and are in that clarity. We use that method to continually Photo: G. Baggi be in instant presence. We should always try to remem- ber that even if we only remain in instant presence for a short time, it is still the main practice. Then with any other Being present and working practices you are not limited; if it’s necessary you can ap- ply them and if it is not necessary then you don’t do them. You can do something more essential. Time is precious, with circumstances so we must not lose the occasion or waste our time. For that reason we should go ahead mainly with the practice of Guruyoga. From the Dra Thalgyur Retreat, Merigar West, October 1st, 2008 There are many practices and methods in Dzogchen. For example, there are many kinds of semdzins that are very important to apply when you have the time, because they in our presence? In the immense emptiness inside, our years, and you never understood that you should discover function in a very specifi c way. Semdzins and rushens are being is very tiny represented by that white A and thigle. your real nature, it means the teaching is only a name and fi rst of all for distinguishing between the mental condi- When we dissolve that white A and thigle into emptiness, not really a teaching, and you are wasting your precious tion and our real nature, and through that you can under- what remains at this moment? Nothing. Everything that time. You should remember the aim of the teaching, the stand in which direction you should go. When we have manifests is emptiness, and at that moment we are in a main point, and in that way you should follow teaching. certain kinds of experiences, like the experiences of clar- totally empty dimension, but this is not the state of con- It doesn’t mean you should be like a bee your whole life. ity, emptiness, and sensation – any kind of experience that templation; it is an experience. You notice immediately Some people say, “Oh, this is wonderful, fantastic, I can we use – we know that with that experience we develop who is in this emptiness, even if the white A and thigle learn everything!” You can learn everything, but you don’t or increase our clarity or capacity of being in the state of and everything have disappeared. Your presence has not need to. You should learn what you need to for total re- contemplation. In this case, the semdzins are very impor- disappeared; your presence is there; so when you are in alization, to discover your real nature, and then you inte- tant. Many practitioners say, “We should practice shine,” this presence it is called instant presence. So now you see grate and do practice. but what is shine in a real sense? The real sense of shine is that emptiness becomes the state of contemplation; shine the calm state, and in a calm state, you are in the experi- and lhagtong are in many of the semdzin practices. There are many other attitudes you should follow, and if ence of emptiness. Samadhi or meditation with emptiness you like you can learn them one by one, but it’s not really is not the state of contemplation, not complete contem- We do not apply these one by one with ordinary methods. so very necessary. More important is your presence, not be- plation. This is mainly experience, so for that reason we For example, when we visualize the white A and thigle, or ing distracted, and with your presence try to work with cir- learn practices like shine and lhagtong. The principle of only the white A on the top of our nose, we do this visu- cumstances, try to remember these words: Working with shine is to experience emptiness in the Dzogchen teach- alization and at that moment we relax, we have that pres- Circumstance. You don’t need to always ask your teacher, ing. Lhagtong means we experience clarity. We discov- ence, and that is part of our clarity. Then when we move “Can I do this or not?” if you are present and you know you er that our real nature is not only emptiness; there is so this A and it goes farther away and comes back coordi- should work with circumstances. Working with circum- much movement, movement related with our energy level nated with the breath, that is not the calm state, it is move- stances means: “If it is good for me, it is good for others.” that is part of our nature and also part of our clarity, so ment, so that means we are dealing with the realization of If I do it and there is some benefi t, even relatively benefi - that is also related to our experience. If we apply shine and lhagtong. Shine is fi xation and there are no thoughts. It is cial, that is working with circumstances. It is not that we lhagtong we should understand that. When we know this, very important to know with any practice, what we do is to think about the benefi t only for our future or next life. even if we do only shine, it becomes a complete path like get into total realization; so you must understand that. contemplation. For example, a student goes to teacher and asks, “Teacher, Practice is always related to the three experiences, particu- give me advice, there is a very bad man, not normal, he When I did direct introduction with the experience of clar- larly in Tantrism. When you visualize a deity in front of wants to beat me, he told me that tomorrow he is waiting ity, we visualized many lights, like rainbow colors, rays, you, or transform yourself, you are always working with for me somewhere. What I should do?” and then what can many thigles, all our consideration of the dimension and symbols, transforming, and that means that you are work- I say? A teacher cannot say, “Do Guru Dragpur, or Sim- everything was fi lled with those lights. We are in the center ing with clarity. So with experience, through experience, hamukha.” That is not suffi cient, because if someone is of these lights, and we have the experience of clarity, not you have that realization, and you should remember that. waiting on the road, you can also say, “Maybe you don’t emptiness. We don’t need to think ‘there are lights, there If you have done some practice, you check and see if this go on that road, take another road,” but who knows where are thigles’ anymore, but we did the visualization and re- corresponds or not, and then you can fi nd the value of the this person is waiting. So it means seeing the circum- laxed. We were in that presence, in the presence of clarity, practice you are doing. stances, and the teacher can only say, “You do your best, and this is called experience, not contemplation. Contem- try to be present, and work with circumstances,” you have plation is when you observe yourself and look for who is So you see, in the Dzogchen teaching we have twenty-one two eyes, two ears, you are walking, you can see, you can in that presence, who notices all these lights; so you are or twenty-three different kinds of attitudes. The fi rst atti- hear and you do your best, maybe before he beats you, you not gazing at the lights but you are in your real nature. tude is that we should be like a bee, and this is the number try to beat him, if there is the possibility. We don’t know if one attitude. In summertime the bee fl ies everywhere, to there is that possibility, so this is called working with cir- The same thing with emptiness; when we introduce with the right, the left, to many fl owers, big and small, and very cumstances. Some people say, “No, we are practitioners, emptiness, for example, all the universe dissolves in light, tiny fl owers. The bee has no limitations, it always goes to we need to have compassion” so they are going to walk up in our thigle and white A. The white A, thigle and our all kinds of fl owers, tasting and taking nectar. We should to that person with compassion. I am happy if you can do physical body all dissolve, so what remains? Only the di- learn the teaching in that way, until we discover our real that, but that person is not showing you compassion. This mension of emptiness remains, and the thigle and white nature. If you have not discovered your real nature after is not good. A slowly become small. How we can fi nd that moment you have followed a teacher and the teachings for many >> continued on next page THE MIRROR · No. 94 · September, October 2008

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I am sure that not all people who follow my teachings un- Closing Remarks of the derstand all the Dzogchen teachings perfectly, but I know there are many people who have such knowledge, not only Dra Thalgyur Retreat in one or two places, but everywhere. So you see, everyday when we do these webcast connections with video there with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu are many connections and people. All these people are Merigar West, Oct 3, 2008 learning Dzogchen teachings and trying to discover how real Dzogchen is. In history there has never been anything like this, so we must feel good about that; and so for this am happy we succeeded to do this retreat without the organizers of this retreat very much for doing service reason I am very satisfi ed. Even if some people do not having any problems and I want to communicate to for everybody. Many people collaborated for this retreat, understand Dzogchen and didn’t discover what it is, they I all practitioners in different countries to try and do and that is very positive, and we also had very good col- do understand how being present must be. Presence is a your best. Try particularly to collaborate with each other. laboration with the local guardians. This weather seems great benefi t, the problem is when we are charged up and Our collaboration is already going much better, but still a little strange, but it has been perfect until today for our limited. So many people are becoming a little aware, hav- we need to develop. I am sending my warm wishes to ev- retreat. I am also very satisfi ed with each retreat we are ing fewer problems, and this is very important. Even if we erybody. In Merigar we have a big group at this retreat, doing because I know the Dzogchen teachings are very have a worldly revolution, we can never succeed like that, everyone wants to say something one by one, but it’s not important. There have been many Dzogchen masters, for but slowly our practitioners develop. That is called evolu- possible, so everyone sends their wishes to all of you. Al- centuries and centuries, who taught and diffused knowl- tion. We must understand that and do our best. So we go together they are sending their wishes and hellos to you! edge of Dzogchen teachings, but there has never been ahead that way. This is what I want to say.  (Big shouts and applause and whistling) anything like today. All over the globe, everywhere, we have practitioners singing the Song of the Vajra together Transcribed by Lauri Marder We didn’t have any problems at this retreat because all with Guruyoga, thousands of people are singing, and not Edited by Naomi Zeitz practitioners, everybody, your attitude, everything, is per- only in this hall. They are all in contemplation at the same fect. That is a good sign for our practice and means that moment, so it is something marvelous and fantastic. I am the practice is more or less alive. I also want to thank all very satisfi ed!

>> continued from previous page bility you can explain just a little, like friend to friend, like has a strange way of looking at me, of talking, etc.” Now In general compassion is very good. If there are problems, person to person, so in that way there is no problem. But your friend is also worried. Then you both develop that we remember compassion, and if someone creates many you don’t help by controlling. When you do not control tension, and in the end you want to have some reason for emotions, etc., that person does not know those emotions they can become responsible, even if they did something you to be angry with him or her, and you think “Why?” or are creating problems for him or herself and for others. wrong, they can learn what is not good for them. Other- “What can that be?” or is it some kind of jealousy. You can You create benefi t for that person and for others by ap- wise children never become responsible for themselves. fi nd so many things and in the end you become enemies. plying compassion – that is good – but it is more impor- So you see many things develop that way. Even if someone tant to know how to work with circumstances. In some We, all practitioners, must also become responsible for is angry with you, and you did something bad to that per- circumstances you can fi nd something that is not positive ourselves. The teacher teaches you to be present, to try to son, you know it is important to respect the dimensions according to the teachings, for example, killing someone. work with circumstances and if there are tensions, to free of other people, so you become aware and respect their di- Of course that is not positive at all, but in some circum- them and try to be relaxed. Many people also say, “Yes, but mension, not showing your tensions, and slowly that per- stances killing can be much better than not killing. If you I never succeed in being relaxed,” even if the teacher has son also becomes calm and can liberate. So you see, as we work with circumstances, you choose which is better, not explained many times. They say, “Yes, I heard the words, say in the teaching, everything is interdependent. only what it says in the teaching. This is an example of but it doesn’t help very much.” If you do not bring this how you can understand many things about working with awareness into your practice, of course it doesn’t help, it You should not always think, “I am innocent, he or she circumstances. only remains intellectual; but you always think that this or is the main person who created problems.” This does that is important. The teacher repeats saying, “Remember not exist. If there are problems between two people, both Sometimes it is better that you don’t always ask your teach- the words of Buddha. Buddha said, “Everything is unreal, have some reason for this problem, but we never see or er very complicated things like, “Teacher, tell me what I life is like a big dream,” and you think, “Yes, I heard that know that because we all have very strong egos. We always should do?” The teacher also fi nds it diffi cult to explain, so many times, but it doesn’t help,” so you must under- think, “Oh, I am innocent; I did not do anything, only he but the teacher knows very well how you should work with stand and observe well. It doesn’t work because you do is the guilty one,” and of course when you go on in that circumstances. When the teacher explains, “You should not apply what the Buddha said; you do not deal with this way, tensions develop, so it is very important in daily life do like this, etc.”, it may not seem to correspond with the knowledge, so of course it doesn’t work. This is really very that we try to be in calm state. A calm state depends on teachings, so you must become responsible. This is how important, seriously. If you are doing a little practice of our awareness, not giving too much importance to this or it should be for all Dzogchen practitioners. No one is con- Dzogchen at least, I am not saying you can have realiza- that, which is the root of fear, confusion, attachment, etc. trolling you or making rules, so you should learn to work tion totally, completely, immediately, but you may notice I am also saying that it is a good sign for practitioners if with circumstances and become responsible. that your life becomes a little simpler – before you had so you have none of these kinds of problems. many concepts, so many complicated things, when this You should also try to educate your children in this way. diminishes, life becomes a little lighter and you do not feel In this teaching tagtsed (rtags tshad) is explained. Tag means In the beginning children don’t understand, so of course so heavy. That means the teaching is helping you, at least sign, and how signs of the benefi t of that practice mani- you should control them, otherwise they can have seri- you are integrating just a little, but of course if you inte- fest. Signs are important in any practice we do, the expe- ous problems. When children ask you everything and say grate more and more, you can have much more benefi t. rience of that practice should always manifest. If we did “Why?” they are developing, judging and thinking and in not do something well, of course nothing manifests, but if this moment it is very important to explain and not say, So many people say, “When I do this practice, which kind we did something well, they will always manifest. People “Oh you should do this or you can’t do that,” but help them of signs of practice can I have?” that means like a little re- think something manifests, people think something like understand which is the good or bad way. When they are alization. The fi rst sign of all is that life is less heavy, less visions, or hearing something abnormal. In the teachings interested at that moment they can learn very well. Then complicated and confused. That is a very good point, so it says nyam; nyams mean experiences. When we do prac- when they become bigger and bigger, something like ten, even if you have no particular signs, you can be happy and tice with the elements, one of the fi ve elements, for exam- twelve and thirteen years old etc., then you don’t need to you can also develop your practice more. Also, in general, ple, when we are relaxed, totally relaxed and that element explain too much. If you explain too much they feel you you have so many problems with people, and then slowly is totally relaxed or perfectly harmonized, then we can are controlling them and you must respect their dimen- these problems disappear and relationships become more have a sign, or some visions, or we hear something, also sions; male or female, everyone, has their dimension. harmonized. That is also a sign of your practice, it doesn’t there can be a feeling in our mind and condition, because When there are moments or reasons for explaining, for mean that all the people in the world are becoming more we have the three gates of body voice, and mind. speaking or talking person to person, you can give advice aware or compassionate. Shantideva explained that it is and they learn to become responsible for themselves. not so easy. In the Bodhisattvacharyavatara he explained: At the body level we can have visions, in speech we can there are many thorns over the whole countryside and you have sounds, also with our clarity we can have something Some parents always think about the time when their cannot walk anywhere, so you want to cover the entire like rainbow colors or something, or at the mind level, child was very small, and nice, and how they liked very country with a carpet in order to walk around, but this is we can feel very happy even if there is no reason, we en- much to have them in their arms, even when the child is impossible. That shows how our dualistic situation is. But joy very much. Even if there is no reason to laugh, we no longer a child. But the father and mother have that at- it is simple – you try to get very good shoes, you put them laugh alone – those are examples of nyams of the practice. titude, and always try to control the children all their lives, on and walk and you have no problem. That means that Nyams are positive because, for example, if you make a and then in the end they are always worried and say, “Oh, even if you can’t control the whole countryside, you can fi re there is smoke, because that is its characteristic; fi re what can we do? My son or daughter still has no job, and control your two feet; that is much easier. makes smoke, practice manifests its nyams. When there they don’t know how to make their life.” In a real sense, is no smoke it means the fi re is not getting bigger or devel- the parents are always controlling the child, so the child We know that in that way, tensions can liberate completely. oping, so when there is no experience even in your mind feels suffocated and is not happy. It does not help at all – it Sometimes you have a friend and, for example, you think, or your sensation, that is not good and you should check only creates tensions between parents and children. So it “He or she was very close to me, was my friend, but now your way of doing practice.  is very important that you know and let your children grow I don’t know. There is something he or she is not telling up. They should make their own lives. Of course, if they me, it seems he or she is not happy with me.” You have this Transcribed by Lauri Marder need some help you are always parents, you try to help. kind of idea which becomes the root and you show some Edited by Naomi Zeitz More than helping, you do not control them, even if they aspect of tension, even if you don’t want to. It automati- do something wrong. Sometimes when there is a possi- cally comes out, and your friend thinks, “Oh, my friend THE MIRROR · No. 94 · September, October 2008 Yeshi Silvano Namkhai

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Yeshi Namkhai introduces the 2nd European Gakyils and Lings Meeting Merigar West, Saturday September 27th

sually when we arrive at – then immediately we feel angry the point of taking some and say that Rinpoche said we Uresponsibility in the have to go on and somehow we Dzogchen Community, we need will try to go on. But in the end, if to have some minimum qualities we look at our anger, our feelings to do this. First of all we need to very well, we fi nd, in general, that understand that we need a stable we don’t like bureaucratic things. base, a stable understanding of We will fi nd that there is some- the principle of the Dzogchen thing in this person’s attitude teaching. So at least we should that we don’t like but it is not con- discover that we have to go be- nected to this person but more to yond the idea of working with hi- our general idea, our concept of erarchy and rules. This is the fi rst being bureaucratic, complicated step. Working with hierarchy and and so on. Then from our fi rst rules is very easy. It is basically feeling, we observe that we have what most of our relationships in something with this person, and society are based on. Usually we then we discover that basically it are into some type of hierarchy is our concept, not this person. based on power and money in And if we relax more and observe common society. Just think about this general idea, this concept, what car you are driving, what we discover that behind it that Photo: Catia Ciccone house you have, what position there is something more general or role you have at work, for ex- about ourselves in the end. So we makes us feel so bad that we start inner and outer vision. Inner vi- not at the level of relationships.” ample. Or if you are not working should work with this, not trying to fi ght. Sometimes one word is sion is your concept and outer vi- It can’t be that it is only someone from 9 to 5 and are freelance, you to stop our anger towards this enough from those we care the sion is how you project it. When outside of me, someone around have to face how to sell yourself person. most about, like our parents, or you destroy this, it means at least me, creating so many problems. so more or less; it’s the same. It’s useless to try not to fi ght. our husband or our wife, for us you understand that this is your It is always about myself. Then if In this context we need to un- Not fi ghting means we stop to get totally mad. It’s because real vision, your karmic vision I arrive at a certain point, a cer- derstand that the Dzogchen Com- something for fi ve minutes then behind this we have a very strong and in that moment you start to tain level of disappointment, for munity should not be based on the person says something more concept that is stronger than any- observe and when you observe, example, I feel really sad, disap- these values because the princi- and we get angry and fi ght even thing else in our life. It is the re- you don’t have feelings. There is pointed, I can’t go on, and it is al- ples of the teaching are not based more. So we need to discover ality, not something that is out- nothing to feel. If you think well, ways connected with our vision. on the idea of having a career. what is behind our feelings. Be- side of us. It’s very strange. If you what can you feel? What is left? Then when we observe very well, This is the main point. Having a hind our feelings are our con- think about it well, how can it be Almost nothing. You have no at- we fi nd that there is something career is something connected cepts. Our concepts are always possible that something outside tachment, no strong feeling and wrong in our vision. with power and with money, in very strong. We will always fi nd of us can be stronger than what if, for example, this person is I am saying this in a very sim- normal society. The Dzogchen that our concepts are a lot more is inside? It’s very simple if you talking and talking about bureau- ple way because you know that in Community should take a little important than anything else in think about it. Obviously some- cratic things, you know that it is the last few days Rinpoche has bit more care about teaching, life. We are very attached to our thing inside of you is stronger. you hating bureaucratic things not been very well physically al- rather than having power or a ca- ideas so if I hate bureaucratic And what is inside of you? Your while someone else likes them. though he is teaching anyway. In- reer or making money. things for sure my idea of hating concept, your ideas, that’s all. So it’s totally relative. The mo- stead of two hours he did an hour First of all, we should be pres- bureaucratic things is more im- You don’t have anything else. ment you understand this there is and a half on the fi rst day [of the ent about this understanding – all portant than hating the person in We always say that everything nothing to feel. So it is just some- retreat] and today an hour and our relationships with each other front of me, even if it is my par- is unreal. What does this mean? one moving his mouth. This is forty minutes that is very rare. should not be based on money or ents, or my lover or my teacher. It It means that it’s all based on more or less what we mean when Usually he has no problem to do power that means we should not is exactly the same. In the end our concept. We have hundreds of we say ‘relaxed state’. two hours. This kind of meeting evaluate our friends, our Vajra concept is always more impor- thousands of concepts that are A relaxed state is very impor- is important to understand that brothers and sisters, in this way. tant. This is why we have fi ghts our reality, but our reality inside tant to start to practice some- we have to collaborate and work We know very well that it is very in Gakyil meetings; we fi ght with is stronger than the reality out- thing like shine. At least we need together because the Teacher will diffi cult to avoid judging – ac- each other even if the spiritual side because we get attached to it. this. We can create a very nice il- not last forever. You can also see cepting and refusing – because path is more important. In the This is the main point. We say we lusion by going to a nice place, that this time – a lot of people can our mind always works in this end it is always about our ego. should be relaxed when we have sitting, sounding A or doing sem- see because the teaching is go- way. If we have a relationship with We always say that everything meetings, or face our problems dzin or something and pretend- ing by web-cast – that he is get- somebody, we immediately have comes from our ego because we or do something good. When ing to do shine. But if you take ting older. So it is time for us to a relationship with our concept project it into everything. We we try to do our best, our best, shine more seriously, it is more at do something more serious, tak- more than with the person. Con- project using concepts. Con- most of all, is being present. Be- this level. Then at the second lev- ing things a little more seriously cept means that any kind of rela- cepts are the main problem so if ing in ordinary presence. I’m not el, after you understand this calm from a personal point of view. tionship gives us some feelings, we want to do something good, talking about instant presence state, you should integrate move- Not only saying, pretending, sit- some emotions. These emotions fi rst of all we have to understand that is something more. First we ment that is more about experi- ting in front of the teacher, re- always fi ght against ourselves be- that everything is connected with need to have a stable base which ence, trying to integrate all this ceiving teaching and then living cause if we feel friendly, or angry, concept. And for everything that means that at least we need to un- into your normal life. Trying to passively. Now it’s time to be ac- or if we love someone, basically you have a feeling for, for sure derstand what ordinary presence coordinate movement and your tive and show that we are really we are dealing more with our- there is a concept behind it. It’s is. Ordinary presence means that presence at the same time, work- taking care of this transmission. selves than with another person. not something that is new. The we are able to observe this con- ing together. We don’t need to buy land. We If you think well, when we have circumstance, the situation that cept. And sometimes we can say When you are in the Gakyil, don’t need to build gonpas. We a fi ght with someone there is al- provokes your feeling is new but that these concepts are not so taking some responsibility, it’s don’t need any of these things. ways a thought beyond our feel- behind it there is always a very important for us and we accept basically like you are taking No one needs them. In the real ing. For example, we feel anger strong concept that you have al- something from outside because teaching seriously. At least you sense we don’t need them, we towards someone and immedi- ways had since the beginning. we are not projecting in that mo- want to make your base very sta- need them because we want to ately, if we start to observe this You have been slowly building ment. This is the main point. If ble, not just something you talk keep this transmission alive and anger, we fi nd something con- this concept since you were a we are able to do this then we about but something you are se- we want to make people have the nected with our judgment, with child and it is ruling your life. won’t have fi ghts or confl icts. riously doing, trying to take into possibility to become realised. our concept. When we say that we should They naturally disappear. your life. If we do this, there is no This is the main point. Remem- If, for example, we are at a not be conditioned by our pas- How does this famous self- confl ict because there is no con- ber that Rinpoche has always Gakyil meeting and someone sion it does not mean that we liberation work? We say observe, cept, no projection; we do things said that, “We don’t buy land to starts to complain about every- should not be conditioned by recognise and self-liberate. Re- very smoothly and in a relaxed grow potatoes”. This is a famous thing – usually about something this temporary feeling. It means cognising is halfway. Usually we way. Instead, if we have confl icts, phrase that he has used many complicated, diffi cult, something we should not be conditioned by say fi rst of all just observe then fi rst of all we should stop and ob- times because this is the main that has to be settled, something our concept. It is just our illusion it liberates by itself, but to liber- serve and say, “Probably I am do- point. And also on the other hand that isn’t easy, this type of bu- that outside of us there is some- ate by itself you need to recognise ing something wrong at the level we don’t need to organise things reaucratic and complicated vision thing terrible happening that something which is that you have of understanding the teaching, perfectly. This is something that THE MIRROR · No. 94 · September, October 2008 Yeshi Silvano Namkhai

5 people also have a strange idea possibility to work together, fi nd Teaching Retreats with about. We need to do things cor- a way, working correctly with cir- Yeshi Silvano Yeshi Namkhai rectly, according to the principle cumstances and understanding of the Dzogchen teaching, not to what the principle of the teach- Namkhai Rigbai Kujyug, The Six Vajra Verses the principle of society. ing is and applying it. If we apply For example, if we want to it correctly, everything becomes Teachings 2008 on The Six Vajra Verses (Rigbai Kujyug) organise a retreat very well, ac- easier. If we don’t apply it, then Rigbai Kujyug is an Atiyoga teaching introduced commodation for people and so [the situation] becomes exactly Rigpai Kujyug, the by Vairocana intoTibet in the 8th c. on, we can hire a company and like society. Or if we apply it only Six-line Vajra Verse Rigpa is the state of knowledge, the presence of the they can do it very well. There are halfway, that is, we only pretend pure state of awereness. Kujyug refers to the cuckoo, thousands of companies who can to apply it; there are always a lot November 14–16 whose song in Tibet is a sign that nature is begin- do it better than us. But this is not of obstacles and fi ghting. So it is Berkeley, California, USA ning to breathe again after the cold winter. When the the main point. The main point is important to try not to do things cuckoo sings everybody is happy. This precious text is not confi rming the rules of soci- halfway. Try to do things com- November 19 one of the oldest in the Dzogchen tradition. ety. We don’t care about making pletely, something correct. Then Mexico City, Mexico In this teaching retreat, Yeshi Namkhai will also money or having power in soci- if we can’t achieve it, it doesn’t refer to Dorje Sempa Namkha Che, another essential ety. This is something we are to- matter. November 22–24 Dzogchen text, and show how focusing only on our tally not interested in. If we were We make mistakes and we also Baja, Mexico intellectual knowledge is often our main obstacle to interested in these things do you have to give people the possibility understanding. think that Rinpoche never had to have their own dimension for November 28–30 the possibility to go into politics? making mistakes. Let someone Tashigar Norte, Isla di Margarita, Berkeley, CA November 14–16 We had possibilities hundreds of make a mistake. Sometimes this Venezuela Friday, 7–9 pm times, we had a lot of possibili- is harder than doing something Sat. & Sun., 10 am–12 noon ties but we never did any of these by ourselves. Many times we start December 7–8 Dondrub Ling, 2748 #D Adeline Street things because they are not the to do things because someone Milan, Italy Berkeley, CA 94703 main point. The main point is to else would do it wrong and we Phone: 510. 644. 22 60 give people the possibility to fol- can’t leave it this way. We can’t December 15–19 For details, www.dzogchencommunitywest.org low this teaching and to keep the accept someone doing things Merigar West, Italy Authorized Yantra Yoga instructor Naomi Zeitz will offer an transmission alive. wrong. Sometimes it is better to introductory class during this retreat. The main point for us is to respect someone’s dimension have a stable base. If we have a and let them make a mistake. Baja California Sur, Mexico November 22–24 stable base it is easier to avoid Rinpoche always gives re- Tsegyalgar West confl ict, otherwise the only way sponsibility and often he gives he has to imitate the Teacher and Contact Elisa Gonzalez at to go on is to work with hierarchy it to someone who is very young immediately tries to do this. And [email protected] about costs, retreat and rules that basically means without any experience. Leave then, of course, he does some schedule, and accommodations. money and power. These are two it the way it is, just because they things wrong, makes some mis- Authorized Yantra Yoga instructor Paula Barry will offer an aspects, one of which is more are innocent. Think about this takes because he has no experi- introductory class during this retreat. connected to an organisational word. Innocent means at least ence. That is why Rinpoche has point of view and the other with like a child, very young, it means always said that older students presented by the fi nancial and motivational a person who doesn’t have any should help younger students. Tsegyalgar West and Dzogchen Community West Coast point of view. But it’s not right. idea, doesn’t have any real pro- What does this mean? It means It’s more the style of society. We jection. At least we try and he or that from an older student’s work with circumstances but we she will make a lot of mistakes. point of view, they should try to can achieve this, then it becomes don’t have to be slaves of these But many times this is a kind of help when there are mistakes. It very easy to do everything in the Errata circumstances. example. If you do things from means that older students can see Dzogchen Community. Even very When this place [Merigar your heart, it’s better than doing what kind of mistake will happen big things like things that change There was an error in the last line West] was built, Rinpoche something complicated with a and can try to help to correct. On the history of the Dzogchen Com- of the teaching by Yeshi Silvano worked a lot. I was very young and lot of your personal feelings and the other hand, older students munity or things that change so- Namkhai in the last issue of The we worked here every day in the projections. When you work a lot should always remember the ex- ciety. Mirror, #93, page 5. The last line summer. We had no money. At at this level, then even if things perience they had the fi rst time [However] if we do it at our should read ordinary presence that time Rinpoche was starting are done correctly, in the end you they met the Teaching. Then they level of vision, it means, for ex- and not instant presence. Please to work at the university as a pro- have everyone with bad feelings, got older and didn’t have any ample, that I [say that I] know see below. fessor and we spent all our mon- a lot of fi ghting and a lot of dif- more fresh feelings, experiences. everything. I come to the Gakyil ey to support this place. We used fi cult situations. Try to look at these young stu- and say that I have a lot of experi- “If we can keep our state of ob- to be here all summer working So sometimes it’s better for us dents and understand how they ence in fi nancial stuff or in busi- servation a little bit, like medita- all the time and at the Serkham to be spontaneous and do things feel when they have just entered ness. I know everything and we tion, and not go directly into this [Yellow House] we worked with naturally. Be a little bit more in- the Dzogchen Community. This should do things like this. This vision of the church or whatever our hands rebuilding everything. nocent. Try to have more pure is very important. is totally wrong because it is not you see, and we keep this state of Then we planted trees. We had vision. This means being a little Younger students [should be] possible. If we do it in the same observing the relation between no money but the idea was stay- more direct. We know we have exactly the same – just like a mir- way, it doesn’t work because this the candle, the incense and this ing together, working together, to do something, we know what ror. They should look at older is not society. vision, in this understanding we trying to do something with this the principle is and we try to ap- students with respect and try to So the main point is to under- have a kind of presence called or- principle and only in action can ply it. And then, for example, if understand what is good of expe- stand circumstances and to work dinary presence.” you see how this works. we make a mistake or something rience – but not in terms of [con- with them. Work correctly with It makes no sense for us to hire goes wrong, or people start to sidering that] someone is older circumstances and try to do what Our apologies! someone and then look at this think that we are arrogant … be- so he will not make a mistake – makes sense. Together. The Mirror group of people working and say, cause what happens typically is just the way in which things were “Ah, they did well,” or “They did that if someone has just arrived built, were created, what the style Transcribed and edited by Liz Granger something wrong.” Who cares? in the Dzogchen Community, he of the Dzogchen Community It’s more about us having this immediately has the feeling that is. This is the main point. If we

>> Kalmykia continued from page 1 about the differences between dents came to the initiation from came a perfect base for develop- ahead, be courageous and never Upcoming Retreats Sutra, Tantra and Dzogchen and other countries, even from Eng- ing knowledge of Dzogchen. abandon hope, as has been said with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu explained the view, path and fruit land and France. Rinpoche and Yeshi Nam- in old Tibetan song: >> continued from page 1 of Dzogchen Teaching. It was We usually hear from Rinpoche khai spent hours and hours talk- When we are going up and up in the useful not only for newcomers, that in a traditional Buddhist ing with Telo Tulku and Kirsan valley Namgyalgar but also for old students who country most of the people are Ilumzhinov about developing And the snow is falling down and April 10–15 were attending the small Kalmyk more interested in receiving knowledge in Kalmykia not only down, Retreat retreat and felt more and more blessings and empowerments through giving Teaching, but also But even though the snow is falling April 17–22 like beginners. than in teaching and develop- via cultural and social projects. down we don’t worry Retreat The next day Rinpoche gave ing knowledge. All who attended At the end of his visit Rinpoche Because after the snow there will be the Initiation of the Immortal the retreat could notice it also in said that we should do our best, sunshine. Singapore Dakini Mandarava and explained Kalmykia. But there were also a work together, share experience May 1–3 how to apply this precise meth- lot of people who were sincerely and collaborate as much as pos- Weekend retreat od for long life in daily life. And and devotedly interested in teach- sible. Answering questions about again it was a great gift not only ing, and in this case tradition: the future of Kalmykia, Rinpoche for Kalmyk people – a lot of stu- culture, attitude and behavior be- said that the main point was to go THE MIRROR · No. 94 · September, October 2008

ASIA

6

TIPA, Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts from Dharamasala

From September 26th to October 5th, dances and songs. It was a valuable 2008, four artists from the Tibetan opportunity to spread the knowledge Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) of of Tibetan traditional art and culture Dharamsala were invited to Italy by and to promote its encounter with the ASIA to carry out a public awareness modern world. project called: “A Journey Through Tibetan Theatre, Cinema and Paint- In the meantime Andrea Nasca, ASIA ing.” The purpose was to educate and America member, during a journey to increase awareness among the public Dharamsala visited TIPA and had the of the need to safeguard and protect a chance to be present at the wonderful culture in danger of extinction. performances of the students. The fol- TIPA performers realized theatre lowing article describes Andrea’s visit workshops with Italian students and to the Tibetan Institute of Performing performed Lhamo Opera, traditional Arts.

for something like the Cirque du a family, they are given separate tuosos, who can not only sing Keeping Tibetan Musical Heritage Alive: Soleil, for example, where artists housing to do so, so that they can and provide theatrical elements must be able to perform mul- continue their studies. of story but who also dance and An exploration of the workings of TIPA tiple disciplines at once! Follow- play instruments, simultaneous- on our visit to McLeod Ganj, Himachal Pradesh, India ing this, we visited a class of stu- The director informed me that ly. Wow! dents playing a stringed instru- one of their other top priorities hen you walk down struction over vast rivers in Tibet, ment with mallots, like a kind is to get a new auditorium built, The source of the second rou- TIPA Road, as we did back in the 14th century! of xylophone or harpsichord. as the current one is in shambles. tine is East Tibet and was an en- Won a regular basis, We also visited the shop where Although built only 20 years ago, actment of brides and grooms from our guest- house in Dharam- Several days later, we met with the costumes are sewn, as well the paint inside is peeling, the relishing in the virtues of their kot to the center of McLeod Ganj Kelsang who fi t a grand tour for as the special box seat reserved ceiling panels are falling down, spouses to be, as well as their (what most people refer to as up- us into his busy schedule. This for HHDL for the annual Lhamo and there is insuffi cient lighting lovely and handsome appear- per Dharamsala), we passed by was after I attempted to help him Festival in the spring, where all and absence of a proper sound ances and dress. This act in- a long, moss-laden wall with a fi nd some Western extras for a the opera companies are invited system. As they are charged with cluded musical accompaniment multitude of lungta (prayer fl ags) music video they were shooting to perform. Some Lhamo perfor- representing the entire Tibetan by a sextet ensemble of various swaying above it and monkeys over several days, for students mances can be as much as nine nation in exile, they feel the qual- traditional instruments. The cos- running across it. As you reach not only learn traditional arts but hours in length but when enact- ity of the facility should match tumes were very elaborate and the end of the wall, there’s an are encouraged to create modern ed in the West, shorter stories of the quality of the performing arts colorful, including cone-shaped elaborate Tibetan style gate with compositions, as well. We started one to two hours are chosen. that are nurtured and conserved hats with bright red fringe and painted ironwork, concrete and by having lunch together in the here. They have put together a there was a lot of playful vocal in- golden fi gures aloft. This is the mess hall, which is where all the ASIA sponsors a full third of the million dollar proposal to build terplay between the male and fe- home of TIPA, the Tibetan Insti- staff and students eat together. TIPA students. TIPA originally re- a suitable venue. Imagine going male performers. tute of Performing Arts. ceived funding from the Tibetan to see a famous Italian opera at His Holiness the Dalai Lama government in exile but they are The Metropolitan Opera, in New The next piece also hailed from I knew that ASIA is responsible founded TIPA in 1959, the same moving toward a self-sustaining York, and having birds fl ying over East Tibet. The commentator in- for the sponsorship of students year he fl ed into exile to India. model of operation. They raise your head and a bare concrete formed the audience that Tibet at TIPA, so I had emailed them This indicates to me that the funds through performances and fl oor under foot! has a very rich musical tradition about coming to visit. On our way preservation of this aspect of Ti- by selling costumes and instru- with songs for all occasions such down one day, we stopped in. We betan culture was of the utmost ments (which are all handmade at We felt extremely fortunate to as spiritual ceremonies, marriag- were graciously met by Kelsang, priority to him. There are about TIPA in their arts department) to have been invited to a perfor- es, death and aspects of daily life. who is the liaison with our ASIA 100 people residing in the com- other institutes. I asked Kelsang mance, which took place mainly This was a construction song, staff in Rome, and by Wangchuk, pound consisting of about 60 what is their highest funding pri- for the visiting governmental dig- whose purpose was to motivate the director. students and 40 staff. Both Kel- ority. He replied that there are six nitaries that were here for various and inspire those involved in sang and Wangchuk emphasized new and very talented female stu- meetings to check on all the dif- building the monastery. The men As we sat in the waiting room, we that together they were very much dents that have recently been ac- ferent aspects of operation. The and women danced and sang. noticed a painting of someone like a big family; Wangchuk said cepted, who are profi cient in the performances were just amaz- Props for construction tools, – it looked familiar to me. When he cared for all the students as if Lhamo, the dance and playing ing, of the highest quality. Shall such as picks, shovels and damp- we met with Wangchuk (and had they were his children. instruments, who are in need of I describe it for you? How I wish ers were also used as percussion tea, of course) he informed us sponsorship for a couple of years more people could experience instruments and provided the that the painting was that of none Upon arriving at TIPA, you’re to complete their training (so, if these amazing performances! It rhythm for the dance. In each other than Thangthong Gyalpo. likely to see young students you are interested in becoming a is fantastic that ASIA was able to performance, sometimes only I was very excited, as I remem- walking around practicing their short term sponsor, please con- host the Lhamo in Italy recently. the men or women sang, and bered that he was responsible instruments, playing cricket or tact ASIA). other times there was a kind of for developing the Ache Lhamo, heading off to their next class. The fi rst performance began with exchange between them. A trio of the traditional Tibetan opera, We were very fortunate to be able Highly competitive auditions are six women in fantastic costumes stringed instruments played with as a way to communicate many to look in on the various classes held annually and only about 10 of pink and blue blouses, hair a bow accompanied this act. things to people who could not that afternoon, including about out of 100 applicants are accept- braided with colored ribbons and read. I don’t know about you but 40 young women practicing the ed into the school. They range adorned with turquoise and cor- Another act involved playing out to me, Thangthong Gyalpo is one amazing vocal acrobatics of the in age from about 9-24. They al beads, huge star-shaped gaus the song and dance involved in of the most interesting fi gures in Lhamo or traditional Tibetan enter as beginners and as they and beaded necklaces. This song choosing the most auspicious Tibetan history. He is considered opera. The sound is hypnotic progress through about 12 years originated from the central pla- time for planting crops, the la- to be a drubthob, one of the fa- and ethereal, a bit like Native of training, they become senior teau of Tibet and involved tribute bor involved in tending them, mous Mahasiddhas of Tibet (see, American chanting with a celes- students or instructors. There paid to the local spiritual leader, on through to the time of harvest “Dzogchen Teachings in Guten- tial vibrato. We then listened and are both girls and boys dormito- as well as lamenting the loss of and the ensuing celebration and stein, Austria,” 1998, by Chög- looked in on several young men ries and they live entirely in the him upon his death. In addi- libation involving the satisfac- yal Namkhai Norbu). He is also in the auditorium who were ener- compound, focusing intently on tion to singing and dancing, the tion of having collaborated to known as Mahasiddha Chagsam- getically practicing an elaborate developing their talents and pre- six men who joined the perfor- obtain a successful harvest. The pa or ‘iron bridge builder,’ as he routine that involved dancing, paring for life as professional mance also played the traditional celebration involved imbibing on performed great feats of con- drumming and singing. This re- performers. If there are students Tibetan guitar. Again, imagine chang and reveling in the fruit of minded me of the talent required who decide that they want to start a combination of operatic vir- >> continued on next page THE MIRROR · No. 94 · September, October 2008 Shang Shung Institute

7

berries were just beginning to get Translating Taranatha from Tibetan ripe. Some of us found that the exercise might have made it eas- Susan Schwartz ier to integrate the intense physi- cal and mental exertion of sitting in front of a computer all day. his year’s Training for laptop equipped with the neces- There is no question that each Translators from Tibetan sary tools for Tibetan translation: of the participants made tremen- T (TTT) took place at Meri- Word with the appropriate fonts, dous progress in their ability to gar West in the last third of July dictionaries such as the Tibetan translate from Tibetan. We found and the pleasantly hot and dry Translation Tool and the Illumi- the structure of the course to be days of early August, ending just nator, Acrobat Reader, a variety very effective as it promotes both on time for the Summer Retreat of reference resources supplied independent work and the abil- with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, by Fabian, and access to wireless as his understanding of Buddhist fi rst round, from 2003 to 2005, ity to draw on the resources of a the Jewel in our Sky. In the course Internet. Occasionally, we would history and the teachings em- was attended by more seasoned group setting. Beyond encourag- of the three-week period, the speculate in awe on how hard it bodied in the transmission lin- translators and resulted in the ing us to translate our strong in- group ranged between fi ve and must have been to translate in the eages. When we got stuck while publication of English and Ital- terest for the Tibetan language to ten students, with Fabian Sanders days before computers. translating, he was always there ian editions of Rinpoche’s book a skill that can be of use to oth- guiding us as instructor. In addi- Scanned images of original to give us a hint that would help On Birth, Life, and Death. ers, we learned the meaning of tion to Fabian (a Northern Italian hand-carved woodblock pechas us move forward. The Training for Translators collaboration on many other lev- with German ancestry), the par- are hard to read – not only be- The real fun began when we from Tibetan is organized and els as well. ticipants included an Australian cause certain characters are near- went over the fruit of our solitary sponsored by Shang Shung In- For myself, as a newcomer who had made the long journey ly indistinguishable from others, efforts in the group, taking turns stitute as part of its efforts to de- both to the TTT and to the Dzog- to Italy just for the course, a Brit but the ink is uneven as well. So reading the source text and ex- velop aspiring translators. For- chen Community as a whole, I with an endearing Manchester the fi rst step is to retype the text. plaining our interpretation of it. accent, an American appliqué Although this process is highly It can be a humbling process if thanka maker based in Milan, a prone to the introduction of er- you discover that you misunder- Russian information architect rors, it is a good way to become stood the meaning of the words, living in New York, an American familiar with the text before actu- but at the same time, it provides living in London and just about ally beginning to translate. Since plenty of opportunities for letting anywhere else in the world where even slight changes to the spell- go of preconceptions and gain- there is a Gar or a Ling, a Czech ing of Tibetan words can yield ing a real appreciation for others’ studying in Vienna, two bona fi de an entirely different meaning, insights. At times, we were col- Italians, and myself, an Austrian- less careful typists like myself at lectively stumped, and found a American just back to the West least get to learn a lot from the need to pick apart the sentence in after a year in India and Thailand. grueling and often embarrassing question, weigh alternatives, and At times we were also graced with experience of translating a fan- debate differing opinions until the presence of Dina Priymak, tasy text based on words that are fi nally the moment of “Aha!” ar- another native Russian. not really there. Thankfully, in a rived and the ambiguities dis- We continued to translate group setting such as this one, solved. Of course, throughout the text started in the 2007 TTT: each word is later analyzed in de- the three-week period, a few un- Jonang Taranatha’s account of tail, and errors are discovered. certain words remained, but on 59 siddhas who transmitted the While spoken Tibetan is of- the whole, the TTT group found Some of the translators with instructor Fabian Sanders relaxing at lunch. Photo: S. Schwartz seven instruction lineages. Their ten said to be a fairly simple lan- that these were far fewer than in wildly unpredictable and subtly guage, its scriptural counterpart the previous year. tunately for the participants, SSI found the course an exception- instructive life stories took us is anything but. Partly for practi- In the afternoon session, we covers the costs of the course – a ally rewarding experience and a through the vast expanse of Odd- cal reasons (carving a woodblock would repeat the sequence of in- real help considering the expense very inspiring introduction to the iyana and the forests of eastern pecha was no small task), words dependent translating followed of taking off work, travelling to vast Mandala of Chögyal Nam- Orissa. For twenty days, we im- or expressions are often trun- by group comparison and review. Merigar, and paying for food and khai Norbu Rinpoche. mersed ourselves in the namthars cated and grammatical markers Meanwhile, in the two-person lodging. And of course Merigar We all hope to meet again next of the siddhas and unraveled a implied. The same goes for sub- beginners’ faction, the more ex- staff also provided logistics sup- year, but in the meantime we will motley cast of characters that in- jects and objects representing perienced person assisted the port and space in the room next work on completing the transla- cluded kings, queens, barmaids, the agents and instruments of an newcomer with skills such as to the Mandala Hall. tion on the Taranatha text over bird hunters, panditas, arhats, event or expression. Even verbs pronunciation and basic gram- Despite of the fact that it takes the Internet. Al Veda, our resi- dakinis, and yoginis. might be dropped. And if you mar. While we were translating nearly an hour, this year’s par- dent IT expert, is contributing The format was straightfor- think it might at least be possible in the morning, Fabian would ticipants frequently took advan- a Wiki interface to facilitate the ward: Arriving at class at 9 a.m. to hang your hat on delimiting join them to go over what they tage of the beautiful walk up (and process. We have divided the re- every morning, we would spend marks like periods and commas, had studied and give them new down) the hill from Arcidosso maining chapters among us and the fi rst two and a half hours you guessed wrong. There are material. rather than driving. Though steep the other members of the group translating independently, but very few parallels between West- With some fl uctuations among and at times arduous, the trail to ensure accuracy and consis- each of us working on the same ern and Tibetan punctuation. the individual participants, there took us past fragrant bushes of tency will review each section. passage. Except for a few brief With these factors in mind, we seems to be a natural four-year yellow Scotch broom blossoms It will be slow going, to be sure, conversations on or off topic, were very grateful to have access cycle within the TTT group, this and through fi elds abounding but just like walking up the hill to this was a quiet time for concen- to Fabian’s extensive knowledge being the second and admitted- with delicate purple butterfl ies. By Merigar, one step at a time brings tration. Each of us had brought a of the Tibetan language as well ly less experienced “crop.” The the end of the course, the black- us to the goal.

>> TIPA continued from previous page to the purity of the lotus blossom pompoms on them. The men did some justice and humane treat- who live and study at TIPA. The their labors. This performance and involved appropriately sooth- amazing dances that could be de- ment of Tibetans. The song goes, sponsorship covers the student’s typifi ed what I see among Tibet- ing and peaceful melodies. scribed as a cross between break “If we don’t sing and dance for board and lodging at school, ans even today – that they are a dancing, Russian style and whirl- them, then for whom?” It was a medical assistance and educa- culture of people who place great The source of the next perfor- ing dervishes. This level of talent very powerful performance in- tional material. If you wish to value in community and collabo- mance dates back to the 11th really would be appreciated by volving all of the artists, about 35 start a sponsorship you can fi nd ration. In McLeod, you never see century, and was started in West anyone who would see it. of them. They fi nished by sing- information directly on the ASIA homeless Tibetans, begging or Tibet. It is a tribute to Milarepa ing the Tibetan national anthem, website www.asia-onlus.org or starving. They work together and and the people believed that this Following this was a guitar duo with many audience members apply to the ASIA offi ce in Rome take care of each other. This is dance would bring good fortune with one man also singing a standing and joining in. by emailing very much to their credit, as it is to the village in which it was per- song that is considered the cul- [email protected] due to this diligence and dedica- formed. This was the most acro- tural symbol of Tibet and which From 1997 ASIA has supported tion to one another that has fos- batic of all the routines, involv- included singing the Mani and TIPA through the Long Distance I sincerely hope that you will one tered the survival of their cultural ing women dancing with drums, other heartfelt sentiments. Sponsorship Project, to maintain day have a chance to experience identity, as a whole. while twisting and swinging the traditional patrimony of arts this amazing art form. It is truly them over their heads as they did Lastly, we witnessed a modern and performances preserved by unique and enjoyable. A romantic ballad sung by four partial backbends, and then com- composition that was dedicated TIPA. In fact, a full third of their golden chuba-clad men with fur ing around to beat the drum with to their courageous countrymen students are sponsored through Thank you, and brocade hats and playing the each energetic movement. The and women who have recently ASIA donors. Andrea Maria Nasca, ASIA traditional guitars followed. The men danced with bells and were risked a great deal in order to song was about how the men lik- clad in super long sleeve blous- peacefully demonstrate in Tibet, With 25 Euros it is possible to ened the qualities of their beloveds es and web like belts with large in the hopes of bringing about support one of the young artists THE MIRROR · No. 94 · September, October 2008 Shang Shung Institute

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Shang Shung Tibet Day in Huettenberg, Austria Institute Austria 20th anniversary of the International News Shang Shung Institute Huettenberg, 6th of September 2008 e have a very new Gon- pa and Shang Shung Photos: Oliver Leick WInstitute offi ce in Aus- tria. This is the fi rst Dzogchen he clear dark blue sky and point of the celebrations for its Center for the Austrian Dzogchen the brilliant late summer 20th anniversary. Community with a beautiful, Tday offered a gorgeous More than 150 people came to comfortable and large Gonpa. view over the valleys in the Aus- attend the various offers of our It is located in a former school- trian mountains and the colorful Tibet Day: house in eastern Styria near landscape. From one of the rocks Fabian Sanders gave a talk Sinabelkirchen, where Chögyal a huge painting of Guru Padma- about the “Treasure or Tibetan Namkhai Norbu held a retreat in sambhava looks into the village culture”, Gino Vitiello gave an 2002. It also hosts the new offi ce of Huettenberg. introduction to Tibetan Medi- of the Shang Shung Institute with In the music center, many Ti- cine, and a group of ten Tibetans a library, shop and exhibition betans and Italians worked in a made a great performance of Ti- of Buddhist statues. It is a large relaxed and friendly way, the in- betan dances and sang beautiful place in fantastic surroundings. tense smell of Tibetan incense Tibetan songs. The visitor of the From now on, regular activities pervaded the place, prayer fl ags Tibet Day also had the possibility of the Dzogchen Community and were hanging everywhere, and to attend workshops about Tibet- the Shang Shung Institute will Buddhists statues never seen an cooking, games and art. Many be held at this place. You are all before in the West were shown. people also took the chance and welcome visit our new place, to Why was that happening? received a Ku Nye massage, the join our practice meetings or to The small village of Huetten- Tibetan massage applied in Ti- Photo: Wolfgang Horn attend one of our seminars. (see berg in Carinthia in Austria is betan Medicine. We were very Mandarava Tsalung retreat with one of the very few places in Aus- pleased to welcome Miss Carina Shang Shung Institute of Italy), Thanks to the staff of the Shang Elio Guarisco Dec 5–8, 2008) tria that is very much connected Harrer, the widow of Heinrich Gersdorf (place of the Shang Shung Institute, who came all the to Tibet and Tibetan culture. It is Harrer as our special guest at Ti- Shung Institute of Austria), and way from Italy to Austria, and the We also have new T-shirts (see: the birthplace of Heinrich Har- bet Day. Huettenberg (place of the Harrer smooth collaboration with the http://www.ssi-austria.at/shop/ rer, whose life was shown in the Geshe Tenzin Dhargye also Museum). The three mayors got Tibetan musicians and dancers, shope63.php) and various mas- fi lm, “Seven Years in Tibet”. In presented the program of the along very well immediately, ex- the Tibet Day was really great and sage oils on our website (see: Huettenberg there is also the very planned activities related to Ti- changed gifts and information, an incredibly harmonious and in- http://www.ssi austria.at/shop/ interesting and fantastic Har- betan Medicine, which will start and fi nally agreed on an intensive teresting event. shope61.php) rer Museum with a large section in November 2008. collaboration in the future. This dedicated to Tibetan culture. international collaboration will Oliver Leick Also the book Longsal Volume 8 For these reasons the Inter- One of the crucial aspects of this hopefully be very fruitful for the Shang Shung Institute by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu is national Shang Shung Institute event was the meeting of the three Shang Shung Institute and for www.shangshunginstitute.org ready to be printed! chose this place to be the initial mayors of Arcidosso (place of the the communities.

levels of interest to learn practi- Friday, December 5th, 4–6 pm means of a long and healthy life. the Shang Shung Institute’s most SSI USA Update cal Tibetan medical knowledge Sat. & Sun., December 6th–7th, This topic will provide essential extensive Tibetan Medical teach- from a highly skilled scholar of 9:30 am–12:30 pm & 2–5 pm information on what foods to eat ings yet offered in the West Coast Dear Friends, Tibetan medicine. Paino Lecture Hall, Earth and Science based on one’s individual condi- region of the United States of The Shang Shung Institute of The schedule for this very spe- Building, Amherst College tion and the season. America. The course presents America is pleased to report a cial series of events is as follows: Cost: $ 110 for whole weekend / extensive hands-on training in busy and active period. The new Free Public Lecture: $ 60 per day for Saturday or Sunday, Sunday, December 7th: the methods of Tibetan Kunye class that started this Fall is now Thursday, December 4th, 4–6 pm includes Friday (20% discount for Gems are one of the eight me- massage and gentle external well integrated, and will be join- Paino Lecture Hall, Earth and Science students) dicinal substances in Tibetan therapies, as well as an in-depth ing the class of 2012 as of spring Building, Amherst College Medicine. In Tibetan culture jew- study of Tibetan medicine theory semester 2009. Our student pop- Foods and Gems: Tibet’s Wealth of elry is very important. In part, and principles. The course runs ulation has grown steadily, and Transporting the Elixir: A Look at Practical Prevention for Modern jewelry is worn to decorate and from January 5, 2009 through we look forward to successfully Tibetan Medicine Inside Tibet Daily Life beautify, and it is also used to dis- February 10, 2009. It will be held increasing our number of stu- Tibetan Medicine is one of the In this workshop Dr. Lusham play social status. However, the at Dondrub ling in Berkeley, Cal- dents come Fall, 2009. most ancient practices of healing Gyal will present the healing origin for wearing gems in Tibet- ifornia in collaboration with During the past few months, known to humanity, dating back properties of common foods and an culture comes from its appli- the Dzogchen Community West we’ve seen the successful com- nearly 4,000 years. Until quite gems as taught in Tibetan Medi- cation in medicine. Traditionally Coast Gakyil. pletion of the Basic Level of our recently this ancient wisdom was cine. Emphasis will be put on gems were worn on specifi c points Advanced Level 500 Hour Training fi rst California Kunye Therapy practiced throughout Tibet vir- how to use both foods and gems to help restore the health, for pre- January 5–February 10, 2009 Program offered at Dondrubling tually unchanged, as its knowl- in simple everyday ways to pro- ventative measures, and to protect Dondrubling in Berkeley, California. Addition- edge was handed down through tect and balance the health. Fri- against negativities. This topic will 2748 #D Adeline St ally, we offered Intermediate and generations of lay and monastic day will be an introduction to the offer simple ways to use jewelry Berkeley, CA 94703, USA Advanced Tibetan Language In- doctors. Today, carried by the Ti- workshop, while Saturday will and gems in everyday life based on tensives in Conway, MA, which betan diaspora, practices of this focus on nutrition, and Sunday ones individual health needs. Visit our website for up-to-date were attended by both students ancient healing wisdom are be- on precious stones. information about the exciting and local residents. As The Mirror ing offered in the West as an al- For a map of the college please courses and events offered by the goes to press, we will be offer- ternative to mainstream medical Saturday, December 6th: visit: https://www.amherst.edu/ Shang Shung Institute of Amer- ing a Tibetan cooking class in the practices. In Tibetan Medicine diet is con- map/index.html ica. At www.ShangShung.org, Tsegyalgar East kitchen, on No- As a result, Westerners have be- sidered the foundation for both you can register for intensives vember 2. gun to adopt it as a complemen- maintaining health and treating Coming in Winter, 2009 and programs, pay for member- In December, the Shang Shung tary medicine. But how is Tibetan imbalances. It is understood that The Shang Shung Institute pres- ships, give donations, and order Institute is happy to present a free Medicine practiced in its native each individual food has a dif- ents the advanced level of our items from our webstore, includ- public lecture and weekend work- homeland today, especially given fering level of the fi ve elements. two-part 500 hour Tibetan Kunye ing a full selection of Chögyal shop with Dr. Lhusham Gyal at China’s economic development Every type of grain, meat, dairy Therapy training with Dr. Phunt- Namkai Norbu’s books, CDs, Amherst College in Amherst, MA. over the past 30 years? What are product, vegetable, and fruit can sog Wangmo and Dr. Yangdron and DVDs. Dr. Gyal is a prominent Tibetan the strengths and cultural con- be analyzed individually based Kalsang at Dondrubling in Berke- Scholar visiting from the Tibetan straints that could infl uence this on its specifi c composition of the ley, California. This advanced Please contact the Shang Medical College of Qinghai Uni- practice’s effectiveness? fi ve elements and how it will ef- intensive will complete the Ku- Shung Institute secretary at versity in Tibet. He is currently This talk is co-sponsored by the de- fect the fi ve elements of the hu- nye Therapy certifi cation require- [email protected] or Dean and Associate Professor of partment of Asian Languages & Civi- man body. With this knowledge, ments for students who attend- by phone at +1 (413) 369-4928 the Qinghai University’s Tibetan lizations, Amherst College, and the the relationship of these two can ed the summer 2008 basic level for more information or to regis- Medical College, and his visit to Shang Shung Institute. be brought to a perfect balance. course. ter for any of these events. Western Massachusetts is a rare The result is a properly function- The 500 hour Kunye Therapy opportunity for students of all Weekend Workshop: ing digestive system, the ultimate certifi cation course constitutes THE MIRROR · No. 94 · September, October 2008 Shang Shung Institute

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bu. The webstore also continues Institute is $ 7 and you can add one to Please visit our USA Webstore at: Shang Shung to carry “unrestricted” items in- your cart if it is your fi rst time buying www.shangshung.org/store Institute cluding public books, DVD’s, in the year. In order to buy any “Re- CD’s, ritual items and incense. stricted Items” you must be a current You can continue to visit the International Institute for Dzogchen Community member, have Shang Shung Institute’s Austria Tibetan Studies We ask that you please honor the received transmission from the Master, and Italy Branch webstores for following protocols so that we and have the specifi c lung transmis- purchases outside of the Ameri- The Shang Shung Institute is very can continue to effi ciently offer sion of the practices with mantras. If cas: pleased to announce a new web- our many special items support- you would like to buy a closed webcast Austria: store for purchases in the Ameri- ing the practice of Dzogchen and retreat MP3, you must have also par- http://www.ssi-austria.at/shop/ Yeshe cooking in kitchen at Shang Shung cas which now includes all “re- the preservation of Tibetan Cul- ticipated in that particular webcast. shopframee.php Institute, Conway MA, USA. served” items including CD’s, re- ture: Italy: treat MP3’s, DVD’s, and practice In order to buy any “Unrestricted By becoming a member of the http://shop-it.shangshung Tibetan Cooking booklets which support the many Items” you must either be a current Shang Shung Institute you show institute.org/cart/ teachings (reserved books are not member of the Dzogchen Community your interest in the preservation Class only for specifi c practices) trans- or the Shang Shung Institute. Prelimi- of Tibetan culture and support In the Tsegyalgar East Kitchen mitted by Chögyal Namkhai Nor- nary membership to the Shang Shung our various activities. Sunday, November 9, 2–6 pm $35 (Includes dinner served at 6 pm) Shang Shung Edizioni Taught by Yeshe Tsomo Lag

New publications In this class we will explore the properties of various foods and tions, especially those on tantric give the deceased a chance of ac- fi rst appendix, which belongs methods of cooking from a Ti- practices, were added and their cessing to a higher knowledge. to the Upadesha teachings tra- betan Medicine perspective. We translation appeared in a sepa- This approach, in addition of ditionally ascribed to the great will cook a variety of traditional rate booklet made available to being one of the best way to help master Shri Simha, has been tak- Tibetan dishes and share the practitioners. More recently, the the deceased, provide us with the en from a teaching given at Meri- meal at the end. book has been again reviewed by strength to overcome the suffer- gar West in August l985. Space is limited. the Author and amplifi ed with ing of having lost our dear ones, To register contact Miranda at many new quotations. The trans- and with the sense that we can [email protected] lation of the complete new edi- do something for our beloved Chögyal Namkhai Norbu tion is presented here. ones who have died, making use Longsal Teachings – the special relation we had with Volume Eight and to the ancient siddha of Ud- It is absolutely necessary that the during the life, through this diyana, Aryapalo. practitioners, who have taken ritual. This eighth volume of teachings The Outer, Inner, and Secret Prac- the SMS Base Level examina- Connected to the Shitro Teach- from the Longsal cycle contains tices of The Guru Wisdom Dakini (Bla tion and taken the SMS First ings of Namchö Mingyur Dorje, upadeshas and instructions re- ma ye shes mkha’ ’gro ma’i phyi nang Level Training with our Master this short form of the Changchog ceived through dreams over a pe- gsang gsum las byang), received in Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, pur- ritual can be easily performed riod of time from 1959 to 2007. a single dream in 2007, contains chase & study the new English by anyone who has received its The Most Important Point of the the texts of the outer, inner and Chögyal Namkhai Norbu edition of the SMS Level One transmission and wishes to help Lama Gongdü (Bla ma dgongs ’dus secret ways of applying the prac- Teachings at Sinabelkirchen Text. Rinpoche has added many his or her deceased father, moth- kyi gnad gzer) contains in a few tice of the Guru Wisdom Dakini new things. Adriano Clemente er, friends or relatives. words the essence of the famous or Jñanadakini. When we speak of the Dzogchen has re-translated the text work- cycle of teachings Lama Gongdü, The Dream of the Mandarava Cave teaching, fi rst of all we need ing closely with Rinpoche. The in eighteen volumes, rediscov- (Manda ra ba’i sgrub phug nang gi to understand what Dzogchen new text is more clear, precise ered by the great tertön Sangye rmi lam) also known as The experi- is: we must understand that and complete. This new English Lingpa (1340–96). ential instructions of Shrindra (Shrin Dzogchen is not a teaching but text must be the basis for mak- The Upadesha on the Total Behav- dra’i nyams khrid) is the account of is our real condition. Dzogchen ing new translations of SMS First ior of Equal Taste (sPyod pa ro snyoms two dreams in which the author means the totally perfected state, Level into any other languages. chen po’i man ngag) contains ex- witnessed a Ganapuja of Manda- which means that we have three To obtain this book please con- traordinary instructions on how rava led by the yogini Shrindra primordial wisdoms and three tact orders@shangshunginstitut to deal with the fi ve emotions ac- and received clarifi cations. primordial potentialities. Since e.org, specifying your name, and cording to the Dzogchen path of we already have these, everything where and when you participated self-liberation. The dreams relat- You can fi nd these books in the is perfected. If we are really in in an SMS First Level Training. ing to this upadesha are connect- webshop http://shop-it. that condition, then we are no Then you will receive information ed to the Mahaguru of Uddiyana shangshunginstitute.org different to the Buddha or a Bod- on how to purchase the books. Padmasambhava, to the author’s hisattva and realised beings. It is uncle Khyentse Rinpoche Pawo not enough only to have an idea Heka Lingpa (1910–1959/60), of this, even to have just a small experience. Of course it is use- ful to have this small experience of the Dzogchen state but then Chögyal Namkhai Norbu there are ways to increase this The Twenty-one Semdzins of the knowledge, which means that Dzogchen Upadesha there is the possibility of inte- grating all our existence of body, The twenty-one Semdzins of the speech and mind into that state. Upadesha series of Dzogchen We apply this practice day after teachings are one of the main day, becoming more and more practices for obtaining a precise familiar with it, and in the end we understanding of the state of have total realization. contemplation in non-dual pres- ence or rigpa. The great master Longchenpa gave a detailed ex- Chögyal Namkhai Norbu planation of the twenty-one Sem- The Ati Treasury of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu dzins in the Theg mchod mdzod. It Contemplation Changchog of the Namchö Shitro was on the basis of this text that – A Short Purifi cation Ritual for Chögyal Namkhai Norbu taught The Ati Treasury of Contemplation, the Deceased and gave a commentary on the First Level of the Santi Maha Sangha Semdzins during a retreat held Training, originally written in Here Chögyal Namkhai Norbu at Merigar West over Easter 1989. 1992, was translated into Italian presents a new and authentic ap- These teachings constitute the and published in 1994, on the oc- proach to death and after death fundamental core of this book, casion of the fi rst retreat of the embodied in a ritual whose aim is which also comprises explana- Santi Maha Sangha Training giv- to purify the negative karma and tions taken from teachings given en by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in obstacles of the deceased and to in July 1977 at Prata, Italy. The Merigar. Subsequently new sec- Semdzin Yugu contained in the THE MIRROR · No. 94 · September, October 2008 The Vajra Dance

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Interview with Adriana Dal Borgo and Prima Mai Two Internationally Authorized and Main Vajra Dance Instructors

Mariya Stepanyk for The Mirror

Mariya Stepanyk: Can you tell us about the new music of the Vajra Dance by Costantino Albi- ni. What is new in the sound and timing? Adriana Dal Borgo and Prima Mai: We actually have two new melodies for the Vajra Dance. Roberto Cacciapaglia has created new music for the Song of Vajra Dance and is close to fi n- ish his music for the Dance of the Six Spaces and The Three Vajras Dance. Roberto integrates the voice of our Master in his mu- sic, as we hear it in the music of Matteo Silva. What have mainly changed are the sounds, which Photo: Paolo Roberti Photo: Paolo Roberti are the choice of the artist or mu- sician. MS: Have you fi nished learning MS: Can the Vajra Dance be practice all possible sequences of Costantino chose instruments the Dance of Space? Can you tell a shown to people who don’t have all three Vajra Dances, you need Calendar of Special based on indications Rinpoche little how this Dance differs from transmission? (TV program or to have at least one third of the received in his dreams. Costan- the other three Vajra Dances? concert, etc.) whole Mandala. Days for the Dance tino applied sounds in the Dance When will you teach this Dance ADB & PM: The general public It can also be possible to di- of the Vajra with of the Six Spaces related to the of Space? can see the Vajra Dance, but, as vide a used and worn out Man- Six Lokas and the elements, as ADB & PM: In 1994, I (Prima Mai) usual, it is important to know the dala into three parts, and to sell the Vajra Dance Rinpoche once mentioned as a taught the Dance of Space of the real intention behind it and if it or auction it for the benefi t of the Clothes possibility. Twelve A’s in Moscow for the fi rst corresponds to the real sense of Dzogchen Community. In the fi rst music by Matteo and only time. In the Dance of the Teachings. Also there is the possibility Dear Practitioners of the Vajra Dance, Silva, which we have used until Space it is possible, but not nec- The Vajra Dance also works to make a “String Mandala”, re- For a few years now we have now, the timing is correct but the essary, to dance on the Mandala as a Thogdrol (giving cause for membering again that it has not been producing the Vajra Dance singing of the chorus was not al- as we know it now. It is practiced liberation through seeing, hear- the full function of a Mandala. Clothes, the source of which ways precise. for example standing in front of ing, etc.) if the practitioners have is Rinpoche’s dreams. Accord- an offering of Ganapuja or a sa- matured true understanding of MS: At Teacher Training cours- ing to the indications given MS: You fi nished working on the cred statue, etc. the principle of integration and es do you see many good Vajra by the Master, these special new DVD of the Vajra Dance. Tell We have not developed it fur- precise knowledge of the move- Dancers. What are the main cri- clothes should be worn on partic- us about your impressions. ther yet because the circumstanc- ments. teria you use to choose who be- ular occasions and so we would ADB & PM: We had fantastic es have not yet matured accord- If one has the idea to organize comes a Vajra Dance instructor? like to indicate some special work and collaboration. Please ing to Rinpoche. a public event or demonstration ADB & PM: The main points are days when we can meet on the buy it! It may be available at the What Rinpoche mentioned you must absolutely fi rst contact precision and harmony in the Mandala to experience the har- end of 2008. once in relation to the Dance of the Shang Shung Institute, which movement and time. Also we mony of the Vajra Dance enriched Space is that one must have fi rst is in charge of the correct presen- consider the capacity of com- by this precious ornament: MS: Many people do not have lo- matured well the knowledge tation of the Teachings outside municating and collaborating in cal teachers of the Vajra Dance so of the movements of the Vajra the Dzogchen Community, and a group and the way of relating Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s they are unable to check move- Dance and be able to dance har- the local and main instructors of to others. For us an instructor Birthday (December 8) ments with the old DVD version. moniously in the state of con- the Vajra Dance. should have the ability to dissolve Yeshi Namkhai’s Birthday (July 3) What is better, to wait for a new templation and integration. confl icts or tensions instead of video or do the Dance according MS: If a person wishes to practice creating them. More or less all Anniversary of Garab Dorje to old version and later correct MS: What can you advise for at home, he or she needs a whole this is important. (March 11, 2009) the movements? not getting attached to the Vajra Mandala or just few sections? Anniversary of Ayu Khandro ADB & PM: In general the pur- Dance practice or for forming a ADB & PM: To have the total Also we consider where local (March 21, 2009) pose of the DVD is for reference kind of separated group of Vajra function of the practice of the instructors are needed, accord- and support only. It is not a sub- Dance practitioners? Vajra Dance it is necessary to have ing to the country, the interest Anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava stitute for a course lead by an au- ADB & PM: It is the same prin- a complete Mandala. For the pur- and the number of practitioners. Anniversary of Adzom Drugpa thorized instructor. If there is no ciple as in all our practice as pose of memorizing the different Where there is higher request, local instructor in your city, you Dzogchen practitioners. We try aspects of the sequences of the there we might need more local Retreats with the Master in the can either organize a course in- our best to apply practices to dis- steps, it is possible to also have instructors. Gars viting an instructor close by or go cover our real condition and inte- just a section of the Mandala. To The local instructor becomes Teacher Trainings of the Vajra where a course is offered. grate this knowledge also in our the reference for developing the Dance The actual DVD is still valid behavior. One important point, practice in a correct way through for reference. The new DVD will we think, is to respect all practi- offering courses according to his Inauguration of new Mandalas be more accurate. We know that tioners and collaborate with each or her possibilities. (Weekends, the Vajra Dance is in continuous other. weekly sessions, monthly prac- With our best wishes, progress. For example, in 2006 The Mandala represents our tice retreats, etc.) Prima Mai and Adriana Dal we had the last modifi cations internal and external dimension, Borgo working with Rinpoche, which also in the sense of the whole We would like to end this inter- are mainly related to palms, tim- Dzogchen Community. Our in- view by expressing our gratitude Vajra Dance Clothes Project ing and subtle movements. tention in the Vajra Dance is to to our Master who gives us the [email protected] dance and practice harmoniously chance through these precious together, so it makes no sense if Teachings to develop true knowl- we don’t apply this principle in edge for the benefi t of all sentient our daily life. Otherwise what is beings. practice for? Merigar West, September 2008 Training Mandala. THE MIRROR · No. 94 · September, October 2008

11 West Merigar West Merigar Arcidosso 58031 phone: 39 0564 966837 merigaroffi [email protected] GR Italy fax: 39 0564 968110 www.dzogchen.it December November November 14–20 December 6–8 Dec. 26–Jan. 1 ’09 November 4–10 Closed Webcast Audio & Video Mandarava Long life practice retreat Closed Webcast Audio & Video: Calendar Vajra Dance Course, 2nd part Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Starts the 6th at 5 pm Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Margit Martinu supervised Dzogchen Teaching Retreat Finishes the 8th at 1 pm Dzogchen Teaching Retreat of Events by Adriana Dal Borgo “Terma teaching Kunsang Jaku by “Dzogchen Tregchö Teaching of 280 € discounts for members the great terton Duddul Dorje” December 15–19 Jigmed Lingpa from the Instruction Starts 4th at 5 pm Barcelona, Spain Yeshi Silvano Namkhai Yeshe Lama” 2008 Finishes 10th at 1 pm Rigpai Kujyug, the Six-line Vajra Verse Tashigar Sud – Argentina upcoming the symbolic signifi cance of the cuckoo which he worked as a manager and In August 2007 he went to Tibet where The fi rst Teaching session on Monday The Dzogchen Community of Merigar West Vairochana used it in the title of this Ati business consultant. he had clear and important visions. 15th December will be in the afternoon is pleased to announce the next Yoga Teaching, which he introduced When he returned to Italy he stopped from 16.00–1800. Since 1998 Yeshi Namkhai has been Teaching Retreat to be given by into Tibet. work, understanding that his job, like On the following days the Teaching is working for the Dzogchen Community, that of his father, Chögyal Namkhai programmed for the morning from Yeshi Silvano Namkhai, son of the offering the professional skills he has Yeshi Silvano Namkhai Norbu, is to keep the Teaching and the 10.00–12.00. great master Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, acquired in this fi eld. Understanding Rigpai Kujyug, Community alive for the benefi t of be- The cost for the whole retreat is 200 founder of the International Dzogchen the enormous potential of the Internet, ings and for future generations. Euros; the cost per day is 40 Euros. the Six-line Vajra Verse Community, was born in Tivoli, (Rome), he set up the web-cast system of trans- The usual members’ discounts apply. 15th–19th December 2008 in 1970. At a very early age he was mission for the benefi t of all those who In 2008 he began to give lectures recognized as the reincarnation of want to follow the Dzogchen Teachings. and Teachings in various parts of During the retreat there will also be an The Six-line Vajra Verse is called the Khyentse Rinpoche Chökyi Wangchug, the world, mainly on Milam, the introductory course to the “Eight Move- Rigpai Kujyug. Rigpa means the state Since 2002, Yeshi Namkhai has been an important Dzogchen Master who Dream Practice, and on the Base ments” of Yantra Yoga and a course of of knowledge, the presence of the pure promoting collaboration for the devel- died during the Chinese occupation of Level of “Santi Maha Sangha”, the Vajra Dance of the Six Spaces of state of awareness; Kujyug is Tibetan for opment of the Dzogchen Community Eastern Tibet. He was the tulku of the teachings and practices edited by Samantabhadra which will fi nish on cuckoo. In Tibet the cuckoo is consid- and later, as Director of the Interna- village of Galenting and maternal uncle Chögyal Namkhai Norbu for his stu- Saturday 20th December. ered to be the symbol of the reawaken- tional Gakyil, he revised the organiza- of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. dents. ing of nature after the freezing winter. tional structure according to principles Info: Merigar West Secretary When the song of the cuckoo is heard Yeshi Namkhai attended the Faculty of effi ciency and collaboration, thereby Yeshi Namkhai is married and has a son +39 05 64 96 68 37 everyone is happy because the ice and of Philosophy of “La Sapienza”, Rome obtaining a considerable growth of the and a daughter. merigaroffi [email protected] snow fi nally begin to melt, spring ar- University and then the Faculty of En- Community itself. www.dzogchen.it rives and plants fl ourish. Because of gineering at Bologna University after

To all Gakyils and Santi Maha Sangha Lings from Merigar Fourth Level West Training in Merigar

Dear All, Lidian King With the aim of improving our com- munication, Merigar West has created n early October, a group of a specifi c email account, for each Ling twenty-six highly motivated and Gakyil in Europe. I and dedicated students of We would like that these emails were Rinpoche gathered at Merigar to be used for all the communication West to present themselves for amongst Ling/Centre/Gakyil and the Gar. the Santi Maha Sangha Level III In order to receive that relevant ac- exam (given by two additional cess information and the passwords, members Jim Valby and Adriano please reply to this message by indicat- Clemente); and Level IV Training Participants at the Santi Maha Sangha Fourth Level training. Photo: Jacˇek Machowski ing the name of the referring person offered by Rinpoche. We came and of the Centre/Ling. from all parts of the global com- and precious program of Kama our world. In a matter of days a week, often for two sessions a All the emails have been included munity – as far as Japan, North Teachings, carefully prepared and trillions of dollars of wealth on day, while Rinpoche tirelessly within a mailing list (mwlings@ America, South America, Asia, generously offered by Rinpoche. paper evaporated like so much offered the extraordinary teach- dzogchen.it) that each Centre could Russia and Europe. In order to Many of us had the pre-exam steam. But here at Merigar, we ings and methods based on the use in order to automatically forward qualify, one must have thorough- butterfl ies-in-stomach syndrome enjoyed the beauty of autumn and Longde Series of Dzogchen. Al- the messages to all the other Centers ly completed all the previous lev- in anticipation of demonstrating a warm “Indian Summer”, while though Rinpoche was recover- including Merigar West. els from Base through Level III, our knowledge and experience of the locals in the Monte Amiata ing from a bad cold, he was most As we mentioned at the last Gakyil both in practice and study. One the Semde Series of Dzogchen. region were celebrating the har- generous with his time in order meeting on September 27th, this has must also have offered karma Happily, everyone passed! vesting of the chestnuts and mar- to assure that we students re- been done in order to facilitate the cre- yoga service in various capacities While the “real” world was velous porcini mushrooms. The ally absorbed these important ation of a new network of fast and effi - to the Dzogchen Community and experiencing a fi nancial melt- golds and reds of the leaves that instructions. At the end, we cel- cient information exchange, which does have maintained positive behav- down beginning with the US will soon fall were a reminder of ebrated the full moon Ganapuja not need updating or modifying each ior with respect to all aspects of stock markets, followed soon by the endless cycle of the seasons, with other Community mem- time the composition of Gakyil changes. involvement in Community life. Global markets, in our training something to enjoy while it lasts bers. Many of us then dispersed There have been many obstacles here we were once again brought but knowing it will soon pass, to distant regions of the world. Thanks for your collaboration! to overcome on both the individ- back fi rmly to the truth of the un- and that everything is truly just an We thank Rinpoche deeply from Merigar West Gakyil ual and Community levels for us certainties of samsara and the ornament of the Real Condition. our hearts! May we all meet again to proceed with this very special dream-like magical illusion of We gathered in the Gonpa for next year in Merigar West!

Accommodation Service at Merigar Christina von Geispitzheim Information for people who intend to come to Merigar for Email: [email protected] retreats or to follow courses Phone: 0039 0564 957542 If you are looking for accommodation, airport transfer, local car Mobile phone: 0039 339 1370739 hire or only logistic assistance, you can contact the following information and reservation service: We cooperate with local hotels, family pensions, residences, agriturismo, Community members who have rooms or houses to rent or sublet. Also we can advise on car rental (at airports Accommodation Service or locally), on the best itinerary and time tables of trains and (Information available in English, German, French and Italian) buses, and we have now a circuit of residents who offer various Information service and reservation of accommodation during useful services like transfer from the airports, local taxi service, retreats, local transport, & logistic solutions: translations, baby sitting, etc. THE MIRROR · No. 94 · September, October 2008 Moscow

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Photo: Aleksey Novgorodtsev

Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s visit to Russia September 2–9, 2008

Andrei Besedin

magine a megapolis. You (yes, sometimes the number of jump out of a crowded sub- Russians on retreats in Tashigar Iway, walk across a busy Norte or Merigar East can be the street, then you come to the big- subject of friendly jokes – but you gest marketplace in the city. You should have been in Moscow to fi nd your way through endless see the Russian-speaking Com- stalls of cheap clothes, street munity in its real vastness!). food kiosks, enter a massive Rinpoche gave teachings building... and enter another di- based on the Root Tantra “Dra mension. You see hundreds of Thalgyur”, continuing the series people you’ve known for ages of retreats on Vimalamitra’s com- – and newcomers too – and you mentary to this Tantra, which he all enter a spacious hall together. so graciously is giving this year. This is Chögyal Namkhai Nor- For eight days he gave a very de- Photo: Ziedonis Rengitis bu’s retreat in Moscow. tailed commentary on the shu- Thousands of fortunate people len (question-answer) about the did their best to provide the possi- teachers explained the practices At the end of the retreat, Chö- came to meet the precious Mas- state of Dzogchen, explaining bility to train and integrate under- and there were two additional gyal Namkhai Norbu gave small ter and listen to his teachings on various topics – the four mindful- standing of the precious teaching thuns of Yantra Yoga practice a presents to the organizing team, the real nature of Ati Dzogchen. ness, the qualities of the teacher, and the collective practice in the day for those experienced yogis and they expressed thanks to him “Thousands” is not a typographi- the importance of Guruyoga, most favorable conditions before and yoginis who still hadn’t had for his precious teaching and to cal error –more than 2000 regis- experiences, night practice and going out to a crowded and noisy enough. Yeshi Silvano Namkhai, whose tered at the retreat, though some bardo, the four chogzhags and four megapolis. Ten Mandalas for the But even though there were so help during the organization was could come only for a few days, so nangwas. On the last day he sum- Vajra Dance were full of practitio- many of us there, there was still invaluable. At a certain moment, in general every day we had about marized saying that teaching is ners, studying Vajra Dance with enough free space, so we hope when the situation with the orga- 1600 people following the teach- like food, to sustain your life you fi ve teachers; Fabio Andrico ex- that in future more and more nization might have become crit- ings. For many of Rinpoche’s have to integrate with it everyday plained the most essential things people can come to follow an- ical, Yeshi came to Moscow and students from Russia, Ukraine life, and gave detailed advice on of Yantra Yoga; Adriano Clem- other such retreat in Moscow, helped us with the management and the Baltic countries it was a practice in our daily life. ente explained the Drajor system which may probably take place this project, giving very precise rare occasion to meet the Teacher After each teaching session of transcription and corrected next May. indications, which in itself was a in person, as traveling abroad for was fi nished, the retreat program our inventions in collective prac- perfect teaching. a retreat is not an easy task here continued. The organizing team tice melodies; Santi Maha Sangha Photo below: Aleksey Novgorodtsev THE MIRROR · No. 94 · September, October 2008 Merigar West

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Training with the Sounds of the Elements from the Dzogchen Upadesha Root Tantra Dra Thalgyur Merigar West, Italy, September 26–October 3, 2008

Cheh Goh

oming to Merigar to take However, Rinpoche was above part in a teaching retreat such problem. On the fi rst day, Cis now more an event to Rinpoche told us the Tibetan say- me then it used to be. Living ten ing: when our stomach is full and thousand kilometres away from the sun is shining, it is easy for us Italy, having a heavy work com- to be spiritual. This saying defi - mitment, and a general short- nitely touched a raw nerve as I age of available funds for travel, did not have a proper meal while a retreat with Rinpoche in person traveling, and was freezing out- has become a luxury. side the Gonpa. It was a real test trying to feel spiritual! So I planned my trip carefully at best I could. Not only did I ar- Rinpoche also recounted his ex- range for a roof over myself and perience of traveling to Sweden a bed at night, I also borrowed a many years ago, of how at the Photo: Igor Kopanev heavy duty winter coat to cover border, because of the strange me in the day. That was not an ex- group of people who had differ- by details of the “sound training” Funnily enough, the sense of yoga workers deservedly won aggeration. The weather plunged ent strange personal belongings from the root text. concern actually became a bit of the praise of the maestro on the from 35 to 10 degree Celsius over- and French, American, Italian a theme over the next few days. last day. It is always wonderful to night in the middle of September, and British passports, the cus- At the end of the third day’s There were many numbers and fi nd a retreat as well organized as and the forecast was ominous, at tom offi cers became suspicious. teaching, I felt a general sense of fi gures related to the way the prac- on this occasion, and that all the least for me who has now got ac- The entire group of people, in- despair and gloom creeping into tices are to be done, and specifi c pieces fell into place seamlessly. customed to the hot and humid cluding his son Yeshi, was re- the atmosphere. It was explained instructions on the practice with climate of Singapore. tained in the prison. Then he that for obtaining the result of the various elements. It confi rms Immediately after the retreat end- continued the hilarious ending the practice, a practitioner with my own, and other people’s sus- ed, there was some heavy down- The journey to Merigar was with the prison offi cer having to high capacity needs the same picion that we really need a very pour, and many places also expe- smooth with military precision. wait for him to fi nish a game of number of days as his or her age. large number of years of prac- rienced some hail storms. This is I arrived at the Gonpa at Meri- Monopoly with Yeshi in order to A practitioner with medium ca- tice to get some result from this nothing compared to the hurricane gar and sat down precisely 5 sec- “free” them. Moral of the story: if pacity needs the same number of particular teaching. Never mind and tennis ball size hailstones that onds before the Maestro Chögyal you relax, you will come off bet- months as his or her age, while about the eventual ability to save hit the nearby town of Seggiano in Namkhai Norbu started the web- ter even when there are some dif- those with low capacity, the same airfares by the accomplishment September, a freak phenomenon cast with the familiar, “Good day fi culties! number of years as their age is of fast walking – some of the side that destroyed over 60 olive trees to everybody and everywhere.” required. Long after the teaching effects, or signs, of the practice – in the path of the swirling wind. Webcast is great. Taking part in After explaining about the prin- ended in the morning – and many we just need to reassure ourselves The rain brought good news to the a retreat in person is incompa- ciple of transmission on the sec- days after that – I could hear peo- that we stand a good chance to gourmet: the fresh Porcini mush- rable! ond day, Rinpoche started on the ple talking about doing long life get out of this Samsara! room was back on the menu. Dra Thalgyur instruction for the practice in order to live up to 140 The change of season, according integration of the sounds of the or 150 years old, so as to complete The cold but sunny and dry weath- How marvelous that the satisfac- to Traditional Chinese Medicine, elements from day three. He ex- the practice of the natural sounds er continued till the end of the re- tion of this trip extends well be- as well as many other Oriental plained the background of this of the elements because they are treat. Everything was smooth and yond the teachings and meeting medical systems, is a time when root Tantra of Upadesha, and its already 70 or 75 years of age now! pleasant, and the Merigar Gaky- of old friends, to living in Tos- the human body is susceptible importance. This was followed il, the organizers and the karma cana in general! to the “invasion of negative en- ergy”. Moreover, the Monte Ami- ata area was being visited by the “tra montana”, a cold wind that blows down from the north and caused the terrible drop in tem- perature. This wind has the terri- ble effect of drying up the humid autumn soil, causing a general drop in the yield of the beloved Porcini mushroom which usu- ally grace the dining table at this time of the year. More critically, however, many people were feel- ing unwell as a result, and unfor- tunately, Rinpoche was similarly affected, too. It was clear from his voice that he was not 100 % in good health, and this was a gen- eral concern for all. THE MIRROR · No. 94 · September, October 2008

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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

roads and paths in the Gar will be made 6. Marking the communication roads, Merigar East Longsal from different kinds of stones and the Karmayoga needed paths, and platforms for Mandalas whole Longsal letter will be 100 m high. and Gonpa according to existing Project It will be seen from satellites and also at Merigar East plan. he Gakyil of Merigar East is very will be found on the Google Earth map. We need Karmayogis skilled in building happy to announce that the proj- The Merigar East gakyil and Giovanni Dear Dzogchen practitioners! and construction work, and ready to ect for the Gonpa and the struc- Boni will be present on the land during the Merigar East in Romania needs Kar- T work in quite extreme outdoor condi- ture of the Gar at Merigar East is ready building period, the beginning of which mayoga help! tions. The work will proceed from now and has been approved by Rinpoche. will depend on the date of obtaining le- In Spring 2009 we will start con- on, during the winter (according to The project was worked out by Giovanni gal permission. The Merigar West gakyil struction work for the new Gonpa and weather conditions) until early spring. Boni based on Yeshi Namkhai’s vision of will work in close collaboration and will Gar infrastructure. Until that time we For more details, accommodation the new Gonpa and Gar in the shape of come over to the area when it is necesary. will try to prepare the land for this pro- and conditions please contact Greg: the Longsal symbol. Yeshi presented this Yeshi also clarifi ed a little more the cess. There is some work that could be [email protected] or prepared plan during the meeting of the idea of having „one Merigar“ in Eu- done as a Karmayoga: [email protected] Merigar West & East Gakyils on 30th rope. It means we have one Merigar 1. Digging and fi xing a pipeline for the September 2008 at the Yellow House at with two places, one in the west and sanitation, septic tank and the well. Gakyil of Merigar East in Romania Merigar West. He had already explained one in the east, in the same way as 2. Digging and fi xing electric cable. how he received this vision during the South America (Tashigar South and 3. Construction work in the existing meeting of European Gakyils and Lings Tashigar North). There will be one barn – creating an independent at Merigar West on 27th September. Merigar membership and a con- room (walls, fl oor, isolation) in the This vision came to him after a Ganapuja classical style, gardens and roads – ev- nected fi nancial fl ow with the Gakyil of barn for Gekö/Gekö helper/Guard at Merigar East at the end of the Santi erything together will form the shape Merigar East and Merigar West closely that will enable him/her to stay and Maha Sangha First Level training in July. of the Longsal symbol. The Gonpa will collaborating together in their tasks. live on the land from spring on. Yeshi made a drawing to remember be built in the center of the land and 4. Setting up a simple bathroom and the vision and later he discovered that will be constructed from available local Merigar East is looking forward to welcom- sanitary equipment for the person the measurements fi t the shape of the materials (concrete, stones, wooden ing brave skilled karmayogis and karmay- who will live there. land perfectly. According to his vision, roof) with a lot of windows and glass oginis on the land !!! 5. Weed control of existing parking lot Merigar East will have an octagonal elements. The size will be little smaller Tereza Starkova and access road. Gonpa, three mandalas, two stupas in than the Gonpa at Merigar West. The Blue Gakyil of Merigar East upcoming Dates: Israel Rinpoche’s Birthday Retreat December 5, 17:00–December 8, 15:00 Merigar East Costs: 25 euro Green Tara Retreat December 5th–8th, 2008 Accommodation: hotel rooms, private rooms, single and shared Hello courageous Vajra People! The Gakyil of Merigar East invites you We are happy to help you with your to celebrate Chögyal Namkhai travel plans. We can connect you Norbu Rinpoche’s 70th birthday with a With other practitioners coming, to Green Tara practice retreat. share taxis or travel by bus together. The practice sessions will take place in Rinpoche’s house! Please note that as we have very little facilities and we need to plan Bring a raincoat and warm socks, and well, please let us know soon if you wish come to celebrate with us this to come!!! Special moment in this wild open space- place by the Black Sea! For more information and accommodation please contact us at: We look forward to welcome you here! [email protected] Yours sincerely, Gakyil of Merigar East

Yantra Yoga for Beginners’ with Naomi Zeitz in Jerusalem Israel from September 26–October 4, 2008.

Elio Guarisco: Elio is a long time student Please send you registration to the upcoming upcoming Europe of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, authorized given email addresses. Worldwide Transmission Yantra Yoga Course teacher of Santi Maha Sangha, and one Course instructor is Jakob Winkler with Christen Norre For more information please contact: of the main translators from Tibetan for (Germany) Supervised by Laura Evangelisti Oliver Leick, mobil: +43 676 322 13 65, the Ka-ter Translation Project. Bundgaard Place, Copenhagen Austria Fax +43 3386 832 18 The course has two parts: upcoming April 1–5, 2009 Location: (the new) Shang Shung [email protected] or November 21–22 will be preparation for Long Life Practice of Dakini Institute Austria in Gschmaier in [email protected] the transmission as well as the actual Price is 1000 kr. for non-members of the Mandarava with Tsalung East-Styria. transmission. November 23–25 will be Dzogchen Community. Members and with Elio Guarisco introduction to the base and practices others who want to become member Gschmaier, Austria Price: 195 Euro (with the usual discount Denmark of Dzogchen. before the course please contact +45 60 December 5th–8th, 2008 for members). Copenhagen 63 34 60 (Christen). New homepage Price: Nov 21–22: 50 euro (375 dkr) On the 8th of December we all will also Accommodation: As the possibility of Account 9280 – 4568644501 – Spar www.dzogchencommunity.dk The complete course 100 euro (750 dkr) celebrate the 70th birthday of our Mas- staying at the place of the retreat is Nord Bank (Please contact before ter with a Mandarava Ganapuja. For quite limited, it would be very helpful Weekly practice * payment). upcoming only a few weeks the Dzogchen Com- if you could register as soon as pos- Every Tuesday (starting November 4th) Vajra Dance – OM A HUM Contact for more information or to register munity Austria has its fi rst Dzogchen sible. Within a distance of 10 km there we meet for: with Karin Heinemann for courses: Center with a beautiful, comfortable are also several good and cheap rooms 17.00–18.30: Yantra Yoga in Copenhagen Christen Norre Bundgaard: and large Gonpa. We are very happy to available – we could help you with the 18.30–20.00 Collective practice February 20–22, 2009 Tel. +45 60633460 start our activities with this retreat held booking if you wish. 20.00–21.00 Santi Maha Sangha study Email: [email protected] by Elio Guarisco. It would be great, if group (from November 25th on) Friday: 6–9 p.m., Saturday: 9–12 and The retreat is only open for members of you could come to this retreat and stay Just come by or call Christen for more 16–19 p.m., Sunday 9–12 the international Dzogchen Community in our new place, and we could practice information! Price: 100 euro (750 dkr) and for people who have received the and celebrate Rinpoche’s birthday to- Place: Nørregade 41, Lokal 408 Place: Art of living. Øster Farimags- transmission of the practice of Manda- gether. gade 16B, 3.fl oor, 2100 Copenhagen Ø rava. The retreat will start on the 5th at * 4 pm. * THE MIRROR · No. 94 · September, October 2008

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The three practices of long life, Purifi - Email: [email protected] 104 Euro (ordinary) with the usual Ioanna Papadopoulou Germany cation of the 6 Lokas, Shitro, Guru Yoga * discounts for members; early bird dis- (communication) Winter Program 2008–2009 with Guru Garab Dorje and Practice of 2009 counts 83 Euro until Feb. 13 [email protected] Green Tara. Yantra-Yoga Intensive for Advanced Part II: Practice Retreat with Chudlen, The e-mail address to contact the Tibetan Language course for beginners Yantras and Pranayamas of the 104 Euro (ordinary) with the usual February 27–March 8 Gakyil is: [email protected] with Alexander (Sasha) Pubants 1st–3rd Groups discounts for members; early bird dis- Part 1: November 8 and 9 with Elke Glander Info and registration: Part 2: November 22 and 23 counts 83 Euro until Nov. 3 Hungary January 2–6 Barbara Schwesig, Upcoming Nürnberg Info and registration: Höfen Tel: +49 170-9147532, Santi Maha Sangha Base Seventh 190 Euro for the whole course, discount Barbara Schwesig, 1st and 2nd group and the preliminary Email: [email protected], Lojong Retreat for members 160 Euro Tel: +49 170-9147532, practices should be known. [email protected] with Oliver Leick Email: [email protected], 176 Euro (ordinary) with the usual November 28–30, 2008 Info and registration: [email protected] discounts for members; early bird dis- Greece Budapest Barbara Schwesig, Gakyil in Hellenic Dzogchen * counts 88 Euro until Dec. 12 Tel: +49 170-914 75 32, Practice Retreat of Green Tara Community for the year 2008/2009 The Hungarian Community is happy to Email: [email protected], with Karin Heinemann Info and registration: announce that Oliver Leick will lead a Yellow Gakyil: [email protected] November 22–29 Alexander Geier, Tel: +49 911-597 1055, Santi Maha Sangha Base Seventh Lojong Athena Katsilerou * Ettlingen Email: [email protected] Retreat in Budapest from November 28 Collective Practices of Dzogchen [email protected] until November 30, 2008. * Community Info and registration: Kostas Mihalopoulos Retreat of Long life practice and The program will be held at: with Alexander (Sasha) Pubants Bianca-Maria Heinkel, [email protected] chudlen of Jnana Dakini Mandarava The Buddhist High School, November 15–20 with Sasha Pubants Red Gakyil: (IX. district Börzsöny street 11) Afternoon of the webcast with Rinpoche February 25–March 8 Anna Maragoudaki (starting at 2 pm) Höfen/Germany [email protected] Prices: 32 Euro for members, and 64 Nürnberg Sofi a Daskaroli Euros for non-members, who have Part I: Course of learning the practice, sofi [email protected] transmission from Namkhai Norbu February 25–27 Rinpoche. Blue Gakyil: Kassandra Svoronou Italy Yeshi Silvano Namkhai visits Zhenphenling, Rome October 4–5, 2008

Sergio Quaranta In the name of the Dzogchen Community of Rome

uring the weekend of October 4th and 5th, DYeshi Namkhai came to Rome invited by the Gakyil of Zhenphenling. Yeshi had of- tact with the Teachings. He re- dedication, on the incompara- khai started to speak, explaining fered to give teachings on The ally made a strong impression on ble fortune that we happened to Yeshi Namkhai at the key concepts of Buddhism Six Vajra Verses by Vairocana, an all present. meet by fi nding ourselves in this with clarity and in a simple way. essential and condensed text on In the afternoons, after the mandala. the University of He began with a signifi cant in- Dzogchen. collective practice, he generous- Words are words, they have Rome troduction to Sutra and then Almost one hundred people ly offered advice more oriented limits as we know very well, so touched on tantrism and the path were present at the Ling of the towards the place and the local I don’t really want to say much Paolo Ferraro of self-liberation. Roman Dzogchen Community, community. He right away point- more besides giving heartfelt Yeshi also emphasized the some of them visiting from Meri- ed out the strong and less strong thanks to Yeshi Namkhai, his n October 7th, the city of positive effects that the Buddhist gar, some completely new to the aspects of the situation in Rome. family, our precious Master Chö- Rome woke up to a won- approach had had in his work as Teachings of Chögyal Namkhai Reminding us about the previous gyal Namkhai Norbu, and all the Oderful sunny day, what a business consultant and then Norbu but most, of course, from visits of Chögyal Namkhai Nor- people that helped and will help those who live in the city love to pointed out how important it was the Community of Rome. bu and the Teachings he gave at in the future collaborating with call a classic “Roman October”. for a team to work in a dynamic In the mornings Yeshi ex- Zhenphenling, in particular the the community to make the boat The train carrying Yeshi Nam- but, at the same time relaxed way plained the principle and essence formal initiation of Mandarava, safe. khai from Grosseto (a small town in order to avoid stress and, as a of Dzogchen in a language that Yeshi made us realize that there in Tuscany where he lives with result, the emergence of useless could be understood by people must have been a precise reason his family) arrived at the central confl icts. with little knowledge of Bud- for that, so we should apply that station in Rome at 11.45, fi ve The students were favourably dhist terminology. He explained practice, and all practices related minutes ahead of time, almost an impressed and fascinated by Ye- what the three paths of liberation in general more to female energy, impossibility in Italy! shi’s way of teaching which was are and how they work, how they and develop them. The seat of the Faculty of Ori- able to integrate theory and expe- relate to the three aspects of hu- He also invited us to practice ental Studies of ‘La Sapienza’ rience. man beings, how they can be ap- in general more intensively, to University (the most prestigious After about three quarters of plied according to circumstances go beyond routine, to break cer- university in the capital, founded an hour, when Yeshi Namkhai and especially how a Dzogchen tain limits that we tend to trans- in 1303 according to the wishes fi nished speaking, there was a practitioner utilizes all methods fer within the practice frame. of Pope Boniface 8th), is only a long and enthusiastic round of when needed, without any con- In general he made us aware of few hundred metres from the sta- applause and a few students over- ceptual limit. time passing and what point the tion, just fi ve minutes walk. came their understandable shy- He talked about the real nature Community is at right now, and On the occasion of the opening ness and came closer to his chair of the individual, with the non- that the fruit of years and years of the academic year, Prof. Dona- to have “direct” contact with dual aspects of the purity of its of Teachings given by Rinpoche tella Rossi, professor of Religion him. Some practitioners also had base, yet with the potentiality of should now show concrete re- and Philosophy of East Asia, had the fortune to listen to the lesson manifesting infi nitely. He spoke sults through us practitioners. invited Yeshi Namkhai to give a and enjoy the presence of Yeshi in about instant presence and ordi- We could all see the strong ‘lectio magistralis’, an opening lec- Rome. nary presence and how the two commitment of Yeshi Namkhai, ture, on Buddhism. Sincere thanks to Donatella are related …… it was a continu- his devotion to the Master and At 1 pm, in a hall packed with Rossi for having made this event ous, intense fl ow that brought the incredible work he is do- about 300 students – there were possible and, most of all, to Yeshi everybody into a state of strong ing. We once more refl ected on so many that some of them were Namkhai for having given us this presence, emotion and deep con- Rinpoche’s generosity and total sitting on the fl oor – Yeshi Nam- wonderful day. THE MIRROR · No. 94 · September, October 2008

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Europe >> continued

passages Married: Cosimo Di Maggio and Maree Ploetz were married in Torino, Northern Italy, on October 9th, 2008. They met in Merigar in the summer of 2007 during the SMS Base retreat. “I wondered why Cosimo was following me around during the Karma yoga after- noons. He surprised me by taking pictures with me carrying around a rake and shrub Kunkhyabling, the The Ling is situated in the area of Vajra Dance in Torino, Italy reminded that the dance is wonderful cutters. I wondered if he might have been Ostuni (BR) near Cisternino in the Valle practice to harmonize body, speech and interested in me. Later I found out he was new Ling in Italy d’Itria, at the centre of a triangle formed Our very own local Vajra Dance Teacher, mind. We felt more harmonious in the a gardener and had bought a new digital We have great pleasure in announcing by three townships each belonging to a Cosimo Di Maggio on the sunny week- group after the weekend of practice. camera. When we met a light fl ashed...it the creation of a new Ling in Puglia and different province: Cisternino town- end of October 11-12, held the fi rst The group also relaxed with a shared wasn’t the camera fl ash but my heart light- Basilicata (also called Appulo-Lucano) ship in Brindisi province, Locorotondo Vajra Dance course of the Six Spaces of picnic in the park enjoying the last em- ing up. For Cosimo there was no doubt about in south-east Italy which our precious township in Bari province and Martina Samantabhadra for beginners. Helped bers of summer in Torino. a future together when Bruno told him I was Master has given the name ‘Kunkhy- Franca township in Taranto province. by the teacher’s patience and clear a hard worker and good at mixing concrete. abling, “The All Pervading Ling”. As In the name of all those at the new instruction, it was joy to all to develop Gakyil of Torino (Turin, Northern Italy) It is wonderful being in a relationship with Rinpoche suggested we will hold the Ling, we send warm greetings. greater confi dence on the Mandala and another practitioner and sharing this dimen- inauguration on November 1st and then Giovanni Rosato knowledge of the dance. The course sion of experience together. The Master’s have the election of the Gakyil. Whoever [email protected] helped develop enthusiasm for the teachings are a great base for the relation- would like to join us is very welcome. practice in the community and we were ship.” – Maree

Passages A friend of practitioners, in the Amiata area & in Venezia, where the The master taught on many occasions, not just to US, he said – he said the image of Elena is of Died: Elena Girotti died sudden- nagas were also present –, a friend of poets & dancers, died in Venice a body in suspension... fl ying, meeting ly in a road accident in Venice in a few weeks ago . She had paid a last visit to Mt. Amiata, returning to death, on impact, what were her thoughts? September. Venice to study Indian dance before relocating to China, where she This poem was written by Louise lived, having graduated fr. The University of Venezia in oriental lan- I know it’s possible to be conscious in Landes Levi in her memory. guages. such a circumstance/ what

The last week of her life she spoke of her dead, her mother, her saved me, to whom, to what, friends & she asked repeatedly for a copy of Namkhai Norbu Rim- my life dedication, paradigm of saintly poche’s translation of the Tibetan Book of the Dead. The book was fi gures, yet alone, on the sacred with her when she was hit by a car, on the LIDO – her body carried in planet, on the wheel of the air to its death on impact – but disappeared, it cld. not be found the way, turning - among the belongings she carried ‘al mare’.. a wealthy

Practitioners who knew her did the xitro at the appointed hour. woman Rimpoche also said he wld. remember her in the November practice insists the water is for the dead. Elena was 32 years old. I wrote these poems for her pure, but does not see that – instantaneously, only later realizing indeed that Dzog Chen teaches, the stream is dry/ I search for Elena, most uniquely – through vision (light) & sound. my tears are hot, my grief immense, I see her, or I see IT in the olive trees, I go to upcoming News from Venice, Italy Nina Robinson patiently and readily the trees for solace, the trees & cypress, The Venice Dzogchen Community is organizing by Giuliana Giromella explained over and over all the sections the old church, the A course of the Dance of the of the practice with the mudras and the one w. the There were beautiful sunny days during Six Spaces of Samantabhadra Dadar. domes, the Mandarava Retreat with Nina Rob- With Adriana Dal Borgo Everyone worked together for the inson in Venice October 1–13. Around Friday November 28–Sunday 30 success of the Retreat. There was a small I concentrate twenty people participated in the re- lottery that collected some funds to fi ll on the deep drone, of the night The course is for beginners and is open treat with devotion and enthusiasm. the coffers of the Venetian Community. sound, of the dusk sound, Elena to everyone even those who do not be- The retreat took place at Marco Thanks to the Master’s precious is in the sound, she is long to the Dzogchen Community. Baseggio’s house for two days and then Teachings, and the patient help of Nina, slowly awakening to a new on Saturday and Sunday when there Timetable the Venetian Community rediscovered dimension, now she is were more people in a wonderful pent- Friday November 28: 16.00–19.00 the joy of being together and, most of all, ageless, we are house between Campo del Miracoli and Saturday and Sunday November 29 & 30: the importance of practising together. ageless, S. Giovanni and Paolo. 10.00–13.00 and 15.00–18.00 Long Life to the Master! Friday afternoon and Saturday morn- Awakening ing the course will be held at the Sala Libertango near the San Basilio stop (in (Dorsoduro, Veneia) while Saturday the afternoon and all of Sunday it will be sound) at the gym of the San Girolamo School near the Venice Jewish ghetto. Cost: 30 euro. For information and enrolment contact: Marco Baseggio, tel. 0410994079, mob. 3483432069, email: [email protected] Giovanna Carraro, tel. 041721034, mob. 3460291778, email: [email protected] Giuliana Giromella, tel. 0422331241, mob. 3401473878, email: [email protected] * THE MIRROR · No. 94 · September, October 2008

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Europe >> continued Poland Portugal Dzogchen Community in Portugal Lithuania Seventh Lojong In the beginning of this year, some of The Lithuanian Dzogchen community is Seminar with Oliver Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s students happy to announce a retreat of started gathering in the Lisbon area Shine and Lhagthong and 2nd level of Leick in Warsaw to practice together. To support it, Yantra Yoga (Humkara’s breathing) May 2008 we decided to create the Portuguese led by Igor Berkhin and Dzogchen Community and a Gakyil. Marek Macko Viktor Krackovsky Currently, we meet regularly for Yantra 25th of December to 1st of January Yoga, collective practices, studies and t the end of May, the Pol- teachings on webcast. Location: The retreat will be held in the ish Community was hap- resort town Birstonas (about 50 km. A py about the possibil- We have also created a website: south/west of Vilnius). ity of deepening the knowledge www.dzogchencommunity-pt.org of the Seventh Lojong. Oliver Price: 60 euro for the whole course. Our contact is: comunidade.dzogchen. arrived on May 22nd and that [email protected] Please note: The retreat is only open for evening an open lecture about members of the international Dzogchen Shang Shung Institute was held. capacity of holding the breath us some simple methods for get- Lídia Ferreira Community and for people who know We had called the lecture “The in Kumbhaka. We need to learn ting a little taste of Kumbhaka (Red Gakyil) Russian well enough to be able to follow Culture of Ancient Tibet” for a Kumbhaka from Yantra Yoga. and Parlung (very soft effortless * the retreat without translation. more comprehensive public an- There were practitioners in kumbhaka), experiences of sen- New Gakyil of Portugal nouncement. our retreat who hadn’t yet gained sations, of clarity and of empti- Accommodation: there is a possibility to Yellow Gakyil: Then from May 23 to 25, we the basic knowledge of Yantra ness, which are connected with stay directly at the place of the retreat. Luis Fataca, [email protected] learned Seventh Lojong. The Yoga or for whom Yantra Yoga the three parts of this lojong so A place in a double bedroom costs 15 Seven Lojongs are very impor- is not that easy. In this case, Ol- that we could discover the bare Blue Gakyil: euro per day. Meals served three times tant practices because they are iver’s knowledge and experience natural presence through them. Sandra Alcaria a day – 9 euro. preliminary and fundamental proved very useful. He has been Of course this kind of teach- [email protected] Please send your registration to practices for gaining Dzogchen a student of Rinpoche for many ing and instructions during the Red Gakyil: [email protected] knowledge. For that reason, years and told us how he had got retreat in Warsaw were only an Lidia Ferreira Rinpoche included them in the involved in yoga and later met introduction for doing some For more information please contact: [email protected] Base of Santi Maha Sangha. Rinpoche. Firstly, he learned weeks of personal retreat to get Jurga +370 68 74 34 26 or This Lojong has three parts and the full yoga breathing (known some real experience. For most Normante +370 69 94 57 09 the fi rst of them is closely con- also as bottle breathing) which of us the guidelines that we have nected with Tummo practice. So is fundamental for Yantra Yoga. received will allow us to do this in this case for doing the prac- So for him it was like entering practice more elaborately, when tice precisely, we should have the Path of Breathing (equiva- we have both possibility and some practical knowledge and lent of life). Then Oliver taught time.

After that, a group of practitio- those who don’t have a dadar, we will be Spain ners went on a trip to Montserrat, making dadars. having the feeling that both the Dear Vajra Sisters and Brothers, great Mother Tara and this Ma- The practice will include chud len Dzogchen Community of Spain is happy to donna had the same qualities. breathing and diet (optional). announce and invite you to the Dzogchen The course ended in the eve- Teaching Retreat: So far as diet is concerned, there will be ning with a last thun and a Gana- a simple diet of oats/stewed fruit and Kunzang Jaku puja, after which all of us, more yoghurt for breakfast; lunch and dinner The Rainbow Body inspired and united, went back to will be rice/barley of Samantabhadra our daily lives with a little more with vegetables and/or fi sh. knowledge and much more grati- with our beloved Master tude. Dadars: If anyone wants to make a da- Chögyal Namkhai Norbu After only 5 days of practice we dar, please let me know. I shall November 14th to 20th 2008 have been able to taste the fl avor buy the coloured ribbons and sticks. in Barcelona of such a powerful practice and Do let me know if you would like to have learned so much. The cost is 320 euros (discount for come. Now we have to practice with members) Contact me on: the damaru and the bell, as Con- To register or for more information, [email protected] stantino told us, and sing and do please contact: Costantino guided us kindly, this practice from the heart with Cost: The cost of the course is £ 30 per [email protected] day after day, through this lovely all our passion and devotion. We day inclusive of food and [email protected] Chöd Retreat with practice, unveiling to us the pro- wish the attachment to the body accommodation. * Constantino Albini found teaching of Machig Lab- is lessened and that a step more Accommodation is shared either in the September 10–15, 2008 dron, while talking about prajna- is taken towards the place be- farmhouse or in our retreat cabins. For Barcelona Spain paramita and much more. yond hope and fear. those who need it, I can send travel in- He answered gently and pa- We are walking on the path formation to Kunselling. ast September 10, 2008 tiently all our questions from his and, as our precious Rinpoche Best wishes, on Padmasambhava Day, vast knowledge and experience. always tells us, sooner or later we Judy Allan (Blue gakyil, Kunselling, UK) a Chöd course taught by He has the gift of communica- will make it. L [email protected] Constantino Albini started in tion with the others and he trans- Thank you Constantino. We look Barcelona, Spain. mits the lineage of our Master in forward to seeing you soon. Programme: To get to Kundusling, you a very pure manner. Practice, early morning have to go up many stairs which At the lunch break, between before breakfast lead to this marvellous place very sleep and conversation, he de- UK 10 am tun close to the sky, where the noise lighted us with a very special and Kunselling, Wales 3.30/4 pm tun and chaos of the city do not ex- beautiful music. Evening – dance, yantra, personal Mandarava Retreat ist anymore, and where seagulls We all started getting famil- practice. There will be a Mandarava retreat with like going and eating the rests of iar with the practice, and little by Nina Robinson at Kunselling in Ganapujas, or sometimes they little, we were able to follow the Passages Wales, UK from Friday 28th November even seem to stop to listen to the melodies and pronounce the text to Monday 1st December (inclusive). Married: Matthias Schmal-Filius (Aus- teachings as, in this case, the correctly. The thun sessions be- It’s best to arrive Thursday evening if tria) and Sachiko Fullita (Peru) were Chöd. came longer as time passed and you can for an early start on married on September 12, 2008 in Approximately 15 people at- the group harmonized more and Friday before breakfast. Vienna, Austria. Sachiko is on the Blue tended the course. There was more everyday. Gakyil in Barcelona. a very relaxed and joyful atmo- On September 15, the last day Nina will be clarifying the new melo- sphere. The Spanish Communi- and full moon, Constantino ex- dies for Mandarava as transmitted by ty is very active and enthusiastic pressed his desire to go to the Rinpoche last August in Merigar. She in the organization of the Ling, monastery of Montserrat to visit will also be showing the mudras and for which opened last year. our Lady of Montserrat. THE MIRROR · No. 94 · September, October 2008

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East DCA Tsegyalgar East Tsegyalgar PO Box 479 Phone: 413 369 4153 [email protected] Conway, MA 01341 USA Fax & Bookstore: 413 369 4473 www.www.tsegyalgareast.org upcoming upcoming upcoming In this workshop we will incorporate To reserve space in the Dark Cabin con- Yantra Yoga Worldwide Transmission Dream Yoga Workshop use of the Dark Retreat Cabin. Individu- tact David Hayes: Deepening Our Experience of The Eight Tsegyalgar East Gonpa taught by Michael Katz als who wish to spend the night in the [email protected] Movements Saturday & Sunday, November 22 & 23 cabin should sign up in advance. or (413) 230-8305. Friday November 21, 2008, 8 pm with by Paula Barry Also on Saturday at 7 am there is a To register for the workshop contact Explanation of World Wide Transmission Cost $ 80 Saturday Nov 16, 2008 World Wide Transmission and this will Asruh: [email protected] Saturday Nov 22, 2008 Daily Schedule: be incorporated into the workshop as or (413) 369-4153. Cost: $ 40 Video of Rinpoche’s explanation 6 am Saturday, 10–1, and 3–5 well. Location: Tsegyalgar East Gonpa Tsegyalgar East Blue Gakyil World Wide Transmission 7 am Sunday, 9–12 and 1:30–3:30 Schedule: 9 am–noon, 3–6 pm More information: Contact: Tel: 413 369 4153 Tel: 413 369 4153 We encourage you to use this new www.nydzogchen.com [email protected] Email: [email protected] Contacting the messaging structure to convey Here, you will fi nd links to the book- * * suggestions and questions to make it store at Tsegyalgar, and gars and links NYC Dzogchen as easy as possible for you to commit, around the world, including Merigar Community Gakyil help, engage and participate fully in to access Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s the happenings at Kundrolling. retreat schedule. Email addresses to answer Your ques- tions and invite Your suggestions. For a current events schedule, including Love and best wishes In line with the worldwide Dzogchen Ganapujas, visit our website: The New York Dzogchen Community ‘organizational’ structure – messages can be directed to specifi c areas of en- quiry as follows: 1. Finance – including donation and fund raising queries: [email protected]

2. Practice/event Scheduling – including your suggestions for practices: [email protected] 3. Care of the Center – including Karma Yoga offers of help: [email protected] There is also a General Enquiries Email: Mandarava Tsalung Retreat with Elio Guarisco, October 24–28, 2008. Photo: Joey Mella [email protected] Dream Yoga Weekend in NYC with Michael Katz, September 20–21, 2008 Photo: M. Katz

West Tsegyalgar West [email protected] Tsegyalgar Baja California Sur, Mexico At Tsegyalgar West itself: [email protected] http://jardindelosnaranjos.org/

Upcoming teaching retreats and courses at Cost: $ 108; $ 80 for members Mandarava Practice retreat Include: Place: Pelzomling Dondrub Ling, Winter 2008–2009 To register, contact with Nina Robinson · Lodging the days October 31st and Time: 7 A 9:30 P.M. [email protected] February 16–28, 2009 November 1st Donation: $ 1,200 a person Teaching retreat with * For more information, please · Dinner the 31/10, breakfast, lunch and (20% discount to the members of the Yeshi Namkhai Long Life Practice of Dakini Manda- contact Margaret Bradford at dinner the 1/11, breakfast and café Dzogchen Community) rava with Tsalung retreat [email protected] break the 2/11, tea and café for all the 20% additional discount to the partici- Rigbai Kujyug with Elio Guarisco period. (The Six Vajra Verses) pant for the two retreats November 12–16 Mexico · One class of Yantra Yoga the 31/10, November 14–16 This practice course is open to members of Pelzomling, Dzogchen Community of two classes the 1/11, one class the 2/11. For reservation, ask for the inscription Rigbai Kujyug is an Atiyoga teaching in- the International Dzogchen Community Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in Mexico DF (2 & 1/2 hours each class). form to: troduced by Vairocana into Tibet. Rigpa who have received at least the transmis- email: [email protected] Yantra Yoga * is the state of knowledge, the presence sion of Guruyoga from Chögyal Namkhai Yantra Yoga with Marisa Alonso For information: of the pure state of awareness. Kujyug Norbu and preferably also the transmis- with Marisa Alonso October 31st – November 2nd, 2008 email: [email protected] refers to the cuckoo bird, whose song, in sion of the practice of Mandarava. November 3rd to 6th in Mexico Df Tonalli cel: 044 55 1755 1362 or Tibet, is a sign that nature is beginning Cost: $108 (per-session fee also available) Retreat open to the persons with 044 55 3899 0960 to breathe again after the cold winter. To register, please contact Carlos Mena Program: previous knowledge of the Yantra Yoga When the cuckoo sings everybody is at [email protected] or 510-292- · Lungro Selwa Program: happy. This precious text is one of the 6391 (the nine purifi cation breathings) · First group of yantras oldest in the Dzogchen tradition. · Tsijong (loosening the joints) * · pranayama of the fi rst group of yantras Introductory Yantra Yoga course · Lungsang (the eight movements for Schedule · second group of yantras with Naomi Zeitz purifying prana) Friday, Nov. 14 7–9 pm · pranayama of the second group of yantras December 5–7 · Sambo jorwa zhiden (rhythmic breathing) Saturday, Nov. 15 10 am–12 noon · the vajra wave For more information or to register, Sunday, Nov. 16 10 am–12 noon Place: Tonalli please contact Stefanie Kim at Donation: $2,600 a person (20% dis- 707-319-7600 * count to the members of the Dzogchen Community)

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

Dear Sangha: upcoming upcoming the conscience. In Tíbet, the cuckoo is We are pleased to announce the new New Gakyil Peru The Vajra Dance of the Six Spaces of Dzogchen Teachings considered like the symbol of the nature members of Gakyil Caracas 2008/2009: Samantabhadra that comes back to fl ower after the cold Red: Luis Alberto León Bacigalupo Yeshi Namkhai with by Carmen Rivas winter. For this reason, Vairocana used Blue: Eliana Iannece Civile Director November 23–27, 2008 Rigbai Kujyug the cuckoo to entitle this Teaching from Yellow: Berthnelly Pacheco Blue: Max Petersen (The Six Vajra Verses) the Ati Yoga. Red: Jamilette León Yellow: Inés Briano. Tel of the Secretary: 00 58 295 2580032 November 28th to 30th, 2008 Email: Tel of the Secretary: 00 58 295 2580032 Email: [email protected] [email protected] The Six Vajra Verses are called Rigbai Email: The Gakyil of Caracas Kujyug: “rigpa” is the state of knowl- [email protected] Venezuela edge, the presence of the pure state of THE MIRROR · No. 94 · September, October 2008

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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

December 18th–23rd January 15th–21st For more information: Calendar Course on the 1st part of the Song of January Course on the 2nd part of the Song of secretarí[email protected] Vajra January 3rd–7th Vajra with Nélida Saporitti For registration: with by Nélida Saporitti Course on the 1st level of Yantra Yoga Cost: U$S 70 (*) (discount to members) of Events [email protected] Cost: U$S 70 (discount to members) directed by Jimena Piedra and supervised by Fabio Andrico January 22nd–27th 2008/09 December 26th–January 1st: Cost: U$S 40 (*) 7th Lojong Retreat led by Marisa Retreat with Alonso and Ricardo Sued December Chögyal Namkhai Norbu January 5th–8th Cost: U$S 35 December 15th–17th “Dzogchen Tredchöd Teaching of Santi Maha Sangha Base Exam (*) Course on the 2nd level of Yantra Yoga Jigmed Lingpa from the Instruction January 9th–13th Both courses on Yantra Yoga: U$S 65 with by Carolina Mingolla and super- ‘Yeshe Lama’” Santi Maha Sangha 1st Level Training Both courses on the Dance of the Song vised by Fabio Andrico Cost: U$S 130 of Vajra: U$S 125 Cost: U$S 30 upcoming Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Saturday, 6 of December, 16:00 –18:00 Hotel Intercontinental – The Gakyil of Tashigar South is pleased to in Chile The Dzogchen Teaching www.intercontisantiago.com announce Sunday, 7 of December, 10:00 –12:00 Apart Hotel Aconcagua – Santi Maha Sangha Base Exam December 5–7, 2008 The Dzogchen Teaching www.aconcaguaparthotel.cl January 5th to 8th, 2009 The Gakyil of The Dzogchen Commu- More information: www.dzogchen.cl Apart Hotel La Sebastiana – nity in Chile is happy to announce the Santi Maha Sangha 1st Level Training www.lasebastiana.cl Dzogchen Teaching Retreat in Santiago Cost: The price is 90.000 CHP January 9th to 13th, 2009 de Chile from December 5–7, 2008. (60.000 CHP before 15 of November). You can book transportation on the Cost: U$S 130 Rinpoche will celebrate his 70th birth- For registration please contact Yellow web site of the hotel or at the airport of day in Chile on December 8 !!! Gakyil of Chile: Santiago – Taxi offi cial 15.000 CHP . Although applications to sit for the The Retreat will take place at the Radis- [email protected] exam should be done three months Please, check currency rates here: son Hotel in Las Condes Community of before the exam itself, this time the Hotel Radisson – www.radisson.cl www.bcentral.cl/eng/index.htm Santiago. Rinpoche will stay in Chile The Program: deadline will be more fl exible, as the Hotel Plaza El Bosque – from December 1–9, 2008. Friday, 5 of December, 16:00–18:00 Konstantin Korotkov announcement has just been made. www.plazaelbosque.cl Introduction to The Dzogchen Teaching Tel/fax 56-2-474-4782 (0054) 03541-498356/885 Saturday, 6 of December, 10:00 –12:00 Mobile 56-9-9479-8062 secretarí[email protected] The Dzogchen Teaching

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

Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Season Pass for Members of upcoming upcoming Australian Tour 2009 Overseas Gars Santi Maha Sangha Base Level The Complete Harmonious Breathing New Gakyil in China Namgyalgar is introducing a special Examinations Courses For detailed information about all Blue: “Season Pass” for members of overseas at Namgyalgar, February 17–19, 2009 with Fabio Andrico events in Australia (Pricing, Meals, Ac- Yungzhung Jalwa QQ616150536 Gars. The Season Pass includes atten- Sydney: February 2–5 commodation, Travel, etc.) Registration mobile 15302633516 dance at all of Rinpoche’s teachings and Melbourne: March 27–29 Please go to the Events page on the Please download and read the document Kunga Legpa QQ 294353927 public talks in Australia, excluding the Namgyalgar Website at: of the Shang Shung Institute “Guide- Fabio’s breathing courses around the [email protected] Santi Maha Sangha Exam and Training. www.dzogchen.org.au lines for the Santi Maha Sangha Ex- world have been very successful. Wesly Guo QQ 654732467 A Season Pass costs AUD $ 1500. aminations” available at: http://www. Now Namgyalgar is pleased to be or- [email protected] Online Registration is now available. dzogchen.it/index.php?section=18 ganizing Fabio’s breathing courses in Please read procedures and details at To purchase a Season Pass, download Red: Sydney and Melbourne. The courses are the Event Registration button on left an offl ine Registration Form and in- For Information about travel to Nam- Wesly Guo QQ 654732467 useful for practitioners to deepen their of the Events Page. Please note that dicate your request for a Season Pass. gyalgar, Accommodation, etc and Reg- Tracy Ni QQ 785960784 capacity for the practice of Tsalung and catered meal orders and childcare Your Membership details will be verifi ed istration Forms for the Exam and for Kumbhaka and you don’t have to be a Yellow: enrollments are required 2 months in with your Gar before the Pass is issued. repeating the Level One Training please dedicated Yantra yogi/yogini to benefi t. Kunga Legpa QQ 294353927 advance of the main retreats. go to the Namgyalgar website at: Inquiries: The courses are open and useful for ev- www.dzogchen.org.au Chinese Forum: To register and pay for events at the dis- Namgyalgar secretary eryone. http://www.wuyangzhijie.com/forum/ counted Membership prices, members Tel / Fax: 02.44.737668 If you have any questions concern- Who wouldn’t like to increase their English Forum: http://groups.yahoo. of overseas Gars are required to use the Email: [email protected] ing SMS study and Exam Registration ability to cope with the pressures of com/group/dzogcheninchina/ Offl ine Registration Forms for each re- please contact the SMS Coordinator of modern life? Most people living in Website: www.atiyoga.net treat. These can be downloaded from your Gar. the city could benefi t from learning to the Namgyalgar website – go to the deepen and control the breath with the Namgyalgar General Inquiries: Event Registration button on the Events aim of calming the mind and reduc- The Secretary page and read through the information ing stress. So tell your work buddies, Tel: 61.02.44737668 concerning registration where you will friends and family to come along. [email protected] fi nd the offl ine forms. For further details about the events go to: www.dzogchen.org.au

Main Offi ce: PO Box 479, Conway, MA 01341, USA * Tel: 413 369 4208 * Fax: 413 369 44 73 * [email protected] * * European Offi ce: The Mirror, Istituto Shang Shung, Podere Nuovissimo, GR 58031 Arcidosso, Italy * Tel: 39 32 98 86 52 92 * Fax: 39 05 64-96 81 10 * [email protected] * * Editorial Staff: Naomi Zeitz, Tsegyalgar, Conway, MA, USA * Liz Granger, Istituto Shang Shung, Arcidosso, Italy * * Literary Editor: John Shane * * Advisors: Des Barry, Adriano Clemente, Anna Eid, Barbara Paparazzo, Jim Valby * * International Blue Gakyil Advisor: Fabio Andrico, International Publications Committee * * English Language Advisor: Liz Granger * * Layout & Design: Thomas Eifl er * * Web Site Managers: Thomas Eifl er, Malcolm Smith * * Printer: Turley Publications, Palmer, MA, USA * * Distribution: Tsegyalgar at Conway, MA, USA * * Subscription Rate/6 Issues: $35 US available through Tsegyalgar; 35 € through Merigar * * Visa and Master card welcome * * Online Mirror: www.melong.com * * All material © 2008 by The Mirror * * Reprint by permission only * * We reserve the right to edit all submissions. THE MIRROR · No. 94 · September, October 2008 Refl ections

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To attend World Wide Trans- The Story of the World Wide mission, contact the Community Rainbow Body of Dzogchen in your region. Mkhan po A chos Transmission Anniversary of Adzam Drugpa ‘Ja’ lus pa Mkhanpo A chos 9th Tibetan month – 25th day here are three days each year when the practitio- Saturday 22nd November 2008 Tetsu Nagasawa T ners of the international 01.00 Wellington, Auckland Dzogchen Community practice 02.00 Hawaii n 2001, an elderly Tibetan Guruyoga together simultane- 03.00 Fairbanks lama in the Kathmandu Val- ously and receive transmission 04.00 San Francisco, Los Angeles, Iley, named Lama Konchog, from Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. Vancouver remained in the state of thugs These days are the anniversaries 05.00 Denver, Salt Lake City, Pagosa dam, meditative equipoise, for of the main Masters of the Lin- Springs, Edmonton one week after he stopped breath- eage of Dzogchen Teachings. It 06.00 Chicago, Mexico City ing. After the cremation, there is important to understand the 07.00 New York, Conway, Mon- appeared a great number of relics meaning of transmission and treal, Atlanta, Detroit, Havana, of various colors (sku gdung/ring how the practices work. An in- Kingston, Indianapolis, Ot- bsrel), which I had the great for- formation and explanation eve- tawa, Lima, Quito tune to observe. These were like ning is held with experienced 08.00 Caracas shining jewels, resembling tur- practitioners to learn the prac- 09.00 Buenos Aires, Sao Paolo, Rio de quoise, pearls, ruby and others, tice so that one is able to partici- Janeiro, Santiago and were still in the process of pate in the transmission method 12.00 GMT, London, Dublin, Lisbon transforming and proliferating. that Chögyal Namkhai Norbu is 13.00 Rome, Berlin, Oslo, Paris, Ma- In Tibetan Buddhism, this type making available for those who drid, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, of transmutation of the physi- are interested in the Dzogchen Brussels, Geneva, Prague, cal body during one’s lifetime or Teachings. Salzburg, Stockholm, Budapest, after death is one of the signs of ter returning to his birth place Klu In the seventh month of the Vienna, Warsaw great accomplishment. This is mo rab, he served as the Mkhan earth tiger year (1998), many aus- “When we are doing this prac- 14.00 Helsinki, Athens, Ankara, true particularly in the Rdzogs po of the monastic college (bshad picious signs appeared around tice together we are unifying in Beirut, Jerusalem, Vilnius, chen tradition, where there are grwa) there. After retirement, he his place. Local people saw two the same state, that famous state Johannesburg different signs of realization re- continued to stay there and con- rainbows standing up from the in Dzogchen teaching called the 15.00 Moscow, Murmansk, Baghdad, lated to the body, including the centrated on his practice. right and left side of his house, primordial state; that means Kuwait City, Riyadh, Tashkent rainbow body, the reduction of Mkhan po A chos was a mas- straight up to the sky. People teacher and students are all in 16.00 Kabul the body to atoms, and the mani- ter of great accomplishment who heard very beautiful sounds and that moment in the primordial 17.00 ODDIYANA, Islamabad festation of relics. showed signs of his achieve- melodies for many days, as if a state, so in this way there is a pos- 17.30 Delhi, Bombay According to Bdud ‘joms ment. One day in the wood dog young girl with a sweet voice was sibility to transmit. For transmis- 17.45 Kathmandu Rinpoche’s History of the Nyingma year (1995), six people visiting singing and talking. From out- sion there is no distance, if you 18.00 Dacca Tradition, among the fi rst twelve his place locked the door of his side, this appeared to be coming are far or near it doesn’t matter 19.00 Bangkok, Jakarta, Saigon lineage masters of the Heart Es- house from outside and went out from within the house; but those because knowledge of transmis- 20.00 Singapore, Beijing, Lhasa, sence (snying thig) division of Rd- to fi nish some business. When who entered the house felt that it sion is beyond time and distance. Manila, Hong Kong, Kuala zogs chen in Tibet, four attained they returned, to their amaze- sounded like it was coming from So for this reason we can use this Lumpur, Taipei, Perth the rainbow body and seven dis- ment, the Mkhan po was stand- the sky above. A white bird that method.” 21.00 Tokyo, Seoul played the manifestation of rel- ing in the garden outside of the had never been seen before came 22.00 Brisbane, Vladivostok ics and other signs of accom- house. When asked how he came and stayed there for seven days, The next WWT is the Anniversary 22.30 Adelaide plishment. Even the modern era out, he simply answered, “I came without showing any fear. of Adzom Drugpa on the 22nd of 23.00 Kamchatka, Melbourne, Sydney has witnessed many incidents of out the door.” The door was At around two o’clock in the November 2008. rainbow body. I will give an ac- locked, just as before, and the afternoon on the seventh day of count of the most recent case that window was fi rmly closed with- the seventh month of the same happened 10 years ago. out having moved an inch. year, Mkhan po A chos passed went to see Mkhan po A khug body was soon reported in the In 1998, a great scholar and From the water monkey year away. He had shown no signs of of Ya chan for a consultation on local newspaper of Khanze, and saint in Kham named Mkhan po (1992), Mkhan po A chos stayed illness, and passed reciting the the tenth day of the same month. the article was later reproduced A chos attained the rainbow body. in a meditative state for a very Mani mantra with his rosary in He was advised that the matter in the China’s Tibet. He was born in the fi fth month long time. His disciples, annoyed his hand. At seven o’clock in the should be kept secret for seven of the earth tiger year (1926) at and wondering if the Mkhan po evening of the same day, his close days, adding that it was absolute- The above summary of Mkhan po A Klu mo rab in Nyag rong region was actually in Samadhi or un- disciples took off his clothes to ly necessary to keep breakers of cho’s biography is from the fi rst part of eastern Tibet, and started his conscious, consulted with Mkhan put on a monk’s robe. To their samaya vows from entering the of the author’s article titled “Eaten by study at Klu mo rab Monastery at po A khyug of Ya chan, who con- great surprise, his skin had no house and touching the body. Primordial Wisdom: transmutation the age of 14. After completing fi rmed that it was the sign of a wrinkles and was shining with a On the eighth day after Mkhan of physical body in the Rdzogs chen his study of Rnying ma pa texts great Rdzogs chen practitioner, pinkish color like that of a young po’s passing, his four close dis- tradition”, to be published in PIATS, there at 20, he went to study at and not a loss of consciousness. child. They noticed that his body ciples and two others went to the and is based on the biography by Blo Se ra Monastery in central Tibet. According to Tshul khrims gya seemed to have become a little house and removed the monk’s bzang snyan grags, At 26, he started to receive tant- mtsho, one of his close disciples, smaller. From the next day on, robe, which was standing on the Rje ‘ja’ lus pa mkhan po a chung rin ric initiations and special Rdzogs Mkhan po’s memory had also every time one of his disciples bed. They found nothing there. po che’i nang gi rnam thar mdor bsdus chen instructions from his root become short. For example, it went inside the room to make an Not a hair nor nail was left be- bzhugs so and the later study made master Bdud ‘joms Rinpoche, seemed as if Mkhan po had no offering of butter lamps, the body hind by Mkhan po Tshul krhims blo gros, and he diligently put them into idea if he had been to toilet for became smaller and smaller. Not This incident of Mkhan po A Mkhan chen a chos rinpoche ‘ja’ lus su practice for the rest of his life. Af- the day. knowing what to do, a disciple chos’s attainment of the rainbow dengs tshul rtsod gcod byas pa.

Poems

Flavia Tommasini, 2008

MARE SEA MADRE

Con gesto With a gesture In te Madre In you Mother imperfetto e sbadato imperfect and careless c’è tutta la Terra the whole Earth lives fai scorrere la sabbia you let the sand run c’è ancora, still there tra le dita through your fi ngers c’è sempre always there dopo anni che te ne sei andata years after you’ve gone ascolti il mare... you hear the sea... la sua risposta è infi nita, its answer is infi nite in ogni madre in every mother ci sei tu Terra it’s you Earth scorre la sabbia let the sand run con il tuo sguardo di mia madre azzurro. Yours and my blue mother’s glance fra le dita between your fi ngers THE MIRROR · No. 94 · September, October 2008 Refl ections

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us, turns into an ugly person that expect. For example, if in time of or universe have to be considered Enemies and we cannot stand anymore. need an enemy opens his or her as general spiritual companions, For example when we love mind to us, showing us kindness towards whom we have the com- Friends someone, at fi rst the excitement or a good gesture, that person mitment to work for their awak- Elio Guarisco of the relationship makes us ac- can immediately become a very ening. cept everything of that person, close friend and the old motive of Naturally, spiritual compan- May all beings be endowed with hap- good and bad. Later, with the our animosity is soon forgotten. ions become closer and more piness and its cause, passing of time, when the rela- Moreover for a spiritual prac- important as they are close to the May all beings be free from suffering tionship becomes diffi cult, we titioner, enemies are not always spiritual path one follows, and and its cause, start to see only faults in him or negative, because in confronting the closest are those who share May all beings be endowed with hap- her and in the end we are not able them, we can see the mechanism the same vajra master, that is, the piness which is devoid of suffering, to live with that person any more. of our mind, our own limitations, master who introduced one to May all beings be in a state of equa- We separate and when that hap- that maybe we would not be able one’s real and authentic nature. nimity beyond attachment for friends friends when we loose them or pens the nice friend tries to take to see otherwise. Confronting en- The relationship with these is and hatred for enemies. when they leave us of their own away everything from us - money, emies one can observe how stable most delicate. Spiritual followers will. house, even pet dogs we owned one’s spiritual practice is. That is often have great consideration hese four lines express the We spend a lot of our energy together. The scene turn utterly why sometimes in the spiritual and respect for their teacher and so called four immeasur- and time taking care of relation- ugly. teachings it is said that to fi nd an they do not hesitate to make sac- T able thoughts or Braha- ships with friends as if such re- Speaking about such relation- enemy is like fi nding a treasure. rifi ces and large donations to the maviharas of love, compassion, lationships were very important. ships, Milarepa said, “At the be- So enemies at times can be much teacher. But when it comes to joy and equanimity respectively, We spend a lot of our time in so- ginning our wife seems like an more valuable than friends. Then their close spiritual companions, which are the base of the conduct cializing with them, without real- angel, later she starts to look at why do we not cherish enemies they do not have the same con- in Mahayana Buddhism. The be- izing that in that way friends take us with a corner of her eyes in a as we cherish friends? sideration and respect. On the haviour of a Dzogchen practitio- away from us the opportunity of mood of reproach and in the end Much more important than contrary, they often criticize their ner should also somehow refl ect using our life in a meaningful she becomes a devil”. This could the relationship with friends and fellow practitioners, attributing such conduct. way. Slowly our life fades away be said of our husband as well. enemies is the relationship with them with faults and misdeeds However, our attitudes are and our friends also abandon us. And that is how our cherished re- spiritual companions. Any other of every sort. Instead of collabo- often the opposite of these im- We consider friends and dear lationships come to an end. kind of relationship ends as we rating with them, they enter into measurable thoughts. Instead of ones as someone that has been Instead of having such exag- leave this world but the relation- competition. That is our ordinary wishing happiness for others, we and will always be in such a role, gerated attachment to friends, ship with spiritual companions attitude based on our ego. wish their disgrace; instead of but we forget that friendship is a we should be more relaxed in continues till one achieves real- Recognizing close spiritual feeling compassion for the suf- relationship that builds up simply such relationships. To be more ization. But who are the spiritual practitioners as one’s indispens- fering of others, we think they because some secondary causes relaxed does not mean that we companions? able aid on the path to realiza- deserve it; instead of feeling joy and circumstances in life come are not loyal to the relationship, First of all we should recog- tion, without considering some at the happiness of others, we together. These secondary causes or that our ways of relating to nize that all humanity and all be- to be inferior and others superior, feel jealousy; instead of treating and circumstances are always our friends are erratic and un- ings are one’s spiritual compan- we should train in having a pure all others as the same, we dis- subject to change and sometimes stable, that we are faltering. To ions. In fact, when speaking of and sacred view toward them. A criminate among superior and they can completely turn around be in that way would also be an spiritual companions Jnanapada, pure and sacred view means that lower. the type of relationship we have expression of our egoism. But it an amazing Indian siddha, who we see them in a positive way, we Especially, the way we relate with others. Not only that, life means to see relationships with was the forefather of one of the recognize that they are buddhas, with others is opposite to the circumstances can cause separa- friends within the whole context two most famous lineages of the maybe with still some obscura- impartiality implied in immea- tion from friends. For example, of our life, weighing up what is of transmission of the Guhysamaja tions but nonetheless buddhas surable equanimity. Based on a when we change the place where defi nitive importance to us and Tantra, said that all sentient be- and appreciate them as sacred as sense of a separate self, we begin we live or our job, we separate what is not. ings are one’s spiritual compan- any other aspect of life. to distinguish others into three from our friends and eventually When we have friends, it goes ions since they all have non-dual Revealing to them the knowl- categories: friends, enemies and we forget about them, or we re- without saying that we have en- awareness innate in themselves. edge one has acquired from the people whose existence and vi- member them only seldom or emies, Having enemies is also a Also Lilavajra, another im- quest for spiritual realization, cissitudes we ignore. Friends are meet with them only once every type of relationship with others portant siddha, said that all sen- one makes them all intimate very important to us – we see that several years. that many people like to culti- tient beings are one’s spiritual friends towards whom there is children start to look for friends Friends can turn into enemies vate. When others do not share companions because they are neither attachment nor aver- at a very young age. It is natural as well. This is not uncommon. our same opinions, our same po- none other than the manifesta- sion. This relationship based on that we have a different relation- For example, a dear friend may litical party, our same social mi- tion of one’s own innate non- understanding, openness, and ship with people we have known become an enemy when we fall lieu, then they are seen as differ- dual awareness and are thus not mutual collaboration appears to for long time, we often meet and involuntarily in love with his ent, as not belonging to the circle to be regarded as “others”. In all be one of the most meaningful live with. It would be unnatural if girlfriend, or when we become of people we love and care for. of them the essence of enlighten- relationships we can have in our it were not so. Yet to invest in an a threat to his or her economi- People who are different from us ment is present and so they are short life. exaggerated way on friends and cal security, or when we become are enemies. We consider some- the buddhas of the future. those we like will eventually lead a psychological threat for him. one as an enemy on the base of Manjusriyashas, one of the to our excluding those whom we There are so many circumstanc- certain momentary circumstanc- Kings of Shambhala, when don’t consider friends from our es that can turn friends into en- es of our life. Once that person speaking about six kinds of spir- life. emies, and not over a long time, did something bad to us, or to itual companions also places For friends we are ready to do but suddenly in a matter of days, our friends and now we cannot them among them all sentient everything, we are also ready to hours and even minutes. When accept them. beings as they all have the nature lie, to steal and sometimes even this happens, the person we loved Although enemies seem so of Vajrasatta, that is, the nature to kill. Thus, friends may even so much, the person of whom we real that at times we would like of the primordial state. become the cause for perpetu- were ready to ignore his or her to erase them from the face of Thus by spiritual compan- ation of our negative karma at shortcomings and defects, the the earth, in truth enemies can ions we should not just think of times. In extreme cases we also person who appeared so nice to change into friends very quickly, a closed circle of people. All be- commit suicide for our beloved more quickly then we could ever ings that exist in our dimension

TOSCANA TRAMONTO (DI CALDO E DI GUERRA) SUNSET (HEAT AND WAR)

“Guardare il vento” “Looking at the wind” Stremata la terra The earth exhausted nel frusciare alato in the winged rustle di caldo e di dolore by heat and pain dei pini di Maremma of Maremma’s pines saluta l’ultimo raggio di sole kisses the last sunray lontano colorato segno d’amore a distant coloured mark of love più in là il mare and further on is the sea ancor non visto not yet seen già udito di lontano but already heard from afar ritrovare come fermo il tempo rediscovering how time stops in suoni antichi in ancient sounds mai spenti never extinguished mai fi niti never extinct di vite sempre uguali in lives that are always equal mai le stesse never the same THE MIRROR · No. 94 · September, October 2008 Reviews

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Yantra Yoga Bø & Bön

The Tibetan Yoga of Movement Ancient Shamanic Traditions of A Stainless Mirror of Jewels Siberia and Tibet in Their Relation A Commentary on Vairocana’s to the Teachings of a Central Asian Buddha The Union of the Sun and Moon Yantra Dmitry Ermakov Vajra Publications, 2008 By Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, translated by Adriano Clemente Alfredo Colitto

Tom Garnett his book is a serious doc- umented study of aca- T demic value but at the hat a delight to review him about the fundamentals and same time not dull and can even this magnifi cent pub- context with an superb descrip- be read by a public who is not W lication! Containing tion of the relationship between specialised in the topic. Dmitry history, theory, practical instruc- energy and breathing; a trans- The level of detail in this work Ermakov himself admits that he structs the relation between pre- tions, illustrations, and the full lation of the brief root text, and is extremely helpful. For each chose to write from an “internal” historic migrations and the de- background of the practice of then a detailed commentary on yantra there are descriptions and point of view, that is the point of velopment and transformation of trulkhor (‘khrul ‘khor), this book all the movements, variations, illustration of the basic move- view of a scholar who is not un- religions, philosophies and tra- reveals what yantra yoga is in and breathings titled ‘A Stain- ment, the movement for train- involved in the subject matter ditions is interesting. the Tibetan tradition. However, less Mirror of Jewels; Commen- ing, and movement for progress- but rather participates in it. As readers should be warned that in tary to the Union of the Sun and ing. The breathings are described an example, concerning the his- The book is divided into chapters spite of the title this is not a yoga Moon Tantra, ” written by Chö- in clear language and charts for tory of the teachings, in particu- which deal with different themat- book at least as that genre is un- gyal Namkhai Norbu in 1976. the breathing accompanying the lar those of Yungdrung Bön, the ic aspects of the two traditions derstood in the current market Additionally, Adriano Clemente movements are provided. The author has chosen to follow the being examined and include his- place. Further, this is not a self- has translated another text by end notes add even more detail. dating suggested by traditional tory, geographical locations, pu- help book, as that genre is un- Vairocana, ‘The Overcoming of Even if you have studied yantra Bön texts even though there is rifi cation and healing rituals, the derstood in the current market Obstacles and the Benefi ts of the yoga for years, you will fi nd your- no proof that they are exact, bas- cult of the deer, “white” magic place. In fact, in the current mar- Union of the Sun and Moon Yan- self referring again and again to ing himself on the principle that and destructive magic, the spread ket place this book is sui generis. tra (‘Phrul.’khor nyi zla kha sby- these pages. there is not even suffi cient proof of Bön in Eurasia as well as other There is nothing like it. That is or gyi ‘gyi ‘phrang sel phan yon to show that they are wrong. And topics. why you should read it even if you dang bcas pa) “from which have By the excellence of the transla- often, in his study of rituals, his never plan to do yoga. been taken the descriptions of tion and the fullness of details observations on based on fi rst One of the author’s aims is to the medical benefi ts of each ex- this work can nourish the under- hand observation even when it clarify once and for all the wide- To my knowledge this is the fi rst ercise.” There are fi ve appendi- standing of practitioners every- contradicts work done previous- spread misunderstanding ac- and only full translation and ex- ces covering such topics as “the where. For some there is a recur- ly by other scholars of the same cording to which Yungdrung Bon planation of the root texts, tradi- functions of the fi ve pranas,” a ring tendency to constellate the subjects. is considered to be a type of Ti- tional written commentary, sup- description of the chakras, “the teachings into our little, comfort- betan shamanism committed to plemented with contemporary yantras related to various aspects able world views and thereby do- Chapter XV is particularly inter- animal sacrifi ce and black magic explanations of a classic lineage of Buddhist practice”, notes from mesticate them. For some there esting in which the author cites which only later on took on some of trulkhor (‘khrul ’khor) pub- an early yantra yoga class taught is another recurring tendency to the works of the Indian schol- aspects of Indian Buddhism in an lished in a Western language. by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu on make the teachings exotic, other, ar Tilak (1856–1920) and some attempt to justify itself in the eye The specifi c text, The Union of the preparatory loosening exercises, strange, and quite separate from recent scientifi c discoveries to of Buddhists. Comparing the tra- Sun and Moon Yantra (“phrul.’khor and a list of the benefi ts of the our actual experience – a sort of support the theory according to ditions of the Buryatian Bø Mur- nyi zla kha.sbyor), derives from yantras organized by the relative confrontation. This work does which the cradle of Aryan civili- gel and Tibetan Bön from a his- the great eighth century siddha conditions they affect. The book neither and shows respect and sation, and possibly of the whole torical, mythological and ritual- Humkara who transmitted the has a full index as well as over fealty to the tradition while de- human race, is found in the Arc- istic point of view shows that this teachings to “Padmasambhava, 340 detailed end notes. For any livering the meal that is needed tic. The theory is not new but the is not so. who then transmitted it to Vai- who have studied yantra this is straight from the oven. way in which Ermakov recon- rocana in Tibet.” While employ- a deep reference space to which ing in part some of the positions they will return again and again. This work represents an enor- or asanas of hatha yoga, even For those who have not prac- mous collaboration and our though the root text long ante- ticed this profound method it is gratitude is deep to those who dates any extant hatha yoga texts, a full picture of the precision and have devoted the years of effort the work situates them in a much depth of this way and an invita- it represents. First, naturally, to wider space. As Chögyal Nam- tion to enter this practice in an our master, the author and lin- khai Norbu writes, “Yoga origi- experiential way. eage holder, Chögyal Namkhai nally means ‘union’, but naljor re- Norbu, who mastered, transmit- ally means knowledge of the pri- However, as Adriano Clemente, ted and taught this way for years; mordial condition. ‘nal’ means the translator, emphasizes, “It is and then the translator, Adriano ‘original’ or ‘authentic’; ‘jor’ indispensable to receive oral in- Clemente. But also the primary means to ‘discover’ or ‘posses’ structions from one of the autho- yantra yoga teachers, Fabio An- this condition. Accordingly, the rized instructors of the Dzogchen drico and Laura Evangelisti, who true meaning of the word ‘naljor’ Community founded by Chögyal have introduced thousands of is to discover our real condition.” Namkhai Norbu.” This work ex- students to yantra and trained Employing the three vajras of ists in a living tradition without numerous yantra yoga teachers body, voice, and mind this pro- which the words and sentences and to many, many other stu- found practice can only be prop- are scratches on paper. That dents who have given their time, erly understood in the context of living tradition, while includ- study, and efforts to make this Dzogchen. Though the relative ing clarifi cation of the details of work come together. It is a mod- siddhis and great siddhis that re- the methods, goes beyond them el for future efforts. sult from the practices are clearly and reveals the life that animates described, the ultimate aim is the this way. Beyond the relative and supreme siddhi of “total realiza- clear benefi ts for the practitioner, tion.” there is the aim as shown in the Dedication of Merit towards the The breadth and level of detail are end of the book, “By this merit welcome and a contrast to many may all beings free themselves translations from the Tibetan of illusory thoughts, emotions, these days. The book contains and karma and attain the pri- an excellent forward by Adriano mordial land of Samantabhadra Clemente describing the transla- where self-arisen wisdom always tion and assembling of the work; shines.” a preface by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu describing the lineage of transmission; an introduction by THE MIRROR · No. 94 · September, October 2008 Play

23

special language and associate a portant in arriving at the fi nal re- numbers of the dice thrown have How to play: the sticks are dis- How to play Sho series of superstitious phrases to sult. to be the same as the number of tributed alternating the three co- ward off bad luck with each num- Uniting the counters: if the spaces to the end of the course lours and then you start to throw Adriana Dal Borgo ber 1 … space indicated by the dice is (e. g. if a group of nine counters the dice in turn as in Sho. Each already occupied by your own are 7 spaces from the end of the player should remember which ho is an ancient Tibetan Object of the game counters (or those of your team), line of shells, the only numbers stick is his and can move only game. Players sit on the To complete the course with all they can be put together and can on the dice that let you win are: that one. Sground or around a table. your counters before your oppo- go ahead together. It is an advan- 1 + 6, 2 + 5, 3 + 4. A result over 7 Unlike Sho, you can only put nents. tage to have a big group of coun- doesn’t count). one stick on the course at a time Number of players: ters because it is more diffi cult Strategic choice of accepting with the fi rst throw of the dice usually three but if you play in The fi rst throw of the dice to attack and has a greater pos- the result or not: when there are and you can occupy a space which four you make two teams. With the fi rst throw each player sibility of taking your opponent’s 14 spaces to the end of the course has already been taken by one of places two counters along the counters. A move that lets you and only from this point on, a the opposing groups. Materials you need: line of shells, counting as many unite several counters gives you player can decide to accept (and As in Sho the rules for unit- · two dice (in Tibetan they are spaces from the fi rst shell as are another throw of the dice. thus move his counters forward) ing counters and taking your op- called ‘Sho’ from which the shown in the sum of the numbers Taking your opponent’s coun- or refuse the number that comes ponents’ counters are the same. name of the game comes); on the dice (e. g. If 1 and 4 come ters: you can take them by land- up on the dice. Some numbers When two or three counters of · a wooden bowl; up, the player would put his two ing on a space occupied by your are more likely to come up (for the same colour/team unite, · a round cushion which, in Tibet, counters after the fi fth shell). opponent’s counters but only example 7 which is the sum of each time a member of that team is made of yak skin and fi lled If a player gets a double 1 on if the number of your counters several combinations, 1 + 6, 2 + 5, throws the dice, he moves the with yak wool. This is used as his fi rst throw (in Tibetan they is the same as or more than the 3 + 4) while others are less likely counters together thus moving a base for throwing the dice say ‘para’), he can put three number of your opponent’s (oth- (the only possibility for 2 is 1 + 1); much faster towards the fi nal (photo 1); counters in the second space or erwise the space cannot be oc- so by positioning your coun- half of the game.

· a set of 64 shells. Instead of throw the dice again. In this case cupied). The counters taken are ters, for example, 7 spaces from At the end of the course each shells you can use pebbles, he moves the sum of the number removed from the game and have the end of the course gives you group can decide if they want to seeds, etc. You place the shells of the two throws and puts his to start all over again. The player a greater probability of winning take off their counters separately in a U shape with the cushion in counters after the number of the who ‘takes’ has another throw of with the counters that are at least or unite them to take them off to- the middle (photo 2); corresponding space. the dice. two spaces from the end with a gether (keeping to the rule, how- · nine coins or wooden sticks for On the fi rst throw a player can- single throw of the dice. ever, that the number that comes each player. The coins for each not move his counters onto a po- Special situations up on the dice must be the same player should be equal but easy sition which is already occupied Para: when ‘para’ comes up, that Gu Sho as the number of spaces left to go to distinguish from those of by another player. is 1 + 1, the player throws the dice This variation of Sho allows more out). other players. again. At this point he can: players to participate. They play After the fi rst throw a) sum up the two throws and in three teams with three play- How to play From the second throw of the move his counters the corre- ers each (in Tibetan ‘Gu’ means 1 Numbers and names in the language of the In turn players throw the dice dice on players continue to move sponding number of spaces ‘nine’). Masang (a class of beings who, according to Tibetan beliefs, rule over games). making them roll around inside their counters according to the (e.g. if on the second throw The materials for the game are 2 Para the bowl and then turn the bowl sum of the numbers on the dice. he gets 3 + 2 = 5, he moves the same except for the counters 3 Sug upside down on the cushion. Each player must play all his 2 + 5 = 7) which are three sticks for each 4 Dzig 5 Kha The next player lifts the bowl counters and with each throw b) choose to move two counters team (each team has a differ- 6 Ndrug to see the dice, being careful not can decide on his strategy: separately (one counter moves ent colour to distinguish it from 7 Ri to move them. If the bowl moves a) continue to move the counters 2 spaces and the other 5). the others). Each team marks its 8 Sha 9 Gu the dice when it is lifted, the play- which were moved with the sticks in order that each player 10 Chu er who threw them can choose to fi rst throw The object and ending the game: recognises his own (for example 11 Thog throw them again. b) start to move the other coun- The fi rst player to complete the by marking one, two or three 12 Chala If the player who threw the ters one at a time until they are course, taking off all his coun- notches on it) (photo 3). dice gets distracted and lifts up all being played ters, is the winner. The best way the bowl himself, his throw will With each throw a player has to to win is to take off all your coun- not count and it will be the turn decide which counters to move. ters together in a group. of the next player. The strategy of the game is in The last throws of the dice are Tibetans playing the game one’s choice of which counters the most diffi cult because in or- used to ‘call’ the numbers with a to move. Besides luck, this is im- der to take off your counters, the

International Gakyil New International Database for the Dzogchen Community House For Sale near Merigar West Dear Gakyils of the Gars and Lings of the Case Brezza Dzogchen Community all over the world! between Pescina Please send your updated membership and Seggiano lists for the year 2008 as soon as pos- sible to The Shang Shung Institute at 120 sq.m., 3 large www.jcrows.com Merigar. Your list is needed there for bedrooms, 2 bath- the new database, which the Institute rooms, Kitchen/ ® is creating. It would accelerate their dining room, sitting room with fi replace, store- J. Crow’s work if you could help them by sending room, pizza oven outside, gas heating, completely Mulling Spice Folk Medicine all possible data now to: Salima Celeri, renovated, new roof. 270,000 euro/negotiable Tibetan Medicine [email protected] Thank you in advance and many Contact: Mara Sangiorgi Tel: 0039 34 95 40 22 70 SpicedCider.com greetings, Email: [email protected] fax or phone: 1 800 878 1965 603 878 1965 Karin Eisenegger-Koppensteiner or Tuscanary: [email protected] [email protected] (Red IG) 24 How I met Chögyal Namkhai Norbu

Susana Dultzin Dubin

t was 1976 when my best friend invit- come to Mexico for the fi rst time. He saw ed me to a meditation retreat with the that we were a serious group of practitio- Igreat Zen master Roshi Phillip Kap- ners and, in a few months, we organized leau. He was in the beautiful town Tepozt- his fi rst retreat in Mexico City. We rented lan where I live, one hour south of Mexico an elegant and beautiful place surround- City. This is how I began my practice of ed by the great Chapultepec Park. There Buddhism and I found it to be a great way were almost 300 practitioners and after of working with my mind and my self. the three-day retreat we were all amazed at Some years later I had the good fortune having such a wonderful teacher with us in of meeting Swami Muktananda who be- our country! Rinpoche was also very hap- came my second guru and introduced me py, except for the pollution in the city, so to the wisdom of Kashmir Shaivism from he told us that if we wanted him to come Rinpoche’s fi rst visit to Mexico with Susana, Lennart and their sons Ahron, Uriel and Nataniel India. It changed my perspective on life and again, it would have to be outside the city. my practice acquired another dimension. We organized his second visit in Taxco, cal Mayan tradition! At that time it was not States and a few Mexicans participated. And my third great teacher was Chög- where most of Mexico’s silver is mined. possible, as we did not have the means to We have had Yantra Yoga and Vajra Dance yal Namkhai Norbu. My husband Lennart Built in the mountain, the city has a magi- buy one. And now we have acquired one in workshops with several very good teachers and a group of people who had been work- cal quality and, with Rinpoche’s teach- this beautiful area, where we have the sec- and, we are planning on inviting others for ing together for several years and doing re- ings, it acquired an extra special feeling. ond largest coral reef in the world! this and next year. search into the different and best spiritual There were more than 300 practitioners We are all so happy to have in Mexico a The Sangha is growing and working in schools, had met Rinpoche in Paris and there as well, and we were all so grateful Gar in Baja California, although it is very our daily practice and we all want the teach- invited me to meet Rinpoche in Conway, that Rinpoche had transmitted, with his far away for the people that live in the cen- ings to fl ourish in this wonderful country. Massachusetts in the United States. I was great wisdom, Guruyoga and much more! ter and south of the country, since Mexico I hope many of Rinpoche’s students and so impressed when I heard him explain the At this time his wife Rosa also came as is very big and travel is diffi cult for the ma- teachers can come and help us build the view and transmit the Dzogchen Guru yoga well as Fabio and we all enjoyed our time jority. That is the reason why we want to Dzogchen Community in Mexico. I would and other teachings. It was extraordinary! together. We went to the Caribbean Ocean have another property for many more peo- like to offer to the committed practitioners I immediately connected with Rinpoche after the retreat as a friend loaned us his ple to participate. who could travel to Mexico, a room in my and knew those were the teachings I need- beautiful house near Cancun. We took Pelzomling, in Mexico City, with the ac- home in Tepoztlan. We could practice to- ed. We were amazed at the way the Sangha them to some of the great Mayan temples tive Gakyil that has been working in the gether as well as with the Sangha in Mex- responded when Rinpoche said it was im- and archeological zones like Tulum, where last years is very important. A few years ico City. portant to buy the old schoolhouse in Con- we sat on the fl oor and chanted the Vajra ago, they organized a special retreat with Of course, the invitation is open for way to create a Dzogchen Community Cen- Song in such a special place! Rinpoche in Valle de Bravo. Last year Jim Rinpoche and his family to come when ter there. In a few hours the money was We swam in the cenotes, which are like Valby lead a great practice retreat in Mexi- they can. raised to buy it, by auctioning the gifts we all caves with water running inside them, as co City. Rinpoche has been to Baja several Thank you so much Rinpoche and Rosa brought to Rinpoche from different parts of the Yucatan peninsula doesn’t have surface times where practitioners from the United for everything you give us! the world. I had never participated in such an rivers; they are all under the earth. Rinpoche event. Outside it was snowing quite strongly loved to swim here as well as in the ocean. and inside there was so much heat and ex- Rinpoche found that some of the Mayan citement! This was the winter of 1993. words are similar in Tibetan and felt a strong The next year, a group of twelve Mexi- connection with the Mayan culture. He then cans went to Nepal to participate in a re- asked us to fi nd some land for a Dzogchen treat with Rinpoche and invite him to Community Gar surrounded by this magi-

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