THE MIRROR

Newspaper of the International Dzogchen Community November/December 2000 • Issue No. 55 Between Thailand and South Africa

by Elisa Copello

etween Thailand and South Rome that there were only 600 BAfrica, Chögyal Namkhai Nor­ places and that the tickets would bu made a brief, yet intense and start being given out at 9:30, about important, stopover in Rome. It was two and a half hours before Rin­ an extra exertion in a climate not poche was due to arrive. However particularly suitable for Rinpoche's in the end everyone found a place, health with a full program of even those who arrived at the last engagements, from the inaugura­ minute by car or train from far off tion of the exhibition and talks at places to receive the transmission. the conference on Tibetan medicine The organization of the event to the public talk held on November was really commendable: the place 20th at the great hall of a prestigious chosen for the event was excellent, religious institute where he present­ queuing was orderly and fast and ed the Dzogchen teaching. Howev­ there was a discreet but efficient er, for us practitioners, it was an control of the situation. The stage immense joy to be able to have him was decorated in a simple and ele­ with us once again and to share the gant way with an enormous black First Time, Best Time experience of the direct transmis­ and white photograph of Adzam sion which he gave on the occasion Drugpa behind Rinpoche's chair of Adzam Drugpa's anniversary on with two very large thankas hang­ Retreat with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in Kathmandu November 21st. This was held at ing from the wings. the Ghioni theater which had been Punctually, at midday, Rin­ hired for the occasion by the Gakyil poche mounted the stage and September, 2000 of Rome. immediately began to explain the Smiling, witty and at times practice. Then after a short break, at even cutting, Rinpoche once again the exact stroke of one o'clock, he by Mark Farrington introduced the crowds gathered in led the practice perfectly synchro­ the enormous hall at the San Leone nized with the video being shown Magno Institute to knowledge of on a television behind him. urrounded by the most inspiring mountain range in As many Community members can appreciate, Ati Yoga. He spoke at length on the I was very moved at the idea Sthe world and lying at the heart of one of the most particularly those that travel a lot, it is not only within difference between the mind and that for about half an hour the entire beautiful valleys in Asia, the city of Kathmandu can eas­ the room where Rinpoche is Teaching that many the nature of the mind, on the vari­ Community in every part of the ily be an experience of the "glass half empty, glass half lessons are learned. The whole effort of preparing, trav­ ous types of transmission through world was reunited in perfect syn- full". It is a noisy and dusty city like many Asia capitals, eling to and sitting for the Teachings, becomes part of which a practitioner may enter chronicity with us practitioners in with a race between infrastructure development and the lesson, and for many it fits perfectly for where they authentic knowledge of his original Rome who had the great fortune to population growth clearly being won by the latter. How­ are on the Path. The obstacles we encounter to get there, condition, on various types of expe­ be able to follow the practice with ever, as you look around to the mountain framed edges the condition of our body and mind when we arrive, and rience which permit one to discover the Master live and receive the of the sky and into the smiling eyes of the Nepali people, every experience we have during the trip, can often be a the state of Dzogchen. Besides this, transmission from him. Even it is with very little difficulty that one can walk around in symbolic teaching that registers deeply. This defines in a gesture which was quite unusu­ though the event had been a blissful state of wonder. the historical pilgrimage experience. It is nice to know al for us, Rinpoche invited the par­ announced for several months and It was my first trip to the Himalayas and the attrac­ that in the days of modem travel and material wealth ticipation of the public. At first peo­ the videos and practice books for tion was very powerful. Wandering around the congest­ that these experiences are still possible, if you remain ple were timid with their questions the transmission had been prepared ed city with the expansive space of the mountains right open and aware to their existence. some of which were exacting and and sent around the world some interesting, others simply strange. there on the horizon was generating a sense of restless­ The room full of students and interested new par­ time ago, to find ourselves with the This question/answer session con­ ness. I wanted to head off deep into the hills! However, ties that came to hear Chögyal Namkhai Norbu speak Master on the occasion of the firmed how sometimes questions when the Teachings began on Friday afternoon in a over this September weekend in Kathmandu were all in anniversary of Adzam Drugpa in arise more from the wish to be beautiful, yet simple hall at the Yak & Yeti Hotel, all the middle of one kind of journey or another. There the unusual context of a theater and heard and seen rather than a real seemed well. If you are going to be in the busy center of were some permanent residents and some Nepalese, but with the awareness of this link desire to satisfy one's curiosity or Kathmandu with ail the tranquillity of the Himalayas it was mostly a room full of global citizens intersecting between those present and all the clarify a doubt. around you, then being at the Yak & Yeti is a very pleas­ at this one beautiful hotel in the middle of the practitioners in the world united by ant concession. Vikki Floyd was a very warm and help­ Himalayas. I did not speak to many people so I do not To the question about how to the strength of the transmission was ful host for all of the travelers attending the brief week­ know their exact stories, but it seemed to me that all recognize a real Master in a world for me and, I believe, many others a end Teachings. A special thank you to her and all those were on a journey either spiritual or actual and the pres­ where so many lamas come to the that helped to host this very enjoyable event. ence of this incredible Teacher was an important (and West to teach Rinpoche jokingly- continued on page 3 replied, "There are even lamas in continued on page 3 Peru!". Then he added that it is important to use one's own aware­ CONTENTS NAMKHAI NORBU RINPOCHE'S SCHEDULE 2000-2002 ness and observe well the attitude, behavior and teaching of a Master 2 TEACHINGS 2 0 0 0 MARGARITA ISLAND March 30th - April 3rd before deciding to follow him. Chögyal Samkhai S'orbu SOUTH AMERICA, TASHIGAR Easter Retreat The talk concluded with an 5 INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATIONS December 26th - January 1st invitation to those with a real inter­ New Year Retreat, Tashigar USA, WEST COAST May 1st est to know the Dzogchen teaching 6 TIBETAN MEDICINE 2 0 0 1 Public Talk: Introduction to Dzogchen to come the following day to the 7 BOOK REVIEW May 2nd -6th Ghioni theater to receive the trans­ SOUTH AMERICA, CHILE, PERU& MARGARITA 9 SHANG-SHUNG INSITRTE West Coast Retreat mission. Several "new" people ISLAND May 8th Leave for Seattle took up this invitation while a great 10-17 COMMUNITY NEWS CHILE number of us "old" practitioners May 9th 21 INTERNATIONAL February 1st Public talk: Introduction to Dzogchen, Seattle from all over Italy and even abroad Public Conference, Santiago de Chile COMMUNITY CONTACTS May 10th participated in the event which was February 2nd. 3rd and 4th Leave for Portland 24 INTERNATIONAL GAKYIL NEWS Retreat of Dzogchen Teachings May 13th-16th one more opportunity to see Rin­ Santiago de Chile H.H. the Dalai Lama's teaching, Portland poche and refresh the energy of the SPECIAL February 5th May 18th-20th transmission. Portland Retreat with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu PAGES 18-19 Public Conference, Vina del Mar Early in the morning we met 2 PAGE BOOKLIST RUSSIA, KUNSANGAR in front of the closed gates of the PERU FROM Santi Maha Sangha theater under the pouring rain to get February 9th, 10th & 11th May 27th-29th our tickets. We were worried about SHANG-SHUNG Chod Retreat, Peru SMS Base Level Exam May 30th-June 5th not being able to get in because we EDIZIONI SMS I Level Training had been told by the Gakyil of continued on page 3 Chögyal Namkhai Norbu

to decide what his capacity is, not very important point. Because it teaching which is regarded as not the teacher. Let's say I lack clarity. I happens that many people wait acceptable, or something to be The True Function of can ask the advice of the Master around passively to get the capacity feared. Because in this teaching about this, and what kind of prac­ that they want. And many people what one searches for is a state tice I can do to get rid of this lack of say, "Oh, this teaching is much too beyond acceptance and rejection. the Teachings clarity. But the teacher is not decid­ high. It's not for me. I've go to go Therefore they say this is a higher ing that I have a certain capacity, for the more elementary stuff." But teaching. (An excerpt from Chapter One, The Individual: Body, Voice high or low. What we have to they're also thinking that suddenly, Now if one knows how to and Mind of Dzo gehen. The Self Perfected State) understand is what's lacking. What one day, that superior capacity will understand this principle, in this by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu is our weak point? come to them. But that capacity case one also knows how to work Snow Lion Publications, Ithaca, New York Let's say I'm someone who never comes though they wait and on one's weak points. And one also likes to drink. And if I drink every wait. And they finally become old knows in regard to the teaching omeone who begins to develop judgments, the passions, the pride, day and am a bit drunk, and the and they die. And one doesn't even what it really means. When I was an interest in the teachings can the jealousy, and the attachments S Master says, "You have a low know in the future lives if that with my Master Changchub Dorje, tend to distance themselves from with which we close ourselves up in capacity", that doesn't resolve any­ capacity is going to come along. I was fresh out of college. I had a the reality of material things, as if the course of one single day, where thing. But what one has to under­ That is, the person doesn't very precise idea of what lineage the teachings were something com­ do they arise from, what are they stand is that if I'm getting drunk know how to work with himself was and what different types of pletely apart from daily life. Often, rooted in? Their source is our dual- and I'm not doing anything, then and his capacity. And therefore this transmission were. I knew the way at the bottom of this, there is an atti­ istic vision, and our conditioning. I'm wasting time. And when one is way of looking at things is not in which they existed in every tude of giving up and running away To be able to help both ourselves able to discover this, one is then right. You have to understand that school and in every tradition. When from one's own problems, with the and others we need to overcome all able to work with oneself. So one there are different paths which are I received the teaching, the first illusion that one will be able to find the limits in which we are enclosed. ought not to wait around to receive low, middle and high, and that it's thing I asked was, "what tradition is something that will miraculously This is the true function of the this capacity somehow. human beings following these this? What lineage? And what is the help one to transcend all that. But teachings. title, the name of this teaching?" the teachings are based on the principle of our actual human Now when I received these condition. We have a physical teachings and transmissions from body with all its various limits; Changchub Dorje, he said, "this each day we have to eat, work, is the transmission of Dzogchen rest, and so on. This is our reali­ Semde, Longde and Upadesha, ty, and we can't ignore it. and Anuyoga", for example. I couldn't understand what he The Dzogchen teachings meant, because I remained with­ are neither a philosophy, nor in that limitation. But later I religious doctrine, nor cultural understood what he intended, tradition. Understanding the what he was communicating. It's message of the teachings means true. Dzogchen teaching is like discovering one's own true con­ that. That is, it's not conditioned dition, stripped of all the self by a particular name or lineage. deceptions and falsifications So, the teaching is not important which the minds creates. The externally, but what's important very meaning of the Tibetan is our own understanding. term Dzogchen, "Great Perfec­ tion", refers to the true primor­ In the Dzogchen teachings I dial state of every individual had twelve or thirteen different and not to any transcendent masters. For me, these teachers reality. were not the same. That is, each of these masters made me under­ Many spiritual paths have stand either more or less of the as their basis the principle of This is very important, paths, and that those who are fol­ teaching. But when I say this I compassion, of benefiting others. because a lot of people talk in that lowing the lower path have lesser don't mean that some teachers were In the Mahayana Buddhist tradi­ way. They say that the teaching is capacity. And this means that some­ better, some were middling and tion, for example, compassion is The something that is like a stairway one who's following the lower path some were less. But what it was, it one of the most fundamental points that has to be ascended, and they has more limitations. And someone depended on my condition. It of the practice, together with the say, " You with the small amount of with more limits doesn't want to depended on the rapport between knowledge of the true nature of Capacity of good fortune you have, need a understand something else. It's me and the teachers. It depended on phenomena, or "voidness." Some­ teaching like Tantrism." And let's very easy to understand this. my knowledge, on my secondary times, however, compassion can say that you follow this teaching For example, there are a lot of conditions and on my circum­ become something constructed and the but you don't succeed in being able Theravadins. And they just do not stances. provisional, because we don't to practice it. accept Mahayana. They say right But what they all taught me understand the real principle of it. A from the beginning that Mahayana was the same principle. And when I genuine, not artificial, compassion, Individual And then you meet someone is not authentic and doesn't even understood for the first time, then it can only arise after we have discov­ who's very much into the Sutras, exist as a Buddhist teaching. And all had its value. Thus all the com­ ered our own condition. Observing by Chögyal Namkhai and that person will say, "Oh, you what's more, they don't even read plications disappeared. One teacher our own limits, our conditioning, Norbu can't do that Tantric practice. That any Mahayana books. They even gave this, and the other teacher our conflicts and so on, we can Oz, California, 1982 practice is much too high for you. have a fear of reading this, because gave something else. Thus in the become truly conscious of the suf­ What you've go to do first is the. maybe it will convince them that state of realization one has to unify fering of others-, and then our own From the Blue Book Hinayaria level, let's say for ten there is something to it. This means everything into what is called the experience becomes the basis or Talks in Oz, California years. At least you have to become that there is self-limitation there Great Thigle or the Great Mahamu- model for being able to better 1982 a monk for a few years. Then you and that these people have closed dra, the Great Dzogchen. In this- understand and help those around Translated by Barrie Simmons do some purification and then when themselves. This is the characteris­ case, how can there be different us. Transcribed by Jim Valby you've realized yourself at that lev­ el, then you can go to Tantra." And tic of what is called the lesser teachers, different lineages, differ­ The only source of every kind a person says, "That sounds good. capacity. ent heads of schools, etc.? of benefit for others is awareness of That's right." And they go and As we go up to the teachings And it's very important for our own condition. When we know ne lives according to one's cir­ make a kind of school based on that are higher and higher, what we each of us to understand this well. how to help ourselves and how to cumstances. One has to be O that, this makes sense because it is have is people who are more and And this is a very important point work with our situation we can aware of what one's condition is. necessary to go to elementary more open. One has to understand for getting rid of our confusion. really benefit others, and our feel­ That is, one knows how to work school before going to the middle that this is the natural condition. And if we don't get this under­ ing of compassion will arise spon­ with oneself and how to develop school. And in this way one has This doesn't mean there's any standing, we always find ourselves taneously, without the need for us one's capacity. Many people say wasted the good opportunity- in defect in the teaching since the in limitations. And in this case the to hold ourselves to the rules of usually, "Master, what kind of which one has met the Tantra teach­ teaching has no defect whatsoever. teaching becomes like a crystal behavior of any given religious capacity do I have?". And if the ing. But the teaching is followed by cage. doctrine. Master is not a very nice person, If this happens, it is not an ide­ human beings, and it's the human How does one construct this What do we mean when we say, he'll say, " You don't have very al way of going about things. It's beings who are limited. kind of cage? It's like when one "becoming aware of our own true much capacity". And that Master much better to know how to work Now when we're talking says, "I am a Kagyupa and I just condition"? It means observing our­ will say, "What you have to do is within the framework of Tantrism. about the Dzogchen teaching, for can't take the Gelugpas." This is an selves, discovering who we are, ten different ngöndros". And why? Because Tantrism is example, this is a teaching that is example of a beautiful crystalline who we believe we are, and what And in this case the person complete. If you lack capacity, then called very high. Why is it consid­ cage.The best thing to do in this our attitude is towards others and to will never get to the majn practice. in the Tantric teaching there is a ered so elevated? Because there is case, is to understand that the dif­ life. It means observing ourselves, It's not that the Master is making an way to work on oneself to make up nothing that's strictly defined, nei­ ferent types of teachings are meth­ discovering who we are, who we error, but the person himself is for that deficiency. ther in its way of looking at things, ods to help us realize ourselves..*". believe we are, and what our atti­ making an error in this case. And not in its practice, nor in its mode of tude is towards others and to life. If why is this a mistake on the part of So it's not necessary for you to behavior. There is nothing in this we just observe the limits, mental the individual? The individual has make up that deficiency. This is a

2 The Celestial Treasure: the Tibetan Art of Medicine Activities in Tashigar by Andrea del'Angelo 2000 - 2001 n November 17th the exhibition entitled ''The Norbu's relation to an audience of several hundred peo­ OCelestial Treasure: the Tibetan Art of Medicine" ple. opened at the Pigorini Museum in Rome. On November 22nd a workshop on the treatment of December 26th-January 1st The event was organized and coordinated by A.S.I.A. psychosomatic illnesses in Tibetan medicine was held Christmas Retreat with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu (Associazione per la Solidarietà Intemazionale in Asia) by Drs. Wangdu. Jamyang and Nyda Chenagtsang at the Cost: $200 (30% discount for ordinary members) with the collaboration of the Pigorini Museum and the S. Lucia hospital. International Shang -Shung Institute of Tibetan Studies. The cycle of conferences resumed the weekend of January 3rd-7th, 2001 It was financed by the Department of Cooperation and November 25th and 26th and covered the topics of the Yantra Yoga Advanced Course with Fabio Andrico Development of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in con­ role of the traditional doctor in Tibetan society, the prob­ Cost: $80 junction with its program of education and develop­ lems of traditional medicine in present day modem soci­ ment. ety and surgery. Although the seminars were less crowd­ January 15th -20th, 2001 ASIA had presented the project to the Italian Min­ ed than those of the first weekend, an average of fifty Dance of the Vajra - First Part with Adriana dal Borgo istry of Foreign Affairs in February, 2000 and after it people per day attended. The participants posed a great had been appraised by the Technical Commission it was number of questions and in particular there was a dis­ January 21st-23rd, 2001 approved by the Managing Committee of the DGCS on cussion on how to maintain the Tibetan medical tradi­ Intensive Practice July 24th. tion as well as the possibility of developing cooperation Cost: $80 The exhibition was inaugurated in the presence of projects in Tibet. representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and On the occasion of the inauguration of the exhibi­ January 24th-29th, 2001 the Special Service of the L. Pigorini National Prehis­ tion, A.S.I.A. in collaboration with the Roman section Dance of the Vajra - Second Part with Adriana dal Borgo toric Museum, Prof. Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche and the of the Dzogchen Community organized a conference curator of the exhibition and author of the catalogue. with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, "Introduction to the January 30th - February 1 st Prof. Giacomella Orofino, who spoke about the material Dzogchen teaching". This was attended by around 400 Intensive Practice on display and explained the origins of the event. About people at the S. Leone Magno hall. Cost: $80 four hundred people participated in the evening inaugu­ The exhibition receives tens of visitors each day as ration. well as visits from schools in Rome and will remain Entire course: $150 Fifty-eight Tibetan paintings from Lhasa were dis­ open until the end of January, 2001. played at the exhibition along with one hundred and The seminars at the Pigorini Museum continued Further information contact the Secretary at Tashigar eighty three surgical instruments. Besides these through December 2nd and 3rd with a workshop on Tel and fax : (54) 03541 -998356 exhibits, a tent was set up within which mannequins rep­ "Dreams and medicine" held by Dr. Nyda. On Decem­ Email: [email protected] resented a Tibetan doctor visiting a patient. Numerous ber 16th and 17th there will be a second workshop on showcases and the interior of the tent were decorated Tibetan massage. or BlueGakyil with ritual objects, antique books and furniture gener­ The exhibition will remain open over the Christmas Tel: (54) 114582-4865 ously lent by private collectors. In order to given a fuller period while the seminars will start again on January Email: [email protected] picture of the geographical, cultural and historical con­ 13th and 14th. 2001. with a cycle of conferences on text, the exhibition was enriched with gigantic pho­ pharmacopoeia, on the use and possible development tographs from the photographic archive of A.S.I. A. and commercialization in the West of Tibetan medicine, The first part of the conference. November 18th and on women and birth in traditional medicine and on the Chögyal Namkhai Norbu's schedule continued from page 1 19th, covered the history of Tibetan medicine and the therapeutic approach to serious illnesses. relationship between body and mind. There were sever­ The seminars will end on January 20th with a cycle June 6th-8th SMS III Level Training al participants in this cycle of the conference including a of conferences on projects of cooperation in the field of SMS I Level Exam June 9th-13th June 14th-28th representative from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, health set up by the Italian ONG in Tibet and Bhutan. SMS Level II Training Personal Retreat of Chögyal Namkhai Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. Fernand Meyer professor of In conjunction with this initiative, a color catalogue with Norbu Tibetan sciences and civilization at the Ecole Pratique photos of all the thankas on display has been published June 15th-21st Kunsangar Retreat July 5th-14th des Hautes Etudes of Paris, Dr. Jamyang Lhundrub from along with explanations and some of the talks given dur­ Dzogchen Retreat the Tsetang Traditional Hospital at Loka who comes ing the various seminars. The catalogue is on sale at the Santi Maha Sangha from a family of more than four generations of doctors A.S.I.A. office. Posters, greeting cards and calendars June 22nd-23rd ITALY, MERIGAR SMS II Level Exam July 18th in which this ancient knowledge is transmitted from have also been printed to support A.S.I.A.'s develop­ June 24th-28th Leave for Merigar father to son, Dr. Kojo Sangdu, director of the Depart­ ment projects in Tibet. SMS ID Level Training ment of Traditional Medicine at Lhasa University who Considering the enormous financial output by ASIA Santi Maha Sangha spoke about the surgical tradition in Tibet and diagnosis ITALY, MERIGAR July 23rd-25th to organize this event, we hope that everyone interested July 6th- 10th SMS Base Level Exam in traditional medicine and Dr. Phuntsok Wangmo. in maintaining and developing knowledge of this Merigar Retreat July 26th-3oth expert in traditional medicine and astrology who spoke ancient culture will help by buying calendars, cata­ July 17th-August 6th SMS I Level Training about the importance of using astrology in traditional logues and greeting cards as gifts during the upcoming Personal retreat of Chögyal Namkhai medicine. holiday season. Norbu August 10th-18th August 10th-19th Dzogchen Retreat Several Westerners participated in the sessions on Further information: Merigar Retreat the relationship between body and mind in traditional A.S.I.A (Associazione per la Solidarietà Intemazionale Santi Maha Sangha medicine, in particular Prof. Barrie Simmons' talk on in Asia) Santi Maha Sangha August 22nd-23rd August 21st-23rd SMS III Level Exam the relationship between mind and body in Tibetan med­ Via S. Martino della Battaglia 31.00185 Roma, Italy SMS Base Level Exam August 24th-28th icine as well as those of Dr. Gino Vitiello and Prof. Telephone: 06-44340034 August 24th-28th SMS IV Level Training Marnosa di Stefano. Fax: 06-44702620 SMS I Level Training August 30th-31st SMS IV Level Exam On November 19th the session on spiritual practice Email:[email protected] September 7th-17th September lst-5th and Tibetan medicine opened with Chögyal Namkhai Vacation in Sardegna SMS V Level Training September 8th-22nd First Time, continued from page 1 lie protected in fertile ground even ment and poisons our lives. Once Santi Maha Sangha Vacation in Sardegna September 23rd-25th while the mind struggles to com­ more he explained how we should SMS II level Exam AUSTRIA, KALACHAKRA prehend. By the third day he has work with our emotions according September 26th- 30th October 10th for many, unexpected) stop a long summarized the length of the Bud­ to the path of renunciation, the SMS III Level Training Leave for Austria the way. As a consequence, for dhist spiritual path and then Tantric path of transformation or October 11th those who remained open and October 7th H.H. the Dalai Lama arrives reduced it to a practical guide for the path of self-liberation. Just like Leave for Margarita Island October 23rd aware all events before and after daily life before one can even grow a kind father he warned us how dif­ H.H. the Dalai Lama departs that weekend in Kathmandu intimidated by the vastness of the ficult it is to transform, for exam­ VENEZUELA, MARGARITA became a stream of insights from final goal. How he does this consis­ ple, an emotion such as anger into ISLAND ITALY. MERIGAR which to build their base of knowl­ December 26th-January 1st October 28th tently in every country around the the energy of wisdom. He told us Margarita Island Retreat Return to Merigar edge and continue along the path. world in the course of three short not to get discouraged if we do not Rinpoche gave a perfectly cus­ days is a miracle I will never grow manage to because this method 2 0 0 2 THAILAND tomised message to the students in February 15th-24th tired of watching. Thank you again, requires lengthy training in the November 4th the room, as he always does. The Margarita Island Teacher's Training Leave for Thailand Dear Master, for an invaluable les­ transformation practice of a wrath­ March 29th-April 2nd November 15th- 17th first day he discovers where the son and an unforgettable ful divinity. Margarita Island Easter Retreat Thailand Dzogchen Retreat doors and windows to their minds weekend.B Then he gave us further April 9th-23rd lie and by the second day he is busy Margarita Island Longsel Teaching SINGAPORE advice: to understand the dimen­ filling them with jewels of wisdom Between , continued from page 1 November 22nd-24th sion of each person is to leam and USA, TSEGYALGAR that will reside forever. He is Singapore Retreat new and amazing experience. respect it in order to create more May 3rd-7th always careful to prevent easy mis­ In the afternoon after an inter­ harmonious and equilibrated rela­ Dzogchen Retreat AUSTRALIA, NAMGYALGAR conceptions from arising, as he val of about two hours Rinpoche tionships not only between a couple November 25th deftly anticipates and corrects often Santi Maha Sangha Leave for Brisbane returned and once more with great or within a family but in general May 10th-14th misunderstood points even before December 26th-January 1st generosity transmitted the precious among us all. Finally he invited us SMS Base Level Exam Namgyalgar Retreat the students have time to register May 15th-19th teachings and gave advice for daily to "be Masters of ourselves" and what they have learned. In no time SMS I Level Training life. We took it to heart when he through the practice acquire aware­ at all this room full of people who May21st-23rd said that even though our samsaric ness and clarity in order to guide SMS I Level Exam may have very little in common are existence is marked by suffering our decisions. May 24th-28th practicing together and bonding at SMS II Level Training we should have space to enjoy our­ a level few can even fathom. This t From the beginning to the end, May 30th-31st selves. But then he warned us about Rinpoche's words were illuminat­ SMS II Level Exam ensures that the seeds of knowledge tension which arises from attach­ June lst-5th ing - simple, clear pearls of wisdom cont'd on page 20

THE MIRROR NOV/DEC 2 0 00 3 Around the World

Retreats with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu

Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in South Africa by Darryl Van Blerk

t rained the day Rinpoche left, a Isoft warm rain in gentle contrast to the fierce winds of the preceding days. Michael and Lyneve. who came to help with the luggage, saw rainbows where the mountains meet the sea. The skies wept for us, a sad, joyous, wholesome weeping, the kind that heals. Rinpoche, Rosa and Fabio arrived nine days before and with the advent of the new moon the fol­ lowing day, the teachings began. Coming Home with the Master Introduction to Dzogchen the The Summer Retreat with Rinpoche in Japan poster said. Of those fortunate by Kyu enough to be in attendance, about ninety in all, perhaps half had only t has been more than eighteen years since I met Rinpoche in OZ California vaguely, if ever, heard the word Iin 1982, and I am native Japanese, yet the retreat last summer with Rin­ Dzogchen before let alone wrestled Longde Retreat in Singapore with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu poche was my first one in my own country. I enjoyed immensely meeting with the concept. It did not matter byK.C.Ong with my Vajra sisters and brothers who speak my native language. The much. Such was the clarity and retreat was held in Toga Village (central Japan), famous for soba (buck­ ease with which Rinpoche ur precious Guru arrived Singapore on 7th August 2000. He was wheat) noodles. The village is located in a remote area far from any train sta­ explained and according to our Oreceived by a party of some 15 members of the Singapore Community. tions, accessible only by bus once a day. Toga is a special village in a shallow capacity, by the end of the retreat, Tears were shed; some joyous and some worried at the sight of the wheel­ valley along a river.A s you drive up the river which spread out into stun­ few were left in doubt. A glimpse of chair-bound Teacher. We were starkly reminded of the impermanence and ningly beautiful blue green color, it is calm as a mirror reflecting mountains eternity in five days. Not the kind unsatisfactory nature of Samsara. Nevertheless, Rinpoche was there, (like he on both sides. that goes on forever, but the kind always will be), with his broad smiles to assure us that everything is all right. The Forest Stars, where the retreat was held, used to be the public that happens all at once and in After some photo-taking, we were off to Mr. Tan Keng Leek's new resi­ school, now remodeled to be a seminar center. They laid tatami mats every direction and is gone - or is dence to partake of more "intimate" moments with Rinpoche. This was to (Japanese straw matting) into the classrooms which were turned into it? be Rinpoche's temporary home for the rest of his stay in Singapore. dorms. Each participant was provided with a futon set, towel, and green tea The teachings took place in a August 9th, 2000, coincided with the Anniversary of Guru Pad- bags with hot water in a thermos. I was quite impressed by how my native comfortable hall situated on the masambhava which is a worldwide practice day. This day is also the people neatly and orderly display everything, including our slippers placed grounds of a Catholic Nunnery National Day of Singapore. About thirty five members gathered at Keng outside of the teaching hall. known as Nazareth House with the Leek's house to join the other worldwide members to unify with the State of There were two furo (public bath houses) separated for men and generous permission of the Mother Guru Rinpoche. Rinpoche was very particular when he stressed the impor­ women. Furo, whether a natural hot spring or not, is a necessary facility for Superior. " It can't be worse than tance of precision in terms of time. We have understood Dzogchen to be a a Japanese Inn, as the custom for Japanese is to soak in the bathtub and the weekly Kung Fu sessions", she precise state of precision. wash and scrub oneself well before going to bed. As hot springs are spread murmured in her endearing Irish all over Japan as similar to Italy, I was able to soak in some hot springs as drawl when I tried to explain what Public Teaching well as visiting Shinto (native Japanese religion) shrines and Buddhist tem­ we needed the hall for. August 11th to 13th, 2000 ples before the retreat. People attended from all Some years ago, the mayor and other village officials from Toga were around the country and, who inpoche gave an explanation on the fundamentals and principles of sent to Nepal, in search for the buckwheat which is specially cultivated in knows, maybe some non-people RDzogchen within the scope of the Three Statements of Garab Dorje. Nepal. Those officials were fascinated by the beauty of mandala paintings, too. The organization went very Rinpoche explained the Three series of Dzogchen as classified by Man- and they could not help but invite the Nepalese artists to create a mandala smoothly, the right help was jushrimitra into Semde, Longde and Upadesha respectively. The aspects of house in Toga. The Mandala Park, which is located on top of the hill, has an offered at the appropriate time and Base, Path and Fruition were specifically explained according to the unique outside flower mandala and two houses full of art objects and paintings discounts offered for no apparent Dzogchen View. We learned that Longde Teachings had been introduced by adjacent to the Japanese style Inn where Rinpoche stayed. reason on air tickets, etc., gave the Guru Nantsog Gyalpo some five thousand years ago, even before the time of There were about sixty people attending the retreat. For many of them impression that something was at Buddha Shakyamuni. After its disappearance, they were re-introduced by it was the firsttim e to meet Rinpoche, and a few Japanese Buddhist priests work behind the scenes and Garab Dorje. Indeed we have here a very precise way to re-connect with the from different sects such as Zen to Shingon, etc., attended. They were easily allowed a reasonable donation to precious transmission that even time presents no obstacle; thanks to the recognized by shaved hair and priestly attire. Rinpoche taught "Direct the orphanage for children with blessings of our Gurus. Introduction to the State of Atiyoga" which was already translated by Tetsu AIDS run by the good sisters of We heard the Longde teachings as explained according to the Four Nagasawa into Japanese before the retreat. Rinpoche was as radiant as ever, Nazareth House. Das (symbols), i.e., the Das of Emptiness, Clarity, Sensation and Yermed wearing his favorite Hawaiian shirts everyday. Rinpoche taught mornings (Union of Emptiness/Clarity/Sensation). On the last day, Ven. Nyiching Khentrul Rinpoche was sitting next to and evenings, after which we The last public teaching day concluded with the important oral trans­ Norbu Rinpoche on the stage. Khentrul Rinpoche was wearing a kimono would do a short practice, and mission of lungs for the formal practices and more photo taking with Rin­ (Japanese style clothes), and as I have never met him before, I mistook him Fabio completed a course on the poche. for a Japanese Buddhist priest. Rinpoche encouraged Japanese practitioners Eight Movements of Yantra Yoga After the teaching, we had vegetarian food hosted by Mr. Michael Foo. to seek guidance from Khentrul Rinpoche who lives in Japan, as he is a in the afternoons; a considerable After dinner, Rinpoche was in a talkative mood, so we all gathered around great Dzogchen practitioner himself. At the end of the teaching, Rinpoche achievement given the time con­ him for more than an hour listening to his less formal discourse. kindly suggested to do Vajra breathing with our regular breath in our daily straints. We parted the next day with some eager members waiting to join him life. By the end of the retreat the at the coming Bangkok Retreat, some at the coming Kaohsiung retreat, The retreat finished with a great variety of Ganapuja offerings from feeling of 'family' was palpable while the others will probably see the Nirmanakaya only some two years the local produce. As the Ganapuja ended we heard the sound of thunder, and some managed to join in the from now. For me, he is always near. • which Rinpoche said was an auspicious sign. fun of picnic afterwards where Rin­ I am looking forward meeting my Japanese Vajra brothers and sisters poche swam with the penguins and again in Tsegyalgar where I live. Please come and visit us soon! !• soaked up the African sun while we contemplated our happy circum­ BUDDHIST TV & RADIO PERMIT stance. s initiator and board member of the Buddhist Media Foundation Chögyal Namkhai Norbu's Buenos Aires Conference A(BOS) in Amsterdam, I would like to inform the International Argentina Dzogchen community that we finally have been granted a permit for TV 12/5/2000 and Radio broadcasting specifically dedicated to Buddhist programming in by Daniel Lange the Netherlands. Tt was nice to have Chögyal Namkhai Norbu back in Argentina. On December 5th, he gave an informal talk in Since by Dutch law all world religions that have major representation in the XBuenos Aires, something he hadn't done in many years. A crowd of roughly one hundred and fifty people attended Netherlands have a right to be represented in the public media, we claimed the conference; many of those present had never heard Chögyal Namkhai Norbu's words before. In his talk, the Mas­ this right also for a Buddhist channel. After six years of hard work and lob­ ter spoke about the need for awareness, and of awareness as being the essence of the teaching. As a way of illustrating bying, with several rejections and counter-lawsuits, we finally succeeded his point he cautioned against chasing after different teachers with big reputations; eventually meeting them and to prove that Buddhism had become of major importance to Dutch society. becoming disenchanted and then criticizing the different teachers. Criticizing the teachers, in this case, denotes a The broadcasting will be national and can thus also be received in several general lack of awareness, besides being detrimental to the practitioner. These often repeated words we seem to for­ other European countries. get easily. For example, when we criticize each other within the Community without firstobservin g our own behav­ With greetings in the Dharma, ior. Babeth Mondini-Van Loo, Rinpoche also spoke about how karma is something that we can modify through our awareness. We are left Board Member, Shang Shung Institute, Netherlands with the belief that it is really up to us to create, in the present moment, the causes for our future karma. We hope to see some of the new faces at the talk at the upcoming retreat at Tashigar!

4 Erik Meier Carlsen Karin Eisenegger The International Publications [email protected] garuda@bluewin.ch Vladimir Maikov [email protected] Committee Birgit Gewehr DUTCH LANGUAGE [email protected] Farida Malikova [email protected] MERIGAR Florens Van Canstein Jakob Winkler and so on. Transcripts of Rin- florens.raab-van- [email protected] Gregory Mokhin ESTABLISHING AN IPC CODE poche's teachings published in [email protected] [email protected] local newsletters as short articles Matthias Winter Merigar, April 1999 are under the responsibility of their Tanya Naumenko (coordinator) editors who are requested to seek ENGLISH LANGUAGE [email protected] Dear IPC Members, the collaboration of IPC members GREEK LANGUAGE Having sought briefly the if needed (for instance when a Julia Lawless (coordinator) Alexander Vyaznikovtsev advice of Rinpoche and the two teaching is taken from transcrip­ [email protected] Panayiotis Stambolis [email protected] general advisors, Adriano Clemente tions not yet checked by any IPC [email protected] and Jim Valby, I think that we can member). Andy Lukianowicz start to print an official acknowl­ 2. Where a publishing house of the [email protected] SERBIAN LANGUAGE edgment on books suitably checked Community exists, the decision on ITALIAN LANGUAGE by the International Publications which books have to be published Zeljka Jovanovich Committee members. is up to the staff of the publishing zeljka@ wanadoo.fr The way of proceeding could house rather than IPC members be the following: the persons because the latter usually are not INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE responsible for the publishing involved in financial and publish­ SPANISH LANGUAGE houses of the Community (either ing plans that are very important for Shang-Shung or otherwise) must book scheduling. On the other MAN CONSIUWIS FOE IST ptwjc.noN: Oriol Aguilar make sure that the books contain­ hand, the management of the Com­ [email protected] ing teachings or other writings by munity publishing houses is placed Chögyal Namkhai Norbu pub­ under the general supervision of the Marisa Alonso lished by them or by other external Gakyil of their own Gar or country. tommüsmn [email protected] publishers are checked both for Of course a collaboration between 1101243W3§coMi"saiVE.coM style and content by at least one IPC and publishers of the Commu­ Elias Capriles IPC member. nity is warmly recommended [email protected]. ve The IPC members must check where IPC members and publishers the literary style of the texts sub­ are not the same persons. JMVAIJY Ana Maria Humeres (coordinator) mitted to them and, when they have 3. The approval of a text for print­ [email protected] some doubts about the meaning, ing (imprimatur) can be given by a they may consult the other mem­ single IPC member, provided that jMVALBV@COHPtSER\I.COM Nelida Saporiti bers of their same language group he or she got the indispensable [email protected] but in any event, for the points still agreement from Adriano Clemente not clarified, they have to submit or Jim Valby. The joint approval of Ramon Vazquez the unclear passages in English to all IPC members of a specific lan­ CoOSDtNATOR FOB ITOiSünONS ANT) raASTJimO!® [email protected] Adriano Clemente or Jim Valby. It guage is not needed, but of course is particularly important that all all IPC members of each language Icon LEGATI texts written in English or Italian can collaborate together without INTERNET COMMITTEE are thoroughly checked by Adriano any limitation. Since IPC members •Mstrmuicrjt or Jim because these texts are the have a position of great trust, they ChehGoh basis for further translations into have to be extremely careful when [email protected] other languages. checking the texts submitted to Nina Robinson When a single text has been them. It's better to seek too much merigar@ amiata.net Costantino Albini Loek Jehee suitably checked in this way, the advice to avoid printing too many [email protected] loekjehe@ xs4all .nl IPC member in charge of it must mistakes. John Shane communicate to me as coordinator Of course these points are not [email protected] Igor Legati Maurizio Mingotti the following data: author (always rules established forever. If some­ [email protected] [email protected] ChNN), title (also translated into thing is not working we can change Barrie Simmons English), publishing house which is what is wrong. Please don't hesitate [email protected] Maurizio Mingotti Grisha Mokhin going to print it, year of checking, to ask me for further information or maurizio.mingotti@ iol.it [email protected]* name of IPC member (or members) clarifications. Elisabeth Stutchbury responsible for it, and name of the All the best to you all, [email protected] supervisor (Adriano or Jim). In this Igor Legati JAPANESE LANGUAGE PUBLISHERS way I will register it on a list of Desmond Barry books officially checked by IPC INTERNATIONAL PUBLICA­ [email protected] Tetsu Nagasawa Naomi Zeitz - The Mirror and I will give you a code number. TIONS COMMITTEE [email protected] [email protected] So the IPC members, before giving (updated to November 2000) Anastasia McGhee the file to the publisher, should type [email protected] Edgar M. Cooke Tiziana Gottardi - Shang Shung on it the following: "IPC -Code General Consultants for any publi­ [email protected] Edizioni, Italy number - Approved by the Interna­ cation: [email protected] tional Publications Committee of FINNISH LANGUAGE Junichi Chigira the Dzogchen Community founded Adriano Clemente [email protected] Gerd Manusch - Oddiyana Shang by Choegyal Namkhai Norbu." [email protected] Tuula Saarikoski Shung Edition. Germany The publisher is advised to print [email protected] [email protected] this acknowledgment on the book. Jim Valby POLISH LANGUAGE This way of proceeding must be [email protected] Kaisa-Liisa Puonti Oliver Leick - Shang Shung Edi­ applied also to old books at the [email protected] Cezary Wozniak tion, Austria moment of their reprint, so that the [email protected] [email protected] new edition will have an IPC code Coordinator for translations and Ilkka Tanner number and the acknowledgment transcriptions: [email protected] Marek Macko Cheh Goh - Rinchen Editions, Sin­ printed on it. Thus, little by little, [email protected] gapore we will guarantee that all books Igor Legati [email protected] published under the name of Chö­ [email protected] FRENCH LANGUAGE ArturSkura gyal Namkhai Norbu are checked [email protected] Andrew Wright - Shang Shung according to Rinpoche's wish. Of Michele Brunacci Editions, Moscow course, we are not in a hurry and we CHINESE LANGUAGE [email protected] Pawel Poniewski [email protected] must do our best with awareness [email protected] and patience. The list of registered Keng Leek Francois Calmes Kirill Shilov - Shang Shung Edi­ books will be available at any time. [email protected] [email protected] tions. St. Petersburg I take advantage of this message to PORTUGUESE LANGUAGE [email protected] clarify some points. Hung Wen Liang Bruno Espaze 1. The IPC task is to check both the e2214759@ms 10.hinet.net bespaze@ bom8. vsnl .net. in Muriella Colajacomo Malaga Sergey Ryabov - Zerkalo style and the correct meaning of all [email protected] [email protected] the publications containing teach­ Marie Neige Lefeuvre ings transmitted by Chögyal CZECH LANGUAGE [email protected] Jiri Rys - Shang Shung Editions. Namkhai Norbu or his writings on Sonia Regina Grosso Tibetan history, science or culture. [email protected] Czech Republik Margit Martinu Laurent Maurice It is not an IPC duty to check books [email protected] [email protected] containing teachings of other mas­ [email protected] ters or writings of other authors as, RUSSIAN LANGUAGE George Quasha - Station Hill for instance, a book on Tibetan Openings, USA medicine written by a physician DANISH LANGUAGE GERMAN LANGUAGE Igor Berkhin [email protected] [email protected]

THE MIRROR NOY/DEC 2000 5 TEACHES AT JETSUN KUSHHO His HOLINESS

TS EG YA LG AR THE DALAI LAMA November 21st, 2000 Dear Dharma Friends, We are organizing a Kalachakra Initiation to be given by His Holiness The etsun Kusho was born in Tibet and is the resident lama Dalai Lama in Toronto, Canada, sometime in 2002 or 2003 and need an esti­ of Sakya Tsechen Thupten Ling in Vancouver, Cana­ J mate of how many people would attend to see if there is enough interest to da, where she lives with her family. Jetsun Kusho is the put on an event of this size. If you are an individual, please let us know if you sister of His Holiness Sakya Trizin, the head of the Sakya are interested in attending. If you are part of a group, or can contact other lineage. It was at his request that she began teaching in people who might be interested in such an event, please ask your community the West. how many people would be interested in attending this auspicious event. Jetsun Kusho came Tsegyalgar on November, 21 st The Kalachakra would include five days of teachings, and six or seven days for a short visit, in the middle of a busy teaching sched­ for the actual initiation itself. The estimated cost is expected to be around ule near Boston. She joined us for a lunch of momos and $500. then gave a short and essential teaching on "Parting We are only looking fora rough estimate of how many people would be from the Four Attachments". About twenty people interested in attending, to see if there is enough interest to hold this event. No attended. commitment is expected at this time. Please let us know as soon as possible. You can reply to [email protected] and put "HH in Toronto" as the subject. Parting from the Four Attachments Yours in the Dharma, A Teaching by Jetsun Kusho Ven. Tenzin Sherab Translated by Acharya Migmar Tseten HH Jetsun Kusho Tengye Ling Tibetan Buddhist Temple Tsegyalgar 11/21/2000 (An excerpted & edited version of the transcription by Robert Richardson)

This mind training teaching is the essence of all the Buddhist Paths and through this practice one can achieve com­ For information about H.H. the Dalai Lama's Teachings plete enlightenment. in Portland, Oregon, USA on May 13-16,2000: In a vision, the Bodhisattva Manjushri transmitted the four lines of Freedom from the Four Attachments to Lama www.nwtca.org Sakyapa Kunga Nyingpo which are:

If you have attachment to this life, then you are not a spiritual practitioner. If you have attachment to Samsara, then you do not have renunciation. If you have attachment to the self, you do not have the generation of Bodhicitta. South American Retreats If grasping arises within you then you do not have the right view. with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu The fourth line [means] the freedom from all extremes. Abandon the wrong view to realize the wisdom. To realize wisdom, in some traditions, first you do concentration meditation. Then based on this shamatha meditation you February through April,200l practice insight meditation, meditating on the selflessness of the person and the selflessness of phenomena. This practice of shamatha meditation and insight meditation is a general kind of practice. The special practice in the Sakyapa [lineage] is that first you establish all the outer appearances as mind and then the appearance in the mind is EASTER RETREAT ON MARGARITA ISLAND again established as illusion. And then the illusion is proved as essenceless. To do this practice, you have to rely on the Guru from whom you have to receive the Upadesha and pith instructions."""! March 30th to April 3rd

Tibetan Medicine sleep. He said, "Oh monks get you try and understand Tibetan Details To Be Announced Merigar some sleep, it gives strength to your medicine and talk to people and Contact: 11/28/2000 body". Its important to sleep, but help them understand that this kind Behavior in Tibetan Medicine not too much. If you sleep ten hours of medicine exists. For example, Gilberto Parrella by Dr. Kojo Sangdu or more phlegm can increase in Yuthog Yontan Gonpo, was the Email:[email protected] Translated by your body and can make problems. father of Tibetan medicine and was Dr. Nyda Chenagtsang also the very great terton. There (an excerpt from a talk given at Food & Self Training were, in Tibetan history, 108 great terrons and he was a terton from Merigar on Tibetan medicine) All chronic disease is from incor­ CHÖGYAL NAMKHAI NORBU IN CHILE rect food and incorrect movement these 108 tertons and also the father Behavior and Good Health or action or behavior. You should of Tibetan medicine. He wrote a train yourself as the parent trains text called "Yuthog Nyingthig" February 1st :Public Conference Santiago de Chile Speech & Relaxation the child, you say 'don't do this and which is a practice for Tibetan doc­ that'; slowly train yourself, your tors which includes mantra heal­ In behavior it is very important to February 2nd, 3rd and 4th: Retreat of Dzogchen TeachingsS mind, your actions, your voice, ings. There are many different be aware of our speech; if we speak Santiago de Chile too much our words can sometimes speech and everything. In the methods, and in this text he wrote a beginning its difficult to train prophecy which said that in the create many problems. If you speak February 5th: Public Conferences everything, but if you try and trust future Tibetan culture and medicine too much and the energies move, Vina del Mar this can make an imbalance of ener­ yourself and do in this way, eventu­ will be destroyed and will lose ally you can do something. In this many parts. But through his wish gies. In general, for the mind, its Contact: way you can change your bad and the karma of all human beings, good to forget experiences, espe­ Centro Budista de Vina del Mar, behaviors. the knowledge of Tibetan culture cially the bad experiences. If we Tel: 56-32-973829 or 56-32-952060 Many foods all mixed together, eat­ and medicine can spread like fire think about the past bad experi­ Email: [email protected] ing too much mixed food, some­ everywhere, all over the world, like ences it is not good. When we think Website: www.sidharta.cl about them we can't change them times is not very good. If you eat a space because space is everywhere, or make any difference, so the certain combination of many foods and all beings can have access to RETREAT WITH CHÖGYAL NAMKHAI NORBU thinking can create much sadness now, you don't know the effect, but this medicine and be saved from and worry and problems. In this in the long term the side effects will suffering and illness. I trust this IN PERU case it's important to try and forget appear in the body. prophecy and hope it will come The Dzogchen Community of Peru will hold a retreat in Lima with your past and not to make strong true. Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche on February 9th, 10th and 11 th, 2001. Besides a desire or a strong wish for the Long Life - One More Day general presentation of Dzogchen, special attention will be given to Chöd. future. It's better to think in a more We cannot stop disease and death Cost including everything (lodging at the countryside near the mountains) simple way and then you can relax, forever. However, we must think of is S100US. Rinpoche will speak in Italian and will be translated into Span­ and when your mind is relaxed, of our lives one day at a time and we Dr. Kojo Sangdu was born in 1949 ish. course, your body and energies are try to be healthy and good, one day into a farming family in the village Reservations and information: relaxed. When there is relaxation at a time, slowly, slowly. We must of Alo, Konjo County, East Tibet. Comunidad Dzogchen del Peru there is a balance of the energy. try to have a long life, by one day or He started working at the Konjo Dzogchen Community of Peru one second. If, for example, as hospital in 1980. During that peri­ Juan Bustamante (Hota) Thought & Speech Dzogchen practitioners, maybe if od he wrote a book entitled "Yuthogkunzan @ terra.com .pe Therefore it's also not so good to you have that one day more, in this Nyingthig", a well known text in Enrique Palacios 1125-C, Miraflores, Lima 18, Peru think too much; to think for your last day maybe you can attain the medical field in Lhasa. Follow­ Tel 445 5003, Fax 447 2984, eel 946 7542 work or study. For example, if you enlightenment through the practice ing this he was sent to work at the think too much about your work or of Dzogchen. So you used that one hospital of traditional medicine at study and use the voice too much; day and had a very good result. We Lhasa where he has taught since with the combination of these two should always think of the benefit 1985. In 1989 he became a profes­ ERRATA things together, lung problems can of a long life, and be careful about sor there as well as director of the Page 4 to 23 of issue 54, Sept/Oct 2000 be created. Also, the bad words diet and behavior. internal hospital of the University. people say when they are angry can I give this simple lecture according Today he is recognized as one of the In the September/ October issue of The Mirror, #54, there was an unclear hurt people and change all the peo­ to my memory and if it helps foremost scholars of traditional typographic error in the continuation of the article on the International Pub­ ple's emotions and that is not good you, you can take something and if medicine in the Tibetan lications Committee from page 4 to page 23. Here is the clarified and com­ for you or the other, so it's impor­ you don't agree you can leave it. Autonomous Region. plete quotation of Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche: tant to try to not say bad things. "I think that how the committee works is a very important point. Different Yuthog Yontan Gonpo, The committees must remember that and go in that direction. It is very true, Sleep Father of Tibetan Medicine because people studied this and that and philosophy and they have an idea Sleep is also important and even If I said something wrong I am sor­ and then they explain everything in the way they understand and they are Shakyamuni Buddha talked about ry for that. I hope in the future all of not getting the real sense. This point is something really important."

6 coined analogies of heroic attribut­ nity of this wisdom culture in our aspect is a sense of duty. Just as the es for many centuries. Obviously, daily lives and then beyond that, in moment one feels like staying in BOOK REVIEWS the path of the warrior referred to in human society. I think many peo­ bed and pulling the covers over his Shambhala teachings is not one ple, particularly people already one's head, finding comfort in a practice. Quite lazy (and this is not of aggression and conquest in the immersed deeply in the practice of 'cocoon,' the vision to manifest, get a kind of admission of false mod­ context of worldly 'military' aspi­ meditation and a spiritual journey, dressed, put on one's make-up if esty but a real flaw), my first intro­ ration ( a claim his critics often can learn much from these teach­ you wear it or one's workday per­ ductions to shamatha (shine) prac­ comment on) but of courage and ings—even if only reading from a sona "on empty space" carries one tice were really very upsetting. nobility. In "Great Eastern Sun," he book, since it is individuals who forth through ever changing life Like a caged animal, I found it clearly says that the warrior of make a culture. Everything begins circumstances. That I feel is what totally disagreeable and antithetical Shambhala is synonymous with at home. The Shambhala teachings he means by the "warrior" quality, to my energy. I also was really put "Pawo." As such, it is totally address the most basic levels of the act of daily courage to live like off by anything remotely Tibetan steeped in the multidimensional conduct— how to talk, walk, eat, decent human beings and good i.e.., pujas and ritual, the intense world of the higher realms and perhaps in place of the normal practitioners. According to Chö­ vividness of the tradition itself. (Rigdzin), imbued as it is, with the 'fourth moment' of sleep we gyam Trungpa, the big questions Although, not entirely, because for Mahayana intent of existing solely Dzogchenpas are so familiar with, are not who we are or why we are many years since childhood I had in for the benefit of others. The idea of how to dress. As we know, no mat­ here but rather "since we are here, Great Eastern Sun, my bedroom a magazine photo of a the Heroic path is also commonly ter how lofty the view or deep the how are we going to live from now the Wisdom of Shambhala girl milking a yak which I later saw associated with noble attributes in meditation, if we can not, as practi­ onward?" That is Trungpa's prima­ in a Shang-Shung Edizioni publica­ the great body of Prajnaparamita tioner, integrate them into daily ry concern. by Chögyam Trungpa tion. However, instead of forcing literature and also the Tantric lin­ life, it all remains child's play. Most Given the trauma many mas­ Ed. Carolyn Rose Gimian the situation or rejecting it all eages. In the Heart Sutra, we are spiritual traditions generally recog­ ters in the Tibetan traditions faced Shambhala Publications, 1999, together, what I did at that time, called the "noble sons and daugh­ nize this and this is especially cru­ 265 pp. in coming to the west, Chögyam was to immerse myself in the cul­ ters of the Buddha". So in a sense, cial for Dzogchen practitioners. Trungpa's consideration of this ture surrounding his practice com­ by mere association, with these The Shambhala teachings are he late Chögyam Trungpa was central question has far-reaching munity and through a kind of teachings and view, even at the focused on the integration of pres­ my first teacher. I think the implications. I think that like many T osmosis find my way towards dis­ Sutric level, we are the ancestral ence in one's daily life, particularly thing that initially attracted me to teachers of his generation, he covering what was useful for my heirs of a great aristocracy here and Western life and society. observed first hand what happens him as a teacher was because I read in the beyond (to stretch it a bit for personal development as a practi­ Because of this emphasis, when spiritual traditions become in his "Myth of Freedom," in the those so inclined). Rich or poor, tioner and eventually to my present "Great Eastern Sun" addresses corrupt due to a waning of authen­ late 1970's, that even someone who beautiful or ugly, accomplished or connection with Chögyal Namkhai many of issues of contemporary tic practice and the corrupting fac­ worked in a factory could get not, it doesn't matter, we are aristo­ Norbu and the Dzogchen teachings life not previously addressed in the tors of cultural materialism. This enlightened. Terribly put off by the crats of another order. On the other which culminated in finding what I primary sources of Asia. It is sim­ question is really something all spiritual 'tripiness' I had encoun­ hand, the sense of royal ancestry had been searching for all my life. ply amazing how Trungpa Rin­ practice communities inevitably tered among my contemporaries at outside of worldly conventions also This journey was a rather long and poche approaches relevant material address in any culture. For us in that time, this statement intrigued has deep roots in Tibetan pre Bud­ circuitous route. Only later, did I such as his chapter on "Working this moment in time, as the first me, as I had worked in a factory dhist culture, primarily a nomadic come to realize that I was actually with Early Morning Depression," generation of practitioners in the instead of going to college in my one. A descendent of Tibet's great receiving another kind of training, a or "Discipline in the Four Sea­ West, it is really our responsibility youth. He simply spoke to my real­ epic hero, Gesar of Ling, Trungpa cultural one. And for this, no words sons." He also has many useful and to ensure the continuity of the ity and working class origins but had a great appreciation for his own can express my love for Trungpa unconventional ideas about power transmissions we have received also expressed the Buddhist teach­ heritage, particularly that of his Rinpoche for having given me this and hierarchy, so controversial and to preserve them uncorrupted ings in such a clear undogmatic nomadic cultural roots. The genius opportunity to ripenan d expand my among practitioners, as well as in a culture, which can adequately way that I knew I wanted to con­ of the Shambhala path is that it rather limited capacity. This train­ wealth. Always at the heart of his contain them. In order to do this, nect further. extracts the essence of that culture ing is very much summarized in his view is the balance between practi­ we need to manifest a culture in Trungpa once said that having and refashions it within a western poem on the education of a warrior cality and great vision, what he which they will survive and flour­ got hold of you, he would never let context and semantics in harmony which I feel embodies his entire would call, "joining heaven and ish, not perish or spoil. It doesn't go— "luce a crocodile." Although I with the Buddhist teachings. And path and one which I have person­ earth." matter what lineage we represent. had little personal interaction with ally experienced (perhaps more because of this, it is neither dilute These are serious concerns all prac­ him during the time I lived in Boul­ prosaically) than his own eloquent nor corrupt but authentically 'Great Eastern Sun' is really something of a special event in titioners have, both past and pre­ der where I had gone out to study articulation. "alive' and electric in its transmis­ sent. with him several years later, this sion. It is also useful to note that publication. Through the potency indeed has come to pass. Much to like many great teachers, Chögyam of language, something of the gold­ Just as one doesn't need to my surprise, over the years, his That mind of fearfulness Trungpa's public writings are but en atmosphere around Trungpa is become a Gelugpa to appreciate the crocodile hold on me has increas­ Should be put in the cradle of lov­ the tip of the iceberg. The Shamb­ transmitted through this work, his teachings of H.H. the Dalai Lama ingly gripped me with a sense of ing-kindness hala lineage is considered a series playfulness combined with utter on compassion, for which he is the devotion even though I have gone And suckled with the profound of terma with a substantial body earnestness, the sublime with ordi­ embodiment, or to become a mem­ on to other teachers and other com­ and brilliant milk of eternal of literature available only for nary, and the salty language of ber of the Dzogchen Community to munities. There isn't a day that I doubtlessness. those authorized through trans­ American mid-century no-bullshit derive great inspiration from the don't think of him. Once, after I had In the cool shade of fearlessness, mission to receive them. approach. In pop culture terms, we work of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, just been introduced to him, I had Fan it with the Fan of joy and hap­ may be entering the world of (and I have heard many people tell an interesting dream, which encap­ piness. In this sequel to his first Camelot, or Lake Woebegone me how even reading his books sulates my relationship to him as a When it grows older. Shambhala book, "The Sacred Path where "all the men are beautiful totally transformed their practice master. With the various displays of phe­ of the Warrior." "Great Eastern and the woman intelligent" (popu­ regardless of their lineage), neither lar radio show called Prairie Home So in this dream, I was in an nomena, Sun" continues upon that base and does one have to become a card- Companion) and we are being elegant mansion filled with many Lead it to the self-existing play­ presents a variety of teachings Chö­ carrying Shambhala person to peer invited to join in. But unlike an aristocratic people milling about as ground. gyam Trungpa gave at the upper into the brilliant world of Chögyam imagined perfect place, the world though at a cocktail party, holding When it grows older still. levels of his Shambhala training Trungpa. Reading "Great Eastern of Shambhala is tangible and vivid­ polite conversations and dressed in In order to promote the primor­ course. It is not without some sense Sun, the Wisdom of Shambhala" is ly present in our midst under the beautiful glowing clothing. Every­ dial confidence, of poignancy that I read it as I only one such opportunity (among most ordinary of circumstances. thing about this place was very Lead it to the archery range of the received it around the time, my other references) which I hope refined. Feeling somewhat an out­ warriors dear friend Karen Lavin died, Human beings for centuries many people will explore as we are sider and intimidated, I retreated to When it grows older still. rapidly and unexpectedly from have been trying to articulate a bet­ in the midst of fashioning our own the kitchen where I wanted to help To awaken primordial self-nature. brain cancer at the age of 48. A true ter way of being in the world, a distinct culture. with serving the food since I felt Let it see the society of men Shambhalian, Karen represented to utopia, or a heaven on earth. What No one has worked harder or that I could not join in with the Which possess beauty and dignity. me a living link to this magnificent makes the Shambhala teachings so with such unparalleled generosity 'grown-ups.' From within the Thus the fearful mind world, as did my friend and teacher, distinct and direct is that they artic­ to present the living root of an kitchen, I could see all the magnifi­ Can change into the warrior's the late poet Allen Ginsberg. Feel­ ulate the same yearning but from a authentic Dzogchen lineage to take cent people in the distance enjoying mind, ing somewhat bereft, I began to non-theistic and non dual view. The hold in our hearts than Chögyal themselves— somewhat longing to And that eternally youthful confi­ think about how deeply the Shamb­ mythic kingdom of Shambhala is a Namkhai Norbu. How it bears fruit join in but not knowing quite how. dence hala culture permeated my sensibil­ vibrant reality for Trungpa Rin­ for untold generations to come is At that point in my dream, Trungpa Can expand into space without ity since I was first introduced to poche, and the teachings of Shamb­ our own responsibility. The value Rinpoche entered the kitchen— beginning or end. them. So in a sense, this review is hala are a mission to include all of reading such a book for individu­ only he was dressed as a schoolboy, At that point it sees the Great East- an homage to those whom I have beings in this society of Pawo. He als of other lineages is really an with rosy cheeks and very friendly. em Sun. loved and lost, including this great is positively evangelical in this exploration of the principles behind He then went to the refrigerator and and marvelous being, Chögyam respect. And I must say, that this enlightened culture rather than the Trungpa, who had such a profound carefully poured a glass of milk, from Shambhala, the Sacred Path approach is refreshingly welcome actual manifestations of that culture impact on the development of Bud­ which he handed to me and said of the Warrior as an alternative to practice com­ which can only radiate out uniquely something like, "You should drink dhism in the West and to me per­ munities which feel the necessity to from a multitude of sources. And sonally, but all of whom survive this because it would be good for During the later part of his seal themselves off from society, as we, in our Dzogchen Community, deathlessly in a common bond. My you although I no longer drink this teaching life, Chögyam Trungpa thought the teachings would have our own shining source from memory of them is mingled with stuff myself." put great emphasis on presenting become tainted. which to radiate out in human soci­ many instances of Shambhala cele­ ety. That is inevitable. And it is not For me, this journey in rela­ what he would call the Shambhala After the fact, now nearly brations and activities fanned "with too soon to start looking closely at tion to his teaching and community teachings, a tradition distinct, but twenty years down the line—What the fan of joy and happiness." the situation while drawing on the very much reflected his "milk" of nevertheless, related to the tradi­ I greatly admire in Chögyam great wealth of wisdom so readily loving kindness, most particularly, tional path he also taught as an In my own words, The Trungpa's life and work is the available, even a click away, on through introduction to his Shamb­ esteemed Karma Kagyu master. It Shambhala teachings are really emphasis he put on creating a cul­ amazon.com.."". hala world for which I remain is not really so unusual that he about manifesting an enlightened ture of appreciation instead of deeply indebted. For without it, I would characterize these teachings culture from the vantage of non- blame and petty rivalries—the don't think 1 would have hung in as the "Sacred Path of the Warrior" theistic traditions of mind training 'bete noir' of Tibetan culture and since traditionally Buddhism has and how we can propagate the dig­ ultimately its ruination. The other there long enough to stick with the Book reviews con't on next page

THE MIRROR NOV I DEC 2 0 00 7 Rinpoche/Led me to you, Precious CELESTIAL GALLERY are transportable across continents. One. (Brett Arlidge). A book by Romio Shrestha The atmosphere of a Tibetan One of the really interesting monastery was invoked during the (CON'! FROM PAGE 5) and Ian Baker BOOK REVIEWS aspects to reading these poems is first ten days of December during that many were sent anonymously an exhibition of Shrestha's paint­ always a tone of devotion and grati­ and are noted at the end by "senza "The world we see is a painting ings at New York's Tibet House, tude. The reciprocity between ferma," while some poems just Born from the brush of discursive USA where incense, candles and authors and recipient is something give the first name of the author. thought, dim lighting suggested a virtual so special. Who else do we know Part of the fun is figuring out who is And within or upon it nothing truly Tibetan shrine room (Lhakhang). would save every scrap of poetry who and reading the innermost existent can be found.. The featured paintings were creat­ for decades, an act of great generos­ thoughts of one's fellow practition­ Meditate again and again on this ed under Romio Shrestha's direc­ ity on behalf of the recipient of ers and friends.(dare I admit this?). vision torship in studios in the Kathmandu these small treasures. Some poems are complex as they Of Emptiness, the final nature of Valley. As Shrestha says himself no When 1 initially began to read interweave autobiographical ele­ being." single person could ever create the book "on my feet" at the ments with inner events connected The Second Dalai Lama works of this size and detail. True Tsegyalgar bookstore, I experi­ to meeting the mind of the Master. to tradition, the paintings were pro­ enced a moment's sadness mingled While others are more adventurous rtists from Nepal's Kathmandu duced by anonymous artisans who with the enthusiasm of reading the and engaged in creative word plays AValley contributed prominent­ Shrestha orchestrated much as a book itself because I would not be of which the cover art is a wonder­ ly to the artistic traditions of Tibet. conductor directs a symphony. in the book—part of this great ful example. Then there are also The earliest Buddhist scroll paint­ Shrestha's paintings have stream of outpouring to our Master didactic and formal poems, as well ings (thankas ) and murals such as gained the attention of American but then I saw, there was the small as many by children in the commu­ those in the Gyantse Kumbum were celebrities mainly through the poems poesie poesías poem I had dashed off in a fax to nity. Approximately one half the made under the guidance of Newari attentions of best-selling author ed. Rita Bizzotto Rinpoche in Australia for his Birth­ collection is in Italian. There are masters who traveled north across Deepak Chopra who praises day last year. Also, thankfully, was also extensive collections of poems the Himalayas to give form, Shrestha as a "Himalayan vision­ Shang Shung Edizioni. 2000, 321 pp. NOT another poem I had once sent sent over the years by two of the through deft hands and ground min­ ary". Another prominent patron of - written in a rather disturbed state Community's recognized poets, erals such as lapis lazuli, cinnabar, Shrestha's works is the singer and alking one day through the of mind. I do not know whether this John Shane and Louise Landes and gold, to the luminous realms song-writer Donovan who refers to WTsegyalgar bookstore, I act of mercy came form the recipi­ Levi. described in ancient Tantric texts. him as "the Andy Warhol of the noticed in a stack of newly arrived ent or the editor, but I am very Stylistic elements of Newari Kathmandu Valley". Following in books from Shang -Shung Edizioni, grateful nonetheless it did not see My personal favorite, a stanza from one woman, which coincided art and, later, Chinese landscape Warhol's tradition of producing a book whose title, "poems poesie the light of day in print, and hope­ painting were assimilated and gigantic works for America's rich poesías" immediately caught my fully found its way to the nearest with my state of mind at that moment and one which we can all transformed by Tibetan artists into and famous, Shrestha's paintings attention. This book is a truly garbage can. a new and vibrant aesthetic vocabu­ have been bought by the likes of remarkable document of poems col­ relate to. How does one/ remain Poetry in the context of the steeped in Presence/as the ripple, lary. These uniquely Tibetan art super-model Naomi Campbell and lected by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu teachings is not so much about forms, in tum, rejuvenated in recent New York's fashion diva Diane Von from his students over the years, wave, and storm/arise and subside? form but a reflection of the practi­ For others, I think the poems speak decades the visual arts of the Kath­ Furstenburg as well as by the city's lovingly saved by Rinpoche and tioner's mind. This is probably why mandu Valley. Newari painters of Museum of Natural History. then compiled into a book by Rita for themselves. over the centuries many practition­ Nepal continue to create paintings Shrestha's works also caught Bizzotto. The collection is, as Rita ers used this method as an expres­ of mesmerizing detail, although by Jacqueline Gens the eye of one of New York's most notes in her introduction, a mirror sion of Vajra speech and to glorify their patrons are no longer the that reflects "the light and shadows, visionary publishers, Nicholas the lineage masters. It's also a monasteries and temples of Tibet, Callaway, famous for his produc­ the hopes and regrets, the discom­ method we are naturally attracted but Westerners less concerned with fort and enthusiasm of those practi­ tion of over-sized, lavishly pro­ to arising from deep appreciation. the paintings iconographie exacti­ duced "art books". Callaway - who tioners who are traveling in the One such poet, writes in a manner tude than with its merits as "art". same Boat along this difficult route, owns one of Shrestha's paintings typical of many similar sentiments The foremost inheritor of this difficult but impossible to give up, himself - was inspired by the spirit expressed throughout the book: new era of Nepali painting is a towards total enlightenment." of collective and anonymous cre­ "To Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche/In Newar named Romio Shrestha who ativity which brought these paint­ Because these are direct com­ the arms of forgetfulness/I was like has transformed the art still further ings into being and resolved to munications to Chögyal Namkhai a small animal harried by preda- by altering traditional color share that vision by publishing a Norbu. reading through the book, tors./Fear, confusion and doubt schemes and compositions and cre­ two foot high book featuring thirty one is struck by the overall heart consumed me in their fire./I could ating thankas of unprecedented size of Shrestha's paintings - many of breaking sincerity and disclosure. not be true to myself, let alone oth- and scale. So unique are these them in private collections through Even in the poems which experi­ ersyAnd as for freedom, O it was works - some of them more than the United States. ment with Tibetan-style literary far away./But that was twelve feet high - that Shrestha The paintings which comprise forms, sometimes awkward at oth­ yesterday/Before the grace of Guru concedes that they cannot properly Celestial Gallery begin with er times accomplished, there is be called thankas at all. They images of the historical Buddha resemble more the myriad wall and progress through images of paintings that adorn the corridors of female divinities, Bodhisattvas, Tibetan monasteries, although in meditational deities (yidams), the case of Shrestha's works they Dharma protectors and denizens of

continued on page 9

Paldenling, Poland On the days from October 2nd to little village of Lysa Gora in the Yoga Tantra, Anuyoga and Atiyoga style. Certainly, we didn't forget to do it SMS Base Retreat 13th, we had the great fortune to house of our neighbor/friend. in a very condensed chad style as well. with Jim Valby participate in the First, (I hope not Famous inexpensive meals were On Sunday Jim said, "Because it is Sunday and we are in the country October 2nd to 13th, 2000 the last), Paldenling Santi Maha served to all people by our Geko's of birth of the Pope, this afternoon we can go to Dukla to see the place of by Marek Macko Sangha Base Retreat lead by Jim wife Kasia. Everyone could eat Saint John from Dukla". John lived in XV century and there is his her­ Valby. There were almost forty outside and in the evening someone mitage, a century old wooden retreat house, near Dukla. Adam Was, who people(counting those who could­ kept a smaller or bigger fire there. was the translator and helped very much at the retreat, was the main guide. e couldn't have ever expect­ n't participate for more than few We started our little pilgrimage at the big palace in Dukla, which is now the ed that Paldenling would There were four Thuns a day. W days), who had come from other historical museum. There are not many memorial objects preserved, except appear so good for such a group Jim wanted us to learn how to do countries like Germany, Czech and guns, uniforms, caps, etc., of Russian, German, Czech, Slovak and other retreat. From the time we'd bought the practices from the Base in a Slovak Republics. soldiers. In 1944 about 100,000 of them were killed. Now the people from Paldenling in April 1997, it had simple way like Semdzins, almost all of these countries gathered again, maybe not so many this time, at undergone some very visible The weather was like in the Rushens, trenpa nyerzhag, etc., but the hotel/restaurant to eat some pizza and drink something. changes, though the invisible ones summertime. The wind, famous in also we learned how to understand were no less important. Rinpoche this area, wasn't so oppressive as it the related points of views of differ­ As usual, after the final Ganapuja, we had to disperse into very differ­ visited in 1998 and explained the has been for other winters. The ent paths of Sutra, Tantra and ent and personal directions. In early afternoon, the winds satisfied with so Longde Cabin. Generally, there is main retreat was taking place in a Dzogchen. We learned how to do a many smells clearly weakened, the weather changed into almost the Italian from time to time someone doing a very special but severe lodging - simple, light breathing of kumbha- summer (at the time of Indian summer). Everyone disappeared and, unfor­ personal retreat, and sometimes a the crude attic of the house where ka. Because the very essence of all tunately, Ziemek and I were left alone in the attic. small group does rather short many people also slept. Some Ger­ practices is Guruyoga, we did it in About to leave Paldenling, I returned to the very first Thun where Jim retreats, like for example at Losar. man people preferred to sleep at the different styles like Kriya Tantra, elucidated for us the internal meaning of the Invocation to Padmasambhava about "the place where enlightenment arises". •

s SHANG-SHUNG INSTITUTE

IMPORTANT THE SHANG -SHUNG INSTITUTE, USA

ANNOUNCEMENT

Thanks Due to the exceptional generosity of 1990. Also at the bottom of the SHANG-SHUNG INSTITUTE The Shang Shung Institute US of several long-term donors, this painting will be the form of the pro­ wishes to thank all its donors and project has been able to proceed tectress Ekajati. volunteer help over the past year without interruption. The Institute The Goma Devi painting will be ITALY 2000. Without your support, the will shortly begin its 2001 fundrais- close in size to the other three paint­ Institute would not have been able ing campaign to continue support ings already in the Gonpa at to continue its programs in transla­ of this project. Tsegyalgar produced for the Gold­ tion, Tibetan Medicine and art. en Vajra Art Guild— Guru Rin­ he Shang-Shung Institute has recording organized. It is a big task, Golden Vajra Art Guild poche and the lineage tree. Ekajati, decided to set up a small com­ because this means to work through T Tibetan Medical Program This fall, Glen Eddy completed at and the newly completed Primor­ mittee whose main concern is to our archives, make indexing and a The Tibetan Medical Program of Tsegyalgar his Primordial Masters, dial Masters which are all 3 feet by make a list of all the teachings and precise catalogue of all the docu­ Shang -Shung Institute US has a large-scale thanka commissioned 5 feet. These paintings are all paint­ lectures our precious Master has mentary materials we have there. available for home study an audio by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. The ed with hand ground mineral pig­ been giving since the very begin­ So we ask for your help again: Gars cassette course of the first two next project scheduled by the Gold­ ments taking from a year to three ning, even in very remote places, and Gakyils all over the world years of the Three-Year Foundation en Vajra Art Guild will be a major years to complete. The minimal and to check if we have audio should provide a list of all the Course in Tibetan Medicine for painting of Goma Devi and the price for a thanka of this size is and/or video cassettes in our retreats and public talks Rinpoche those who wish to enter the Third Vajra Dance lineage under the aus­ around S 10.000. archives of each of these events and has given in the past years and Level on Pulse Diagnosis and pices of the Shang Shung Institute in case we haven't got them, to find we'd also like to make an appeal to Urine Analysis scheduled for Janu­ in Conway, Massachusetts begin­ them and make copies to keep in single practitioners who, in same The Shang Shung Institute in Con­ ary and February in Merigar and in ning in the summer of 2001. This our archives. way in the past, organized some way. Massachusetts will be late May early/ June in Conway, painting will be related to the Vajra events with Rinpoche we might not fundraising for donations on behalf Igor Legati, Adriano Massachusetts. Cost for the first Dance, which in its turn is related to be aware of. So, please collaborate of Glen Eddy who will be returning Clemente, Maurizio Mingotti and two years, approximately 50 (90 the "Longsal Nyingthig" or the in helping us to receive all the from Argentina next summer to Felice Storgato are members of this minute) audio tapes, is $1200 for "Thigle of the Heart of the Lumi­ information we need for complet­ commence the painting. This sum­ committee and we'll try to help both years or S800 (24 tapes) for nous Universe of the Dakini." The ing the collection of all Chögyal mer he completed the 13 Primor­ them whenever necessary to con­ each year. Each year's course painting will show the short lineage Namkhai Norbu"s teachings all dial Masters thanka originally com­ tact practitioners all over the world comes with a separate text in Eng­ from the top central figures of over the world. Thank you very missioned by Chögyal Namkhai to ask for cassettes, videos or even lish based on the ongoing transla­ inseparable Samantabhadra and much in advance for your help Norbu which is being pho­ hand-written notes going back to tion of the Four Medical Tantras Samantabhadri: then to Guyajana. The Shang Shung Institute Manag­ tographed and will be reproduced the times of the first teachings currently being developed by the the joyous dark blue dakini which ing Board of Italy. in a full color poster. when sometimes there was no Institute and a detailed outline of represents the inner form of the entire program. This is the only Simhamukha; then to Garab Dorje. Other Projects The Medical Program in depth study in English available the master who introduced the of a systematic study of the Four knowledge of Dzogchen into our The Institute also continues to sup­ Shang-Shung Insitute, Italy Medical Tantras which is the foun­ world: then to Laskyi Wangmo, port the work of Jim Valby and the dation for the training of an Amchi. Queen of karma. The main figure Vairocana Project as well as a vari­ The curriculum and roster of visit­ will be Princess Goma Devi, who is ety of other programs and projects. Merigar ing faculty to follow the Founda­ one of the ancient 21 Semde mas­ Your tax-deductible donations tion Course is currently being ters. She sits in royal splendor make it possible for us to continue. The third year Tibetan medicine developed by both Institutes in appearing like a Tara. She is They can be made to Shang Shung course held in Arcidosso (Merigar), Fees: 600.000 lire (12 afternoons) Italy and in Conway, Massachu­ adorned with all of the 13 Samb- Institute. Italy, from the 23rd to 28th of Janu­ plus 20.000 lire for membership setts under the direction of Chögyal hogakaya ornaments. She sits on a PO Box 277. Conway. Massachu­ ary and from the 23rd to 28th of card. Namkhai Norbu. lotus supported by a jeweled gold­ setts 01341. For further informa­ February, 2001, will include theory en throne. Appearing from within tion, please contact Jacqueline teachings in the morning with Doc­ Food and lodging available for a her throne shines forth a luminous Gens at [email protected] or 802- tor Thubten Puntsog and practice limited number of participants who dance Mandala. Below her throne Light of Kailash 254-9114. sessions on diagnostic techniques will be put up in the dorm of Meri­ on either side sit the glorious Pad- Translation Project. in the afternoon with Doctor Nida gar 2. Rate per day is 40.000 lire masambhava and Mandarava. In 2000. the Shang Shung Institute Chenagtsang. We are pleased to including breakfast, lunch and sup­ Between them and a little lower sits was able to fund the full-time work announce that afternoon sessions per. our own master, Chögyal Namkhai of Dr. Donatella Rossi for her trans­ will be also open to doctors, thera­ Norbu who received this wonderful lation of Chögyal Namkhai Nor­ pists, Ku Nye, dreams and medi­ For information and registration treasure from Goma Devi in a bu's three volume history of Tibet. cine and mantra healing students to contact: series of dreams while sleeping in During this time she refined the offer them the wonderful opportu­ The secretary of the Institute: the Encampment of the Victorious first draft of Vol. I and is now work­ nity of getting in touch and utilizing Tel: 00390564966941 Peak—Tsegyalgar in the summer ing on Vol II. in their daily practice the precious Emails: [email protected] diagnostic techniques typical of tra­ OR [email protected] ditional Tibetan medicine. Celestial Gallery con't from previous page Gift Offer the Bardo - the intermediary realm spirit, Chopra writes that the Bud­ between death and rebirth. dhist deities and bodhisattvas pic­ Shrestha's greatest advocate, Deep­ tured in the book "are not gods Shang-Shung Institute, USA ak Chopra, sets the tone in the remote from our experience, but books introduction: "Great art", reflections of different states of The Shang- Shung Institute, USA *Set of five-color lungta prayer Shung Institute US during the holi­ Chopra writes, "is a doorway to the awareness. The Buddhas, Taras, Gift Box of Tibetan Items for the flags with hand sewn cords ready day season while informing friends Divine. The paintings in this celes­ and other peaceful divinities repre­ Holidays for hanging and relatives about Tibetan cul­ tial gallery draw from the ancient sent sublime states of conscious­ Available through Losar *Set of facsimile gummed stamps ture!!! wisdom of Buddhist and Hindu tra­ ness, while the wrathful or diaboli­ by Jacqueline Gens from old Tibet (5 sheets of 20 ditions which , for centuries, have cal forms represent our inner ten­ each), a reprint of Tibet's first issue Cost: S50 plus shipping expressed some of humankind's dencies for resentment, jealousy, PLEASE HELP SUPPORT from J. Crow Co. Choice of UPS. Fedex. or Priority deepest spiritual insights. At the greed, and guilt. Similarly, the The Shang Shung Institute's ongo­ *3 boxes of authentic medicinal US/International mail same time , these sumptuous ecstatic deities, shown in sexual ing projects in translation. Tibetan incense images totally transcend their place union, represent the transmutation Medicine, and the Golden Vajra Art *An assortment of Deity cards Please place your order through of origin. As archetypal expres­ of passion into a force of spiritual Guild designed by Glen Eddy for the email ([email protected]) and I will sions of liberated vision, the paint­ awakening, the harmonious reinte­ Golden Vajra Art Guild contact you about shipping. ings ultimately mirror our inner­ gration of the male and female Each gift box includes the follow­ * A gift card, with description and most potential: the possibility of energies which shape the entire ing items: use of the traditional items total spiritual freedom, or enlight­ universe." enclosed and brochure about Shang -Shung Institute enment." Those familiar with contemporary *A beautifully packaged 2.37 lbs. Invoking the paintings underlying painting from the Kathmandu Val- bag tsampa. the staple food of Tibet (with recipes) Please help support the Shang - cont'd on page 23

THE MIRROR NOV/DEC 2000 9 INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY NEWS

MERIGAR CALENDAR to April 2001

Retreats at Merigar Mandarava 6-months Practice February 23rd - 25th Cycle Santi Maha Sangha Base Explana­ 2001 From the 28th of September 2000 tion and Practice until April 2001, on the 1st and the Feb. 23rd at 4 pm: Purification of 14th of every lunar month accord­ the Six Lokas Easter Retreat April 12-16 The cost will be ing to the Tibetan calendar (that is 6:30 pm: Short Ganapuja With Adriano Clemente Lit.490.000 with a to say, the day after the Ganapuja discount of 30% for of the last day of the month and the February 23rd at 10 am: Karma The cost will be Lit.210.000 day before the Ganapuja of the yoga paid-up members- with discounts for paid-up 15th day) at 7:00 pm there will be 4 pm: Purification of the Six Lokas members of the Association. August 1-8 the Long Life practice of Mandara­ 6.30 pm: Ganapuja Course of Dance of va in the Mandala Hall. If possible the Song of the Vajra learning sessions with the help of Saturday the 24th of February July 6-10 For those who know video cassettes could also be Losar - Tibetan New Year Short retreat with the steps arranged. - Practice at Sunrise Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Given by Prima Mai - Ganapuja at 12:30 am The cost of the retreat will be The cost will be December 28th - January 3rd - Dinner and party at 8:00 pm Lit.400.000 with discounts Lit.490.000 with a Explanation and Practice retreat for paid-up members who discount of 30% for with Adriano Clemente Monday the 26th of February - will be able to pay by install­ paid-up members. The retreat will include sessions Third Day of the Tibetan New Year ments. More information can For both courses reg­ open to all on the practice of Sang practice at 9 am and installa­ be had from Merigar and the istration and a down Vajrasattva and of Shine on the tion of prayer flags (Lungta) Merigar Letter. It is advisable payment of Lit.50.000 to register for this service as basis of the text "Introduction to should be made March 3rd soon as possible. before July 20th, Ati" transmitted last summer by the Master, as well as sessions ded­ At 4 pm: Explanation of the Guru 2001. Yoga practice of Garab Dorje for icated to the Tawa of the First Lev­ If there are less than the Transmission on March 9th August 10-19 10 participants the el of Santi Maha Sangha based on the Samten Migdron text, followed Long Retreat with course will be can­ March 9th by an introduction to the practices Chögyal Namkhai Norbu celed. 4:00 am: Guru Yoga practice of The cost of the retreat will be course will be given by only one A maximum of 20 related to the vehicles of Sutra and Garab Dorje for the Transmission Lit.900.000 with discounts for teacher or they will alternate ses­ people can participate, 10 for the Tantra lead by experienced practi­ paid-up members and the possibili­ sions. If there are 20 participants male part and 10 for the female. tioners- ty of paying in installments as the course will be given by both December 31 st at 8 pm: March 17th- 18th above. Contact the office at Meri­ teachers. August 30 - September 5 Dinner and party Santi Maha Sangha First Level gar. The course starts at 4 pm on July Training Course for instructors of Explanation and Practice 12th and finishes on July 16th in the Vajra Dance 1 st level January 1st at 11 am: Mahayoga and Anuyoga August 24-28 the moming. Given by Prima Mai and Adriana Long Life Practice. SMS First Level Training Dal Borgo April 12th- 16th The cost of the retreat will be July 18-22 The cost will be Lit.600.000 with­ January 5th - 7th Easter Retreat with Adriano Lit.400.000. No discounts. Advanced course with Laura out discounts. Santi Maha Sangha Base Clemente Evangelisti and Fabio Andrico The course is reserved for those Explanation and Practice September 26-30 The cost will be Lit.280.000 with a who know the whole of both the Prajnaparamita Practices: the Four GENERAL NOTES SMS Third Level Training discount of 30% for paid-up mem­ male and female parts of the Applications of Presence (tyer- About Vajra Dance practice The cost of the retreat will be bers. Dance of the Liberation of the Six shag) retreats: Lit.400.000. No discounts. Reservations should be made Lokas and the Om A Hum Dance. Beginning at 4:00 pm on the 5th of All Vajra Dance practice retreats before July 10th. Participants must be" paid-up January begin on Saturday at 10:00 am and Yantra Yoga A minimum of 20 participants to members of the Association and end the following Sunday at 5:30 February 3-4,2001 cover costs. send a written application to the January 13th- 14th pm. Yantra Yoga course for those who The course starts at 4 pm on July secretary at Merigar before August Vajra Dance Practice Retreat Each day has the following pro­ have participated in at least one 18th and finishes on July 22nd in 15th, 2001. gram (which is flexible and can be beginners course. the morning. January 27th-28th adjusted each time according to the Given by Laura Evangelisti INSTALLMENTS Explanation and practice related to preferences and capacities of the The cost will be Lit. 140.000 with a February 9th, 10th and 11th For next summer there will the the First level of Santi Maha Sang­ participants): discount of 30% for paid-up mem­ Course of Dance of the Vajra for possibility of paying for the retreat ha, Kriya, Carya and Yoga Tantra. 10:00 am: Practice of the Gum bers. advanced given by Prima Mai of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in Yoga of the White A Reservations should be made The cost will be Lit.210.000 with a three installments. This possibility February 3rd - 4th 11:00 am: Tun of the Dance of the before January 15th. discount of 30% for paid-up mem­ is reserved to members of the Yantra Yoga course open to those Three Vajras (Om Ah Hum) If there is not a minimum of 10 par­ bers. Dzogchen Community who have who have already attended at least 12:00 am: Tun of the Complete ticipants the course will be can­ Registration and a down payment renewed their membership for one beginners course Vajra Dance celed. of Lit.50.000 should be made 2001. with Laura Evangelisti 01:00 pm: Lunch break The course starts at 10 am on Feb­ before January 30th, 2001. The firstinstallmen t is one third of beginning on the 3rd at 10 am 03:00 pm: Tun of the Dance of the ruary 3rd. If there are not enough participants the total amount and has to be paid Liberation of the Six Lokas com­ the course will be canceled. by the end of April. The second February 9th, 10th & 11th bined with the Dance of the Three May 19-20,2001 part at the moment of the retreat. Advanced Vajra Dance Course Vajras Yantra Yoga advanced course July 28th, 29th and 30th The third by the end of October. This will be a course for very 04:00 pm: Tun of the Complete Given by Laura Evangelisti Course of Dance of the Liberation For more information contact the advanced Vajra Dance of the Song Vajra Dance The cost will be Lit. 140.000 with a of the Six Lokas Secretary of Merigar. of Vajra. There will be no explana­ 05:00 pm: Short Tun discount of 30% for paid-up mem­ To be given by a local teacher tions of basic steps. We will work bers. The course will start on July 28th on general questions of the partici­ The Gakyil has been requested to Reservations should be made in the afternoon with two daily CHILD CARE pants, go over details, and clarify find a way to provide a TV and before May 10th. sessions on July 29th and 30th. We are trying to organize a baby points. video cassette deck for the Man­ If there is not a minimum of 10 par­ The cost will be Lit.210.000 with a sitting service for children from 3 Cost: 210,000 Lire for the with dis­ dala Hall, so that practitioners of ticipants the course will be can­ discount of 30% for paid-up mem­ to 9 years of age. Since there are count of 30% for those who regis­ the Vajra Dance and Yantra Yoga celed. bers. no facilities for caring for older ter before January 31 st, ( there is a can work with YY and VD tapes The course starts at 10 am on May Registration and a down payment children, we advise parents and 50,000 fee at that time and if there during practice retreats, etc. (giv­ 19th. of Lit.50.000 should be made caregivers not to bring children are less than 10 people registered ing at the same time the possibility before July 18th, 2001. over this age. the course will be canceled. to all to study other practice July 12-16 If there are not enough participants Schedule: videos). Beginners course with Laura Evan­ the course will be canceled. Friday evening: 6-8pm gelisti and Fabio Andrico Saturday, twice a day: 10-12 and WHOEVER IS IN A POSITION The cost will be Lit.280.000 with a August 1-8 afternoon: 4-6pm TO DONATE A TV AND/OR A discount of 30% for paid-up mem­ Course of the Dance of the Song of Sunday twice a day: 10-12 and VC DECK FOR THE MAN­ bers. the Vajra part II afternoon: 3-5 pm with Ganapuja DALA HALL IS INVITED TO Reservations should be made For beginners right after. CONTACT THE MERIGAR before June 30th. Given by Adriana Dal Borgo GAKYIL. Tel. 0564-966837« If there are only 10 participants the

10 INTÍtHATIOHAL COMMUNITY NEWS Dear Brothers and Sisters activities of the Istituto Shang These type of activities would per­ of the Merigar Dzogchen Shung; mit us to have an income on top of Community, 2. developing the capacity of Meri­ that coming from the large retreats gar - overnight stays, canteen, etc.; held by Rinpoche. The new Gakyil at Merigar, elected 3. developing the activities of the Continuing our line of reasoning Accommodation Service of Merigar just two months ago, has started courses held in the major cities. and realizing the need to put Meri­ working on a series of problems. As The first two points are conditioned gar in a position to carry out its duty The Gakyil of Merigar is reorganizing the work of the secretary and one Chögyal Namkhai Norbu indicat­ by the fact that necessary building as the Gar of the Dzogchen Com­ aspect of that work is the coordination of the accommodations near Meri­ ed, some of these must be priori­ work needs to be done such as fin­ munity in Europe, founded by one gar during courses and retreats. Christina Geispitzheim presented a tized in order to maintain and reach ishing the Library (ex-capannone) of the greatest living Masters of our detailed project to the Gakyil regarding the handling of accommodation an economic stability at Merigar. In and restructuring Merigar 2. Even times, we conclude that the works matters. The Gakyil accepted the project in their meeting of November the last ten years many things have the third point implies an economic mentioned above should be realisti­ 4th, 2000, and officially delegated Christina to handle all matters regard­ been accomplished but if we are to outlay in the sense that in order to cally taken into serious considera­ ing accommodations near Merigar (not in Merigar, Merigar Due, or the complete our structure more will promote the Community external­ tion rather than in a spirit of renun­ camping, which remains the responsibility of the Gekoes). have to be done. ly, the local Gakyil undertaking the ciation as we have always done in At present, Christina is doing a survey of all available accommodations in promotional activities will keep the past. the area: lodging with Vajra brothers and sisters, with local people, in resi­ The economic reality of Merigar part of the subscription fees in dences, in hotels, in agriturismo, apartments to rent, public camping and order to start up the activity, as has Membership discounts and retreat bungalows. This will eventually include car rental also, if needed. We all are aware that Merigar is been requested in Rome. quotas The Accommodation Service is starting now in order to have things going sustained exclusively thanks by To this we can add the activities smoothly for next spring and summer when there will be the big retreats. contributions that we give as mem­ that Rinpoche is promoting in the Based on this analysis a need has A special email address for the accommodation service is already func­ bers and by the retreats held by Rin­ International Community such as arisen to change things such as the tioning, so all requests regarding accommodation for people coming to poche. If we take a quick look at the the new project to open a series of cost of retreats and the discounts Merigar should be made to this new email address: accounts of the Gar we might not winter Gars to support those normally given to members. Mov­ [email protected] be alarmed at the financial state of already in existence. In this same ing towards an overall increase in The telephone number for the accommodation service is: things. In fact, we might even say issue of the Merigar Letter we are prices we have tried to study a pro­ Italy 0039-0564-966273 that many of the activities and work publishing the translation of an arti­ portional formula which would The postal address in case of requests in writing is: of various organizations are start­ cle which appeared in the last issue guarantee those with difficult eco­ Christina Geispitzheim ing to be fruitful. (By organizations of The Mirror which talks about the nomic conditions or students who Post Office Box 36 we refer to Shang Shung Edizioni, search for a winter version of Meri­ do not have a proper income the I-58031Arcidosso(GR) the Istituto Shang -Shung, the Mer- gar in Spain!!! possibility to participate in the Italy ishop.) However, in the face of this Another force which continues to retreats held by the Master. Regarding the finances of this new service, a handling charge will be situation the running costs of the push us and refuses to let us "rest Therefore, for all these reasons this asked on definite reservations for accommodation in order to cover com­ entire structure, the fixed costs, are on our laurels" is that famous whip year the costs of retreats with Rin­ munication expenses. In certain cases, if the landlord or hotel manager ask still very high. The path of financial of impermanence which expresses poche will be increased from for a deposit, this will be included in the accommodation service fee. It is autonomy undertaken by the differ­ itself in equal kind towards us all, Lit.60.000 per day to Lit. 100.000. agreed that a percentage of the benefits will go to Merigar. ent organizations will ease the bur­ human beings, practitioners of the Ordinary membership which den of the Association in the future Community and even in the struc­ remains at Lit.360.000 will entitle a and even now has already started to ture of the Gar which needs con­ member to 20% discount on the do so in comparison to the past stant maintenance. cost of retreats with Rinpoche. years. At present not one of the A special quota has been created for organizations receives contribu­ Going ahead students and pensioners who sider the type of work that needs to tions from the Association - a posi­ receive a social pension. Still con­ MERIGAR be done to make the rock wall safe. tive step in the direction of becom­ On Sunday, November 5th, we held sidered as an ordinary membership, Our geologist considers that when ing financially autonomous. a meeting, the first of its kind and a the cost will be Lit. 100.000 per TECHNICAL monitoring is completed there will In the future the organizations may kind of historical event, with the year and will entitle the member to probably be two alternatives: clean­ improve their situations in relation­ people in charge of various Com­ 50% discount on retreats. COMMITTEE ing and strengthening the wall with ship to the Association and be able munity activities - technicians, Sustaining membership will con­ by Giovanna Vulpi a protective net or breaking off the to participate considerably towards engineers, architects, geologists - tinue to be Lit.750.000 per year but rock face (making sure that Rin­ the running costs of the Association and the Red Gakyil with the aim of will no longer entitle the member to n November 5th, the first poche 's retreat hut is safe) and but we must give them time. We talking about working priorities free retreats but to a discount of meeting of the Technical Com­ putting nets to stop other rock falls. O should consider the success of their and medium and long temi plan­ 40% on retreats given by the Mas­ mittee was held at Merigar on a activities and not inundate them ning for work, keeping an eye on ter. beautiful autumn day heralded by a SERKHANG - THE GOLDEN with premature requests. costs, estimates and the possibility The latest news is the creation of a great rainbow. The meeting had HOUSE Last summer's retreat with Rin­ of funding. third type of membership called been called by the Director, Cicci Person in charge: Patrizia poche brought the Community the From this meeting we understood "good service membership" for D'Arista, and the members of the Moscatelli, architect amount required to balance the eco­ that there is an urgent need to com­ those without economic problems Gakyil with the aim of finding peo­ On the instructions of Rinpoche nomic situation. And the fact is that plete several projects before next who wish to participate in a consid­ ple in the Community who could be and his wife, Rosa. Patrizia has this remains the point around which summer: erable way to the activities of the in charge of various technical pro­ drawn up several projects with a all our reasoning revolves: even if fix the roof of the central block of Community. This membership will jects. priority: next spring the roof will we maintain a spirit of cautious the gold house (Serkhang), check cost $2000 and will entitle the hold­ Firstly on behalf of the Tech­ have to be redone. Patrizia has cre­ optimism linked to what we dis­ the system for collecting rain and er to free retreats. nical Committee I would like to ated a detailed work program based cussed earlier, the life of Merigar is spring water and waterproof the In anticipation of. the two retreats extend an invitation to the numer­ on the techniques of bio-architec­ founded on the Master's retreats. two reservoirs and cisterns, check with Rinpoche next summer the ous and eager experts and engi­ ture as well as an estimate of the We are far from financial autonomy that the rock under the Gonpa does­ Yellow Gakyil is organizing a sys­ neers in the Community to offer costs according to local prices. and still need to build an economic n't fall, protect the paintings in the tem of payment for the retreat quota their collaboration for the different In the future she would also like to stability. Gonpa from the sun by creating a by installments for those practition­ works that need to be carried out at redesign the entrance to the house structure that will also serve as pro­ ers who request it. Those who are Merigar. I would also like to thank and to harmonize esthetically and tection from the sun for those who interested in participating can pre- Chögyal Namkhai Norbu for his practically the different elements What needs to be done and how? participate in the next big summer register for the retreat thus avoiding continual support for each and that have been crowded into the retreats. last minute problems. In order to be every initiative for the development original construction. She has In the first three months of taking For example the dormitories and able to take advantage of this type of Merigar. drawn up two possible projects office, the Gakyil has had several meetings with those in charge of lodgings at Merigar 2 need to be of pre-payment. one should be an The Director and Gakyil of that, starting with the entrance, the different organizations and with put in order so that in the future the up-to-date member of the Merigar have requested each sector would reorganize the space of people who run various activities at Community will have space to hold Dzogchen Community. to draw up a set of work plans and Serkhang. Merigar. Based on these talks we courses all year round: Yantra in particular to work out the costs of considered three possibilities for Yoga, Vajra Dance, as well as The Gakyil the projects, listing them in order of WATER RESOURCES the coming years: courses on Tibetan medicine etc. urgency and priority. Person in charge: Mario Apicella, 1. developing and consolidating the held by the Istituto Shang -Shung. The projects are listed below. agronomist Mario has underflfceh the difficult A ROCK WALL IN THE task of taking care of the water water is good but can be cloudy and The lack of space in the Gonpa dur­ MERIGAR 2 RETREAT HUT AREA IN THE sources on the land such as springs, polluted from passing sheep. Once ing retreats has meant using sun­ Person in charge: Giovanni Boni, WOOD fountains and ponds. The drinking grazing has been stopped, a deci­ shades around the building in order engineer Person in charge: Gian Paola Imola, water at Merigar is supplied by the sion will soon have to be made to shelter those seated outside from There are several ideas for Merigar geologist Fiora aqueduct which is collected whether to use our own chlorina- the sun and rain. Rinpoche has 2. The new building could be About 1200-1500 meters of the in several cisterns and redistributed tion plant for the spring or make a talked about the need to protect the enlarged and intended as a residen­ rock wall at the base of the Gonpa is to various points, last of which' is connection with the Fiora aque­ precious paintings inside from the tial and productive space through­ breaking away. Some work on con­ Gadeling. In order that Rinpoche's duct. rays of the sun. Considering that out the year. It could be run by the solidating the wall was undertaken house has a good supply of water Another project involves re-water­ the sunshades now need renewing group who look after the land at last summer under the direction of Mario has considered a series of proofing the two small lakes which and the railings around the Gonpa Merigar who would be responsible Rinpoche. Because of the proximity works that will be necessary and provide water for the gardens of require strengthening, Franco is for the work to transform the build­ of the retreat huts, concern about which can no longer be delayed as Merigar. considering the possibility of creat­ ing into a residential area. the instability of the rock wall has well as an estimate of costs. ing a moveable structure which The old building could be added to given rise to the necessity to moni­ Merigar 2 receives its water supply THE GONPA would go around the Gonpa and be and enlarged on the south side. The tor the rock for a month to estimate from a seasonal spring which is col­ Person in charge: Franco Marinelli, structurally independent. pig pen and the last two rooms the amount of movement and con­ lected in cisterns. Chemically the engineer and bio-architect under the guest-rooms may gradu­ avi'.' on the next page

THE MIRROR NOV i DEC 2 0-0-0 11 IHTEgNATIOHAl Authorization Guidelines es), the first three at Merigar, and COMMUNITY NEWS For Yantra Instructors the last at Namgyalgar in Australia. In order to carry out the projects, Clarification for those who holdThe next TTC's will be in Russia Merigar Technical Com from previous page Giampaolo Imola has suggested local courses of Yantra Yoga. and in the USA in 2001. In all cas­ asking Fund Raising experts to by Laura Evangelisti es, it must be clear that it is not suf­ ally be transformed into a work­ will describe in detail the type of ficient to participate in only one shop and a drying room. cultivation that could be undertak­ identify possible sources of financ­ hose who wish to organize TTC to be a qualified teacher. It is en. ing such as private societies and annual or weekend courses of important to participate in courses GADELING On one hand this will involve a pro­ bodies. T Yantra Yoga should coordinate the for advanced practitioners or in Permission from the local authori­ gram for improving and consolidat­ During the next meeting of the organization of these courses other TTC's to perfect and compare ties has been requested to add a ing the natural characteristics of the Technical Committee at Christmas through the Gakyil of their region, one's own practice with others'. room to the house. land which is almost completely we hope to be able to have esti­ or with the Gakyil of Merigar. Thus When you are ready, it's nec­ surrounded by a nature reserve. On mates of the costs of the various a course of Yantra is not presented essary (as Rinpoche has specifical­ THE LIBRARY the other hand it will mean choos­ works mentioned above. as a personal initiative, but as an ly requested) to organize intensive Person in charge: Glaudio Galeota, ing the areas where cereals and While thanking all those for their activity of the Dzogchen Communi­ courses during which Fabio or I architect medicinal plants can be cultivated. suggestions for improvements and ty- supervise and offer suggestions and The current "bam" is the focus of a changes, I would like to remind The financial aspect should try to clarify any doubts you may project which will involve first of WORK COORDINATION everybody to practice patience, also be coordinated by the Gakyil have. Only at this point can you ask all transferring the carpentry shop Person in charge: Migmar kindness, collaboration and mutual in collaboration with the instructor, for authorization from Rinpoche and starting to organize the space respect and to thank Rinpoche and Mimaciren following the guidelines of divid­ himself to become an official local for the activities of the Istituto his teaching for the great opportu­ Chosen by Rinpoche for this job, ing the income in this manner: 50% teacher. Shang -Shung. Claudio has drawn Migmar is helping to concretize the nity that it has offered us.B to the Community, 30% for the I hope that the local Gakyils up a list of the works that need to be work undertaken and offers a com­ instructor, and 20% for the Interna­ and the instructors will work done as well as the related costs. petent and helpful point of refer­ tional Teachers' Fund. together so that the teaching of ence. Yantra Yoga expands in the right THELAND In the last few years Fabio and way. Person in charge: Giovanna Vulpi, As is evident from the long list of I have given different courses for Thank you.B forester works we need a constant flow of teachers (Teacher Training Cours- In the next weeks an up-to-date sur­ human resources, finances and vey of the Community land will be energy in order to bring the works done which will indicate the cur­ to fruition, solve urgent problems becoming a local instructor in these USA: Anastasia McGhee (San rent situation of the vegetation and and care for the upkeep of Merigar. two practices and feels him or her­ Francisco, California) self capable to instruct others, then Argentina: Nelida Saporiti this person must attend a Vajra (Buenos Aires) Dance Level 1 training course at Australia: Jean Mackintosh (Nam­ least twice. Still one is not automat­ gyalgar) ically an instructor of these prac­ Qualifications of the Yantra Yoga tices. Chögyal Namkhai Norbu and Vajra Dance Instructors something I try to do in all our must always approve and authorize by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, name for Rinpoche and for us and in collaboration with the primary Mirror Issue 37, September/Octo­ the future of this precious practice. teacher, [i.e., myself or Adriana], a ber 1996. Please keep me updated and take new instructor. five minutes to participate, either in For someone who only wants to TO ALL DZOGCHEN COMMU­ sending me the information or deepen these practices and is not NITY GAKYILS OF THE reminding your local Gakyil to do interested in teaching others must WORLD so. Not everyone reads this or still know both parts to attend these Following is some important com­ understands English. Please send courses. There is also possibility to munication related with our Yantra me this information in a clear and deepen practice in advanced cours­ Yoga and Vajra Dance teaching simple way. You have to do this es, and a teacher or local instructor transmission. I am requesting that Santi Maha Sangha Practice an hour and a half, and then we all only for one Mandala, but if infor­ can be invited to teach. Someone everyone please pay close attention Weekend with Oliver Leick practiced them for about an hour mation is missing on more than one who follows this practice and wants and try to apply the teachings of Prague, Czech Republic, Novem­ and a half, with two short breaks to Mandala, you can imagine what to deepen and integrate it more in Yantra Yoga and Vajra Dance in ber 24th-26th, 2000 relax. Oliver followed the instruc­ work that means for me. his/her life is not obliged to attend this way: tions and explanations of Rinpoche For the future this list will be acces­ these particular teacher training and also added his own experi­ rom November 24th -26th, sible through your Gar or web site. courses or become an instructor. THE WAY OF GOING AHEAD ences. F2000, Oliver F. Leick visited Thank you so much for your col­ If someone wants to do this practice WITH YANTRA YOGA AND Prague for a weekend practice It was a very intensive practice laboration.."". in a correct way, and since this THE VAJRA DANCE TEACH­ retreat on the 7th Lojong. tice weekend and about thirty people practice needs such a precision, INGS: retreat. In three Thuns (Saturday from Czechia, Slovakia, Poland Clarification of the also in a collective sense since we morning and afternoon, Sunday and Austria participated. Requirements for First are practicing six male and female Possibly everyone remembers that morning) Oliver explained the three We thank Oliver for coming to our Level Training in the together, it is advisable to always I have officially appointed four methods of the 7th Lojong for about country again!« Vajra Dance and Yantra continue to deepen and correct one­ instructors for Yantra Yoga and the Yoga self, for example, through Vajra Dance, two of my students Vajra Dance Updates dala). by Prima Mai advanced courses and in some dia­ for the Yantra Yoga: Fabio Andrico Please be so kind and send me the log with an authorized instructor. It and Laura Evangelisti, and two of is in our responsibility to keep this by Prima Mai following information: To complete our file of participants my students for the Vajra Dance: 1 Material of Mandala (if possible in the Level 1 Vajra Dance Train­ practice correct and pure. It is not Prima Mai and Adriana Dal Borgo. correct to learn only by following PHOTOS: which kind of paint) ings, we need the following infor­ At the same time, I explained why mation: correct address, email other practitioners or using the we need these instructor/teachers To all who have made group photos 2 Size of Mandala (small center or address, telephone number, mem­ video. If one wants to have real for Yantra Yoga and the Vajra of the Vajra Dance courses: medium or large center ) bership number and birth date. All function and benefit of this prac­ Dance, and why I chose these four Please take five minutes and search 3 Owner or contact person for your who have not read Norbunet and tice, and also be of correct support persons among all my students. for a nice photo, group or other­ Mandala (address, email, tele­ read this now, please send this in the collective meaning of this This does not mean that all courses wise, you have made participating phone) information to: practice, one must take the commit­ of Yantra Yoga and the Vajra Dance of a Vajra Dance course in which 4 Photo of Mandala (indicate on the Prima Mai ment to participate in a course of will always be led by these four you participated back from where is this Mandala) c/o Merigar the related Vajra Dance practice instructor/teachers only, but our Then either detach and depart from Send to:PrimaMai Arcidosso 58031 and, if needed, correct oneself in instructor/teachers should be the it, sending it in for the Vajra Dance @compuserve.com GR Italy this practice. We are always free in source of Yantra Yoga and the Vajra Archive, or invest a little more time whatever we choose to do and how Dance teachings for all the other and make a copy and send it with Address for photos: Email: 76544.2306 we want to do it, but it all implies teachers of Yantra Yoga and the the related information about date Prima Mai @ compuserve.com different results. Vajra Dance. and origin of the photo to: Comunità Dzogchen Since there were questions and Prima Mai 58031 misunderstandings about the mean­ I trust that Rinpoche's decision of In that way we can check that these c/o Merigar Arcidosso (GR) ing of Level 1 Training, the follow­ how to follow and study Yantra teachings develop correctly. Their 58031 Arcidosso (GR) Italy ing will hopefully clarify. Yoga and the Vajra Dance in a cor­ main responsibility is to instruct Italy Below is an article by Rinpoche rect way is based on his experience new teachers of Yantra Yoga and Email: Time passes quickly and in the last (see Mirror issue #37, Sept/Oct and clarity. Please take this to heart. the Vajra Dance, therefore we need [email protected] nine years since we first practiced 1996) which should make it all very For your information, we have the a kind of specific system to enable the Vajra Dance, Mándalas - clear. Initially there are some points following local instructors for the them to hold open courses and spe­ particular for the Vajra Dance. WHERE IS YOUR MAN­ portable and stable - have been Vajra Dance of the Level 1 (Libera­ cial Training Courses in different Practitioners who want to attend a DALA made all around the world. tion of the Six Lokas and Three countries. Vajra Dance Level 1 training must: and what kind of Mandala do you The Mandala is a sacred place and Vajras). The following are my personal have and who is the contact person object. The Vajra Dance Mandala is 1. Know both parts (male/female) France: Stoffelina Verdonk (she ideas of a system for continuing the for your Mandala? a terma of our Master Chögyal of the Vajra Dance of Liberation of also teaches the Vajra Dance of the teaching of both Yantra Yoga and This is more about a very practical Namkhai Norbu. the Six Lokas and the Three Vajras Song of the Vajra and has also the Vajra Dance: point; where is your Mandala? You Please be so kind and help me to (OMAHUM). taught in England and Holland) as a Gar, local Community or pri­ collect and put together this infor­ 2. Be a member of the Dzogchen Italy: Margit Martinu (Rome) mation of the locations of the Vajra Community Russia: Ludmila (Luda) vate person have made a Vajra continued on next page Dance Mandala (not String Man­ Dance Mandala on our earth. It is 3. If someone is interested in Kislitchenko (Moscow)

12 INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY NEWS Membership and Retreat Fee Changes at Merigar A Reply from Chögyal Namkhai Norbu

Rinpoche has received communications from some Community members regarding recently instituted changes and increases in membership and Clarification of Requirements continued from previous page retreat fees at Merigar, (see letter from Merigar Gakyil, page 11 ). Rinpoche has asked that The Mirror inform the Community about the communica­ WHAT IS CONTAINED IN THE THE CORRECT WAY OF Transmission, it can bring them tions, and also asked us to print a reply from him stating his reasons for TEACHING OF YANTRA YOGA ATTENDING THE COURSE: benefit by creating a precise rela­ these changes. AND VAJRA DANCE: First of all, one must receive the tionship with this precious teach­ Some students in the Dzogchen Community have expressed feelings that Yantra Yoga: essence of the transmission of the ing. these changes are not being initiated in a manner which is acceptable to Yantra Yoga and Vajra Dance With regard to the teaching of The Dance of the Three Vajras and them. They feel that these initiatives place economic stress on students who teachings and that is the transmis­ Yantra Yoga, there are three levels: the Song of the Vajra also have the don't have a lot of resources, and that Merigar is not acting in an account­ sion of the Dzogchen Teaching. 1. Three Body Training's, the same qualifications, but in the able or communicative way. It seems that some students also feel that Meri­ This means that those who are Pranayama of four Denyid with Dance of the Three Vajras the gar and the Community at large need to develop better ways to continue interested in Yantra Yoga and the their Main Yantras and the essence is much too concentrated through more active financial planning and activities that generate income. Vajra Dance must be interested in Pranayama of Four Applications and in the Song of the Vajra the There is also a feeling that the International Gakyil be more involved in the the Dzogchen Teaching and its with their Main Yantras; principles of Dzogchen Teaching financial future of Merigar and the Dzogchen Community. 2. The Pranayama of Secret transmission. It is necessary for are too naked. Therefore the Dance those who would like to follow the of the Liberation of the Six Lokas is Prana with their Main Yantras and A reply from Rinpoche follows: the Pranayama of Seven Applica­ Yantra Yoga or Vajra Dance cours­ the only one which is suitable for tions with their Main Yantras; es to receive some transmission of this kind of person. Thank you for your information regarding "Merigar: Increase of fees and the essence of the Dzogchen Teach­ 3. The Pranayama of Six change of membership conditions". Applications with their Main ing, otherwise it can become like THE CORRECT WAY OF BEING I have taught my precious teachings SERIOUSLY to my students for many, Yantras, Seven Lotus Positions as any kind of physical gymnastics or A TEACHER OF YANTRA many years. well as all of the secondary. Natu­ dance. YOGA OR VAJRA DANCE: I also hope that many of my students know the value of my teachings, and rally, The Wave of the Vajra related In the case of someone who has First of all, a person interested to how I SERIOUSLY take care for their realization. with all sections. never received any transmission of teach must understand that Yantra For many years, many of my old students have said, "I offer my body, voice the Dzogchen Teaching, what Yoga and the Vajra Dance are spiri­ and mind." Of course, I can't take them and use these students, and I know The Vajra Dance: should they do? It is very simple: tual teachings which are connected these are dry words for paying the price of my precious teachings. But at the With regard to the teaching of the firstly, new people who are interest­ totally to the Dzogchen Teaching. same time, I know that my students may have a good intention of generosi­ Vajra Dance there are three levels: ed in learning Yantra Yoga or the In other words, these teachings ty- 1. The Dance of the Six Spaces Vajra Dance should receive some belong to the Dzogchen Teaching I also want to see, just by increasing fees and changing the membership and the Dance of the Three Vajras; information about Yantra Yoga or and therefore practitioners who are conditions a little, how deeply this generosity goes. Relatively these 2. The Dance of the Vajra with the Vajra Dance from our instruc­ interested in teaching Yantra Yoga changes can be useful for maintaining the Gar of the European Dzogchen the Song of the Vajra; tor/teachers or local teachers. The or the Vajra Dance must be interest­ Community, but that is not the main point. instructors should make it clear that ed in receiving the main transmis­ 3. The Dance of Space with the I am not asking Merigar to increase the fees to get money for my pocket. 1 these teachings belong to the sion of the Dzogchen Teaching. Song of the Vajra. am not really interested if people pay more money or not; but we know Dzogchen Teaching and that the When they have that base they can (Our instructors are still very well that the payment of fees and memberships are relative for main­ Dzogchen transmission is just like start the first level training. When learning the last one.) taining Merigar. I am really interested to know that somehow Merigar will the heart for Yantra Yoga and the they have learned the first level continue, not only for today, but also for tomorrow, whether I am alive or Vajra Dance. If someone is lacking well and trained in it well, one of HOW TO ORGANIZE A not. And that is something in our common interest. a heart then it is not possible to have our instructor/teachers can present COURSE OF YANTRA YOGA Of course, I also want to know a little more concretely how deep my stu­ a normal life; in the same way that this new person to the Dzogchen OR THE VAJRA DANCE WITH dents' generosity goes; either they are only saying nice words or they really without root transmission of these Community's Teacher. This is the ONE OF OUR FOUR INSTRUC­ do feel some responsibility. TORS: teachings there cannot be any cor­ correct way of becoming a teacher rect benefit for anyone. for both Yantra Yoga and the Vajra I am not comparing my generosity of the teaching and the generosity of my When people are interested in orga­ students. There is nothing to compare; but it is better not to go ahead always nizing a course to learn Yantra Yoga Yantra Yoga and the Vajra Dance Dance. are not at all like any ordinary gym­ playing with dry words. or the Vajra Dance, first of all, they So don't worry at all about it. Merigar is innocent. These changes were should consult the local Gakyil of nastics or dance; instead they are THE WAY OF QUALIFYING how we govern firstly our physical made because I have asked them to do it. If you don't like something you their own countries and collaborate THROUGH TRAINING: can go on in the old way, and that means not to modify anything.* with the responsible persons. In this body, then our energy, and finally, There are three principles to fol­ case, if there is a qualified teacher and most importantly, our mind. low: The main mental-level practice is With many Tashi Delegs, nearby, the Gakyil can inform them 1. One should learn well the Chögyal Namkhai Norbu and together they can organize a totally related to the Dzogchen First Level from courses in general course. Otherwise, a local Gakyil transmission. Therefore, to learn and particularly from the Special and those who want to organize a Yantra Yoga and the Vajra Dance Training Courses of Yantra Yoga or Activities in Switzerland course can ask a Gar to invite one correctly, we always need to the Vajra Dance held by one of our of our four instructor/teachers or receive the transmission of the instructor/teachers; Yantra Yoga Course for Beginners Dzogchen Teaching before taking a communicate directly to the 2. One should lead a complete with Laura Evangelisti course. instructor who they wish to invite. First Level course of Yantra Yoga Zurich The Gar should consult the instruc­ If there is no possibility to receive a or the Vajra Dance in the presence January 19th-21 st, 2001 tor personally about their availabil­ Dzogchen Transmission before of one or more of our ity at that time for a specific place, attending a course, the person instructor/teachers; Collective practice weekend in Swiss Alps to hold a course of Yantra Yoga or should themselves take a kind of 3. After one or more of our Mid march the Vajra dance courses, and in turn commitment to receive the trans­ instructor/teachers have complete­ the Gar informs the Gakyils. mission when there is the possibili­ ly checked the first level of Yantra Dates to be announced If a local Gakyil wants to invite one ty- Yoga or the Vajra Dance of the new of our instructor teachers in a spe­ If someone indicates that his or her candidate, they can present him or Practice: cific way to teach a course, then the interest is only Yantra Yoga or the her to the Teacher of the Dzogchen Ganapuja on the four special days a month in Zurich Gar and instructor should look into Vajra Dance, then with regard to Community. If the Teacher consid­ Monthly study for Santi Maha Sangha Base all possibilities and try to make the Yantra Yoga, these people can ers that person can obtain the Vajra Dance practice weekend Gakyils as happy as possible. receive only the following teach­ authorization or permission to January 13 th to 14th The intervention of the local Gakyil ings: teach Yantra Yoga or the Vajra Every Thursday night in Geneva for taking care of Yantra Yoga and Nine Purification Breathings Dance, then they can go ahead to Vajra Dance courses is not a kind of Tsijong the second level and the third level For any further information please contact: bureaucratic system, it is just a col­ The Eight Movements by training in the same way. After Monique Leguen 12D,Ch. Maisonneuve, 1219 Chatelaine laboration with the people who are The Rhythmic Breathing up to the receiving each of these authoriza­ Tel: 41 22 797 37 21 going to organize the course. And, Minor Kumbhaka, and some Main tions, we recognize that the trained Email: [email protected] of course, this is how we make sure Yantras (first and second group) person is qualified to lead the local the teaching of Yantra Yoga and the with their related breathing, so as courses of Yantra Yoga or the Vajra Vajra Dance is going ahead correct­ not to harm themselves by doing theDance . Kunselling Information ly. The local Gakyils always have breathing in the wrong way. the responsibility of protecting the But they should not at all receive Teachings and its Transmission, not any kind of main Pranayamas and Up to date information about Kunselling, the Dzogchen Community only Yantra Yoga and the Vajra their Yantras, because they all are Dance, but all of our precious Retreat Center in Wales near Hay-on-Wye may be found at: all linked strictly to the root trans­ www.redsandstonehill.net/dzogchen/dzcland.html Dzogchen Teachings and its Trans­ mission. mission as well. Please note that: With regard to the Vajra Dance, one Inquiries about personal retreat should be addressed to Julia Lawless: The Gars are always connected can receive only the Dance of the [email protected] with our four instructor/teachers Liberation of the Six Lokas. Of & inquiries about collective practice weekends & the forthcoming and particularly with the Teacher of course, this is also strictly linked to Christmas/ New Year season should be sent to Judy Allan: the Dzogchen Community, there­ the Dzogchen Transmission, but at [email protected] fore when the Gar indicates a the same time it is the method of teacher for a course whatever the Six Liberations and for that reason, Gar chooses must be correct. even if someone is not interested in the Dzogchen Teaching and its

THE MIRROR NOV i DEC 2 0 00 13 INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY NEWS RETREAT SCHEDULE AT TSEGYALGAR

WINTER HOLIDAY Yoga), 6:30-8pm. Anybody RETREAT who has attended a retreat December 28th (eve)- with Chögyal Namkhai Nor­ December31st, 2000 bu or participated in one of Mantra Retreat of the the three universal transmis­ Three Roots sion practice days may par­ Three Thuns daily ticipate in our SMS Base (times TBA*) Level Practice Retreat Begins the evening of where we will focus on the December 28th and ends essential theory and practice New Year's Eve with a of Sutra, Tantra and Ganapuja and party. Dzogchen as transmitted by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in On December 29th, his book named "The Pre­ 2000, there will be a live cious Vase - Instructions on the Base of Santi Maha Santi Maha Sangha in Latvia with Jim Valby audio broadcast from by Chögyal Namkhai Nor­ Sangha". Jim Valby, a stu­ by Irina Pustovit bu from Tashigar dent of (translation by Natasha Eddy) Chögyal Namkhai Norbu FEBRUARY PRESI­ since 1982, will lead this e had our retreat in a little health resort town of Yurmala located on a DENT'S WEEKEND retreat. coast of the Riga's Gulf in the last days of a charming Indian summer W RETREAT STUPA and the sun was spoiling us with its tender rays of light. The days stayed WEEKEND July 22-29,2001 warm enough. There were many trees, mostly pine and and some with gold­ February 10th, 11th, Tsegyalgar SMS First Level en leaves. We rented a small private hotel complex which had two two-sto­ 12th, 2001 Practice Retreat ried cottages for the participants and a nice little cottage for Jim. We were The four daily sessions are: located one hundred meters away from the beach and a great curving mirror This retreat will be dedi­ 8:30-10am, 10:30-12, 4:30- of the sea, infinitely blue and beautiful. From time to time, we allowed our­ cated to the long-life of 6 (Yantra Yoga), 6:30-8pm. Any­ selves to enjoy walking through the off-white sand and listened to the silent Chögyal Namkhai Norbu with the This long weekend will again be body who has taken the SMS First whisper of the surf and admired the flight of seagull. emphasis on Long Life practices, dedicated to the Long Life of Chö­ Level training with Chögyal Vajrasattva and Tsa Tsa making in gyal Namkhai Norbu with the All these twelve days were like a magical dream filled with numerous Namkhai Norbu may participate in preparation for the placement of emphasis on Long-life practices, practices. Jim Valby, patiently and with his great compassion, explained the our SMS First Level Practice many treasure objects in the Stupa Vajrasattva, and placement of Tsa correct way of doing different practices. Igor Berkhin translated into Russ­ Retreat where we will focus on the in the Spring. Tsa and the many offering person­ ian with his inimitable sense of humor. Grisha Mokhin got our bodies into essential theory and practice of This Retreat will be the first part of ally prepared by Rinpoche for shape and our energy balanced during daily Yantra Yoga sessions. There Sutra, Tantra and Dzogchen as was also the Vajra Dance for those people who are familiar with it. a two-part series to empower the placement in the Stupa. We invite Stupa and Tsegyalgar invites every­ transmitted by Chögyal Namkhai About fifty people took part in the retreat. It wasn't just local folks all international and US Dzogchen one in the US and international Norbu in the SMS First Level train­ from Padmaling; practitioners from Moscow, Estonia, St. Petersburg, Community to participate and have communities to be our guest in ing. Jim Valby, a student of Chö­ Poland and Slovakia joined us. We lived like one big friendly family, prac­ planned this retreat to occur after making more Tsa Tsas and carving gyal Namkhai Norbu since 1982, ticing and having fun all together. It was an unforgettable time! Rinpoche's West Coast Retreat in the central post for placement in the will lead this retreat. We would like to thank everyone for such a wonderful retreat. Dear May. Stupa with mantras. We need many Chògyal Namkhai Norbu, thank you very much for your transmission and individuals to complete this *TBA indicates To Be Announced teaching, from whom we were able to receive such incredible experiences Purification of Six Lokas Practice process. and get so deeply into the practice of Dzogchen. Weekend Piero Bonacina is arriving from PLEASE NOTIFY THE MAIN Dear Jim, thank you for your selflessness and kindness, and being so March 10-11 Italy in February to spend a month TSEGYALGAR OFFICE TO generous to us. carving the central pole for the Stu­ RESERVE A SPACE IN THE Dear Grisha, thank you for such fruitful Yantra sessions. No doubt, it GREEN TARA PRACTICE pa, dedicated to the long life of our DORMITORY: did help to all of us to get into the knowledge of Yantra Yoga more deeply. WEEKEND Master. Tsegyalgar Dear Igor, thank you for your great effort in giving us the best possible June 23-24 PO Box 277 translation and for the unique quality of your soul. APRIL RETREAT Conway, MA 01341, USA That was the first retreat since Chögyal Namkhai Norbu's visit in 1992 SUMMER SMS Base Practice April 21st-22nd Tel: 413 369 4153 (office) where so many people from different countries came together, and we hope Retreats with Jim Valby or413 3694312 (geko) that wasn't the last one. Now you know the way here. We hope to see you Shine Practice Retreat July 14th-21st, 2001 Email: all, our dear Vajra brothers and sisters, some day here on the coast of Riga's Tsegyalgar SMS Base Level Prac­ [email protected] Gulf.« MAY - JUNE MEMORIAL tice Retreat WEEKEND (May 31 st, 2001 ) The four daily sessions are: 8:30- Fax: 413 3694165 STUPA WEEKEND #2 10am, 10:30-12, 4:30-6 (Yantra New Gakyils

Netherlands Blue: Blue: Doro Franck and Martin Landsman Goh Jong Tai Red: Ina Schlingemann and Engelien Schutruts Tel: 5624644 Yellow: Jaap Plügge Michael Foo Kunsangar, Russia Tel: 94965886 Blue: Luda Kislichenko ([email protected]) Yellow: Alexander Poubants ([email protected]) Ang SoonThian Grisha Mokhin ([email protected]) Tel: 4513398 Yellow: Gosha Kalmikov ([email protected]) USA Kunsangar Schedule Misha Kislichenko (has no e-mail yet. But people can Tsegyalgar Wednesday, December 20th to December 25th write to Two New Members on Tsegyalgar Gakyil: 20:30 Ganapuja [email protected]) Blue: Kyu Reiko Red: Yellow: Jacqueline Gens December 23rd-24th Igor Matsibourski ([email protected]) Vajra Dance Retreat Andrew Birukov ([email protected]) California Sergey Rounov (Director as well) ([email protected]) Red: Saturday, December 23rd Kathy McGrane Singapore Yvon Chausseblanche Four Tuns at 8:00 - 9:00; 10:00 -12:00; 15:00 -17:00; 20:00 - 22:00 Red: Laurie Bauer Tan Yan Tee Yellow: Sunday, December 24th Email: [email protected] Carol Fields - President Three Tuns at 8:00-9:00; 10:00-12:00; 15:00-17:00 Tel: 2270820 Rosanne Welsh - Treasurer 20:00 - Guru yoga of Garab Dorje Patrick Tribble Monday, December 25th, New Moon K.C.Ong Blue: 7:30 - 9:00 - Purification of Six Lokas practice Email: [email protected] Margaret Bradford 20:30 - Ganapuja [email protected] Anastasia McGhee Tel: (65)-96789428 (Singapore) Michael Hass Starting from December 28th, 2000 and up to January 9th, 2001 - New Year (66)-1-8503490 (Thailand) celebration and practices. Program to be announced. Secretary: Sean Buckley

14 IHTCtHATIOHAL COMMUNITY NEWS West Coast of America

with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, 2001

California May 1st Public Talk, Introduction to Dzogchen Northbrae Community Church Berkeley, California

May 2nd - 6th Scottish Rite Temple Oakland. California

Contacts: Tel: 510 559 9753 Email: [email protected]

Note: This is a non residential retreat. We will have a listing of local accommodations available after the first of the year.

Seattle, Washington North America is NORTH AMERICAN DZOGCHEN CONIMTJNITY MEETS Public Talk by Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche in Seattle An Introduction to Dzogchen Pleased to Announce: January 13th to 15th Wednesday, 7 pm, May 9th, 2001 Northern California Kane Hall, 210, at the Campus of University of Washington Seattle Tsegyalgamet he North American Dzogchen Community, Tsegyalgar, is planning to have a Gar-wide meeting. Tsegyalgar East and West, and places in T Contact: Tsegyalgarnet has been estab­ between, plan to meet in the Bay area over the Martin Luther King holiday Heidi and Daniel Winkler lished to provide the North Ameri­ weekend, January 13th to 15th. The agenda topics will include: 7840 126th Ave. NE can Dzogchen Community with a -Communicating and collaborating effectively as Tsegyalgar Kirkland, WA, 98033 means to communicate more fre­ -Gakyil communication with the seat of the Gar in Conway USA quently with each other about -How to find and develop Tsegyalgar-West Tel: 425 8225080 local and national Dzogchen -The continuation of our lineage of Transmission Email: [email protected] Community issues. If you would -Tsegyalgar in relationship with the other Gars like to be on our list please send an *Please send other agenda topics to Paula Barry at [email protected] email to : . Platform as issues to be addressed by all of the Gars. The retreat will be held from May 18th to May 20th at the World Forestry Center, Miller Hall, 4033 SW Canyon Road, Portland. You will receive an email invita­ 1. Legal structure of the Gars/Gakyils. Registration fees: tion (you must reply with a blank 2. Liability issues and insurance. $148 by March 15th message) and instructions for 3. Ownership and maintenance of the property - income situation of the $165 by April 15th posting a message. If you have Gar/Gaykils. $180 after April 15th any questions, please write to 4. Sharing of common expenses by the Gars/Gakyils. Retreat schedule: . 5. International Fundraising for International Programs/North America Friday May 18 7:00 - 9:00 pm Dzogchen Teachings Fundraising. Saturday May 19 8:30-10:00 am Yantra Yoga 10:30 -12:30 am Dzogchen Teachings TSEGYALGAR We hope to have plenty of time for discussions as well as relaxation. Joan Casey has contacted the Audubon Club regarding renting out their BOOKSTORE PLEA 2:00-3:30 pm Yantra Yoga facility on Mt. Tamalpais which has lots of rooms and beds. It looks as 4:00-6:00 pm Dzogchen Teachings though we will be able to work it out for under twenty five people on the The Tsegyalgar bookstore is seek­ 12th, 13th, 14th, and the cost will be between $10 and $20 per person per ing manufacturers and craft per­ Sunday May 20 8:30- 10:00am Yantra Yoga night. sons for high quality Dharma 10:30-1:00 pm Dzogchen We hope that every Gakyil of North America will be able to send at least items such as bells and dorjes, Teachings and Ganapuja one representative to this meeting. We also hope to have representatives statues, incense or Tibetan cloth­ Email: [email protected] from the Mexican community. ing from India, Nepal, Tibet and Tel: 503-240-8707. If you are planning to come please contact Paula Barry at Bhutan. Any information would Please write checks to: or Jey Clark at <[email protected]> be appreciated. Namkhai Norbu Portland Retreat so we can plan well. Please contact Kyu at See you there! [email protected] Upcoming Activities in Santa Fe and California 2000-2001

Vajra Dance Practice Thursday, Dec. 28th Location: The Glenview Performing Arts Studio 7:30-9:30 p.m. DZOGCHEN COMMUNITY WEST COAST 1318 Glenfield Ave, Oakland Looking for Tsegyalgar West Contact: [email protected]

The Garland Project around this location also which could be bought by Liberation of the Six Lokas, Dance Retreat (Retreat Center) Brief Update: Community members—it is a great area, with huge January 19th, 20th, 21st On December 1st - 4th, Patrick Tribble, Carol Fields, amounts of open space and wildlife preserved by the Taught by Anastasia McGhee Kathy McGrane, Jey Clark, Marcia Fields, and Ann Nature Conservancy. Fairfax, CA Clarkson traveled to San Diego, where we met Joan There is a five-acre minimum on lots, so it is not Email: [email protected] Casey from Bellingham in Washington State, and then filled with subdivisions and there is considerable peace went to a small conference center on the Santa Rosa and quiet. We agreed to continue talking with Ray Yantra Yoga in Santa Fe, New Mexico & Northern California, USA Plateau between San Diego and Los Angeles, where we about what might develop. Meanwhile, the conference April 13th-20th, 2001 were joined by Michael Hass and Gene Kim of the Los center is a great place to rent on weekends—it costs Santa Fe, New Mexico Angeles area. We spent our time practicing; looking at $2,000 per weekend, which comes to $100 per person, This is a First Level Yantra Yoga led by Anne Dankoff and Paula Barry for the conference center land and environs and discussing if twenty people attend, (http://www.brisas.com) Yantra Yoga teacher authorization, and overseen by Fabio Andrico. possible purchase with its owner, Ray Kelly; and We saw three properties in Valley Center, where a Thai Contact: exploring other potential sites in Valley Center. We Buddhist monastery has been established, and near Anne Dankoff hiked in the area, but didn't have time to get to the where Thich Nhat Hanh's group has purchased four Tel: 505-466-4280. beach. hundred acres. Though most properties which we saw Email : adankoff@ nets.com Though we loved the idea of acquiring the confer­ had potential, and were affordable for us, there was not ence center, completely set up and ready to go with unanimity about any one of them. April 25th to 29th, 2001 in the San Francisco Bay Area eight or nine bedrooms and great kitchen, a meeting Result: We feel we must keep exploring. There is Location: TBA room, plus cottage, and we also really liked Ray's no question that it is WARM in Southern California at This is a First Level Yantra Yoga course in from Wednesday to Sunday land—there were infinite possibilities for retreat cab­ this time of year—we kept shedding our layers and There will be two sessions per day : 10am - noon & 4pm - 6pm. ins, etc., and lots of quiet, solitude, and fabulous moun­ putting on sun glasses. We may put an ad in the LA The course will be led by Lynn Sutherland and Jey Clark for Yantra Yoga tain views—we could not quite fathom how to make Times tò see if someone is interested in donating prop­ teacher authorization, and overseen by Fabio Andrico. the purchase for $800,000. The conference center, plus erty. We were pleased that we found some areas along Contact: the twenty-three acres that go with it, has great potential Highway 15 between Lake Elsinore and San Diego Email: [email protected] for renting out and bringing in income—it is in perfect which we liked.""" Tel: Jey Qark510-665-1710 shape. There are many nice lots and properties all

THE MIRROR NOV/DEC 2000 /5' i i r t i i .( n i i u effort per person and bigger and COMMUNITY NEWS better results, with more cheer and happiness. We also ran an auction with many DZOGCHEN COMMUNITY IN NORTH AMERICA beautiful thankas, yet nobody WEEKEND RETREAT WITH JIM VALBY bought any, probably due to the by John LaFrance hard times we have undergone. Nonetheless, it was a good oppor­ n the weekend of November 10th to November 12th, a group of about tunity to enjoy time together, make Othirty practitioners gathered at the school in Conway to participate in a Venezuela News came to the agreement to organize plans and lend support to each oth­ training led by Jim Valby. Jim explained a practice which Chögyal Namkhai Margarita Update - North Tashigar ourselves to be able to buy a piece er. Norbu transmitted during the last retreat here in August 1999, a terma teach­ To all members of the Dzogchen for our Community. Accordingly, With the arrival of Rinpoche in ing on Purification of the Six Lokas from Rinpoche's teacher, Rigdzin Community: we decided to run a small lottery Margarita Island in February 2001 Changchub Dorje. We would like to share our activi­ with a prize of approximately to visit the land and rest, we have As always, Jim Valby's explanations were very clear and direct, mixed ties and experiences regarding the $1,000; considering it very practi­ planned a gathering with our broth­ with a large dose of common sense and humor. I love the way he describes collecting of funds to acquire a cal since everyone enjoys the possi­ ers and sisters of the international his inner voice and what it says to him about various things. It's always nice piece of land dedicated to build the bility of having some extra money Community who might be interest­ to know one isn't alone in one's delusions and confusions. Gar in Venezuela. The Gar will be and there would be no need to show ed in sightseeing the surroundings These training weekends with Jim are so valuable, for us as individuals on Margarita Island in the any prize articles. We intended to of the future Gar. We would like to and as a Community; it brings us together through the transmission we share Caribbean and all the international sell a minimum of twenty-five tick­ know ihose interested in advance with Rinpoche. And, we get to practice Yantra Yoga with Paula and the Vajra Communities will be entitled to ets per person, with a commitment with the object of being able to Dance with Kyu. What could be better! I'm so grateful for everyone at Con­ buy pieces of land. Our dear mas­ for a whole book of tickets; those provide lodging at convenient way who makes these events possible and I highly recommend them to all ter, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, will who didn't like the idea of selling rates, depending on the number of practitioners.! have a house on this land. Thirty had the option of buying all or part people that might come. Also it pieces have been provisionally pro­ of the tickets. The beauty in this would be a good opportunity for jected to be allocated to either was the commitment to and sharing sightseeing since the island is beau­ Communities or individuals, with in the common aim of selling tiful. Interested persons can contact the priority being given to the Com­ everything and collecting the pro­ Jesus Ortoll at the following jected amount. The experience was address: jortoll@worldwidetrav- WITH OTHER EYES munities. The proposed name is North Tashigar. a success, showing that when we all el.com.ve unite and work together there is less In this regard, we in Venezuela Yours in the Dharma, NEWS FROM TASHIGAR Eglee Barros and Walter Perez by Juan Chiarella and Griselda Galmez

he Year 2000 is called a year of change and in this way we have been Tpreparing for the arrival of the Master to Argentina. It hasn't been very easy. Argentina is suffering from a bad economy, so we must work very hard when we have a job. If we don't, there is no money. This situation affects our Dzogchen Community. Some people cannot pay their fees; some cannot travel to Tashigar. In spite of this, Tashigar has been functioning all year. With our Community funds we've paid the salary of our Secretary and Gekoes and provided them with good housing and facilities which they need. Moreover, Tashigar has been open for all people who wanted to stay for some days; practicing and collaborating. There have been some material changes. The Gar has a complete infra­ structure which has developed over many years. The most important thing is to keep Tashigar in good condition, and for this reason the red Gakyil has made general arrangements in the houses, such as new plumbing installa­ tions, the cleaning of the area near the Gonpa and camping, and the care of Rinpoche's garden. The roof of the Gonpa has just been changed and though some of us might wish a more elegant Gonpa. the Gakyil chose to do what is possible according to circumstances. Now we are asking for all peo­ ple of good will to help us to repair the external wooden mandala Rinpoche A CALL TO COLLABORATE WITH THE REPAIRING OF THE MANDALA OF TASHIGAR helped to construct. The estimated budget for that is $ 1300. We place our hope in inner change. Much effort has been directed to collect Dear Brothers and Sisters: and organize the teachings that our Master has given us in Tashigar. We are translating and making digital recordings to help us practice and follow the All those who know our land at Tashigar know about the existence of the Mandala built under the pine wood, precious teachings. around the main house. Before Chögyal Namkhai Norbu had the dream in which he received the complete form of We are working to organize the activities of everything we have men­ the Three Vajra Dance (OM A HUM), the Master dreamed himself building a Mandala together with some of his tioned in the Gar and for the retreat. We also want to examine our Gakyil disciples in the place where it is now. meetings and communication style. To sum it up: there has been an increas­ As soon as he arrived to Tashigar, a couple of months later in 1990, he himself gave the money for its building which ing awareness of the need to change since 1999 and we are trying to change started right away. The older practitioners may remember the happy days in which we shared songs, laughs and together. This is difficult to achieve because each person has a different time work with Rinpoche when building this mandala. of understanding. It happens that they eyes of the ego wish to defend and Therefore this Mandala is something precious for all the members of the Community since it was made by Rin­ see in a confused way; sometimes people think they are helping while they poche's own hands. Unfortunately, being in the outdoors, there are serious problems for preserving it: wet, rain, pine are really blocking, or looking outside and criticizing another person for sap and birds harm it seriously. something they themselves do, or feeling too busy with their own problems At present we are concentrated on repairing it, for which we need to collect the amount of $ 1,000US. This amount so that they don't see that someone needs help. That is to say, sometimes our includes the purchase of the following materials: egos are stronger than our good intentions. To overcome this, we took - new phenolic cover (a kind of wood) refuge in the teachings and the blue Gakyil organized many retreats in Tashigar: The Seventh Lojong, Dance of the Three Vajras, Guru Dragpur, - specific products for its protection in the outdoors (resin, etc.) Inner Rushen, Zernga, Purification of Six Lokas and Karma Yoga. The - painting and other expenses needed for the repair. objective was always the same; to purify both our own samaya and our Those members who would like to collaborate can send their money through the Yellow Gakyil (from Buenos Aires shared samaya. They also functioned as retreats for new practitioners to or Cordoba) or make a deposit to Tashigar's bank account (BB V- Banco Frances Saving Account No 291-528/5 or prepare for the Christmas retreat. Current Account No 291 -053/2). Those who would like to send money from abroad can also do this through West- em Union to: Adriana Battisti, ID 11.189.359. It would be necessary to have the money during the month of October In the Gar some people made marmalade from the fruit, candles and to be able to start mending it in November. The donations are for the repairing of the Mandala and any amount is the famous Black Fire, a nut liquor from of recipe which Rinpoche and important. Thanks a lot for your contribution. Rosa left us. These little enterprises help contribute to the Gar's finances. Gakyil of Tashigar Meanwhile, the people of Buenos Aires organized two courses - one of the Vajra Dance with Nelida Saporiti and one of thanka painting with Glen Eddy. PASSAGES There are still some things waiting to be done, like the outside Man­ dala. We have confidence that everything will get done because when the Died: practitioners' energy flows, nothing is really difficult and the energy of Our Polish Vajra sister Idalia Tashigar has begun to flow cleaner in this year of 2000. Zagroba, 33 years old, died on We did translation into Spanish of Rinpoche's transmission video and December 8th at 1pm after a received it on November 21st. We are also preparing for the Christmas long illness. Idalia was a very retreat and invite all our Vajra brothers and sisters in the world to come here intelligent practitioner and a on this occasion. We are waiting with great excitement for all the people famous artist. who wish to enjoy Chögyal Namkhai Norbu's teachings. Argentina is not an easy country. There are not many Dzogchen practi­ tioners here and we may surely do some things in the wrong way. Fortu­ New Singapore Gakyil nately, though, on the other hand, our commitment is very strong. And now we are waiting for all the Vajra brothers and sisters with an open heart. So, (left to right) come and see with your own eyesM Ang Soon Thian, Tan Yan Tee, KC Ong, Goh Jong Tai and Michael Foo

16 IHTIKHATIOSAL will be filled in with mud. While COMMUNITY NEWS Tony was here he and a number of us locals, Kerrie, Jean and Namgyalgar Gakyil Alathea(Sydney), made a valiant SANTI MAHA SANGHA PRACTICE AND STUDY RETREATS effort to eradicate the ubiquitous WITH JIM VALBY lantana from below Rinpoche's Development Seminar house and to open up the beautiful JANUARY 2001, NAMGYALGAR, AUSTRALIA. by Eleanor Louden and Joy Dahl area under the old fig tree. This area is just below the house containing huge rocks and an ancient fig tree. The Retreat Program: It's just a wonderful shady place to "T"his Seminar, originally suggested by Rinpoche, was held with the pur- sit and contemplate. Tony was X pose of introducing and establishing procedures for effective communi­ January 6th -12th Santi Maha Sangha Base level Practice Retreat stung by a dangerous giant stinging cation and for creating a solid basis of collaboration and trust between mem­ tree, but we quickly cured his pain bers of the recently formed Gakyil and associated positions. We called it a January 14th - 20th Santi Maha Sangha First Level Practice Retreat by using the sap from the bark of Formation Seminar, however the sessions could be valuable for any working the branches and proved this local group including already established Gakyils. The gathering was held at a January 22nd - 28th Santi Maha Sangha Second Level Practice Retreat remedy to be effective. We Gakyil member's home. Being in a location different than the Gar gave us trimmed back the stinging tree so undistracted time and a valuable perspective. All the Gakyil, the Office January 6th -28th: During the retreats there will be evening sessions that it does not block the path any Bearers and the Gekoes were invited to attend. devoted to the study of Dzogchen Semde texts. more and people can move freely We were fortunate in having two members of the community who were into the area. experienced in this work. One was an organizational consultant specializ­ ing in collaboration and process improvement and the other, a Gakyil mem­ COST While Tony was here we ber who was working on a degree in Managing Community Organizations. The retreat prices include food (3 meals per day prepared by retreatants on looked at sites for a retreat cabin and also the Vajra Hall where we The objectives of the weekend were clearly defined in consultation a roster basis ) can dance the Dances of the Vajra. with all participants and the seminar program for reaching these objectives No self catering available at the Gar. This was a very profitable time and was researched and developed for some weeks prior to the weekend. If not eating at the Gar, cost is $50 less per week hopefully other people will also The objectives were to learn how to: look at these sites soon and we can 1. Develop a strong trust in one another. BASELEVELRETREAT begin to organize the construction 2. Better communicate our feelings and give feedback (both positive and Members - Aus$260. of these important additions to the constructively critical) thus alleviating gossip, frustration and resentment. Non Members - Aus$ 330. Gar. 3. Understand each other's dimension and thus develop respect and com­ (less $50 if not eating at the Gar) This year at the Gar we have passion for each other 4. Hold efficient meetings which imbued energy rather than depleting it. FIRST LEVEL RETREAT had a very dedicated Practice Group of about fourteen regulars, 5. Improve how we function, both individually and in the group by applying Members Only-Aus$260 half of which are new people learn­ process improvement skills and methods 2 weeks - Base plus First level = Aus $360 ing the practices. This has been It was reassuring to discover that the principles of effective organiza­ very inspiring for us and also very tional functioning were completely compatible with Dzogchen principles SECOND LEVEL enjoyable to share practices and and not some foreign and rigid system to be imposed on our Community Members Only - Aus$260 company with this group. For the style. For example, the five capacities required to create a learning culture 3 weeks - Base plus First and Second level retreats = $460 next five weeks we are having a within organizations were consistent with the Five Capacities Necessary for Dance Course in which we are the Practice of Dzogchen introduced by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in The EVENING STUDY SESSIONS of Semde Texts learning the Dance of the Three Crystal and the Way of the Light. Non members: Aus$35 per session /$ 150 per week Vajras, the OM A Hum Dance. Jean Our gathering begun after lunch on Saturday and finished at dinnertime on Members: $25 per session /$ 100 per week Mackintosh, our local instructor of Sunday. We practiced Chöd together every morning. This practice was cho­ (Additional cost if eating meals at Gar ) the Vajra Dance in Australia, is sen because some sessions were designed to push our limits and Chöd is a teaching the course and everyone is good practice for overcoming the fear of opening up, for extending beyond CHILD CARE will be provided for the Base Level retreat (first week) very enthusiastic. On the first night limitations. only. Donations and help appreciated. after everyone learned the first Saturday evening we dressed up and ate a special dinner together. It steps and we were able to dance to was important to incorporate play into the weekend. Many of the methods ACCOMMODATION costs are not included. the music, the atmosphere in the and skills were introduced and practiced in the form of games. Playtime and Camping will be available at the Gar. . Gonpa was very special and magi­ a playful approach bonds people, builds trust, and enhances the integration To book a camping spot, send Aus $25 to the Secretary, (see below) cal. We are very pleased to finish of learning, as Rinpoche often delights in reminding us by his own exam­ Camping Fees are $5 per day or $20 per week. the year with this practice. ple. (Namgyalgar Visitors Information available from Secretary) Topics covered were: Developing a Learning Culture; Me. My Life and the Rental accommodation near the Gar is available, but must be booked We arranged the special trans­ Gakyil; Trust Circles; Feedback; Win/Win Communication and Blockers; early, because January is summer holiday time. Accommodation Informa­ mission practice which in Australia Meetings Model; Brainstorming; Learning Cycles; Roles, Responsibilities tion is available from the Secretary, (see below) occurred at 11pm on Tuesday, November 21st. A number of new and Boundaries; Vision & Mission. During the weekend we held a real one-hour Gakyil meeting to imme­ REGISTRATION people attended and along with our regular practice group. Because diately apply the methods introduced. It was a chance to test our learning To insure your place at this retreat and to insure the retreat will go ahead, there are new people constantly with really important items on the agenda. Then there was a half-hour "time we must receive a $75 deposit per person (which entitles you to a 25% dis­ inquiring, we are starting a second out" to reflect on our progress and plan improvements before continuing count on the total retreat cost) by the 25th of September, 2000. Don't miss practice night during the week with with another hour of meeting followed by another half an hour reflection out on this incredible opportunity and book now! explanations for beginners on a period. This proved to be very effective. All bookings and requests for brochure and more information can be made Monday night with Angie Gilbert. At the end of the weekend we had a Ganapuja with other members of to: Our popular Gekos Jonathon Scha­ the Community. The Secretary, effer was in Caims for a holiday This is an on-going process. It could well be forgotten in a few rough Dzogchen Community of Namgyalgar and we had the company of Emily meetings if not continually revisited. We now include in the agenda of each POBoxl4, Coleing for two weeks who filled in Gakyil meeting a half-hour review of our process so far. This is always very Central Tilba, as Gekos. Emily is very interested helpful. It has been agreed to hold such a development weekend bi-annual- NSW, 2546 and knowledgeable about land ly. The next one will be different. It is scheduled for the first weekend in Australia management and gardens. We wel­ December and will address issues that have arisen in these last six months Email: [email protected] .au come her input and hope she and carry on where the last seminar left off. Tel/fax: 61244737668 returns soon. We also welcome our The weekend was successful due to a number of factors, but principal­ international members, Ron and ly due to the 100% commitment received from each person prior to their Namgyalgar News Jonathan Schaeffer, our Angela Goettinger from the USA, attendance. In the final debrief a deep sense of connection and support November 19th, 2000. Gekos, and Max Hand, a regular who are back with us for some time resounded. As Gakyil members have noted. Rinpoche set a high goal for us practitioner at Namgyalgar this and also Marcia from Italy. when he pointed out that our lengthy meetings were disrespectful of each year, and a qualified builder, are ere at Namgyalgar it has been We are looking forward to other's time. He suggested that two hours would be more appropriate than both working on the inside of the raining for the last week and Santi Maha Sangha retreats with the two days which was our past custom. So far we've gotten that time H Gonpa finishing paneling that may now the dry earth has finally been Jim Valby in January. He will give down to one day with a process that is both efficient and fair. When we stick one day be painted by artists in the watered, the grass is growing, the three week long retreats for each to it, the meetings are both faster and more relaxed. It is fantastic that ongo­ Tibetan tradition. Plans have been weir is overflowing and the tanks level of the Base, First Level, and ing improvement in efficiency and respectful communication is becoming made for the two ends of the Gonpa are full for the summer. The long Second Level. We are very fortu­ the basis for our work.B to be filled in to form three extra grass down to the creek and across nate to have this opportunity and rooms for the office, book shop and the creek in the Vajra Halls pro­ many people are planning to come POSITION OF GEKO OPEN AT NAMGYALGAR store room. We are hoping that posed position has recently been to the Gar for this retreat. A new Geko will be required for Namgyalgar in the coming Year of the work on these will proceed soon. slashed by a local farmer, so that Best wishes to everyone from Metal Snake for the period of March, 2001 to March, 2002. Our loyal electrician Luciano now we can walk there and sit by Namgyalgar. The rain has finally If you are interested in applying for the position of Geko, please notify the Limonta spent a week down here the creek and plan the Dance Hall in stopped and the water has wamied Secretary and detailed information about the position and conditions will recently updating all the electrical comfort, without the snakes creep­ up, people have started swimming then be forwarded to you. Please include an address for reply. work for this extension. Tony Lau­ ing up on us unseen in the long and we are planning to enjoy the Best Wishes, rent, our Sydney based Vajra broth­ grass. Work is slowly but surely immanent summertime. Vicki Forscutt happening around the Gonpa. Alan er architect, is overseeing all the Secretary work and has also spent much time Gilbert and friends are building two by Jean Mackintosh POBox 14 Central Tilba. toilets of a composting type close to here in the last month making sure NSW 2546 the Gonpa and that edifice is steadi­ all is proceeding as planned. A local Tel. and Fax: 61 02 4473 7668 ly rising and should be completed joinery is preparing the beautiful Email: [email protected] windows and doors and the walls

THE TWI-RKOK-MA R e H r Rt-t. •h99-H - I

Shang- Shung Edizioni Italy

PUBLIC BOOKS and contains advice on various is a collection of Dzogchen teach­ Much information on Tibetan From the Depth of my Heart to my themes such as daily practice, the ings in the form of aphorisms, astrology and on its application to Mother (out of stock) The following books are available relationship between 'old' and revealed by the terton Shense Lha­ daily life. A practical and complete Translated and edited by A. also for those who do not have 'new' students, educating children je, a bönpo living in the 13th centu­ manual, indispensible for the con­ Clemente received the transmission of the and includes a talk explaining why ry- sultation of the annual astrological L. 25.000 US $17 teachings from Chögyal Namkhai the Dzogchen Community in dif­ calendar. Written in Lhasa at the age of 19 for Norbu ferent countries has been buying Lhundrup Tso his mother, this text is a clear and land and buildings in recent years. A Brief Biography of Adzam Drug- Calendar-agenda for the Metal essential introduction to the funda­ TEACHINGS BY Pa Dragon Year (2000-2001) mental practice of Dzogchen. Con­ CHÖGYAL NAMKHAI NORBU Translated and edited by A. Lire 15.000 US$10 tains a photo of the Master with his WORKS BY OTHERAUTHORS Clemente Pocket agenda containing concise family in the late50's. Translated from Tibetan L. 8.000 US$5.50 indications of the practices recom­ Nyagla Pema Dundul This is a brief biography of Adzam mended by Chögyal Namkhai Nor­ Three Songs for the Disciples of The Song of Energy Drugpa written in the form of an bu for special days, positive and Songs from the Hospital and Other Chang Chub Dorje Translated and edited by Chögyal invocation by his disciple, Lhun- negative days for the Nagas Prac­ Poems Translated and edited by A. Namkhai Norbu with the collabora­ drub Tso, paternal grandmother of tice, astrological data of the Tibetan Translated from the Tibetan by A. Clemente tion of E. Dell'Angelo Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. It may Calendar and the individual aspects Clemente L. 8.000 5.50 US $ L. 8.000 US$5.50 be the only biography in existence for those bom between 1912 and L. 25.000 US$17 The three songs which have been The Song of Energy of the Nature or at least the only one found up to 2000. Indispensable for finding out This book contains three poems translated in this collection were of the Mind is a spiritual song, writ­ now. favorable and unfavorable days for written by Chögyal Namkhai Nor­ written by Chögyal Namkhai Nor­ ten as advice for two of the daily activities and to remember bu in December, 1994 and January bu in the summer of 1988 during a Author's disciples. It is particularly Dugu Chögyal Rinpoche special practice days. and February, 1995, during his stay visit to Khamdo Gar in east Tibet, meaningful in order to have a direct The Layers of the Onion - at the Sloan Kettering Hospital in one time residence of Changchub understanding of Dzogchen. L. 8.000 US$5.50 New York (In the Space Pure from Dorje, his principal Dzogchen mas­ Presented in Dugu Chögyal Rin­ RESTRICTED BOOKS the Beginning, Samantabhadra and ter. Nyagla Pema Dundul poche's usual informal style, these The following books are restricted Illusory Body) as well as two songs Songs of experience teachings combine a freshness of to those who have received the written in 1985 (The Little Song for In co-production with Station Hill Translated and edited by A. spontaneity with the directness and transmission of the teachings Bringing Down the Blessings of the Openings: Clemente depth arising from his vast experi­ directly from Chögyal Namkhai Mahamudra, The Little Song of the The Mirror, Advice on the Presence L. 8.000 US$5.50 ence of practice. Norbu. Forty Withouts). of Awareness This brief collection aims to give a Translated from Tibetan into Italian 'taste' of the spontaneous wisdom Poems poesie poesías and edited by A. Clemente of Nyagla Pema Dundul, master of Edited by Rita Bizzotto WORKS BY The Practice of Long Life of the Translated from Italian into English Adzam Drugpa, Ayu Khandro, Lire 35.000 20 US $ Immortal Dakini Mandarava (Prac­ by A. Lukianowicz Changchub Dorje and other impor­ The Master collected and kept the CHÖGYAL NAMKHAI NORBU tice Text) L. 15.000 US$10 tant Dzogchen masters. poems that children and grown-up Translated from Tibetan by I. Gae- The Mirror aims to precisely practitioners sent to him in the Translated from Tibetan tani explain the principle of presence Buddhagupta course of years and finally decided L. 10.000 US$6.50 and awareness whose continuous The Little Hidden Harvest to publish them. As a result this Santi Maha Sangha The text of the Practice of Long practice is the only real alternative Translated by E. DelliAngelo book is reporting these poems in Translated from Tibetan and edited Life and Chudlen with line by line to the rules and limitations charac­ L. 8.000 US$5.50 full as they were written, with their by G. Orofino translation and instructions on teristic of most religious traditions. The Little Hidden Harvest is a ver­ drawings and illustrations. L. 15.000 US$10 Chudlen practice. sion of the sBas paii rgum chung , "These poems like a mirror reflect The original root-text of the Santi an ancient original Dzogchen text light and shadows, the hopes and Maha Sangha Training. Transcripts from Oral Teachings found in the Tun-huang documents. regrets, the discomfort and enthusi­ The Precious Vase - Instructions on The Practice of Long Life of the asm of those practitioners who are the Base of Santi Maha Sangha Immortal Dakini Mandarava (Ter- The Four Awarenesses Namchö Minjyur Dorje travelling in the same boat along Translated from the Tibetan and ma Texts and Their Origins) Lire 5.000 US$3.50 The Interpretation of Dreams in a this difficult route, difficult but edited by A. Clemente Translated from Tibetan and edited The four awarenesses that change 17th Century Tibetan Text impossible to give up, towards total Translated from Italian into English by I. Gaetani one's mental attitude: the precious Translated by E. DelliAngelo enlightenment", (from the Preface by A. Lukianowicz L. 25.000 human body, impermanence, kar­ L. 8.000 US$5.50 by Rita Bizzotto). L. 35.000 US$25 The original terma texts on Long ma, and the suffering of samsara. This short text belongs to a series of This book is the new revised and Life practice and on Chudlen of Teachings given in Milan (Italy) in thirteen volumes transmitted by the increased Base text of the Santi Mandarava received by the Master 1989. terton Master Minjyur Dorje called TIBETAN CULTURE Maha Sangha. Expanded on notes in 1984 and 1985. Namch", "The Teaching of the and quotations, it is the essential The Three Sacred Principles Sky". This brief text is not suffi­ Chögyal Namkhai Norbu text for the study and practice of the Collective Practices Lire 8.000 US$5.50 cient as an exhaustive study on The Origins of Tibetan Thought Base Level of Santi Maha Sangha Lire 10.000 US$6.50 Refuge and Bodhicitta, the contem­ dreams, but does provide a wide and Culture training. New revised edition of the six col­ plation, and the dedication of mer­ perspective enabling the reader to L. 8.000 US$5.50 lective practices for special days: its are the three fundamental have a general idea of a way of "The origins of Tibetan history and Santi Maha Sangha Training for Long Life Practice of Gum Pad- aspects of the teaching. From a interpreting dreams. culture are important not only from Boys and Girls - Base Level masambhava (U.W.U), Long Life retreat held at Tsegyalgar (USA) in a strictly historical standpoint, but Translated from Tibetan and edited Practice of Gum Amitayus 1994. His Holiness Sakya Trizin also to deepen our understanding of by A. Clemente (U.P.E.), Long Life Practice of Parting from the Four Attachments the Tibetan teachings and tradi­ L. 10.000 US$6.50 Mandarava (C.L.V), Guruyoga of Bodhicitta Edited by E. Copello with the col­ tions..." From a lecture delivered in A short text aimed at giving boys Garab Dorje with the white A, L. 8.000 US$5.50 laboration of A. Lukianowicz Barcelona (Spain) on June 14th, and girls the opportunity to step Shitro, Purification of the Six Chögyal Namkhai "Norbu gives a L. 20.000 US$14 1987. into the path through a very simple Lokas. Some practices were trans­ detailed explanation of the real H.H. Sakya Trizin delivered these base of the teaching. lated from Tibetan by G. Orofino. meaning of Bodhicitta and how to teachings in Merigar during his vis­ Adriano Clemente apply it in practice. From a retreat it on June 1998. At the beginning he The Sgra Bla, Gods of the Ances­ Thun held in Merigar (Italy) October explained: "This teaching, the path tors of Gshen-Rab Mi-Bo The Direct Introduction to the State L. 10.000 US$6.50 1991. of all Buddhas of the past and of the L. 8.000 US$5.50 of Atiyoga New updated version of Short, future that contains all the deep A brief analysis of the fifth chapter Translated from Tibetan and edited Medium and Long Tun, Chöd, Buddhism and Psychology meanings of all the Sutras com­ of the gZi brjid, the biography of by A. Clemente Short and Long Ganapuja, accord­ L. 5.000 US$3.50 bined in a practical way, is known gShen-rab mi-bo containing a Sang L. 25.000 US$17 ing to the latest indications of the This book is, rather than a compari­ as the Mind Training or Pith rite dedicated to various classes of The Direct Introduction to the State Master. As an appendix Namkha son between Buddhist philosophy Instructions, presented by the great Sgra Bla. Although the gZi brjid of Atiyoga (A tin dgongs pa ngo and Lungta practices and Marme and psychological theory, a frank masters in the most practical way only dates back to the fourteenth sprod) is an extraordinary Upade- Mönlam invocation. talk about seeing oneself, condi­ through their own experience." century, it is considered character­ sha belonging to the cycle of The tioning, western minds and eastern This book is particularly useful for istic of the pre-Buddhist Tibetan Innermost Essence of the Dakinis Purification Practice of Vajrasattva minds, and the possible place of deepening the knowledge of the culture. of the Radiant Clarity of the Uni­ and Mandala Offering psychology in the life of a practi­ Base Level of Santi Maha Sangha. verse (Klong chen ëod gsal mkhai Translated from Tibetan and edited tioner. ëgroii snying thig). Chögyal by A. Clemente Shense Lhaje TIBETAN ASTROLOGY Namkhai Norbu received this L. 8.000 US$5.50 Articles Visionary Encounters with Knowl­ teaching through his dreams. The A complete purification practice of L. 6.000 US$4 edge-Holders and Dakinis . Chögyal Namkhai Norbu stories of his dreams and visions are Vajrasattva originally transmitted This booklet is a collection of arti­ Translated and edited by A. Key for Consulting the Tibetan also translated here. This teaching by the Master in the Í70s. cles by Chögyal Namkhai pub­ Clemente Calendar was transmitted in Merigar in July, lished in "The Mirror", the newspa­ 8.000 US$5.50 Edited by M.R. Leti 1999. Santi Maha Sangha Preliminary per of the Dzogchen Community, The Golden Advice of the Dran pa L. 15.000 US$10 Practices of the Base

18 Translated from Tibetan and edited essential Dzogchen teaching linked The External Rushen and the Prac­ Zemga transmitted principally in 1983 in by A. demente \ to the principles of Dzogchen tice of the Purification of the Six Lire 10.000 US$6.50 Devon (UK) and Merigar (Italy). L. 8.000 US$5.50 Longde. This book contains both Lokas (Internal Rushen) Revised and enlarged edition of the This booklet contains the verses of the original text translated by John L. 8.000 US$5.50 previous booklet containing the Lungta the Four Awarenesses, Refuge, Reynolds and the commentary. An essential explanation on the explanation of this Upadesha prac­ L. 5.000 US$3.50 Bodhicitta and the Four Immeasur- way of applying the External and tice which is a method applied to Lungta is the protective force of the ables to be used for the Base of the Commentary on Ngöndro Internal Rushen, two important bring about the reintegration of the individual and is symbolised by a Santi Maha Sangha. Lire 15.000 US$ 10 practices included in the Base Lev­ material level into the wisdom lev­ horse carrying a jewel. This image Commentary to Stairway to Libera­ el of Santi Maha Sangha. Tran­ el. Zemga is a method of working together with various mantras are The Practice of Narag Tongtrug tion with explanations on Lojongs, scription of teachings given in with the five elements one by one represented on five coloured prayer Translated from Tibetan and edited Guruyoga and Korde Rushen, giv­ 1981-82 in Arzachena (Italy), Oz in order to realize them in their nat­ flags which are put up outside in the by A. Clemente en at Merigar in September, 1990. Village and Conway (USA), Glan- ural condition. wind where their vital energy is Lire 10.000 US$6.50 The Phowa Practice ford Mill (UK). developed and reinforced. Instructions compiled by Chögyal Translated from Tibetan and edited Gum Dragpur Namkhai Norbu on the base on the by Adriano Clemente The Practice of the Seven L. 8.000 US$5.50 Avalokiteshvara Korwa Tongtrug original text of the Narag Tongtrug Lire 15.000 10US$ Semdzins Explanation on two Gum Dragpur L. 8.000 US$5.50 practice of Lochen Dharmashri This book contains the translation L. 8.000 US$5.50 practices found in a terma of Nam- This practice is a terma discovered according to Anuyoga system. of the original text Transference for The explanation of the seven chö Mingyur Dorje and in a terma by the master Adzam Drugpa Purifying the Three Kayas accord­ Semdzins in this book is essentially of Heka Lingpa. belonging to the cycle The Secret Forthcoming ing to the terma of Rigdzin based on a text by Adzam Drugpa. Treasure of the Vajra of Clear Dream Teachings from the Longsal Changchub Dorje, the deep and The Semdzins are highly effective The Practice of Sinhamukha Light. The lineage of this practice Cycle extensive oral teachings on Phowa methods for distinguishing the pure L. 8.000 US$5.50 goes back to Vairochana, Yeshe Translated from Tibetan and edited given by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu presence of rigpa from the dualistic Transcription of the teaching trans­ Tsogyal and Gum Padmasambha- by A. demente during the 1994 retreat in Wales mind, and for removing doubts mitted by Rinpoche at Merigar in va. Teachings given at Merigar on This book conteins four root-texts (U.K.), and the text of the actual which arise during practice. Teach­ 1991. Sinhamukha is a wrathful Easter 1991. and the histories of their discovery. practice as taught by the Master ings given at Kathmandu (Nepal) in manifestation of the Dakini Sang- regarding the three Phowa of Dhar- 1993. The Tibetan text was translat­ wa Yeshe. The Dakinis Transcripts from Oral Teachings makaya, Sambhogakaya and Nir- ed by A. demente. L. 5.000 US$3.50 manakaya. Green Tara A short explanation on Dakinis and Booklets of the Worldwide Trans­ Teachings on Semde by Sogdogpa L. 8.000 US$5.50 their different kinds, given at Subi­ mission Practices for the Anniver­ The Garuda Practice Lodrö Gyaltsen In 199! at Merigar Chögyal aco (Italy) in 1976. saries of Garab Dorje, Gum Pad- Lire 10.000 US$6.50 L. 16.000 US $11 Namkhai Norbu taught a practice masambhava and Adzam Drugpa. A concise but extensive explana­ At Christmas, 1991, in Merigar, of Arya Tara which included the The Guardians of the Teaching Dzogchen Empowerments: tion on the origin, meaning and the Chögyal Namkhai Norbu com­ mantra of Green Tara and White L. 5.000 US$ 3.50 -Anniversary of Garab Dorje way of applying the essential Gam- mented on a text by the master Sog­ Tara as well as invocations of Explanation on the origin of the - Anniversary of Guru Padmasamb- da practice, according to a terma of dogpa Lodrö Gyaltsen entitled important masters such as Chögyur Guardians and the way in which hava the great Dzogchen master Adzam Instructions on the Dzogchen Lingpa. Atisha and Chögyal their images developed in the Bud­ - Anniversary of Adzam Drugpa Drugpa, which is specially useful Semde according to the Nyang sys­ Namkhai Norbu himself. The book dhist tradition; the differences Each booklet contains an almost lit­ for overcoming negative provoca­ tem (rDzogs chen sems sdii khrid contains a detailed explanation of between various types of eral transcription of the Rinpoche's tions and diseases like cancer. yig nyang lugs). Besides providing the practice and its finality. Guardians; a description of the explanation, the text of the actual Besides helping practitioners to sta­ methods to discover the state of principal classes of Guardians; the pratice and the timetable related to bilize their integration with the contemplation, Sogdogpa's text OdzerChenma importance of the ritual of the the three different anniversaries. transformation practice, it also pro­ contains interesting references to L. 5.000 US$3.50 Guardians and the Dzogchen view These booklets are sold together vides therapists with a means for the meditative experience of Maritse Odzer Chenma (Od zer can regarding them. Teachings given in with the videotapes produced by protecting and strengthening their Mahamudra according to masters ma, She who has rays of light), a Wales (UK) in 1989. the Shang Shung Institute of Meri­ energy when curing their patients. of the Drupa Kagyu tradition. particular manifestation of Tara, is gar, but they can be bought also This booklet includes the drawings associated with the light of the sun. How to play the damaru in the separately. of the mudras relating to the short The Four Contemplations in the This teaching also includes an Chöd practice Videotape + booklet Lit. 45.000 opening invocation of the practice Dzogchen Semde invocation written by Rinpoche's Edited by A. demente (available from the Shang Shung and the Tibetan text of Garuda's L. 8.000 US$5.50 paternal grandmother, Lhundrub L. 8.000 US$5.50 Institute [email protected]) mantras. Revised edition of the Four Yogas Tso (1864-1945), who was a direct This system of notation on how to Series of three booklets Lit. 10.000 or Contemplations (nepa, miyowa, disciple of Adzam Drugpa, and a play the damaru is according to the US$ 6.50 An Oral Commentary to nyamnyid, lhundrub) shortly short sadhana. instructions transmitted by Chö­ From a previous presentation of Longchenpa's "Precious Ship" explained one by one. Teachings gyal Namkhai Norbu. Rinpoche: "On these three special Edited by Gina Perini and Jim Val­ given in Merigar on January, 1984. Thos Grol. The Practice of the days we will do a kind of world­ by Twenty-five Thigles The practice of Sang wide collective practice and in the Lire 25.000 US$17 Mi Lam. the Dream Practice L. 15.000 US$10 Lire 8.000 US$5.50 course of it I will give a transmis­ A wonderful and extensive expla­ L. 8.000 US$5.50 This book contains the Thödrol In November 1991 at Merigar Chö­ sion, particularly for new people. In nation, given in California in 1986, This practice from the Upadesha teaching given by Chögyal gyal Namkhai Norbu transmitted a the first part of each video I will on Longchenpa's Precious Ship series of Dzogchen allows the prac­ Namkhai Norbu at Namgyalgar, teaching on the Sang practice of the explain one thing after another dealing with all of the major sub­ titioner to recognise the state of the Australia, in December, 1995 and great Dzogchen Master, Adzam what we should do: how to sit, how jects of Dzogchen teachings dream and to use it for practice thus Merigar, Italy, September 1995. Drugpa Drondul Pawo Dorje to visualize, etc. The video will according to the famous Kunjed developing clarity of the state of (1842-1934). The Sang ritual, explain how to go ahead with Gyalpo root-tantra of Semde. This contemplation. Teachings given at The Four Chogshag. The practice based on fumigation using aromat­ everything... On the second part I book, containing also an appendix Subiaco (Italy) in July. 1976. ofTregchöd ic plants such as cypress, has been am doing this practice, but I am on Kunjed Gyalpo Guruyoga and a Lire 8.000 US$5.50 used from ancient times to purify also transmitting Guruyoga... So in careful Tibetan editing of Tibetan Chöd A clear explanation of the funda­ all kinds of contamination and pol­ these three anniversaries old and terms made by Jim Valby, is a fun­ L. 20.000 US$14 mental practice of Dzogchen lution that are caused by incorrect new people use this second part of damental text for every practitioner A long and extensive explanation Upadesha. Teachings given at behaviour towards various classes the video during their practice, and interested in deepening their under­ on the meaning of Chöd and on the Tsegyalgar (USA) in 1996. of non-human beings on one hand in that moment I am doing the prac­ standing of contemplation. way of doing the practice followed and towards the 'five divinities of tice wherever I am. On that day, in by the text of the practice. Compi­ Puja for the Nagas the individual' on the other hand. that precise moment, I am transmit­ The Seventh Lojong lation of teachings transmitted L. 8.000 US$5.50 The Sang rite is principally for ting for people. So then transmis­ L. 8.000 US$5.50 from 1976 to 1991. The Nagas, which comprise one of purification and. in particular, for sion is alive because transmission The Seven Mind Trainings belong the Eight Classes, while dominat­ purifying the energy of the individ­ has no distance. This is not only for to the Dzogchen Upadesa tradition Ganapuja ing the water element are also asso­ ual. new people: old practitioners who and are included in the Santi Maha Lire 15.000 US$ 10 ciated with the earth and the under­ participate can refresh transmis­ Sangha Base Level. The Seventh A long and general explanation of ground environment. Teachings The Book of Mudras sion, be in the transmission and Training includes three methods to the real meaning of the Ganapuja given at Merigar (Italy) in 1993. Edited by P. Minelli increase their capacity for transmis­ bring the practitioner to recognition followed by the ritual formalities L. 25.000 USS 17 sion." of the state of contemplation and behaviour and by the updated Namkha All the mudras used in the practices WARNING: New practitioners through three specific experiences. way of doing the practice. Teach­ Compiled and edited by R. Leti and of the Dzogchen Community are have to learn the meaning and the To this new revised edition was ings given worldwide from 1980 to T. Gottardi drawn in detailed sequence. Almost way of performing the practice added a very clear and extended 1997. L. 25.000 US$17 two hundred drawings are accom­ through a training leaded by old explanation on parlung. Teachings Besides clarifying the origin and panied by mantras and captions practitioners authorized by the given at Tsegyalgar (USA) 1994, Long-life Practice and Chudlen of meaning of Namkha, this book illustrating hand movements. Dzogchen Community. To really Kathmandu (Nepal) 1993, Nyagla Pema Dundul ' describes in detail the basis and the receive a transmission from Chö­ Venezuela 1993. L. 8.000 US$5.50 specific method to identify and har­ Mo gyal Namkhai Norbu, seeing the Teachings given at Merigar in monize the elements of each indi­ Edited by F Andrico videotapes and reading the book­ The practice of Rushen August 1994 on the terma of vidual, the construction of a L. 5.000 US$3.50 lets is not enough. L. 8.000 US$5.50 Nyagla Pema Dundul, master of Namkha, and the practice for its A concise manual on a Tibetan div­ Rushen practice is for entering into Chanchub Dorje and Ayu Khandro. authentication. The explanations ination method with a mala Oral Commentary to "The Cycle of knowledge of the real condition Contains the long-life practice Tse- are made clearer by means of many (phreng-mo) taught by Chögyal Day and Night" through different kinds of experi­ drub Gongd, (Long Life of Guru drawings and tables. In general the Namkhai Norbu in the 70's. Lire 20.000 US$13 ences related to body, speech and Amitayus) and the Chudlen of the Namkha has a very important pro­ An oral commentary, delivered by mind. One of the practices for the three dimensions. tective function and, if made and Yantra Yoga Rinpoche at Merigar in July 1998, Santi Maha Sangha Base Level train­ authenticated in a proper way, Teachings on Yantra Yoga to his own text The Cycle of Day ing. Transcript from oral teachings works in very effective way. This Edited by L. Evangelisti and Night written in 1993. A very given in Kathmandu (Nepal) 1993. book is a compilation of teachings L. 15.000 US$ 10 continued on next page

THE MIRROR NOYIDEC 2000 19 coni from previous page Shang-Shung Books & Practices Edizioni Available from Tsegyalgar A general explanation on the origin, dition, was recited spontaneously the meaning and the practice of by Garab Dorje when he was a Yantra Yoga teaching transmitted child. *Namkha *Zernga by Gum Padmasambhava to Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Green Book of Transcripts, Talks in Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Vairochana. Teachings given at Translated from Italian by Nina Conway, 1982 & Shang Shung Edizioni, 2000 Merigar (Italy) in 1986. The restricted books can be orderedRobinso n 1983, Vol. I $6 only by practitioners who have Published by Shang Shung Edi­ Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Yantra Yoga Manual already received the transmission zioni, 1999 Translated from Italian into English *For Those Who Have Received L. 13.000 US$9 directly from Chögyal Namkhai $17 by Barry Simmons Transmission Of These An easy to consult booklet for those Norbu. Second Edition, First Printing, Practices From the Master who already follow and practise The Crystal & the Way of Light, 1984 Yantra Yoga. It includes the prelim­ All the prices are in Italian Lire and Sutra, Tantra & $30 (hard cover) All prices in US dollars. inary exercises, and the first two US Dollars. Postage and packag­ Dzogchen groups of yantras based on the text ing: in Europe add Lire 4.000 per Teachings of The Eight Movements of Yantra Tsegyalgar Bookstore of Vairochana according to the order; outside Europe US$ 4 every Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Yoga Video Dzogchen Community of America teachings given by Chögyal three books. To order please send Compiled & Edited by John Shane By Chögyal Namkhai Norbu POBox82 Namkhai Norbu. The booklet con­ the list of books you require by let­ Snow Lion, 2000 Instructor Fabio Andrico Conway, MA, 01341-0277 tains an introduction by the Master ter or email (for restricted books $16.95 Snow Lion, 1999 Tel: 413/369-4473 plus a series of drawings illustrat­ specifying where and when you $29.95 Fax: 413/369-4165 ing different positions. have received the transmission Dream Yoga and the Practice of Email: directly from Chögyal Namkhai Natural Light Precious Gems CD [email protected] The 25 Basic Yantras, the 7 Lotuses Norbu). Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Chögyal Namkhai Norbu and the Vajra Wave Send an International Postal Mon­ Edited by Michael Katz Istituto Shang Shung, 1999 L. 10.000 US$6.50 ey Order, Eurocheque in Italian Snow Lion, 1992 $17 Shipping & Handling This booklet is an extract from the Lire or Euro (from Europe) or a $12.95 translation by Adriano Clemente of check (from outside Europe, not Poems $00-$19 $5.00 the original Tibetan text by Chö­ less than US$30) to: Tales of Uncle Tompa The Leg­ Edited by Rita Bizzotto $20-$39 $7.00 gyal Namkhai Norbu. endary Rascal of Tibet Shang Shung Edizioni, 2000 $40-$59 $8.00 Comunità Dzogchen Compiled & Translated by Rinjing $20 $60-$79 $9.00 The Eight Movements of Yantra (Shang-Shung Edizioni) Dorje $80-$99 $10.00 Yoga 58031 Arcidosso, GR, Italy. Station Hill Arts, 1997 NEWLY PUBLISHED (2000) $100&up $12.00 Lire 10.000 US$6.50 Tel: 0564 966039 $13.95 TEACHINGS & PRACTICES Instructions on Nine Purification Email: [email protected] FROM SHANG SHUNG EDI­ Postal shipments over 5-pounds are Breathings and on the Eight Move­ Drung, Deu and Bon, Narrations, ZIONI subject to additional shipping ments: an essential preliminary Symbolic Languages and charges. Please make checks practice of Yantra Yoga to strenght- the Bon Tradition in Ancient Tibet *The Cycle of Day and Night, A payable to Dzogchen Community en and harmonize our vital energy. Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Commentary By of America. NEW Translated from Tibetan into Eng­ Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Kumar Kumari Yantra Yoga for PUBLICATION ! ! ! lish, Edited & Shang Edizioni, 2000 Out-of-country shipping charges Children Annotated by Adriano Clemente $13 vary by country and package Edited by C. De Falco The Philisophical View of the Translated from Italian into English weight. Please indicate if you pre­ L.15.000US$10 Great Perfection in the Tibetan by Andrew *An Oral Commentary on fer airmail or surface mail. For out- Yantra Yoga for children, illustrat­ Bon Religion Lukianowicz Longchenpa's Precious Ship of-country surface mail please dou­ ed by Rinpoche himself with hun­ by Donatella Rossi Library of Tibetan Works and Chögyal Namkhai Norbu ble the amount of shipping. For dreds of stylized figures. Children Snow Lion Publications Archives, 1995 Shang Shung Edizioni, 2000 out-of-country air mail please mul­ require a particular form of Yantra 315pp, Paperback, $21.95 $21.95 $17 tiply by three. Postal shipments Yoga because their physical consti­ over 5-pounds are subject to addi­ tution, their breathing and their The Golden Letters *Sanqod, The Sang Offering tional shipping charge. condition are different from those Translation and Commentaries by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu of adults. John Myrdhin Reynolds Shang Shung Edizioni, 2000 Out-of-country orders must be paid Foreward by $6 for by international money order, Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche Visa or Master card. If shipping is Vajra Dance Snow Lion *The Phowa Practice not indicated we will use surface Steps of the Vajra Dance $18.95 Chögyal Namkhai Norbu mail. L. 10.000 US$6.50 Shang Shung Edizioni, 2000 This booklet is a collection of origi­ Blue Book of Transcripts, Talks in $10 Alaska, APO-PFO, Hawaii, Puerto nal drawings of the steps of the Oz, California, Rico please add $2 to Dance of the Vajra drawn up by 1982 *The Garuda Practice the shipping charge. Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. It is pre­ Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Chögyal Namkhai Norbu sented separately from the original Translated from Italian into English Shang Shung Edizioni, 2000 Contact us for quotes. text for easy consultation. by Barry Simmons $10 First Edition, First Printing, 1998 Arm Movements and Mudras of $30 (hard cover) the Vajra Dances Between, con t from page 3 Edited by P. Mai L. 10.000 US$6.50 colored with different shades New revised edition of the manual Dzogchen, or the Great Perfec­ according to the message he wished which mainly describes the arm tion, is considered by both Bon- to communicate. movements and the mudras of the pos and the followers of the Thank you Rinpoche for your three Dances of the Vajra. This Nyingma school in Tibet to be the help, for infusing us with courage, book is intended for those who culmination of all spiritual teach­ for reassuring us, but also for criti­ have received instruction on the ings. The philisophical view of cizing us when it is needed. May Dance of the Vajra from a qualified the Great Perfection introduces your words reawaken our state of teacher. the individual to the knowledge presence and warm our hearts in of reality, which is one with the our practice!"""! enlightened state of all beings. In LOTS AWA SERIES this book, the Dzogchen view is presented in two Bonpo texts belonging to the revered terma Four Dzogchen Invocations (treasure) and oral traditions, here L. 10.000 US$6.50 for the first time translated and New Gekos and Secretary at Translated from Tibetan and edited critically edited in their entirety. Tsegyalgar by A. Clemente Four famous invocations particu­ TSEGYALGAR would like to announce the larly linked to Dzogchen Upadesha Donatella Rossi has a Ph.D. in Geko and Secretary positions have been filled teachings. Histoiy of Religions and Tibetol- by Damien Schwartz and Andrea Nasca who, ogy form the University of Oslo, with their daughter of eight months, Ayana Norway. She currently lives in Sophia, will be living in the Conway school Dorje Sempa Namkha Che Portland, Oregon, where she con building. Bob Richardson will also be acting as L. 20.000 US$14 tinues her research on the Great an assistant Geko and living at Tsegyalgar, Translated from Tibetan and edited Perfection in the Bon Religion. where he will replace Kathy Smith in overseeing by A. Clemente the Dark Retreat cabin as well as oversee work The fundamental lung of Dzogchen on the Buckland land. Semde which, according to the tra­

20 INTERNATIONAL DZOGCHEN CONTACTS

VISIT THE MIRROR Komunita dzogchenu Junichi Chigira SERBIA/EX USA Dlouha 2 Email: Email: kunzan@ YUGOSLAVIA Tsegyalgar* WEB SITE AT 11 000 Praha 1 [email protected] si.computextos.netk Dzogchen Community of Andrea Nasca -Secretary WWW.MELONG.COM Czech Republic Yugoslavia P.O. Box 277 Tel.:0042-02-24 81 47 34 LATVIA POLAND c/o Slavica Voglar Conway, Mass. 01341 Email: Rudo I THE NEW A.S.I.A. Padmaling Cezary Wozniak Tel: 413 369 4153 zelenj 1 [email protected] Beljutins Elena 31-510 Krakow Sp.23 st.232 Fax: 413 369 4165 SITE IS NOW Lepju 5-55 Ul. Rakowicka 21/3, Poland 11000 Beograd Email: 74404.1141@ ACCESSIBLE ATÌ DENMARK Riga LV 1016 Tel: 48 12 21 7835 Tel: 3X1 if4881731 compuserve.com Anne-Grethe Nyeng Tel: 371 -2-437343 Email: Email: [email protected] WWW. Fax:45 33 11 32 43 Fax: 371-7-187233 [email protected] Dzogchen Community of MELONG.COM/ Email: [email protected] Email: nirvana@apollo.lv Email of Belgrade Dzogchen Alaska ASIA PORTUGAL Community: Jim De Vincent ESTONIA LITHUANIA Vitor Pomar [email protected] PO Box 22444 Maret Kark Amanas Danielius Fonte Salgada 713-Z Juneau. Alaska ARGENTINA Sade T 9 Str. Baltupiyo, 47-69 8800 Tavira Jelena Zagorcic 99802 Tashigar* EE2400 Vilnius, 2057 Portugal Koste Jovanovica 9 Tel: 907 586 9776 C.C. No. I -5155 Tartu Tel: 37 2 776824 tel 081 323780 il()(K) Beograd Email: [email protected] Tanti Tel: 372 7 380 038 Fax: 37 2 221618 Email:vitorpomar@ Tel: 11-467437 Pcia. de Cordoba Email: [email protected] mail.telepac.pt Lynn Sutherland Tel: 3541 498-356 Dorjeling SINGAPORE 5717 N. Washtenaw Ave. Email: tashigar@datacoop- FINLAND PO Box 1183 Lydia Ferreira Ian Gan Chicago, IL 60659 cordoba.com.ar Kaisa-Liisa Puonti LT-2000 Vilnius Rua da Nazare 2 98 Thomson Green 773 784 4168 Visantie 19 Email:Lituania@ takas.lt Vila Facaia Singapore 574965 Email: [email protected] AUSTRALIA 05400 Jokela 2560 Torres Vedras Tel & Fax: 4530387 Namgyalgar Dzogchen Tel.+358 9 4172818 LUXEMBOURG Portugal Dzogchen Community West Community of Australia* Fax: +358 9 140321 Katia Lytridou Tel:351 -61 -911235 Keng Leek Tan Coast Vicki Forscutt - Secretary Email: [email protected] 16, me Paul Goedert 110E. Arthur Rd. Carol Fields POBox 14 Central Tilba, Creuthem L-3330 RUSSIAN FEDERATION Singapore 1543 755 Euclid Ave. Berkeley, CA NSW 2546 FRANCE Kunsangar address is: Tel: 65 447 2596 94708 Tel. and Fax: 61 02 4473 Association Dzogchen, MALAYSIA "Sosnovi Bor", Fax: 65 532 6349 Tel: 510 559 9753 7668 Dejam Ling, Le Deves Tham Wye Min Bolshedvorskoe Email:kalatime@ Fax: 510 524 0933 Email:[email protected] F30570 St Andre de 8669C Klebang Kechil Lesnichestvo, singnet.com.sg Email: aha@dzogchencommuni- Majencoules 75200 Poselok Bolshie Dvori, tywest.org Pamela Oldmeadow Tel: 33-(0)467824490 Melaka Pavlovo-Posadski raion, Tan Yan Tee Website: www.dzogchencom- 12 Fox Place Email: DzogchenFr@ Tel: 60 35 6162 Moscow reg., Email: munitywest.org Lyneham ACT 2602 compuserve.com Russian Federation [email protected] Tel: 61(0)2 6257 1177 Kwok Kee Chang Tel./fax: (007-096-43) Dzogchen Community of New Fax: 61(0)2 6248 0335 GERMANY 11-A Jalan Jujor, 1/5 21156 SLOVENIA Mexico Email: pamelao@ Dzogchen Gemeinscaft Taman, Bakti Ampang Ann Rudneva Director Changchub Ling c/o Lidian King dynamite.com.au Helga Betz Selangor, W. Malaysia ([email protected] POBox 19SL-62250 25 B Big Tesuque Canyon Lindemannstr. 12 40237 Tel: 60 3 9847167 or [email protected]. Poetovio Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501 Gar Dusseldorf art.ru) Tel: 386 62 222523 Tel: 505 988 5995 Gekoes of Namgyalgar Tel & Fax: 49 211 682657 MEXICO Fax: 386 62 29874 Email: [email protected] Jonathan Schaeffer Email: [email protected] Communidad Dzogchen de Moscow Dzogchen Email:garland@ acr.net.au Mexico Community. Publishing SOUTH AFRICA New York Dzogchen Tel: 61(0)2 4473 7770 GREAT BRITAIN Reforma 199, piso 2 group Shang-Shung. Jerry Smith Community Amely Becker Col. Cuauhtemoc Moscow and Shang-Shung 10 Dan Pienaar Ave. 307 Prospect Place Laurence Mills 15A Langdon Park Road c.p. 06500 Institute. Moscow: Florida North, Gauteng, Apt.lC Bodhi Citta Buddhist Centre London N6 5PS Mexico, DF Puteysky tupik, dorn 4/2, South Africa Brooklyn, NY 11238 PO Box 8177 Cairns, QLD Tel: 020 8348 6253 Tel:546 32 81 stroyenie 4. Tel: Oil 672 7250 Tel: 718.398.0584 4870 Email: Tel & Fax: 566 83 04 Moscow, 103064, Russia Email: ed.goldberg@ Email: Moscow_DC Tel: 61(0)7 4039 0470 [email protected] Email: SPAIN thinkinc.com Email: [email protected] amatlan@ Intranet.com.mx Dzogchen Community, Spain Member: Andrew Wright GREECE Apt. Postal 46220 Susan Indich AUSTRIA Panayotis Stambolis Lennart Aastrup 28028 Madrid 129 Kaelepulu Dr. Kailua Peter Sochor Marinou Antypa 38 Nino Artillero 33 Hawaii. 96734 Lyuda Kislichenko: home Dzogchen Community of 14121 N. Iraklio Tepoztlan, Morelos SWEDEN Tel: 808 261 3469 phone/fax: 095-3251378 Vienna, Austria Athens Tel: 52 73950192 Alexander & Perniila Fax: 808 524 4342 (Secretary) Götzgasse 2/10, A-1100 Tel: 30 1 2713765 Dobronravoff Email: [email protected] Gregory Mokhin: office Wien, Austria Fax: 30 1 3411856 NEPAL Främlingsvägen 45 phone/fax: 095-2673484. Tel: 443-1-602 91 16 Vikki Floyd 126 48 Hagersten Jerene (SMS contact) Email: Nikos Liberopoulos GTZ-PAS (UDLE) Stockholm P.O. Box 2181 Email: [email protected] [email protected] 18-20 Roikou st, 11743 P.O. Box 1457 Tel: 08 744 27 17 Kealakekua, Hawaii 96750 Athens Kathmandu, 1457 Fax: 08 508 20 134 Tel: 808 323-9714 Oliver F. Leick Tel: (+301)9215901 Email: vikkifloyd@ Buryatian Community Email: Email: [email protected] Dzogchen Community of Email: [email protected] hotmail.com "Kundrolling" [email protected] Styria, Austria Res. Tel No: 00977-1- c/o Maria Fedetova 50 years VENEZUELA of October prs. 44-26 Gschmaier 139, A-8265 HOLLAND 270106 (after 8.00 p.m.) SWITZERLAND Pablo Lau Rivera Ulan-Ude 670034 Gr.Steinbach Ada de Boer (red Gakyil) Monique Leguen Lhundrubgar Pba. Res. Buryatia Tel.&Fax: 03386-8571 or J.W. Frisostraat 44 NEW ZEALAND 12 D ch.Maisonneuve Pedermales Av. Email :dudka@ buriatia.ru 0676-3221365 9717 EP Groningen Rosemary Friend CH-1219 Chatelaine Paez Montalban II EMail: [email protected] Tel/fax: 31 503188606 (fax 7 Radnor Street Tel/fax : 0041-22-7973721 1021 Caracas Homepage: www. requires a call prior to send­ North East Valley Olga Tsvetkova Email: leguen@ Tel: 58 2 4421434 cadmasters.at/dzogchen ing) Dunedin S. Island Kostromskoi Prospect 58/31 infomaniak.ch Fax: 58 2 340643 Email: [email protected] Tel: 64 3 4730886 St. Petersburg 194214 Email: [email protected] Tel: 7 812 5538121 BELGIUM Fax: 64 3 4779463 TAIWAN Fax: 7 812 1307070 Katia Lytridon ISRAEL Email: Armim Lee Elias Capriles 16, me Paul Goedert Noa Blass [email protected] Tel : 886-2-23250697 Apartado Postal 483 L-3330 Crauthem Biltmore Street 15 Denisova, Tatyana Fax: 886-2-23258857 MeridaSlOl Luxembourg 62194 Tel Aviv Oni McKinstry 2-Y Microraion-14 apt.3 Tel & Fax: 58 74 440026 Tel: 352 366591 Tel & Fax: 972 3 605 75 43 Apt 6B, 182 Federal St. Elista, Kalmikiya 358000 Sophia Wu Email: [email protected] Auckland, 1001 Email : twinklingstar@hot- (most used) BRAZIL ITALY Tel: 09 307 2717 Vladivostok OR eliascapriles@ Muriella andWashington Merigar* Comunità Dzogchen Email: DzogchenCommunity latinmail.com Malaga Clara Juliano -Secretary [email protected] Kuleshova Natalia THA1LAND Rua Pedro Pedreschi 71 Arcidosso, 58031 GR, Italy Tobolskay 12, KV.20 Geoffrey Blake & Lynne Menda Dzogchen Community 02372-000, Sao Paulo Tel: 39 0 564 966837 NORWAY Vladivostok, 690066 Klapecki Apartado Postal 483 Tel-fax: 55-11-69536072 . Fax: 39 0 564 968110 Gordon Cranmer Email: 33 Soi Lane Suan - Ploenchit Merida5101 Email: Email: [email protected] 4157 Utstein Kloster [email protected]. Rd Fax: 58 74 447550 [email protected] Mosteroy TU Bangkok 10330 58 74 440026 Azamling Tel: 47 4 514705 Thailand Email: guia@ BYELORUSSIA Moreno Marcato Russian Email addresses: Tel. 66 -2-2543555 or bolivar, funmrd.gov. ve Rousland Malakhouski Via Culasso 2 Community Website: VladimirKarpinsky: Tel. 66-2-2545532 or Ul. Odinstova 29-35 14053 Candii http://go.to/dzogchen.no [email protected] Tel.66-2-2549061 (direct To SUBSCRIBE TO Minsk AT 0141 VladimirMaikov: line) THE MAILING LIST [email protected] PERU Email: Updated information about OF THE CANADA JAPAN Comunidad Dzogchen del [email protected] any events in Moscow Peter Dimitrov Tsugiko Kiyohashi Peru DZOGCHEN (Russia) region is on the 305 - 11806 88th St. 5-11-23 Shimomeguro Juan Bustamante UKRAINE http://scil.npi.msu.su/pub/ COMMUNITY: Delta, BC V4C 3C5 Meguro-Ku Enrique Palacios 1125-C, Valéry Botsula religion/dzogchen (dzogchen) Tel: (office) 81 3 3712 7507 Tel 4455003, Fax 4472984, Kharkov CZECH REPUBLIC site. XS4ALL.NL Centrum Lotus Fax: 81 3 3716 7248 eel 9310754 310186

THE MIRROR NOV/DEC 2 00 0 21 REFLECTIONS

SO INTIMATE NOW THE CLOUDY SKY* life, and over and over it slipped past the noose of logical reasoning. by Barbara Paparazzo And I wanted to know where in this vast universe I could find Nina. A mother's instinct to help her child does not necessarily disappear with death. My mind restlessly traveled seeking satis­ Om Dhare Dhare Bhandhare SvahaJayaJaya Siddhi Siddhi faction, seeking comfort, seeking certainty in something, anything. Phala Phala A HA AH SHA SA MA Mamakolinsa menta In the first seven weeks after her death we did a great deal of Shitro practice. And I always thought of her and other bardo beings whenever I had occasion to say the dedication of merit. or many years whenever I said the dedication of merit after practice I always thought of fami­ During this time I told Rinpoche that I included beings of the bardo when dedicating merits. Fly, friends, enemies, insects, dogs, cats. It was difficult for me to connect with any realm He said he understood what I was saying and that I could always connect with Nina in the pri­ besides our own human realm; it was difficult even to remember there were other realms. But mordial state. "Nina was a student of mine too," he said. "You can unite with her in the primor­ when my daughter Nina died the world of the dead flared open in my heart. Beautiful Nina was dial state whenever you sing the Song of the Vajra." traveling in the bardo and the immensity of this knowledge burned so hot it vaporized all barri­ And very slowly I began to understand that it did not matter where Nina was. Since the ers. I was now living is a much larger world, one that included the awareness that beings are entire universe and everything in it is primordial wisdom and since nothing is ever outside of dying at every moment. And this awareness made me feel less separate from the other people and this pure and total presence, there is nothing to change or do or fix. And there is no separation. beings with whom we share our planet. This is a fierce realization because it means giving up believing our lives and everything in it are This is how, in the first year after Nina's death, I came to a deep connection with nature and real. It is a difficult view to hold but a magnificent means to escape suffering. I am a person of feel it still. I watched clouds roll across the horizon and disappear. I listened to the sound of rain limited capacity but I have been able to see the truth of this on occasion so I know it is possible beat against the roof, to crickets in early autumn, and to wind blowing through bare branches in for anyone to discover. View is everything. winter. I watched goldfinches arrive in April and disappear again in the fall. I was living within Everyday I think of Nina. I remember her luminous beauty, her dazzling energy, her incom­ the larger presence of Nature where nothing is permanent or constant and to remember this was parable companionship. But I can ride my sorrow all the way to emptiness and that brings me truly the only way to bear the pain. closer to her. Nina's death filled all of my thoughts. The death of a child is like a zen koan; there is no way * Izumi Shikibu, "The Ink Dark Moon", translated by Jane Hirshfield you can wrap your mind around it. Over and over I tried to process her disappearance from my

Confessions of an Avoidance Addict After Death not derivative of other countries. steadfast in the face of possible out­ by Jan Cornali by David Sharp General principles therefore are side influences. They need to be often evident. I am familiar with clear as to the rightsan d duties they nPalking to Tony Laurent when he came back form the international Gaky- Tfound the "Reflections" article in New Zealand law. It is perhaps have under the law. This will enable JL il meeting at Merigar, he mentioned that Rinpoche gave a short talk -LMirror #54 (When We Die) very helpful to give a brief resume of them to deal with whatever arises in about what it means to be a member of the Dzogchen Community. One of informative. I had tended to give lit­ those principles as a case example. the way that best protects the inter­ things he said was it means TAKING RESPONSIBILITY. tle, if any, emphasis to this part of Knowing the law precisely ensures ests of the practitioner. These two words had a great impact on me. I think I only really under­ the death process. It is nonetheless that the caregiver can act with cer­ "Reasonable time" for disposal stood the meaning of them this year after doing the Base Level Santi Maha important perhaps to re-emphasize tainty and intelligence protecting is not defined. My discussions with Sangha Exam at Namgyalgar. As I answered the final question, the tears the period of sustained meditation the body from being intruded upon. police would indicate that it is a that I had prayed not to come began to flow down my cheeks, and I sat like a (thugs tarn ) that precedes the dis­ Equally they will know the exact pretty long piece of elastic. I blubbery mess (totally exposed for the fool I really am) in front of my Mas­ posal of the body. This is the medi­ limitations that can be placed upon believe that three days would come ter. I understood then the meaning of TAKING RESPONSIBILITY. tation that comes about through the others such as doctors, police, coro­ nowhere near testing the limits of It seems that the first forty nine years of my life I had seen these words dissolution of elements. I have writ­ ners and so forth who might per­ this ill-defined time frame. In New like a rebellious child rejecting the wisdom of a parent or teacher as that ten about this dissolution process in ceive they have rights where there Zealand we have no judicial pro­ boring stuff grown ups would say. "How boring! Who wants to take respon­ an earlier Mirror. are none. nouncement on that term. The sibility. Who wants to be responsible! I just want to have fun and I don't At the end of dissolution the In New Zealand the protocols meaning must be interpreted with want to be responsible. Those responsible people are just wet blankets." pranas have dissolved into the cen­ for dealing with bodies is set forth common sense. In any event "time" But as I walked back down the hill that day and sat down under the tral channel. This is said to give rise in the Births. Deaths and Marriages could be reasonably extended by flame tree still blubbering quietly, I understood differently. I'd been in this to the mind of black appearance, Registration Act, 1995. Some inter­ keeping the body cool and having Community for nearly twelve years. I'd practiced, I'd been quite involved, causing unconsciousness. During esting juxtapositions there! What I support of a sensitive possibly Bud­ but I think I took it all a bit for granted. Rinpoche came and went. Retreats this time the body should be left in propose to discuss here is the kind dhist funeral manager giving came and went. Someone was running the show but I didn't want to be one the most optimum of circumstances of death that comes about through advice. of them. That would be asking a bit too much of myself, and that Gakyil to enable recognition of the return­ illness. This is the ideal death It is the duly also of the "person stuff, who would want to do that?! And besides I can't. I have kids. I don't ing prana energies and primordial because it enables both the practi­ in charge" to transfer that charge, have time. I have a career, and it all looks too much like hard work. clear light. These energies arise as tioner and their caregiver to be well where appropriate, for disposal, But under the flame tree after the exam, I had an epiphany. Taking movement out of the kunshi, pri­ prepared. anatomical examination under the responsibility doesn't have to be a burden. Now 1 experienced it as an ener­ mordial base. If recognized without According to the New Zealand Human Tissue Act or removal from gy. I had a choice whether I wanted to participate in life or just hang around duality it is known as "co-emergent legislation every death in New New Zealand. "Disposal" includes the edges. You probably already know this, but I'm a bit slow. Now I am wisdom awareness". Grasped at. it Zealand must be notified and regis­ burial and cremation. one of those Gakyil people. is misread as the experience of "co- tered. This requires that a medical In summation: the dying per­ It's scary and hard work and I make mistakes, but it's also fun. You emergent ignorance". It is these lat­ certificate be obtained. Where a son can give charge of his corpse to might consider it for the future, or there might be something else you want ter energies unrecognized that lead practitioner is ill and subsequently a specific person. Upon death a to do. Like joining one of the committees or coming to the Gar every so us back into the cycle of rebirth. If dies, then the least intrusive way of medical certificate is executed by a often and doing some karma yoga, or something which you see needs to be one has a genuine aspiration toward getting such a certificate is to have doctor who was the last attending done that no one has thought of yet. Don't wait to be asked. Take a risk. practice then this phase represents a doctor attend in the days prior to doctor prior to death. The body is TAKE RESPONSIBILITY! the quintessence of a lifetime's the death. This enables that same then left in meditation for at lest Scary. Fun. Dare to walk on the wild side. Dare to live.. practice. This is where the window doctor upon hearing of the death to three days undisturbed or for such of opportunity opens and allows for subsequently execute the required other time frame that is reasonable. the possibility of total integration certificate. "Satisfied that death At that point the charge can be and liberation. In support of this was a natural consequence of the transferred to a funeral director and process the body should be left in illness concerned." His satisfaction the body disposed of. These are the this state upwards of three days, is made a formality by reason of his practical constraints. In the event after which the external signs of earlier visit. He must have been the one is able to deal with these issues pus or blood emerging from the last doctor to have made a visit. If using the help of like-minded or nose and sexual organ occur. This that is not the case then that subse­ Buddhist support those constraints indicates the departure of con­ quent doctor must execute the cer­ can be integrated much more easily. sciousness. It is safe to remove the tificate. All of the above may seem to have body for disposal only after these The certificate once signed is a somewhat over-reaching sense of signs have manifested. Prior to that given "to the person having" order. In real time we know that the consciousness remains in the charge of the dead person's body. death comes without warning body and any rough handling will "Person having charge" carries its (DC.WOWÜ) and will take place likely interrupt meditation and pos­ ordinary meaning. in circumstances we never imag­ sibly cause lower rebirth. It is That person must "within a rea­ ined. However it is the moment that important for any caregiver to sonable time of taking charge of the gives meaning to a lifetime of prac­ know how to protect the body from body dispose of it" and having dis­ tice. By having someone in charge disturbance and thus support the posed of it the registrar of deaths who intelligently understands what maintenance of meditation. Funda­ must be notified of that fact within can and cannot be done enables a mental in any such understanding is three working days. practitioner's environment to be an appreciation of what is required In terms of a practitioner's best protected. by the law of a particular country. preparation it is clearly important In another sense perhaps we In a modem society it is the law that for the practitioner to decide as to can see that the kind of organiza­ creates both rights and duties. This whom they will give charge of their tion spoken of here is really just part is no less the case in dealing with a body. They could, for example, and parcel of the preliminary matters body. In most countries the relevant execute some kind of declaration or that we must clear up before we law will be enshrined in statute. power of attorney directing who embark on the great journey. Not such This will to some extent vary from shall be given that authority. It a big deal perhaps. country to country. Law however is would be important to have some­ rarely original and more often than one in charge who is staunch and

22 Celestial Gallery con't from page 9 ley may wonder at the merits of the walls of Tibet House to be re our innermost being, icons of the The first anthropomorphic pendent origination, but to awaken publishing so lavish a book on what hung in the penthouses of their new journey from Ignorance to Illumi­ representations of the Buddha are to our indwelling Buddha Nature some have derogatorily referred to owners. As Deepak Chopra said in nation. At the moment of enlighten­ said to have been drawn on canvas and to see the world for what it is: as "honky thankas". Throughout his closing of the exhibition; "The ment, the Buddha Shakyamuni from rays of golden light emanat­ to become Buddhas in our own the paintings, iconography has paintings bring the viewer into a invoked the earth as witness, as ing from his body. Later Buddhist right - beings of infinite Awareness yielded to modem aesthetics, often field of infinite possibility; into the indicated by the fingers of his right art pictured the Buddha in numer­ and Compassion. suffusing the works with contem­ nature of the mind made manifest". hand which spread downwards in ous manifestations, but always as "Be a light unto yourself, porary meaning. Indeed, Diane von As the writer of the text which bhumisparshanamudra, the "ges­ an archetype of human potential, Buddha Shakyamuni declared at Furstenberg described on CBS's accompanies Shrestha's paintings, ture of touching the earth". As the never as a historically identifiable the end of his life. Become a Bud­ Sunday Morning show how she I approached each work as a medi­ Buddhist Sutras relate, the sun and person. All forms of the Buddha, dha, an awakened being, he urged, had incorporated elements of tation- one for each day of the moon stood still and all creatures of however, are commonly shown but never a blind follower of tradi­ Shrestha's thankas into her spring month which I had allotted myself the world came to offer obeisance seated on a lotus throne, a symbol tion. The image of the Buddha, collection. Scholars and practition­ to complete the book. I tried to dis­ to the Supreme One who had bro­ of the minds transcendent nature. transcendent of time and place, ers may decry this commercializa­ cover words which would invoke ken through the-boundaries of ego­ As a lotus rises from the mud to centers us in our innermost being. tion of a sacred artistic tradition but each paintings underlying ethos; its centric existence. All Buddhist art bloom unsullied in open space, so All images in Celestial Gallery others, such as Robert Thurman, iconography as well as its spiritual celebrates this supreme moment too does the mind rise through the lead, ultimately, to the same celebrate the paintings "skillful intent. Celestial Gallery's initial and leads the viewer towards the discord of its own experience to dynamic serenity in which the light means" in making Buddhism image is that of the Buddha. How Buddha's experience of selfless blossom in the boundlessness of touch of a hand can tame the entire accessible to mainstream Western could this timeless image be made and unsurpassed enlightenment. unconditional awareness. universe."""*! culture. As the Buddha himself is accessible to those outside the tra­ The earliest forms of Buddhist art Buddhism is not a static doc­ by Ian Baker said to have stated; "Don't be dition? I tried to find words that were semiabstract: Bodhi-trees, trine, but a creative expression of attached to the vehicle you use to would help viewers to see beyond wheels, stupas, and finally the Bud­ the interdependent nature of all reach the other shore, the important the surface colors of cinnabar and dha's stylized footprints, served as existence: a means by which we thing is to get across." burnished gold: supports for contemplating what can discover in the heart of experi­ Buddhism's vehicle for reach­ "The word 'Buddha', in San­ was ultimately beyond words or ence, not ourselves, but a luminous ing America's rich and famous - or skrit, means waking up to a pri­ form. As the Buddha, himself, con­ and unfolding Mystery. Buddhism at least those who can afford the mordial reality of radiant compas­ tinually taught, it was not he who envisions the universe as a net of $125 book- may well be the sump­ sion and self-existing Wisdom. was to be revered but the possibility jewels, each facet of reality reflect­ tuous, oversized paintings, some of Expressed in art, Buddhas are not he presented. "Don't look to me", he ing every other facet. Our calling is which have already been taken off objects of worship, but mirrors of said, "but to the enlightened state." not to escape this web of interde­

The Mirror Reprint Book

The Mirror is pleased to offer the opportunity to have teachings of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu com­ Sounds from the Tsegyalgar Bookstore piled into one beautfiul soft bound editionjeachings of Chögyal THE MIRROR Namkhai Norbu, Reprints from The Mirror, illustrated by master NEWSPAPER OF THE thanka painter Glen Eddy. INTERNATIONAL DZOGCHEN This book contains twenty teach­ COMMUNITY ings from The Difference founded by Between Sutra and Tantra; Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Dzocgchen, the Path of Self Lib­ eration; Helping the Dead and Main Office: Dying to The Base in Dzogchen; PO Box 277 Yantra Yoga and How to Follow a Precious Gems Conway. Massachusetts 01341 Master- This collection of sacred songs Chöd, Cutting Through Dualism U.S.A. Cost: $20US was compiled the Istituto Shang- Shung at Merigar, Italy. The pre- The practice of Chöd. The Long life Tel 413-369-4208 and Order from the Tsegyalgar ciousness of this recording is that practice of Mandarava, the Song of FAX 413-369-4165 Bookstore: it contains singing and flute by the Vajra Email: NaomiMirror@ PO Box 82, Conway, MA, 01341,US A Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. Digitally recorded 1992 compuserve.com The opening piece is the Song Of Amiata Records Tel: 413/369-4473 the Vajra dating back to 1977 and European Office: Fax: 413/369-4165 is probably the first time that it S17US The Mirror Merigar, 58031 Email:tsegyalgarbookstore@compuse rve.com was sung by the Community. Arcidosso GR Italy ( for shipping and handling charges please see page 20) S17US see page 20 for ordering information Tel and Fax: 0564-966039 Tsegyalgar Bookstore Email: [email protected] Email: LizMirror@ compuserve.com

EDITORIAL STAFF Naomi Zeilz. Tsegyalgar Liz Granger. UK Tiziana Gottardi. Merigar

LITERARY EDITOR John Shane

ADVISORS Adriano Clemente Anna Eid Barbara Paparazzo Des Barry Jim Valby

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION N.Zeitz

ILLUSTRATION Cartoons Patrizia Moscatelli (pg.-3)

PRINTERS Turley Publishers Palmer. MA

DISTRIBUTION Tsegyalgar at Conway. Massachusetts

SUBSCRIPTION RATE'6 ISSUES S35US available through Tsegyalgar 60.000 It. lire through Merigar Visa and Master cand welcome

All material Ö1SMS by The Marat Reprint by permission only. We resene the right to edit all submissions.

THE MIRROR NOV/DEC 2000 23 INTERNATIONAL GAKYIL NEWS

Attention Members of the Dzogchen Community New Yellow International Gakyil Member Needed! Loek Jehee, the ylG (yellow International Gakyil) member, resigned in November and therefore the yellow space on the International Gakyil is empty. Whoever is interested to become the new "yellow" IG member should have the following qualifications: 1 ) Membership in the International Dzogchen Community. 2) Connected to and qualified in using email and able to dedicate approximately two hours a day of work for the IG, International Gakyil: 3) Knowledge of international law, non profit organizations and management and fundraising would be best! Blue: We thank Loek for his dedicated work of the last few years! Karin Eisenegger You can send your application to: Red: Fabio Andrico:(red IG) <[email protected]> or Fabio Andrico Karin Eisenegger: (blue IG) Yellow: Could be you! Dear Dzogchen Practitioners,

he International Dzogchen Community is constantly growing, therefore TChögyal Namkhai Norbu decided two years ago to found a new struc­ Guidelines about Santi Maha Sangha: ture called the International Gakyil, to help coordinate and communicate better those things that concern the worldwide Dzogchen Community as a Inviting SMS students to give SMS courses whole. This International Gakyil (IG) was not meant to have any excecutive power or create new bureaucratic structures. What we found very difficult The Santi Maha Sangha Training was started in 1993 by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu to help his students to develop a from the very beginning was the fact that we were just ignored by most more structured and deeper understanding and experience of Dzogchen Semde, Longde and Mennagde and to ease Gakyils. Maybe we also should have promoted our work a little more. their way towards total liberation. If the IG should become a useful instrument for communication and coordi­ By now the first students have reached the fourth level of the SMS training, which is made up of nine levels alto­ nation in the future, we are absolutely dependent on your collaboration- gether. While proceeding along the path, the students of SMS have to learn many different practices and study dif­ Important issues like the discussion of the legal status of all the Gars has ferent parts of the teaching. been initiated by the yellow IG, but there was hardly any response from the responsible persons at the Gars. Regarding the Base Level: For years Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche has been traveling around the Chögyal Namkhai Norbu always puts very mucu emphasis on the fact that the study of the Base of Santi Maha world. We need to be informed about changes in practices, organization, Sangha is important for all of his disciples, also for those who decided that they were not proceeding further on with new initiatives,; also to evolve new, practical ideas inside the Community the SMS Studies. and then practitioners around the world can only be involved by being In different countries and places SMS Base study groups have been organized. For some practices a more specific informed and thus integrated. knowledge is needed and some of the students of Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche who have completed at least the first If, for example, Norbu Rinpoche stays for a few months at Merigar level the SMS training have gone lately to different places to give explanations. As long as SMS study is practiced in and gives advice and new instructions which are important for the whole of informal groups with the help of an older SMS student, there are no further mies to be observed. the Dzogchen Community, it should be the duty of the Gakyil in Merigar to As soon as an official SMS base course is prepared in some place and an older SMS student is officially invited to inform the Gakyils associated to a Gar in a timely manner about important travel to this place to give a kind of SMS study teaching, the procedure becomes a little more official. tasks that concern also them. It does not make sense to inform only those Therefore the International Gakyil would like to inform all Gakyils about the following: who read Italian in Merigar's Bollettino. It is also quite inconsiderate not to The SMS training in itself is not a teacher training. As always in our Community, the more experienced SMS practi­ inform the Gakyils associated to a Gar about important tasks that concern tioners are supposed to help the newer ones. Until now, Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche has not appointed any SMS them. teachers. If the members of the Gakyils of the Gars do not open up to the broader Norbu Rinpoche will start a SMS teachers training in the year 2002. Until then all Gakyils and groups are obliged to Dzogchen Community by, for example, communicating important issues in respect the following procedure: time also via the International Gakyil, this new important turntable for the 1 ) Any Gakyil that wants to invite one of the two SMS specialists, Adriano Clemente or Jim Valby, are requested to International Community remains without sense - without possibility to ful­ first ask one of them whether they agree on coming. Afterwards the Gakyil has to ask permission for this specific fill its purpose and therefore without motivation to do all the work it is sup­ SMS course to Chögyal Namkhai Norbu directly. Until the inviting Gakyil has received an answer from Rinpoche, posed to do! it is not allowed to proceed with the preparation of the course. We are sure that everybody wants to collaborate and that the above 2) The same is true regarding any other experienced SMS practitioner. If a Gakyil wants to invite one of these SMS mentioned problems are just problems of the beginning phase of the IG. A practitioners and he or she has agreed to come to their country and place, the Gakyil still has to ask permission to plan to improve the communication besides the already very important Norbu Rinpoche. tools of The Mirror and Norbunet has been worked on by the IG since the 3) Asking permission to Norbu Rinpoche has to be done by the inviting Gakyil (and not by the invited SMS stu­ IG summer conference at Merigar last summer. Any suggestions for this are dent). welcome! 4) Asking permission to Norbu Rinpoche is not limited to SMS courses. It is always polite if an organizing Gakyil Sending my heartfelt best wishes to all of you, informs Rinpoche before organizing an event. But it is imperative to ask Rinpoche's permission before inviting Karin Koppensteiner-Eisenegger (bIG) masters or other teachers to give teachings, courses or retreats. Please keep this message in your archive for all future blue Gakyil members of your country. If there are any doubts, please contact the SMS coordinator of your Gar. Many greetings THE CRYSTAL AND Karin Eisenegger, Blue International Gakyil Igor Legati, SMS coordinator (Europe) THE WAY OF LIQHT Sutra, Tantra and Dzogchen CLASSIFIED ADS Natural hand produced products by Chogyal Namkhai Norbu, compiled and ed. by ]ohn Shane in Monte Amiata, Arcidosso, 176 pp., 23 line drawings, 30 b&w photos, #CRWALI $16.95 Italy Mount Kailash with Ointments for daily use Wendy Teasdill Chogyal Namkhai Norbu exam­ Tinctures: Aug. 14th-Sept. 12th, 2001 ines the spiritual path from the Oils for Massage Wendy Teasdill will be leading a viewpoint of Dzogchen. He inter­ Azzolini, Salvatore meditative pilgrimage to remote, weaves his life story with Dzogchen Giunco, Arcidosso high altitudes of West Tibet, teachings, making them accessible 58031, Italy dedicating the united energies of through his living example. He dis­ group and geomancy to univer­ cusses his education and how he Tel: (0039)0564 968 176, met his principal master who sal peace. @ (0039) 0347 88 19044 showed him the real meaning of Comprehensive itinerary by "direct introduction to Dzogchen." Email: [email protected] [email protected] Also available: The Supreme Source, Yantra Yoga, Dream Yoga and the Practice of Natural Light, Daka's Buddhist Astrology Unique Guided Tours to Dzogchen: The Self-Perfected State. Tibet Two unique guided tours (one See our website for a complete listing of books on Dzogchen. trekking, one cultural/festival) to the rarely visited Tibetan regions of Golok and Amdo. Snow Lion Dates: June 30th to July 21 st and PUBLICATIONS July 21 st to August 11th, 2001. PO Box 6483 • Ithaca, NY 14851 For details see: www.highand- 800-950-0313 • 607-273-8519 wild.co.uk [email protected] www.snowUonpub.com www.buddhist-astrology.com Contact us for your FREE subscription to our Newsletter and Catalog, 1-800-819-2288 24