No. 91 March, April 2008

Upcoming Retreats with Chögyal

Photo: Romain Piro 2008

USA New York City May 23–25 The essential teaching of Sangyas Lingpa according to the Longsal teaching SMS Teachers, Vajra Dance and Yantra Yoga at SMS Teacher Training Margarita. Photo: A. Bartenstein Tsegyalgar East May 30 –June 6 The teaching from Dzogchen Upadesha Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s Introduction root „Dra Thalgyur“ Open Webcast to Santi Maha Teachers’ Training June 13–15 Santi Maha Sangha III Level Exams Tashigar North, Margarita Island, Venezuela June 16–22 Santi Maha Sangha IV Level Training April 4, 2008 Canada Toronto ood morning everybody. You am alive mainly for Santi Maha Sangha. It Dzogchen Teaching is the unique teach- July 4–6 know we are starting our Santi is not that I am very satisfi ed in this con- ing that can really make some contribu- Dzogchen Teaching Retreat GMaha Sangha training today. You fused world. I do know that the Dzogchen tion to the world. We are always speaking also know that this not only a kind of ex- Teaching is something very important. I about and applying the Dzogchen Teach- Romania amination like at the university. It is basi- know in these days many people use some ing to free our limitations. The problem Merigar East cally always related with our teaching. We kind of title or words of Dzogchen and is that all politicians, all religions, all or- July 14–20 will begin by doing Guruyoga altogether consider that this is Dzogchen, and then dinary people are concentrated on fi ght- Khordas Rushan from Dzogchen Upadesha and then I will explain what we will do. they use this as some kind of teaching of ing and struggling with their ego, all their root tantra „Dra Thalgyur“ [Gururyoga] Dzogchen. Maybe you know, particularly emotions, etc. If each person can basically Open Webcast I want to welcome everyone. I know many those of you who do Santi Maha Sangha, understand and change just a little, then July 21–24 of you have sacrifi ced a lot to come here. what I do and transmit each time we do re- there is some benefi t for all sentient be- Santi Maha Sangha Base Level Exam That means that you also consider Santi treats. The reason I do Santi Maha Sangha ings. I am very focused on this point and July 25–31 Maha Sangha Teachers’ Training as some- is to have a living continuation of this this knowledge. Santi Maha Sangha Level I Training thing very important. People have come to teaching in this world. There is nothing more important for participate, so they consider this training You know very well that we are not only me than the Dzogchen Teachings. I can- Italy important. Many people don’t know that in kaliyuga, but we are also in a very con- not see any way to continue the Dzogchen Merigar West Santi Maha Sangha is important. Santi fused world with so many problems for Teachings if we do not do something like August 11–18 Maha Sangha has been created to contin- the future, particularly for future genera- Santi Maha Sangha. That is the only way I The Method of Integration from Dzogchen ue the pure teaching for the future. That is tions. We know this and then what should can see. For that reason, I insist that we go Upadesha root tantra „Dra Thalgyur“ also why I am trying to make the effort to we do? We cannot make a revolution or ahead with Santi Maha Sangha. It is also Open Webcast continue Santi Maha Sangha teaching and struggle to do something; that is not the very important that all Dzogchen practi- Kalmykia for people to learn and do examinations. main point. I have always told you that if tioners understand that. I am always doing September 8–15 So it is not only for you, but also for me. I you really understand, you will see that the my best by working to develop this knowl- The real nature of Ati Dzogchen >> continued on page 3 from Dzogchen Upadesha root tantra „Dra Thalgyur“ Teaching Tsegyalgar East Italy Merigar West September 26–October 3 Chögyal Namkhai Elio Guarisco Victorious Dzogchen Teaching Retreat: Norbu The Flight of the Summit of Training with the sounds of elements from Khading Shoklap Garuda Pure and Total Dzogchen Upadesha root tantra – The Flight of the Presence „Dra Thalgyur“ Garuda

>> continued on page 21 » Page 2 » Page 6 » Pages 12, 13 THE MIRROR · No. 91 · March, April 2008

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ood day to everybody. Today we start the teaching called Khading Shoglap, which is related with the Gpractice of Guruyoga. I explained how we should do Guruyoga yesterday. First of all, we should do Guru- yoga with a white A; that means visualizing a white A in a fi ve-colored thigle in the center of our body and we remain in a relaxed state. Then we sing the Song of the Vajra and integrate all our body, speech and mind in that state. So fi rst we do that.

[Practice of Guru Yoga]

The explanation of this teaching is how we should be in a state of Guruyoga. In general, we say we are in the state of Dzogchen tregchö, but there are different ways to explain tregchö. For example – in Dzogchen Semde we explain the four naljor, or four yogas; and in Dzogchen Longde we explain the four das. Also in the Dzogchen tregchö we explain the four chogzhag. But chogzhag is not always the principle of tregchö.

These teachings are about how we achieve tregchö, how we apply different kinds of experiences, and different aspects of our condition. Here when we explain Dzogchen tregchö, we are not explaining to the four chogzhag.

In this teaching Shabkar explains the point of view and Photo: Fabio Andrico real knowledge of Dzogchen tregchö; and at the end of his explanation he says that he is putting together the essence Photo: P. Barry of different kinds of instructions of Dzogchen, like the Rigpa Cherthong, a teaching from the Shitro of Karmalingpa – including the Tibetan Book of the Dead – which means Khading Shoklap being in the naked knowledge of instant presence, which is a teaching originally taught by Guru , many written instructions by , and Namchur Flight of the Garuda Mingyur Dorje’s called Sangye Lagchang. Shabkar uses the essence of all these kinds of teachings to explain, An excerpt from Day 2 because his students can more easily understand. All stu- March 22, 2008 dents or people interested in the Dzogchen teachings are not necessarily intellectual. So for many reasons, these kinds of teachers write and explain in a very simple way. dry. For that reason, if we discover what the root of our If we do not discover or know how our real nature is, it is Shabkar’s way of writing and giving this teaching is like mind is, we can overcome all our dualistic concepts. possible that we follow moralities for eons, or alternative- giving advice to the students. So this is more or less the ly we apply zöpa, patience, etc., for a very long time; and in characteristic style of this teaching. For example, a house remains one thousand years in the this case we are unable to go beyond the condition of the dark; but when we turn on a light in the room, everything three worlds. For that reason, it is very important we try to Now we will go into the teaching of Shabkar in a practi- is instantly lit up and we can see all. In the same way when discover the root of how the real condition of the mind is. cal way. we discover our real nature of mind, its luminosity and how its real condition is, we can overcome and purify all Emaho! Emaho! obstacles and negativities accumulated over infi nite kal- pas. If we do not listen, all my fortunate students, and we do Fortunate students listen well! I am going to explain all by not search for the root of our mind we will discover that singing this essence of the teaching of Dzogchen Tregchö, The real nature of this clarity of mind is like the clear light any kind of practice we do will not become important and which is the method for overcoming all our past and at- of the sun; even though there is the accumulation of dark- will not bring about realization. For example, if you place taining the state of total realization. ness of many kalpas, it will not become dark. In the same a target very far away and you shoot from very far and do way, our real nature of the mind has its luminous essence not hit the target, it is as if you have thieves in your house This famous ‘realization’ is the state of the Buddha and and even if for many kalpas we remain in obstacles, those and search for them outside; or you keep the bad spirit at is always present in all sentient beings in the six lokas. So obstacles do not become dark. the door of the east and you give torma for drawing bad that is fantastic because there is no need to search, to go spirits away at the door of the west; or a poor man who has and fi nd it anywhere, because it is already there. In the nature of the space, the condition of the sky mani- a stone in his kitchen, a stone which is precious and this fests different kinds of colors, different kinds of forms, person always has contact with it, but doesn’t know and is So it is interesting because even though we have total re- but they are never conditioned by the space, with light and always going outside to get money. For that reason, in this alization in ourselves, in general everybody searches out- dark, etc. In the nature of the mind, all good and bad as- way you should research the real nature of your mind. side, not knowing that it is in ourselves. Just like the sun pects can manifest infi nitely and yet it cannot be condi- shining in the sky, even though realization has this quality tioned by our considerations of gewa and drigpa, virtue and What we call the mind seems to be something because we only a few people ever discover it. its opposite, good and bad. That means our real nature is have thoughts. When we go to fi nd and observe thoughts, free from being conditioned by these things. they disappear. So you couldn’t say there is nothing and So then our real nature of mind, which from the begin- For example, milk is the cause of the production of but- even though you couldn’t fi nd anything, immediately ning is the perfected and illuminated state, unborn and ter, but if we do not churn it and do not add milk, butter is thought arises. Something continually arises. That means without having parents; and even though being in sam- never produced. In the same way, all sentient beings have that when you see something, there is a thought and you sara we have many different kinds of experiences of hap- the cause of the tathagata, dersheg nyingpo. But if we do not observe it, it disappears and you cannot fi nd anything. piness and sorrow, our real nature is not changed by any- practice, then it cannot manifest. Even if you observe a thought arising, it does not remain, thing, whether good or bad. So this real nature of our If we practice, everybody can realize. There is no differ- it is always changing, modifying. In general, when we mind, without changing or modifying its real quality, ev- ence between someone having more capacity or less ca- have an experience of happiness or sorrow, everything is ery aspect, is from the beginning self perfected. That is pacity. If someone practices and doesn’t know anything, because of our mind. fantastic. if we discover our real nature, how our real nature is, its luminosity, then there is no need to learn many logical ex- So from where do these thoughts arise? You observe, do Knowing that our real nature since the beginning is the planations. For example, when we eat sugar or salt, there they arise from outside, from the mountains, the river, or self-liberated state, with knowledge of this real nature and is no need to explain, we taste and know the real sense. the forest? Or do they arise from the wind or the space? relaxing in that state we can have realization of that state. Does something exist concretely, or does it not exist? This is fantastic. If we do not have a real experience or cannot get in that Where does is it come from? You observe and try to dis- knowledge, even a Pandita, a very learned person, can be cover that. So listen again, my fortunate students. All Buddhas of very far from the real condition; even someone very expert the three times taught many teachings. Even though they in explaining all the nine vehicles can be just like someone Alternatively we may think, oh yes, these thoughts come taught infi nite teachings, in the real sense they are all who is expert in explaining ancient history, because an- from our physical body and the cause is our father and solely for discovering our nature of the mind. There is no cient history is learned from a book and repeated. In this mother. Also we observe how they come. When you are other aim of these teachings. case, that person may not really know and may have no unable to fi nd any place from where they come, you ob- experience of that. In that case, the knowledge of the real serve them at this moment to see where they are - if the For example, if we cut one tree trunk, infi nite leaves and nature of Buddha can be very distant, in the same way that thoughts are related with our physical body, the upper branches start to shrivel and in a moment everything is the sky and the earth are very far apart. part, lower part, with our organs of senses, or with our THE MIRROR · No. 91 · March, April 2008

3 heart, etc. Even if we think they are related to our heart, When we say everything is unreal just like a dream, if you not changing anything regarding the nature of the mind, how are they related? What is the form or color of the are really familiar with your practice of night like a dream which always remains the same. There is no developing thoughts; how are they? and you are aware in a dream, later when you say every- or becoming bigger or more gigantic or sometimes then thing is like a dream then you understand. This is what is diminishing. Nature of mind is pervaded with our consid- If you cannot fi nd anything, at the end you observe where meant by experience. eration of samsara and . We cannot limit it in any- thoughts disappear and where they go. See if they go way. So we call that ‘beyond any kind of limitation’. We through our senses or from where they come and where Emaho! cannot fi nd any example that says that is similar to this. they go? So then, are our thoughts related to our physical Even when we don’t fi nd anything concrete, still its mani- body or our mind? Or are they related with both our physi- So still listening my fortunate students, when you exam- festation is without interruption. It has its movement. cal body and our mind? So we observe all these things. ine and search where the mind is, how it disappears and from where it emerges, when you cannot fi nd anything Nothing exists concretely. That means we cannot con- In the same way, when any kinds of emotions arise, from concrete, then you can say that this is the condition of the fi rm existence or non-existence. All thoughts of ‘existing’ where do they arise and where are they and how do they mind. When you do not fi nd anything, then it means you or ‘not existing’ are our dualistic concepts. When we are disappear? Even when we are dying then, how are the fi nd emptiness. When you don’t fi nd anything, this is the in our relative condition, we can have those concepts and thoughts going away? All these things we must observe best thing. also we can apply them, but the nature of mind is beyond and look well, because when we observe, we can discover that. That is the saying, beyond any kind of limitation. their real condition of emptiness. Since the beginning our mind has no origin, no place from where it comes. So that means that since the beginning its Also nature of mind does not have the characteristic It is not suffi cient for someone to say everything is empti- condition really is emptiness. We are unable to confi rm of coming and then going. So you see, when thoughts ness. Rather we must search and discover. Then we can from where it comes, where it is now, its form, its color arise, we say now thought is coming, now there are no really understand what emptiness means. If someone says etc., we couldn’t confi rm anything about it; and in the end thoughts. Remember, I always explain with the example there is a place where there is a tiger and another person when it is fi nished, we cannot say where it went and there of the mirror. Thoughts are just like refl ections in mirror. says that the tiger isn’t there anymore, if you do not search is no remaining trace of what happened. When there are secondary causes, refl ections manifest and discover that there is no tiger, you always have that in the mirror. But that refl ection is not coming from this fear and that idea. For example, if you search and go to So then all the movements of the mind are just movements object. That is the secondary cause, only a kind of inter- that place, look and discover that there really is no tiger, of emptiness. Already that is emptiness. Even if there are dependence. Refl ections are manifesting because there is than you won’t have that idea anymore. This is something some things that are like a vision of emptiness, the real the potentiality of mirror.  related very much with our daily life. Even though many nature of the mind since the beginning has no cause of people quote Buddha saying that everything is unreal, just how it developed. For example, what is the cause of ev- Transcribed and edited by Rosemary Friend like our life is like a dream, they say they understand that erything in our relative condition? We can fi nd the cause intellectually but in a practical way, it doesn’t work. So because there is its effect. The nature of mind is beyond that is an example. It is very important we apply with expe- cause and effect. Although secondary causes in circum- rience and discover. stances manifest different kinds of good and bad, they are

>> Introduction continued from page 1 You know that the Dzogchen Teaching is supreme; the and Italy, who had had some illness of cancer and I had edge. For example, there are some important and ancient Dzogchen Teaching is at the end of all teachings. So it is given them the practice of Red Garuda or Guru Dragphur books, but these books are not suffi cient. Then you only something very important. I more or less have that knowl- to do, for example, and many of them overcame their ill- have ancient books. You need to have a basic knowledge edge. I could not say I have complete knowledge, or very nesses. I thought maybe there was a possibility to practice – otherwise these ancient books have no function because deep knowledge, but of course day after day I practice, and overcome this illness. Also in my life I have particu- you are not able to understand what they are introducing learn, and teach, and I always go deeper and deeper. That larly done the practice of Mandarava. This is something or what they speak of. So this is what we learn and how we is true. When I started to teach Dzogchen at the fi rst re- very special and I received that special teaching. Then I go ahead with Santi Maha Sangha training. treat at Vesuvio [Italy], the kind of knowledge I had in that thought that with all these benefi ts, maybe there was a Santi Maha Sangha is something very important and period and what I have today are incomparable. I know possibility to live a little longer. I wanted to live a little lon- we should give it that importance. Also people should not that very well. The knowledge that I have now is integrat- ger to fi nish Santi Maha Sangha. In my program of Santi do Santi Maha Sangha teachers training thinking they will ed. In that period, I could only say how to integrate, but Maha Sangha there are nine levels. If I do not fi nish the become teachers. Then it becomes a kind of business or didn’t know how to do it. Today I am one of the experts. nine levels, at least I want to fi nish seven. That is my de- way of living. You should change this kind of idea com- You can search and listen to those who call themselves sire. I am still alive and still working; I am something like pletely, otherwise it doesn’t work and there is no benefi t. Dzogchen teachers; you listen well and try to study with ‘dead still alive’. You must understand that. You must not Santi Maha Sangha is related to your practice; you should them. Then you tell me what the difference is between think this, “Oh, Namkhai Norbu is always saying this and deal with it in your life and then you can fi nd its real sense Namkhai Norbu and these teachers. Many people in the he is still alive.” and benefi t. So it is very important that we deepen this Dzogchen Community do not understand that or it seems Life is precious for everyone. It is especially precious knowledge. Some people say, “Oh, there is a course of the same to them – a teacher giving Dzogchen teachings when we have knowledge like the Dzogchen Teaching. We Santi Maha Sangha. I listened and it is interesting.” ‘In- and the Dzogchen teachings of Namkhai Norbu. They try and know this and go ahead in the correct way in the teresting’ you can fi nd everywhere; sometimes you go to seem the same to many people. If you fi nd that they are the Dzogchen Community and Santi Maha Sangha. a theater and see something interesting. But it does not same it means you are not integrated. It means you have So now I want to explain a little how we will do the relate to your life and future and the future generations. no knowledge of Dzogchen. You do not really know what training and how we have done it until now. We have done We must think a little of all these things. That is called real Dzogchen is and what the knowledge and under- Santi Maha Sangha Teacher Training, Yantra Yoga, and being aware. ‘Being aware’ doesn’t mean only in this - standing of Dzogchen is. That is what you should learn, Vajra Dance many times and now there are some teach- ment, but how it will be in the future. Most people think starting with the base of Santi Maha Sangha and then go- ers who maintain this teaching and give seminars. We did the future depends on governments and political parties. I ing ahead. that, but it does not mean that it is suffi cient. We should don’t agree at all. These things are very relative; for some In Dzogchen Santi Maha Sangha there is all my experi- do it as much as possible. It does not mean only quantity, moments, one or two years, we can have something like ence and knowledge of Dzogchen. If someone wants to but quality. If there is quantity but no quality of teachers, this. But to have some real benefi t, we need evolution and learn, they can really seriously learn that. That is why I we do not need this. Teachers must have the correct inten- that is related to our knowledge. We cannot teach or make feel it is very important. I have already told you that when tion of seriously going ahead to bring the knowledge of everyone understand. This is impossible. But some people I discovered I had cancer and went to the hospital in NYC, Dzogchen Teachings into the future. The principle is not learn and understand and have understood seriously what at the moment I received the news I thought this was the that we build a house, a Gar or Ling; these things are rela- Dzogchen is. Those people can contribute to society. end of my life. At that moment I checked the informa- tive. The principle is that fi rst we need knowledge and un- Society means many people. That is what we call soci- tion of how long I would live with the information of my derstanding. Of course, for understanding we need many ety. Society is made up of many people. Many people are teacher Changchub Dorje and another teacher Khenpo secondary things. You know very well that I make a lot of individuals, just like me. I am one of the individuals. I ar- Lodro Gyatso, and they both said that the signs of the end effort to create Gars, like for example, at this moment in rived in Italy with my small suitcase. There were no stu- of my life arrived at that moment. Then I thought there Romania. It is not so easy. We need a lot of effort but it will dents, no assistants, there was nothing. For many years I was nothing to do and now was the time I would go away. be important. It is important that we have places for the worked at the university. Many people asked me to teach. Then I thought I was very sorry that I was not able to fi n- Dzogchen Community. I said I was not a teacher, and I still felt like a student. Of ish Santi Maha Sangha. I was not thinking of my children, Also you can see, for example, that we do Santi Maha course, I gave lectures of what I had learned at the univer- my family, my wife, my relations, and the Dzogchen Com- Sangha training when I go to a Gar. I do that only in a Gar sity and also in college when I studied and Tantra. munity people, not anyone. It doesn’t mean that I do not to make people understand that Santi Maha Sangha and I mainly taught Tibetan and Mongolian literature. I also love them, but they are in samsara. We are in samsara and the Gar are important points for the future for everyone. taught language and did research on Tibetan history. I did our fi nal goal is dying. Now death had arrived for me, so One day there will be no Namkhai Norbu, but all Gars and many things, but they were not the main point for me. The there was nothing to feel sorry or afraid for. I only felt sor- practitioners will not disappear. Maybe there will be many main point for me is my knowledge. I didn’t feel that I was ry that Santi Maha Sangha was not fi nished and not only old people, my students, who have knowledge. They can really a teacher and could give that knowledge. Then I saw was it not fi nished, but when I did the 3rd level trainings collaborate together and learn; they have some basis pre- there were so many so-called teachers teaching and going some people created problems. Of course I was very upset, pared for them to learn. So you see it is important we pre- around everywhere. I am not saying they were not good but even though I was upset I could not stop Santi Maha pare very well. This is the main point of our Santi Maha teachers; maybe they were good teachers of Sutra and Sangha. Sangha Training.  sometimes of Tantra, but I did not see anyone seriously Santi Maha Sangha is the only way that I see something teaching Dzogchen knowledge. useful for the future. When I was in the hospital in New Transcribed and edited by Naomi Zeitz York City, I thought of some people in Russia, Australia THE MIRROR · No. 91 · March, April 2008

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Santi Maha Sangha Teachers The Closing Words of Base Level Ricardo Sued, Argentina Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Alexander Gomonov, Russia First Level Santi Maha Sangha Teacher Training Jakob Winkler, Germany Alexander Pubants, Germany Tashigar North, Margarita Island, Venezuela April 9, 2008 Second Level Elio Guarisco, Italy Jim Valby, USA oday is the last day of our Santi Maha Sangha Teach- and chöpa and that is why I am also asking some ques- Igor Berkhin, Ukraine er Training. You already know how important Santi tions about how you feel and how you want to be in the TMaha Sangha training is; I have told you many times Dzogchen Community. Also it is related to our chöpa; you Yantra Yoga and also explained at the beginning of the training. So that must observe yourself and see if your chöpa is perfect or First Level means we should consider it something important. ‘Im- not. If your chöpa is not perfect, you try to make it perfect. Saadet Arslan, Germany portant’ means that it is something related to the teach- Then you do Santi Maha Sangha training and you can have Zsolt Somogyvári, Hungary ing and how the teaching continues. Of course, when we benefi t. Naomi Zeitz, USA do Santi Maha Sangha training it means that someone is If you have the idea to go on with your same attitude, going to teach. That means that the people who are going it is not good. Tawa, gompa and chöpa are all related to our Second Level to teach must understand very well. It is not that they only knowledge of Dzogchen. At least when we do training, John Renshaw, UK know some words from a book, but their knowledge must and I told you precisely how to manage the time; time is Amare Pearl, Argentina be integrated. You see in the teaching and on the path, we something important. I did not say to observe the time Victor Krachkovskiy, Russia say: tawa, gompa and chöpa. Tawa means the understand- approximately, but precisely. What did that mean? That Zhenya Rud, Russia ing of our real nature and the knowledge we have received meant to be present. Our practice in the Dzogchen Com- Giovanna Conti, Italy with the transmission of the Dzogchen teachings. Gompa munity, and the most important point in daily life, is to Paula Barry, USA means application, which is related to transmission, so be present. You are not present if you do not know how Elke Glander, Germany we should learn and apply in the correct way. We can- to follow time. Most people are very agitated when they not personally invent things. If we invent things then the do the Santi Maha Sangha training. I am not a tiger or a Vajra Dance teachings will not continue in a pure way. lion and there are only some people here from the Com- First Level For this reason, sometimes I ask the teachers how they munity listening. I really do not understand. There is not Enzo Terzano, Italy think we can continue the pure transmission and teach- much reason to be agitated so much. Agitation means you Cosimo DiMaggio, Italy ing. The entire since Garab Dorje has kept the have not integrated what you understand. If you have inte- Yolanda Ferrandiz, Spain transmission and teaching in a pure way. You remember grated the Dzogchen knowledge, why are you agitated? In in Santi Maha Sangha, in the Rigpai Tselwang in the second daily life, if you are a good practitioner, you integrate and Second Level level training, it says how you should receive the teaching, are not agitated. I have told you many times, I don’t know Karin Heinemann, Germany how important it is for the teacher to transmit the teach- how many people really understand my teaching and have Rita Renzi, Italy ings in the correct way, and that means transmitted in the integrated the teachings into their lives, but in general I same way teachers have done historically until today. In the receive many emails a day speaking of problem number explanation of the teaching we have very precise indica- one, two and three, etc. It seems for some people their So now we have completed Santi Maha Sangha, Yantra tions. For example, it says the student must be something problems are diminishing. I understand that that means Yoga and Vajra Dance Teacher Training. In general, these like a stamp, tsa tsa or statue of the teacher. Even if there is they have understood a little something and they have in- are the main teachings we apply in the Dzogchen Com- one statue multiplied one hundred times, it is always the tegrated just a little. munity. Teachers of Yantra Yoga and Vajra Dance should same. So students must act in this way and not personally So you see, this is an important point. Here in the San- not concentrate only on the movements and positions or invent things. In general, when you explain the teachings ti Maha Sangha training, we have the 1st and 2nd level. when you dance, how you pass or put your feet, etc. When in a personal way, it creates many traditions and schools, There are 2nd level people here who can give advice about you train as a teacher it means you must communicate etc. In sutra, they do not have this problem because there the base and fi rst level candidates. I did not decide alone with people, and when you communicate, fi rstly you must are intellectual arguments. You can apply many intellectu- who passed and who did not. I asked them to be a kind explain and you need to have that capacity. Many people al things, but in Dzogchen we transmit knowledge. Since of committee for the base and 1st level. When I give these do not have much experience doing this. If you have no the beginning until today I have introduced the Dzogchen diplomas, if you do not receive one, you did not pass. You experience, you should try and learn how to communicate teaching without inventing anything. I follow my teach- should not worry if you did not pass. That is not the end. and explain. That is important. Secondly, it is very impor- ers; I follow Tantra and ordinary Dzogchen teachings. I There will be other occasions, but it means you should be tant that you are patient, because people do not always un- am getting old but still today, day after day, I read, learn better prepared, learn better and integrate that knowledge derstand very well. For example, when I give teachings, and apply things in a more correct way. If you consider in you. You must manifest that and people who already did I explain some points two or three times, but when the yourself my student, then you must learn how I teach and the base level, they should still do seminars for base level teaching is fi nished someone comes and asks me and I transmit, how I practice; if we do a practice like a Ganapu- and go a little deeper into the fi rst level by studying, learn- say, “But you didn’t listen.” That is an example. ja or a short or medium thun, I correct things very often. ing and applying. Sometimes I know very well it is my fault. When I ex- Maybe that is not as important as communication and In that way, we can have such qualifi cations when we plain I do not remember all the words perfectly. I need to Dzogchen teachings, but it is also relative. consider the teachers. If there are no qualifi cations and use some English words. Maybe I know a word better in In the 2nd level of Santi Maha Sangha training it says there are many teachers, then we become like the New Italian, but I need to speak English. I don’t always remem- chagzhe (phyag bzhes), [ritual tradition], and we cannot ig- Kadampa tradition. In the New Kadampa tradition some- ber the spelling, so then I say something roughly, but it nore this. We are still not Mahasiddhas and if you feel like one says they want to open a center, and immediately they is not always complete. I know very well this is not good; a Mahasiddha, you are wrong. No one is a Mahasiddha yet, become a teacher. We are not interested in that. Even if but I am missing that capacity because I am not English not even me. We live in society with our dualistic vision; there is not one single Dzogchen Community, Ling or or American. I learned English after I arrived in Italy and there is no way to invent anything. If you want to invent, Gakyil, I don’t feel at all bad. I am happy if there are many at the beginning I learned more Italian than English. At please don’t teach, because that is not my teaching. If you people who have knowledge of Dzogchen. That is what is that period in Italy only some professors spoke English. want to teach like me, then you try to teach how I teach related to qualifi cation. I only want only Dzogchen teach- Today it is different and many young people learn English. and that is how it should be done. This is the guarantee of ers of Santi Maha Sangha who are seriously qualifi ed. If But I am still underdeveloped, and now I am getting old, the pure continuation of the Dzogchen teachings. This is they follow me, it should be in a perfect way. You remem- so it is not so easy for me to learn perfect English and I try something very important for you to remember. ber this. and do my best for somehow explaining. If I do not know When you communicate the teaching, you must under- Now I will give the diplomas. When you receive this di- the precise word and I am explaining and if I remember stand the situation of the people. Sometimes people do ploma, you should remember that now you have become the word in Italian and there is someone nearby, I say the not explain very clearly and do not speak very well. For ex- a base, fi rst or second level Santi Maha Sangha teacher, word in Italian to him or her and ask what to say in Eng- ample, Santi Maha Sangha people who are training should and you have that responsibility. You remember that and lish. That is an example; this is not your problem but my try and learn English; English is now an international do everything in the correct way. If you do everything in problem. So it is very important that you explain well. You language. I am not saying you should speak perfect Eng- the correct way and more people become qualifi ed, then should concentrate and help people understand what you lish, but when you communicate you should know how to I am happy, because I know the Dzogchen teachings are are saying. communicate. That it is something important. Also you important and we must help many sentient beings un- In the world today we have a language called standard should not eat half the words. You should try to explain derstand them. That is the reason I am happy. You should language. I will give you an example using the Tibetan completely and clearly. Some people speak with half and understand that. Do not think I am happy, that Nam- language. For example, at one time in all the people disappearing words. People cannot understand and when khai Norbu is happy, because there are more Community studied and tried to learn the dialect of Lhasa. They con- you give teachings people must understand you. That is members and more followers of the Dzogchen teachings. sidered that dialect to be very elegant and perfect. In that the main point. That is not my aim, I already told you. Now I will give the period I met the Dalai , and I felt badly because I did Maybe you think you can do Santi Maha Sangha train- diplomas one by one. not know this Lhasa dialect. In Lhasa they have a double ing and it is not very diffi cult. I told you that these exams language - the way to speak for a noble person and for an are not like the ones in the university. I worked for many ordinary person. I came from East Tibet and we did not years in the university and I know how to do that kind of have this system. We know only some words for forming examination. Our examination is related to tawa, gompa some polite expressions, and I tried to explain and talk THE MIRROR · No. 91 · March, April 2008

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Photo: M. Alonso Photo: P. Barry with the in that way. I felt that he felt very bad- of some Westerners, I need a lot of effort. If some people or originally from . So you should try and ly. In any case, he understood. Later, not only for speaking say the name of a Tibetan, Mongolian and Chinese, for ex- go ahead and work in this way, and everything will mani- to the Dalai Lama but also for giving lectures in Tibet and ample, I remember the name right away. For Westerner’s fest perfectly. This is what I want to say.  China, since I did not know how to speak the Lhasa dialect, names and family names, etc., even if I read and repeat I used a little mixture of the Lhasa dialect and how they the name twenty times, I still can’t remember it. These are Transcribed and edited by Naomi Zeitz used language in East Tibet. Later when I went to Peking our different conditions; you do not have that problem so for three months to the minority university, I gave teach- much because you live here and do not have to teach Tibet- ings. Everyday I explained in Tibetan. All the students said ans. You teach Westerners. So it is very important that the that my Tibetan language was easy to understand because language is clear and you explain clearly. it was a mixture of East and West and literature, etc. I was Also, people who do Santi Maha Sangha Training, try not convinced but then later I understood that inside and to do it in a more correct way. This is what I hope you do. outside Tibet, when they went to lecture, etc., they would I hope you do not invent anything or do it too much in a speak Tibetan as I spoke it. personal way. Otherwise, we will end up like the Kagyupa That language is called the standard language of Tibet, tradition with its four big and eight small sub-schools. so you see it is very important to try and help people under- Most of these eight schools are students of Pamotrupa, stand when we speak. If you do not understand when I ex- but they do not teach as Pamotrupa explained and taught. plain, that is my fault, particularly because of my language They teach as they have understood and have added their since language is not so easy for me. I have not had very personal way. They succeeded to create eight different much experience, especially with the Western languages. schools. In Dzogchen we do not need any school. We only Zsolt Somogyvári missed the group Still today, for example, if I want to remember the name need the knowledge that was transmitted by Garab Dorje, photo on page 1. Photo: P. Barry

of having deepened our knowl- ings of a really high level, when The following days after the Shitro edge of shine (as explained in the we apply them in practice our formal initiation, trans- (The of our True Nature) Sutra teachings), but that from level is very low. For this reason, mitted the true meaning with his the very beginning, when we do the Community as an organiza- characteristic clear, direct and es- Retreat at Tashigar South, Argentina the practice of shine, we should tion has not developed in corre- sential way. with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu understand what lhagthong is, spondence to the high level of the The Master pointed out that that is, that our true condition is teachings. These aspects are inter- when we received an initiation, February 1–6, 2008 not just the calm state but also dependent, not separate things. it does not depend on the master movement. Lhagthong means that Therefore, we should make our only, but that those who receive it Sergio Oliva we discover this movement with Community organization and its should take an active part through which we should integrate. spiritual level grow together, so the three aspects of our existence: hen Rinpoche explains the Dzogchen teachings. Then in Also in February, for the fi rst as not to block each other. body, voice and mind and, above the meaning of the Tashigar South, Rinpoche began time, we had the important visit Lastly, the Master ended his cy- all, of the knowledge of our po- Wword Shitro, he says a long cycle of teachings with the of Yeshi Namkhai, who was re- cle in Tashigar South with a Ter- tentiality. Actually, both the initia- that ‘Shi’ means ‘peaceful’ and retreat on ‘The Necklace of the ceived with great joy while he ma teaching of Rigdzin Chang- tion and the introduction have the makes reference to the calm state, Four Precious ’, a short came in through the main road chub Dorje, ‘ Kordas Rang- same principle: we should some- ‘nepa’, represented through teaching of the great master of Tashigar South, riding over drol’, from February 15th to 20th. how discover our potentiality. peaceful manifestations such as Longchenpa, that was held from the auspicious signs painted on On the second day, Rinpoche gave It seems that everything took the fi ve Dhyani Buddhas, whereas December 27th 2007 to January the ground. During his stay, he us the initiation related to this place fl eetingly and lasted the ‘Tro’ means ‘wrathful’ and makes 3rd 2008, and that was transmit- generously offered his time and Terma, the only one he received, time an ant takes to walk from the reference to the movement state, ted through an open webcast. knowledge and in various meet- after insisting, from his root mas- tip of the nose to the forehead. ‘gyuwa’, represented through Rinpoche explained that when ings, with the Gakyil fi rst and lat- ter, Changchub Dorje. The same However, during that time the wrathful forms like the Herukas. speaking of the four dharmas, er with the whole Community. We initiation which we have read so master taught so many things, However, the Master clari- Longchenpa made reference to enjoyed his incredible capacity to many times in ‘The Crystal and that he even gave us a class on fi es, that what is presented in the the four dharmas of Gampopa, keep us totally engaged with his the Way of Light’ and that now he ‘Tibetan Drajyor’ (Tibetan pho- Shitro is not the real Shitro, but that is to say, the four vehicles talk without letting our attention was transmitting to us, a numer- netics) so that we could learn to just a symbol. The real Shitro is of the Buddhist teachings, Hina- decay for a single minute. When ous group of practitioners from pronounce words correctly. our condition. All of us, whether yana, , Tantra and the meeting ended, we had the all over the world getting together Rinpoche left. The rains we follow the teachings and re- Dzogchen, and in this way he feeling that he still had much to to receive it. Rinpoche recalled for calmed down, the voices and ceive transmission or not, have developed the principle of these say and that if he had gone on, we us many details of that initiation. birds too. Shitro as our nature, although dharmas or teachings. would have kept on listening with He especially remembered that af- It gets dark earlier, autumn is not all of us know it. For this Later, from January 11th to the the same interest for a long time. ter many hours, around midnight, coming. reason, the Dzogchen teaching 17th, after the First Level exams Trying to make the meaning his master fi nally fi nished the for- If we look back, maybe we speaks of ‘rigpa’ and ‘marigpa’, of Santi Maha Sangha, Chögyal of the document ‘Collaboration’ mal initiation. Then, thinking ev- could see this intense summer the knowledge or the ignorance Namkhai Norbu led the Train- and the breadth of his work in erything was over, Rinpoche was we spent with Rinpoche as a of our true nature. ing corresponding to the Second the organization of the Dzogchen about to leave when Changchub huge practice of Shitro, during Rinpoche arrived at Tashigar Level, a genuine retreat during Community more accessible, Ye- Dorje asked him to stay. He asked which the Master helped us ex- South at the beginning of sum- which the Master gave precise in- shi transmitted his knowledge his assistant to leave the room perience our nature incessantly mer, with all the energy and joy structions on Dzogchen Semde. and his ideas in a really clear, and to close the door and then while calm followed movement of this season. This summer par- February started with another concrete and precise way. the ‘tönwang’, or initiation of the and movement followed calm. To ticularly could be called ‘the sum- retreat. From February 1st to 6th, Among other things, Yeshi true meaning that gives the real be more precise, there was more mer of the retreats’. The activi- Rinpoche gave essential teachings explained that the growth of the principle of the initiation, took activity than calmness, but this is ties of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu on Shine and Lhagthong accord- Community is directly linked to place. Through this, his root mas- just our condition. We all know started in Buenos Aires, where ing to Atiyoga style. In Dzogchen the level of growth the Communi- ter gave him a precise explanation that the wrathful manifestations from the 15th to 17th of Decem- it is explained that lhagthong ty has in relation to the teaching. of the true sense of the initiation are fi fty-eight and the peaceful ber 2007, he gave a talk about does not arise as a consequence Though we have received teach- and of the transmission. ones only forty-two. 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is not worried about being sleepy The Flight of the Garuda or agitated. Transient thoughts have not the power to infl uence Retreat with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu one, and with ease one relaxes in whatever situation one fi nds Tashigar Norte, Isla Margarita oneself in. Thus with mind we March 21–26, 2008 can reach what is beyond mind and with effort we can’t reach Elio Guarisco the state beyond effort. How do we do then? We do not attempt to he gardens of Merigar are when looked into sharply they do adjust ourselves to what we con- now growing here in Vene- not reveal their supposed truth, ceive as the authentic state, nor Tzuela! Nursed with care by which then begins to shake and we try to modify our mind in any Alix de Fermor, beautiful plants collapse. This is what Buddhists way, we do not do any kind visu- and fl owers of many colors have call “emptiness.” Yet we experi- alization, we just remain in and fi lled up the Margarita Gar and ence the world we live in con- with what is, present and relaxed. are a feast for the eyes. The Gar is cretely. This is what Buddhists This is the best meditation. transforming into something re- call vision. Like the refl ection of Not even instant presence is sembling the sporting garden of the moon in water, or a rainbow something concrete, yet its clari- Indra in the paradise of the thir- in the sky, untruth does not hin- ty is view, meditation, and action. ty-three chief gods, foretelling der the manifestation of what Self-liberation is the very essence the harmonious merging of the seems to be true, and vice-versa, of presently existing attainment, minds of the Master’s students. and referring to this, the teaching but is what others consider the A day before the beginning of speaks of vision and emptiness si- fi nal goal of a long and tortuous the retreat, from the balcony of multaneously. When this simul- spiritual pursuit. The senses and my room I see an eagle with wings taneity manifests in our mind, mental consciousnesses moving with white undersides turning ef- the problems we experience in freely in their natural disposi- fortlessly in large circles, perhaps daily life cannot undermine the Photo: M. Salvatore tion, without being conditioned in anticipation of the teaching of courage of our being. Moreover it by ensuing judgement – this is the Flight of the Garuda. becomes a door for the arising of lished any grip whatsoever on us; pression of one’s natural state. the conduct. And to be beyond In this natural setting on the full a spontaneous release of tensions this is called shardrol or “simulta- And whatever we experience, see, expectations and apprehension is moon of the 21st of March, Chög- and blocks, leaving a space – our neous arising and release.” or think of, is nothing but the to have the result in one’s hand. yal Namkhai Norbu, as joyful and natural state – that is our basic Emotions arise in a context vibrating energy of being in our Like all great rivers and gla- relaxed as someone just returned ground of being and emerging, in which we are aware of their natural condition of instant pres- cier waters merging into the home from a long journey, gave a again and again. unreality; thus their simultane- ence. great ocean, all that which is ex- short introduction to the subject Because of untruth in appear- ous arising and unreality is the Having understood the view as perienced with the senses, and of the retreat, and a concise expla- ances, what we call conditioned ground where spontaneous re- one’s own condition, one needs thought with the mind, is inte- nation of the short Ganapuja fol- life or nirvana, on one hand, and lease occurs. Also when release to have an experience of it, and grated in the dimension of space- lowed by the practice. habitual life or samsara, on the occurs there is nothing special to for that it is traditionally advised like reality. Such integration is The famous text that Rinpoche other, is nothing but the goal of be happy about, as Garab Dorje that one go for certain periods of the sign of having succeeded in ilucidated is called The Flight of spiritual practice – three enlight- said: “Let free whatever arises, time into solitude and apply the understanding and applying the the Big Eagle, which, as the author ened dimensions. The untruth just observe it. Even when it re- practice. While to do short terms principles of view, meditation, specifi es in the colophon, appears of what we see and experience is leases itself, just observe its re- of personal retreat in solitude is and action. When we do not per- to be a condensation of many the basic ground of existence or leasing: arising and liberation certainly advisable for all, longer ceive any distinction existing be- essential points on the view, dharmakaya, its energy is the lu- are not different.” retreats in solitude are not suit- tween present and future, this is meditation, and conduct found minosity or samboghakaya, and When we are able to do that, able for our circumstances in the a sign of having integrated the throughout important and in- its continuous presence is the nir- then emotions themselves are re- Western world, and can confl ict view. When, in any circumstance spiring Dzogchen works. Shab- manakaya. Perfected without the vealed as the fi ve wisdoms: anger with the responsibility we have we do not conceive of a need of, khar, a realized master in the lin- need to perfect them, these three as mirror-like wisdom, attach- toward our family, children, etc. or of an object of meditation, this eage of Jigme Lingpa, wrote the kayas are nothing else but the ment as the wisdom of discern- The circumstances of life in is a sign we have integrated med- text and it presents the nature of “mandala” or great confi gura- ment, jealousy as all- accom- which we fi nd ourselves, howev- itation. When we are not affected the Tregchog practice of total re- tion of the three kayas and when plishing wisdom, prides as the er negative and evil they may be, by what we experience, whether it laxation. one recognizes this, what’s the wisdom of non- duality and igno- do not need to be changed if we is pleasure or pain, this is a sign The following is the little I re- need of meditation? rance as the wisdom of the dhar- can’t change them. Many great of having integrated the conduct. member of what Chögyal Nam- But how do we approach our madhatu. Thus one’s emotions, realized beings of the past, such We experience the body as a re- khai Norbu said during the re- real condition when from with- without the need to seek anoth- as the Mahasiddhas, lived by per- fl ection, the voice as an echo, and treat. in ourselves strong waves of the er kind of wisdom outside, are forming deplorable and non-vir- all that is perceived by the mind as Everything obtained by fol- emotions mount? Accumulation wisdom. They are Vairochana, tuous jobs, like being fi sherman, a mirage or an illusion. Although lowing different kinds of paths, of karma generally follows the Akshobya, Ratnasambhva, Ami- bird hunters, etc., and yet they at the beginning of the practice especially the result that many surge of strong emotions, but if tabha and Amogasiddhi, which found a way to practice and be- thoughts gush out like the waters wish from a spiritual practice, one observes the emotion without are not found anywhere outside come realized even in the midst of a turbulent river, later the ex- called the three kayas or enlight- distancing even as far as a hair’s in some constructed mandala, of what is generally considered perience is like the slow fl ow of a ened Body, Voice and Mind, is al- breadth from it, without doing but in ourselves. samsara. big river such as the Ganges, and ready present from the beginning anything whatsoever but just Emotions are not the only In any case, having become at the end the experience is like in our natural condition. For that watching the nature of the emo- things that condition us: there a good practitioner, one never the holy place of Gangasara when result to unfold we do not need to tion, where it arises from, where are also feelings of various na- reaches the point of being over- the water of all rivers merge into wish for it, nor act on ourselves it dwells, etc., then the emotion tures that follow the sense per- come by thoughts or emotions or the ocean. in any way, but rather relax and loses its grip on us. Thus with- ceptions of forms, sounds, etc. a given circumstance of life, but In brief, Dzogchen is the only let that self-perfected condition out the need to work on emo- When these arise we can watch remains in a space-like frame of teaching that trains the individual emerge. tions with an antidote, as it done them, and if we perceive their mind. In brief, when we are not to go beyond limitations: no oth- To illustrate that self-perfected in the , or of transforming unreality manifesting simultane- limited and conditioned by con- er teaching does. That is the only condition we use examples such them using creative imagination, ously with their appearance, then cepts and ideas of various kinds, feasible way to a radical awaken- as space, yet such indications as done in the , the emo- we can discover the nature of that is the perfect view. When ing in our life, and awakening of are partial and cannot represent tions leave a place for wisdom to equality that pervades everything we have nothing to meditate or society to a peaceful co-existence the totality of our real condition, arise. without distinction. Being a beg- concentrate on, that is the per- between human beings. That is which can only be understood Even if it is not the principle gar living in misery or a king liv- fect meditation. When we do not where the importance and rarity through one’s own instant pres- of Dzogchen, at the beginning ing in luxury will not make any bother to accept something and of such teaching is. ence. when we are still unable to release difference to us. reject something else, we have At the end of the retreat a meal From which angle can we ap- thoughts by looking directly into Likewise whatever comes to the perfect conduct of Dzogchen. was offered to Rinpoche, Rosa proach our self-perfected nature their nature, we intentionally ob- mind is the not able to be found If some idea of what to confi rm and all participants at the com- when the outer world seems so serve thoughts with some effort clarity of instant presence, pri- or negate comes up in our mind, edor and who then enjoyed the overpowering and our “self” so in what is a form of analysis, che- mordially pure. The surging of we notice it and it releases itself songs, music and dances of hap- small compared to it? Whatever gom. Release occurring in such a thoughts is the very condition of in the vast space it came from. py practitioners in the mood of we see, hear, etc., all that we call way is called cerdrol or “liberation what is hidden; it is the energy When we know that there is thanksgiving to Rinpoche. Thus appearances or vision which we upon observing nakedly.” Then, manifestation of natural instant nothing to obtain, that is perfect once again, the great eagle fl ew very much believe in, in reality is when familiar with this, there is presence. So whether our mind is result, primordially present. with its imposing presence, pow- a mixture of truth and untruth. It no need to observe intentionally calm or moving, there is no fun- Such a practitioner has not erful gaze, and exemplary power is untruth because although ap- and as soon as an emotion arises damental difference, since these even the concept or idea of re- of fl ight revealing the immense pearances seem exceedingly real, it dissolves without having estab- moods occur within and are ex- maining in the natural state, and space of Dzogchen Ati Yoga. THE MIRROR · No. 91 · March, April 2008 News

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Remembering The day of leap year arrived: Feb- Zernga ruary 29th. We set out for ESMON, the Center for training in High Retreat in Lima Peru Altitude in the Mountains, in February 29th 2008 the outskirts of Lima. It seemed like last year’s retreat. All looked Charo Verastegui the same and Rinpoche was with us. We were almost 300 people. e could hear Rin- Then Thunder spoke. What pre- poche’s steps so close. cious teachings! WIt was almost time for his arrival. His closeness was like Nelida Saporiti helped us with a tsunami. Everybody worked translation and we didn’t miss hard, but even so we needed a word. Rinpoche explained the more help. nature of Mind and external phe- nomena, and about his teacher Everybody was ready to help. We Ayu Khandro. He explained how made up teams for everything. Pe- the practice of Zernga can help ruvian brothers and sisters were work against attachment, and generously time to col- refresh the practice for those stu- laborate. The three person Gakyil dents whose practice had become was united; one arm would write stagnant. to Daniel Simonelli:“the Zern- ga books per favore”, our sister Rinpoche also explained how Patricia translating to Spanish, that practice is a requirement for Rinpoche at the performance if the Yuyachkani Theater Company. Photo: Luis Chiang Chang-Way more and more people from Yantig retreat. So much love in abroad registered. We reached every sentence! Then he spoke and laughing and serving deli- , and the other, the stories fl owed. And what stories! 80 registrations from all over the about each element we are made cious Pisco chilcano. beautiful face of the Great one We were twenty, forty, fi fty, sixty world. There was great expecta- of: air, water, earth, fi re, space, and we ate him! students. “Maestro, you have to tion in the air! how to work disintegration of There was an absolutely enchant- sleep, it is late”. Fabio stared at the body and the element until ing evening. On the day previous The sincere and spontaneous us but Rinpoche carried on until Finally the day arrived and after only the A remains in open space. to the end of the teachings, we comments of the foreign broth- early in the morning with all en- waiting for him at the airport, we He then explained three different gave Rinpoche a small surprise. ers were so beautiful! We had chanted at his feet like old times. later celebrated after Fabio was ways to discover Instant Pres- We all went to the soccer court loads of them, “that they had The next day he said, “That was released after being retained for ence through Emptiness, Clarity and a show started. It was Yuy- never attended such a beautiful a magic evening which shouldn’t a long time in customs. We were and Sensation. Rinpoche has the achkani, the most prestigious spontaneous retreat, that Mae- have ended. We don’t always have laughing with Rinpoche, we most incredible tools in his infi - theatre group in our country. stro looked so happy, that they an evening like that.” started off and fuff! We had two nite wisdom. They did a dance with devils that would come to the next retreat”, fl at tires even before leaving the was very amusing and then we so beautiful. Well we are in Samsara! airport! It seemed we were never Teachings alternated with laugh- had some songs. Our sister Clau- going to arrive. The Maestro was ter and games in the pool. The dia sang “La vita é Bella”, and Then we took him back to his Maestro, this is your home, thank laughing, we arrived home, and glorious Mandala dance with then spontaneously Paul sang bungalow. He was going in, but you for your infi nite compassion. he was full of energy like a tor- Nelida, Yantra with Fabio with and Pepo surprised us with his he stayed at the door, grabbed a We are always at your feet, listen- nado. Marisa as helper, the team of Asia “icarado” song (jungle music). chair, smiled at the moon, took ing to your web casts when we Onlus headed by Milagros, the out his fl ute and began playing. are not near. We are at your feet The days went by. He worked on evening lessons for newcomers, Then there, the fi nal act. Try- What delight! And we were three, in the Sacred Guru Yoga. Come to the book of translation of a text the Dharmashop which Monica ing to emulate a Ganachakra we then eight: he was telling stories Peru, our hearts await you. that had taken him three years. and the Sangha prepared so ear- brought in two enormous cakes: “Let’s see what do you want me to He only had three more pages to nestly, Nanu in the Atibar dancing one had the edible picture of tell you, ask…love stories? What go to fi nish it. Padmasambhava in yab yum with do you want to know?”… and then

you receive teachings?” Luipa the Yogi who fed In that moment the prince un- on fi sh entrails derstood that concepts and their dualistic distinctions are ob- Reprinted with permission from The Merigar Letter stacles to total realization and Translation from the Tibetan by Elio Guarisco he freed himself from them. (this translation has not been published yet) During the following twelve years English Translation by Nina Robinson of practice Luipa fed on the en- trails of fi sh that fi shermen threw nce there was a king who rags and accompanied by an as- into the Ganges. When the girls had three sons. He was sistant, to whom he had given a who sold fi sh saw him eating fi sh Oas rich as the son of Ku- lot of gold, he fl ed to Ramesh- innards they called him Luipa. bera; his palace was decorated vara, the city of King Rama. He became famous as Luipa ev- with jewels, pearls, silver and There he abandoned his soft silk erywhere and with that name he gold. cushion and used a rough one in- attained total realization. The When the king died an astrol- stead and no longer slept in the rest of his story can be found in oger was consulted to establish royal apartments but in the ash- the life story of Dengipa and of which of his three sons should es. But anyway he was so attrac- Darika, the man of the prosti- inherit the kingdom. The as- tive and handsome that everyone tutes. trologer did his calculations and offered him food and he never then said, “If the second son sits lacked what he needed to live on. on the throne the people will be One day the prince decided to happy and the kingdom will be go to Bodhgaya where the Daki- secure.” nis took care of him and gave him Thus it was decided to entrust secret teachings. Then he went to the kingdom to the second son. Saliputra, the residence of kings, The older brother and the young- where he nourished himself on er brother and the subjects of the the food people offered him and kingdom crowned him king, but chose a cemetery as his home. he did not want this. He tried to One day he went to the market escape but his brothers and his and entered a tavern. The land- subjects tied him up with golden lady, the owner of the tavern, was there is still an obstacle the size of fered it to him. The prince chains. a worldly and as soon as a pea in his heart: it is the opinion threw it away. The Dakini got The prince bribed the servants she saw the prince she thought to he holds of his social position”. angry and said, “You still need and guards with gold and silver herself, “That man has complete- The Dakini put some rotten to discriminate between good and during the night, dressed in ly purifi ed the four chakras but food into a clay bowl and of- food and bad food; how can THE MIRROR · No. 91 · March, April 2008 ASIA

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Dear ASIA friends uted animals, food and medicine to the nomads, hit by the natural In these dramatic days for the Ti- disasters in the remoter regions betan people we are writing to of Amdo, Kham, and in the Au- you to share our refl ections and tonomous Tibetan Region. worries and to update you on the situation of the schools and our At the moment of writing we have projects. local and expatriate ASIA staff working throughout the Tibetan The Tibetan areas of China are territories: in Xining, capital of undergoing nowadays a tragedy the Chinese Province of Qinghai; of a dimension not seen since in , province of Sichuan; 1959. in Chamdo and in Lhasa in the Tibetan Autonomous Region, In 1988, exactly 20 years ago, ASIA and we keep constantly in touch. was founded with the aim of im- proving the social and economic We are also in contact in China, condition of the Tibetan people India and Nepal, with local ASIA and to protect and transmit those staff working in schools that are values of spirituality, peace, re- being supported under the long spect for the environment and al- distance sponsorship project and if it is based on respect for diver- truism which are a feature of that they have told us that the situa- sity and on a strong awareness of precious culture. tion is under control even if con- each others’ cultural roots. ditions vary from region to re- Working in this region means gion. We would like to thank you for working in a culturally oppressed your precious support and will country, where the resentment of Today more than ever we believe continue to keep you up to date. young Tibetans towards the Chi- that the presence of international nese is much in evidence. Our aim organisations in the Tibetan ar- We are sure that you will not let has always been to improve the eas of China is fundamental to us down, now more than ever, in economic, social and cultural contribute to alleviate the suffer- responding to the requests for conditions of young Tibetans ing of the Tibetans and protect aid and solidarity which come and to try to create for them work this precious Cultural Heritage from the Tibetan people in these and development opportunities tormented times equal to those available to young We feel it is important to help the Han Chinese, without any politi- local people to feel they have our Andrea Dell’Angelo cal involvement. support, and so we have decided Director ASIA Onlus to stay in these areas to represent Over these 20 years, thanks to the civil societies and the entire in- ASIA – Onlus support of many of you, we have ternational community which Via S. Martino della Battaglia 31 been able to create 15 schools, 10 believes in the values of peace 00185 Rome, Italy hospitals, 8 colleges for Tibetan and reciprocal respect. Tel: 06-44 34 00 34 studies; we have given support to www.asia-onlus.org more than 3.000 schoolchildren, We are convinced that peaceful monks and nuns; we have distrib- coexistence is possible but only

Saturday, June 14 10:45 AM–Noon Tibetan Medicine in Pruyne Hall, Fayerweather Concluding Remarks America 2008 9–10:30 AM Dr. Yang Ga, Dr. Kunchok Gyalt- Dr. Yang Ga – The Historic Roots sen, Dr. Tenzin Darje, Dr. Chody- June 13th–15th of Medical Knowledge in Tibet ing Phuntsog and Tashi Rabten at Amherst College 10:45 AM–12:15 PM Moderators: Dr. Phuntsog A historic symposium featuring Dr. Kunchok Gyaltsen – Under- Wangmo and Professor Paola keynote speaker Chögyal Nam- standing the Basis of the Tibetan Zamperini, Department of Asian khai Norbu, speakers from the Healing Science Languages and Civilizations, American Tibetan Medical Asso- Amherst College ciation and Tibetan doctors from 2–3:30 PM around the world. Dr. Tenzin Darje and Dr. Phunt- Sponsors All symposium sessions are sog Wangmo – Preventative Sponsored by the American Ti- free and open to the public, and Measures and Practical Applica- betan Medical Association; the will be held at Amherst College, tions of Tibetan Medicine Department of Asian Languages in Pruyne Hall, Fayerweather. and Civilizations, the Dean‘s Of- 3:45–5:00 PM fi ce, the Hamilton Fund, the Pres- Speaker Schedule Dr.Tenzin Dakpa and Dr. ident’s Offi ce, and the Tagliabue Friday, June 13 Chimed Rabtan – Modern Day Fund, Amherst College; and by Pruyne Hall, Fayerweather, Am- Study and Practice of Tibetan the International Shang Shung herst College, 4:30 PM Medicine in Tibet and India Institute.

Welcoming remarks by Professor Sunday, June 15 For more information Paola Zamperini, Department of Pruyne Hall, Fayerweather contact the Shang Shung Asian Languages and Civiliza- 9–10:30 AM Institute at (413) 369-41 53 tions, Amherst College Dr. Chodying Phuntsog and [email protected] Tashi Rabten – Tibetan Medicine www.ShangShung.org Opening remarks, in America Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo

Keynote lecture by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu THE MIRROR · No. 91 · March, April 2008 SeitenüberschriftShang Shung Institute

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ter on how to do the practice are With the membership in the Information about the webshops the topic of all restricted materi- Shang Shung Institute you show of the Shang Shung Institute als. With your membership in the your interest in the preservation Dzogchen Community you show of and support your respect towards the Teach- our various activities. The international Shang Shung A. Members of the Dzogchen ings and the Master. For becom- Institute wants to give you an up- Community ing a member of the Dzogchen Here you can download a text date of the information regard- Actual members of the Dzogchen Community please contact your about the membership in the ing the shops of the SSI. The pos- Community can chose from all local Gakyil. Dzogchen Community, on the sibility to purchase any of our our products. website of the Shang Shung In- products offered in our shops is In order to be able to buy re- B. Members of the Shang Shung stitute you fi nd more informa- only given to members – either stricted materials (books, CDs, Institute tion about the membership in the to members of the Dzogchen MP3s, etc.) of Chögyal Namkhai of the actual practice or the trans- Members of the Shang Shung In- Institute. Community or to members of the Norbu in one of our shops mission of Guru Yoga), and stitute can get all products that Shang Shung Institute. 1. One must have received the 2. One has to be an actual member are not restricted like several Thank you for your attention, transmission of Chögyal Nam- of the Dzogchen Community. products of the Tibetan Medi- Luigi Ottaviani, Oliver Leick, khai Norbu (depending on the Precious and unique Teach- cine, various books, CDs, MP3s, Paola Zamperini Teaching either the transmission ings and instructions of our Mas- etc. www.shangshunginstitute.org

Photo: Laila Reiss Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo gives a Ku Nye Treatment. Photo: Laila Reiss

to give a Medicine Buddha Em- This course will explore the inter- of medicinal oils, hot and cold information and registration by Shang Shung powerment, to promote health dependent relationship between stones and compresses. Kunye phone: 413 369 4928 or email: Institute USA and well being among practi- the body and mind, and the many Massage Level I is a prerequisite. [email protected] tioners and in honor of the four factors which contribute to our Contact us now for our early- Dear Friends, year traditional Tibetan medicine mental health and illness. California Tibetan Kunye Therapy registration discount! The Shang Shung Institute of program. The Medicine Buddha 250 & 500-Hour Certifi cation America is happy to announce empowerment will occur during Tibetan Kunye Therapy Level I Courses Visit our brand new website at the 2008 Calendar for Summer Rinpoche’s retreat scheduled for – with resident instructor The courses will be taught by the ShangShung.org for more in- Intensives and Events, and the May 30th–June 6th, 2008 at Tse- Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo Shang Shung Institute’s resident formation about Kunye Therapy, brand new California Kunye Mas- gyalgar East, Conway, MA. June 25th–29th, 2008 physician and head instructor, Tibetan Medicine, and all the sage Therapy Program. Fee: $ 380 Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo, and her exciting courses and events of- SSI features special guest Tibetan Moxibustion – with guest Kunye Therapy is the traditional esteemed colleague Dr. Kalsang fered by the Shang Shung Institute teachers from around the world instructor Dr. Tanzin Dargye system of gentle external treat- Yangdron of the American Tibetan of America. At ShangShung.org, who offer valuable intensive June 7th–9th, 2008 ments taught in the Tibetan Heal- Medicine Association (ATMA). you now can register for inten- courses in Tibetan medicine. The Fee: $ 225 ing Science Tantras. The function of sives, programs, pay for member- following summer classes will be The Tibetan Healing Science Tan- Kunye Therapy is to soothe and Course Dates and Times: ships, give donations and order held at Tsegyalgar, the seat of the tras list moxibustion as one of relax tensions, balance the ele- Basic Level: July 30th –Septem- a multitude of wonderful items Shang Shung Institute of Amer- the ‘strong’ external therapies. ments of the body, and therapeu- ber 10th 2008 (250 hours) from our bookstore, including a ica, 18 Schoolhouse Road, Con- Moxibustion treats disease by tically relieve many ailments. Ku- Advanced Level: January 5th – full selection of Chogyal Namkai way, MA 01341. Courses are open applying heated herbs, oils and/ nye Therapy includes massage, February 16th 2009 (250 hours) Norbu Rinpoche’s books, CDs, to the public, unless otherwise or minerals to specifi c external treating crucial points, medici- Daily session times: Monday- and DVDs. noted, and pre registration is en- points on the body. nal oils, gemstones, hot and cold Friday 8:30am-12:30pm, and couraged. For more information stones and compresses, medici- 2:00pm–6:00pm Contact or to register, please visit us at Tibetan Medicine Symposium with nal vapors and baths. Course Tuition: [email protected] the USA Branch website: Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo and keynote Basic Level course: $ 2500.00 (413) 369-4928 for more infor- http://www.ShangShung.org address by Chogyal Namkai Norbu Tibetan Kunye Therapy Level II Advanced Level course: $ 1000.00 mation and to register. or contact us by phone at (413) Rinpoche – with resident instructor 369-4928, and by email at June 13th – 15th, 2008 Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo Course location: [email protected] July 17th –20th, 2008 The course will be held in Berke- Mental Illness, Health of Body, Fee: $ 380 ley, California, at the center for Special Event: Mind and Spirit in Tibetan Kunye Therapy Level II explores the International Dzogchen Medicine Buddha Empowerment, Medicine – with guest instructor the techniques indicated for both Community, West Coast, USA: June 1st, 5–6 pm Dr. Konchog Gyaltsen healthy and sick people including Dondrubling Chögyal Namkhai Norbu has very June 17th- 19th, 2008 massage, treating crucial points 2748 #D Adeline St, Berkeley, kindly accepted the Shang Shung Fee: $ 150 related to the internal organs, CA 94703 Institute of America’s request the properties and applications THE MIRROR · No. 91 · March, April 2008 ShangSeitenüberschrift Shung Institute

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points with an explanation of • Norms to be followed after points of the lateral forepart of A Unique Moxa System their therapeutic benefi ts. moxabustion the body of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu By studying this book inter- • Benefi ts of moxabustion • Introduction to other tradition- ested people can deepen their • Reference books for the Clear al external therapies of Tibetan knowledge, learn how to apply Crystal Mirror manual of moxa- medicine: massage, compress- Elio Guarisco moxa in a safe and effective way bustion es, medical baths etc. and benefi t themselves and oth- Background of a doctor or an experienced ers. Second Day: Third Day oxa and Tibetan tradi- practitioner. Morning: Morning: tional medicine are very The Moxa Course • Location of 80 moxabustion • Location of the 81 points of the Mancient systems that Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s Rinpoche orally transmitted points on the central part of head also existed in the pre-Buddhist Experience with Tibetan Medicine parts of his newly compose text the back • Therapeutic benefi ts of apply- period. Two ancient books found When Chögyal Namkhai Norbu the Crystal Mirror in Crimea and • Therapeutic benefi ts of ing moxabustion on the among the Tung Huang docu- was studying Buddhism at the at Merigar in the year 2005 and applying moxabustion on the 81 points ments, which originally came college in Eastern Tibet, gave the complete transmission 80 points • Training in recognition of the from the Shang Shung Kingdom his teacher Khyenrab Ozer, who in Isla Margarita in the year 2006. • Training in recognition of the 81 points in Western Tibet, substantiate was also a physician, taught him In the year 2007, Chögyal Nam- 80 points that. the Four Medical Tantras. khai Norbu was taking a drive Afternoon: Later, Traditional Medicine de- Upon the completion of his with his wife Rosa at Merigar 2. Afternoon: • Training in applying moxabus- veloped very much in Tibet. Ayur- studies, Rinpoche went to a I met him along the road and he • Method of applying moxabus- tion on the 81 points of the veda and Chinese medicine also Khamding or Dartsendo, a bor- lowered his window and asked tion on the 80 points of the head infl uenced the emergence of a der town between China and me if I would be willing to teach central part of the back • Explanation of the moxa- very homogenous and complete Eastern Tibet. There he spent his system of moxa based on the • Training in applying moxabus- bustion practice of the Golden system of Tibetan medicine. more than two years as a teacher. new book he had prepared. He tion on the 80 points of the Needle There are fi ve main kinds of At that time, Kangkar Rinpoche said that we should fi rst hold central part of the back • Training in applying the moxa- external therapies, which are al- was also residing there and teach- a moxa course at Merigar West • Moxabustion points on the bustion practice of the Golden ways applied in Tibetan medi- ing at the same school. When and then at the other Gars of the cervical vertebrae Needle cine: bloodletting, moxa, medical Chögyal Namkhai Norbu came Dzogchen Community. Although • Introduction to the three baths, compresses, and massage. to know that Kangkar Rinpoche I hardly feel qualifi ed for this re- humors of Tibetan Medicine Third Weekend – Third Level A detailed list would include held the transmission of the Four sponsibility, due to some famil- First Day twenty special therapies useful Medical Tantras that came through iarity with the subject that I have Third Day: Morning: for curing various illnesses that the great Kongtrul, he requested acquired throughout many years Morning: • Location of the 84 points of the are neither heavy nor dangerous that from him. of translation for and collabora- • Bodily location of the three arms and hands and are effective and easy to ap- Although Chögyal Namkhai tion with older Tibetan doctors, I humors • Therapeutic benefi ts of apply- ply. Among these various thera- Norbu had thoroughly stud- felt I could not refuse Rinpoche’s • Characteristics of the three ing moxabustion on the pies moxa is considered very im- ied the Four Medical Tantras twice wish and accepted. Rinpoche lat- humors 84 points portant, because it can cure ill- and gained a general theoreti- er specifi ed that he wanted me to • Location of the 74 moxabus- • Training in recognition of the nesses that cannot be cured in cal knowledge of Tibetan medi- complement the moxa explana- tion points on the lateral part 84 points other ways. cine, he still lacked practical ex- tion with an explanation of ad- of the back perience. When he later met the ditional therapies used in tradi- • Therapeutic benefi ts of apply- Afternoon: Moxa Dzogchen master Changchub tional Tibetan Medicine, such as ing moxabustion on the • Training in applying moxa- Although moxa is a form of ther- Dorje, Rinpoche told him that cupping and compresses. With 74 points bustion on the 84 points of the apy originally found in Tibet, he had studied the Four Medical the intention to make this sys- • Training in recognition of the arms and hands China, and Japan, nowadays it is Tantras twice. Upon hearing that, tem of moxabustion known and 74 points • The use of hot and cold com- known in all parts of the world. Changchub Dorje responded, available to the members of the presses Moxa is most effective when ap- “Good! You learned medicine Dzogchen Community and to Afternoon: • Training in applying hot and plied in colder climates, so it had intellectually, now you should whomever wishes to apply moxa- • Symptoms of the imbalance of cold compresses fertile ground for development in practice it. You should work with bustion for their own and other’s the three humors Tibet. Aside from being a general my students.” Changchub Dorje benefi t, we started to organize • Training in applying moxabus- Second Day cure for many illnesses, it is very had three students who were courses in moxabustion, the fi rst tion on the 74 points of the Morning: useful for relieving pain and re- very good in the practice of moxa of which was held at Merigar in lateral part of the back • Location of the 86 points of the storing vital energy. and bloodletting. Practicing with February and March 2008. • Seven types of humoral consti- legs Moxa is applied to general and them day after day, Rinpoche The course consists of three tutions • Therapeutic benefi ts of apply- specifi c points of the body. The quickly learned their methods levels spread over three week- ing moxabustion on the general points are those where and benefi ts and began to apply ends in which the 500 moxabus- Second Weekend – Second Level 86 points an illness manifests an illness or these techniques upon the many tion points are introduced along First Day: • Training in recognition of the problem. The specifi c points are patients who came to visit Chang- with their benefi ts and additional Morning: 86 points those explained in moxa manu- chub Dorje daily. therapies are explained and ap- • Location of 65 points on the als. Although many moxa and plied. The rough schedule for central forepart of the body Afternoon: acupuncture points correspond, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s this course is as follows: • Therapeutic benefi ts of apply- • Training in applying moxa- it is not always the case because Research on Moxa ing moxabustion on the bustion on the 84 points of the moxa does not exactly follow the After collecting and comparing The Three Levels of Training in 65 points legs system of meridians particular to many Tibetan texts on the subject Tibetan Moxabustion • Training in recognition of the • The use of the Fire-vase acupuncture. of moxa, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu According to the Tradition of 65 points therapy (cupping) In Tibet and Mongolia a chose the seven most important Chögyal Namkhai Norbu • Training in applying the Fire- rough form of moxa was often ones, including a document from Afternoon: vase therapy (cupping) performed with a heated metal Tun-Huang and a hidden teach- First Weekend – First Level • Causes for the imbalance of instrument. This type of moxa, ing rediscovered by his master First Day: the three humors Third Day which is indispensable for some Changchub Dorje. From these Morning: • Training in applying moxabus- Morning: kinds of illness, needs to be ap- he made a compilation of the • General introduction to the tion on the 65 points of the • Moxabustion using horns and plied by a knowledgeable physi- moxa practice that includes the practice of moxabustion central forepart of the body wood cian and not just by the common description of more than 3000 • Methods for preparing arte- • Diet and behavior for the im- • Mongolian moxabustion therapist. moxa points and their respective misia for moxabustion balance of the three humors • Preparation of the Mongolian During Rinpoche’s last visit to benefi ts. This is still an ongo- • Illnesses for which moxa- moxabustion China, he had a dream in which ing project and he hopes one day bustion is indicated Second Day: • Application of Mongolian he met someone who explained it will be completed. But even • Illnesses for which moxa- Morning: moxabustion for relieving to him very clearly that the appli- though his research is not com- bustion is not indicated • Location of 30 points on the stress cation of this rough form of moxa plete, Rinpoche thought it would • Points on the body where moxa- lateral forepart of the body was not always necessary and be useful to prepare a book sum- bustion is not to be done • Therapeutic benefi ts of apply- Afternoon: that there were other very effec- marizing this information for ing moxabustion on the • Training in applying moxa- tive ways of applying moxa, such people who wish to study and use Afternoon: 30 points bustion as using the small Japanese tubes it now. Thus an abbreviated ver- • Moxabustion points indicated • Training in recognition of the • Indications on some basic or the Chinese sticks. sion entitled the Clear Crystal Mir- by an illness 30 points Tibetan remedies for the From that dream Rinpoche ror, A Concise Guide on the Practice of • Moxabustion points to be lo- imbalance of the three humors understood that moxa does not Moxa has been prepared, and a cated by measures Afternoon: to be utilized in conjunction need to be applied as tradition- translation will soon be available • Measures used to determine • Moxabustion with wood, with moxabustion ally done in Tibet, but could be through Shang Shung Editions. moxabustion points water, salt, calcite taught and applied more freely It is written in a simple style and • Four different methods of ap- • Training in applying these without having the qualifi cations is a compilation of 500 different plying moxabustion form of moxabustion on the 30 THE MIRROR · No. 91 · March, April 2008

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

September 8–15 October 19–26 June August Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Vajra Dance Teacher’s Training Calendar June 7–8 August 1–3 Dzogchen Teaching Retreat Reserved to authorized instructors only SMS Base Collective practice, Dance Course of the 6 Spaces of Kalmykia, Russian Federation with Prima Mai and Adriana Dal Borgo of Events 7th Lojong Samanta bhadra with Maurizio Mingotti 320 € no discounts Starts the 7th at 10.00 90 € discounts for members September 19–21 Starts the 19th at 17.00 Starts the 1st at 17.00 Yantra Yoga Beginners Course Finishes the 26th at 13.00 2008 June 14–15 Finishes 3rd at 13.00 Open to everyone SMS Base Collective practice – Rushen with Laura Evangelisti Oct. 31–Nov. 3 May Starts the 14th at 10.00 August 5–9 120 € – discounts for members Chögyal Namkhai Norbu May 17–18 Advanced Vajra Dance course combined Starts the 19th at 17.00 Teaching and Practice dedicated Explanation & practice of “Secret June 21–26 with the practice of Gomadevi Finishes 21st at 13.00 to the dead Khorde Rushen”&”The 7 Semdzins” Dance of the Vajra for Beginners, with Adriana Dal Borgo Starts the 31st at 16.00 (SMS Base) with Fabio Risolo 1st part 200 € discounts for members Sep. 26 –Oct. 3 Cost: 200 € – discounts for members 60 € discounts for members Supervised by Prima Mai Starts the 5th at 17.00 Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Starts the 17th at 10.00 Maurizio Mingotti Finishes the 9th at 13.00 Dzogchen Teaching Retreat November Finishes 18th at 13.00 240 € discounts for members Starts 26th September, at 16.00 November 4–9 Starts the 21st at 17.00 August 11–18 Cost: 400 € discounts for members Vajra Dance Course, 2nd part May 23–25 Finishes the 26th at 13.00 Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Supervised by a main teacher Yantra Yoga 3rd series Dzogchen Teaching Retreat Local teacher with Laura Evangelisti June 28–29 “Method of Integration from October 240 € discounts for members 120 € discounts for members Explanation and practice of pranayama Dzogchen Upadesa root tantra October 4–8 Starts 4th at 17.00 Starts the 23rd at 17.00 and kumbakha, a preparation to the Dra Thalgyur” Explanation and practice of the 1st SMS Finishes 9th at 13.00 Finishes 25th at 13.00 practice of Tsalung (Open webcast) level with Jim Valby with Laura Evangelisti Starts the 11th, at 16.00 150 € – discounts for members November 14–20 May 30–June 4 80 € – discounts for members Cost: 400 € – discounts for members 4th–5th: 9.00–12.00 & 16.00–19.00 Closed Webcast Audio & Video Vajra Dance – Advanced Course Starts the 28th at 10.00 6th–8th: to be defi ned Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Supervised by Prima Mai August 20–28 Dzogchen Teaching Retreat Rita Renzi Yantra Yoga 4th and 5th Series and October 6–9 “Terma teaching Kunsang Jaku by 240 € discounts for members July Variations with Laura Evangelisti and 3rd Level SMS Exam the great terton Duddul Dorje” Starts the 30th at 17.00 July 4–8 Fabio Andrico Barcelona, Spain Finishes the 4th at 13.00 Explanation of the Tsalung of 360 € – discounts for members October 10–17 Mandarava with Elio Guarisco Starts the 20th at 17.00 Chögyal Namkhai Norbu December May 30–June 6 150 € – discounts for members Finishes the 29th at 13.00 Training of the 4th SMS level December 6–8 Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Starts the 4th at 16.00 400 € no discounts Long life retreat practice of Mandarava Open Webcast Audio & Video: September Starts the 6th at 17.00 Dzogchen Teaching Retreat “Bardo July 14–20 September 1–7 October 17–19 Finishes the 8th at 13.00 teaching from Dzogchen Upadesa Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Teachers Training 1st level Deepening the practice of 8 Movements root tantra Dra Thalgyur” Open Webcast Audio & Video: Dance of the Vajra and explanation of Tsandul Dec. 26 –Jan. 1 ’09 Tsegyalgar East, USA Dzogchen Teaching Retreat with Adriana Dal Borgo and Prima Mai with Laura Evangelisti Closed Webcast Audio & Video: “Khordas Rushan teaching from 280 € – no discounts 120 € discounts for members Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Dzogchen Upadesa root tantra Dra Starts 1st at 17.00 Starts the 17th at 16.00 Dzogchen Teaching Retreat Thalgyur” Finishes the 7th at 13.00 “Dzogchen tredchod teaching of Merigar East, Romania Jigmed Lingpa from the Instruction Yeshe Lama” Tashigar Sud – Argentina The duties of the Gakyil within the Com- · capacity to work in a team Candidates for munity are the following: · know Italian and English Gakyil and Gekö Blue Gakyil – all activities linked to · know how to use the computer and The fi rst moxabustion course the organization of teaching retreats internet at Merigar West at Merigar West and collective practices at Merigar · lots of patience and elasticity Yellow Gakyil – fi nancial management given by Elio Guarisco Don’t hesitate to present yourself as a Dear members, of all the activities at Merigar and candidate. Those who have already had Becoming a member of the Gakyil or membership Elisa Copello this experience can certainly guarantee the Gekö at Merigar West is a wonder- Red Gakyil – supervising ordinary Translated by L. Granger that it is an excellent daily practice. ful opportunity for all those who would maintenance work and extra work, concretely like to help the Dzogchen organizing karma yoga Greetings to all bout fi fteen people par- various sources ranging from the Community. Taking on one of these The Merigar West Gakyil ticipated in the course of Four Tantras of Tibetan medicine roles means really putting into practice Candidates for Gekö Amoxa given by Elio Guaris- to other unpublished texts which the teaching of our precious Master Gekö in translation means “Custodian co in the Gonpa at Merigar West, include, in particular, a precious Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. of virtue” and is a fundamental role Upcoming all of them very interested in and gterma of Chan Chub Dorje. for the management of daily activities Costantino Albini, Fabio Risolo and Oli- eager to learn about this ancient Many different aspects of In a few months the Gakyil and Gekö within a Gar. This role is particularly ver Leick have been offering at Merigar healing art which, together with moxabustion were covered dur- will change for 2008/2009. To stand important because it is the fi rst contact seminars of the practices needed to blood-letting, hot and cold com- ing the course: the unit of mea- as a candidate does not mean being that new people who are approaching prepare the SMS Base exam. presses, balneotherapy and mas- sure traditionally used in Tibetan elected and the position is not an ir- the teaching have. sage, belongs to the group of ex- medicine to identify the points revocable commitment. If you express Fabio Risolo will do the next one on the The Gekö represents the Dzogchen ternal therapies used in Tibetan on the body to be treated, indi- your interest from now you will have Seven Semzin and the Secret Rushen. Community and its principles. medicine. The extent and com- cations and contraindications of the possibility to speak in greater detail He will also give the relative references plexity of the material involved moxa, the four main methods of with the current Gakyil and Gekö who Those who would like to have detailed to the explanations contained in the required three courses of three application, the various types of are available at any moment to clarify information on this role and the duties ‘Precious Vase’. days each, however, many of the moxa which include not only the any of your questions. of the Gekö can ask for the Gekö report Seven Semzin and the Secret Rushen participants felt that in future the use of pre-prepared ‘cigars’ and in the offi ce. Candidates for Gakyil May 17th and 18th 2008 course could be organized into cones prepared on the spot with In general candidates for the Gakyil Those who apply for the position of Gekö with Fabio Risolo four seminars in order to give artemisia, but also the use of should possess the following qualifi ca- have to be able to move to Serkhang Cost: 60 € with discount for members students the possibility to prac- other substances and objects. In tions: (Yellow House) for the whole year of The course start the 17th at 10 am tice and experience more fully the fact during the course the gentle · be a paid-up member of the their task. – fi nish the 18th at 1 pm various techniques. perfume of different spices and Community for at least three years Elio Guarisco’s explanations aromas wafted through the Gon- The Gekö can candidate him/herself For further information, please contact · be motivated and offer his/her time to during the course were based on pa: nutmeg, aniseed, ginger and alone, as a couple or with an assistant. the Secretary: Anna De Sole the Community his translation of the book on powdered dry garlic to prepare Merigar West Secretary · guarantee his/her presence at The main qualifi cations that are neces- moxabustion written by Chögyal the horme or Mongolian moxa, +39 0564 966837 Merigar at least once a month sary include: Namkhai Norbu which was the slices of garlic or ginger used to merigaroffi [email protected] · be able to work in a group · being a member of the Community result of scrupulous and metic- protect the skin and avoid burns, www.dzogchen.it · possibly know English for at least three years ulous research by the Master in >> continued on page 14 THE MIRROR · No. 91 · March, April 2008 Tsegyalgar East

12

Tsegyalgar – Victorious Summit of Pure and Total Presence

John Foster

segyalgar East is under- on the land and so we gave him taking some rather am- the fi nest of accommodations: he T bitious projects that will had his own tent, his own privy, be of great benefi t to both the lo- and a black plastic solar heated cal and worldwide Community. bag for showers. We also had a These projects (described below) plywood platform down near the will require a great deal of money pond that was used for meals, and we are asking the Interna- some teachings, and things in tional Community’s support to general. help bring them to fruition. After a few years of large open A Short History of Khandroling retreats Rinpoche said that he Around 1986, it became clear would like to do a personal re- that the small meeting house we treat on Khandroling. We pro- owned in Conway, Massachu- ceeded to build him a two-story setts, would no longer be suit- cabin on a hill overlooking the able for our growing Commu- pond. To build the cabin we fi rst nity or for some of the practices had to build a bridge to that loca- that Rinpoche was teaching (like tion. After about 2 years, the cab- Rushen). Our original meeting- in was ready for his use. It was house was located on a busy defi nitely an improvement over road next to a batch of new con- his tent. It had a small kitchen struction, so we began to look area, a woodstove, a bathroom, for a more suitable property. We a gaslight, and a beautiful view showed Rinpoche several loca- of the pond below. Around 1990 tions that we thought were pos- Rinpoche did his fi rst personal sibilities. Eventually we showed retreat on Khandroling. Rinpoche a remote parcel of land in Buckland, Massachusetts, About half way through his per- Universal Mandala. about 20 minutes away from Con- sonal retreat of Vajrapani and the way by car. When he saw this land Long Life Practice of the Dakini As it turned out, Rinpoche had be best for retreat cabins. There running water and a small kitch- he said, “This is the place.” It had Mandarava, he asked for some begun having dreams related to were to be several Dakini cabins, en. We also built a very beautiful no buildings and consisted of 162 paint and paint brushes. We gave his Vajra Dance terma while we a Thögal cabin, a particular cabin dedicated to Rinpoche’s acres of undeveloped, wooded him some small brushes and were having our fi rst retreats on dedicated to the Guardians, and long life. land (about 65 hectares), a beau- paints like you would use to paint the land. He related that the actu- a ceremonial gate that led to the tiful 1-acre pond, and three small a small picture. He asked for big- al location of the Mandala in his retreat cabin area. Due to legal The Vajra Dance Mandala of the mountain peaks. ger brushes and more paint. No dreams was on the hilltop, right issues related to the building of Universe one could fi gure out why. Toward where we had put the large tent the cabins, we were only able to The following year, we built the We sold the house that we owned the end of his retreat, he invited during the previous retreats. He build the Guardian cabin a few fi rst Vajra Dance Mandala on the and purchased this property in- everyone to join him. There, on told us that he had spent a night years ago, after a 12-year legal spot that Rinpoche indicated. It stead, which Rinpoche named the plywood platform near the on this spot, sharing it with all process. Currently, in addition served us well for a number of Khandroling, or ‘Land of the Da- pond, was the very fi rst manifes- the other creatures of the forest, to Rinpoche’s cabin, we have a years, but when it was time to re- kinis.’ For several years we held tation of the Vajra Dance Man- including a bear. Guardian cabin, a Mandarava place it, we built a Universal sized summer retreats with Rinpoche dala, painted by Rinpoche and Long Life Practice cabin, an al- Mandala in its place. On May 10, under a large tent on one of the ready for its fi rst Nirmanakaya Rinpoche revealed a number of most completed Thögal cabin, 2005, Rinpoche consecrated the peaks. Rinpoche wanted to stay dancers. places on the land that would and a bathhouse replete with hot International Dzogchen Com-

Songs from Tsegyalgar

The light of the heart of the Dakini Falls as blessings upon this Sacred place It illuminates the darkness Of our age May her song and dance Lead the way to liberation

Joseph Zurlyo THE MIRROR · No. 91 · March, April 2008 Tsegyalgar East

13 munity’s fi rst Universal Mandala ing a building that can stand for Gonpa and administrative of- with the very moving and power- many years and provide future fi ces, now located at the School- ful practices of Sang, Serkyem, generations with the possibil- house in Conway, are being used and short Jñanadakini. In 2005, ity of integrating the dance prac- by the ever-expanding Shang Rinpoche asked Tsegyalgar to tice on the site of its inception Shung Institute of America. Many construct a cover over the Man- is, you guessed it, not cheap. We of the Shang Shung Institute’s dala, and at last we are ready to estimate the cost to be close to activities, particularly the Tibetan proceed. $ 700,000. To this end we have Medicine Program taught by Dr. tentatively come up with some Phuntsog Wangmo, are current- We are now approaching the very unique fundraising awards ly hosted there. The Institute’s end of our design phase for the for individuals or gars that we need for classroom and admin- Universal Mandala pavilion. may quantify as greater capacity istrative space has compelled The Mandala of the Universe is donors. Jim Smith has produced us to raise some $ 25,000 in the 84 ft (25.6 m) in diameter, and an -sized, gold-plated stupa last month to begin the fi rst the cover will need to be 100 ft that Rinpoche has agreed to em- phase of work to transform the (30.5 m) in diameter to allow for power with some very special rel- dilapidated farmhouse on lower viewers and to provide the nec- ics, including some from Rigdzin Khandroling into a practice and essary protection from the snow Changchub Dorje. There will be offi ce space. We will begin the and rain. Even though we cover more than enough to accommo- process as soon as weather per- the existing Mandala every win- date any and all greater capacity mits, and the necessary authori- ter, it’s no match for the winter donors. The Community has also zation is received. If we can raise conditions typical to the higher commissioned a number of im- more money soon, we can also elevations in New England. The portant statues, including Jñana- continue our work renovating structure itself must be profes- dakini in Yab-Yum with Vajrapa- the farmhouse to include guest sionally engineered to be able to ni, as well as Gomadevi, Manda- quarters, a kitchen and baths. span this large area with no inter- rava, , and Sinhamukha. We estimate the cost of the fi rst nal supports, to be able to with- These statues would go to our phase to be around $ 95,000, and stand high winds, large snow medium capacity donors. We will the total cost, including phase loads, and even the occasional also have many other beautiful earthquake. The roadway leading gifts for donors of any capacity to up to the mountaintop must also these important projects. We will be improved to get the materials send out this information soon. and heavy equipment up to this very remote location. This would Time is of the essence for this be a daunting construction proj- project. Rinpoche has asked to ect even if it were in a more con- have the Universal Mandala pa- Rinpoche dancing on the second Mandala on the land in 1992. venient location. The bottom line vilion completed by 2011. That

Farmhouse. Rinpoche’s Cabin. The Pond. is that we have been asked to con- may seem like a lot of time, but usually only have until early Oc- a legal road. By acquiring this 2, to be around $ 375,000. The struct a structure that will ensure in reality, we can only access the tober or November to work on property we circumvented any two phases also incorporate the the protection and use of the Uni- land by car, truck, or heavy equip- the land before the snow prevents possible issues that may arise in need for new foundation work, versal Mandala in various weath- ment for 6–7 months out of the vehicle access. Stay tuned for fur- the future regarding the road is- new electrical service, updated er conditions. The Vajra Dance is year to due to the long and un- ther info and the exact ways and sue. Rinpoche said it would be plumbing, and the addition of one of the most important and predictable New England winter. means to contribute to this im- very wise to buy the land of lower a 2nd fl oor and stairs. The con- sacred practices for all the fol- We hope to raise suffi cient funds mensely benefi cial endeavor. Khandroling, and of course with struction of a roadway connect- lowers of Rinpoche’s teachings, soon to produce the required en- his great clarity, he saw how it ing upper and lower Khandrol- and most likely the world in gen- gineering specifi cations, acquire A Home for Rinpoche, a Gonpa, would be of great benefi t to the ing and the construction of a new eral. the necessary permits, and en- and Guest House for Pilgrims Community for the future. The house for Rinpoche and his fam- gage professional contractors, Another important project di- property, about 40 acres of forest, ily, we estimate, will cost an addi- This being the United States, so that we can begin the road re- rectly related to the Mandala pa- fi eld, and a running brook also tional $ 500–700,000. After our there is a high cost for every- pair and foundation work for the vilion involves the use and im- hosts a small, old, and dilapidat- upcoming retreat with Rinpoche thing. The necessity of construct- Mandala pavilion this year. We provement of another piece of ed farmhouse, which is currently in May and June 2008, we will un- property that we own. This prop- the home of our land Gekö. It is doubtedly have more details and erty directly abuts Khandroling, also the home to two dilapidated information for all. We will keep and we call it lower Khandroling. barns and several outbuildings everyone informed by all the usu- desde el sur Several years ago the nopportu- that are attached to the house. al resources as well as through fi ne jewelry and nity arose to acquire this piece of Because the house and land are our new blog, which will be an- vajra dance shoes property. It seemed that it would on a maintained town road, nounced soon. Please feel free to be the only property ever avail- they can be accessed and even contact Tsegyalgar East with any able to us that would directly abut used during the winter months. questions or ideas you may have. the original Khandroling land, as Rinpoche felt that another great May the fruit of your generos- well as a legally recognized town use of this property would be to ity benefi t all for a long time to tel: road. Our long 12-year court provide guest quarters for people come!!! 0054 351 488 09 94 battle to build our retreat cabins who would come to Khandroling email: was centered on a dispute of the for a pilgrimage in the future. With Tashi Delegs, [email protected] legality of the road that leads to John Foster cordoba, argentina Khandroling. In the state of Mas- Developing lower Khandroling Tsegyalgar East Red Gakyil adriana battisti designer sachusetts, a dwelling must be seems more and more necessary constructed on land that fronts as of late, because our existing THE MIRROR · No. 91 · March, April 2008

14 MerigarWest

>> Moxabustion continued from page 11 adhesive cones, wood and calcite utilized particularly for pain and articular effusions, the golden needle used for serious imbal- ances of rlung humor, copper sticks, alabaster and glass cups. Elio dedicated the greater part of the course to explain- ing the 500 points identifi ed by Rinpoche during his research. The Master had personally done designs to help students under- stand and locate the points situ- ated on the back, torso, head and limbs. Elio explained each one clearly and patiently, pointing out how to fi nd them and listing Photo: Liane Gräf Photo: Liane Gräf their related therapeutic indica- tions and benefi ts. In order to During the course there were knowledge of the various thera- Tibetan medicine for therapeu- tus to many of them to continue help students memorize better also explanations of the funda- peutic approaches of this ancient tic purposes both in the form of their studies whenever there is a the map of points in question, we mental principles on which Ti- discipline. Elio then went on to decoctions and compresses and possibility. worked as a group to look for and betan medicine is based such as illustrate the other external thera- cited the most famous and suit- All the students were united in identify them using felt-tip pens the theory of the fi ve elements and pies, some only in theory such as able medical preparations to cure their appreciation of Elio’s prep- to show their positions. the three humors, the description blood-letting, balneotherapy and pathologies that are typical of aration and undoubted teaching During each session, students of symptoms that are typical of an hot and cold compresses while Westerners. qualities, his good humor and tried out the various techniques imbalance of the humors, advice others from a practical point of Even though the course was great willingness that helped to under the watchful and atten- on how to work with less serious view such as cupping, another relatively short it was very de- make the diffi cult and complex tive eyes of Elio who guided our problems through use of diet and type of therapy that uses heat and tailed and, besides providing ex- subject much easier to under- practice and gave suggestions on behavior, the physical and mental is therefore often associated with tremely useful and in-depth in- stand. where and how to work on the characteristics that distinguish moxa. dications on the use of moxa, it Thank you to the Master for basis of the actual or supposed the seven types of ‘personality’ as To conclude, Elio spoke at offered an overview of the whole writing such a precious treatise pathology of the patient who had well as other information which length and in minute detail on spectrum of Tibetan medicine and thank you to Elio who gave been chosen as a ‘model’. is indispensable in order to bet- various types of herbs, miner- which was very much appreciated us the possibility to receive this ter understand and deepen one’s als and other substances used in by the students and was an impe- knowledge.

is very vast, he said that Tibetan the lunar calendar, the aspects of Tibetan Astrology astrology was all contained with- the days and the combination of at Merigar West in the hand, which was the means days and constellations. The doc- to work out many of the calcula- tor concluded the last session by with Dr. Gendun Dhargay tions involved, and showed us comparing the various aspects of April 25–27, 2008 how to reckon the animal signs, the charts of two individuals. the elements and directions on Although it was short, the Liz Granger the three fi ngers of the left hand. course was an intense experience Dr. Gendun explained about and one that many of us hope the uring the long weekend the different types of diseases Shang Shung Institute will be of April 25–27, 2008 according to the Tibetan system able to continue in the future. DMerigar West was the and how astrology could be re- venue for the fi rst seminar on lated to them. Tibetan Astrology organized by The students struggled some- the Shang Shung Institute. The what trying to learn how to use course was given by Dr. Gendun the many charts the doctor pre- Dhargay, a Tibetan doctor/as- sented in order to calculate birth trologer who graduated in Ti- signs, elements, the Me-Wa or betan medicine and astrology at potential of a person and the Par- the Chagpori Tibetan Medical Dr. Gendun teaching. Ka or use of a person’s birth date Institute in Darjeeling in India to foresee possible future ten- under the guidance of Trogawa There were about 35 partici- he would be able to simply give dencies. During one of the ses- Rinpoche. After specializing in pants at the course from a variety participants an introduction to sions, he mentioned that it could herbal medicine at the Men Tsee of backgrounds including both this fascinating science. be faster to use the fi ngers or the Khang institute in Dharamsala medicine and astrology but each He began by presenting an charts rather than a computer to he came to Europe where he cur- with a particular personal inter- overview of the three types of as- work out astrological aspects. Passages rently resides in Assisi, Italy. The est in the subject. trological systems in use in Tibet Some participants were not en- doctor teaches on a regular basis Dr. Gendun opened the course and then went on to give details tirely convinced about this. Born: Welcome to baby Stella who was at the Ben Gurion University in by explaining that normally the of the astrological signs related The three-day course was in- born on March 28th in Rome to Lucia Tel Aviv. study of Tibetan astrology lasts to the directions and the organs tensive and covered many aspects Antonelli, last year’s director at Meri- fi ve years and that in three days of the body. Although the subject including the consideration of gar, and Luca Tirello.

Accommodation Service at Merigar Christina von Geispitzheim Information for people who intend to come to Merigar for Email: [email protected] retreats or to follow courses Phone: 0039 0564 957542 If you are looking for accommodation, airport transfer, local car Mobile phone: 0039 339 1370739 hire or only logistic assistance, you can contact the following information and reservation service: We cooperate with local hotels, family pensions, residences, agriturismo, Community members who have rooms or houses to rent or sublet. Also we can advise on car rental (at airports Accommodation Service or locally), on the best itinerary and time tables of trains and (Information available in English, German, French and Italian) buses, and we have now a circuit of residents who offer various Information service and reservation of accommodation during useful services like transfer from the airports, local taxi service, retreats, local transport, & logistic solutions: translations, baby sitting, etc. THE MIRROR · No. 91 · March, April 2008

15

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

Yellow: The next activities we are planning are: News from Tereza Starkova, Czech Republic: · Yantra Yoga courses in Bucharest and Merigar East [email protected], also secretary Sofi a, of ME · A public talk with Chögyal Namkhai

Vasil Dabov, Bulgaria: Norbu Rinpoche in Bucharest, before There have been some changes at [email protected] the summer retreat. Merigar East and we are happy to pres- ent the new Merigar East Gakyil of six Geköe: We urgently need helpers for preparing people: Blaga Tibor, Hungary: the summer retreat. Many relaxed and [email protected] enthusiastic karma-yogis and yoginis Blue: are very welcome from now on at 23 Au- Gabriella Schneider, Romania: Secretary: gust, Romania. Interested practitioners [email protected], president of Tereza Starkova, Czech Republic: please contact the red Gakyil. ME-Gakyil [email protected] Yana Sokolova, Russian Speaking Community: Romanian speaking assistant Details about our activities, retreat [email protected] secretary: Ioanna Ortopelea at costs and accommodation-possibilities [email protected] will be announced in time on Norbunet Meeting of Merigar East Gakyil with Red IG member Karin Eisenegger. Photo: K. Eisenegger Red: and on the website www.dzogchen.ro. Grzegorz Ladra, Poland: We would like to inform you also, that We will update our website with all re- Practitioners can already register for by SSI to Igor Legati for Merigar West [email protected] after reorganization the Gakyil meets quested information till the end of May. the summer retreat from now on by and East or to Igor Berkhin for the Rus- George Tenger, Hungary: monthly in Merigar East to prepare the contacting [email protected]. sian Speaking Community. [email protected] summer retreat. The next Gakyil meet- ing will be May 1–5. For Santi Maha Sangha exams please With many Tashi Delegs, send your applications as recommended Gakyil of Merigar East

Post adr. Also, there is now a Gakyil in Paris, SMS practitioners are welcomed, as 5–8 August Europe Sofi egade 1, lejl 45 chosen by the members there. location and job provide plenty oppor- Breathing Course 1418 Copenhagen K This Gakyil is: tunities for their practice. with Fabio Andrico Denmark Yellow: Beatrix Orbeiceta Austria Interested people should contact 8–10 August upcoming [email protected] Paris Laurent Maurice Dance of the 6 Spaces Vajra Dance – Introduction to the Red: Arianna De Toni Estonia ([email protected]), with Stoffelina Verdonk Dance of the Six Dimensions of The Dzogchen Community of Estonia [email protected] Paris Director, Red Gakyil. Samantabhadra has elected a new Gakyil as follows: Blue: Régina Martino 11–18 August with Karin Heinemann [email protected] Paris Dejam Ling, Place of Infi nite Bliss, Chöd – Andres Zelmin [email protected] Innsbruck, Austria consecrated by Rinpoche in 1998, is in with Zeljka Jovanovic Mart Viires [email protected] The 2 Gakyils are working together to an isolated private valley 1-hour drive Tuesday, May 20th, 2008, Katri Ojasoo [email protected] develop activities in France, Paris and Practice retreats from the city of Montpellier at the 4 pm –9.30 pm Dejamling and all regions. 1–4 July and 20–27 July Mediterranean Sea. Buildings include See the program in our web site : Practice retreats of Longsal Prelimi- Pfarrsaal Wilten West France a big old stone house with full comfort (in French) naries, Mandarava, Vajra Dance Zollerstr. 6 In February the following people were and a very inspiring mandala hall. http://www.association-dzogchen.org elected as the national Gakyil in France Fiesta – Special events – Surprises!!!!! Fee: 40 € with reductions possible (program in English will soon be * Yellow: Upcoming: 2–3 August Contact: Monica Wittib published on Norbunet) Patrick David [email protected] Summer 2008 Tel. 0043(0)512 940002 Don’t delay your registration as some (Yellow – Treasurer), Lyon Exceptional Retreat Program in France Email: [email protected] * courses can take only a limited number of Bruno Rousselin 10-year Anniversary of Dejam Ling Work Exchange in Dejam Ling participants! [email protected] (Southern France) You are cordially invited to participate Czech Republic (Yellow – Membership), Toulouse Accommodation in the Ling (dormitory For its 10-year anniversary, Dejam Ling at the retreats and courses in France... New Czech Republic Gakyil Red: or camping), or in nearby guesthouses. is hosting many retreats this summer in Cannes (Cote d’Azur)(French Blue: Katerina Osancova, Pavel Spanily, Laurent Maurice (Santi Maha Sangha Base with Jim Valby Riviera): More on our website: Daniel Kopriva [email protected] and Jakob Winkler, Vajra Dance with http://www.association-dzogchen.org (Director and Red), Paris Many teaching retreats with qualifi ed Red: Cyril Lojda, Jakub Augustinsky, Prima Mai and Stoffelina Verdonk, Vincent Mardelet instructors: Registration: Hélène Lafage: Martin Zmydloch Breathing with Fabio, Chöd with Zeljka [email protected] 5–11 July [email protected] Jovanovic). Yellow: Michal Kunes, Martin Erhardt, (Red, Dejam Ling), Alès Dance of the Song of the Vajra 2nd part Thanks and Long Life to our Master! Petr Lisy Blue: The French Community is offering free with Stoffelina Verdonk Stoffelina Verdonk accommodation and attendance to the Contact: [email protected] 12–19 July [email protected] (Blue), retreats from May to August against Base of Santi Maha Sangha St Rome de Tarn building, gardening and housekeeping with Jim Valby Denmark Catherine Duez work. New Red Gakyil in Copenhagen [email protected] 28 July–1st August Applicants should be able to communi- Christen Norre Bundgaard (Blue) Sisteron Advanced Course of the Dance of the cate in French or English and have some tel. +0045 60 63 34 60 Song of Vajra experience of the Community. email [email protected] with Prima Mai

ing which he generously gave to Germany us to harmonize our elements and to improve our everyday life. Namkha Course in Essen with Liane Gräf We learned about the relation- January 31–February 3, 2008 ship of the fi ve elements Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water; the 12 animals and their related ele- Translated excerpt from Larissa Rieve’s article ments, the elements of the year in Dzogchen Brief, issue 58 and the Mewa: with this knowl- amkha is a three dimen- need help to do so. When I heard edge everyone starts to calculate sional object, construct- that the German Gakyil was or- the chart of their birth year. Ned with sticks and co- ganizing a 4-day Namkha course The next day we learned how lourful threads, which, after its in Essen with Liane Gräf, I didn’t to calculate the proportion of authentication, will harmonize hesitate to participate. the Namkha and the size of the one’s elements of birth. Last year After a short Guruyoga we start sticks to cut and we start prepar- I had a quite naïve idea to quickly – fi rst of all we learned some the- ing them. This is one of the ma- construct a Namkha by myself, ory. We learned about the history jor challenges during the course but after reading the Namkha of the Namkha and the origin of for most of us: cutting, sawing book I soon realized that I would Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s teach- and making the sticks fi t to- THE MIRROR · No. 91 · March, April 2008

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Payment: Europe >> continued Italy All retreat if paid After May 10: re- gether. Liane helped each of us Tibetan Painting Workshop duced 125 PLN, normal 250 PLN, sustain- and those who fi nish preparing March 2008 ing 50 PLN – : for 1. session reduced: 25 their sticks help the others. Zhenphenling, Rome PLN, normal 50 PLN, sustaining PLN The next day we continued * The Seven Mental Trainings (blo sbyong) belong to with the fi ve colors of cotton A Tibetan Painting course took place the Dzogchen Upadesha tradition and have been thread. According to our manu- in Rome at the Dzogchen Community included in the Base of Santi Maha Sangha as preliminaries of the true practices of Dzogchen. al capacities we chose bigger or Center, Zhenphenling. It was the fi rst The topic of this seminar is the three methods for smaller dimensions and thinner Sacred Tibetan Painting workshop, experiencing pleasure and void, clarity and void or stronger thread and we soon an 18-hour course, which took place and the ultimate nature of phenomena. The three methods are linked to breathing and visualiza- noticed that each Namkha would over the weekends of March 8–9, and tion and aim to lead the practitioner to an under- be individual. 15–16, 2008. Muriella Colajacomo and standing of the state of contemplation through Moving the thread anticlock- Washington Malaga, with six dedicated the three specifi c experiences. wise around the sticks and mak- students, completed the study of tradi- Oliver Leick has been a disciple of Chögyal ing the knots from one color to tional measures by creating beautiful Namkhai Norbu since 1977. He is an autho- the next was not so easy at the drawings, deepening their knowledge rized local Yantra Yoga teacher and in the beginning. But slowly, with the of the symbolism and by putting into last years he has given several seminars on patient help of our teacher, we practice the traditional techniques of http://dettaglicorsi.blogspot.com/ the 7th Lojong in different countries. improved and at the end we all preparing canvases, mineral colors and or by emailing Muriella Colajacomo at The Netherlands fi nished putting the fi nal thread various systems of gilding. The model [email protected] The Dzogchen Community the Nether- Romania around, the ‘Lha’ that surround- followed by the Workshop permit- I also thank our Precious Teacher for lands has elected the new Gakyil: Upcoming ed all the other squares, making ted all the participants to acquire the the encouragement and support he has Yantra Yoga course for Beginners Blue: Daiva Razmarataite the very last rounds and the fi nal basic knowledge necessary to apply always shown towards this initiative. with Tiziana Gottardi [email protected] knots. Everybody fi nished and this extremely interesting branch of Ti- May 16–18, 2008 Zhenphenling Red: Larissa Katayeva to conclude the course we did a betan Culture – the Painting of Sacred Bucharest Comunità Dzogchen sez. Roma [email protected] Ganapuja including the Namkha Thankas. via Giovanni Miani 5 Yellow: Andy Hodge Since this is the fi rst Yantra Yoga course ritual for authentication. All the participants expressed a 00154 Roma [email protected] in Bucharest, Romania, we offer special Thank you Rinpoche for your strong desire to continue the study of [email protected] prices: transmission. Thank you Andrea Sacred Tibetan Painting by organiz- non-members 40 Euros, ordinary mem- Beckmann for organizing the re- ing a study group focused on a more * Adzomling Dzogchen Community Poland bers 30 €, reduced members 25 €. treat. Thank you Liane for shar- advanced program. The Workshop Upcoming (Southeast Italy) has elected a new For registration and detailed informa- ing your knowledge with us and was dedicated, with affection, to the Oliver Leick in Warsaw Gakyil: tion, please contact Ioana thanks to all the participants who memory of Glen Eddy, a great painter May 22, 2008 at 19:00 tel: 0040-752 53 89 47 made this course possible. and practitioner of Dzogchen, and to all The Blue: Luca Mastrogiuseppe Lecture on the Shang Shung Institute email: [email protected] the Tibetan people. [email protected] Any member of the International The Red: Attilio Russi May 23 – 25, 2008 Many greetings, Dzogchen Community that may be in- [email protected] Explanation and practice of the Gabriella, [email protected], terested in organizing this basic work- The Yellow: Antonella Pasqualone Seventh Lojong (SMS Base)* Blue Gakyil Merigar East shop in their area can fi nd additional [email protected] Eutopeen Academii of Photographie information at the following address: ul. Mokotowska 4/6

Spain Mandarava in Barcelona with Nina Robinson March 2008 This past Easter in Kundusling, we had the excellent opportunity of hav- ing Nina Robinson with us leading the Mandarava practice retreat. There were thirty practitioners from all over Spain sharing intensive days of explanations and practice together with the Tregchöd webcast from Margarita. During these days we were able to deepen our knowledge of this precious practice. Nina clarifi ed some aspects of the practice according to Rinpoche’s dream, we all made our dadars and now we are doing the much better than ever, as well playing the instru- spectacular thigle manifested around We were all absolutely delighted Vajra dance in Barcelona ments, singing melodies and doing the the moon, it was really amazing. The with the course with the wonderful Nina. Vajra Dance Course (Liberation of 6 breathings. huge moon was surrounded by rainbow It has been a marvelous experience. Lokas) held in Kundusling April 18–20, The second day of this retreat, just colors and we enjoyed this manifesta- Infi nite thanks to our Precious Mas- 2008 with Yolanda Ferrandiz. after the webcast teachings fi nished, a tion for about 20 minutes. ter for his Precious Teachings.

Tara (Personal Retreat) Practice Week Advanced Dance of the Karma Yoga with Semdzin Practice Yantra Yoga Intermediate Level UK with Julia Lawless Song of the Vajra 26th July–3rd August with John Renshaw Upcoming 7th–15th June led by Stoffelina Verdonk To book, please contact Nick Segust 6–7th September Kunselling Program Year 2008 To book, please contact Nick Segust July 19th–24th Tel: 02920 65 28 55 Email: To book, please contact Mary Duckett Tel: 02920 65 28 55 Email: Open to those who have already learnt [email protected] Tel: 07717 43 23 39 Email: The Dance of the [email protected] the Dance of the Vajra. A wonderful op- * [email protected] (Om Ah Hung) * portunity to perfect the timing, steps Week of Vajra Dance Practice * Beginners course led by Cindy Faulkner Creative Writing Workshop and arm movements, and integrate August 4th–10th Karma Yoga with Six Lokas and Chod May 23rd–26th with Des Barry deeper into the practice. Open to all who love the Dance! At only 13th–21st September Open to all have received transmission 21st–22nd June Cost: £ 128 ordinary members; £ 32 £ 5 per night no booking fee is required To book, please contact Nick Segust from Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. To book, please contact Judy Allan sustaining; £ 80 reduced. but please register with Rowan or Nick Email: Cost: £ 80 ordinary members; £ 20 Tel: 0207 586 73 72 Email: Food and accommodation £ 20 per day. Segust [email protected] [email protected] sustaining; £ 50 reduced. [email protected] Please send non-refundable deposit of * Food and accommodation £ 20 per day. * £ 30 made out to Dzogchen Community AGM Weekend with Ganapuja Please send non-refundable deposit of Introduction to Meditation UK to Rowan Wylie & Marme Monlam (Lamp Practice) £ 20 made out to Dzogchen Community with Oliver Leick Tel: 00 44 (0) 1223 47 35 28 23rd–25th August Bank Holiday UK to Rowan Wylie 5th–7th July [email protected] The AGM will be 2–5 pm Saturday 23rd Tel: 00 44 (0) 1223 47 35 28 To book, please contact Julia Lawless * To book, please contact Nick Segust [email protected] Tel: 0207 722 25 39 Email: Tel: 02920 65 28 55 Email: * [email protected] [email protected]

THE MIRROR · No. 91 · March, April 2008

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

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

Dpyid Gsar, The New Spring Tasks may include: Contains beautiful photos from the Transportation to Publicity/Fundraising at Tsegyalgar East! • Working with a team recent travels Yeshi Namkhai made to Dear Community, • Contacting Gakyils for write ups and Galenteng, Tibet and that Romain Piro Tsegyalgar East Consultant Last year we initiated New Spring, The schedules took during his trip to famous places of The Khandroling Project Publicity/ Dear Sangha Members, Tsegyalgar E-Newsletter with the inten- • Designing the newsletter with online pilgrimage, also in Tibet. Guru Rinpoche, Fundraising Committee is looking for a As time arrives for our Master’s retreat tion to help provide a nicely formatted software including layout, photo Dakini, full moon and dark moon days professional Fundraising Consultant to at Tsegyalgar in Conway, MA, many email publication for our members and editing and uploading, etc. are richly illustrated and the names devise and lead a fundraising campaign people will be fl ying and taking buses to interested people that gives updates • Collecting and/or taking photographs of the corresponding Tibetan months for the ongoing development of Khan- reach our Gar. If you are in need of trans- on the Dzogchen Community around • Writing and editing as well as Tibetan lunar calendar days droling. Future projects include: Vajra portation, either from Bradley Interna- North America and shows all of our • Working with the Tsegyalgar Blue are clearly indicated. The anniversaries Hall, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s house, tional Airport in Hartford, Connecticut, activities in one place. The name New Gakyil and Staff of important Masters of the Dzogchen and the renovation of the farmhouse. or from the Peter Pan bus station in Spring came from Dpyid Gsar the Tibet- • Being creative! Communities lineage are also included. Northampton, Massachusetts, we have The ideal candidate will have a non-profi t an name it was given by Dr. Phuntsog The time commitment will vary based Tibetan Pocket Calendar Earth Mouse arranged for a Community member to background, and 8 + years experience Wangmo. Dpyid Gsar literally trans- on frequency of newsletters (hopefully Year (2008–2009) $ 14.50 be available to transport people from including experience leading a multi- lates as New Spring, but also means the 4–6 a year) as well as team effi ciency Pocket agenda containing concise indi- those two locations, as well as on the million dollar fundraising campaign. time of growth, fresh energy etc. and how many people work together. cations of the practices recommended return trip. Please email any ques- The Publicity/Fundraising Consultant Since starting Dpyid Gsar we have pro- It would be approximately 10 hours by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu for special tions or requests to: Harvey Kaiser at will work with a Fundraising Team as duced three colorful newsletters and a of Karma Yoga every 2–3 months. A days, positive and negative days for the [email protected] well as the Publicity/Fundraising Com- couple smaller course reminder mes- consistent commitment for at least one Nagas Practice, astrological data of the * mittee from the International Dzogchen sages using the service. We would like year is very important for participation and the individual Community to devise and execute a to make our newsletters more frequent in this project. aspects for those born between 1921 Call for New Gekö plan for our 5–10 million dollar capi- and since it is intended to represent all and 2008. Indispensable for fi nding If you are interested please write an Tsegyalgar East in Conway, Massachu- tal campaign. Compensation will be of North America we would like to in- out favorable and unfavorable days for email to: [email protected] setts is currently seeking a new Gekö. competitive and commensurate with volve more community members in the daily activities and to remember special The position begins in July, and includes experience. process of creating it. This is a great op- Best wishes, practice days. a monthly stipend and free room in the portunity for people to do Karma Yoga Matthew Schmookler When applying please respond to Reply with your shipping and billing in- Tsegyalgar East Schoolhouse. from where ever they live, since it is an Tsegyalgar East Offi ce Assistant [email protected] with formation and we will send you a copy! online tool. Please direct all inquiries to Khandroling Project Publicity/Fund- * The Shang Shung Institute Best wishes, [email protected] raising Consultant in the subject line, Applicable Skills include: Bookstore USA Matthew Schmookler or call 413-369-4153 and include a cover letter and resume. • Communications We are pleased to announce for the Shang Shung Institute • Writing * * Earth Mouse Year (2008–2009) the USA Bookstore • Very basic web content management arrival of the agenda calendar and 13 413-369-4473 (Ph/Fax) and/or design page wall-sized calendar. Email: [email protected] • A collaborative attitude! P.O Box 278 Tibetan wall-sized calendar Earth Conway, MA 01341 Mouse Year (2008–2009) $ 14.50

Schedule of Santi Maha Sangha the other side of zero opened up Yeshi Namkhai’s Program Practice Retreats Introduction into eternity at Tsegyalgar East with Jim Valby in 2008 the fl oor fell down Kathy McGrane the room hummed Public Talk on Collaboration SMS Base Practice Retreat June 4th at 4 pm July 12–19, Dejamling, France that day in grade school minus numerals duly recorded Teaching on the Base of Dzogchen SMS Base Practice Retreat rain beating at the tall windows by classmates between inkblots June 7th at 10 am Aug 8–11, 13–16, 18–21, Tsegyalgar East clock unwinding on the wall while i sat transfi xed row upon row of blue uniforms * SMS Level One Practice Retreat neckties bowties white shirts and blouses time spooling away Aug 23–26, Tsegyalgar East the irony smell of ink SMS Base Practice Retreat Sep 5–14, Toronto, Canada the nun scratched the numbers on the chalky slate SMS Level One Practice Retreat there was 12, there was 9, familiar Oct 4–8, Merigar West, Italy as the holes for your shoelaces SMS Base Practice Retreat there was zero Oct 19–26, Kunselling in Wales that hole in the universe For more information please contact the “and these are negative numbers” local Community. THE MIRROR · No. 91 · March, April 2008

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

New Contact: we will defi nitely have openings in all purpose, and organization of the Cabos International Airport at the tip a series of “open” retreats (in the Eight Tsegyalgar West, Baja California Sur, three Gakyil functions, Yellow, Red, and Dzogchen Community (The Dzogchen of Baja California Sur, Mexico. There Movements of Yantra Yoga and the Mexico Blue, and we would like now to invite Community: Principles and Guidelines for is much work to be done developing Vajra Dance of the Six Spaces) at the Gar http://jardindelosnaranjos.org/ people to consider joining us. If you are Practitioners and Gakyil Members); the land both for individual and group and in the nearby cities of La Paz, Cabo interested, please send us a note with a 4. have the desire and capacity to work retreats and for sustainable land use. San Jose, and possibly Todos Santos. Elisa Gonzalez short statement letting us know about collaboratively with members of the In the past year, we have completed Secretary, Tsegyalgar West Because of its size and its and isolation, yourself. (This statement should in- Gakyil and the International Dzog- basic teaching and Mandala spaces that 1533 Austin Hwy, Ste 102, #402 we have decided there should always clude things like how long you’ve been chen Community at large to help sup- are usable now and that can be further San Antonio, TX 78218 be a minimum of three people at the in the community, how you envision port and sustain Rinpoche’s Trans- improved over time, and we have made [email protected] Gar itself, to oversee construction, take participating, how your profession[s] mission, Teachings, and vision for the improvements to the road into the Gar. At Tsegyalgar West itself: care of the land, and welcome visitors. or skill set[s] will help you collaborate Dzogchen Community; Projects currently underway include Bertha Saenz, Thus, we now have a land staff of three with Yellow, Red, and/or Blue Gakyil in 5. be able to attend monthly meetings the completion of two composting toi- [email protected] Dzogchen Community members stay- particular, and how much you think you via conference call and to collaborate lets and ongoing work to complete 21 ing on the Gar and caring for it: a land On the Tsegyalgar West Gakyil: could see yourself being down in Baja on-line; unfi nished casitas (with 4 completed supervisor, Bertha Saenz, who is bilin- Julia Deisler, director, California Sur, Mexico.) 6. be able to travel to the Gar at least now, including Rinpoche’s, and 3 in the gual in English and Spanish, and two [email protected] once a year, preferably more; process of being completed), upgrading To serve on the TW Gakyil, one should, Spanish-speaking caretakers. Michael Hass, vice director, 7. commit to remaining on the Gakyil at our outdoor kitchen and solar-electric preferably, [email protected] least one year. and water systems, and planning for We hope to form our new Gakyil in time 1. be a current member of the Dzogchen the creation of a more permanent Gon- for (or at) the retreat with Rinpoche * Community (this is required); (We also are seeking individuals with pa and library. Our most recent retreat in Tsegyalgar East in late May / early 2. have attended at least three retreats some knowledge of Spanish, but this is was a week-long Base-Level Santi Maha June. Seeking New Gakyil with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu (either not necessary for being on the Gakyil,) Sangha retreat in February led by Jim in person or via webcast) and/or have Please let us know if you are interested Members for Tsegyalgar West, consisting of 3000 Valby with Vajra Dance instructor Bodhi been a student of Rinpoche’s at least in joining us! acres of tropical drylands, is nestled in Krause teaching the Dance of the Three Tsegyalgar West three years; the mountains about halfway between Vajras. Forthcoming, in April, will be Julia Deisler (current director, At the end of May it will be time to se- 3. be (or become) familiar with both Ye- the Pacifi c Ocean and the Sea of Cortez an intensive and Rushen Tsegyalgar West Gakyil) lect a new Gakyil for Tsegyalgar West. shi Namkhai’s Collaboration Document and about 45 minutes north of Los Retreat with Michael Katz, similar to [email protected] or Several of us will be staying on, but and Rinpoche’s book on the nature, last year’s. We are discussing offering [email protected]

Lumbini Gardens Ready for can approach 90 degrees Fahrenheit in or patio. Use of the clustered-housing in the south. On the west is the Pa- work together to create proposals that Construction the summer. Southern Baja is known as model will minimize the building impact cifi c Ocean and on the east is the Gulf best refl ect the community’s goals. the “dry tropics” with warm weather on the land while fostering interaction of California, also known as the Sea of While this is sometimes a time consum- Are you drawn to and low humidity most of the year. The among members. Cortez. The peninsula contains long ing process, in the end we’ve been able air temperatures are similar to Mar- stretches of open beaches, deserts in to make very diffi cult fi nancial and site- living near the ’s vision has many facets pri- garita Island with lower humidity. the north, rugged mountains in the development decisions in a way that marily revolving around Rinpoche’s ocean in a Dzogchen center and many protected biosphere addresses everyone’s questions and Lumbini consists of 16 acres, 10 of teachings on collaboration, and also the areas. Tsegyalgar West, the winter gar concerns. Community? which will be developed as organic use of permaculture principles to create of North America, is in the mountains gardens producing food and fruit for living and garden space, and maintain- So, if you’re ready to make a commit- John LaFrance near the southern tip. the community and for income, as well ing a very low environmental impact ment of time, energy and a reasonable

as areas for walking and meditation from the energy and materials we use The southern portion of the peninsula, amount of money and ready to enjoy fter three years of intensive plan- practice. We’re fortunate to have world- for building and living. All facilities will on the Sea of Cortez side, is known as the beauty and warmth of BajaSur, you ning and legal work, Lumbini renowned botanists and environmen- use solar energy. We are also committed the “East Cape” with many beautiful might want to consider joining in the Gardens recently received ap- A talists, Gabriel and Kitzia Howearth, to integrating with the local community beach towns with names like LosBarr- development of Lumbini Gardens. We proval from Mexico’s federal environ- who have developed Buena Fortuna, an and using our skills and resources in a iles, Buena Vista, Los Frailles and Cabo are especially interested in Dzogchen mental agency, SEMANART, to proceed amazing Botanical Garden, across the helpful manner. Pulmo, site of wonderful snorkeling in Community members who might be with development. Now, with a clear road from Lumbini and who serve as a coral reef. Lumbini Gardens is located willing to make Lumbini Gardens their title to the land and with the approval When built the community building will Lumbini’s garden consultants helping in the middle of the East Cape region, primary residence or who might live a of local and county offi cials, Lumbini allow members and guests to share us design and build the gardens. about one hour from Tsegyalgar West good part of the year here to practice Gardens’ shareholders will begin build- meals, to conduct meetings and to yet only 45 minutes from the Interna- together, to work in the gardens and to ing houses later in 2008. Several shares In the fall of 2008 the fi rst cluster of practice together on a daily basis. A cir- tional airport at San Jose del Cabo. support the work of Tsegyalgar West. are available for purchase by interested houses will be built on a 4-acre hill on cular Gonpa containing a dance man- members of the Dzogchen Community. the southern end of the property. The dala will be available for daily practices Being a shareholder in Lumbini Gar- For more detailed information about residential property is an average of 18 and Yantra Yoga. dens requires a big commitment to purchasing a share, please contact Lumbini is located on the Tropic of Can- meters above sea level and far removed participation, on committees, on con- Lumbini’s Membership Committee cer less than a mile from the beautiful from the effects of the tides but close Known as the “Magnifi cent Peninsula”, ference calls, in working on the land, Chairperson, Janet Janka by email at: Sea of Cortez in the small town of La- enough to receive sea breezes. The Baja Mexico extends 1000 miles from and in decision-making. We follow C.T. [email protected] Ribera and just 3 minutes from a wide houses are planned in “hacienda” style, San Diego, California, USA in the north Butler’s “Formal Consensus Model” Or call her in the US at 856-854-14 12 sandy beach where water temperatures clustered around a central courtyard to Cabo San Lucas in BajaSur, Mexico for decision-making in which members

Each morning we practiced the 3000 acres of Gar land and into Dreaming in Baja Dance of the Three Vajras, relax- the 95-degree heat to the arroyos with Michael Katz ing into awareness and our Mas- and azure skies providing ample April 19–25, 2008 ter’s teachings and later returned space and elemental inspira- to the fi g tree for instruction in the tion for the Rushen practices. It Dream Yoga and Rushen practices. is here as well in the arroyo that rom April 19 through April It was here that the echoes of po- prehistoric boulders shoulder 25 2008. Tsegyalgar West tent dreams, as well as Rinpoche’s together to allow for pools of Fhosted Dr. Michael Katz clarity and connection to the land mountain streams to gather, and for a Dream Yoga and Practice of of the Gar and grace, opened the for practitioners to enter contem- Natural Light and Rushen retreat doors of lucidity to some of our platively, a welcome respite from amidst the stirrings of spring in fellow Vajra brothers and sisters. the heat of the day. beautiful Baja Sur Mexico. It has As we dreamed and practiced be- Michael reminded us of Rin- been several years since the Mas- neath the shade of the fi g tree, Mi- poche’s advice to utilize our night ter was at the Gar and we began chael’s gentle demeanor and hu- practice to our best advantage so our retreat at the ancient fi g tree mor as well as his knowledge of that we may become familiar with where Rinpoche fi rst gave teach- the practices of day and night gave and stabilize our awareness in ings here and shared with mem- us the tools to use these precious the nighttime as well as during We completed our retreat as ful land and to the land of the en- bers of the Community the con- teachings in a direct and personal the day time, impressing upon us we began it: with a Ganapuja, lightened Masters and Protectors nection of this land with power- way. Thank you Michael! the tremendous gift that we have the Gar and practitioners trans- of the pools of pristine aware- ful Nagas living below the ex- Our afternoon practice led us been given in the opportunity to formed, a feast of experiences, ness. Thank you Rinpoche! traordinary trees. out amongst the vastness of the be near such profound teachings. vistas and visitors to this beauti- THE MIRROR · No. 91 · March, April 2008

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music that refl ected a more graceful Hawaii timing. In the beginning, the older Vajra Dance dancers seemed to know the dance with Bodhi Krause yet something was missing in timing. Beginners came hopeful, and with In January 2008, the Vajra Dancing re- patience and endurance Bodhi brought treats with Bodhi Krause were held at everyone, old and new, into a deeper Paleaku Peace Gardens on the beautiful understanding of timing and clarity of Island of Hawaii. A short drive away each step. you could see dolphins in the bay and Although the Hawaiian Sangha has palm trees blowing in the wind. Bodhi danced almost every week for years, it referred to the group as the one room has never been so harmonious and en- schoolhouse. There were not only be- joyable as it is now as the entire group ginners, but also older students learn- fl ows in and out of the Mandala with ing the offi cial correct movement with arms that remind us of angel’s wings.

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

Upcoming will be an introduction to the practice Afternoon: 3:30 pm–5:30 pm Afternoon: 3:30 pm–5:30 pm Therapeutic benefi ts of applying Moxibustion Course of moxibustion on the basis of the prin- Moxabustion points indicated by an Method of applying moxabustion on the moxabustion on the 74 points With Elio Guarisco ciples of Tibetan medicine, illustrating illness 80 points of the central part of the back Training in recognition of the 74 points First Level: May 22nd–24th the 500 points on which moxa can be Moxabustion points to be located by Training in applying moxabustion on the Afternoon: 3:30 pm–5:30 pm Second Level: May 27th–29th applied and the relative therapeutic measures 80 points of the central part of the back Symptoms of the imbalance of the Third Level: June 1st–3rd indications, and also using the different Measures used to determine Moxabustion points on the cervical three humors method of application moxabustion points vertebrae Tibetan Medicine Training in applying moxabustion on the Four different methods of applying Introduction to the three humors of The healing power of the heat First Level 74 points of the lateral part of the back moxabustion Tibetan Medicine In Tibetan medicine moxibustion is the May 22nd: Seven types of humoral constitutions Norms to be followed after queen of all external therapies. Moxa Morning: 10:00 am–12:30 am Afternoon: 3:30 pm–5:30 pm moxabustion Fee: Bs. F 1.000 for the three courses uses heat that has the power to unblock General introduction to the practice of Method of applying moxabustion on the Benefi ts of moxabustion Discounts for members of the Dzogchen the causes and the effects illnesses. moxabustion 80 points of the central part of the back Reference books for the Clear Crystal Community do not apply This course is inspired by the work and Methods for preparing artemisia for Training in applying moxabustion on the Mirror manual of moxabustion the vast research conducted by Chög- moxabustion 80 points of the central part of the back Minimum of participants 15 people, so yal Namkhai Norbu over many years, Illnesses for which moxabustion is May 23rd: please, if you are interested to attend May 24th: studying and comparing numerous an- indicated Morning: 10:00 am–12:30 am these courses please register by email Morning: 10:00 am–12:30 am cient sources on Tibetan moxibustion. Illnesses for which moxabustion is not Location of 80 moxabustion points on to [email protected] Bodily location of the three humors The Shang Shung Institute is organiz- indicated the central part of the back Characteristics of the three humors ing a course of moxibustion on three Points on the body where moxabustion Therapeutic benefi ts of applying Location of the 74 moxabustion points levels. Each level consists of three days is not to be done moxabustion on the 80 points on the lateral part of the back of explanation and practice. The course Training in recognition of the 80 points

Vajra Dance Advanced and Teacher Training with Prima Mai and Adriana dal Borgo in Tashigar North March 2008. Yantra Yoga Advanced and Teacher Training with Laura Evangelisti and Fabio Andrico in Margarita April 2008.

Passages Passages Photo: C. Rivas Born: Gabriel Rinchen Parrella Fe- Married: Congratulations to Steve dorchenko, was born on March 29, Landsberg and Fanny Santos on the oc- 2008 to Gilberto Parella and Tatiana casion of their marriage. Fedorchenko in Porlamar, Clinica del Steve Landsberg and Fanny Santos were Valle, Margarita Island, Venezuela. married on March 18, 2008 in Pedro Photo: G. Parella Gonzalez, Margarita Island, Venezuela. THE MIRROR · No. 91 · March, April 2008

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

· Knowledge of English and Spanish in For the previously expressed reasons we Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s writing and oral communication. await your communication soon. New Secretary Schedule Change · Possibility to carry out the daily Best wishes for all, needed activities required in the gar. 2008 Gakyil of South Tashigar · Ability to establish personal Brazil Dear members of the Dzogchen Community relationships. [email protected] November 26–30, Brazil retreat Tashigar South needs a new secretary. · Capacity to register, classify and fi le www.tashigar-sur.com.ar Please contact us if you are interested Chile diverse information (bills, events, etc.) Tel: 54-3541-49 83 56/885 to collaborate in this role and you are December 5–7 New Gakyil of Buenos Aires, capable of satisfying the profi le that is We offer: * Santiago weekend retreat Argentina presented below: · Housing and services · Salary Blue: Juan Chiarella · Knowledge of PC and offi ce · Retreats with Rinpoche for free Red: Ramiro Fernandez equipment · Social benefi ts Yellow: Carlos Martino, Clara Bordeu

garita in order to be able to speak rived, he was taken to the hospi- Remembering with Rinpoche. He also started tal with an infection. During the Ricardo Cayo buying books from Shang Shung retreat he phoned and asked for and reading avidly. a blessing. After two months his (Lima, July 6, 1965–April 28, 2008) Sometimes there was a prac- heart could not take it any longer tice posted on the internet and and passed away April 28. A good Regina Robles only a few would turn up, but you practitioner, he did the Vajra could be sure Ricardo was one of breathing till the end. icardo has been gone for them even though he lived more Only last week we had done only a day and we miss than an hour away, in Callao, a several hour Naggon for his Rhim already. Born on July Lima’s port, and he had to use sake. He will be buried with a 6th 1965, he had a condition public transportation. He also small Mandala at his heart that that manifested in kidney failure had to be connected to dialysis Rinpoche gave us. What remains around age 15. He later had a kid- ten hours a day, but that never ahead is Shitro for the next six ney transplant and did fi ne until stopped him. He would even at- weeks. I don’t know what I will he contracted meningitis and the tend open Gakyil meetings and miss most - his tart sense of hu- cure for that ruined the new kid- in time became a Gakyil member mor or his kindness, for his heart ney. Such was his life: alternat- for a year. After his father died was of gold. ing the search for truth with long he could claim his pension since This loss is a lesson in imper- stays in hospitals, but he always 2004. Several months before years his hemoglobin levels were he was considered handicapped. manence, but also in courage kept his spirits up and carried this date, the Gakyil got to work much higher than other dialysis That was a windfall and enabled and patience. Rinpoche says the on. and after several activities (a lun- patients. (Something the doctors him to become our fi rst Sustain- connection of Vajra brothers and We met Ricardo around 2002. cheon included) we raised money couldn’t understand!) ing member last December. sisters is forever, until enlighten- He was ecstatic after his fi rst re- for his trip. By a stroke of luck we In Lima we have a saying in the Ricardo was a talented musi- ment. Ricardo will be always with treat. Through Marisa Alonso, found incredibly cheap airline Community: “You cannot reach cian, and he played guitar for us us in our hearts and in our prac- we heard about Christian from tickets for him and his mother, enlightenment if you only speak on several occasions. He was al- tice until we meet again in Chö- Argentina, also a transplanted and the Margarita Gakyil offered Spanish”. That is because even ways reading, and he translated gyal Namkhai Norbu’s mandala. kidney patient, and she told us him the retreat once they were though translators do a fantastic the Zernga text from Italian for Until then, we have the good once she came to Lima that it asked. That was crucial for his job, most books are in Italian or us, which helped with the fi nal memories. would be great if Ricardo could life. He came back with a bet- English. Ricardo started studying version for this year’s retreat. attend Mandarava Retreat in July ter skin color and for the next Italian after his return from Mar- Sadly the same day Rinpoche ar-

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

Some fl uency in English is essential, as the mud-brick walls of the Gonpa, and South Wales on 9–15 February and Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Work Exchange is an easygoing nature, tolerance, and gardening around the Gonpa. 10–14 April. In addition, SMS base and in Australia love for the teachings. As we worked we were conscious of levels 3 and 4 exams will be conducted in Namgyalgar, the plight of the Tibetan people who are at Namgyalgar in February and April. 2009 Namgyalgar is near Tilba on the south- suffering violence and unrest. A Nag- Australia! east coast of Australia, 4 hours drive Registrations for the retreats will be January 30–Feb. 1 gong practice was held through Satur- from Sydney, also accessible via public online from August this year and our Sydney weekend retreat In preparation for Rinpoche’s visit in day and many practitioners moved from transport. new website will feature strongly in 2009, and for the general upkeep of Karma Yoga activities to participating Feb. 9–15 providing information and contact, Namgyalgar, we are asking for people Interested people should contact in the Naggong – in some cases they Namgyalgar retreat visit www.dzogchen.org.au to register who have the possibility to come and help Nicki Elliott, [email protected] chanted as they worked! your interest or fi nd out more. us with our many projects on the land. Teams ebbed and fl owed easily where Feb. 17–19 * Preparations for Rinpoche Australian the work was required, in addition to Local committees are working in each SMS Base exams We offer free accommodation in a dorm 2009 tour in full swing meal and Ganapuja preparations. The centre and a national promotions com- Feb. 20–26 style environment, or possibly a private Practitioners from around Australia misty rain was welcomed after a long mittee has developed a campaign to SMS Level I Training caravan, time for personal retreat, a gathered at Namgyalgar over the dry period, especially as it nurtured encourage attendance of all members beautiful, peaceful setting, location March 16–21 Easter weekend to work on the Gar and softened the earth enabling easier as well as attract new members to the near to beaches and spectacular scen- Caloundra Teaching Retreat and prepare for Rinpoche’s visit from weeding. teachings and the community. ery. We have regular group practice, January to April in 2009. April 3–5 warm, friendly atmosphere and vast A Community Meeting was held where The Dzogchen community in Aus- Melbourne Weekend Retreat amount of space. We may also be able The Easter Retreat weekend includ- the Gakyil and tour committee reported tralia is buzzing with anticipation at to provide food. ed webcast teachings live from Chögyal on long-terms plans for development of April 10–15 Rinpoche’s visit next year and we’ll be Namkhai Norbu, Karma Yoga prepara- the Dzogchen community in Oceania in Namgyalgar Retreat Ongoing work includes cleaning, gar- busy throughout the year making sure tion for the Master’s 2009 visit, Gana- association with Rinpoche’s tour. dening, landscaping, weed control and that the trip is a success and that all April 17–22 pujas and Naggong practice. general maintenance. Specialized skills The tour will encompass weekend visitors will be made very welcome. Namgyalgar Retreat we welcome include carpentry, mechani- Around 30 practitioners worked collabor- teachings in Sydney from 30 January * cal knowledge, plumbing, and electrics. atively and enthusiastically on repainting to 1st February, Melbourne from 27–29 Gawaling – Rinpoche’s house, clearing the March, Caloundra in Queensland from road to Gawaling, repacking and painting 16–21 March. There will be two retreats at Namgyalgar near Tilba Tilba in New THE MIRROR · No. 91 · March, April 2008

21 Namgyalgar and Pacifi c Rim

NZ Dzogchen Community New Zealand [email protected] Dear Members of the Dzogchen Community, P.O Box 18183 Riding on the idea by Kundrolling and Glen Innes I The New York City Dzogchen Com- Auckland, NZ munity, the New Zealand Dzogchen Community is also looking for someone interested in doing some Karma Yoga, by building a simple website for us. If you are interested in helping out please email: [email protected] Thanks Richard Clarke

Easter Retreat at Namgyalgar.

Correction Administration. Please turn with International all further questions to him: for Nagkong drumming in the Gakyil collaboration.dzogchen@gmail. new tun book: com Dear Gakyil Members of the Interna- tional Dzogchen Community, It was very nice to collaborate with all of you, but from now on The Collaboration Website has please turn to Paolo with all your now been in use for more than a questions. year. Gakyil members and their collaborators, according to their Karin Eisenegger-Koppensteiner needs and abilities, have used it. Red International Gakyil

Now the work on the Collabo- Errata ration Website steps into a new development. The International Mirror 90, Page 20 Error, page 4 Gakyil has entrusted the work of In the book review on page 20 Eduard Gromaches, not E. Rubi- this further step to Paolo Ferraro. there was some misinformation nat, took the photo of Chögyal He will work as the Assistant of that is corrected below: Namkhai Norbu and Yeshi Nam- the International Gakyil and his The second one has an equal- khai on page 4. computer skills will help us all to ly suggestive title, Eye of the Apologies. collaborate better. Storm, and contains Five Original Dzogchen Texts translated by Vai- From now on Paolo Ferraro will rocana also be responsible for the User

>> upcoming retreats continued from page 1 October 6–9 Brazil Caloundra Santi Maha Sangha III Level Exam November 26–30 2009 March 16–21 October 10–17 Transmission and instructions of Teaching Retreat Santi Maha Sangha IV Level Training Longsal Guru Yoga Australia of White A Sydney Melbourne Oct. 31–Nov. 3 Jan. 30–Feb. 1 April 3–5 Practice and Teaching dedicated Chile Weekend retreat Weekend Retreat to those who have died December 5– 7 Namgyalgar Spain Santiago Weekend Retreat Namgyalgar April 10–15 November 14–20 Argentina Feb. 9–15 Retreat Dzogchen Upadesha transmission and Tashigar Sur Retreat instruction „Kunsang Jaku“, a Terma Dec. 26 – Jan. 1 Feb. 17–19 April 17–22 teaching of the great terton Duddul The Dzogchen tredchod teaching of Retreat Dorje Jigmed Lingpa from the Instruction Santi Maha Sangha Base exams „Yeshe Lama“ Feb. 20 –26 Closed Webcast Santi Maha Sangha I Level Training

Subscribe to The Mirror The New Year is upon us and if you have made You can subscribe through your local a New Years resolution to stay in closer contact Community or by contacting us directly at: with the Dzogchen Community, what better way than with a subscription to The Mirror. In USA many Gars and Lings and even some smaller Naomi Zeitz: [email protected] Communities, The Mirror is included in mem- 413 369 4208 bership in some form. Membership is the best Tsegyalgar offi ce and bookstore: overall way to maintain contact with Chögyal 413 369 41 53, 413 369 44 73 Namkhai Norbu and the Vajra Family, and of- ten you will receive access to the Mirror in Italy that way. Liz Granger: [email protected] The Mirror The Mirror c/o Merigar PO Box 479 Arcidosso 58031 If you would like to subscribe to The Mirror: You can purchase subscriptions on line at Conway, MA 01341 GR Italy www..com USA $ 35 US or 35 Euro in Europe for paper only. $ 25 US or 25 Euro in Europe for on line only. For South America and Mexico we have Happy Holidays! $ 50 US or 50 Euro in Europe for both paper reduced rates, so please contact The Mirror Staff and on line subscriptions. [email protected] for more information. Liz Granger, Naomi Zeitz and Thomas Eifl er THE MIRROR · No. 91 · March, April 2008

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Malaysia Peru International Community Tham Wye Min Paul Sablich 8669C Klebang Kechil 75200 Galeano 117, Urb. Los Rosales Melaka Lima 33, Perú Contacts Tel: 60 35 61 62 [email protected] Kwok Kee Chang 11-A Jalan Jujor, 1/5 Poland Wspolnota Dzogczen Argentina Cyprus Hong Kong Taman, Bakti Ampang Tashigar George S. Hadjipanayiotou Tim Leung Urzad Pocztowy nr 141 Selangor, W. Malaysia Comunidad Dzogchen Tashigar Eleftherias Ave. 18, Chlorakas, 8220, [email protected] ul. Lanciego 13 Tel: 60 3 984 71 67 Calle pública S/N Pafos Skrytka Pocztowa 33 Tanti 5155 Tel: 0035 799 16 04 46, 0035 799 46 53 12, Hungary 02-794 Warszawa Pcia. de Córdoba 0035 7999 245 02 Hungarian Dzogchen Community Mexico [email protected] Tel & Fax: 0054-3541-498 356 [email protected] H-1062 Budapest, Aradi u. 42 Tsegyalgar West www.dzogczen.pl [email protected] [email protected] Baja California Sur Paldenling www.tashigar-sur.com.ar/ www.dzogchen.hu Contact: Elisa Gonzalez Secretary, Czech Republic Lysa Gora 168 Komunita Dzogchenu 1533 Austin Hwy, Ste 102, #402 Gakyil 38-230 Nowy Zmigrod Nad úpadem 420/3 San Antonio, TX 78218 Australia Blue: Erzsi Kubat Tel: 48 887 95 79 44 Namgyalgar Praha 11, Czech Republic [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Dzogchen Community in Australia Tel: +420 777 627 319 http://jardindelosnaranjos.org/ Red: Moni Lakatos www.dzogczen.pl/Paldenling Vicki Forscutt – Secretary [email protected] [email protected] At Tsegyalgar West itself: Bertha PO Box 14 Central Tilba, [email protected] Cezary Wozniak Yellow: Iren Gedeon Saenz, [email protected] NSW 2546 [email protected] Ul. Emaus 33 [email protected] Tel & Fax: 61 (0)2 44 73 76 68 www.dzogchen.cz On the Tsegyalgar West Gakyil: 30-213 Krakow [email protected] Julia Deisler, director, Tel: 012-425 27 00, mobile: 609 22 22 11 www.dzogchen.org.au Denmark Israel [email protected] [email protected] Lisbeth Agersnap Alex Polak Gekös of Namgyalgar Michael Hass, vice director, Copenhagen Tel: 00972-52-602 03 74 Tel: 61(0)2 44 73 77 70 [email protected] Portugal Tel: +0045-35 35 20 60 [email protected] Lydia Ferreiera [email protected] Pelzomling Pedro Paiva Yael Rotbard Tabasco #67 Rua Fernando Assis Pacheco Austria Mobile tel: 972-54-992-8888 www.dzogchen.at (between Merida and Frontera streets) 2765-120 S. Joao de Estoril Estonia Home tel: 972-3-6491147 Svetlana Kollyakova Colonia Roma [email protected] Dzogchen Community of Vienna [email protected] [email protected] Mexico City Elisha Koppensteiner Yellow Gakyil: Sorek Tel: (011 52 55) 5511 0550 Tel: 0043 1 208-22-32 or Romania [email protected] Merigar East 0660/817-13-28 Finland Yellow Gakyil: Carolyn Bass Mika Sillanpaa Merigar East Gakyil [email protected] Dzogchen Community of Israel [email protected] Kuhankeittajankatu 22 [email protected] www.ati.org.il Red Gakyil: Angela Mijares Dzogchen Community Austria, 50190 Mikkeli [email protected] Yellow: Ida Pazman Regions Mika.Sillanpaa@uku.fi Blue Gakyil: Monica Patiño [email protected] Oliver F. Leick Italy [email protected] Red: Attila Frugyik Gschmaier 139, A-8265 Gr. Steinbach Merigar Comunita Dzogchen France Tel: 011 52 55 581 30315 [email protected] Tel & Fax: 03386-85 71 or 0676-322 13 65 Association Dzogchen Secretary: Anna De Sole 3A Cerrada de Juarez #33-1 Blue: Gabriella Schneider offi [email protected] Dejam Ling, Le Deves Arcidosso, 58031 GR, Italy Colonia Tinajas Contadero [email protected] [email protected] F30570 St Andre de Majencoules Tel: 39 0564 96 68 37 Mexico City 05370 Tel: 33-(0)467 82 44 90 (Info line) Fax: 39 0564 96 81 10 Ida Pazman [email protected] Brazil www.association-dzogchen.org merigaroffi [email protected] Dzogchen Community of Brazil Helene Lafage [email protected] Zhenphenling Montenegro Russian Federation Lhundrubling Dubravka Velasevic Kunphenling Dzogchen Community of Rome Rua José Maria Lisboa, 860 – 9th fl oor [email protected] 142500 Russia, region, Germany Via G. Miani 5 cj. 96 -Jardim Paulista Dzogchen Gemeinschaft Pavlovskiy Posad, RUPS, a/ya 13, 00154 Rome São Paulo – Capital – BRASIL Deutschland e.V. BF Dostoyanie Tel. 0039 06 57 30 03 46 Nepal CEP: 01423-001 c/o Helga Betz Vikki Floyd Secretary [email protected] Tel: 00 55 11 32 87 13 24 Lindemannstr. 12 G.P.O. Box 8974 Tel: 7 096 43 211 56 [email protected] D-40237 Düsseldorf Kunsalling CPC 069 Tel: 7 095 740 79 98 www.dzogchen.com.br Tel & fax 49 (0)211 68 26 57 Magasa – Parco Alto Garda Thamel, Kathmandu [email protected] offi [email protected] (Prov.Brescia) Res. Tel: 00977-1-427 01 06 Blue Gakyil: Otavio Lilla Rinchenling www.dzogchen.de Fulvio Ferrari (after 8.00 p.m.) – [email protected] Moscow Tel: (+39) 0365 82 51 65 vikkifl [email protected] Red Gakyil: Regina Marques Red gakyil: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] – [email protected] Yellow gakyil: [email protected] Sangeling Yellow Gakyil: Heloísa Paternostro Blue gakyil: [email protected] New Caledonia As. Dzogchen NC St. Petersburg – [email protected] Japan Oddiyana Shang Shung Edition: Ms. Tsugiko Kiyohashi 63 rue Gervolino [email protected] [email protected] 5-11-22-301 Shimomeguro Nouméa Namseling Meguroku, Tokyo 153-0064 BP 13829 Nouméa 98803 Canada Baikal Peter Dimitrov, Vancouver Tel & fax (home): +81 3 3712 75 07 Tel: (687) 24 16 69 Great Britain Contact person: [email protected] Amely Becker [email protected] Alexander Vyaznetskovtsev 15A Langdon Park Road Eve-Marie Breglia Latvia [email protected] London N6 5PS Padmaling 107 Armadale Ave. New Zealand Tel: 020 8348 6253 Gertrudes 5a, Riga, LV-1010 New Zealand Dzogchen Community Samara DC. Toronto, ONT M65-3X3 [email protected] [email protected] PO Box 18-183 Contact person: Viktor Krecker Tel: 416 767 52 52 www.redsandstonehill.net/dzogchen/ Glen Innes Auckland 1743 [email protected] [email protected] Lithuania [email protected] Dorjeling Greece Paora Joseph Serbia Garabling Lithuanian Community Dorjeling /ex Yugoslavia Chile [email protected] Lorena Hume Hellenic Dzogchen Community [email protected] Jelena Zagorcic Marchant Pereira 1775 Postal address: 7 Chryssopiliotissis st., www.dzogcenas.lt Gabrielle Kearney Vojvode Stepe 280 A-22-Providencia. Santiago 10560 Athens, Greece [email protected] 11000 Beograd Algis Lukosevicius Tel: 056-2-474-47 82 [email protected] 381 11 46 25 55 Architektu 176-44 Mob: 56-9-91 38 14 30 www.dzogchen.gr [email protected] LT-04206 Vilnius Norway [email protected] Gordon Cranmer Tel: +370-614-180 56 Ivana Radicevic Karaman Dysjaland Holland Otona Zupancica 36 Dzogchen Community the 4156 Mosteroy 11070 Belgrade Netherlands Luxembourg Tel.: (47) 51 72 46 64 Katia Lytridou Tel: 381 11 604115 Postbox 11119 [email protected] 5, rue Joseph Probst [email protected] 1001 GC Amsterdam Community Web site: L-6148 Junglinster [email protected] http://go.to/dzogchen.no Tel. +352 366591 www.dzogchen.nl [email protected] THE MIRROR · No. 91 · March, April 2008

23

Swiss Italian Region Dzogchen Community of Merida Dzogchen Community Singapore Julie Breukel Michel New Mexico Apartado Postal 483 Blue Gakyil: Shelley Han Tel: 0041(0)917 30 99 91 Josefa Candelaria Merida 5101 [email protected] [email protected] PO Box 90698 Fax: +58 274 244 00 26 Red Gakyil: Chue Kum Kee Albuquerque, New Mexico [email protected] Taiwan Tel: (505) 440-41 12 Please if any of this information is outdated or incorrect, send the correct Yellow Gakyil: Ringo Boon Taipei (North Taiwan) [email protected] information to [email protected]. [email protected] Frances Hsu Thank you! Colorado Cell phone: 886-910 07 75 86 Lidian King [email protected] Slovenia PO Box 1014 Peter Novak Canic Kaohsiung (South Taiwan) Crestone, CO 81131 Dzogchen Community [email protected] Peter Pan Tel: 719 256 52 63 Message Board [email protected] [email protected] South Africa Donald Phillip, a prisoner in San Luis Obispo, California, would like contact by mail Darryl van Blerk Kundrolling with other practitioners of the Dzogchen Community. His address is: 104 Park road Thailand New York City Donald Phillips C 40188 Walmer Estate Geoffrey Blake & Lynne Klapecki 151 W. 30th St., #403, NYC CMC – West 22/41 L 9725 Cape Town 33 Soi Lang Suan – Ploenchit Rd Tel: 212-564 10 24 PO Box 8103 Tel: 27-21-447 01 29 Bangkok 10330 [email protected] San Luis Obispo, CA 93409-8103 Fax: 27-21-422 05 65 Tel: 66 (0)2255-51 50 New York City Dzogchen Community [email protected] Tel: 66 (0)2254-90 61 c/o Jane Fulton [email protected] 220 East 72nd Street #20B Spain Alex Souter New York, NY 10021 Asociación Cultural de la Bangkok [email protected] Comunidad Dzogchen de España Tel: 09 039 39 92 or 02 742 19 65 www.dzogchen.es Hawaii Jerene Yellow Gakyil: 81-1081 Keopuka Mauka Rd. Yolanda Ferrándiz Ukraine Kiev Kealakekua Hi. 96750 [email protected] or [email protected] Tel: 808 323-9714 [email protected] [email protected] Rosa Forn Donetsk [email protected] or [email protected] Melinda Sacarob [email protected] 87-3139 Mamalahoa Hwy. Karmaling Trinidad Ortega Capt Cook Hawaii 96704 Kharkov [email protected] or Tel: 808-328-94 73 www.jcrows.com [email protected] [email protected] Seattle Dzogchen Community Tel: 425 822 50 80 ® Red Gakyil: USA J. Crow’s Tsegyalgar East www.DzogchenSeattle.org Antonio Gómez P.O. Box 479 Mulling Spice Folk Medicine [email protected] or Portland, Oregon Dzogchen Conway, MA 01341 [email protected] Community Tibetan Medicine Tel: 413 369 41 53 Carlos Jáñez 4768 N. Girard St. Fax: 413 369 44 73 SpicedCider.com [email protected] or Portland, OR 97203 [email protected] fax or phone: 1 800 878 1965 603 878 1965 [email protected] [email protected] Gakyil: [email protected] [email protected] Adela Moragas http://portlanddzogchencommunity. www.tsegyalgar.org [email protected] or com [email protected] Dzogchen Community of Alaska Salem Oregon Dzogchen Community Oni McKinstry and Jonathan Schaeffer Blue Gakyil: [email protected] 7909 N. Douglas Hwy Anna Diogène Juneau 99801 [email protected] or [email protected] & Venezuela [email protected] Tashigar Norte [email protected] Peter Guest Rosa Altamarino – Secretary peterguest@fi lnet.es or Chicago Dzogchen Community Finca Tashigar [email protected] Gakyil: [email protected] Prolongación de la Calle Bolivar Lella Guidotti [email protected] Secretary: Sector El Salado or [email protected] [email protected] Valle de Pedro González Tel: 773 784 4168 Isla de Margarita Sweden [email protected] Tel: 0058 295 258 03 32 Domenico Battista www.dzogchenchicago.org [email protected] Gillmarsvagen 130 www.tashigarnorte.org Dondrup Ling 12039 Arstva Dzogchen Community West Coast North Tashigar Gakyil: Tel: 0046-8-604 94 78 2748 Adeline St. Suite D [email protected] Cell: 0046-70-721 52 76 Berkeley, CA 94703 [email protected] Pablo Lau Rivera Tel: 510 644 2260 Lhundrubgar Pba. Res. Pedermales Av. [email protected] Paez Montalban II Switzerland www.dzogchencommunitywest.org Swiss German Region 1021 Caracas Peter Eisenegger Dzogchen Community in Miami Tel: 58 2 442 14 34 Tel: 0041(0)419 17 02 45 Miami, Florida Fax: 58 2 34 06 43 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.dzogchenmiami.org Swiss French Region Elias Capriles Fabienne Rey-Duc Dominik Niceva Apartado Postal 483 Tel: 0041(0)273 23 23 93 Tel: (1) 305-726-90 35 Merida 5101 [email protected] [email protected] Tel & Fax: +58 274 244 00 26 [email protected] or [email protected]

Main Offi ce: PO Box 479, Conway, MA 01341, USA * Tel: 413 369 4208 * Fax: 413 369 44 73 * [email protected] * * European Offi ce: The Mirror, Merigar, Arcidosso, 58031 GR, Italy * Tel: 39 32 98 86 52 92 * Fax: 39 05 64-96 81 10 * [email protected] * * Editorial Staff: Naomi Zeitz, Tsegyalgar, Conway, MA, USA * Liz Granger, Merigar, Arcidosso, Italy * * Literary Editor: John Shane * * Advisors: Des Barry, Adriano Clemente, Anna Eid, Barbara Paparazzo, Jim Valby * * International Blue Gakyil Advisor: Fabio Andrico, International Publications Committee * * English Language Advisor: Liz Granger * * Layout & Design: Thomas Eifl er * * Web Site Managers: Thomas Eifl er, Malcolm Smith * * Printer: Turley Publications, Palmer, MA, USA * * Distribution: Tsegyalgar at Conway, MA, USA * * Subscription Rate/6 Issues: $35 US available through Tsegyalgar; 35 € through Merigar * * Visa and Master card welcome * * Online Mirror: www.melong.com * * All material © 2007 by The Mirror * * Reprint by permission only * * We reserve the right to edit all submissions. 24 How I met Chögyal Namkhai Norbu

Song Park

fi rst heard of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu from the master that I met in Moscow. It in the winter of 1991 when my friends was very clear to me, despite the fact that I I gave me the Russian translations of needed to be with my colleagues. The Crystal and the Way of Light and the Lec- Since I had a very vague idea of what tures in Conway to read. In 1992 Rinpoche Dzogchen was, I couldn’t explain, even to came to Russia for the fi rst time. My myself, why I had to go and how I was go- friends in Moscow were actively involved ing to do it. The next day I excused myself with organizing the retreat. However, at to my somewhat shocked colleagues, and fi rst I was undecided whether to join them fl ew to Ulan-Ude – the closest airport to the or not. I was already involved with Tibetan place of the retreat. I arrived at 2 o’clock Buddhism and had a Tantric master, Lama in the morning and took a taxi to ask my of them. Lines were full in each and ev- fect guru who abides in the treasure of ab- Darmadodi, who gave me certain practices Buddhist friends where to fi nd the retreat. ery direction. Suddenly a man walks in solute bodhichitta. I felt all confusions, and initiations. Dzogchen was just another I did not have any plans and did not even and asks if anyone wants to go in a certain illusions, and obstacles to understanding dharma word to me; I had no understand- know exactly where the retreat was taking direction because he is driving there and fade away with each word master spoke. It ing what it really meant. place. All I knew was that it was about 200 charging 10 rubles a person. Immediately I resonated with the very core of my being. I decided to at least check out the retreat kilometers from Ulan-Ude, near some re- said: “Yes. I will go”, since it appeared to be I felt like my life accelerated thousands of and went for the fi rst day in Moscow. I lis- sort by a lake. After driving for two hours the only way to go anywhere that day. After times. It seemed like all the people at the tened attentively and at the end was im- I discovered that none of my friends were driving for a few hours through woods in retreat were in a heightened, awakened and pressed with the clarity of the teachings. in town (they actually had already left to the mountains I was dropped in the mid- in a blissful state. I felt that I understood Looking back now, I see that I did not receive the teachings). So I got out of the dle of nowhere near an exit for some resort everything I heard, and yet even more was understand more than intellectually what taxi and asked pedestrians where to fi nd a on the lake. The driver refused to take me happening in my whole being, moving and was presented. I had a very busy life at that resort near the lake 200 kilometers from there, saying that I could walk a few kilo- illuminating beyond all my expectations. time, running two companies in Moscow Ulan-Ude. Everyone I asked indicated a dif- meters myself. Not having any choice I got Of course it took years for me to even ap- and Vladivostok, and crossing the country ferent direction. Soon I found out that in out of the car and started walking. At fi rst proach the meaning of such a profound every two weeks. So I was unable to attend every direction there was a resort on a lake all I saw were trees and the mountains. transmission. Yet it is still fresh, every time more than that fi rst day. I followed the re- and all were about that far from the city. I Then at the end of the road I saw a resort I have the fortune to receive transmission treat somewhat by hearing the comments knew the retreat was starting that day, so I and many people all over the place. Almost through web casts or live. Fifteen years lat- of my friends who were attending every was beginning to feel desperate, since this immediately I saw familiar faces. By pure er I still feel like I am just a beginner. Ev- day. A few weeks later I had a big meet- was before the time of the Internet or cel- luck and thanks to the karmic connection ery time I see our precious guru I feel both ing with my company experts in Vladivo- lular phones. There was no way for me to and blessing of the Master I had arrived moved by blessing and humbled by seeing stok. This was meant to be a very impor- know where to go. I did not know what to in the right place! The fi rst day of teach- the purity and clarity of the space around tant intensive two weeks of work, dedi- do, so I decided to take a bus toward one of ing was already fi nished, but that day I had him, by observing his infi nite compassion cated to making strategic changes in our the places where the retreat could be hap- attended in Moscow. The following days I and by such a greatness of heart and mind. technology. This coincided with the dates pening. I thought that maybe I could visit a had all the opened to me… Long life to our precious guru! of Rinpoche’s retreat in Buryatia [eastern few places before I had to give up. Teaching after teaching of our precious Russia], so I did not plan to attend. How- When I arrived at the bus station it was master opened my eyes, my mind and my ever, after a few days of working, I sudden- so full already, even at this early hour, that heart to the truth of the real condition. It ly felt that I must go and receive teachings it was practically impossible to get on any was like being in a pure realm with a per-

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