No. 116 May, June 2012

Upcoming Retreats with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu

2012 USA New York City June 29–July 1 “Dzogchen Nallug” Retreat Tsegyalgar East Photo: Zhuopu July 4–10 Yeshes Khandroí Thugthig (Jnanadhakini) July 11–12 Hong Kong Retreat Santi Maha Sangha Base Exam July 13–17 Santi Maha Sangha First Level Training of the Song of Vajra Russia July 22 Public Teaching in Moscow t was such a joyful moment when we Rinpoche’s Dzogchen Retreat on the experienced and new students alike, both Kunsangar North caught the fi rst glimpse of Rinpoche’s Song of Vajra started on the 16th of May. local and abroad, the retreat was conclud- July 25–29 Iphysical presence at the Hong Kong In- It attracted over two hundred participants ed successfully on the 20th of May with a Terma teaching of Rigdzin Jangchub ternational Airport, heralding Rinpoche’s from all around the globe, as well as the Ganapuja and an auction dedicated to the Dorje, the Circle of Lama Zabdon’s fi rst Dzogchen Retreat to be held in Hong local and mainland Chinese which made completion of the retreat centre of Sam- “Khyung-nag”, the Dark-Blue Garuda Kong, China between the 16th to 20th up the majority. The participation of Vajra tenling, which is located in Yichun city of of May in this year of the water dragon. siblings coming from Singapore, Malay- the Jiangxi province in China. Thus ended Ukraine This was the moment that all students of sia, the UK, Austria, Spain, Italy, and other the 5-day Dzogchen Retreat of the Song of Kunsangar South Rinpoche, especially those of us living in countries was much appreciated. For fi ve Vajra in exuberance. August 2–9 China, had long been waiting to witness. consecutive days, we were all joined to- Terma teaching of Rigdzin Jangchub gether to receive the precious teaching of It is our sincere wish that Rinpoche will Dorje, “Man-ngag Tag-drol Gyud” During Rinpoche’s 10-day stay in Hong Dzogchen, in particular the commentary come to teach in Hong Kong and China Romania Kong he also gave, at the invitation of the on the Song of Vajra by Longchenpa, from again and again very soon. Merigar East Chinese University of Hong Kong Centre our Maestro, as well as to learn the Pamo August 17–23 for the Study of Humanistic Buddhism, and Pawo steps of the Vajra Dance of the “Longsal Atií Nadzer” Retreat a public lecture entitled “Dzogchen – the Three Vajras and the Eight Movements of Essence of all Buddhist Teachings” at the Yantra Yoga. Italy Chinese University on the 15th of May. Merigar West Rinpoche explained succinctly about the It seemed like a daunting task for the local August 31–Sept. 6 differences between the 3 paths of libera- Gakyil of Samtenling to hold this histori- “Longsal Atii Gongpa Gojyed” Retreat tion and it was well received by the audi- cal retreat in Hong Kong, China. But, with Sept. 7–9 ence. the blessings and help from the ‘Three Santi Maha Sangha Roots’, as manifested in the various assis- Level I Examinations tance that was rendered to us by the more Sept. 10–16 Santi Maha Sangha Level II Training Teaching Teaching Focus Sept. 21–27 Terma Teaching of Ridzin Jyangchub Yantra Yoga Dorje, “Zhitro Khordas Rangdrol” Chögyal Namkhai Khyentse Norbu Yeshe Greece October 3–7 Introduction about Educating the “Longsal Atii Lam-gyi Ngondro” the Song of Vajra Mind Retreat

>> continued on page 4 » Page 2 » Page 3 » Pages 10ff THE MIRROR · No. 116 · May, June 2012

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tice we should chant “om vajra chilicilaya”. That is a very good example, because it is very important how we receive transmission and we should do practice with confi dence and have realization.

So we cannot say the Song of the Vajra is always in the lan- guage of Oddiyana. There is a consideration of this lan- guage and ancient translators like Vairocana studied and learned most Dzogchen tantras and books very well from the Oddiyana language, not Sanskrit. Many words in the Oddiyana and Sanskrit language are very similar, but the grammatical system is not the same. For example, in San- skrit and Hindi, the adjective is used before the name. For example, if they say Dzogchen it is Maha Santi, but in Ti- betan and Oddiyana they use the adjective after the name. The way of using adjectives in Tibetan and Oddiyana lan- guage are similar, but the language is not similar. We say, for example, Santi Maha, Maha is the adjective that comes after, not before. If you read Dzogchen tantras, in most Dzogchen Tantras there is the Oddiyana language; you can understand if it is so when the adjective is always used af- ter the name. So this is the difference in the language of Oddiyana and Sanskrit.

For example, Longchenpa translated the meaning of the Song of Vajra from Sanskrit and Oddiyana language, and the Song of Vajra called the non dual or union of the state of Samantabhadra yab and yum. In general, there are two Photo: F. Andrico kinds of the Song of the Vajra if you are reading or learn- An Excerpt from the Teaching: ing Dzogchen tantras or many tantras of tagdrol, The fi rst is called the state of the yab, Samantabhadra and the sec- ond is called the state of the yum, Samantabhadri. Two Introduction about the kinds always exist, but then the union is only one union of the yab and yum which, in general, we use and sing. Song of Vajra and how it is Longchenpa roughly translated the sense of this. The real meaning of the Song of Vajra is the essence of the Dzogchen teaching. Even though it is the essence, there related to diverse methods are still explanations. With this rough translation I give you the meaning of the Song of Vajra, which is translated of Dzogchen Desum from Longchenpa. The fi rst four verses are: Emakirikiri, mashtavalivali, samitasurusuru, kutalimasumasu Hong Kong Retreat, May 18, 2012 It is unborn, there is no birth. There exists no interrup- tion or end. There is no going and no coming. Total bliss, Chochen barwa nyidai kyil chochen means total nature of all phe- vajra. Vajra is a little closer to the Sanskrit pronunciation. the supreme real condition of the state. Miyowa means nomena; its nature, wisdom and luminosity, just like the light of I received many teachings with both, but the teacher I re- movement, when we are integrated with movement there the sun and moon. ceived Dzogchen semde, longde and upadesha, Negyab is no consideration of movement. Everything is self liber- Rinpoche, his teacher followed the lineage of Sanskrit and ated beyond time. No problems or defects exist. So this ow we are learning the principle of the Song of said vajra, not benza. Also my teacher from college said is the fi rst group and another way we are studying and the Vajra. First of all, we ordinarily consider that vajra, so that is why I use and apply in that way. You should learning these four lines is connected with the teaching of N the Song of Vajra is in the language of Oddi- not worry, if you learned benza or vajra it does not matter, Dzogchen semde. Remember we have Dzogchen semde, yana. Not only the Song of Vajra is in this language, but you can apply as you learned. I am not inventing vajra, that longde and upadesha and that I will explain later. also the Twenty-Five Spaces of Samantabhadra and all im- is how I learned it. portant mantras. We cannot say it is only the language of Now the second group: Oddiyana, because we have many teachings, tantras and There is in ancient story in the Sakyapa tradition: Sakya- Ekarasulibhataye, cikirabulibhataye, samuntacaryasughaye, lungs, mennagde, and many tantras and commentaries of pandita was a very important teacher, and one day when bhetasanabhyakulaye Dzogchen tantras from Guru Garab Dorje. We also have he was walking to a Sakya monastery there was a small many lungs, which means only some part of those tantras. river nearby and when he walked by the river he heard the So these four lines are connected with the series of the These tantras, which are the source of the lungs, still exist sound of Vajrakilaya in the river. Sakyapandita thought Dzogchen longde. The meaning of the words is that we in other dimensions. For example, in the longchen, partic- there must be some good practitioners of Vajrakilaya at are searching for the root, the origin, and we cannot fi nd ularly in the dral thal gyur tantra, there is an explanation of the source of the river. One day he searched along the river anything. Also there is not something that says we are con- thirteen different dimensions like the nirmanakaya. There to fi nd out who was doing the practice of Vajrakilaya and nected with this origin, since we are not confi rming the are indications of special dimensions where there are im- at the end of his search there was a rock and in the rock origin and there are no secondary things related to it. portant Dzogchen tantras, so many enlightened beings, there was a cave and in the cave a yogi doing a personal many realized beings, which are being beyond time and retreat. When he asked the yogi what practice he was do- In general, when we are in the state of contemplation we space. So when many methods and teachings are intro- ing, he said he was doing Vajrakilaya, but he did not say say, “Now I am in the state of contemplation.” This is our duced, sometimes they are introduced in our dimension Vajrakilaya, he said Vajrachilaya. Sakyapandita thought it mental concept. If we are really in a state of contempla- and are not always with the same words. was a little strange that the yogi was not pronouncing the tion we are beyond concepts, even if we do not have this practice well, because Sakayapandita had a very high lev- concept. That is the same thing when we are thinking For example, in the Song of Vajra you can fi nd all parts of el of Sanskrit and he was a translator. He asked the yogi, of the dimension of sambogakya, we are thinking what the tantras; the tantras which explain sixteen kinds of lib- “How do you chant the mantra of Vajrakilaya?” The yogi samboga kaya is. We say sambogakaya is the pure dimen- erations. In most shitro practices there are these kinds of said, “I chant om vajra chilichilaya svaha.” So then Sakya- sion, a manifestation of the dharmakaya. Then we are tantras. When you check you can fi nd slightly different ver- pandita said, “You are not pronouncing well” and told the thinking how this manifestation is.... we see wrathful, sions. Some intellectual people study and wonder which is yogi how to pronounce it. Then the yogi said, “I want to peaceful and joyful forms. All these things are our mental the correct version and which is the wrong version. If we check” and he took his purba and put it on the rock and concepts, but we need to enter from mental concepts. This have the idea that this is only the Oddiyana language we said, “om vajra kilikilaya svaha” and the purba did not go becomes indispensable. can think that way, but many teachings come from differ- in the rock. Then he chanted “om vajra chilichilaya svaha” ent dimensions. It is very important how we receive from and the purba entered into the rock. Mental concepts is not how we really enter sambogakaya. the teacher, the mantras, etc. If you can apply that way you Maybe in sambogakaya we are in our real nature and we can produce fruit and have realization. You must not go in Sakyapandita was very surprised and then he understood discover how are infi nite potentiality is. In that moment, an intellectual way too much. one should not only go after pronunciation. He discov- we are totally beyond time and space. This is the real con- ered this yogi of Vajrakilaya was really realized. The yogi dition of sambogakaya and there is that explanation. When you follow different teachers you might receive the was then invited to the Sakya monastery where he gave the 100 syllable mantra in different ways. How do different initiation of Vajrakilaya. So therefore, in the Sakyapa tra- There is nothing we create or make. There is the total exis- teachers pronounce the mantra? For example, most La- dition for the practice of Vajrakilaya there is a lineage of tence or real condition. Since the beginning its real nature mas say benza instead of vajra and in some places they say this Mahasiddha. When we do this initiation and this prac- >> continued on page 4 THE MIRROR · No. 116 · May, June 2012 Khyentse Yeshe

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In general we have an idea of “Educating the Mind: Responsibility putting together these two as- ” pects – the aspect of knowing or and Personal Evolution simply projecting something vi- An excerpt from a public talk given by Khyentse Yeshe in Italian sually within our minds, within at the Academy of Fine Arts in Bologna, Italy on Friday May 25, 2012 ourselves, with creating some- thing, as if it was an entity that he important thing is to because we are always ourselves, can be touched or shared. For understand that culture, five minutes later or sooner, the example, today I have this sen- T knowledge, is something main point is no longer the dis- sation, I feel this emotion and I internal. It is not something ex- tance. So when we speak of be- also have the idea to share it with ternal, it is not something based ing, in this case, being as dis- other people, as if the capacity of on looking at people or judging tance, the problem of distance feeling this emotion was some- from the outside. When we have doesn’t exist. We are close to our- thing that could be shared with the possibility of understanding a selves because if we were distant and transmitted to other people. little better the aspects of knowl- from ourselves everything would First of all we should observe edge, first of all we pay attention be a problem. Existence would be that we all have the capacity of to the inner aspect, to looking at a problem. feeling emotions so the first ques- oneself. In this case if we speak of tion is – why are my emotions Normally if we look in a well- knowing or understanding some- so special compared to other defined direction, which is to- thing in a complete, total way, it people’s emotions? It is very im- wards the outside, we open our becomes very difficult because if portant to ask oneself this ques- eyes and look. Now we imagine we start from the idea that we are tion. Why should my emotions that we are looking inside [our- distant from ourselves, then we be projected on the outside and selves] and we start to under- cannot know anything. It makes communicated to others? Why stand what it means to reverse sense to speak about something is it so important? This is one of this kind of approach. The point that is unknowable, like reality the most important aspects that of view is towards ourselves, and that cannot be investigated. In distinguish Western culture from at this point everything changes, this case, this expression makes Eastern. The sun rises in the East the paradigm changes, because sense. and in the East people also have we have to understand that nor- Let’s try and take a responsi- a different idea about project- mally we are unique, in a certain bility, that of recognising that at ing emotions outside. This idea moment, in a certain instant, and least we are close to ourselves. of wanting to share emotion is in a certain place, and we look at The same person who made a more a Western characteristic. a number of aspects as reality. judgement five minutes earlier is The more you go to the West, the But in this case we are looking at the same person who will make a optimal conditions for getting projection, like watching a movie more there is this idea of sharing ourselves, and we ourselves, now judgement five minutes later. And to know something. This close- at a cinema, or watching a projec- one’s actions and emotions. So or in a few seconds or a few sec- this judgement is always true be- ness with ourselves is essential, tion through the principle of light the act of sharing makes emotion onds ago, are still ourselves. This cause when I project this kind of understanding that that which is and shadows. It means that there become something of value. If it doesn’t change. This is the essen- sensation – I like or don’t like this relative is time and space, this is is a starting point, a source, and remains on the personal level, it tial point that we have to under- person or object – when I make relative. there is an arrival point where is still in an embryo-like state. stand first of all because it does this judgement I am actually de- We can also look at it from a this projection exists. In this case It’s not complete. When you go not change. scribing something very simple. scientific point of view but this is this is the visual aspect, one of the towards the East, you see that How can we observe more in If we look at it from a personal not the right place for giving this most important senses. When we this idea of sharing does not ex- detail this aspect of ourselves? point of view perhaps it might kind of explanation. But we can open our eyes and look, at that ist. What exists is the knowledge For example, we have a sensa- seem complex so let’s start look- understand what it means – rela- moment we are working with vi- of the potentiality of feeling this tion or we feel something related ing at it from a very simple visual tive in space. It means we don’t sion. Seeing as this vision is one emotion as something universal. to any topic. We like or we don’t point of view like a colour. For have the capacity of being every- of the most important sources of So we see that these ideas change like something, an object of real- example I like or don’t like red. I where. And in time, we don’t have knowledge, it projects internal- very much. ity or a projection of our way of prefer red to blue, something like the capacity to understand a time ly as the aspect of the value, the In our case it’s important to being. We might like it for five that. In this case it’s very difficult that is totally relative because our guarantee of knowledge itself. So understand that both are funda- minutes and then five minutes to make a judgement or evalua- body is subject to certain phases, if we can confirm it from a visual mental. Why are they so impor- later we might not like it. Let’s try tion in terms of quantity. We have for example the initial phase of point of view, then it means that it tant? In Western culture, from and observe what the fundamen- to make an evaluation in terms birth, the phase of growth, of be- is true or false. a more philosophical point of tal aspects related to this judge- of quality, so I can say this is red coming something or someone. But this is just a mechanism, a view that can embrace all outer ment are. We are speaking about and that is blue. How red it is or Then we have a phase of decline, capacity that we have, one of the aspects of the person, we have something that has this direc- how blue it is, is relative. It is not of getting old and becoming sick many faculties of the mind. The reached the creation of some- tion, so towards ourselves, and in important because if it’s red, it’s and lastly the phase of having to truth in itself is just a concept and thing very efficient like science in this case, this ‘looking’ is always red and if it’s blue it’s blue. In the face death, which is one of the this concept is now confirmed which any young child is capable true, can never be false because same way I either like it or don’t most important moments of life and becomes concrete within of developing intellectual capaci- that truth from five minutes ago like it. as it comes last. So for example, us because it corresponds to a ties connected to say mathemati- is the same truth from five min- Let’s look at more essential if we observe from this point of mechanism, a task, that the mind cal or geometrical calculations or utes later. We can’t say that we’ve things connected to life where view with this closeness, we can has carried out. When the mind carrying out some simple tasks changed. In reality we are always the quantity aspect becomes to- understand better what it means carries out a task efficiently, au- like imagining 3 dimensional ourselves so if we look for the tally irrelevant – I like a person to have a good base in order to tomatically it generates satisfac- projection of objects. We have truth, it is always with us. There or I don’t like this person, I am know something. It means first tion and this is called emotion. to understand that this is part of is no separation with the truth. in love with them or not. I can’t of all being responsible for this This mechanism is an aspect of this capacity of sharing. Since we This is the first fundamental as- give a number and say that I am in closeness, so understanding that the functioning of the mind that have this idea of sharing we also pect. love 5. That doesn’t make sense. I that which we consider true or we project inside. The capacity of have this capacity to project it in If we look at it from an an- have to understand whether I am false from the point of view of this projection is infinite, where- a universal way. But the intuition thropological or religious point or not. In this case if I am, it is the observer towards ourselves, as the capacity of the projection related to imagining an object ro- of view when we look inside our- total. If I am not, that’s obvious. is actually not so important be- towards the outside is finite. tating in space in a 3 dimensional selves we don’t have the problem In these cases we can understand cause it can be true or false ac- We can accomplish one proj- way done by a young child is not of distance. Normally we per- clearly what truth means. cording to the relativity of time ect, in this moment, at this time, something obvious for a person ceive a problem of distance – the When we look inside ourselves and space. It means that in a little perhaps in the next few days we from the East. It is something projection of our being towards everything is always true. Our be- while it may be true and a little will accomplish one project, but very difficult to do. And so we aspects of reality, aspects of dai- ing is in the aspect of truth. This later it becomes false. How can inside we will be projecting mil- find many systems of meditation ly life or simply a projection of distance, that is nothing other we notice this? How many times lions of variables, possibilities in order to reach this capacity our ideas. So this being of ours than the projection of our per- do we change our mind during a and alternatives. So we have to that is a little bit like the opposite projects itself in many aspects. ception of reality, we have to take day? Within an hour or a minute. understand this aspect, this op- of the capacity of the approach In some aspects we might like upon ourselves as a responsibil- We have something important in position between that which is that people have in the East. it, in others we may not. For ex- ity, as an understanding that it our minds, an idea, a project, and an outside projection and that But we have to look at what ample, is this aspect close to me does not exist. It’s just our own we evaluate all possibilities of which is an inner projection. the characteristics of thought, of or far away from me. In this case projection. In this case if we un- this project. How many creations Inner projection has no limita- capacity, are in the East. Turning the problem of judgement, evalu- derstand that this distance is not and projections do we have in our tion, it has the faculty of creating one’s eyes backwards and look- ation, projection is this connec- very useful or efficient in order to mind – a great many. something. In this case we have ing inside is something natural. tion – how far or how distant is it? learn and know something, we Let’s observe the mechanism to understand well the difference It’s a kind of knowledge and way But if we look at ourselves, see- slowly enter into the aspect of of this capacity to create. First of between knowing and creating. of seeing and being that is abso- ing as the truth is always with us what it means to have the right all it’s visual. It’s an aspect, like a >> continued on the following page THE MIRROR · No. 116 · May, June 2012

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>> The Advice continued from page 2 Another one is called semnyam and that is related to our easy for us to integrate, but when we know its real nature is the self liberated state. In general, this word in Tibetan mind. Sometimes when you are doing shine and you suc- and we are in that real nature, what you see is already gov- is ye. You remember when we say wisdom we say yeshe. ceed to do it for a longer time; you remain for hours and erned with that knowledge. So you consider in that way And when we say since the beginning we say yenas or yedo- hours and you don’t feel uncomfortable. That is some- and integrate and develop. We should go that way. ma. Ye means from the beginning how its real condition is. thing like realizing the practice of shine and you feel hap- piness related to your manifestation of clarity, etc. Even if So this state is called rigpa tsepheb, the third stage. When So we are not conditioned by ordinary dualistic vision or you are not thinking or judging some mysterious things we succeed with that, then we say chozed, cho is dharma, zed can we liberate something; everything is the relative condi- can manifest in your mind, maybe something mysterious means all phenomena connected with our mind is con- tion in our mental concept. So the verses we learn later are you wanted to know manifests, for example. In shenyam sumed. We are no longer in the mind. We are in the nature very much related to Dzogchen longde and explain partic- different things can manifest. This is also called a kind of of mind and we are totally integrated in that state. ular methods. You see in the Dzogchen teachings, we have nyam. Dzogchen yangtig and thögal, particularly the verses that When we are in that fourth stage, when you are learning explain experiences of the practice and how they manifest. Nyam also means developing visions. For example, if you and studying Dzogchen thögal and yangtig methods, when Then we know the method and when have the capacity to are doing something like practices of thögal and then you are in the last stage, if you have not succeeded to fi n- integrate we can have the realization of the rainbow body. with secondary causes you are gazing in sun rays, etc, and ish your practice and you only rose into the fourth level applying the visualization of the thigle, from this many and you are dying, your physical body manifests the rain- So always the Dzogchen teaching develops with four thigles can develop, and not only thigles, but inside the bow body. To manifest the rainbow body, not only do you kinds of visions, nangwa zhi. The fi rst vision is called cho- thigles are the manifestation of sambogakaya. Many dif- need to rise into the fourth level, but you must succeed nyid ngonsum, we see the vision of the thigle, and in the ferent kinds of thigles can develop one by one. Increas- completely in this fourth level, e.g. explanation, meth- Dzogchen teaching it says that is the manifestation of ing different kinds of visions is just like pure vision, this ods and everything. Now you have no vehicle; just like the our real potentiality. We have that knowledge and we see is called the state of nyamnang kongphel. In periods of your story of Guru Padmasambhava and Vimalamitra. Because something concrete, that represents our dharmata, our practice all kinds of visions develop and you do not need your existence, your physical level, has already dissolved real nature of mind. That is the starting point of thögal any effort. This is the second stage. in your vision of thögal. Totally integrated and very slowly and yangtig practice. your physical body disappears for ordinary people. This is The third stage is called rigpa tsepheb. Rigpa means the called jalu phowa chenpo, the Great Transference. So these Then there is a series of methods and practices called nam- state which you have discovered, not only that you are in are the fi nal realizations of methods of Dzogchen yangtig nyang kongphel. Therefore in the Sakyapa tradition for the the state of guruyoga or the state of contemplation; self and thögal. practice of Vajrakilaya there is a lineage of this Mahasid- perfected it matures in the dimension in the state of rigpa. dha. Nyam means experience of the practice. In general, In the state of rigpa there are khadag and lhundrup, all self When I explain the four nangwa, I am not giving thögal we have different experiences. Like eating chocolate, we perfected qualifi cations, which are perfected and you are teachings. Some people think they have received thögal in- taste sweet and that is also an experience; with this experi- in this matured state. There is no need to develop visions struction that way from me. I am saying you should inte- ence we discover all sweets. This is an ordinary experience. of seeing or hearing anymore. You are matured and totally grate and then do something in your way, instead of saying When we do practice we have the nyam of the experience of integrated. There is no subject and object. This is called you should do the practice of thögal. This is not thögal or the practice. This is very important. If we are doing prac- the state of rigpa tsepheb. Until that point we have developed yangtig. When you seriously study thögal and yangtig there tice of course we need to have experience. If there is fi re many visions and we think our practice is developing. In- are precise instructions, step by step, related to body, voice there is smoke, smoke is not fi re, but indirectly we can un- stead of developing, now it is disappearing because it is and mind, and how you should develop. These kinds of derstand where there is smoke there is fi re. So manifest- integrated. practices are related very much with the experiences of the ing signs of the practice means the practice is working and vision, etc. it is alive. So this is called nyam of the practice. Of everything in the Dzogchen teaching, the most impor- tant is that we succeed to integrate. Many people fi nd in- So here more or less, it explains these meanings. Khyabdal We can have different kinds of nyams. We say nyamnang tegration very diffi cult. We cannot integrate everything in khangsang yeyod myid, khyabdal means the perfected con- and semnyam. Nyamnang means we see something with a perfect way because we live in dualism. For example, we ditions of all qualifi cations which we have. Yeyod means our eyes, like an object, and there is an experience relat- know that everything is unreal, as Buddha said, everything since the beginning what we have, not that we are doing ed with the nature of elements. We coordinate our ener- is just like a dream. In a dream in that moment, you can see practice and developing something, khyabma nyamle nam- gy and strengthen our elements, and that is suffi cient for and touch and do everything. Then when you wake up, you depa means how it is perfected just being in that state and our practice and we succeed in realizing that. Of course, understand there was nothing concrete. When we have we are not changing or modifying anything. We know how we can have visions like the color of elements. When we this knowledge and we do not succeed that everything re- to continue in that state. Yangso means this is the perfected say the nyam of vision we are not only seeing with our mains non dual, we are in the direction of integration. We condition everywhere. It is total for everything. Namkhai eyes, maybe we are also hearing and smelling, we have all should apply that way and develop slowly. Of course, when ying means just like in the dimension of space. Chochen kinds of contacts of senses with objects that can manifest. we have developed and realized, then we can integrate ev- barwa nyidai kyil chochen means total nature of all phenom- Sometimes when we are very relaxed and we do practice in erything. ena; its nature, wisdom and luminosity, just like the light the dark retreat, we can sometimes hear someone playing of the sun and moon. You remember when we are singing music, like the Song of Vajra, and in the real sense there For example, when you do the practice of namkha arte; nam- suryabhatarepashanapa, that is the meaning.  is no one but you who can hear it. That is an example of kha is space and you have your inner and outer space. You experience. are gazing in outer space, in emptiness, and in that mo- Transcribed and edited by Naomi Zeitz ment you are not doing any visualization. You are trying to Sometimes when you are sitting in the dark some very be in instant presence. When you are in instant presence good smell manifests and it seems like someone with a you do not have any consideration of outer and inner. It is very good smell is passing in front of your nose. It is not very easy for you to integrate with inner and outer space. only imagination, it can seem completely like that. So this There is nothing concrete in the dimension of space. In is called nyamnang. our dimension everything is relatively concrete. It is not so

Chögyal Namkhai Norbu 2013 Mexico August 2–9 January 6–16 April 26–28 Santi Maha Sangha Training Schedule 2012 Mexico Retreat Tibetan Cultural Event Romania >> continued from page 1 February 11–13 May 8–12 August 16–23 Tibetan Losar Ceremony Tsegyalgar West Retreat Merigar East Retreat Spain November 23–29 February 15–25 USA October 12–16 Longsal Longde Teaching Mandarava Chudlen Retreat May 17–19 Germany Barcelona Retreat Retreat Los Angeles Retreat August 30–September 1 Terma Teaching of Venezuela Berlin Retreat November 23–29 March 8–15 May 24–26 Adzom Drugpa, “Avalokite Longsal Longde Teaching Shvara Khorva Dongtruk” Tashigar Norte Retreat New York City Retreat Italy Retreat September 6–13 Canary Islands Argentina May 31–June 7 Merigar West Retreat Tenerife March 22–28 Tsegyalgar East Retreat October 26–30 December 7–13 Tashigar Sur Retreat September 28–30 Chöd Teaching and Practice June 14–21 Zhitro practice and Jyangchog “Longsal Atii Gongpa Ngotrod” Retreat April 1–8 Santi Maha Sangha Retreat Santi Maha Sangha Training Spain December 26–January 1 Russia October 9–13 November 9–13 Guru Dragphur Teaching Peru June 28–July 5 Barcelona Retreat Santi Maha Sangha, Vajra and Practice Retreat April 19–21 Kunsangar North Retreat October 14 leave for Tenerife Dance and Yantra Yoga Teachers Lima Retreat July 19–26 Meeting Kunsangar South Retreat THE MIRROR · No. 116 · May, June 2012 Reflections

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>> Educating the Mind continued from page 3 thinking, paradigms that are to- extra-terrestrial, what is material but at this moment, in this place, each system is different. There is lutely natural. It doesn’t require tally different but that were actu- and non-material. And we slowly this is me and I cannot be every- no single solar system, no single any effort. Perceiving something ally born from this perception, go to describe on the basis of a one otherwise I would be God, but earth and there is no single “I”. big and universal through the this deep understanding that it principle, the principle of obser- I am a man. Human knowledge Everything that is within the field thought of an artist that tomor- is inner. In our society, this inner vation. How does this observa- is something that refers to man, of life is relative in space and time row could become a trend, or a understanding has to develop tion take place? From the inside and man is in this moment, in this so we have to learn to accept at direction to follow for the future, through a process of art in this towards the outside. It doesn’t instant. The moment that he de- least these opposites, these two will also be an input or an address case. It’s not an instinctive type come from outside to the inside. scribes his knowledge, he has to points of view. given to science and markets and of understanding. It’s not spon- So if we reverse this point of go from himself towards every- When we have the possibility all studies etc., in order to have a taneous. view according to Eastern philos- thing, all fields of humanities and to change completely and look certain kind of future where ethi- It’s a spontaneous and instinc- ophy we see how our description from one it becomes millions and within ourselves as well and have cal aspects are respected. In this tive understanding that what we of human knowledge will change billions. This is typical of Western awareness and knowledge of case who is the first one who em- study in school is useful, like a completely. In this case it won’t be culture and knowledge. both aspects, then the opportu- bodies this thought? The artist, collection of knowledge. When many different sectors or areas of In Eastern knowledge and nity of knowing will obviously be not the scientist. Obviously. The we ask what human knowledge competence or volumes, but the culture it is the opposite. From greater because we will no longer artist in his condition and ca- is, what it is that man knows, it is opposite. We try to have a single millions of phenomena we go be looking from only one direc- pacity, has this sensation within difficult to give an immediate an- word, a single sense, a single towards one, a single condition, tion which has the goal of under- himself, this vision of the future, swer. If for example we ask what’s meaning and go in the opposite which is knowledge of one’s own standing one thing, but we will and obviously he tries to commu- on TV tonight, what’s for dinner direction. If we imagine that now state. If you’ve heard Buddhism be able to understand more. We nicate it on the outside through a tonight, it is easier to give an an- to describe human knowledge we spoken of, this is the principle. will be able to see according to work of art which becomes uni- swer. But if we ask ourselves what have one to a million aspects of In this case it’s not important to different perspectives and ways versal because it connects to our- human knowledge is, we have this knowledge and we put them say which of the two points of of being.  selves and our capacity of feeling various ways of explaining it. We together and assemble them, view is better because the sun ris- emotions, and obviously it also can do it like an encyclopaedia, but I am the one who is assem- es according to the rotation of the Translation by Alessandra Policreti affects scientific thoughts. To- we can make categories for ex- bling them. Even if this “I” can be earth. It is not fixed. Everything Transcription and editing morrow we have things, ways of ample: what is terrestrial, what is shared by the whole of humanity is in movement in the universe, by Liz Granger

Father Ernesto Balducci, born into a fragmented. Ideologies are noth- if we come back to a real human- poor mining family in 1922 in Santa ing other than prejudices. This istic view in which we finally be- Fiora near Merigar, was a spiritual holds true even more so for re- lieve in man. In the man who has guide, outspoken in ideological and ligions and spirituality, because the awareness to follow an inner political battles of his time as well as a negative judgment on the spiri- path. great intellectual. Author of a history tual paths that are different from In this context the studies of of philosophy and numerous essays, our own hardens us into super- Father Balducci on Buddhism in 1990 he published “L’Uomo Plan- ficial and formal mindsets that, and the centrality of the theme of etario” on the necessity of researching a inevitably, prevent us from turn- compassion, which he roughly form of universal humanism that was ing our attention to ourselves and equates to the loving charity of not only based on Western thought but getting to know our true nature, Christians, are certainly striking. able to integrate in itself all cultures. beyond any type of framework. The realization of compassion is He passed away in 1992 following a This position created many prob- possible only in the real, not men- car accident. lems for Father Balducci within tal, recognition of the empty na- the church hierarchy with its con- ture of all things, which in turn, Father Balducci servative and dogmatic nature. derives from the collapse of ego- Defining oneself a Christian istic and dualistic vision. Once and the Spiritual or in any other way makes no again the central theme is total Tradition of Amiata sense – it is just a mindset: inner freedom, free from any bias “Those who are still seeking ideologies and mindset. In this context faith Fabio Risolo and call themselves atheists or secu- means the willingness to embark lar or Marxists and are looking for a on inner essential research: n April 28 and 29, 2012, Christian to complete the series, do not “No religion is global, only inner con- a Conference was held at look for me. I am only a man.” sciousness is” Othe Santa Fiora Munici- Courtesy of the Fondazione E. Balducci. pality Hall of the People, just a The inner search Amiata – land of spirituality few kilometers from Arcidosso, known in this area. As his nature Beyond ideologies Father Balducci writes: Even 20 years after his death, the to celebrate the twentieth anni- rebelled against any form of cor- Although Ernesto Balducci was “Conditioning, no matter where it maturity and simplicity of Father versary of the death of Father Er- ruption and established dogma, a priest and spent his whole life comes from, always generates a con- Balducci’s thought still main- nesto Balducci. this led the political and religious within the Church, it was very clear dition of servitude and submission, tains great strength. The themes As Headmaster of the Second- powers of the time to become to him that no vision, no point of which dulls the mind. For example, a of his thought that I have covered ary Schools of Amiata-Grosseto, personally involved in his mur- view is in itself better than anoth- man who has been trained and condi- so far are certainly very familiar to I was invited to give a talk at the der, which took place right in Ar- er, because the form is never the tioned by the Catholic world can only us practitioners of the Dzogchen Conference, attended by the au- cidosso. substance. In particular in L’uomo have visions of Christ and the environ- Community: from the principle thorities of Amiata and Tuscany Less known, though certainly planetario he stated that any ide- ment of his faith, which, of course, are of living beyond all prejudice and as well as scholars who had stud- of greater spiritual strength and ology is based on separation, on projections of his state of dependence. dogma, to the principle of free- ied his work. depth, is the thought of Father dualism, on the misconception of Similarly those who have been edu- dom by opening our conscious- I immediately accepted the in- Balducci, who was known and being right as opposed to some- cated in the tradition of Krishna have ness to our true nature, beyond vitation extended by the Mayor highly regarded both in his area one else. The labels, the forms, experiences and visions born from their any mindset. of Santa Fiora because speaking and abroad. Ernesto Balducci the abstract models are barriers beliefs and their culture. That is, rec- It is important and not by about Father Balducci seemed a was contrary to any type of con- that prevent us from seeing: ognizing vision as that of Krishna chance to note that the extraordi- good opportunity to highlight ventions and conformity – his “The world is not just everything that or Christ is the result of conditioned nary experience of the Dzogchen and promote some very basic spiritual quest was intimate, vi- surrounds us. It is also our relationship knowledge. In this case it is very diffi- Community of Merigar founded aspects of his thought, which tal, alive. He was a simple person, with it. Unfortunately, however, we see cult for the mind to open itself to what by our teacher Chögyal Nam- can still be very useful for the in- who cared about the miners and the world divided into nationalities, is fresh and alive.” khai Norbu is rooted in an area, habitants of Amiata. I also had mountain people of Amiata, but political, religious, social and ethnic According to Father Balducci, Amiata, where, in a completely the opportunity to present the who had a capacity to move freely groups. Poor world! It is as outwardly stating that the common base different cultural context, some Dzogchen Community of Meri- in various cultural and spiritual fragmented as we are inwardly. And it of all religions is the same does aspects of light and liberty have gar, founded by Master Chögyal fields and showed a non-sec- is precisely this division that destroys not mean assimilating them all been understood and presented. Namkhai Norbu, and offer some tarian attitude well ahead of his love and freedom, that makes people into one, or promoting interfaith This recognition is also part of advice from his teaching. time. I remember that he visited hard, that makes them hate and leads meetings that remain on the sur- the principle of integration with The most important spiri- Merigar and that a very interest- them to war. All actions based on an face of the problem, but rather the Amiata area and its culture, to tual personalities born on Mt. ing interview with him was pub- ideology create divisions and unifying recalling the common essence of which I tried to make a small con- Amiata over the past two centu- lished in the Merigar Letter [Meri- the divisions is impossible for the sim- the profound nature that dwells tribution with my speech at the ries have been David Lazzeretti gar – n.7 March 1991 – Le radici della ple fact that you cannot join two preju- within each one of us. Only from Conference on Father Balducci. and Ernesto Balducci. The story pace – Intervista a Ernesto Balducci su dices. Only when we understand that this understanding will it truly be With the hope that the Mas- of Lazzeretti, the idealistic and Francesco d’Assisi]. we are all human beings and therefore possible to open ourselves to oth- ter’s Teaching will continue to de- prophetic dreamer who founded not divided by names or labels, will ers and, thanks to our own con- velop and be an opportunity to in- the Giurisdavidica Community these senseless wounds be healed.” sciences, promote peace in the tegrate not only for ourselves but on Monte Labbro, the mountain We must learn to be men be- world. Real peace in the world is also for all residents of Amiata! overlooking Merigar, is fairly well yond the labels, intact and not only possible if we change inside, THE MIRROR · No. 116 · May, June 2012 ASIA

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ASIA Onlus Association for International Förderverein ASIA Deutschland e.V. Via San Martino della Battaglia 31 Solidarity in ASIA, Inc. c/o Gisela Auspurg 00185 Rome, Italy ASIA, Post Office Box 124, Königswieser Str. 2 Tel +39.06.44340034 Conway, MA 01341-0124 USA 82131 Gauting Fax +39.06.44702620 Phone: 413.369.4153, Fax: 413.369.4473 Tel.: 089 / 127 630 32 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.asia-ngo.org www.asia-ngo.org/en/ www.asia-ngo.de

Update from Kathmandu The future belongs

Dear friends, to those who would like to thank you for having responded enthusi- believe in the beauty I astically to our appeal to save the Manasarovar school. Thanks to the participation of of their dreams so many supporters we are now halfway to the fundraising goal Eleanor Roosvelt that we set earlier in the month of May: we have managed to collect 29,000 euros! There are exactly 31,000 eu- ros missing for the Manasar- ovar Educational Foundation to finally become the owner of the building in which, after 13 years, a continuously growing number of Tibetan children in exile in open a hospital where people can will want to participate in this ini- You can help the Manasarovar Learn more on Kathmandu – 350 at the moment receive free medical care, Dhon- tiative and help us buy the school. School with a donation by: www.asia-ngo.org/en – has access to quality education dup dreams of becoming a great The goal is near, we are half way, Bank transfer to ASIA onlus that respects their cultural roots. Tulku (Reincarnation) and teach let’s not stop now! IBAN: IT 27 M 01030 72160 PS: Donations to ASIA are tax As you know, and many of you the Dharma, and there are many 000000389350 deductible in Italy as well as in have been able to see personally others like them. Best regards SWIFT BIC: PASC IT MM XXX countries where ASIA is formally by going to visit the school, the Tibet is currently experiencing Linda Fidanzia registered. For information: priority of the Manasarovar Ed- one of the most difficult periods Fundraising ASIA Onlus Credit card on our website – ASIA Germany: [email protected] ucational Foundation, founded in its history. In just over a year www.asia-ngo.org/en U.S. ASIA: [email protected] and directed by two women, is to 39 people have immolated them- UK ASIA: [email protected] accompany the children in their selves, carrying out an act of ex- ASIA France: learning process with activities treme protest to the silence of the [email protected] aimed at developing a greater international community. awareness of their origins and Please help this school, which strengthening their sense of cul- offers a service of great impor- journal Religions www.mdpi.com/ Religions is actually covered tural identity, so as to better pre- tance to the Tibetan community Namkhai Norbu journal/religions/special_issues/ by following indexing and ab- pare them for life. in exile, and gives us the oppor- spiritual_exemplars stracting databases: It is a difficult but absolutely tunity to take concrete action in Biography Religions (ISSN 2077-1444) · Directory of Open Access necessary task in order to allow support of the Tibetan people, an Wednesday, 23 May 2012 09:48 established in 2010, is a young Journals (DOAJ) these children, mostly born in ex- action that has a special value be- but quoted international interdis- · e-Helvetica (Swiss National ile, to keep alive their sense of be- cause it is directed towards chil- Italy ciplinary, open access scholarly Library Archive) longing to a people and a culture dren and hence aimed at protect- have the pleasure to forward journal on religions and theology, · EBSCOhost with ancient traditions. Without ing the future. you all the first biography published by MDPI online quar- · Google Scholar this strong link with their roots, Special thanks to the many I of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu terly, publishing peer reviewed I tried to do my very best, hop- these young students, living in groups, Lings and Gars that have Rinpoche ever published in an studies of religious thought and ing it is of help for the Sangha. You a very difficult social context, been active in Italy and around international indexed journal. practice. It is available online to can duplicate, print, share my ar- would be at great risk of losing the world. In Poland, Singapore, In fact, my article “Chög- promote critical, hermeneutical, ticle. their identity. Taiwan, Japan, the United States, yal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche: historical, and constructive con- On the other hand the Mana- Australia and France, many of Dzogchen and Tibetan Tradition. versations. Paolo Roberti di Sarsina, sarovar children have very clear you have started fund raising, From Shang Shung to the West” You can find the other relevant Bologna, Italy ideas and dream about their fu- organizing events and sending http://www.mdpi.com/2077- details on ture: Dawa Dolkar wants to be- out information. Your support is 1444/3/2/163 has been published www.mdpi.com/journal/religions/ Find a downloadable pdf of the come a teacher of Tibetan, Dick- invaluable. In fact, your support in the Special Issue “Spiritual Exem- biography at www.melong.com ey Rokya wants to be a nurse and is essential. We hope that others plars” of the international indexed THE MIRROR · No. 116 · May, June 2012 Shang Shung Institute

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Shang Shung Institute Italy Shang Shung Institute Austria Shang Shung Institute UK, Shang Shung Institute of America Località Merigar Gschmaier 139 The London School of Tibetan Studies 18 Schoolhouse Rd 58031 Arcidosso (GR, Italy) 8265 Gr. Steinbach, Austria The London Centre for the Study P.O. Box 278 Phone : +39-0564-966940 Offi ce: 0043 3386 83218 of Traditional Tibetan Culture and Conway, MA 01341, USA [email protected] Fax: 0043 3386 83219 Knowledge Phone (main-Anna) 413 369 4928 www.shangshunginstitute.org www.shangshunginstitute.org www.shangshunguk.org Fax/Bookstore 413 369 4473 www.shangshungstore.org www.ssi-austria.at www.shangshung.org

betan in order to be able to easily strive together to promote Tibet- 10 years Ka-Ter pronounce the Tibetan practice an performing arts. texts of the Dzogchen Commu- Many of you already know Translation Project nity, not many students are able about our project but for the sake Anniversary to pronounce Tibetan correctly. of newcomers we would like to For that reason the Ka-Ter give you an outline of what we e are very happy to an- Translation Project of the Shang will do. We organize Tibetan nounce again the com- Shung Institute Austria offers song and dance classes includ- Wing activities of the this specifi c course that has three ing Tibetan language Pronun- Shang Shung Institute. As it is main parts: ciation sessions. We will provide the 10th anniversary of the Ka-ter 1. A general introduction to the Dra Nyen (Tibetan guitar) les- Translation Project we invite you Tibetan language, its nature, sons, Tibetan children’s rhym- to participate in new Tibetan lan- structure and general grammati- ing songs for children, teaching guage courses. cal features. children aspects of Tibetan cul- 2. Explanation of the structure ture by doing together etc. We Very best wishes, and phonology of the Tibetan al- are sure we will be able to cater Oliver Leick phabet. to the needs and interests of vari- Director of the Shang Shung 3. Explanation of the Drajyor sys- ous kinds of people irrespective Institute Austria tem, following the texts of the their age although for our conve- main practices of the Dzogchen Tibetan Performing Arts nience we might classify partici- Community also including the at the Shang Shung pants into two groups, namely Weekend Seminar correct pronunciation of the San- an adult group and a children’s skrit mantras. Institute, Italy group. We believe our time and on Drajyor Dr. Fabian Sanders from the effort would be most productive Tibetan Language and correct University of Venice will lead the enerable Rinpoche has only at Merigar West but also in if we start only when there are at pronunciation of practice texts course. dedicated his life to the most of our Gars if possible. We least 4 people in each group. July 14th–15th 2012 Place: Shang Shung Institute Vpreservation and promo- have constantly been working to Please do not hesitate to con- Merigar, Italy. tion of all aspects of Tibetan cul- improve our skills and expertise tact us for clarifi cations, sugges- högyal Namkhai Norbu, How to participate: In order ture. Tibetan performing arts, in this area with the motivation tions or anything you would like our precious Master, has to be able to participate in this which encompass singing and of serving our Gars and Lings to share with us. Cpointed out many times, course one has to be a member of dancing among others, is also a whenever needed. that it is extremely important to the Shang Shung Institute and the very important part of the Tibet- But our readiness would not With many Tashi Delek, pronounce Tibetan words cor- Dzogchen Community in 2012. an tradition especially for lay peo- mean much if we lack the neces- Topgyal Gontse rectly in order to make them Costs: Course fee: € 50. Food and ple. As such venerable Rinpoche sary support and help of our In- meaningful. In particular the accommodation are not included has asked us, Topgyal and Tser- stitutes, Gars, Lings, ASIA and, [email protected] practice texts are said to be effi ca- in the course fee. All participants ing Dolker, to take some initia- most importantly, of individual [email protected] cious only if pronounced correct- are requested to individually book tive in this fi eld. members. Taking this opportuni- [email protected] ly, both in Tibetan and Sanskrit. their stay in the Merigar area and We are therefore resolved to ty we would like to request all our Although Chögyal Namkhai are advised to do so early. do our level best and try to ful- members and Dzogchen com- Norbu devised the Drajyor pho- Planned schedule: Saturday and fi ll venerable Rinpoche’s selfl ess munities to lend us your helping netic transcription system for Sunday 10.00–12.30 am and wish by taking charge of teach- hands and supporting advice to students who do not know Ti- 4.00–6.30 pm. ing Tibetan performing arts not

the words and their actual mean- The precise schedule and the ginner’s course, directly or on- Course fee: € 35.00, for people Tibetan Language ing. Even more than that it is cer- division of the courses will be line, or have otherwise acquired who also participate in the course tainly very fulfi lling to be able to communicated by Fabian Sand- the basics of reading/writing and on Drajyor: € 10.00. Food and ac- Course and Training follow Dharma teachings while ers on Monday, July 16th at 10.00 grammar. The main work dur- commodation are not included for Translators reading the text on which they am. ing this course will be focused in the course fee. All participants are based. on the translation of a selection are requested to individually book from Tibetan To give the possibility to the 1. Beginner’s course of texts of different styles. Par- their stay in the Merigar area and July 16th–August 15th 2012 practitioners of the Dzogchen This course is open to everybody ticipants will work three hours are advised to do so early. Community and others to begin who is interested in learning Ti- in the morning and two in the ibetan is a sacred lan- and further the study of Tibetan betan, no specifi c requirements afternoon session, individually Dr. Fabian Sanders guage. It is a perfect re- language, the Ka-Ter project of are necessary for participation. or in small groups, and from After studying the languages and T cipient to contain and the Shang Shung Institute has It is designed to teach the basics 12 am–1 pm and 4.30–5.30 pm cultures of China, India and Tibet convey all of the Bon and Bud- been organizing trainings for of the language starting from the they will discuss and explain in both academic and traditional dhist teachings. It is used by the Translators from Tibetan. Start- alphabet and pronunciation up to their translation with the instruc- ways for more than twenty-fi ve practitioners of all related paths ing from 2010 we have divided and including all the basic gram- tor and the participants in the ad- years, Fabian teaches Tibetan to explain the Doctrine and the the course into three levels: be- matical features. It takes place in vanced course. Language and Culture at the Uni- Practice, to establish commu- ginners, intermediate and ad- the morning from 9-10am and Course fee: € 70.00, for people versita’ Ca’ Foscari in Venice. He nication with subtle beings, to vanced. will be supported by audio/video who also participate in the course has also been teaching language evoke the content of their visual- From July 16th until August materials on pronunciation, cal- on Drajyor: € 50.00. Food and ac- and translation courses for the izations, to proclaim the attain- 15th 2012 the Shang Shung In- ligraphy and grammar produced commodation are not included International Shang Shung Insti- ment of the fruit of practice and stitute will be offering the tenth for the Tibetan Language Proj- in the course fee. All participants tute for many years. so on. The sheer beauty of the training at Merigar, Italy. Dr. Fa- ect of the Shang Shung Institute. are requested to individually Dharma is mirrored by the clarity bian Sanders from the University During the whole day the teacher book their stay in the Merigar and Place and imaginative creativity of the of Venice will again be the in- will be available for support. are advised to do so early. The Shang Shung Institute at Tibetan language. For these and structor. Course fee: € 115.00, for peo- Merigar, Italy. many other reasons the study of The course will be held in a ple who also participate in the 3. Advanced Course Tibetan language represents a sequence of three days of work course on Drajyor: € 95.00. Food The participants of the advanced How to participate crucial step towards a closer rela- and one day of relaxation. For and accommodation are not in- course will read a few lines each All courses or trainings with its tion with the teachings and par- example Monday, Tuesday and cluded in the course fee. All par- in turn and translate them with- three levels takes place in a re- ticularly with their practice. As Wednesday could be working ticipants are requested to individ- out having prepared them in ad- laxed and friendly atmosphere many people put it, it is a mar- days for courses on all three lev- ually book their stay in the Meri- vance. The translation and all the so, in our opinion, this is a won- velous experience to be able to els while Thursday would be gar and are advised to do so early. related issues will be discussed derful opportunity for all those directly understand the words free. Friday, Saturday and Sunday with the other participants and who wish to learn or further their you are reciting during the prac- could be working days for cours- 2. Intermediate Course the teacher. The resulting trans- understanding of the Tibetan tices; it cuts through the distance es on all three levels with Monday This course is open to all those lations should then be published. language. between the mind, the sound of being free, etc. who have participated in a be- >> continued on the following page THE MIRROR · No. 116 · May, June 2012 Shang Shung Institute

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The Sutras, Tantras and the words Shang Shung The Mirror and The The Union of of the learned and accomplished The Lamp That masters of India and Tibet Publications Fifteen Questions Mahamudra and Contain great blessings but are dif- Enlightens Narrow By Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Dzogchen ficult for ordinary people to fathom. Minds: The Life and Upcoming Titles Edited by Adriano Clemente Although necessary teaching in mo- Translated by Andrew Lukianowicz By Raga Asye nastic collages, Times of a Realized and Nancy Simmons Commentary Chögyal Namkhai Norbu They are of little help in the practice of Tibetan Master, Awakening a single heart. Khyentse Chokyi Upon Dying he Mirror: Advice On Presence his book contains the This “pointing out instruction of the And Awareness and The Fif- root text of The Union of old lady” is more beneficial to the Wangchug The Tibetan Book of the Dead T teen Questions will be pub- T Mahamudra and Dzogchen mind than all the other scriptures. Introduction by lished together as one book in by Raga Asye (Karma Chagme By Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Chögyal Namkhai Norbu the last quarter of 2012. The sec- Rinpoche, teacher and student of All the countless and profound teach- Edited and Annotated by Enrico Translated by Elio Guarisco ond text, written by Rinpoche in the renowned child terton Nam- ings, such as Mahamudra and Dell’Angelo Edited by Nancy Simmons the seventies, contains answers chos Mingyur Dorje) together Dzogchen Translated by Nancy Simmons to puzzling questions asked him with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s Whose respective root texts (represent) new edition of the classic by his students, including an ex- commentary, based on the teach- the true and unmistaken (mean- his long awaited biogra- text of The Great Liberation planation of different Buddhist ings given in Merigar West in ing), phy of Rinpoche’s ma- A from the Intermediate States paths and their relationship with June–July 2011. Are necessary when propagating them T ternal uncle, Khyentse through Hearing together with an the teaching of Dzogchen. among students that will hold the Chökyi Wangchug, will be pub- introduction by Chögyal Nam- Excerpt from the text: lineages of these teachings, lished by North Atlantic Books khai Norbu will be published by Excerpt from the text: The scriptures of the Sutras and Tan- But for practice for one’s own sake, and distributed by Random Shang Shung Publication in the The Nyingma tradition has many tan- tras are extensive and very many in practice for the sake of one’s future, House as of October 16, 2012. coming period. tric cycles such as the Eight Sadhanas, number, It is more effective to unify all of them Beginning with the history of the Peaceful and Wrathful Guru, and But life is short and intelligence is as one. the Khyentse incarnations, the Excerpt from the text: others that are usually classified as small, so it is difficult to fully com- book presents the life of Khyen- Now that I journey alone, separated Dzogchen teachings. The reason is not prehend them all. The book will be available from tse Chökyi Wangchug, including from my loved ones, and only that the accomplishment phase You may know a great deal, but if you www.shangshungstore.org. miraculous events and terma dis- Images of emptiness which are my own of these cycles contains instructions do not put it into practice, coveries, and ends with a chapter manifestations arise, on meditation drawn from the nature It is like dying of thirst on the banks of about Khyentse Yeshi. May the enlightened beings (swiftly) of the mind series of Dzogchen, but a big lake. reveal the power of their compassion mainly that the view and meditation So it happens that an ordinary corpse The Precious Excerpt from the text: So that fear of the awesome intermedi- of the self-perfected state of Dzogchen is found in the bed of a learned Chökyi Wangchug was also invited to ate states dissolves. is found throughout the development person. Mala of the Four the Kyegu Gyanag Ladrang monastic and accomplishment practices. In this Dharmas residence where the two reincarnations When the five radiant lights of wisdom regard Araga explains: of Gyanag Tulku asked for the Tseta shine, By Longchen Rabjam, commentary Sungdrel initiation. May I recognize them without fright In the system of Dzogchen, the Primor- Creative Vision and by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu That same evening in the temple of and terror as my own state, and dial Yoga, in the mandala of the funda- Edited by Jacob Braverman the lamas’ residence, he performed, When the forms of the peaceful and mental nature of mind the universe and Inner Reality together with the two Gyanag tulkus, wrathful deities manifest, beings are perceived in the primordial Easing the Beginner’s Way: The his book contains the root a lengthy offering ritual to Magzor May I, fearless and confident, recog- dimension of the base where they mani- Essential Points of Creation and text of Longchenpa’s Pre- Gyalmo in front of the statue of that di- nize (the nature of ) the intermedi- fest as infinite pure deities. Completion T cious Mala together with vine protectress. When the torma of the ate states. Translated by Elio Guarisco Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s com- Lhamo was presented, a tongue of fire In the language of the New tantric tra- Edited by Nancy Simmons mentary, based on teachings giv- blazed forth from the scarf that Chökyi When I suffer because of past (nega- dition this is expressed thusly: “a mo- en in Moscow in May 2009 and in Wangchug had placed as an offering tive) actions, ment of presence is enough for all to be his amazing text by Argentina in December 2007. above the reliquary containing the May the Great Compassionate One perfected.” It is not necessary to purify Jamgön Kongtrul the statue. Since neither butter lamps nor dispel that pain. yourself with the mantra om svabhava, T Great presents the es- Excerpt from the text: incense (nor other fonts of heat) were When the natural sound of reality and so forth. sence of all practices in a way What we can see clearly from the near the nyinmo deleg scarf, all present, crashes like a thousand thunderbolts, which is easy to understand and transmission lineage of this text by astounded, interrupted the recitation May I hear it as the teaching of the Heedful of the point of view of emptiness, apply, explaining in particular, Longchenpa is that it is a lineage of for a short time. Nothing but that scarf, Greater Vehicle. You do not need to recite the verses as the Creation and Completion title Dzogchen masters. This is because the and none of the scarves offered by oth- that describe the deity. indicates, helpful ways to regard text itself emphasizes the practice of ers, were touched by the flame. This was When I wander without refuge, driven Just as a rainbow appears in limpid the Vajrayana practice. Dzogchen. It also explains aspects of seen clearly by all of us. by past negative acts, space, the Hinayana, Mahayana, and Tantra Another time, invited by Trau Behu, May the victorious peaceful and wrath- You visualize yourself as the yidam deity: Excerpt from the text: teachings, but these are not the main he performed the ritual for the benefit ful ones dispel that suffering. The outer world is its pure abode, The only true foundation for practice point; for example, when he touches on of the dead linked to Buddha Aksobhya. When I experience the affliction of Beings are its divine retinue. is the wish to be free from habitual the main principles of the tantric path, Almost everyone present saw that˙ the habitual tendencies, From the primordial beginning life. he gives a short explanation of the two list with the names of the dead, readied May the blissful contemplation of No duality between the pledge deity The only approach is faith, stages in tantric practice – the develop- for burning during the ritual, burst into luminous clarity arise in me. and the wisdom deity exists. The main road is compassion, ment stage and the completion stage flame on its own. Your body is the pledge deity, And the only backbone is complete and – but xx gives no concrete instructions In the palace of that local chieftain The book will be available from The nature of your mind is the wisdom assiduous training. on how we can apply these two stages. he bestowed a blessing to cure a man www.shangshungstore.org. deity. Indispensable to the practice is This is because we should receive a who had become hydrophobic, having Receiving initiation means recalling to conscientiousness, presence, and tantric initiation before hearing de- been bitten by a rabid dog. That same mind what is. awareness. tailed instructions on how to apply the evening the man returned to normalcy. When your view is inseparable from Trust in the Precious Jewels eliminates two stages of Tantra. Even then these On another occasion as he per- >> continued from previous page the state of emptiness, obstacles, instructions are very detailed and com- formed a rite in front of the talking In order to be able to partici- You realize the union of emptiness and Devotion to the master enhances the plex, and it takes many months to learn statue of the Ta¯ra¯ of Denkhog, all the pate in this training one has to be clarity of the yidam deity. practice, everything. Although Longchenpa was a onlookers saw a five-colored tongue of an ordinary or sustaining mem- This supreme meditation is on the And the master’s instructions ensure great master and a renowned scholar, flame more than a span in height surge ber of the Shang Shung Institute union of development and accom- flawless practice. he could not explain how to apply these from the butter lamp in front of the in 2012. plishment. All the essential points of practice are two stages of Tantra in the few words of statue. Everybody needs to register unified in the Three Roots. a small book like this one. first. Without registration and The book will be available from When the peaceful and wrathful However, what he does explain The Italian edition is already valid membership we cannot ac- www.shangshungstore.org. mandalas here in a concrete and clear way is the available from cept students wishing to partici- Arise as the master’s display, this practice of Dzogchen. This practice, like www.shangshungstore.org pate. alone is sufficient! that of Tantra, has a precise source and You can preorder the English- Please send the following in- a precise lineage of transmission. It is language edition now at the fol- formation as soon as possible The book will be available from important to understand that this trans- lowing address: to offi[email protected] www.shangshungstore.org. mission is really something like the vital http://goo.gl/yRpiA · first and family name, address, life of the Dzogchen teachings, both in city and post code, country, date general and for every individual practi- of birth, email and whether or tioner who holds this transmission. not you have ever participated in one of the SSI Tibetan language The book will be available from training courses. www.shangshungstore.org. THE MIRROR · No. 116 · May, June 2012 Shang Shung Institute

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white, the other black, differentiating stow ultimate peace. On his right and The Cloud of between virtue and evil. The evil-doers left were White Tara and Green Tara; in The Marvelous Shang Shung were chained and driven toward the the intermediate directions were many Nectar infernal cauldrons containing molten bodhisattvas and adepts – male and Primordial State Institute USA The Life and copper by diverse types of multi-headed female – from India and Tibet. (Then Translated by Elio Guarisco, Adriano Upcoming Events servants of the Lord of Death. The virtu- the Lord begged Mahakaruna): Clemente, and Jim Valby Liberation of ous were invited to step onto the path by My compassionate Master, I beg you Edited by Nancy Simmons July 4 Nyagla Pema Düdul numerous lamas, excellent guides who to give me the method that frees those Tibetan Medicine School led them to a white road of pleasant beings! his fundamental tantra of Graduation By Yeshe Dorje appearance leading upward. Then he Dzogchen Semde is in the Alumni House, Amherst College Translated by Oriol Aguillar thought, “Although I am not worried Mahakaruna replied by lifting up an T lengthy process of a com- Edited by Judith Chasnoff about having to go to the copper hell, object similar to the jokhor of existence, plex translation. This profound July 16–21 I feel compassion for those beings with that is, the human dimension of the text contains forty chapters re- Special Kunye Course (floor work) his is the first time that bad karma.” As he began to beseech the universe. Spinning it on his right palm, lated directly to the knowledge of with Aldo Oneto the biography of the fa- lamas and the Three Jewels, a smiling the master and his retinue began sing- the Primordial State. Our hope is Florence Classroom T mous yogi and terton who and pacific Mahakaruna, the supreme ing together the melody of the mantra to publish this book in 2012. achieved Rainbow Body is pub- divinity who is a master, appeared be- of the six syllables. Finally, having spun August 10–17 lished in the West. Nyagla Padma fore him. He asked: (the jokhor) for a long time, holding it Excerpt from the text: Tibetan Medical Intensive: Duddul was the teacher of Nya- My master Mahakaruna, in his hand, he placed it on the Lord’s External Therapies gla Changchub Dorje and Ayu I feel great pity for those beings, crown, saying three times: Great Being! Instructor TBA Khandro Dorje Paldron. As both Is there no way of leading these beings Son, guide those beings by spinning a In the self-originated mandala of these masters were the teachers – my fathers and mothers – to freedom? dharma wheel like this one. Mind, perfect wisdom abides like a In the system of Tibetan Medi- of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, the mirror. cine there are four main types of book will be of special interest to Mahakaruna replied: Waking from this dream and vision he I am the wisdom of the buddhas which treatment: diet, lifestyle, herbs his students. Yes, there is a way. Follow me, my son, brimmed with compassion for the be- abide in the three times: and external therapies. Of those sustaining your feeling of compassion. ings he had seen in the infernal vision Since I have understood the principle external therapies is considered On reaching the age of eighteen, he and, remembering the noble beings in of the primordial state, I am the the strongest form of therapeutic had an experience in which dream and When the Lord followed the Master the pure dimensions, he felt a growing embodiment of all buddhas; treatment and is often considered vision were one, and he saw the in- Mahakaruna along a pleasant path joy. Thus those two feelings arose in I am the tomb of all buddhas; only for serious cases. There are commensurable suffering of the lower that seemed a crystal staircase, there him. I am the great charnel ground; two categories of external thera- hells. The vision contained the aspects instantly appeared a beautiful and All great beings and all sentient beings pies: strong and soft. Strong ex- of panic and terror of all dimensions. exquisite paradise, embellished with a The book will be available from come from me; ternal therapies includes moxi- In the place where one could hear: Kill! wish fulfilling tree, a nectar fountain, www.shangshungstore.org. I am the tomb of sentient beings. bustion, bloodletting and acu- Kill! Destroy!, Destroy! Phat, phat! and a garden of many kinds of flowers, Fortunate one, understand this! puncture. Soft external therapies Hum, hum!, were the innumerable birds singing the six syllables mantra in include massage, compresses servants of the Lord of Death, looking harmonious tones, and so on, and ev- All buddhas are my realm. and medicinal bathes. This inten- like karmic butchers and with imposing erything was of great distinction. In the All sentient beings are the treasure of sive will introduce each of these and horrific faces. On a high throne center of this kingdom was a celestial the three enlightened Bodies. topics in both theory and appli- covered in brocade and (pieces of ) cop- dwelling made of perfect, precious ma- Everything is the cause of my enjoyment. cation. per and iron was the Dharmaraja Lord terials. There, on a throne of brocades of Death, dark brown in color and of and lotus, the great master (Mahaka- The book will be available from August 24–29 extremely wrathful appearance. Before runa) shone with intense glory, adorned www.shangshungstore.org. Tibetan Medical Intensive: him were the two princes of karma, one with the thirteen ornaments which be- Tibetan Kunye Massage Theory and Practice: Learning the Basics With Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo, 5. Mantra and Invocations Academic Director Mantras and Invocations for the MP3 Downloads In this recording, to be used in conjunction with the correspond- Tibetan Kunye Massage is an ef- Practices of the Dzogchen Community Now Available ing booklet, Chögyal Namkhai fective, dynamic system of mas- Norbu pronounces clearly, sylla- sage and bodywork therapies. Pronounced by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu hang Shung Institute is ble by syllable, all the mantras and It is an important aspect of Tra- happy to announce the invocations used in the practices ditional Tibetan Medicine, one The collection contains all se- Savailability of MP3 record- of the Dzogchen Community. of the world’s most ancient and ries of Guruyoga, Yidam trans- ings, previously available as advanced lineages of healing formation practices, all series CDs only. All members of the 6. Tundus and Tundrin arts. For many centuries, the re- of Ganapuja, long life practices, Dzogchen Community, no mat- The explanation and full practice nowned physicians and yogis of purification practices, protection ter where they live, now have the of the Short and Medium Thun, Tibet have relied on the practice mantras, and Guardian invoca- possibility to download and learn by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. of Kunye Massage for restor- tions as well as Medicine Buddha several secondary ritual prac- ing health and balance. Kunye mantras, the Naga rite, Sang, and tices, listen to the explanations 7. Ganapuja employs a variety of massage Serkyem. It is an essential tool by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu and (practice and explanation) techniques and bodywork thera- for Dzogchen Community prac- practice while listening to the re- The explanation and full prac- pies, including: massage with titioners and is available in three cording – without waiting for the tice of the Ganapuja, by Chögyal medicinal oils, deep tissue mas- forms: CD to be delivered. Namkhai Norbu. sage, pressure points therapy, · Printed book with MP3 CD joint mobilization and assisted (audio) The first MP3 downloads current- 8. The Long Ganapuja stretching, heated oils therapy, · Printed book with DVD (video) ly available are: (practice only) hot stones therapy, hot and cold · Downloadable ebook and The full practice of the Long compresses, herbal poultices and hang Shung Edizioni is MP3 file 1. Ritual Melodies Gana puja, by Chögyal Namkhai gemstone therapy. pleased to announce the A collection of the melodies of the Norbu. Srelease of a new book con- www.shangshungstore.org main practices of the Dzogchen Dr. Phuntsog will be available for taining a large collection of man- Community, sung by Chögyal Please note that MP3 downloads consultations during the time of tras and invocations transmitted This publication should be treat- Namkhai Norbu. are available to members of the the retreat with Chögyal Nam- by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. The ed with the greatest respect and Dzogchen Community only (val- khai Norbu from July 3–15. purpose of this book is to en- is addressed to those who have 2. Guru Yoga of the White A id membership is required). As sure the correct pronunciation received the transmission of the The explanation and full practice these items are only for people For more information please con- of the mantras and invocations teaching from Chögyal Namkhai of the Guru Yoga of the White A who have received the corre- tact: [email protected] as transmitted by the Master. It Norbu. with Guru Garab Dorje, by Chög- sponding transmissions, we ask comes with a recording recently yal Namkhai Norbu. you to take special care of the made by Rinpoche specifically to downloaded archives, and pro- accompany the book. The em- 3. Purification of the Six Lokas tect them as much as you can. phasis of these recordings is spe- The explanation and full practice cifically on the pronunciation of of the Purification of the Six Lo- The MP3 downloads are available the mantras. The melodies are kas, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. from the Shang Shung Store: not included. The book gives all www.shangshungstore.org. of the mantras and invocations in 4. Shitro Please note that the links to files transliteration as well as Tibetan The explanation and full practice are not available immediately – script. of the Shitro, by Chögyal Nam- please allow 24 hours for verifi- khai Norbu. cation and processing. THE MIRROR · No. 116 · May, June 2012 Focus on Yantra Yoga

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lic. Based in Rinpoche’s wish to Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Yantra Yoga make Yantra Yoga more wide- on Yantra Yoga: spread and Khyentse Yeshe’s Yantra Yoga, Discovering our Real antra Yoga is one of the encouragement, this brilliant Condition oldest recorded systems system of movement is being dis- (Excerpted from a talk on Yantra Yof yoga in the world. It has seminated to the world. Yoga given by Rinpoche in New Delhi come to us by way of Tibet, a land In this issue of The Mirror fea- India on November 23, 1993*) that holds a vast, rich Buddhist turing Yantra Yoga, we are pre- knowledge and heritage. Yantra senting articles and testimoni- would like to give a little in- Yoga’s unique series of positions als by instructors and students formation about Yantra Yoga, and movements, combined with alike, people who aspire to be I a Tibetan tradition. The conscious breathing, can help yogis, practitioners who want to word Yantra is a Sanskrit word, coordinate and harmonize one’s enhance their experience of other but it has different meanings in personal energy so that the mind practices through the coordina- Tibetan. Yantra can mean “geo- can relax and find its authentic tion of their prana, people work- metrical form,” like a mandala, balance. ing with children through Kumar or it can mean “movement of the Many positions used in Yantra Kumari, Yantra Yoga for children body.” In Tibetan we say trul- Yoga are similar to those of Hatha created by Chögyal Namkhai khor, which means “movement.” Yoga, but the way to assume and Norbu, and older people with We use movement to coordinate apply them differs significant- health issues to people who just and guide our prana, or vital en- ly. Yantra Yoga uses a sequence want to feel better, be healthier ergy. that consists of seven phases of and more relaxed in their lives. The Yantra Yoga that I teach movement, connected with sev- As you can see, Yantra Yoga is a is called Nyida Khajor. In Tibet- en phases of breathing. In par- system approachable by and of an, nyida means “sun and moon” Chögyal Namkhai Norbu ticular, the position in the central tremendous value to all! and khajormeans “union.” This phase of each movement helps is the title of the original teach- Teachers’ Training Santi Maha create specific retentions of the History of Yantra Yoga ing taught by Vairocana, who was breath that work at a deep, subtle Yantra Yoga is based on the an- one of the most important stu- Sangha, Yantra Yoga And Vajra level. For this reason it is not only cient text Nyida Khajor, known dents of Guru Padmasambhava, Dance – Kunsangar South 2011 the main position, but this hold- in English as “The Union of the and a great translator. ing and the entire movement that Sun and Moon.” This text was Vairocana received the trans- e asked each of the This is something important are important. written in the 8th century by Vai- mission of this Yantra Yoga teach- presenters here, what to understand, especially for peo- The system of Yantra Yoga con- rocana, one of the most skilled ing from Guru Padmasambhava, Wthe principle of Yan- ple who are going to teach Yan- tains a wide range of movements Buddhist Masters and translators who received it from a great Ma- tra Yoga is and they all explained tra. You learned quite well; that that can be applied by everyone. of his time. This teaching has hasiddha called Humkara. Then in a similar way. Yantra means is a responsibility of our teach- This is a superb method to attain been passed down from teacher it was transmitted from Vairoca- movement. Movement is impor- ers, Fabio and Laura, who pre- optimal health, relaxation, and to student, in an unbroken lin- na to Yudra Nyingpo, and various tant because it is part of our en- sented you. The important thing balance through the coordina- eage, since that time. The current other masters. This is the lineage ergy. You know how important it is that you do your best, learn tion of breath and movement. lineage holder, Chögyal Namkhai of this teaching. is in Dzogchen teaching that we more, became familiar with and recognize and have knowledge follow the authentic movement, that movement is part of our real breathing, etc. This is the most condition. At our physical level, important thing when you teach. what we can recognize and have People learn Yantra Yoga because concrete experience of regarding they think it is something impor- movement, is breathing. Breath- tant, an ancient knowledge with ing is important, first of all, be- such a transmission, connected cause breathing is life: if there is to Dzogchen teaching. In Yantra no continuation of breath, there Yoga we can have an open aspect is no life. Breathing is connect- and a more spiritual one. Now, ed to prana energy, if we need to we develop both of them more coordinate our energy, we must and more. work on our breathing, not only When you teach to the public, with physical level. The physi- you must understand what kind cal level is only at the service of of people are learning. Don’t breathing and the movement of jump immediately on the essence the elements, etc. of Dzogchen teaching for exam- For this reason in Yantra Yoga ple, but also do not treat it only the most important thing is as a kind of gymnastic, because breathing, not movement. Move- Yantra has its principles. Even ments and positions are second- if we are doing something in a ary aspects for coordinating en- very simple way, these principles Maksim Leschenko/Ukraine: ergy and getting in its real poten- shouldn’t be missing, otherwise Maksim received his first level diploma from Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in 2011. He has been a student of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu since 2006. tiality, prana energy. This is why there is not much benefit. You Ekaterina Stepanova/Russia: Ekaterina received First Level Diploma from Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in 2011. Student of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu since 2008. breathing is considered so im- see, today in modern society we portant in Yantra Yoga. You see, have hundreds of different kinds While today’s Yantra Yoga Norbu, is a renowned cultural Besides this text, there is for each movement there is a very of movements for doing exer- practitioner does not necessarily scholar and Dzogchen Master. an oral transmission of Yantra precise explanation of the breath- cises, so it is not necessary to do need to follow a particular spiri- He wrote a detailed commentary Yoga. It is very difficult to un- ing, its timing and movements: Yantra Yoga. tual path, anyone can practice to this essential root text in 1976, derstand Yantra Yoga by only there is no such explanation in Yantra Yoga is for bring- without limitation. This funda- which was based on the exten- reading the original text and not other Yantra systems or trulkhor ing people gradually into deep mental and rich method is con- sive personal training and under- having a teacher. Practitioners in Vajrayana teaching. knowledge. Yesterday I already nected with the profound essence standing of Yantra Yoga that he of Dzogchen have applied these explained to you, when I started of the Dzogchen Teachings, and received directly from his uncle, methods for centuries. I learned teaching, I began with Yantra for millennia it has been taught Togden Ugyen Tendzin, and oth- them principally from one of my we have the possibility to arrive Yoga, and when I was teaching for the purpose of finding the er teachers in Tibet. uncles, who was a yogi and an ex- at real knowledge, or the under- Yantra Yoga I was not talking true natural state. Chögyal Namkhai Norbu has cellent practitioner of Yantra. standing of our primordial state about Dzogchen, nor was I ex- What we would like to high- been transmitting Yantra Yoga in In the practice of Yantra Yoga – our original condition. That is plaining that Yantra Yoga prin- light in this issue of The Mirror is the West since the early 1970’s. we use our body, voice, and mind. the real meaning of ‘yoga’ in Yan- ciples are (the same as those of ) the accessibility and value of Yan- His marvelous and complete text, Using the body we perform posi- tra Yoga. Dzogchen. But when you learn tra Yoga for all people, no matter called A Stainless Mirror of Jew- tions and movements, with the and go deeper, read about Yantra what age, size or physical condi- els, is currently being published voice we do many pranayama * From The Mirror, the international newspaper of Yoga origin, for example in Yan- tion, and the enormous benefit by Snow Lion Publications in techniques (or breathing practic- the Dzogchen Community of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu tra Yoga books, then you can un- Rinpoche, issue 28, Sept/Oct 1994. derived for practitioners and non Ithaca, New York. The resulting es), and with the mind there are derstand. This is something rela- practitioners alike. book, entitled Yantra Yoga: The many ways to concentrate and From the website tive but very useful to know.  With the publication of the Tibetan Yoga of Movement, is visualize. The aim is to go be- www.yantrayoga.org Yantra Yoga book Yantra Yoga, available for purchase from our yond judging and thinking with Edited and reprinted with the kind The Tibetan Yoga of Movement, webstore. our mind, and we call this con- permission of the Merigar Letter 13 Snow Lion Publications, 2008, templation. When we apply all Yantra Yoga has become pub- three of these aspects together, THE MIRROR · No. 116 · May, June 2012 Focus on Yantra Yoga

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the left, without hold, but just “Yantra is a rhythm. as a counter-balance. Then there will be a repetition for the other It takes time to side, but again with a counter- discover it” balance. And the five yantras of the group counter-balance each Interview with Fabio Andrico other. The coordination and har- by Ilya Zhuravlev, mony of Yantra Yoga is amazing. Wild Yogi Magazine I: Are all of the exercises written abio Andrico has been teaching in the Tantra? Yoga internationally for over Fabio: It is all in the root text and F 30 years. He began his yoga the commentary. Of course, the career in the mid-seventies, when he root text is essential, but com- studied Sivananda Yoga during a trip mentaries are important for clar- to India. In the following years, An- ification. That’s why you need drico was exposed to many different Namkai Norbu Rimpoche’s com- yoga traditions. He ultimately met mentary, based on direct and oral his teacher, Dzogchen Master Chögyal instructions of his uncle – Urgy- Namkhai Norbu, in 1977 and had the en Tenzin, who clarified differ- rare opportunity to learn the Tibetan ent aspects. And Urgyen Tenzin tradition of Yantra Yoga directly from himself had been receiving direct this lineage holder. Andrico is both a that was where I went to the Uni- breathing patterns, and the con- I: Can you briefly describe the lev- instructions from great Yantra Hatha Yoga and Yantra Yoga instruc- versity of Oriental Studies, so in ditions of our energy. So in or- els of Yantra yoga? Yoga practitioners for a long time tor, as well as an authorized trainer of the evenings I would go to that der to create correct practice you Fabio: There are not really levels. in a place of retreat to refine and Yantra Yoga teachers. He teaches Yan- centre, where I would lead the practice Tsa Lung. But while you We can only talk about an open or deepen his knowledge of Yantra, tra Yoga internationally to groups of practice of Yantra Yoga. I was do- practice Tsa Lung it is always bet- closed level for the reasons men- understanding and capacity. And up to 700 participants in venues on six ing that for 4 years, every day in ter to keep practicing Trul Khor, tioned above. Some things can Rinpoche received most instruc- continents. the morning, and at night I would because it refreshes the base. be taught openly with a definite tions from him, based on which teach Hatha Yoga and lead Yantra benefit from such practice and he took notes and after some Ilya: How did you discover yoga Yoga classes. In the meantime I I: So, do I understand it correctly certain things have no sense to be time compiled the commentar- and how did you start to feel in- was studying the “Book of Yan- that Trul Khor is more connected taught without a transmission. ies. Then, for many years he had terest in spiritual disciplines? tra Yoga”, to understand the un- with physical exercises and Tsa But in the structure of the series been going through the book, Fabio: I started in my hometown derlying philosophy better. Actu- Lung is more dealing with en- there are no levels, in the sense making photos and drawings, in Italy with a friend of mine who ally, teaching and learning at the ergy? that series of each of 5 groups (5 clarifying different aspects. Later was doing some yoga. He used to same time is the best way to learn Fabio: No, I wouldn’t say so. I groups and there are 5 basic po- he would say, that he had never show me things and I got interest- faster and deeper. After some don’t know that much about oth- sitions in each plus every yantra been so much into something ed. I was in my 20-s, already not time people started to invite me er traditions to be able to say in has two variations, so all togeth- than the book of Yantra Yoga. In so young. After a couple of years a here and there to teach Yantra general, I’ll be honest with you er there are 25 yantra, each group his commentaries he made sure friend of mine was going to India Yoga, and gradually I became an here. I doubt that a system of covers five breath holdings, al- that each and every point was co- and didn’t want to go alone, so official teacher of Yantra Yoga. I Trul Khor as articulate and rich ways the same sequence – open ordinated with the root text, clar- he offered me plane tickets and got an official certificate as a Yan- as Yantra yoga even exists. There hold, directed hold, closed hold, ified through instructions and everything. I went with him and tra Yoga teacher. So, in this way are only a few movements in Trul pulled back hold and empty hold) explanations he received from we ended up in an ashram in Ban- I started to teach more officially Khor, whereas there are 108 in are more related to the breathing his teachers, and that is the com- galore with Shri Jyoti, who taught and after some years we started Yantra Yoga. But in our Yantra aspect rather than to complexity. mentary text. Sivananda tradition of Munger, to train other people to become Yoga there are already some as- Bihar school of yoga. So, I was Yantra Yoga teachers, because the pects of Trul Khor and Tsa Lung, I: In the book I saw some pos- I: Comparing to modern schools learning Sivananda yoga in an interest grew and with it grew the we have 5 different pranayamas, tures, which looked very compli- of Hatha yoga, in this lineage ashram for 4.5 months. I was re- need for more instructors. where the 3rd, the 4th and the cated, like ganda bherundasana, nothing has changed. People of ally practicing yoga 8 hours a day, I taught inside the Community 5th are already Tsa Lung practic- a very advanced backbend. So, this lineage didn’t bring anything fasting. Because in this system at that point because all aspects es, because they deal with chan- does the beginner do all “Eight new to it. fasting is naturopathy; teachers of Yantra are more connected nels and chakras. If you are an movements” sequence, or begins Fabio: It should be like this. were very strict to make students with the practices of Tsa Lung advanced practitioner of Yantra step by step? One thing about Yantra Yoga, if to practice naturopathy, cleans- and should be kept with at least Yoga you can take any Tsa Lung Fabio: It depends on the capac- you want to change it, is how to ing procedures, kriyas. In fact, I the minimum of control and un- practices you want. There won’t ity of practitioner, but obviously change it? How do you change the very quickly progressed from al- derstanding and also having be any problems if you have the first we teach the preliminaries. fixed sequence of movements? most nothing to lotus, from so transmission is essential, other- right base, condition, under- But my point is that in the groups One movement leads to another, much practice each day. Shri Joti wise it’s like the real life is miss- standing, knowledge and train- of yantras themselves, in the ba- if you modify one position it will used to say that would do much ing. You can see the form and ev- ing. sic yantras – the position of con- be impossible to move to anoth- more in Munger – they would erything but that is not enough. tracted hold or directed hold in er, you would have to invent an- wake up at dawn, perform 108 If you are just doing Yantra out I: As far as I know the source of the first group for some people is other yantra. Of course, in reality Surya Namaskars, go to Ganges of curiosity, you are playing with Yantra Yoga is Tantra written by much more complicated that one two different people would do the to do purification procedures, some aspects of pranayama and Vairocana in the 8th century? As in the third group. There is no an same thing differently, because chant mantras and then practice energy, and that is not a very good the legend says, he received these escalation of difficulty when you their energy, body condition are the session, etc. Well, I was do- idea unless you are following the instructions from Padmasamb- move from the first group to the different, but they still are trying ing my best, one thing I know- path and you are practicing under hava, the teacher who brought following ones, of course there to do the necessary position. It is if you practice you can progress the supervision of an authorized tantric Buddhism to Tibet from are variations, which are gener- very important, that they are not very fast, but if you don’t practice teacher with deep knowledge. India. The word ‘Yantra’ here ally more difficult than the basic transforming or changing, some- nothing is going to happen. Forc- is not a geometrical picture for position. It is true, however, than times people modify position au- ing yourself won’t bring you any I: Let’s discuss your particular meditation, like in the Indian tra- the first and the second groups tomatically because their body good, but practice is important. lineage of Yantra Yoga. As far as I dition, but a variant of translation are a bit easier. When the practi- is used to doing a certain move- know, there are a few asana prac- for the Tibetan term ‘Trul Khor’, tioner starts the 3rd group, added ment in a certain way. You can see I: So, when did you meet Nam- tice styles inside of Tibetan tradi- i.e. ‘body movement complex’. Is some advanced movements, it is that different Yantra teachers are khai Norbu and started practic- tion under a general name Trul there an uninterrupted lineage of the way of jumping. Of course if doing it a bit differently, it is also ing Yantra yoga? Khor, but can they vary depend- Vairocana? a person doesn’t practice with due to the fact that Yantra has Fabio: I think it was 1977. At that ing on the lineage? Fabio: Originally, there were intent, there is no need to add it, not developed a biomechanics time, I was learning and trying to Fabio: Generally, when there is three texts: The text of Trul Khor; however, if you practice it, then as modern yogic schools. These apply my knowledge in a simple a series of teaching, when there the text with the description of from there you start going more details are not in the text. I doubt way in classes I led. I was actu- is practice of Tsa Lung, practices medical benefits meaning what concretely in a certain direction. that yogis, practicing in caves, ally teaching in the Yoga Federa- dealing with channels (Tsa) and happens on the level of the five In Hatha Yoga there are sequenc- worried too much about the po- tion Centre, trying to do my best. prana (Lung), there is also Trul pranas, nerves and joints and es of asanas, for example the se- sition of foot or toes. It is more And during that time I met with Khor. It is a kind of support, pre- these two books were published. quence which i’ve studied in Ri- our Western paranoia. Yantra is Norbu Rinpoche and I received paratory exercises, to prepare the And the 3rd book was about the shikesh, where you have a certain working more on the level of pra- a teaching of Yantra Yoga from base and to maintain a certain practice of tummo and it was number of asanas, balancing, na and energy, so it doesn’t work him. I also started practicing condition. For example, there lost, there is no copy of the text. compensating each other. Every in a same way with anatomy. For Yantra Yoga and after some time I are eight movements in Yantra, And it was a more specific aspect Yantra sequence is also balanced example, there is the Yantra of started to teach in a proper sense. which are very important in the of Tsa Lung. within itself – if there is twisting cobra – bhujangasana – gener- I was attending a Dzogchen Com- beginning, because they help to the right with a breath hold – ally it is taught to do with a chin munity centre in Napoli, because to reshape, to reprogram the there always will be twisting to >> continued on the following page THE MIRROR · No. 116 · May, June 2012 Focus on Yantra Yoga

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breath was an experience that Yantra Yoga Breathing! evaded me after thirty years of regular exercise. and Breathing Margaret Jasinski I experienced great difficulty in Switzerland in “filling up completely” and y first encounter with I left class rather discouraged, Patrizia Pearl Yantra Yoga took place but with the spark of determina- Min Northampton, Mas- tion to continue. As the weeks Patrizia received First Level Diploma sachusetts with Naomi Zeitz in- of practice passed, my capacity from Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in structing. I was attracted to this in breathing increased through 2010 and has been a student of Chög- form of yoga because I read how a more subtle awareness of the yal Namkhai Norbu since 1989. it coordinates energy and breath prana or life force. I practiced – that was enough inducement the exercises Naomi taught dai- nvited and living in the Swiss to get me to the first class. I had ly. Little by little my capacity in Alps and Geneva for the last previous yoga experience, having breathing continued. One of the Ithree months, I am develop- practiced Hatha Yoga for many yantra breath practices is rhyth- ing Yantra Yoga and Complete years, largely on my own. mic breathing where in breaths, Breathing in Switzerland. I was not delusional enough out breaths and holding breath I have had the fortune to fol- to think of myself as a flexible are alternated. This was a bit of low Fabio Andrico’s courses on yogini, but I was under the im- a challenge to the point where ‘Breathing’ last year and from pression that I was capable of I thought an in breath of eight then on I gave courses on breath- taking a complete breath. I was counts was an impossible feat ing based on Yantra Yoga in Mex- to find out that this assumption for anyone other than a very ad- ico City. People where delighted was incorrect. The first class, vanced practitioner. It came as a to participate in these classes giv- ing classes with very good re- life changing experiences in Naomi instructed the class how surprise a year later when I was en in Pelzomling, our Dzogchen sults, to people who have discov- small and simple ways, often very to fill completely with air, “from taking a deep in breath for one Community Ling there. ered how proper breathing con- profound. the bottom to the top.” I found of the practices. Although I was Now back in the Swiss Alps, tributes at lowering their blood myself unable to do this very rudi- not instructed to count, I noticed I continue to spread this knowl- pressure and also those who have mentary exercise, and how iron- that I could inhale for twelve sec- edge and received great feedback spoken about how much calmer ic, I have walked, run, swam and onds!!! I did not have the impres- from people who are steadily and more relaxed they feel. All are cycled thousands of miles. This sion that I was an advanced prac- practicing the breathing meth- saying how much benefit they get is not an exaggeration, I thought titioner as a result, but I acknowl- ods; from doctors who have mea- from these courses. I was breathing the whole time, edged the benefit of becoming sured their oxygen saturation be- I feel enthusiastic to continue and indeed I was; however, the attuned to breath through Yantra fore and after taking the breath- this work and to share people’s slowing down to take a complete Yoga.

>> continued from previous page that govern every aspect of our I: Why do you think such tech- tal. So, you have to be very careful Yantra becomes very interesting tucked, in Yantra yoga it is totally existence: breathing, eating, di- niques are not so popular in what to teach and what to avoid. and valuable. the same, but also arms straight, gesting, thinking, giving birth Vajrayana? And that is the only reason, and arch back, whole body stretched etc. Fabio: I don’t know, may be it not because of some sort of an I: So, if someone starts Yantra, and tensed and with breath hold was kept in secret and we simply enigmatic secrecy. But there is he/she can continue with Bud- – that would be a nightmare for I: Is there the practice of watch- don’t know if they practiced it or plenty to learn even within these dhist Dzogchen teachings. And Hatha yoga. Cobra trains what ing some subtle elements, like not. I know that in different tra- 25 yantras. Yantra is also rhythm, if the person has no interest in is called an open hold, where thögal, which was used accord- ditions there are different kinds and as much as I’ve seen yoga that teaching, is it possible to you keep the air inside, without ing to scriptures, for achieving of Trul Khor and there are differ- practitioners, being flexible can continue practicing only Yantra blocking, forcing or directing it, “Rainbow body” (transformation ent cycles of practices, related to even become an obstacle, be- exercises? just expanding. The tension (in physical body into light). Tsa Lung. According to the tradi- cause they stop being present in Fabio: Yes, absolutely, there are Yantra called “tzunchel”) in body Fabio: As anything that can co- tion you have to receive an initia- what they are doing, they get dis- no limitations. Because every hu- is at the point of trembling, but ordinate our condition, Yantra tion first, and then you have the tracted by the easiness of what man being has the same charac- at the same time the breathing is might be helpful for this also, connection, the life of the teach- they are doing. Sometimes they teristics – every one has a physical completely open and relaxed. Its but it’s not going that direction, ing, then you can learn anything get the difficulty in coordinating body, mind and energy. It’s not sometimes difficult to compare at least what I know of. But if you want, but if you meet people the breathing with smoothness like if you don’t believe in Bud- Yantra yoga with Hatha yoga, be- you look in the book – the chap- without this understanding and of the movement. In this train- dha you don’t have a mind, body cause they work at different levels ter about what is supposed to be this connection, then you can’t ing, even if you are an advanced or energy. Doesn’t matter wheth- of interaction between the body, the manifestation of different teach some aspects of Yantra, be- asanas practitioner, generally it er you believe in teaching or not – energy and mind. aspects such as channels, pra- cause there is no reason for learn- still takes time, it doesn’t come body, energy and mind are there. na, you read it and it looks like a ing it. immediately. It is not only coor- If you work at that level, you work I: When comparing Indian Hatha miracle – walking on water sur- Now we teach openly all the 25 dinating with the breath, but also at that level, whether you believe yoga tradition with Tibetan tra- face, it is a part of our potential- basic yantras and all aspects are coordinating the rhythm, coordi- it or not. dition there are some things in ity. It is not that you are focused being taught. It has always been nating how the movement starts common, but there are also cer- on that, but if you manifest your open, Rinpoche always taught and where it finishes with how More about Yantra Yoga tain differences. For example, is potentiality it will happen by it- everything, but to a few people the breathing starts and finishes, www.yantrayoga.org there anything in common in sit- self. For example Rimpoche’s only who became his disciples. linking to the next movement and ting pranayamas – do you have uncle had manifestation, as far When you start to open up like next breathing in the pace of the Edited and reprinted with kapalabhati or bhastrika? as I remember he was shot and this, then some of the aspects, rhythm. In Yantra the rhythm is the kind permission of Fabio: No, not really. Trul khor, nothing happened. He achieved which can harm, you don’t teach. connected with the heartbeat of Ilya Zhuravlev, Tsa Lung is what you want to the “Rainbow body”. But not be- When I was studying at the Uni- a relaxed person. And the rhythm Wild Yogi Magazine train for. In Yantra every single cause of Yantra, even though he versity, there was a man, who got of the heart coordinates the en- http://wildyogi.info/en holding, every single movement was practicing Yantra every day, a book about Kundalini practic- ergy. Yantra is rhythm. It takes works on its own, in its own di- still to do such kind of things you es, and without full understand- time to discover and appreciate rection, but always working with need special teachings. ing he was trying to awaken it. it, but once you’ve done it then one or more of the five “Lungs”, He ended up in a mental hospi- THE MIRROR · No. 116 · May, June 2012 Focus on Yantra Yoga

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that the heart is the most impor- ML: A few words on Kumar Ku- Interview with tant thing. mari, Yantra Yoga for children. Can you describe its characteris- Laura Evangelisti ML: Since we are opening up to tics and benefits? Laura Evangelisti met her Master, general public, would it be useful LE: One of the results is pres- Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, in 1980 to enrich the formation process, ent here, in front of us! (Franco and has followed the Dzogchen Teach- including notions such as respi- Cocco, who now works for Shang ings ever since. In 1994, she was au- ratory physiology, anatomy, Ti- Shung Institute with videos and thorized by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu betan medicine, and the like? books). That’s why we have the to teach Yantra Yoga and train pro- LE: No doubt, studying anatomy project of founding a Yantra Yoga spective Yantra Yoga teachers as one of and physiology would be useful Academy, to activate many more the two primary international instruc- to provide a correct terminology. open courses. tors. Laura extensively collaborated These subjects could be added to The Master though, in the on the book Yantra Yoga, the Tibetan Teacher’s Trainings, but so far famous letter, stated: “The in- Yoga of Movement, with commentary we haven’t had enough time for structors must say clearly that by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. that. In the occasion of the last these teachings belong to the Teacher’s Training I collected Dzogchen Teachings, and that Merigar Letter: As a start, can you all the information regarding Ti- the Dzogchen Transmission rep- tell us how Fabio and you became betan medicine contained in the resents the heart of Yantra Yoga the main teachers of Yantra Yoga? Yantra text, and organized them and Vajra Dance. Just as without Laura Evangelisti: In 1983 the ML: You had to go through those tion of breathing. If supervision in a compact form. I also asked the heart there is no normal life, Master had certified about thirty who were already teaching. goes well, we present the candi- Gino Vitiello and Pia Barilli, two lacking the root transmission it is people, after a ten-day retreat, in LE: Of course. It was a specific date to the Master, in one of the physicians from our Community, impossible to receive the correct which he gave the lung of both request from the Master, not our Teacher’s Training that he him- who are also authorized Yantra benefit from this teaching”. So the root text and the commentary own initiative. Maybe someone self holds, in order to authorize teachers, to work specifically on we always have to keep in mind of Yantra Yoga, and explained in had not understood in the begin- teachers for Santi Maha Sangha, the benefits of Yantra in order that the heart is the most impor- detail the whole practice. Lat- ning, but in general everybody ac- Yantra Yoga and Vajra Dance. In to present them in a form that’s tant thing. er Adriano Clemente started to cepted to be supervised, to be able these trainings the Master asks clear for everybody, especially translate the book. Fabio and I to receive the final authorization some questions, and requests people not familiar with Tibetan ML: Since we are opening up to collaborated with Adriano, going from the Master. Before the let- that the candidates perform medicine. general public, would it be useful together through the points that ter, in fact, Dance and Yantra had some of the yantras. If he judges All Yantra teachers could give to enrich the formation process, were not clear, then we would more or less spontaneously been their preparation be sufficient, he their contribution, deepening a including notions such as respi- meet with the Master, show him taught by those who had learned confers a diploma, to be a local certain aspect, writing a sort of ratory physiology, anatomy, Ti- the positions we had doubts directly from Rinpoche, or from Yantra Yoga teacher. thesis that can be shared. This betan medicine, and the like? about, and he’d give us the clari- other practitioners. could really be useful. Actually, LE: No doubt, studying anatomy

fications needed. Years later, in ML: So, in 1995 you lead the first ML: What are the results until what we care more for, is the ca- and physiology would be useful 1995, the Master wrote a letter to official Teacher’s Training. now? pacity of transmitting the char- to provide a correct terminology. all Gakyils, where he appointed LE: We held it in the Gonpa at LE: We have about 60 teachers in acteristic of Yantra Yoga, the se- These subjects could be added to two official responsible people Merigar, and it went on for two the world; not all of them teach quences of seven phases in which Teacher’s Trainings, but so far for Yantra, and two for the Vajra weeks. About 60 people partici- regularly though. one works with movement and we haven’t had enough time for Dance. When I saw the letter I pated and practiced the five series breathing. This is the precious that. In the occasion of the last was very surprised, I did not ex- of Yantra. ML: Do you think there might be aspect of Yantra Yoga that must Teacher’s Training I collected pect anything like that. I think some change in this procedure? be enhanced and communicated all the information regarding Ti- that having collaborated with the ML: Which is the path for some- LE: We will continue in this way as a peculiarity that makes Yan- betan medicine contained in the book, checking everything to the one who wishes to become a Yan- until the Master gives different tra Yoga different from all other Yantra text, and organized them small detail, was one of the ele- tra Yoga teacher? indications. We have to consid- kinds of yoga. in a compact form. I also asked ments that convinced Rinpoche LE: Obviously, first of all, one er that circumstances are now Gino Vitiello and Pia Barilli, two to give me such task. needs to learn Yantra Yoga, from very different from those of the ML: In your opinion, how should physicians from our Community, a local authorized teacher or in early days. The Community has Yantra Yoga be presented outside, who are also authorized Yantra ML: What else was written in the an intensive course lead by Fabio grown; a huge number of people to attract new people? teachers, to work specifically on letter? and me. Usually the local teacher can have access to Yantra Yoga LE: That of last summer, demon- the benefits of Yantra in order LE: The letter – which was pub- him or herself, notices if a student through web sites, face book, strating Yantra in public for the to present them in a form that’s lished on September 1996 issue shows some qualifications for videos, and books. That’s why thirtieth anniversary of Merigar, clear for everybody, especially if of the Merigar Letter – explained becoming a teacher. At that point we have the project of founding has been a very positive and inter- they are not familiar with Tibetan precisely how the teaching of Yan- he/she participates in a Teacher’s a Yantra Yoga Academy, where we esting experience. People liked it medicine. tra Yoga and Vajra Dance should Training and, when feels to be hope to activate many more open very much. Watching a complete All Yantra teachers could give be coordinated. As far as Fabio ready, organizes a course, where courses. sequence of Yantra, they are re- their contribution, deepening a and I, we had to check everybody Fabio or myself go and observe The Master though, in the ally struck by the harmony and certain aspect, writing a sort of who had taught or lead practice how the candidate teaches. This famous letter, stated: “The in- the coordination of breathing thesis that can be shared. This groups until that moment; to see is the so-called supervision. The structors must say clearly that and movements. Another way could really be useful. if they were doing it in the correct most important aspect, in fact, these teachings belong to the could be presenting the book in Actually, what we care more way, sticking to the original text, is not how the person’s practice, Dzogchen Teachings, and that various contexts, such yoga fes- for, is the capacity of transmitting to prevent the rising of different but overall how he/she communi- the Dzogchen Transmission rep- tivals, forums and so on. Other the characteristic of Yantra Yoga, styles or different ways of prac- cates and teaches in a clear man- resents the heart of Yantra Yoga possibilities can be offered by the the sequences of seven phases in ticing Yantra. Another duty was ner to the students. It is not just and Vajra Dance. Just as without videos that have just come out, on which one works with movement that of training new Yantra Yoga a matter of being super flexible, the heart there is no normal life, the open level of Yantra. Then we and breathing. This is the pre- teachers, in the Gars worldwide, but to understand those who are lacking the root transmission it is have web sites, face book, a lot of cious aspect of Yantra Yoga that so to have many local teachers in in front of you, be attentive and impossible to receive the correct different tools we can use accord- must be enhanced and communi- different places. collaborative, encouraging those benefit from this teaching”. So ing to circumstances. cated as a peculiarity that makes with difficulties, clarify the es- we always have to keep in mind sential points, above all, the func- >> continued on the following page THE MIRROR · No. 116 · May, June 2012 Focus on Yantra Yoga

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Rimini Wellness 2012 Michele Salvatore

his year, Yantra Yoga was presented for the first T time to the public at the Rimini Wellness event by Laura Evangelisti, international in- structor from the Dzogchen Community, with a public lecture and demonstration both open to all those who were interested in participating. Rimini Wellness is the largest European fitness exhibition with Laura and Michele presenting Yantra Yoga at Rimini Wellness. Laura teaching at Rimini Wellness. about 100,000 visitors this year from all over Italy as well as many the availability and the presence nity. In addition, the experience tion of the Dzogchen Communi- fuse to accept the concept of international guests. of Laura, the whole thing went in showed us the possibility of a ty, and events like this allow us to “spirituality”, which is why I We were invited through the the best possible way. concrete integration with mod- have a showcase of large poten- hope that participation in public publication of an article last Au- Being at an important event ern society through the language tial impact on a large number of events, like this, becomes some- gust and twenty or so photos (the at the European level is in line of the body that is easily under- people. thing steady, a stimulus for all of article was entitled: The Yoga of with the wishes of Chögyal Nam- standable at all levels. Understanding one’s con- us to do our best and to bring our Tibetan monks) in the Italian khai Norbu, which are to convey Coming from a clearly defined dition of body, voice and mind contribution to modern society. magazine Natural Style that cap- the teaching of Yantra Yoga to all position and integrating with the through Yantra is an experience If this continues over time the tured the attention of one of the those who are interested, also everyday dimension represents that is accessible and can be un- much hoped for fruit of evolution event organizers and thanks to outside the Dzogchen Commu- an important step in the evolu- derstood even by those who re- will not take long to appear!

group working together formed; Over the years I have recog- A Gift for Every and socializing with one another, nized, how important it is to con- sharing food and drink was es- tinue with adult Yantra Yoga prac- Child, Everywhere tablished as a fine way to end the tice. I must thank Laura Evange- class. I found out so much about listi who presents Kumar Kumari Constance Soehnlen different children listening in Yantra seminars regularly for on their conversation with each parents and yoga teachers. Move- Constance Ann Soehnlen was born the other. ments and sounds are presented USA and lives in Rome, Italy. She is a In the hour lesson, we would and practiced together. These certified Montessori teacher (2 and 1/2 have about 10 minutes of warm- reviews are essential. Over time, years to 6 years old children). She has ing up exercises, and about 20 one may have altered a movement taught young children over 25 years, minutes to a half hour of Kumar or sound, and this is a time for she has had the opportunity to pres- Kumari movements, followed by noting corrections. ent Kumar Kumari Yantra Yoga as a snack at the end all around a My last thought to share is that an after school activity for children of table. It may seem to you a short I have seen how beneficial Kumar 5–8 years for many years. lesson, but remember that these Kumari Yantra is for children, children were 5 to 7 years old; even one lesson a week over a few s I begin to write about my certainly older children can fol- months or so. Children become 12 year experience teach- in a small town in the Monte of each of the 15 movements, I low a longer lesson. more aware of their breathing A ing Kumar Kumari Yantra Amiata area and offered a week- felt ready to try my best. We spent some time warming and how breathing helps them; to young children, I first wish to end seminar at Merigar nearly ev- After practicing the Kumar up using a variety of methods, they have noted if they feel calm express my gratitude to Namkhai ery summer for parents and those Kumari movements and sounds some brought by the children or tense, or if they are more en- Norbu Rinpoche for this special interested in learning Kumar Ku- to present to children, I had to themselves. After warm ups it ergetic or tired after a lesson. teaching, a precious gift given to mari Yantra. organize the lesson and work was time for our Kumar Kumari Please, if you haven’t yet done so, children, and for his encourage- My experience was a little dif- with children of 5 to 7 years old, session. This was the time for take some time to read the intro- ment when I asked him many ferent. I had an opportunity to about ten in the group. I began to being responsible and attentive, duction and look at the exercises years ago if I could introduce Ku- present an after school activity figure out how best to organize we always began with the puri- in the Kumar Kumari Yantra book mar Kumari Yantra to a group of listed as Yoga for Young Children the lesson, balancing the ele- fication breathing, followed by and note the beneficial effects children in a school where I work – Kumar Kumari. Within the in- ment of the children socializing, one or 2 tsijong, and possibly an- that are listed for each of the 15 in Rome as an early years teacher. ternational school where I work, “having fun” as they learn, along other movement: one tsandul, or movements. As I remember, after Rin- there were a few families who fol- with helping the child develop a one lungsang. We repeated the I have come round to where I poche’s beautiful instruction lowed Rinpoche and had visited sense of discipline and concen- movements, we worked on link- began, just like a Garland of Lo- book “Garland of Lotus Flow- Merigar and many others not. At tration in following a sequence ing the sound to the movement, I tus Flowers. I must say again, ers” (gZhon nu pho mo’ I’Phrul ‘kor the beginning, I was able to have of movements and linking this observed and watched, corrected Thank you, Rinpoche, for this padma’I phreng ba) was published, a fairly large empty room, mats movement to a particular sound a movement in a gentle manner. wonderful, precious Teaching for Cristiana De Falco and Jacobella and eager young children partici- that produces a certain kind of in- Every session of Kumar Kumar children. Gaetani taught the children from pating once a week for an hour. halation or exhalation. Yantra, long or short, has the Merigar. Laura Evangelisti taught With Rinpoche’s book of instruc- As the Kumar Kumari Yoga nine breathings at the beginning Edited and reprinted by the kind Kumar Kumari Yantra in a school tions and his designs of each step Club developed, the aspect of a and the final exercise. permission of the Merigar Letter 13

>> continued from previous page could be presenting the book in terview) Rinpoche gave the trans- ing the children, respecting their in schools. I taught it years ago Yantra Yoga different from all various contexts, such yoga fes- mission of the teaching of Kumar condition. If you proceed like in a school in Marroneto, and re- other kinds of yoga. tivals, forums and so on. Other Kumari in 1992, and immediately that, they like it in the end. cently lessons have been given in possibilities can be offered by the we started to teach it to our chil- If one wishes to learn in or- another school in Arcidosso. The ML: In your opinion, how should videos that have just come out, on dren in Merigar. The main char- der to teach afterwards, a basic only thing is that, for those who Yantra Yoga be presented outside, the open level of Yantra. Then we acteristic is the way of breathing, knowledge of Yantra Yoga is cer- do not follow the Teachings, you to attract new people? have web sites, face book, a lot of thought by the Master, in which tainly needed. It is not enough need to explain that the sounds of LE: That of last summer, demon- different tools we can use accord- the breath is combined with the though, because one needs to the mantras have a certain energy strating Yantra in public for the ing to circumstances. ten syllables OM, AH, HUM, A, learn very well the specific breath- that can influence positively the thirtieth anniversary of Merigar, HA, SHA, SA, MA and HAM, that ing connected to the sounds, oth- children’s growth. has been a very positive and inter- ML: A few words on Kumar Ku- are very powerful and have a pos- erwise they could be forced, and esting experience. People liked it mari, Yantra Yoga for children. itive effect on children’s energy this is not correct. I think that two ML: Thank you very much Laura. very much. Watching a complete Can you describe its characteris- and therefore on their growth. days dedicated to Kumar Kumari sequence of Yantra, they are re- tics and benefits? Kumar Kumari is not so sim- could be added to usual Teacher’s Reprinted and edited with the kind ally struck by the harmony and LE: One of the results it’s pres- ple to practice, it needs a lot of Trainings, for those who wish to permission of Merigar Letter #13 the coordination of breathing ent here, in front of us! (Franco concentration, and so has to be teach it. Kumar Kumari is very and movements. Another way, Cocco who is recording the in- taught gradually, without forc- suitable to be presented outside, THE MIRROR · No. 116 · May, June 2012 Focus on Yantra Yoga

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also did the rhythmic breathing perfectly compatible and both Five Years of without kumbhaka. of them help me a great deal.” The idea of opening up the (Mario practices with a Kagyupa Open Yantra Yoga practice of Yantra Yoga to every- group in Venice.) in Venice! one really seems very interesting. Vilma: “Yantra is an encoun- Many course participants have ter with a new culture and a new Marco Baseggio told me that they are finally able way to move the body harmoniz- to understand how breathing ing it with the breathing. I have Marco Baseggio received his First Level works. been doing it for so long (5 years) Diploma from Chögyal Namkhai When I asked some of the because I find it really beneficial.” Norbu in 2010. He has been a student students what Yantra Yoga is for Claudia: “Yantra is the yoga of to ChNN since 1997. them, they made the following movement. It is also something comments: for living well. I have been doing nce again, this year, the Franci: “I also practice Ha- it for a long time because I feel open weekly course of tha Yoga and for me Yantra is a good both physically and men- OYantra Yoga I have been much more subtle form of Yoga tally and it also relaxes me a lot. I leading in Venice for five years that I feel works more on the en- approach life differently, because now ended on June 1. The course ergy and mainly on the breathing. I’m calmer and quieter.” is mixed with intermediate and Marco with Yantra Yoga ongoing class of 5 years in Venice, Italy. After several years I think that I Ale: “Yantra is a practice that beginners. Every year someone have experienced some changes that is characterized by the plea- new arrives and someone leaves, one (instructor and students) felt tha Yoga. When I went back to thanks to Yantra and they have sure I feel while I’m doing it. It’s but there is a core group that has better than when they started and Venice, they suggested that I col- naturally been positive changes.” like a sensation of moving the regularly been participating in this is a good sign. It was really a laborate with them again and I Mario: “For me it is very im- body together with the breath- the course for 4 or 5 years. pleasure to lead this course. accepted but proposed the course portant to practice meditation ing but without effort. I’ve been This year in particular, it It must be said that the course of Yantra Yoga this time, in agree- and make it part of my daily life. doing it for a long time so that seemed to me that overall par- was not very expensive – only 150 ment with Laura Evangelisti who It is changing my life significant- these things continue to be valid ticipation had increased, so that euro from October to the end of came to do the supervision. ly, but also together with Yantra and because of this I will always even at the end of the course that May. The course in Venice is or- Obviously, being an open Yoga. When I am sitting in medi- go ahead with it, hopefully more started with 22 members, 15 were ganized by a sports club that uses course, we could not do pranaya- tation I concentrate more on in- and more frequently.” still actively participating. Also the municipal gym, and years ago ma but anyway we practiced up to ternal energy but Yantra Yoga has the quality of listening was great- before I met the Teaching, I used the third group of Yantras and we taught me to do the same thing er. At the end of the lessons every- to work with them teaching Ha- in movement and so they are

The difference in me follow- Yantra Yoga ing your 3 hour workshop and practicing the 8 postures and in Australia breathings the next days was Emily Coleing huge. I felt so different! A nicer, authorized 2nd level instructor much happier person. I got my sense of humor back and could Emily Coleing received her First Level deal with people in a calmer more Diploma in 2003 and her Second jovial way. Level Diploma from Chögyal Nam- I have done other yoga prac- khai Norbu in 2010. She has been a tices before (e.g. Hatha, Bikram) student of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu but Yantra has just changed me since 1995. into a more grounded person and the quality of my experienc- antra Yoga offers a beau- es are deeper, I am not rushing tiful bridge to Dzogchen and panicky anymore, and I have Y transmission and teach- started to wake up earlier?! ings. For me, this is one of my I recommend this yoga and strongest motivators to teach. your teaching to anyone who I came to the teachings myself wants a more balanced being!” through Yantra, having seen a poster on a post in Byron Bay for a course with Jeannie Alamkara much more sense and added that and Fabio Andrico. I have really ‘extra’ that I felt was missing. Al- enjoyed sharing that possibility though I have only learned the with others. first Eight Movements, I have It never ceases to amaze me found from my practice that it how people rave about benefits works on a more subtle but pro- even as newcomers to Yantra. found level. I can’t wait to do the If they can feel it in the begin- next level. Yantra Yoga leaves you ning, imagine what it will be like feeling relaxed but energized and for them when they remember it totally balanced.” “by heart” already! People who postures challenging, it provides Clarissa Mosley, Lane Cove, Sydney, haven’t even received Dzogchen Andrea Brooks. Perseverance Qld, me with motivation to continue. Australia transmission feel the benefit, not Australia: It all just makes so much sense, “I went from a ball of stress to a only physically but holistically. “I am a 48 year young woman, that it is the way it is. bliss ball. Probably the most astounding ex- married with 2 teenage daugh- I have only been practicing a Emily, the 3 hour introduction ample of this was a dear woman ters, and I work as a Mental short time but I will be continu- to Yantra Yoga that I did with you who had just had a hip replace- Health Nurse 4 days per week. ing, there is small group of us on Saturday has had and amazing ment but wanted to come for an My life is busy and I really do en- that now get together weekly and effect on me! introduction to Eight Movements joy doing this type of yoga, I have practice together. There is the I have been managing our ma- weekend. She sat in the chair to been doing Hatha yoga for about connection that you make with- jor home building project for sev- follow as best as she could. She 7 years and while I love these pos- in Yantra that is also wonderful. eral months and trying to juggle said it was of enormous benefit, tures and the benefit, I find I get There is only good to come from the needs of my 5 children. I have and very relaxing for her! such a better feeling or experience my being involved with Yantra. been living in my head trying to after doing Level 1 Yantra yoga. I I look forward to future oppor- keep a step ahead of the huge Experiences of participants in like the fact that there is a direct tunities to learn more. learning curve in project manage- Emily’s courses: lineage from over time and this Emily is a wonderful teacher. ment and coping with the guilt of Tania Steel, a relatively new Yantra lineage is known and respected She is gentle and positive and not being able to keep up with Yoga practitioner from Queensland, prior to each yoga session. It so enthusiastic and that’s infec- the kids appointments, home- explains her experience: feels so good to do and you feel tious”. work and desire for my presence “I have been practicing tradi- so alive after doing it I think be- was really taking it’s toll on me. tional Hatha Yoga for about 20 cause of the fact that ones breath- I was feeling stressed, a bit anx- years and was very drawn to Yan- ing is importantly embedded into ious and frequently cranky. tra Yoga, because to me it made the movement. Whilst I find the THE MIRROR · No. 116 · May, June 2012 Asian Retreats

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infinitely. With the power of the And again as this had already Singapore Invocation of Samantabhadra, been done, he asked Cheh, our we can get liberated from these SMS teacher to lead a Guruyoga A Home at last and emotions and relax in the pri- practice. With the A resounding mordial state. Then, he gave the and the Song of the Vajra sung Rinpoche’s Visit tridlung of Ganapuja and trans- by everyone, the place suddenly mission of several practices. But seemed filled completely with his Leong Wai Ying he reminded us that the most im- presence. Rinpoche then gener- portant practice is that of Guru- ously spent 3 hours with all of us, ver since I joined the yoga, integrating our primordial playing Tibetan songs from his Dzogchen Community of state with that of the Teacher’s. netbook, encouraging people to ESingapore in its activities, dance and sing and distributing the one thing I would always no- Rinpoche was in tremendous BAM shell medallions to all who tice is a 28-inch brown trolley form. He waived away all sug- had a dadar for their practices. bag. Over time and several Ga- gestions of an organic lunch and Someone produced a Chinese napujas I would get to know it opted instead for street food at calligraphy brush and ink set well for it would contain all the the nearby Newton Circus. The and requested Rinpoche to write belongings of the DCS. Plates, Rinpoche writing calligraphy at Namdrolling. food-mad Singaporean crowd something appropriate for Nam- wine glasses, cutlery, photo- cheered as he chose to eat there 3 drolling. This seemed a signal for graphs, copies of texts, candles, hours each time for our collective of a terton who together with two days in a row! everyone else in the room to ask bottles of wine would be duly practices. other masters, received indica- unpacked from it each time and tions to set out from different di- then, carefully repacked after the This nomadic lifestyle finally rections to travel to and uncover came to an end in February this Sikkim when it was considered year when the Gaykils success- to be an unknown dimension on fully negotiated to lease some of- Earth at that time. fice space and in Losar 2012, the year of the Water Dragon, Nam- Rinpoche went on to distinguish drolling was born. the understanding from the Su- tra, Vajrayana and Dzogchen One of the first pieces of furniture teaching styles. In Dzogchen, we we acquired was a set of shelves focus on the base for all, whether upon which the contents of the we are in samsara or nirvana and brown bag would be fully and once we know the real nature of finally disgorged. We did a Ga- impure vision, we can discover napuja and it felt wonderful not Dharmata. As we all have Es- The organizers of the Singapore retreat. to have to be scrambling around sence, Nature and Energy, we looking for a wine opener hid- will experience sensations of for a piece each for themselves. ing underneath a box of candles the physical body, the clarity of At the end of the retreat, Rinpoche Mysteriously, hundred of sheets or a lighter which somehow got visualisations and the infinite paid a visit to Namdrolling. of rice paper appeared from no- Ganapuja. And no matter where packed together with the box of thoughts which arise and disap- There, he was served sweet rice where and Rinpoche obliged us we went, this faithful brown bag forks. pear. In rigpa, we are being in flour sesame balls signifying re- all with great patience and good would follow us. Over the past this knowledge. In marigpa, we union. He ate them all with gus- humour. Everyone was smiling year, it has traversed the breadth Then in early May, Rinpoche are ignorant of this understand- to. When asked to inaugurate the and happy and clutched their and width of all the 5 floors of came to Singapore to give teach- ing and fall into dualistic vision, space, he said that usually we do gifts like little children. There the building where we have man- ings on the Invocation of Sa- accepting and rejecting and giv- a Ganapuja, but since we had al- was a settled feel in the air. It felt aged to rent some space for a few mantabhadra from an Upadesha ing rise to more and more emo- ready done several, the next thing like home. Tantra based on a terma teaching tions and actions which go on to do is to open the main door.

Taiwan Longde Retreat in Taiwan Harry Mao

högyal Namkhai Norbu’s retreat in Taiwan has Ccome to a successful end. It was the first time that a retreat of solemn Buddhist teaching concluded with a joyful session of Tibetan songs and dances.

During the retreat he asked the participants to have lunch with him in the public space at the re- treat venue and they were able to chat with him.

At the beginning of the retreat, a Vajra brother from Singapore had a very serious heart attack and spent time in a “Dream Yoga” state at the Intensive Care Unit for six days, but with Rinpoche’s special blessing and his strong faith in Rinpoche, he recovered very well and is now waiting for the right time to go back home to Singapore now.

We sincerely wish that Rinpoche Rinpoche having lunch with retreatants at the retreat venue. will be able to come to Taiwan ev- ery year so that from Taiwan his precious teachings can spread to the whole Chinese world. THE MIRROR · No. 116 · May, June 2012 Asian Retreats

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Photo: Mitsuko

the actual condition or circum- Everything went very well without ignorance by the ever-expanding Japan stances. any hindrance, thanks to the tre- rainbow light of primordial wis- mendous effort of our Gakyil and dom. The Teaching that Dispels Everyone was immensely happy efficient volunteer staff members. to receive this profound teaching. Throughout his stay, Rinpoche We would like to offer our heart- the Darkness of the World seemed in excellent health and all felt gratitude to our beloved mas- Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s teaching of the Rinpoche’s teaching in the morn- the moments around him were ter for such a precious teaching “Upadesha on the Total Behavior of Equal Taste” ing was followed by the explana- filled with joy. He played the re- and moments of joy in this time in Tokyo tions of thun practices in the af- corder and harmonica after the of difficulty. His compassion, ternoon by older students, and ganapuja, and there manifested wisdom and fearless freedom Tetsu have been and always will be our source of inspiration. am writing this article on the been much encouraged and in- Shinkansen Super Express ternally supported by Rinpoche’s May the lotus feet of the precious I train from Kyoto to Tokyo. compassion and wisdom and master stand firm upon the earth, I will be giving a lecture on the also by the many prayers, words may his enlightened activities be interface between neuroscience of condolence and generous do- brought to completion and may and Buddhist meditation tomor- nations from our gracious Vajra our mind never be separated row, and then will go to Fuku- Brothers and Sisters. from his wisdom mind! shima to meet some friends, see the actual situation, and do the Rinpoche started his teaching by practice of Green Tara with my giving general explanations of beloved Vajra kin. the view, meditation and behav- ior (lta ba, sgoms pa and spyod pa) The cruel earthquake and tsuna- and proceeded with the extraor- mi that devastated North-eastern dinary upadesha on the liberation Japan and the subsequent severe methods for each of the five basic nuclear power plant accident in afflictive emotions, which is the Fukushima continue to have a specific theme of the “Upadesha deep impact on Japanese society, on the Total Behavior of Equal people and culture. Taste”. The principle of Atiyoga consists in the self-liberation of It was amidst this semi-turbu- all the phenomena that appear lent situation that our cherished on the surface of the mirror of New Gakyil (left to right) Yoko Morito,Takatomo Sasaki, Keigo Yoneda. Photo: Mitsuko master Chogyal Namkhai Nor- the nature of mind, including bu Rinpoche gave an immea- afflictive emotions, thoughts, sessions of Yantra Yoga and Vajra many singers on the spot. It was surably precious and profound perceptions etc. As for the self- Dance in the evening led by our awesome to listen to the Tibetan Dzogchen teaching from his liberation of afflictive emotions, authorized teachers, Yoko Mori- songs of Rabje and Miwa, who Longsal terma cycle. More than its very basis is also the state of to and Kyu, respectively. All the also played the danyen, or Ti- 180 people gathered from June 1 instant presence or “rigpa”, and participants, especially the many betan guitar. Our mind was com- to 5 to attend the retreat on the once one is familiar with the in- new people at this retreat, were pletely blown by the astoundingly “Upadesha on the Total Behavior stant presence, there is no need deeply impressed by the great ef- powerful cheerleading yelling of of Equal Taste” held in the Tokyo to work with the different kinds fect of these profound methods Tomo, our popular red Gakyil, Grand Hotel. of afflictive emotions one by one. in harmonizing and integrating whose tradition comes from the But until one has gained mas- the three aspects of body, energy Japanese martial arts and singing He was to give the same teaching tery there are also skillful meth- and mind in the state of bliss. methods. last year in Japan, but we needed ods we can apply for each of the For lodging nearby to cancel the retreat due to the ca- five afflictive emotions, that is, The presentation of ASIA was At the end of the retreat, Rinpoche Merigar West and lamity and ensuing chaotic situa- desire, anger, ignorance, pride also well received with moral emphasized the importance of for general information tion. Right after news of our can- and jealousy. As for the behavior support and generous donations getting some land of our own. cellation Rinpoche graciously ex- or Spyod pa in Dzogchen, there that will be used for the Manasa- The name of our Community, contact Christina at pressed his strong wish to come are no specific rules to follow rowar School in Nepal, and also “Munselling”, means “an island accomodationservice@ and teach the following year. in terms of daily behavior. The to help small children in Fuku- or spiritual place that dispels all gmail.com Here in this small space I would behavior of Samantabhadra in shima get away from heavily ra- the darkness with light”. We do phone: +39 0564957542 like to express our heartfelt grati- Dzogchen means that one should dioactive areas for a time, by en- hope to start one such place or mobile: +39 3391370739 tude to him and to our Vajra Fam- keep sheer presence, observe the joying themselves and recovering a “ling” which could serve as a (English, French, German) ily all over the world. We have situation, and act in a way that fits in the nature surrounding Kyoto. center to remove the darkness of THE MIRROR · No. 116 · May, June 2012 Focus on Yantra Yoga

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kind of a gentle open hold I can Yantra Yoga together with my Yantra Yoga feel the prana settling and it is re- Vajra brothers and sisters. ally quite satisfying. Regarding the physical health and Life benefits, shortly after I began Interview with Kathleen Fekete, M: Do you want to say something coming and discovered that with Jacqueline Gens and about your recent health issue some effort I would be able to sit Marilyn McArthur and how Yantra affects that? cross legged, I was not deformed, Tsegyalgar East June 13, 2012 JG: Yes well after have years of I had muscles, bones and ten- not taking care of my health, I dons like everyone else, but that This is an interview with three senior have diabetes type 2 and I am had been trained all my life in one practitioners in the Dzogchen Commu- overweight, and after a session of direction and that gently I could nity, senior in terms of their age. Each Yantra whenever I take my blood learn something new. And the one is a little over 60 years with vari- “For me one of the most remarkable things is the feeling that we actually are yogins.” J Gens sugar it is normal. So Yantra is benefit to my balance issues and ous lengths of time in the Dzogchen something I should do every day, my gait, my walking, to have open Community, but all have entered the In my daily life when I run was shallow, there has been a and I joke that I am doomed to the hips and that gait straight ahead practice of Yantra Yoga a little older into different tensions, more and huge improvement there. discomfort of doing it every day, is inestimable. It is huge, it has and have found tremendous benefit in more, I remember the breathing I have to say that even though but once I do it I feel fantastic! to do with being able to stand, I daily life and as practitioners. and sometimes it even comes nat- breathe is a ‘public’ practice, it is For me one of the most re- could not ever stand comfortably, urally, I don’t have to think about connected to the Yantra Yoga lin- markable things is the feeling and to be able to breathe and to Naomi Zeitz for The Mirror: it. All of a sudden it is just there. eage and it helps with the practice that we actually are yogins, as op- settle in any kind of way when I Would you like to tell us a bit Jacqueline: About 3 years ago of pranayamas and kumbhaka posed to Westerners superficially am on 2 feet. about your experience of Yantra I was doing a personal retreat and with the awareness and pres- practicing without real under- The complete breathing ex- Yoga, how it benefits you and why preparing for the 2nd level Santi ence of the breath and control of standing. Somehow the teach- ercises that you teach before we you continue to practice? Some of Maha Sangha exam and on this the prana. Basically these exercis- ings became more real for me go into the Yantra, the how to you have been practicing longer retreat I came across a footnote es of the complete breathing are through Yantra Yoga, that it is the breathe, helps to slow us down, than others and some of you have about parlung and I began ask- giving us that elementary place real thing, that I am really work- past the thinking mind’s resis- started relatively recently. ing myself did I really know what from which we can proceed and ing towards my realization with tance, to slow down that far and Kathleen: I started Yantra Yoga parlung meant. In my SMS base that is why I think it is so brilliant my Vajra brothers and sisters and that much, yet we are very com- about 13 years ago and there is exam my first question was about and important. we are all here to help each other fortably on our backs and it is no question it has been a benefit parlung which I answered per- I would also like to say that and that is an enormous benefit. active enough because you are in a number of different ways. It fectly from the book, and I re- I think I would like to see more guiding. I have very clear memo- is not only beneficial physically, member just before going into emphasis on Yantra Yoga, like M: So Marilyn do you want to add ries of being agitated in the past doing stretches and so on, but the exam I had checked what par- Steve Landsberg did in the Santi your experience? when being taught about breath, also recently we have done some lung meant. So I knew that par- Maha Sangha weekend, because Marilyn: I was introduced to Yan- and that the advice was very pat, weekends on breathing and that lung would be important to me it is part of the Base studies and tra Yoga about 3 years ago very oh yes, breathe in and out, and was really important because and I had to ask myself did I re- I kind of ignored it, I kept think- shortly after being introduced that experience stuck in me. The over the years I had done some ally know what it meant. I did not ing if ever I had an exam question to the Dzogchen Teachings of breathing really helps people to breathing practice with the Yan- really other than intellectually. I would reply “I don’t do Yantra Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. I was overcome their obstacles and tra Yoga, but to do it intensively I also assessed that I was not Yoga, I don’t know”, and I really amazed and very relieved to at helps to slow us down. over the weekend like that it be- developing as much as I would feel that was my limitation, and I last find integrated practices. I JG: I think what is so brilliant came a much deeper experience; have liked, and I have always really think younger practitioners had been practicing in one way about the emphasis on breath- the understanding and experi- been dedicated to the teachings should get into Yantra, as it con- or another for over 20 years in ing in the beginning, is that it ence of the breathing became since a young age, but I felt my tains the base for future practices. the various places I lived. The way starts out attuning you that it is so much deeper and its the kind development was completely Americans shop around, I had not about the movements, it is of experience that does not go lacking. I had an epiphinous mo- M: Do you feel the breathing helps tried various traditions and had about coordinating the breath away. It may be forgotten during ment and decided that the way to with the overall practice of Yan- sat with various sanghas over the and the different holds. That is the day a number of times, but correct this was to move to Con- tra? For example, if we do a course years, on the one hand, and had a really subtle thing, because it is also remembered, like for way and study Yantra Yoga. Many and in the beginning we focus on gone to various yoga classes on with yoga you see people in their example right now, the way that years when I first entered the lin- the complete breathing, does that the other hand. yoga classes and their poses and I am sitting is hunched over but eage, I dreamed Rinpoche told help to enter the movements and I always felt a kind of shallow- you think it is about the external then I remember and I remember me to study Yantra Yoga and I did the body of Yantra Yoga? ness and did not feel really part of movements and being able to ac- my spine, and the central chan- not follow at that time, because I K, J and M: Absolutely! them, and particularly in regards complish them, but its not, it is nel and the complete breathing. did one session of Yantra at one J: So that is one part of Yantra but to the yoga which can be very about understanding the holds. When that happens everything retreat and it was uncomfortable. the most important thing for me shallow; there are very real and It is so simple but illusive, but changes. Its not like the water I have always been kind of over- is that even though I had studied deep Indian traditions that I was by emphasizing the breathing, parts for Moses or anything, it is weight and I am kind of mind Santi Maha Sangha, the Base and not getting introduced to and not it does not matter if I cannot get more subtle, but everything does person, not a body person. First and Second Levels, and now to mention the more new fangled my chubby thighs over or get into change. I think we would call that Now I am in my 60’s and it is a the Third Level, I was lacking in American ones. that position exactly right but the presence. very different situation. I need to a kind of understanding and with But with the Dzogchen Teach- emphasis for me is not on the pay attention to my body so that Yantra Yoga I had some experi- ings I was introduced to integrat- perfection of the positions but re- M: Can you talk a little about how is my current challenge. Wher- ences of clarity as to what it is all ed practices where I had the sense ally understanding the holds and Yantra Yoga affects you in your ever there is a challenge is gener- about. Somehow all the practices of a whole, including my own real experiencing the holds; some- daily life, the physical, emotional ally ones realization, I mean ones came together for me. Yantra, for nature, a whole, and in the other times with repeated practice you and mental aspects? worldly or mundane realization, me, is kind of a preliminary ba- experiences there was no way to do get into the positions and that KF: Yantra Yoga touches on all and its nice to connect ones chal- sic practice and it accomplishes get into things being integrated. is always kind of a magical expe- of those aspects. Emotionally, lenges with ones potentialities. many things, but the fact that I am very fortunate to live by the rience. Yantra tends to quiet and slow About six months after living it accomplishes the calm state Gar, I just happened to, it is so MM: The breathing helps us in- down the raging horses of the here I began to study breathing – I have always had a problem amazing. Every little piece is like tegrate and therefore helps with emotions, because very little else and some simple Yantra Yoga, with shine, it always felt like the another little part of a whole with mundane activities and to move does. Cigarettes, alcohol and sex the Breathe video was about to be 10,000 horses marching through so many benefits for myself. better through the world with do not do it; nothing else does it released, and it was a great entree my mind, and for years I tried to For example, with the yoga, I more presence. We are very “dis- like Yantra. I also think that I am for me to enter into Yantra be- accomplish it unsuccessfully. have balance issues, and in all the integrated” in this world. such a beginner and there is so cause Yantra can be difficult if you To discover the calm state other systems of yoga that I did KF: What has helped me to work much to learn because it is such a go fully into the movements. For through Yantra is quite extraordi- every one of them emphasized the with this thing called prana or big and vast practice. Yantra also me the breathing was a very good nary. Yantra has helped me quite mountain pose, which I will prob- breath, is presence, because makes a difference when I do oth- entree and by my second session a bit in terms of furthering my ably always find difficult to do. I when we are directed to inhale er practices and all the practices of breathing and some simple development as a practitioner was a failure from the git go and and let the prana drop, my mind seem to compliment each other; movement I had quit smoking – and I feel that being part of this permanently in all the other yogas doesn’t really do that, so think- they are all in the same mandala. I was still secretly smoking until lineage through Yantra one has that I tried, and not so with Yantra ing about it is not enough, there Because of my work I cannot then. I had quit over the years and a deep sense of the antiquity of Yoga, where I make effort with the is a kind of presence. Without the always come to practice, but I understand the addiction very our lineage and that thousands standing poses that are difficult presence it becomes mechanical, always try to come to the Yantra well, it is very strong. I literally, of previous practitioners, fat and for me, but there is much more and that is fine, the difference be- Yoga weekends. We are very for- over night, after my second ses- thin, poor and rich, who have that happens sitting down, and tween doing mechanical move- tunate that we have the Gar here sion, stopped smoking and I have all labored to accomplish work- for me in Yantra Yoga I was able to ments and doing something with and that we have Yantra Yoga in- never desired a cigarette again. It ing with breath and prana. That achieve a life long goal of learning presence and noticing that is part structors here like you and Paula was like a kind of a blessing. Also is something very precious. Also how to sit cross legged, and not of what happens with the prac- Barry, because the instruction my capacity for breathing has in- just to understand prana; now I to mention squat...I am so grate- tice of Yantra Yoga. That has been and guidance is so valuable. creased and improved and due to feel like I can be sitting and wait- ful to have these kinds of experi- very significant for me. the years of smoking my breath ing at a stop light and if I apply a ences and I am learning through THE MIRROR · No. 116 · May, June 2012 Focus on Yantra Yoga

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that I love like my Sicilian sea, I the sense of time passing, is now Experience of met this practice. It has been an less pungent and often absent. amazing experience. Through In Sicily we have done three Yantra Yoga the Eight Movements I have been courses, and although we are in Sicily able to become aware of a very sure that the path is much longer, fine and deep work on the mus- most of us have received benefits Ester Saitta cles, ligaments, and joints. Hav- such as a good mood and greater ing also studied acupuncture, clarity of thought in everyday de- y name is Esther I have observed that seemingly cisions, more regular sleep, more and I am a therapist simple gestures, in my opinion, energy, soreness in the muscles Mwho works with the have stimulated the flow of the and joints was milder. In one Mazières method and foot re- ‘energetic’ channels, which were particular case the frequency of flexology. Over the last 35 years I obviously known thousands of episodes of premature ventricu- have lived in contact with people years ago in Tibet. lar contraction that had caused and their pain, until I had to take My breathing and my contact concern for one of our friends care of my own. After years of with it have greatly improved. As decreased. watching my current Yantra Yoga an added observation, when I fol- Thank you to those who have teacher, Tiziana Gottardi, doing Yantra Yoga Course with Tiziana Gottardi in Sicily. Tiziana received her First Level Diploma from low the sequence in the morning, taught us with love, patience and harmonious movements in the Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in 2005 and the Second Level Diploma from Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in during the day that touch of mel- rigour. 2010. She has been a student of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu since 1977. fields of Monte Labbro, a place ancholy, that perhaps depends on

the brain develops new neural- challenging. Initially for this Yantra Yoga pathways and this becomes part group I think the practice should of memory and experience. This be more individually focused and in the UK way allows us to train the brain therapeutic, utilizing the best ap- John Renshaw via the body. propriate methods to prepare the These years of teaching have body for Yantra. John Renshaw received his First Level given me a wealth of experience Students who are not so chal- Diploma in 2002 and his Second Lev- and the opportunity to learn from lenged with Yantra Yoga can el Diploma from Chögyal Namkhai my students about their experi- quickly develop the body and en- Norbu in 2008. He has been a student ences and problems relating to ergy and with transmission they of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu since the body and energy. If I can’t can work with experiences and 1979. offer adequate advice or if I am the mind. Only then we can un- not able to understand their dif- derstand and witness the full ben- first met Rinpoche in Lon- ficulties then I see this as a gap in efit and potential of Yantra Yoga. don in 1979 and immedi- my knowledge and a challenge to There is growing mainstream I ately I became interested in overcome. The 23 years I’ve been interest in yoga, breathing prac- learning Yantra Yoga. However Beginner’s Weekend with John Renshaw February 2012 London. practising Traditional Chinese tices and meditation, especially it wasn’t until 1983 in Merigar medicine and the little Tibet- if it’s evidence-based and not when Rinpoche gave a complete fectly so we were all on a learning and I have found that beginner’s an and Ayurvedic medicine I’ve limited by tight links to religious translation of the text on Yantra curve until we had Laura, Fabio key tension or obstacle is mostly studied since have become very organisations. I have been col- Yoga that I took detailed notes and the teacher training program. about their mind being too dom- useful. So I’ve come to appreci- laborating with the SSI and oth- and drawings that helped me Teaching beginners is quite inant and their difficulty getting ate the many similarities between er Yantra teachers to develop an deepen my understanding of his different to teaching on-going into their body and allowing the Chinese, Tibetan and Ayurvedic open level Yantra Yoga training profound teachings. weekly classes for a long period movements to lead the breath- medicine and found this ex- that may be more accessible for In 1987 Rinpoche was teaching of time. In the latter you have to ing. I have learnt over the years tremely useful as a Yoga teacher. the general population. at Rigpa and suggested that any- be inventive and creative to keep the best way to deal with this key Particularly, it has helped me gain Currently I’m doing a one- one wanting to learn Yantra Yoga students interested motivated obstacle is to firstly introduce understanding of Qi or Prana, year professional training in Yoga should talk to John so I started and safely challenged. In on- precisely the details of how to and how we can change, develop Therapy which focuses on the teaching after that. Since then I going classes we can experience do a particular movement with or influence it with Yantra Yoga. mind and emotions; particularly have taught continuously at dif- how students after some months breathing and to practice this a Many students I have taught in depression, anxiety and stress. ferent levels; introductory week- display a different capacity and few times. Then I ask them to re- the UK are mature students; they The training is evidenced based ends for beginners, intermediate, the teacher ideally should address peat the movement without any mostly come within the Commu- and I was particularly impressed as well as on going weekly class- each individual’s needs. Differ- verbal cues; while they do this I nity or have an interest in Bud- about the amount of research es. This was not always straight ences in pupils capacity come to suggest they feel present in the dhism. They are enthusiastic available on yoga, pranayama forward as twenty-six years ago light with some students staying body allowing the mechanics but it is very common with this and neuroscience. This expe- we did not have an organised at the beginners level for months, of the movements to influence population to be not so physi- rience has convinced me even system of teacher training and others pick it up very quickly so the breathing. I find there is a cally fit and may also bring to the more about what our Commu- the Yantra text was not finished. I have to meet their needs whilst distinct difference in learning mat all kinds of physical and en- nity of Yantra Yoga practitioners Apart from Rinpoche, who was keeping in mind the primary and a movement and the effect of it; ergetic problems. For these peo- can contribute to the field of re- not physically instructing at this secondary objectives. one being body-led and the other ple Yantra may seem a difficult search on body, mind and energy time, there were no ‘expert’ teach- Over the years I have tried dif- being mind-led. Through doing system and even after adapting approaches to health and wellbe- ers to show how to do Yantra per- ferent ways of teaching beginners new movements with breathing and modifying it may still remain ing.

ings, and public demonstrations. Many newcomers understand Teaching Yantra We have the Italian translation and show a true interest. But Yan- Yoga in Rome of the book, a professional set of tra is not so easy to apply. Some DVDs, articles have appeared in have never approached any other famous yoga magazines, we have form of yoga, or even any other Sergio Quaranta blogs, face book pages, web sites, physical activity. In few cases they and our main teachers and many are not so young and flexible and Sergio Quaranta met Chögyal Nam- others are doing a wonderful job might suffer from some form of khai Norbu in 1980 in Rome, Italy. In around the world. More people impediment in their knees, back the summer of 1981 he went to Califor- are interested now and come to or elsewhere. nia to follow his first Dzogchen retreat our courses. This is very nice, it is Those who “survive” the first and received also Yantra Yoga, which very rewarding and it is also quite weeks or months become usually he has practiced ever since. Soon after a challenge for the teachers. Peo- very regular and want to know he started to lead small practice groups ple are usually genuinely inter- more about Dzogchen and our in Rome and received his first level ested; they are not just curious, Master. Eventually many come diploma in 2005 in Tashigar Norte. they really search for something, to Merigar to meet Rinpoche or He is currently teaching in Zhenphen- word of mouth: friends, friends of tra and this made our work as so I feel I have to try my best to Khyentse. This is very good. ling, the Dzogchen Community ling in friends, acquaintances and they teachers somehow easier. give an answer, communicate the For those who abandon I feel Rome, and preparing for second level. like. They had an idea of what In the last few years, things sense and the connection of Yan- kind of sorry, and I hope I could they were going to approach, and have changed quite a bit. Now tra with the spiritual Teachings, have helped more to overcome or ew people trying a Yan- they knew of Rinpoche, at least Yantra is more known in the yoga with the lineage, and the main cope with their difficulties. tra Yoga lesson used to by fame. In other words they had world. We have participated in special characteristics of Yantra. Narrive mostly through a good disposition towards Yan- several festivals, forums, meet- THE MIRROR · No. 116 · May, June 2012 Seitenüberschrift

20 Merigar Under the Stars

Merigar West – Rises to the Meanwhile, in each country people who can help to sew costumes Challenge a choreographer is working with and for the organization of the evening. dancers to train them in what has he Merigar West team for the already been created and to fi nd Artistic director: Merigar Under The Stars com- other ideas for choreography. Adriana Dal Borgo T petition met for four days in late It has been challenging to start from Project manager: April to work on costumes and choreog- very different personal ideas, back- Luna Lattarulo raphy. Another meeting in the middle of grounds and experiences, and work to- [email protected] June will complete the choreography. gether to shape a dance that is harmo- The countries participating actively nious, enjoyable and involves everyone! are: Italy, France, Germany, Switzer- During the next workshop June 15 land, Finland and England. For the to 17 at Merigar we hope to reach a costumes we have representatives fi nal defi nition of the dance so that from Germany, France and Italy who the choreographers can then teach it are working on the fi nal version of the in their own countries and thus cre- costumes to be presented at the next ate different groups of dancers, from meeting at Merigar. which we can create the fi nal team. At the moment we are looking for

Merigar East – Preparing the The position of the main coordinator, or Garuda Dance artistic director of ME dance is open and can be shared. e would like to invite you to It will be a great joy if you come and participate in the fi rst Meri- manifest your abilities. W gar East dance brainstorm- Accommodation (for free) will be at ing weekend June 29–July 1 in Prague. Prague’s Kunkyab Ling, Opletalova 35, If you’re from: Bosnia and Her- right in front of main railway station. zegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Space is limited so reserve in advance Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, Greece, by sending an e-mail to: Hungary, Israel, Lithuania, Republic [email protected] of Macedonia, Moldavia, Montenegro, In response you’ll receive a basic Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Idea of the Merigar East dance! Slovenia, Turkey you’re kindly welcome. You’ll be asked to interpret, change, Bring your artistic, dance, musi- or re-create it freely. cal and other connected talents, to We will start with a Ganapuja on the joint activity. We are particularly Friday June 29 at 18:30. looking for good dancers and choreog- travel costs for participants coming Account number: 1021034511 This is under the guidance of the Come and bring your capacity of raphers in general. from a great distance to the meeting. IBAN: CZ8255000000001021034511 Czech Yellow gakyil, for questions con- cooperation. Please come and share the beauty You can donate here: Account: DZOGCˇHEN O.S. tact him at: [email protected] of dance. SWIFT: RZBCCZPP This competition named Merigar Coordinator: Marek Yaksa We are also looking for donors Address of the Bank: Under Stars is about developing our co- [email protected] who will help to cover some of the costs Beˇlohorská 71, Praha 6 operation, the fi rst and most important of the dance organisation, mainly the Postal code: 169 00 capacity of a Dzogchen practitioner.

Kunsangar North – Brainstorming for the Dance By Elena Fokina and Dmitry Reut (Moscow) t is the fi rst brainstorming of the Kunsangar North MWunder- Ithestars team. We are in the gonpa at Richenling (Moscow). There are 12 of us: designers and choreographers and dancers from four Lings today. The atmosphere is very friendly and cre- ative. We discussed the main concept of the dance and the shape of the cos- tumes. Kunsangar North base colours are green + yellow. Kunsangar South – The reality was more complicated than We will continue our meeting for The Dancers Meet we might have expected. After all, we three days. Then the participants from always love to complicate things and Izhevsk, St. Petersburg and Ryazan will n June 1 at Kunsangar South, take this job our Teacher gave us very go home. we gathered to get ready for the seriously. In the near future, we’re It was not easy to gather people from O “Merigar Under the Stars” planning to have another meeting and different regions! First, it was not clear competition, which is going to take work out the fi nal performance. which Lings belong to Kunsangar North place at Merigar West this autumn. We During the meeting many interest- and which ones to Kunsangar South. were there to dance, create and col- ing things happened: we studied the How to divide our ex-USSR into two laborate. So far, it is not clear that this movements by ourselves and helped parts? So we decided... not to divide it! It was the most diffi cult for us. We all, 10 each other, we caught the rhythm and means everyone could choose the team dancers, are so different! Everyone has mood of the music, we also rubbed our to participate in. And it did not matter his or her own favourite music, rhythm socks into holes, dancing in the gonpa. which city this person comes from. The and style. First, we even thought that it If we’d had a parquet fl oor in the gon- result was: Kunsangar South has people would an impossible task - to unite ev- pa, we’d have polished it to a brilliant from Ukrainean areas and Kunsangar erything into one idea. Perhaps we were shine! South from four Russian cities. helped by His Majesty Humour! We cannot say that we came up the Coordinator: Nadya Gurenko Coordinator: Maria Lapina, concept of a precise performance but we [email protected] [email protected] defi nitely got together a team of people Kunsangar South contact: Coordinator contact (for English): full of determination to work and win! [email protected] Elena Fokina, [email protected] THE MIRROR · No. 116 · May, June 2012 Seitenüberschrift

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

Merigar West Update is promoted, and visitors are also made beautifully decorated in Tibetan style aware of the activities of the Dzogchen by Migmar and his team, there are erigar West has several Lings, Community by visiting its complex (the tables, wifi , a big television, in short, 17 of them. It is very important Gonpa, Stupa, Library) and by having a it is a room suitable to accommodate Mthat the relationship between kind of trial lesson of Vajra Dance and those who need a place to study, to hold the Gar and the Lings is both harmoni- Yantra Yoga. classes or meetings of any kind, offering ous and collaborative. A project which is very important the possibility to connect your computer Over the years the Lings have be- for us is the yoga holidays, a holiday screen to see slides or to connect with come more and more numerous and of meditation and yoga from the most other participants via the web. increasingly active and are an impor- ancient Tibetan traditions, which will The Mandala room has been reno- tant landmark in the daily life of many help to relax the body and mind and vated, the stairs have been removed, people. Many Lings and Gakyils are in restore the natural condition of energy. there is a new fl oor and the mandala towns and cities where they are valuable An opportunity for adults and children has been redesigned over the old fl oor. in that they give people the possibility to Photo: H. Schindler to experience new ways of coping with practice with others within a rhythm of everyday stress and enhancing wellbe- Finland ordinary life and to do basic courses of some “self-managed” by practitioners, In addition there will be the in depth ing. We hope that this type of holiday Yantra Yoga, Vajra Dance, Santi Maha others led by experienced practitioners courses for which it is always diffi cult will attract families, mothers or fathers New Gakyil Sangha, etc. Now that the Lings have and some in depth courses. to fi nd a suffi cient number of people in and their children, both from the Com- become more active, attendance at To mention a few: a Mandarava the city, such as the in depth course of munity and outside. A new Gakyil in Finland was elected on courses at Merigar has changed. retreat of explanation and practice with the Dance of the Song of the Vajra with In the future this and similar ac- May 6, 2012, at the annual meeting of Because of this change, this summer its Tsalung led by Nina Robinson and Rita Renzi and a very advanced level of tivities may be important for Merigar the registered association of the Finn- we want to try to foster this new rela- Tiziana Gottardi, a Tara retreat with Yantra Yoga with Laura Evangelisti. which, we should remember, should ish Dzogchen Community, and was tionship that people have with Merigar, Costantino Albini, a Shine and Lhagthong These activities are aimed at people always be full of activities and alive. confi rmed by Rinpoche. by offering courses and practices that retreat with Fabio Risolo. of the Community. are diffi cult to fi nd space for in the But there will also be practice re- At the same time we are trying to Zikhang (the Capannone) Blue: J-P. (Repe) Reilin city, because people need a break from treats coordinated by the participants encourage activities open to a public Work at Zikhang has fi nally been con- blue@dzogchen.fi ordinary life, stay in a quiet place, and themselves, such as the Dance of the “outside” the Community. We have cluded. The room for storing books is Red: Tiina Hyytiäinen even better if it has been ‘empowered’ Vajra and the purifi cation practice of a project agreement with the Town ready and during the summer a Tibe- red@dzogchen.fi like Merigar has been. the Six Lokas alternated with the Dance Council of Arcidosso, a sort of pack- tologist, Prof. Fabian Sanders, will be Yellow: Harri Jäälinoja In our calendar of events we have of the Six Spaces. age holiday in which Arcidosso with its working on cataloging them. The new yellow@dzogchen.fi several retreats of intensive practice, culturally signifi cant places and cuisine reading room is ready for use, has been Secretary: Päivi Ahonen

Italy Bicocca and the Noopolis Foundation in It aims to promote and protect Khyentse Yeshe in Bologna Rome endorsed Khyentse Yeshe’s public health through the humanisation and 24–27 May 2012 events in Bologna. personalisation of medicine. It places From Saturday 26th to Sunday 27th, the advances and practices of modern by Paolo Roberti di Sarsina, Cesare Pilati, Paolo Carta at the same venue, the Charity and De- medicine in a broader context where the salling organised Khyentse Yeshe’s very person regains his/her central position inally after long planning that fi rst workshop in the Italian language both in the diagnostic and therapeutic started last January, Khyentse “The Nature of Knowledge and How To Create process. Traditional and Non-Conven- F Yeshe was hosted in Bologna, The Perfect Condition for Individual Growth”. tional Medical Systems have in com- Italy, for a four day program organized It was a great privilege to pilot close- mon an intrinsically person-centred by the Charity Association for Person ly together, step-by-step, with Khyentse view of the human being and illness. Centred Medicine in collaboration with Yeshe such a new (for the Dzogchen Their treatments promote innate heal- Desalling Bologna and Hexagon. Community) cognitive-based teaching ing abilities and greater personal re- The fi rst days were organized to context and, consequently, obviously sponsibility for healthy behaviour. The present two public events: the screen- di Sarsina and Cesare Pilati introduced Personal Evolution” was the ideal continu- monolingual. It is easy to understand Charity Association for Person Centred ing of “My Reincarnation” and a public Khyentse Yeshe to the audience. A Bo- ation of the Lectio Magistralis delivered by that the organization required all our Medicine aims to promote research conference. logna newspaper published news about Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche at best efforts. and implementation of Traditional and The evening of 24th May, My Rein- the event and the public conference the University of Bologna on 10th Sep- Non Conventional Medical Systems into carnation was shown at the Odeon Cinema twice. tember 2010, with great success among The Charity Association for Person medical education and healthcare prac- located in Bologna city centre. Almost On Friday 25th Khyentse Yeshe de- the public and the press and with inter- Centred Medicine tices. It protects, safeguards, promotes, all the very comfortable seats of one livered a public lecture in the wonderful national and national endorsements. www.medicinacentratasullapersona.org studies, teaches and applies the wealth of the best movie houses in Bologna venue of the Main Hall of the Bologna The Government of the Emilia-Ro- The Association for Person Centred of knowledge and the culture of both were taken with 250 people attending, Academy of Fine Arts. All the seats were magna Region, the Government of the Medicine is a Registered Charity in Italy western and oriental anthropologi- many of whom were not members of full and many people attended standing. Province of Bologna, the Mayor of Bolo- founded in Bologna in 2007. Luigi Ottavi- cal medical systems, respectful of the the Dzogchen Community. Before the Khyentse Yeshe’s public lecture gna City, the Observatory and Methods ani is one of the founding members and original integrity and tradition of each screening of the movie, Paolo Roberti “Educating the Mind: Responsibility and for Health of the University of Milano- Cesare Pilati is the secretary-treasurer. paradigm and lineage.

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

Join Merigar East Gakyil! The goals: ings, retreats and collective practices Time spend and meetings: Benefi ts: · Continue with construction works on in Merigar East and Romania; We meet on Skype, once every two Priceless possibility to experience and hroughout the year a number of the land (such as Stupas, Vajra Dance · Preparing and supervising all related weeks. More often if needed. Once ev- work directly within the transmission. dedicated people put their time mandalas) according to the vision of materials linked to PR activities in the ery two/three months we travel to ME T and effort into various tasks Yeshi Namkhai; Gar and Romania; and meet there in person. The travel Should you be interested, please ap- required for a Gar to function. Merigar · Run the local offi ce and supervise · Collaborating with Shang Shung expenses are reimbursed for those who ply by submitting a short letter with East, one of the younger and still very membership tasks; Institute; can’t pay for their tickets. Depending information about you, and your mo- much developing Gars, is in a need · Plan and organize events promoting Yellow Gakyil: on the task that needs to be done, we tivation to offi [email protected] The of new candidates to fulfi ll the role the aims of the International Dzog- · Taking care of the fi nancial and legal spend time on it accordingly. Gakyil election will take place during of Gakyil for 2012/2013. We hope that chen Community in Romania; administration of Merigar East in- the summer retreat in August. you will be one of them. · Keep close contact and collaborate cluding membership; Expectations: with the Gakyil of Merigar West. · Running the offi ce at Merigar East; Working knowledge of English lan- Even though the actual election takes Mission: Red Gakyil: guage, computer literate. Preferably place in a while, you could be involved The Gakyil is realizing Rinpoche’s and Responsibilities of the Red, Yellow, · Supervising the development process a member of the Community for three a bit earlier, and gain some experience Khyentse’s vision in regards to the Gar. and Blue Gakyil at the Gar, as well as maintaining it; years. working alongside the current Gakyil. Blue Gakyil: · Organizing karma yoga and work ex- · Preparing and organizing all activities change activities; Looking forward to receiving your ap- linked to the spreading of the teach- plication, Merigar East Gakyil THE MIRROR · No. 116 · May, June 2012 Seitenüberschrift

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Merigar East Estonia

Update on Fundraising Likewise, the Stupa project, which will improving the conditions at the Gar, so New Ling for Merigar East be carried out over the next two years, we urgently invite you to participate in Construction Projects is off to a good start thanks to one big this project. Your participation can bear Dear Community members! donation. Our biggest fund raising fruits quickly as we intend to complete he Merigar East Gonpa is soon project, the Multifunctional Dormi- the project by the end of this summer if We are happy to let you know that there going to bloom like the fl owers tory, has received only one donation so we manage to collect the funds. was a new Ling born in Estonia today. T from the surrounding fi elds. Our far, but already one thousandth of the Rinpoche gave our Ling the name dear Geko, Anatolie Carp, is working target has been reached! You can fi nd For more information on our projects, Tashiling. The birthday is 11th of June hard to get everything ready before some more information and the designs go to www.dzogchen.ro and click 2012. mid-July when the painting team for of the dormitory on our project page. “Support M.E. Projects!” in the top right the Gonpa arrives. Thanks to the big corner. With many Tashi Delegs! donation from Rinpoche (from the The situation of the Sang Khang project Elerin funds collected during the auction of is not so good: there are no donations There is still room for more funds in all Yellow gakyil the Garuda thangka painted by Migmar so far. This project has the smallest tar- projects and lots of merits to be gained Tashiling Estonia last year at Merigar West) fund raising get amount, but a great signifi cance, in return. Your participation is wel- www.dzogchen.ee for the Gonpa painting project has been as the Sang Khangs work as a support come! completed. for the practice of Sang, important for

North Kunsangar North Kunsangar [email protected] http://kunsangar.org

Stupa of Perfect Victory Nyingma school, H.H. Taklung Tsetrul weeks did different rituals, like Damsi October–January: construction ends, Rinpoche, by the head of the Sakya Nenpa (suppression of Damsi Demons), fi nishing and painting the interior, cre- ith the blessings of our pre- school, H.H. Sakya Trizin, by H.E. Kyab- and other rituals that are necessary to ating exposition of the most valuable cious Master Chögyal Nam- je Namkha Drimed Rabjam Rinpoche do before the stupa construction. In relics inside the stupa. W khai Norbu and many other and by other important Teachers. June we started the construction, with a teachers who have visited Kunsangar strong professional team. You can also Stupa Team Contacts: North, a 14 meter high stupa will be Besides the Dzogchen Community, have a unique opportunity to help us Nikolai Gavrilyuk +7 495 6469928, built there this year! there are also 13 different Buddhist with building this precious stupa with [email protected] sanghas involved in this project, which your donations and offerings! Sarva Diana Akopyan +7 926 1656687, The place for this stupa was chosen 5 have regularly conducted their retreats Mangalam! [email protected] years ago by Palden Sherab Rinpoche at Kunphenling over the last several Julia Golbina +7 916 3730021, and Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche; last years. For us it is an obvious manifesta- Construction Stages: [email protected] year Chögyal Namkhai Norbu con- tion of their great respect of and trust in May–June 2012: stupa project and Group in Facebook www.facebook.com/ fi rmed that this place is perfect and de- our Teachers and our Community. execution of work permission; visit of groups/302357539844324/ termined the type of stupa – The Stupa Lama Karma Puntsog and necessary of Perfect Victory. We have already obtained all necessary rituals, buying missing texts and other Donations: permissions from the local authorities. relics for fi lling the stupa in Nepal. YandexMoney: 410011402727196 Precious relics from Buddha Shakya- We also have most of the things that QIWI: 9175204844 muni and also from Yeshe Tsogyal, are needed to put inside – we only need June–July: preparing the place, laying WebMoney: 192087926789 Longchenpa and other great Buddhist some more texts and zungs (tightly of the foundation, construction starts, masters will be put into this stupa. The rolled mantras). In May Karma Pun- ordering the steeple. relics were given by the head of the tsog Rinpoche arrived and over several

North Namgyalgar 206 Glass House-Woodford Rd, Phone: 07. 5438 7696 Namgyalgar Dzogchen Community in Glasshouse Mountains, Qld., 4518 [email protected] Australia P.O. Box 307, Glasshouse Mountains, Qld., 4518

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

Namgyalgar Gakyils Melbourne New Zealand North and South Samyasling New Gakyil Namgyalgar North Gakyil Yellow: Maree Ploetz, Lucy Winstanley The Dzogchen Community in Melbourne Blue: Paora Te Oti Takarangi Joseph & Red: (vacancy) Damien Pascoe are most pleased to announce the offi - Kattia Wong Blue: James Bailey, Cosimo Di Maggio cial naming of a Ling in Melbourne, Vic- Red: Jonathan Schaeffer Gekö: Jakub Augustinsky toria, Australia by our Master Chögyal Yellow: Oni McKinstry Namkhai Norbu! NZ Gakyil [email protected] Namgyalgar South Gakyil Yellow: Ian Drummond, Matthew Smith Rinpoche named Samyasling on Friday Red: Lisa Kempster, Vanessa Johnstone 11th May, 2012. Blue: Barbara Robertson, Emily Coleing Gekö: Naomi Tsubaki May we all rejoice in this most fortunate of circumstances! Namgyalgar Gakyil (representatives from NN & NS Kindest regards, Gakyil’s) Samyasling Gakyil Yellow: Ian Drummond (Treasurer from Quinn Stokes – yellow www.jcrows.com 1st July) + Maree Ploetz (Vice President) Sam Pearson – blue Red: Lisa Kempster (& NN Red Bruno Irmici – red vacancy) Oceania Reile – red J. Crow’s ® Blue: Barbara Robertson (President) + [email protected] Cosimo Di Maggio Mulling Spice Folk Medicine Tibetan Medicine SpicedCider.com fax or phone: 1 800 878 1965 603 878 1965 [email protected] THE MIRROR · No. 116 · May, June 2012 Seitenüberschrift

23 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

Tashigar North Development offer to the kids and through a rapid ians, just to be sure we never forget why Projects visit to the Gonpa and its Tibetan art we are involved in that activity. (Vajrapani Korlo Thadrol). All the positive fruits of this proj- ast December in a meeting The project is based on collabora- ect come from the blessing of our with the Gakyil, Rinpoche ap- tion: Community people work as facili- masters Chögyal Namkhai Norbu and L proved the principle of develop- tators doing karmayoga, generating a Khyentse Yeshe Namkhai. To them ing a project that involves working with direct income for the Gar to support our our infi nite gratitude to let us work to- the children of Margarita’s schools. The fi nances. We expect to cover 30 % of the gether and discover the amazing feeling project has two aspects: “Integral well- basic yearly budget. All visits days start of collaboration. Do Evolution! being activities” and “Permaculture”. with a meeting of the whole TashiPark Integral well-being activities are team and a thun practice with guard- Tashipark Team linked with some yoga and meditation workshops. Permaculture aspect is directly linked with Tashigar Norte’s focus on “Agro tourism”, according to the proj- called “Interactive visit” in which we ments” is a workshop in which we try to ect obtained by Maria Angelica Gomez. apply 4 workshops with the kids: Play- communicate some aspects on how the In order to create a base on that par- ing with energy, Ecological Path, The elements work, their particularities and ticular aspect, Saviana Parodi gave us Elements and Yoga. “Playing with ener- main characteristics. We fi nish this sec- an introductory course last March. After gy” is based on some games that famil- tion with a planting practice close to our that we had some pilot experiences with iarize kids with the energy level through nursery. In the yoga workshop we teach Pedro Gonzalez schools kids and fi nally enjoyment. “Ecological Path” is a walk Kumar Kumari (when Dina is available one month ago we started to receive around the plantation of the Gar, start- here) or other kind of yoga according to kids from the various schools in the ing with the lower part where we have their capacity and age. island on a paid basis. Two visits a week the fruits and fi nishing behind the A very important thing is that we are currently offered and all the weeks Gonpa where we have an ornamental are creating a lot of connections with are full until midJuly (end of classes). garden. Those plantations where culti- Margarita’s inhabitants through their In this fi rst stage our offer addressed vated under Permaculture Principles by children, but also with the Teachings to the island schools, is a guided visit Alix and Saviana since 2005. “The Ele- through a ñondrol inside the drinks we

First Meeting on Tibetan Music Department, Faculty of Arts, interest aroused. Two local newspaper Culture held in Mérida, explained Tibetan Religious Music; and articles covered the event in detail, and Venezuela fi nally postgraduate student Azania Lu- the University’s TV station fi lmed and (April 23 through 28, 2012) cena offered an Introduction to Tibetan broadcasted a detailed report, which Language. The fi ve conferences were it aired several times and is currently by Mayda Hocˇevar attended by a big number of people, posted at http://www.youtube.com/ ith the institutional and arousing great interest on Tibetan Cul- watch?v=fXIXedi1FOs (other videos of financial support of the ture and History, as well as on Buddhist the event soon at: http://www.human. W Research Center of African Studies. ula.ve/ceaa/videos/index.php). and Asian Studies, the Offi ce of Scien- A masterful raga/percussion concert Thanks so much to Chögyal Nam- tifi c Exchange and the Offi ce of Cultural with Steve Landsberg at the sitar and khai Norbu, our inspiration, and to the Affairs of the University of Los Andes, Sergio Gallardo at the drums closed the people and institutions who participat- the Dzogchen Community organized program, marking the end of an event ed and collaborated to make this event the First Meeting on Tibetan Culture that by far surpassed our expectations come true. in Mérida, Venezuela, which was the as to the number of participants and fi rst University-sponsored event of its kind in the country. The event started with the opening of a Tibetan thanka exhibition in Casa Bosset (a govern- plained the dance to the many people Five conferences took place in four mental art institution having its seat in who attended – with 50 of them ex- days – four at the Faculty of Humanities a colonial house); Marialejandra Cam- pressing an interest in learning it. and Education, and one at the School of pos explained technical, philosophical Also at the Cesar Rengifo Theater Music, Faculty of Arts: Elías Capriles and religious aspects of the paintings; the fi lm My Reincarnation was shown; discoursed on Tibetan Buddhism and a documentary fi lm on the making of tickets rapidly sold out, and at the Dzogchen and Steven Landsberg on the thankas was shown; and a handmade end the bulk of the audience clapped Importance of Tibetan Culture Today; book with poems by Elías Capriles and enthusiastically – a fantastically great Rowena Hill offered an account of her illustrations of Tibetan art was present- success! impressions during her two trips to ed. Thanks to Tashigar North, Tibetan Tibet; Alejandro Pulido, director of the handicrafts, drums, bells, damarus, silk shawls, malas, incense and books were exhibited and sold. Even though the event’s inauguration coincided with New Look Website Be our Advertise Online heavy rains that caused the Albarregas – one of the main rivers going through The Mirror staff is very happy to Correspondent or in Print Mérida – to overfl ow for the fi rst time in announce the launch of our new One of the innovations of the We offer very reasonable prices 60 years, disrupting traffi c and bringing website at melong.com. The website is that it will now be for advertising in our online the city to a halt, lots of people from all website has a fresh clean look, is open to the participation of ‘cor- paper, the printed version or ages attended, enthusiastically looking easier to read and offers Chögyal respondents’ from different both. You can see all the details at the thankas (a type of art that most Namkhai Norbu’s full program parts of the Dzogchen Commu- in our “Advertising” section at had never seen before in this lifetime) as well as regular news updates nity who will be able to post their the bottom of our homepage. and taking pictures of themselves with from the International DC on the own news, programmes and re- Let people know about your those traditional works of art. Profes- homepage (using a coloured ver- ports. If you are a Gakyil member service or product and help to sor H. Lucena, head of the University’s tical sliding tab) while still offer- or working in close contact with support our Community news- Study Center on Africa and Asia, gave a ing all the services of the previ- your local Gakyil and would like paper at the same time! speech introducing the event and detail- ous website, such as access to the to become our ‘correspondent’, ing the program to the audience. complete archive, subscription to please write to [email protected] Thank you for your continued During the week I offered a dem- online and paper issues through or [email protected] in or- support of The Mirror! onstration of Yantra Yoga, and Carmen paypal and donations. We hope der to give you access and simple Rivas led a Vajra Dance exhibition. She that you will fi nd melong.com directions on how to put up your Best wishes, led new and old practitioners from more user friendly and simpler to news. The Mirror Staff Mérida and Tashigar North through the navigate. Remember to check our www.melong.com steps of the Dance of the Six Spaces of website for the latest news update Samantabhadra at the Cesar Rengifo from the worldwide DC! Theater in downtown Merida, and ex- THE MIRROR · No. 116 · May, June 2012

24 Courses

Merigar West

in depth on these themes together with Andrea or other specialists in the future. Since the subject was very complex, it was essential that all participants spoke the same language, so for this fi rst “ex- periment” only a few representatives of the Italian Lings and Vajra Dance and Yantra Yoga teachers were invited. In the future we would like every European Ling to have at least one representative prepared to present the Community to the outside. As I said the participants responded very favourably to the course and even more people had asked to take part in this Workshop. Unfortunately for this kind of work we could not be more than Workshop on Public Speaking the fi rst Workshop on Public Speaking 20 people but we hope to continue this at Merigar West. The course was a great group and possibly create another to By Rahul Ballarin success with the participants and was fulfi ll Rinpoche’s advice and present held in the form of Karma Yoga by An- the Community at all times and in a way e all know how important it is drea Calbucci. Andrea is a practitioner that may make our Teacher as happy as Vajra Dance Teachers Training with Prima Mai April 13–18, 2012. Photo: H. Schindler to be as clear and precise as at West Merigar who usually works as possible with what we are doing. Wpossible when we talk about a Private Coach with politicians, artists the Dzogchen Community, especially and people with offi cial roles in several France >> Karmaling in front of people who do not know the different countries of the world. It was a teaching. At the same time we must pleasure to work with him and test the try to be faithful to what we have the capabilities of each of us in dealing with good fortune to know and pass on the these situations. information clearly without confusing it We all had the opportunity to un- with our opinions about it. This aspect derstand the importance of studying in has even more importance when we order to master as much as possible the have to speak about the Community in topic we will be presenting. Think of the front of a wider audience and on offi cial speech, defi ne the idea of the message occasions. In these cases we are the clearly, the words and modify them ac- representatives of the Community and cording to the location and objective. We the words we speak will be associated understood what it means to use the with all those who are part of it. body during a speech, how to direct On the advice of our precious mas- the voice and interact with the public to ter, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, who make the message more effective. All this pointed out the need to train people took place in a wonderful atmosphere of who know how to manage in these type collaboration between all participants, of situations, on June 2–3 we organized and we all look forward to working more Ku Nye course at Karmaling with Aldo Oneto, May 21–28.

France >> Dejamling France, Paris

Yantra Yoga course with Zhenya Rud, May 2012, at Dejamling. Course on Primordial Knowledge with Jim Valby in Paris 2012.

Germany Italy

Song of the Vajra part 2 with Lenka Kroh and Song of the Vajra part 1 with Lenka Kroh under supervision by Prima Mai at Elisha Koppensteiner under supervision by Prima Photo: S. Arslan Mai at Höfen May 1–6, 2012. Photo: D. Payne Dargyäling, Cologne April, 2012. Vajra Dance course with Rita Renzi at Namdeling, Naples. THE MIRROR · No. 116 · May, June 2012

25

Italy

Rome Yoga Festival, having Yantra Yoga. They had probably given space in the huge “sala1”, among stration started: condensed, precise, interesting contacts for future collabo- fi fth edition seen the different articles and inter- the “special events”. and commented by Francesco Paolo and ration and the spreading of Yantra Yoga. views published in the last year and Two hours during which Dan- by Laura herself in the most signifi cant Thank you to the Gakyil and the by Sergio Quaranta were keen on having our Master, or at iela welcomed the people and explained points. About sixty people watched; Dzogchen Community in Rome, to the e had decided not to par- least one of our senior teachers. what these two practices given by Chö- twenty of them stayed on for the paid large contingent of Namdeling and ticipate in the Rome Yoga We considered their offer, and gyal Namkhai Norbu are. Then Adriana lesson (the demonstration was free). that of Merigar, and to our beloved W Festival this time. After four decided we would accept if they gave said a few more words about the Dance Considering that in the same mo- Rinpoche! years in which we set up our table, took us a signifi cant space. We proposed of the Six Lokas, after which the Dance ment Italy was playing its opening game turns sitting and giving information a program based on the presentation itself was shown. at the European Football Championship to the people that stopped by for long performed for the Thirtieth Anniver- People watched in silence, and versus Spain, it was a good result! hours for the three days of the festival, it sary of Merigar. We would show both clapped at the end. While the dancers On the occasion Laura and Tiziana seemed a bit much to do, after a very in- the Vajra Dance and Yantra Yoga, then left the mandala, the yogis entered were also able to have a meeting with tense year of activities at Zhenphenling. offer a class led by Laura Evengelisti. and placed their mats in formation. the director of Yoga Journal in Italy, and Then the organizers contacted us. Our program was accepted, so we were Francesco Paolo introduced Laura and with the directress of the Festival, very They seemed to be very interested in Yantra briefl y, then the yantra demon-

Italy Spain Sweden

Participants in the in-depth course of the Dances of the Six Spaces and the Three Vajras (irregular form) with Adriana Dal Borgo at Gyamtsholing, Venice, May 19–20. Two very intense days, during The Vajra Dance of the Six Spaces of Samantabhadra led by Alar Kukk which there was also a time of particular contemplation when, at the end of Gomadevi short Tun, (authorized Vajra Dance teacher since 2011) held in Sweden for the after having danced the Song of the Vajra, we recited the invocation to Samanthabadra together: fi rst time, May 18–20 at the Studieframjandets Dansstudio, Portal- it was a day of eclipse and the earth had just been shaken by the earthquake. A warm thank you to gatan 2 Uppsala. By Chiara Carraro everyone present, especially to our talented and kind teacher. Chöd Retreat with Costantino Albini in Balitx d'Avall June, 2012. Organized by the Dzogchen Community group in Sweden and Ayse Telatar.

UK ing practice and receiving teachings. Gazes, visualisations and breathing techniques he interspersed with ex- planations and anecdotes, whilst we increasingly relished the experience of time to do structured practice together. It was a joyful experience to meditate formally in silence, in our beautiful comfortable Gompa-barn, while wind and rain scoured the hills outside. Us- ing SalTong methods from Rinpoche’s Longsal cycle of teachings we each gained insights into our self-created mind patterns and obstructions, al- lowing us rest in our natural state. As Peter, who organised the retreat said at Photo: P. Garczynski Clarity through rain clouds. tice with Elio Guarisco. Beginning the the end, thank you to Rinpoche fi rstly, Longsal SalTong retreat at retreat, displaying to us that we are like and then Elio for his expert guidance, The Primordial State: a Retreat Jakob’s way of teaching, as someone Kunselling with Elio Guarisco pots containing poison and with broken and to Thomas for his fantastic cooking! with Jakob Winkler commented during the retreat, was bases, Elio proceeded, with his softly Emaho!! “precise and relaxed” at the same time. unselling, set high in the rolling textured voice and piercing intellect, by Mandarava Bricaire His knowledge of the material and his Welsh hills, was the venue for a to deconstruct our entrenched thought n the second half of May, fi fteen personal experience helped the group Kfew days of teaching and prac- patterns and confused ideas about do- people from the Dzogchen Commu- relate the contents of the book ‘The Inity met to participate in a course let Precious Vase’ to their daily life, with Merigar East by the SMS teacher Jakob Winkler. The humour and lightness. The sessions retreat was aimed at clarifying the most of theory and practice of Semzins and important aspects of the study and Rushens were alternated with regular practice of the base of the Santi Maha Yantra Yoga and Vajra Dance sessions Sangha. The group met in the won- in between. Many thanks to Jakob for derful location of Kunselling, http:// his great generosity and openness that dzogchencommunity.org/kunselling , included every person in the group, not our community retreat centre in south letting anyone be excluded from the Wales, near Hay-on-Wye. Situated in dialogue and exchange; and thanks to the middle of bright green hills with the local organisers that made it pos- happily roaming sheep and sur- sible and who did their best to ensure rounded by far-distant mountains, we that all activities fl owed smoothly. were blessed by some beautiful sunny days that made this retreat even more enjoyable and fruitful for our studies.

Chod Retreat at Merigar East with Nina Robinson May 23–27. THE MIRROR · No. 116 · May, June 2012

26

Czech Republic

Dance of the Song of the Vajra for advanced with Adriana Dal Borgo in Prague Six spaces of Samantabhadra course with Pavel Sobek supervised by Adriana Yantra Yoga for beginners with Fijalka Turzikova in Tábor June 8–10, 2012. April 10–12, 2012. Dal Borgo in Prague April 13–15, 2012.

Estonia Poland Serbia

7th Lojong retreat and public talks with Oliver Leick in Tallinn April 13–15, 2012. SMS Base Level Retreat in Belgrade.

Vajra Dance instructor Iwana Zagroba giv- in a daily life. Focusing on different Rinpoche, who though distant in space SMS Base Level Retreat in Our little Community of approxi- ing an explanation during the Six Spaces methods of working with our behavior is ever present in our hearts. of Samanta bhadra Course for Beginners in Belgrade mately 10 to 13 practitioners gathered Lodz, May 25–27 2012. was detailed, clear and lively and we We offer our thanks to Oliver Leick for this auspicious event at the Yoga enjoyed many illustrations Oliver gave who was kind enough to come and teach e were blessed with a second Center where we meet on a regular through stories of his own experiences. us how to follow the path to liberation. visit of our wonderful Vajra basis for Yantra Yoga and the collective Refuge and Bodhicitta in Sutra, Tantra Oliver emphasized the importance of However, liberation depends on us so we W brother and SMS Teacher practices. The Retreat started in the and Dzogchen, Lojongs, 7 mind train- the state of presence and awareness should carry on with diligence and wel- Oliver Leick in Belgrade, Serbia from evening with Guru Yoga. Then Oliver ings, Paramitas, the Rushen of the both during waking state and in dreams come every opportunity to deepen our May 16th–20th 2012. He brought us taught us through giving examples purifi cation of the causes of 6 lokas, thorough the Practice of the Night. knowledge, to study together, to prac- sunshine, quite literarily, because the of the limitations concerning body, vividly explaining the details of each The retreat ended with Ganapuja. All tice and relax in the state of the mirror. spring has been rainy and cold until voice and mind in a direct, clear, and loka and the characteristic of the suf- enjoyed it as it brought about relaxation We’ll do our best for the benefi t of he arrived. The Retreat was based on picturesque way and advice on how to fering of various beings. and happiness. The practitioners who all sentient beings. the Teachings and Instructions of Santi overcome them by integration in our It was inspiring to listen to Oliver’s were new to the SMS were also able to We are looking forward to welcom- Maha Sangha Base Level of Chögyal own nature. vivid explanations, to experience his vast have an insight into the “Precious vase” ing Oliver again to teach us and spend Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche. We were Oliver clearly outlined how to follow and profound knowledge and to practice and were given the opportunity to gain his precious time with us. also very happy to welcome our Vajra the practices correctly, coordinating together the 25 thigles and the Purifi ca- benefi t from the study of it in future. brother Alexander Gruber from the breathing, singing and recitation of tion of the causes of the Six lokas. We are infi nitely grateful to our pre- May all be auspicious! Austrian Dzogchen Community who mantras. He led us deeply into the The last day was dedicated to cious Teacher, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Long Live the Masters, the Teachings came for our Retreat. details of various Guru Yoga practices, advice on how to apply the practice and the Community!

Serbia Kunsangar South

Yantra Yoga in Serbia in two parts, the fi rst for newcomers, Kostic Vesna, Belgrade Yoga Center and the second for an advanced level. Gomadevi Retreat with Enzo the guidance of qualifi ed instructor was no learning during the retreat, by Until then we don’t have a qualifi ed Terzano Enzo Terzano. the end of the course many people felt o far we have had two Yantra Yoga Yantra Yoga instructor in Belgrade and May 23–27 We listened to detailed and pro- its taste on the Mandala and integrated courses in Belgrade. The fi rst one we will do our best to overcome this By Mariya Stepanyk found explanations, based on the pre- with the Song and Dance of Vajra. Swas with Oliver Leick in 2009, and obstacle in order to raise the quality of cious instructions and commentaries of The retreat fi nished with a Ganapuja the second one was with Zsolt Somo- our common practice of Yantra Yoga as he Gonpa of Kunsangar South Chögyal Namkhai Norbu on Gomadevi together with Rinpoche by webcast, and gyvary in 2011. We assembled a Yantra soon as possible. is almost ready to welcome Our Practice, that Enzo had collected over this enjoyment continued with a group Yoga practice group immediately after Thanks to our Yellow Gakyil Lale we T Master with his Precious Teach- many years of work, combined with excursion to Bakhchisaray to visit the the fi rst course. After the second course have a video channel Yantra Yoga Serbia ing Man-ngag Tag-drol Gyud, gterma personal practice. Explanations of the ancient monasteries and caves there. more practitioners joined our group so online www.live-e.TV/yantra-yoga of Rigdzin Changchub Dorje. practice repeated every time with more Enzo in his warm and open manner in- it was possible to have regular weekly Eternal thanks to our dear Oliver All who gathered at the end of May and more aspects, and all together by spired us not only to deepen the practice practice in Belgrade Yoga Center. We and dear Zsolt for their precious time, in a fresh, still not painted Gonpa where the end of the retreat we had learned but also to conquer the rocks. have been practicing the fi rst level commitment and perseverance, and we preparations were under way, felt being the Short, Medium and Long Thun that Crimea is the place where Rinpoche of YY, warm-ups, Tsijong, Lungsang, hope to meet again in the near future. very fortunate. 33 participants from dif- are combined with the Dance of the fi rst taught Longsal Thugtig of Jnana Tsandul and 1st series of Yantra. May the lotus feet of our Glorious ferent parts of Ukraine and Russia had Song of Vajra. Dakini and we hope that the Longsal We are also planning another course Masters remain fi rmly upon the Earth! a rare and precious opportunity to learn Though not all the participants knew Teaching will fl ourish here for the fu- in October 2012 with Zsolt Somogyvary, and deepen Gomadevi practice under the Dance of the Song of Vajra and there ture. THE MIRROR · No. 116 · May, June 2012

27

Russia Australia, Melbourne Namgyalgar North

Ku Nye course with Aldo Oneto at Dorjeling, St. Petersburg, April 1–8, 2012. Yantra Yoga Public course level1 in Melbourne with Emily Coleing. Dance of the 6 Spaces with Nikki Elliott at Namgyalgar North May 19–20,2012 Photo: D. Marsh

Tashigar Norte Tashigar Sur

First part of Vajra Dance from May 11 to May 16, 2012 with Bodhi Krause. The second part of the Vajra Dance from May 25 to June 1, 2012 with Bodhi Krause. Mandarava Retreat with Chudlen and Tsalung practice. Instructors: Marisa Alonso and Ricky Sued May 19 and 20, 2012.

Brazil

each practitioner would set alight the next practitioner’s candle and, one by one, everybody held the candles up and sang together with a round, turning melody. We were really merry to be able to work with the teaching in this way, instilled with awareness of the rarity of such knowledge and methods passed in an unbroken and direct line to Rinpoche. And then to us.

The Primordial State and Dzogchen Knowledge with Jim Valby, with a focus on the 21 Semdzins. From May 25 to May 31 in Lhundrubling, São Paulo, Brazil. Enjoying Jim Valby in Buenos Aires Jim Valby Dzogchen Retreat By Griselda Gálmez by Eduardo Joaquim Cintra Mauro

ur last retreat with Jim Valby to study im Valby visited Buenos Aires to lead a Retreat about “The Pri- Dzogchen Teaching was – as a retreat of this mordial Knowledge of Dzogchen: Theory and Practice” from June Okind always is – incredible. Jim’s knowledge J2 to 6. He remained with us for 7 days, and what days for all of us! of the teaching and ancient texts is deep and vast, and The older practitioners felt a great joy to see and listen once more he is able to present it with ease both by being very to our dear Jim. Really, we have always enjoyed his funny explana- direct and by leaving no space for fantasies about the tions, his nice way to receive each of us, his personal way to provoke, studies to develop. to move… And we love this style because we know the effects on our This is the second retreat with Jim Valby that we own knowledge. His words go deeper and deeper and just the essen- had at Lhundrubling, in São Paulo. This time we stud- tial meaning remains. ied the meaning of direct introduction and its meth- The new practitioners awaited him with expectation because they ods, along with detailed instructions on the Semdzins. knew, through the older, the singularity of this American teacher of We did a lot of practice between the explanations, and Santi Maha Sangha. Jim did not disappoint them, on contrary, now that helped everyone to build confi dence and familiar- he has more grateful listeners. ity. We learned to use the practices most suited to us, For the new Gakyil of Buenos Aires (a very recent new Gakyil) the focusing on the Guru Yoga, and also studied the secret organization and the responsibility of this retreat was a diffi cult test. method of applying all vehicles with the knowledge of But they found a very comfortable place for the teachings, The Forum dzogchen – something which, given Jim’s experience of the Sciences and Arts. Summing up, when the people who assisted with other non-Buddhist vehicles, permitted practitio- in the retreat tried to explain something about it, it’s frequent to hear: ners coming from religious backgrounds to untangle “I do know it was very strong, it was like staying in front of a powerful old concepts and be comfortable. And we learned a lot light, seen and not seen at the same time …”. No one doubted of one about samaya. Finally, we did Ganapuja with explana- thing: our understanding. It can be said it exists before and after our tions and commentary about the practices we do in it. dear Vajra brother, Jim Valby. That took a long time. By taking long it brought the group together, so that we were able to have a better understanding of the aspects of the practices therein and very good group dynamics. On the last day we did a second Ganapuja to mark the end of the retreat. This time Jim added the Marme Mönlan. He talked about the practice before we started, and the beauty of it was evident. At a precise moment, he asked our Vajra brother Antonio to get the fi rst candle and to light the next one in line. Then, THE MIRROR · No. 116 · May, June 2012

28 Programs

Merigar West

Summer 2012 at Merigar West July 14–15 (in collaboration with the July 2o–25 August 10–16 August 31–September 6 Shang Shung Institute) Course about namkha Retreat of the Long Life Retreat with Chögyal June 28–July 1st Tibetan language: the correct with Liane Gräf Practice of Mandarava Namkhai Norbu Course of the Long Life pronunciation of the texts of (details in the next newsletter) Longsal Atii Gongpa Practice of Mandarava practices July 23–25 and Yantra Yoga with Fabian Sanders Ritiro di pratica di Danza del August 17–23 Gojed – The Opening of with Nina Robinson and Tiziana Gottardi Vajra (Tun completo) Retreat of Shine and the Gate to the State of July 16–August 15 (in collaboration Lhagthong in the Dzogchen Ati July 5–8 with the Shang Shung Institute) July 26–29 Teaching In-depth Course and practice Course of Tibetan language Retreat of explanation and with Fabio Risolo September 7–9 of the Dance of the Song of the and training for translators practice of Tara (details in the next newsletter) SMS Level 1 Exams Vajra from Tibetan with Costantino Albini September 10–16 led by Rita Renzi with Fabian Sanders August 24–28 Training for SMS Level 2 Course in three levels: August 3–9 Advanced Yantra Yoga Course with Chögyal Namkhai July 13–15 (in collaboration with base – intermediate – advanced. Retreat of the practice of the with Laura Evangelisti Norbu l’Istituto Shang Shung) For information please refer to Purifi cation of the Six Lokas This is a course to learn the 5 basic Learn Tibetan Traditional [email protected] combined with the Dance of yantras, the pranayama of the fi fth Dances and Songs the Six Spaces of Samanta- series and the yantras of the fi rst September 21–27 with Topgyal Gontse and Tsering Dolker July 16–22 bhadra and second series in order to develop Retreat with Chögyal Week of Yoga Holidays for capacities and to progress. Namkhai Norbu adults and children Shitro Khorde Rangdrol: with Laura Evangelisti and Tiziana Gottardi, Fabio Risolo, Raffaella Blasi, Terma Teaching of Cesare Torricelli Rigdzin Changchub Dorje

France >> Dejamling

Dejamling of the many trees of all kinds, in spring 4–10 July Chögyal Namkhai Norbu · making small walls, gathering and exchange information about the work seasons offering their fruits. webcast teaching: Yeshes Khandroí chopping wood, that needs doing and the conditions. e invite all the Lings, espe- Our Mandala is in the Vajra tent, Thugthig (Jnanadhakini) · beautifying, taking care of, innovat- Articles prepared by Carole Georges, cially from the cities, to come, sometimes less comfortable, chilly, 11–13 July: Children creative ing, making piles, diminishing piles, Gabriela Arnon, Stoffelina Verdonk, Was a Ling or group to practice even wet if rain is too generously giving expression in nature throwing out, Catherine Duez (and Yantra Yoga by at Dejamling. You can enjoy practicing our land prosperity to grow more easily. 12–23 July: Vajra Dance in depth · having fun like when at home but as a Lorraine). in the French countryside, and also in- But in summer, quite hot, we open the course with Stoffelina Verdonk group in order to improve our living tegrate with the elements at Dejamling! tent and dance between trees and all 20 July–26 August: 108 hours of space The airport of Montpellier and train animals that fl y and others come danc- Karma Yoga In exchange for 3 or 4 hours of 108 Vajra Dances retreat station is an hour and a half away, with ing with us on the mandala, attracted to 25–29 July: Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Karma Yoga each day, the Dzogchen June 24 – August 17 buses and car, we will welcome you with the colored (especially the red) thigles. webcast teaching: Dark Blue Garuda Community is offering free housing at joy! In the little retreat house a huge Worldwide Transmission of anniver- Dejamling. ejamling is very happy to invite For any information write to window leaves space to see nature, or sary of Guru Padmasambhava For example, 3 hours in the morning all practitioners from anywhere [email protected] and see relax in space, all senses, presence, also 28–30 July: Vajra Dance and Yantra and one hour in the evening when it is Don our globe to come and par- some images on our website: http:// instant presence, and practice easily Yoga retreat with Jesus Martines and cool if the work is progressing rapidly... ticipate in this retreat at Dejamling, in association.dzogchen.free.fr/ and strongly any of the precious prac- Stoffelina Verdonk according to the situation. the hills of Cevennes, in the south of tices of our Master. 3–9 August: Chögyal Namkhai Norbu This schedule leaves lots of time and France. Santi Maha Sangha Base Level In the Dark retreat cabin, you bet- webcast teaching: Man-ngag Tag- space to do other practices or rest, or go From the 13th to the 17th of April, about ter discover by yourself, the practice of drol Gyud for a walk. We will start this internationally ori- fi fteen of us gathered at Dejamling Yangti, if you were fortunate to have 3–17 August: personal or “Ling” Dejamling is a good, beautiful place ented Vajra Dance retreat on the an- to hear teachings on the Base Level of that transmission from the Master. It retreats to discover the natural elements. In niversary of Khyentse Yeshe, July 3, an Santi Maha Sangha with Jim Valby. offers everything you need: shower, 17–23 August: Chögyal Namkhai the hottest hours, one can enjoy a re- international Vajra Dance day. On that Outside, it is springtime – nature toilet, aired, heated in winter. We try to Norbu webcast teaching : Longsal freshing dip in a little river, dive from day we can wear the Vajra Dance cos- is awakening! The Cevenol mountains help and arrange that someone is there Atií Nadzer small and large rocks, even do some tume. are tinted with green, the lilacs with to come and feed you and be there for 17–26 August: 108 Chöds with Cvetko swimming strokes (to the bottom of purple, the heather with white. The sun you if needed. Jovanovic Valbonne), or simply take a nap in a You are all invited to come and par- dances with the rain. On the mandala Dejamling is evolving and more and hammock, under the chestnut trees, ticipate in the Dance of the Vajra during we sketch a few dance steps. Inside, more collaboration and participation of Karma Yoga lime trees and butterfl y bushes. the retreat. During the retreat there will Jim awakens us. His words are direct, the different practitioners is manifest- As Rinpoche has explained, Karmayoga Please contact us at dejamlingfr@ also be other possibilities to integrate in concrete, colorful, sharp, sweet. To our ing. After years of practice and work- is an important practice, not only for gmail.com to tell us your wishes and Dance, Life and all! delight, the translator reproduces Jim’s ing intensively with all the different those engaged in the Santi Maha your arrival to do this Karma Yoga, so voice, his gestures, even his mimics. At circumstances (not always that easy) Sangha program, but for all of us! we can organise housing and meals. We will dance before, during or after meals, the cook rouses our tastebuds we fi nd more and more that transmis- “108 hours of Karma Yoga” will the hours of a course, around any ac- with inspired dishes, spicy and delicate. sion is strongly alive to discover our real take place at Dejamling from July 21 to Housing: tivity at Dejamling, around webcasts, Like the sap rising in the trees, a new, nature. August 2, to mutually inspire each other with Karma Yoga (3–4 hours per day): free around the anniversaries of the Mas- joyous energy fi lls us. The Ganapuja is This summer we have an intensive and do this Yoga together. without Karma yoga: 8 euros per day + 1 ters, around the world Transmission a party. We come away from our retreat program, We are inviting groups from local euro for sheets during your stay. day of the Guru Yoga of Guru Padma- enchanted, connected as if by a precious Dejamling’s Summer Program: villages, and all interested practitio- All information at sambhava, from our Master Chögyal secret. 108 practices in Dejamling: ners, as well as international and local http://association.dzogchen.free.fr/ Namkhai Norbu. 108 Vajra Dances (June 24–August 17) Lings that wish to do Karma Yoga, to dejamling.htm Retreat Places 108 hours of Karma Yoga gather and to meet each other. We Come and meet, dance with your fellow Longde cabin, Dark retreat cabin, Man- (July 20– August 26) will discover the manifestations of the Welcome to your ling! practitioners, come with your Ling, your dala, Little retreat house, Dejamling a 108 Chöds (August 17–26) “108 Hours”, accumulated together, Heartfelt Thanks Gar, dance with your Vajra brothers and retreat place, A Ling of Infi nite Bliss. woven around all practice moments, for ourselves, our community, and for The Gakyil sisters on the Dzogchen Mandala. You This summer is special in Dejamling, starting with: Dejamling, Ling of infi nite beatitude! can also dance alone, in the presence of the stream coming from the source is 25–30 June: Mandarava retreat with On the menu for this Karma Yoga, NB: hundreds of thousands of Dakinis in the sounding: water fl ows! Françoise Casabianca there are quite a few light yogas, inside There is also some heavier Karma Yoga early or late hours of this month long The place is simple, its environment 29 June–1 July: Chögyal Namkhai and outside of the house: to do, to fi x up the bottom of the small retreat. is a particular mixture of wild nature, Norbu webcast teaching – Dzogchen · sewing, organising clutter, cleaning house. For this particular task we need and, at the same time a more delicate Nallug Dejamling, painting, etc. at least 2 people with experience in General overview of the activities side, showing many shades of purple, 3 July–2 August: 108 Vajra Dances · installing small furniture, sorting construction. This job is more intensive, during the 108 Vajra Dances retreat: yellow and many shaped fl owers, bees, with all practitioners singing or/and through books, linens/material, etc. and could be done also at other times June 24: 4 pm opening of the 108 Vajra dragon- and butterfl ies, lavender fl ow- dancing any of the 3 Vajra dances. · cleaning the Vajra tent, taking care during the year. If you are interested in Dances at Dejamling ers. of all the green and other spaces, doing this heavy karma yoga, thanks We enjoy space sitting in the Longde sprucing up the garden of memory of in advance for contacting the Gaky- cabin, with our feet just above the top practitioners who have died, il, [email protected] in order to >> continued on the following page THE MIRROR · No. 116 · May, June 2012

29

France >> Dejamling Germany Greece

>> continued from previous page Dejamling is in the south of France, a Upcoming Courses Greece hosting Tibet July 3: opening of the retreat with Inter- simple Dzogchen Community place in national Vajra Dance day, Anniversary the countryside of the “hilly moun- Vajra Dance, Six Spaces of he Shang Shung Institute Austria of Khyentse Yeshe tains of Cevennes”, but a strong place Samanthabadra and the Greek Dzogchen Com- for discovering all our Master teach- with Karin Heinemann T munity are pleased to invite you July 4–10: Everyone is invited to come ings. Possibility to also do Dark retreat, June 30–July 1 at Dargyäling, Cologne all to the upcoming Tibetan cultural and see/listen to the Webcast of the Longde practice, and other practices in Registration: Rico Aurich event at the end of September 2012. Yeshe Khandro Thugthig retreat with our specifi c retreat cabins, “the little” Tel.: 0049 177-159 36 03 Prior to our beloved Master’s precious Chögyal Namkhai Norbu house. There is a little canyon for div- [email protected] Teaching Longsal Ati Lamgyi Ngšndro ing, swimming in cold fresh water not from 3rd–7th October 2012 in Athens, July 12–23: intensive Vajra Dance far from our Ling. It is a beautiful place Vajra Dance Day we are looking forward to also welcome retreat, all 3 Vajra Dances. for walks, or just to have a siesta in a with Karin Heinemann all of you for the “Exhibition of Tra- hammock, under the trees. July 3 at Dargyäling, Cologne ditional Tibetan Art”, where pictures July 23–August 2: continuation of the Registration: [email protected] of immeasurable historical & cultural Vajra Dance retreat, combined, on dif- Prices: value of the ancient cave city Khyung ferent days, with Yantra Yoga (July 28– the Vajra Dance retreat: donation Dzogchen practice holiday week lung dngul mkhar, literally the “Silver 30), Karma yoga, webcast teaching of Vajra Dance in-depth course: 210 euro open to all practitioners Palace in the Garuda Valley”, will be teaching their students. Philosophy, Dark Garuda and the Worldwide Trans- with the usual reduction for members. July 13–22 in Höfen shown. The statues like Samantabhadra physics, mathematics, music, theatre mission of Guru Padmasambhava’s Yantra Yoga and Vajra Dance: donation Registration: Rico Aurich Yab Yum, Vajrasattva, Majig Mala, Yu- and medicine could thus survive and anniversary. Tel.: 0049 177-159 36 03 tog Yontan Gonpo, Dorje Yudronma or form the spine of contemporary western Accommodation: [email protected] Gomadevi and precious Tibetan thankas civilisation. In the ancient Agora (mar- August 2: Final Ganapuja of retreat, 8 euro per night/person, complement each other harmoniously ket) Democracy was born and practiced with extensive Guardian practice. children for free Vajra Dance, Song of the Vajra thus offering us a precious tool for self in daily life. The eldest and most im- 5 euro camping Part 2 liberation while looking at them. As portant theatre of Athens, the Theatre August 3–9: Chögyal Namkhai Norbu with Karin Heinemann Dzogchen embraces all buddhist of Dionysus, where once the Festival of webcast teaching Enrolment (especially for housing) and Dec. 1–3, 14–16 at Dargyäling, Cologne traditions, we are also inviting other the Great Dionysia was celebrated, re- information: [email protected] Registration: Rico Aurich sanghas in Greece to participate in this minds us, how the ancient Greek people August 3–17: Vajra Dance and Tel.: 0049 177-159 36 03 exhibition and thus enriching the fl avor spontaneously knew how to integrate personal retreats. You are most welcome in Dejamling!! [email protected] of our exhibition. and express the visions of the senses in Hope to see you soon! a religious and creative way. August 17: Final Ganapuja of 108 Vajra Parallel to the exhibition, public talks Dances at Dejamling. like “Introduction to Dzogchen” “In- The Temple of Poseidon in Cape troduction to Tibetan Medicine” and Sounion, the southernmost spot of At- Merigar East “Ancient Wisdom for our modern soci- tica, is an architectural monument from ety” will be presented by Elio Guarisco at least 600 BC. It’s imposing seize wel- Chögyal Namkhai Norbu and Oliver Leick. Aldo Oneto will intro- comes us to sit beside its cool marble Dzogchen Retreat duce us to Ku Nye massage and Laura columns, experiencing a most impres- Evagelisti to Yantra Yoga. Both Ku Nye sive, colorful sunset over the Aegean and and Yantra Yoga we will also have the sea. Athens and Attica is surrounded by The Offi cial Gonpa opportunity to learn while practicing at sea, it’s deep blue or green blue depths Inauguration Ceremony the same time. These ancient, very spe- inviting us to take a refreshing swim, August 17–23, 2012 cial and effective techniques for restor- sunbathing afterwards at the endless Merigar East, Romania ing the natural condition of our energy beaches or rocks in the reviving autumn will be complemented by the Dance of sun. From Piraeus, the biggest harbour erigar East is honoured to Vajra, introduced to all of us either by of Attica, modern, comfortable boats welcome Chögyal Namkhai Prima Mai or Adriana Dal Borgo. In take us to Greece’s charming unique MNorbu again this summer for 2011 Vajra Dance, which is a precious islands in the Aegean, the Saronic Sea, the teachings on Longsal Ati Nadzer. means to integrate oneself into the the Ionian Sea … This year the occasion is even more joy- state of contemplation, has been recog- ous because we are going to receive nized by UNESCO as a humanity wordly Dear brothers and sisters, the beauties Rinpoche and all of you in the newly heritage. of Greece are unique and countless. It is painted Gonpa. our deepest wish to share these natural Our event will take place in a beautiful gifts and the experience of our Tibetan Come and celebrate with us at the Of- building close to the centre of the old Cultural event with you, joining our fi cial Gonpa Inauguration Ceremony on city of Athens. Stepping out of the doors energies to help a country that in these the sunny shore of the Black Sea! of this building with its neoclassicist days needs the support of every one of structure, one fi nds oneself standing us. For more information about the retreat opposite the Acropolis, also known as fees, accommodation and travelling to the “Sacred Rock”, from which the Par- Let’s witness together the rare oppor- Merigar East visit thenon temple majestically looks down tunity and collaborating and joining in http://dzogchen.ro/dzogchen-retreat- on us. In this area numerous important the dance of two ancient cultures melt- in-romania-2012 ancient sites are waiting for you to be ing into each other under the endless explored. Walk the paths and sit under Mediterranean sky … Looking forward seeing you all at the shades of the olive trees, the same Merigar East! trees that Socrates, Plato, Diogenes, With joyful anticipation ME Gakyil Democritus, Pythagoras, Aristophanes The Greek Dzogchen Community and Hippocrates had leaned on when

Kunsangar North

Vajra Dance 1st Level Teachers’ and those who would like to deepen The number of participants is Schedule: Training their understanding and develop their limited, so please, register as soon as 19 July we start at 17:00 With Adriana Dal Borgo personal practice of Vajra Dance can possible! 20–23 July two sessions per day 10:00- July 19–24, 2012 participate. Participants should be The deadline for registration is 12:00 and 17:00-19:00 ready to show and explain the steps of 25 June 2012. 24 July we practice only in the morning, The training will include the Dances of the Dances especially those who have You can fully (active) participate maybe a bit longer than usual. the Six Spaces of Samantabhadra the the intention to hold and spread the in this retreat but it is also possible to If you have any questions concern- Three Vajras. transmission of the Vajra Dance in the take part as an observer. The cost of the ing the course, please write to the coor- To participate you need to have the future. Candidates have to know both participation: dinator Slava Potapenko at: transmission of the Dzogchen Teach- the male and female parts of the Dances · for active participants 280 EUR [email protected] ing from Chögyal Namkhai Norbu or “Six Spaces of Samantabhadra” and · for observers 100 EUR or call +7-985-998-98-90 Khyentse Yeshe and be a member of the “Three Vajras” (regular and irregular There are no discounts for the cost of Dzog chen Community. Both practitio- versions) well. participation in this case. With best regards, ners who have the potential to become To take part in the retreat you need Kunsangar North Gakyil Vajra Dance teachers in the future to register in advance. THE MIRROR · No. 116 · May, June 2012

30

Kunsangar North

Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Visa: to get an invitation for making a Meritorious membership and children bed per day in a 2-bed room. For book- Alternative accommodation (village, Dark-Blue Garuda visa please contact Slava Potapenko under 14: free ing please contact Larisa Kortunova hotels etc). For booking please contact Teaching +7 985 9989890, One day ticket: 20 € (prepayment not [email protected]. Be aware Lyudmila Vasilyeva: +7 926 320 335, 25–29 July 2012 [email protected] available) that the number of beds is limited, so [email protected] fi rst we’ll give them to the retreat team e are happy to announce the Pre-Register: from June 20th till July CD/DVD: if you leave right after the and to participants with limited mobil- Other questions concerning the retreat: retreat with our precious 20th you can pre-register and pre-pay retreat and need the disk urgently – ity (disabled people, parents with little please contact Philippe Khomenok Wteacher Chögyal Namkhai with a 10% discount. Please contact please pre-pay it when you pre-register, children etc). If you have any special [email protected], +7 926 6995729 Norbu at Kunsangar North (Moscow) your local Gakyil or Yanina Bekshibaeva and you will get it within 2–3 hours af- reasons to be housed on the gar ter- on 25–29 July 2012. It will be Terma [email protected]. ter the last session. For a normal order ritory – please specify them in your Retreat website: teaching of Rigdzin Jangchub Dorje, you can pay for disk during the retreat message. http://retreat.kunsangar.org/en/ the Circle of Lama Zabdon’s “Khyung- Retreat Fees (normal/pre-payment): and get it within 1 week. Camping at Kunsangar North: indicative cost kunsangar-north/about/ nag” – the Dark-Blue Garuda, with all Non-members: 100 €/90 € 10 €/a tent for the whole retreat + 5 €/a related action mantras. Ordinary membership: 85 €/75 € Accommodation person per day. Number of camping More info about Russian-speaking Sustaining membership: 40 €/35 € Dormitory at Kunsangar North: 12 €/a places is limited. Contacts for booking Dzogchen Community: Reduced membership: 50 €/45 € bed per day in a 4-bed room, 17 €/a and more details will be available later. http://kunsangar.org/en/

New Zealand Tsegyalgar East

August Dzogchen Community New !!! Three Month Summer Shorter periods of Karma Yoga are Practice Retreat on Khandroling Practice and Karma Yoga also available and include administra- August 11–17, 2012 Encampment on Khandroling tive work, housekeeping, parking and Khandroling, Buckland MA May 25–September 1, 2012 support before, during and after the July retreats with Chogyal Namkhai Oni McKinstry – Yantra Yoga Group of Yantra, intended for the public This retreat will be self-directed by Generations of Dzogchen practitioners Norbu. news from New Zealand and those who wish to refresh their participants who decide the schedule have gathered together in seasonal en- Tsegyalgar East is still looking to (www.dzogchen.org.nz/index.php/ practice. based on interests of those who attend. campments to practice, work and live sign up many summer retreat team yantra-yoga) and There will be Yantra Yoga, Vajra Dance together in a community dedicated to members. Contact the geko@tsegyal Yantra Yoga Vacation Retreat Daku Resort is in Savusavu, Fiji, it and various collective practices on cultivating one’s awareness. This sum- gar.com if you would like to offer your for Oceania-Daku Resort, offers a beautiful location for yoga Khandroling as well as adequate time mer Tsegyalgar East will host for the skills and energy. Fiji, March 9–16, 2013. and relaxation. The proposed fee will for personal practice. fi rst time a three month Encampment include 7-night accommodation with from Memorial to Labor Day, in what For SMS Karma Yoga requirements, fter living in the USA for most twin share, all meals, two yoga sessions There is no fee but each participant will we hope will become an annual event. contact the SMS liaisons Robyn Kinsey of the last decade, I have re- daily, one free half-hour massage and be expected to engage in a karma yoga Especially open to beginners. at [email protected] and Lori A turned to New Zealand to live in all excursions in the free time. To keep task. There will be the usual member fee By application only with a limit of Leff at [email protected] Christchurch. There is as yet no other it affordable, we have priced it at $1550 for camping on the land. 12 participants. Apply at the Tsegyalgar Dzogchen community members here to per person, excluding international East website, http://Tsegyalgar.org/ my knowledge, but there are many in airfares and transfers from Nadi to For more information contact: localcenters/tsegyalgareast/newsletter/. Auckland, Wellington and Warrington Savusavu. Please contact the resort di- [email protected] (near Dunedin). I have started to look rectly to book your Yantra Yoga Retreat! or call 413 369 4153 for studio spaces to teach Yantra Yoga www.yogainfi ji.com but due to the frequent earthquakes, there are few studios reopening in the Please tell all your friends and family, Tsegyalgar West city. come and enjoy a Yantra Yoga holiday in the Pacifi c with Emily and Oni! Rinpoche is Coming to Baja Ca Vajra Dance In the meantime, Emily Coleing from Sur in May 2013! January through May 2013 Australia and I have planned a 6-day Please also visit my little blog for some Anya Neyman, TBA Yantra Yoga retreat at a really lovely photos and Yoga news from New Zea- Tentative Schedule Planned: resort in Fiji for March 9–16, 2013! We land – www.oniyogini.com Yantra Yoga Jan/Feb/March will teach the Level I from the beginning October, November 2012 TBA, DZC Instructors: Nine Purifi cation Breathing to the Third Ka kite! See you soon! TBA, Carolina Mingola Nina Robinson – Ritual practices Micheal Katz – Dream Yoga Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Foundational Dzogchen Prima Mai – Song of the Vajra Dance Rinpoche Jim Valby Teaching Marisa Alonso, TBA Dzogchen Teachings December 18 to 23, 2012 confi rmed dates March/April May 8 to 12, 2013 Constantino Albini, TBA BCS Group Holiday Week Retreat Confi rmed! December 26 to January 1st with Fabio Andrico, Yantra Yoga

For updates and info please check: www.tsegyalgarwest.org http:/bajagar.blogspot.com

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, Merigar 1, GR 58031 Arcidosso, Italy * Tel: 39 32 98 86 52 92 * Skype: lizmirror * [email protected] * * Editorial Staff: Naomi Zeitz, Tsegyalgar, Conway, MA, USA * Liz Granger, Istituto Shang Shung, Arcidosso, Italy * * Literary Editor: John Shane * * Advisors: Adriano Clemente, Jim Valby * * International Blue Gakyil Advisor: Fabio Andrico, International Publications Committee * * English Language Advisor: Liz Granger * * Design & Layout: Thomas Eifl er * * Printer: Turley Publications, Palmer, MA, USA * * Distribution: Tsegyalgar at Conway, MA, USA * * Subscription Rate/6 Issues: $35 US available through Tsegyalgar; 27 € through SSI * * Visa and Master card welcome * * Online Mirror: www.melong.com * * All material © 2012 by The Mirror * * Reprint by permission only * * We reserve the right to edit all submissions. THE MIRROR · No. 116 · May, June 2012 Seitenüberschrift

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Passages Died

Austria Switzerland Tsegyalgar West

The photo shows Monica reading one of her Elad surely did not have an easy poems in the Gonpa at Merigar in 2001. life. Yet Elad also had some happy mo- ments and he considered this a result of Oliver Leick blessings. Especially in Tashigar South, on behalf of the Dzogchen Community where he lived for 6 years, he started Austria Regions building his house and his dream came through when he managed to buy his beloved horse, Layla. Unfortunately, because of lack of money, the house was never fi nished. Elad was a sincere Dharma practi- tioner and was deeply devoted to our Master and to his great hero, Longchen- pa. In Tashigar he established a friendly Monica Wittib Cristina Fessler (1944–2012) Elad Ophir relationship with Glen Eddy for whom he built a memorial web site (www. ith great sorrow we inform ristina Fessler, a frequent travel- n May 23, 2012 at 10 p.m. our freewebs.com/sattva1/). you, that our beloved Vajra er, expressed her life power as an Vajra brother Elad Ophir died WSister, Monica Wittib, from Cartist, always capturing different Oin a hospice in California of Master and Disciple’s Float Innsbruck in Austria, passed away after dimensions and layers and searching for liver cancer. I met Elad in 1997 when Poem by Elad Ophir 3 years of severe illness on May 1, 2012 possible answers in a continous process he managed to get me angry, stalking at 7.55 pm in Innsbruck. of an unfolding universe. She expressed me as a Norbunet moderator. He then My Master fl ies thru skies for all to Monica, born in 1951, was a very her love as a mother, grandmother, told me he was really hurt by my strong teach active member of the Dzogchen Com- partner and friend. Cristina Fessler reply. I felt sorry and we established Trying to keep no one beyond his reach munity since 1998 and offered her passed away on Tuesday morning June a profound and loving Dharma rela- But behold, I need not the teaching of collaboration as a Gakyil member for 5th, 2012 in Zurich, Switzerland. We will tionship and correspondence over the each 6 years. miss her never ending commitment to years. He visited our house in 1999. He is my Mind even fl oating on the Please include her in your practice. care and compassion. beach

of topics such as the matriarchal in Tibetan on the history of the invited from China and India to A History of the social structure, funerary prac- Tibetan Empire up to the publi- translate many Buddhist scrip- tices, court intrigues and military cation of this work, and fi nally tures. At that time, the Denkar Tibetan Empire and administrative matters. the work of Professor Namkhai Catalog, Tibet’s fi rst Buddhist cat- Up to today, this work is the Norbu, Zhang bod lo rgyus ti se’i ‘od alogue was created and the three Drawn from most complete narrative his- (The Light of Kailash: A History of baskets of the Buddhist canon the Dunhuang tory of the Tibetan state starting Zhang Zhung and Tibet), published were translated into Tibetan. The from its legendary origins, with in 1996 in Tibetan and the fi rst same king is listed as the author Manuscripts the fi rst king, Nyathri Tsenpo in volume in English in 2009. In the of Nail of the Middle Way, Sign Lan- By H.H. the Drikung Kyabgon the 4th century B.C., passing to chapter dedicated to The Eighteen guage of the Tatha¯gata. Moreover, Chetsang the foundation of the empire at Golden Eagle-Crowned World-Kings Thrisong Detsen possessed skill the time of Namri Songtsen and of Zhangzhung, the author chose in the evaluation of horses and Translated by Meghan Howard Songtsen Gampo, up to the time to quote a complete passage from was expert in classifying their with Tsultrim Nakchu of the last regent, Udum Tsenpo. the English version of Chögyal breeds and it was at that time that As is indicated in the title, this Namkhai Norbu’s work translat- horses began to be classifi ed into Songtsen Library, Center for work places the chronology of all ed by Prof. Donatella Rossi. fi ve breeds corresponding to the Tibetan and Himalayan Studies, the kings and various lineages in A History of the Tibetan Empire fi ve elements. Dehra Dun, India. 2011. der of Tibetan Buddhism, born in a modern context, putting them reveals some aspects that are al- The book is furnished with pp. 651. USD 65 Tibet in 1946 into the aristocratic in an appropriate historical con- most completely unknown to numerous appendices with a rich Tsarong family, published an text. the Western reader, to mention bibliography of publications in Originally published as Bod exhaustive work on the Tibetan For a long time, Chetsang a few, a long digression on the English and other Western lan- btsan po’i rgyal rabs: Empire entitled Bod btsan po’i rg- Rinpoche, a knowledgeable poly- swords and the armour used at guages, Chinese and Tibetan, Tun hong bod kyi yig rnying las yal rabs. He wanted to present to glot, has long been interested in the time of Drigum Tsenpo with hence providing a complete re- byung ba his people an accessible and au- the wealth of materials discov- his famous crystal sword, in the source to all those interested in © Songtsen Library, Dehra Dun, thentic testimony of their famous ered at Dunhuang. After care- chapter dedicated to the seven Tibetan history. In addition, this India 2010. past based on sources discovered ful study of the manuscripts, he Thri (throne), or the practically volume contains entire pages in Dunhuang. undertook a translation of them unknown kingdoms of women with colour photos of manu- Giorgio Dallorto In 2011, thanks to the transla- from the archaic Tibetan lan- that existed in western and east- scripts with the author’s transla- tion by Meghan Howard, a long guage of that time to modern ern Tibet from the end of the 4th tion and commentary in an Eng- t a recent conference held time translator from the Tibetan, Tibetan in order to make this century to the 6th century AD dur- lish that is easy to understand. by Chögyal Namkhai together with Tsultrim Nakchu, ancient literary Tibetan treasure ing the Tang dynasty. The king- There is a great richness and rari- A Norbu at the School of editor for Drikung Kagyu Pub- accessible to the contemporary dom of women in east Tibet was ty of the iconographic material in Oriental Studies in London and lications, the fi rst English edi- reader. situated in an area corresponding the volume, which includes both organised by the Shang Shung tion of the book was published In his studies of the history of to present day Yunnan and Sich- beautiful colour illustrations of Institute UK, he reminded his lis- under the title A History of the Ti- the Tibetan Empire, Chetsang uan. Referring to the Tang Annals the emperors and drawings and teners about the importance of betan Empire – Drawn from the Dun- Rinpoche makes particular use and the History of the Sui Dynasty, photos taken from archaeologi- the historical study of ancient Ti- huang Manuscripts, thus making of two important ancient literary Gendun Chöphel in his writings cal fi ndings. The book is truly, as bet. On that occasion, Namkhai the work of Chetsang Rinpoche sources discovered at Dunhuang, says, the ancient Tibetan sages would Norbu, author of two important available to an international read- the Old Tibetan Annals and the Old “Wealthy women have many say, “a feast for the eyes” and is works dedicated to Tibetan histo- ership. Tibetan Chronicle, enriching them servant-husbands. an indispensible tool for all those ry, Drung, Deu and Bön, Narrations, In his text, Chetsang Rinpoche with excerpts from various other They serve her by braiding her interested in the comprehension Symbolic Languages and the Bön Tra- presents in both traditional and manuscripts from the same an- hair and applying black pigment of the culture and history of Ti- dition in Ancient Tibet and The Light modern style the history of an- cient library and from ancient in- to her face. bet. of Kailash, expressed his wish that cient Tibet covering a period from scriptions taken from pillars and The men are named after their Finally for those fortunate the new generation of historians the founding of the fi rst scattered various rocks. Not only does he mothers.” few who are able to read Tibet- would continue to write about it kingdoms up to the period of the make mention of ancient sourc- In the long chapter on the 39th an, I highly recommend getting in order to carry ahead the work last king of Tibet, Udum Tsenpo, es but also takes into consider- Pugyal, Dharma King, Thrisong the book in its original Tibetan that he began in the 1980s. better known as Lang Darma. ation all the modern historical Detsen, at the time in which “the since the graphics and the qual- Spurred by his commitment to In his magnum opus, to which work that has been carried out wise and brave were venerated, ity of the paper are superior to the the preservation and understand- the author dedicated three years more recently starting with The and the bad and base were man- English edition: strange but true ing of authentic Tibetan history, of work, Chetsang Rinpoche in- White Annals by Gendun Chöphel, aged with skill”, we discover that in today’s world of books. in 2010, H.H. the Drikung Kyab- troduces the reader to the fasci- passing to Khetsun Sangpo’s A during his reign a great number gon Chetsang, the 37th throne nating world of the royal history Nectar for the Ear: An Early History of learned translators and schol- holder of the Drikung Kagyu or- of Tibet, touching on a vast array of Tibet, the most extensive work ars such as Kawa Paltsek were 32

treat style, so I left early to go to a hermit shack in the redwoods to do a “proper” How I Met retreat during the limited time I had that summer for formal practice. I even called my girlfriend at the time, Margaret, saying, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu “Norbu is simply incredible, a true Master, really wonderful, and his teachings are just Ken Bradford fantastic… but this retreat is no retreat!” However, once I began a “real” retreat in my tiny hermitage, I felt ineluctably n the fall of 1979, I was sitting a who I fell in with. Kennard had just met drawn to upgrade my vipassana meditation 3 month silent vipassana retreat mind- Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche on his initial to both the Dzogchen practice and tantric I ing my own business when a spacious, visit to the U.S. while I was in retreat, and rites I had just learned. The only problem cognizant lucidity came over me, and per- upon hearing about his Dzogchen teach- was that I practiced them with the intense sisted. During a previous vipassana retreat, ing, I felt strongly compelled to meet this zeal of the “head on fire” Hinayana medi- I had an initial glimpse of the suchness Master and attend his first North American tator, and managed to nearly scare myself of being, but that moment, arresting as it retreat that summer. The retreat turned out to death. So, I left that retreat hut early too, was, was fleeting. My teacher, at that time, to be on sems-sde, which segued nicely with feeling like a spiritual washout. I imme- Ruth Denison, was generous enough to sit my shamata-vipassana practice, presenting a diately went to visit Rinpoche to confess up into the wee hours of the morning with clear and sophisticated path for the nondual my failure and seek his guidance, and was me while I struggled with an especially ter- awareness I had no path for cultivating. But But after lunch, when he and everyone else shocked that he saw my fear and defeat as rified state of mind. In the dim light of a it was the direct introduction of the mind would go down to the river for a refresh- a good thing. I guess he saw it as an indi- British Columbia barn turned meditation transmission that I would say marked my ing dip during the sweltering afternoon cation that my practice was somehow vital hall, the two of us sitting eyes closed fac- “meeting with the teaching.” I felt simul- heat, I retired to a small, dusty cabin for and that I was a sincere practitioner. For ing each other, my panic broke into the taneously at home, disoriented, inspired, disciplined sessions of sitting and walk- my part, I knew I had found a remarkable blissful no mind of mindfulness. So when threatened, and turned upside down by it ing meditation, vipassana-style. Around teacher well-able to guide me on the path non-dual awareness graced me again dur- all. Not only was this my introduction to 40° C (100° F) outside, in the stuffy cabin beyond dualistic suffering that – like writ- ing the 3 months, I wasn’t surprised to Dzogchen, the retreat was my first exposure it was probably a good 50° C (110° F). For ing on water – is no path. rediscover it, but was struck that it was to the Tibetan-Italian Vajrayana hurricane two weeks, I sealed myself up in that little effortlessly continuing. When I reported of the Norbu mandala, which was especial- cabin miserably sweating my ass off when this good news to one of my teachers, it ly wild in those early days. Of course, this is the happy bathers would return in the late worried him and he admonished me to the Chögyal Namkhai Norbu dimension in afternoon with a bounce in their step and “watch it” in good mindfulness style. He general, but nowhere was it more rambunc- lightness in their heart. I would hear their didn’t seem to understand that “watching tious than in the New Age spiritual feeding laughter and suspect that something was it” made no sense, there being neither a frenzy of circa 1980 California. very wrong, but I wasn’t sure if it was me or separate “it” nor a “watcher”. This left me For someone like me, who came to the them. I proudly thought, “while they were at a loss, having to face the situation that I Dharma out of desperation rather than as wasting their time enjoying the river, I was was now in an important way without an an optional form of personal growth, seek- making some real spiritual progress in adequate teacher. ing a way to reduce the acute suffering of this hell hole.” But I also began to suspect Coming out of that retreat, I returned my mental confusion and emotional tur- that perhaps I was the fool, especially as I to Berkeley where I was engaged in a Bud- moil, the calm and protectively structured was always very eager to leave that cabin to dhist Studies M.A. program at the Nying- practice of Buddhist meditation was a life- hear the remarkable late afternoon teach- ma Institute, founded by Tarthang Tulku, line to which I clung for dear life. It is fair ings. In those days, Rinpoche would teach who I hoped would be able to help me cul- to say that as a young man I “converted” twice during the day as well as conduct a tivate this elusive presence. However, by to Buddhism from a religion of hedonistic thundering rite in the evening, often with 1980, he was no longer doing much pub- chaos. At the time, I had an iron grip on additional teaching. This was like nothing lic teaching and was giving few private in- the Hinayana idea of what “retreat” meant I had ever experienced before. Or since. I terviews which were difficult to arrange, (renunciant, silent, austere, strict). So, I repeatedly found myself in vibrant instant and which frankly, I was too shy to push listened with rapt attention to Rinpoche’s presence in the Master’s company. Never- for. Fortunately, at the Institute there were morning talks, hanging on his every word, theless, being the diligent-rigid yogi that I a couple gifted young Buddhist scholars, marveling at his clarity, captivated in won- was, it was difficult for me to tolerate the Kennard Lipman and Steven Goodman, derment, and excitedly taking many notes. wild, wide openness of the Dzogchen re-

Freeing the Heart and Mind PART ONE: INTRODUCTION TO THE BUDDHIST PATH His Holiness Sakya Trizin ISBN 9780861716388, 184 pages, $15.95 eBook ISBN 9780861716142

is Holiness Sakya Trizin presents the timeless wisdom of the Buddhist path—from the HFour Noble Truths to developing a heart of true compassion. Freeing the Heart and Mind is a beautiful introduction to Buddhism from one of Tibet’s most renowned figures.

Freeing the Heart and Mind also includes a full-color photo insert of Sakya lineage masters, biography of the Indian saint and Sakya forefather Virupa, as well as the classic Sakya teaching on “parting from the four attachments.”

Sachen Kunga Nyingpo, Sonam Tsemo, Dragpa Gyaltsen, and Sakya Pandita, the first four of the five founders of the Sakya school. Wisdom Publications Collection of Shelley and Donald Rubin. Himalayan Art Resources 203. wisdompubs.org