No. 110 May, June 2011

Upcoming Retreats with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu

Photo: G. Horner 2011

Italy Merigar West July 15–18 Thirtieth Anniversary of Merigar West

August 5–12 Photo: L. Gajdos Initiation and Instructions of Garuda from Rigdzin Changchub Dorje’s August 19–23 A special Teaching: “ Yangti” Full Moon Eclipse at UK London September 9 Conference at SOAS Merigar East September 10 (evening): Daiva Razmarataite Public talk (at Camden Centre) September 11–12 ttending the at Merigar East text that received in his dream. This year it was a bit diffi cult to sell all Teaching at Camden Centre is still quite an experience for a lot Again he stressed the importance of Guru the lottery tickets since not so many people France A of us but this year for me the ex- Yoga and being in the state of Presence all attended the retreat and so we would like to September 14–18 perience was so strong that I even decided the time. thank all the practitioners from Italy, Ger- Visit Laerabling to join the Blue Gakyil! I haven’t been here On fi rst evening right after the teachings many, the Netherlands, China, the Czech for three years and I was amazed to see we had a small unoffi cial Gonpa opening Republic and other countries who bought Paris that the beautiful Gonpa had been built, celebration with Vajra Dance accompa- so many tickets. Thank you for the great September 23–25 the Longsal road with the in the nied by live music and followed by some support and money Merigar East needs so Teachings in Paris center almost completed, trees planted, snacks, drinks and spontaneous songs. It much for its further development. And of Spain camping showers and toilets set up. And seems like the main practice of the Gar is course we all thank Rinpoche for the time Barcelona all in the middle of the sunfl ower fi elds in Vajra Dance – people were dancing in the and energy he spent for preparing this lot- Sept. 30–Oct. 6 Romania, near the Black sea! It is so nice Gonpa, outside under the blue sky, in the tery. Rigdzin Changchub Dorje’s to see this young Gar growing and to be rain and even during the full moon eclipse, We would also like to thank Ondrej Ol- precious Terma teaching part of it! which started right after the Ganapuja and siak for the beautiful statue of Garab Dor- “ Zabdon Nyingthig” This year only about 120 people attend- the lottery. The Yantra Yoga explanation for je, the gift to Rinpoche which remains at ed the retreat (I guess lots of practitioners beginners by Fabio Andrico was very pop- Merigar East. Ondrej worked hard every Tenerife are heading to the Merigar West anniver- ular as well and the Gonpa was crowded day so that he could fi nish this clay stat- October 14–23 sary) so there was a nice cosy atmosphere with all the aspiring yogis from Eastern ue inlaid with jewels (practitioners in the Tibetan Culture Event during the whole retreat. Rinpoche was Europe. Quite a lot of them also stayed for Czech Republic made a collection of mon- October 28–30 teaching on Longsal Ati’i Nadzer and we the Kumbhaka course with Fabio right af- ey for precious stones) and beautifully Thödgal Retreat received instructions on Tawa, Gömpa, ter the retreat. painted. There are so many other people Chöpa and the Fruit as explained in this >> continued on page xxx November 11–17 Ati Yoga Retreat USA Teaching Teaching Focus New York December 9–14 3rd Tibetan Language Congress Chögyal Namkhai Khyentse The New Venezuela Norbu Yeshe Generation Dec. 27–Jan. 2, 2012 Dzogchen Teaching Khyentse Speaks Tashigar Norte Retreat is the Most Essential to Controradio Teaching of All

>> continued on page 27 » Page 2 » Page 3 » Pages 7–13 THE MIRROR · No. 110 · May, June 2011 Chögyal Namkhai Norbu

2 Dzogchen Teaching is the Most Essential Teaching of All Jangchub Semgom Dola Serzhun Retreat with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Excerpt from May 17, 2011 Kunsangar, Russia

“You have some good connection with the Dzogchen Teaching – you have arrived to the Dzogchen Teaching, you have met a Dzogchen Master; you must understand that it means you are very fortu- nate.”

ow we continue with the explanation of the teach- ing of Jangchub Semgom Dola Serzhun. Don’t forget Nthe main point when you are learning practice and teaching. When you focus on argument number one, two or three, you forget the main point and cannot remember what you should do and become confused. First of all, try to remember what the main point is. I am always explain- ing, again and again, what that is. I know many people are distracted with arguments and I worry that maybe people do not understand when I use texts and books that are more intellectual. If you understand what the main point of what I explain is – it is something like a base. Then there is no problem; Photo: L. Dzhebisashvili you can learn hundreds of different types of titles, texts and arguments. Then what you have learned becomes like about me, and some of these people are relations. I feel what tomorrow will be. Circumstances are always chang- ornaments. If you have different kinds of ornaments, you a lot of compassion for them and I feel I must help and ing. So everything related to circumstance is very impor- use them and they make you beautiful. But the ornament do something. Also they are coming to see me faithfully, tant. Even if we overcome problems for today it is not de- is not the main point. The main point is your existence, bringing an , and they are saying, “Oh please give fi nitively. This is always related to our mental concepts and your body, your body maintains your energy and your en- us a blessing, some protection cords”, or they sometimes dualistic vision. If defi nitively we have no problems and ergy maintains your mind, and then your real potentiality. ask some advice, and they are satisfi ed with that. we are totally free, we should be beyond our concepts of If you are losing that and are only connecting with orna- But this is not the path. I can help much more. I can say, mind – in our real nature. Now we have realization. Now ments, there is not much sense. “Sit down and I explain, you listen a little”, but they have we are free from samsara. This is the value of the state of So I told you already, the essence of the teaching is no idea to listen and learn something. They are satisfi ed to contemplation. being in our real nature. This is not only for Dzogchen receive a blessing. It means they are missing participation. When you meditate and you think meditation is impor- Teaching, but any kind of teaching. Maybe some teach- I know very well but I cannot do anything. What can I say? tant, it depends if meditation is for provisionally overcom- ers are not going into the essence of the teaching because “You should sit there and listen to me”, but they are not ing problems or for what purpose? We think meditation they do not have that capacity or knowledge. You remem- listening. What can I do then? You see this is number one is important for freeing us from samsara. Then we should ber that Dzogchen Teaching is the most essential teaching of the capacities. In the Dzogchen Teachings the number we understand our state of meditation as the state of con- of all. It means going directly into the main point of the one thing we need is this capacity. templation. You see this is the fourth qualifi cation or the teaching. So when we have this opportunity to learn or re- The second thing we say is tsondru. Tsondru means dil- fourth capacity. We can have that knowledge. We know ceive that transmission, we must use that knowledge and igence. It means diligence without distraction – you can very well. realize that knowledge in our condition. also have a kind of diligence without presence and you are Then the last capacity is the prajna, sherab, or intelli- Being in our real nature in a very simple way means we distracted easily. The third capacity is presence; the fi rst is gence. Intelligence means that when the teacher is intro- are in a state of guruyoga. We need to be in guruyoga be- your participation and the second is diligence. Then there ducing and explaining, you try to understand. The teacher cause we are generally in a state of dualistic vision – we is knowledge and understanding of contemplation and knows how the situation of sentient beings is, particularly are conditioned totally by our mind, with subject and ob- value. You must understand which is the path for having human beings. They have many mental concepts. For that ject. That is not our real nature. I told you already that the realization. It is not suffi cient you learned some reason the teacher is not going into books with high-level mental aspect is like just like refl ections in a mirror. Our from a teacher and now you have a path and you do this arguments. The teacher tries to help students understand real nature is just like the potentiality of the mirror. We and have realization. Realization means you discover your what the essence of teaching is using very simple language are using mind for getting in that real nature. So in the real nature, you are being in your real nature defi nitively. to explain. I told you for example, I studied for years and Dzogchen Teaching we are going directly to our real na- This is called realization. years, and when I went to see my teacher Changchub Dor- ture with the practice of guruyoga. For being in that state you must understand what it je, in that period I was very proud. I knew everything. So I am always saying the most important practice is guruy- means to be in the state of contemplation, beyond the this is our condition and we construct our knowledge in oga. Some people are accustomed to do a more yogatantra concept of the mind. So teachers introduce the students, that way. But my teacher Changchub Dorje did not teach style – and they ask, “Which is my yidam?” In the Dzogchen particularly Dzogchen masters, and they make the student with philosophical arguments, like we learned philosophy Teaching your yidam is your state. This is hundreds and understand which the main path for realization is. Then in school. He asked me to sit down and was speaking in thousands of times more important than any kind of yidam, the students understand what is really the principle of the a normal language. In the beginning I could not believe wrathful, peaceful, etc. When you have no capacity to go in path. For example, if we have just some physical prob- this was some kind of teaching and instruction. I thought that state or you have not received that kind of teaching, lems, maybe on the physical level or energy level, to over- he was having some kind of conversation, but then later I you try to transform impure into pure vision, in pure vi- come this kind of problem, maybe the teacher asks you to understood what the essence was. sion we have the development and accomplishment stages, do something to coordinate your energy. What should you So I am trying to do that every day, even if I am explain- non-dual at the end, and we can get in our real nature. do? For example, we do something like breathing. If you ing complicated arguments. So with these explanations Some people have the idea that Dzogchen Teaching is do not succeed with breathing, the teacher understands and in between the words, I try to explain what the main too high and they have no capacity. And some people say, you should also work with your physical level, because en- point is and not lose that. You try to remember that. Also “You need a high capacity to follow the Dzogchen Teach- ergy is dependent on the physical body. some people say, “I am at this teaching for the fi rst time. ing.” Particularly if someone is very concentrated in Hina- Now you are controlling your physical level so you can What should I do now?” I say, “You should do guruyoga. yana, or style of teaching, they say, “It’s control your energy. Maybe you can overcome this prob- You do the practice and try to understand what guruyoga not good for you to follow the Dzogchen Teaching because lem. That doesn’t mean today you realized that and tomor- is.” Guruyoga means being in your real nature, not to do it is too high and you don’t have that capacity.” row you are in that condition. We are living in time and service for your mind. If mind dominates you, you have in- You must understand what capacity means. Capacity in time is related to our daily condition. In the daily condition fi nite samsara, suffering and problems. You know what is Sutra teachings contains fi ve arguments: tepa is your faith circumstances change day after day. Some days ago here it mind and what is nature of mind. You try to be in the nature and your participation. If you don’t have participation, even was very cold; the weather was not very good. You see the of your mind with the practice of guruyoga. If your mind is with the very important Dzogchen teachings, you cannot weather we have today. It is warm. This we call circum- not giving you permission, then you should reeducate your do anything. For example, when I am going to Tibet, my stances. It is changing, not remaining. Tomorrow could mind, otherwise you cannot overcome that problem. country, I meet many Tibetans, old people, and they know be warm but maybe not. This is our hope. We don’t know >> continued on page 4 THE MIRROR · No. 110 · May, June 2011 Khyentse Yeshe

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Khyentse Speaks to Controradio

Khyentse Yeshe was interviewed by Controradio: Can these teach- Controradio, Florence, on April 21 of ings bring the East and the West this year, as part of a presentation closer together? What are the of the Dzogchen Community and the benefits of this teaching? Thirtieth Anniversary Celebrations Khyentse Yeshe: For a person that will be held in mid-July of this who is very linked to external as- year. pects, for example, who is sub- ject to a change of moods, if he Controradio: What distinguishes wears fashionable clothes or the path of Dzogchen from other doesn’t, if people in his environ- Buddhist paths and how can we ment judge him and he feels this Westerners benefit from it? at the emotional level and he is Khyentse Yeshe: It is a specific not happy, not satisfied because aspect of the teaching linked to he is not part of a wider com- , not speaking of Bud- munity, for a person like this, dhism in general, but specifically the benefit is that he discovers of . We should that what is important is how we understand that Buddhism came judge ourselves, not how others from India and developed in judge us. Because in the end we several geographical areas not discover that we are all similar, only on the level of knowledge we are all human beings, we all but also culturally and socially, have the nature of suffering. For and different paths developed in example, in the end we discover Thailand, Japan and China, for that we have death and that we example, and some that specifi- are all the same from that point cally developed in Tibet. In Tibet of view, then we can also discover what mainly flourished is defined that we can be happy with what as the ‘higher’ path, more linked we are. What we are is already all to the aspect of mind than to the we need. Thus from a more ex- aspect of the body. ternal aspect discovering this is When we say ‘Dzogchen’, in a benefit that gives a person the English it means ‘Great Perfec- possibility to enjoy his life. Photo: D. Ibragimov tion’, we consider it to be a final For a person who tends more stage, a sort of fruit. Like a plant towards a spiritual path, for ex- This internal aspect helps us ing realized my expectations, has are outside of me, in the people that starts from a seed, then there ample, observing himself, see- to discover ourselves and makes no sense. This is a very high level who are in front of me, because I are a series of agents such as wa- ing things more internally and our life much easier. For ex- of understanding. Entering into won’t have taught them anything ter, sun and earth, and at this not being really subject to exter- ample, you are less afraid of the this understanding is completely useful. point, with this capacity, with nal factors, the benefit is the dis- judgments of other people. For beneficial because it means that When we talk about ‘reawak- this development, there is a fruit. covery of the root or the cause of example, if I am in a work situ- one understands everything that ening’, we actually mean some- This fruit, for example, may be one’s emotions, the discovery of ation, I have the feeling that I is outside oneself and within one- thing that is at the level of knowl- the flower, it may be the pleasant emotions such as envy, jealousy should be advancing in my career self and in general, for the whole edge, at the level of the mind. So sensation of the plant, it may be etc. How are these explained in and arrive at certain objectives in of humanity. it is not so much all those things the perception of this plant, this Tibetan Buddhism, particularly order to be happy. In actual fact from the past such as the robe, the flower, everything that surrounds in what is called ‘’? In Bud- happiness is not linked to ma- Controradio: You have been rec- role, the sacrifices and everything it as an emotion, a sensation. dhism it is explained that there is terial objects, there is nothing ognized as the reincarnation of that one has done, but rather the So the Dzogchen teaching re- always the same cause, so good at the material level that brings a great lama from the past and capacity to return to a text, or to a lates to the aspect of mind. In and bad, pleasure and displea- such happiness. It is an inner your story has been told in Jen- function of the teaching – that is English we normally use the ex- sure have the same cause, our condition. All of this means that nifer Fox’s documentary film the transmission of knowledge – pression ‘the nature of mind’. potentiality. This means that, for we can go from having a type of ‘My Reincarnation’ that we saw and instead of spending two or But everything that reflects inside example, if I have a strong feel- happiness that can be defined as in Florence at the ‘People’s Fes- three lives, manage to regain it us and hence generates an emo- ing of envy towards someone – relative or temporary to having a tival’. It tells us about how this in a few weeks. This is the real tion – for example ‘the flower is let’s say a friend who I meet after permanent happiness: one’s own came about and about your initial awakening, the real usefulness. beautiful’, we have pleasant emo- many years and at this point in condition, at peace with oneself refusal of the ‘destiny’ that was It means being directly guided by tions or the day isn’t very nice, it’s time, I have a certain social con- in harmony with one’s capacity waiting for you. How do you view visions, for example. Instead of raining and cold, so we have an dition while he has another and of seeing, feeling and enjoying your path, your personal story to- having to understand words such unpleasant sensation – all of this I feel envy because of this – I un- one’s life. day? as written texts, associate them is different when we speak about derstand that I only feel envious While if one has superior ca- Khyentse Yeshe: First of all it is with a semantic text and from inside ourselves. Because even of that friend while there are mil- pacity, an understanding of what important to say that a film is a this derive an experience in some though outside us nature is per- lions of other people that I don’t the aspect of the mind is, it means film. If it doesn’t have any dra- way linked to the inner world, fect with its condition of being feel anything towards. Why? In understanding what happens in matic impact it is no longer a the outer world, and as a result nature, inside us our sensations Buddhism it is explained that the mind. For example, even if film. This is useful for people to transmit it to others as knowl- change. And going even deeper everything is subject to it own we want to stop everything, ev- discover themselves and see that edge, this understanding arises into the mind we wonder what cause. If there is a cause there is ery moment of our lives our mind there is an inner side to everyone. instantly, directly as an image, as the real nature of the mind is. an effect. In this case the cause produces thoughts, constantly. A Even in far off experiences like a vision, and this can be transmit- What is the mind for? What is its is having a friend and if he’s a thought arrives, it develops and Tibetan life, in reality this can be ted as it is. And this is really what function? The Dzogchen teach- friend, what sense does it have to we follow it just like watching a recognized in everyone. This is is useful about reincarnation.  ing explains this aspect. find a negative reaction such as film. We are completely involved a great capacity of Jennifer Fox, jealousy towards a friend? If he in the mind, which is creating the the director, who has won several Translated and transcribed by hadn’t been a friend, I wouldn’t whole universe. This happens prizes for her documentaries. Liz Granger and Alessandra Policreti have felt anything. He would just constantly, every moment of our But beyond all of this, ‘being’ have been anybody walking along lives, millions and millions of someone who lived in a past life the road. times a second. If we understand has many aspects that are far this nature, then we also under- more profound than the external stand what the mind is and what act of recognition. For example, potentiality it has. At this point, in all films [about reincarna- we can compare the millions of tions] we see children who rec- Errata thoughts to the reality of things. ognize objects that they knew in I can concretely carry out 1, 2, a past life. Why don’t we have this In Mirror #109 in the teaching of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu even 10 projects in a year but how example in this film? If I were to on page two there is a reference to Ralung Monastery. It is many thoughts does the mind in- recognize a lot of objects, say that not Ralung Monastery, it is Lhalung Monastery. vent in a second? Millions. So I they had been my objects and re- Apologies, can understand that this dissatis- use them again, nothing would The Mirror Staff faction that I may feel in not hav- really change in the people who THE MIRROR · No. 110 · May, June 2011 Chögyal Namkhai Norbu

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>> Dzogchen Teaching continued from page 2 plation. This is not really the state of contemplation, this the same noise level you have the double the tension – the How do you reeducate your mind? You see many peo- is the state of emptiness I explained yesterday. For that rea- tension develops. At the end we escape. ple say, “I know very well I must be present and relaxed. I son lhagthong is not arriving. Sometimes people go someplace to do a practice, some never succeed to do this.” When we make something im- In the Dzogchen teaching, for example in Dzogchen escape to a place on a mountain or somewhere. When they portant and it becomes concrete, it is not enough to have Semde, when we are explaining the Four Contemplations, fi nd a nice place they are happy and think, “Now I can re- a fantasy that we want to be relaxed. That means we are to- the fi rst contemplation is called the contemplation of the ally do practice!” They try to do practice for some hours. tally conditioned by our mind. You need to reeducate your nepa, which means shine. We realize that stable calm state Then many wild animals are coming, mosquitoes are bit- mind. You reeducate your mind in a very easy way. You can and we understand that the calm state is only the expe- ing, etc. You can fi nd many disturbances anywhere! Most use fi xation practice; you put a white A in a thigle in front rience of the calm state or emptiness. Through that ex- important is that we integrate and then there is no prob- of you. You sound A and you do a very sharp fi xation on perience of emptiness we know who is in that state. We lem. For that reason in the Dzogchen teaching when we do that A. When you do very sharp fi xation, no thoughts arise are entering instant presence, not remaining in an empty practice, we are ready to have contact with objects and our because there is no space for thoughts to arise. This is also experience. When you discover that then that nepa also senses, not necessarily our eyes are closed, or we concen- how we do shine in the Dzogchen way. There is no sense to becomes the state of contemplation. If you are not enter- trate in a one pointed way somewhere. We relax in our real remain a long time in this fi xation only. ing the state of contemplation in that way, then there is condition. What is manifesting, like movements, etc, we For example, sometimes when you are doing fi xation, the second stage in Dzogchen Semde called lhagthong, but integrate. When we have integrated we have no tensions. you do fi xation with white A and thigle, and you see a face here we call it miyowa, which means beyond movement. When instead we self liberate the tension, it is no longer in front of you, or somehow this object has changed and Miyowa, beyond movement, means that contemplation a problem. some people think, “Maybe I am realized now”, or you see is not only the calm state or emptiness. It has its infi nite I am always saying to people when we fl y in an airplane, bad things in front of you and you are upset. This does not potentiality. All potentiality is movement, manifestations. the airplane is always sounding A. Sometimes it can sound mean something is wrong. It means you have concentrat- So these manifestations and movements, even including HUM. Many people fi nd the noise of the airplane very dis- ed sharply for too long a time. There is not much sense to our mind, thoughts and judgments, etc, in the ordinary turbing. In business class they give you some presents, remain a long time. Only start sharply for some seconds or way are not good and distract us and create problems, but there is an eye cover and earplugs, because ordinary peo- minutes and then slowly relax. When you relax, of course the nature of that is our potentiality. We have that knowl- ple don’t integrate and they have so many problems. If you thoughts arise. Now thought has space. You observe edge. Then we integrate movement, it is not that we are integrate you don’t always have to sound A and HUM with thought, because you are reeducating thought. Thought escaping from movement. This is the difference between your practice, the airplane is helping you all the time. It is has power to create problems or to distract you or not? Dzogchen and Sutra, for example. suffi cient you are in the state of guruyoga or Guru Drag- If thought has no power, you can relax more and more. Sutra practitioners are remaining in a one pointed way phur, etc. If still thought has such capacity to distract you, you do in a state of emptiness and have no capacity to integrate So this is called integrating. In the Dzogchen Com- sharp fi xation again. Then you relax again. You go ahead with movement. If there is movement they feel afraid. munity it is very important that we understand what the that way. Sometimes when you know how to do this prac- They do not want to see or hear or have contact with sense essence of the teaching is. You don’t concentrate only tice very precisely, you can realize a state like shine one day. organs, for that reason with closed eyes in a one pointed on a book. Some people think they have no capacity be- Some people ask how long they should do shine practice way, they remain for hours and hours. They consider this cause even when I explain they do not understand or re- in order for it to become stable. It depends if you do the and the state of contemplation. When we know member. That is normal. I know very well how to explain practice precisely. If you do not know how to work con- the Dzogchen teaching, we understand they are ignorant all these texts and arguments. When I understand more cretely with shine, then you need months or years. Some and do not know how our real nature is – part of it is also clearly, many of you can understand what I am explain- people send me emails saying, “I have been doing shine for movement and potentiality. ing. But don’t worry if you don’t understand or remem- many years, and am in a calm state. Please tell me when In the Dzogchen teaching, all movement and potential- ber. Even when I am giving you an explanation from this I can go ahead.” This is like Sutra practice when people ity are part of our real nature; not something that we reject. text, if there is no text I also cannot remember. So how can continue stable practice for years. You see when we speak In this case what we should do is integrate. If you have the you remember all that I explained? So it is relative and you of shine, when we speak of shine and lhagthong, there are capacity to integrate there is no problem. When you have should not worry. two explanations, even in the Sutra teaching. Lhagthong no knowledge of integration and you do not want to be in Some people think, “Dzogchen Teachings are too high, means that when you are stable in shine something arises the state of integration, then you are escaping. Sometimes maybe it is better I follow something lower like inside, like clarity and lights, etc. I give an example. Some people are doing shine practice or Mahayana.” This is also a very wrong idea. You have In the Sutra tradition, they ask when does lhagthong and someone is making noise. That person doing shine is some good connection with the Dzogchen Teaching – you arise? There are no limitations. In Sutra they say that you thinking that this place is terrible and they cannot practice have arrived to the Dzogchen Teaching, you have met a should do shine, remain in shine, shine, shine and wait for because people are making noise. Sometimes when you Dzogchen Master; you must understand that it means you lhagthong to arrive one day. You are hoping that one day are new, it is normal when you try to practice that noise are very fortunate. You must understand that. It is not nec- lhagthong will arrive and knock on the door saying, “Hello, can disturb you; it is not so easy to apply visualizations essary you follow Hinayana. Dzogchen Teaching is a com- hi, I am here, lhagtong.” Maybe lhagthong never arrives in and complicated things. But when you are going to the plete path, not some high-level argument of the Buddhist your life and you fi nish your life with shine. That means main point of the teaching, you should integrate and not path. You can study Dzogchen, realize Dzogchen, every- you do not really understand how it should work and what worry about noise. If you are worrying about people mak- thing.  the real value is. When people are living only in shine, the ing noise then you have tension. Then the next day with vipassana state, they think this is the real state of contem- Transcribed and edited by Naomi Zeitz

Community. This is only a temporary solution, but some- Dear International thing indispensable and necessary. For example, in this Dear all Gars and Lings of year, we have the special teaching retreats of Yangti and Dzogchen Community, Thodgal, and all people interested to follow these retreats the Dzogchen Community, should be registered at the place of the retreat. They cannot be registered and participate in the retreat would like to inform you of something very important if they do not have their actual valid membership card am glad to inform you that our Vajra Brother Sergey in our actual circumstances. All the activities of the number. Vshnuti, with his great generosity, has offered Kun- I various Asian Dzogchen Communities are applied in I sangar North again to the Dzogchen Community – a special way. We know that on the continent of Asia there These special teachings are connected much more with with the exception of the property of Kunphenling. We are not yet any offi cial Dzogchen Community Gars, and the transmission, and for that reason the Teacher has in- really welcome this news since we need Kunsangar North for that reason until now, for matters of membership and formed all who want to participate in these retreats many for many Euro-Asian Gar activities. other related activities, we have connected those members times of how they themselves should be responsible for of the Community to Namgyalgar, the Oceanic Dzogchen these precious teachings and how very important it is to This year we started the teaching retreat of Rigdzin Jang- Community Gar. This situation does not completely cor- keep the transmission in the correct way; seriously enter- chub Dorje’s terma Tibetan Medicine “Srogman” there, respond to the real condition and it is also not so easy for ing in our Community, the alive continuation of Ati Dzog- but we didn’t get much time to form the new Gakyil of them to apply what they need to do in this way. pa Chenpo's transmission. this Gar.

We chose to proceed in this way because until now For that reason, people seriously interested in these teach- For that reason, I have chosen a small Gakyil of three peo- there has been no Gar for the practitioners of the Asian ings must go ahead in this way. Of course, whoever already ple, and we consulted and agreed to this: Dzogchen Community, and the closest Gar to them is in has an active membership number does not need to pre- 1) V. B. Sergey Vshtuni Australia. At the time we made this decision there were pare a new one. [email protected] only a few Asian Dzogchen Community practitioners, so 2) V. B. Andrey Mitin therefore there was no reason to manifest diffi culties and With many Tashi Delegs, [email protected] problems. Now we have many Dzogchen Community peo- 3) V. B. Alexander (Sasha) Zheleznov ple throughout Asia and particularly in Japan, mainland Ch. N. N., who has the responsibility for the Transmis- [email protected] China, Singapore, Taiwan and so on. sion of Dzogchen Ati Yoga in the Dzogchen Community. They will choose their respective Gakyil colors themselves Now we should apply our way of working with circum- and will take all responsibility of the Gar until next year, stances, as we have learned in the Ati Dzogchen Teaching. 2012, when I will return and there will be an important For that reason, until we have offi cial Dzogchen Commu- Teaching Retreat at the Gar. nity Gars in Asia, the Dzogchen Community Lings should take the responsibility for fulfi lling and organizing what is With many Tashi Delegs Ch. N. N. needed, like membership cards for their members of the THE MIRROR · No. 110 · May, June 2011 ASIA

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

ASIA 20 Years in Tibet

“(...) Tibetan culture is a treasure be- longing not only to Tibetans but to everyone on earth. In fact, any knowl- edge that exists is precious for all be- ings and belongs to all of us. If we ig- nore this and let this value disappear we will all feel sorry afterwards. That is why anyone who is interested, not only Tibetans, should intervene and help preserve this precious heritage.

Since I myself was born, raised and educated in Tibet, I feel very strongly the responsibility for the preservation and maintenance of this culture. (...)” tional Tibetan architectural style ASIA has not only been involved nical and managerial skills of For the Thirtieth Anniversary we and using bio-climatic technolo- with education and health. Over young Tibetans and micro-enter- have organized an art exhibition, Helping Tibetan Culture Survive gies. At the ASIA schools children the years it has also intervened to prise projects for the economic “Tibet.Art.Now. Tibetan Art be- – An open letter from Namkhai receive an education that protects safeguard the Tibetan historical empowerment and support of tween Tradition and Modernity” Norbu Rinpoche. their cultural identity and they and cultural patrimony through the most vulnerable sections of that brings together works from are taught to be able to deal with the restoration of monuments Tibetan society. The most re- ancient and contemporary Tibet- In 1988, following a series of mis- a continuously changing society and artistic works, the construc- cent project is one concerning an art. ASIA has always consid- sions carried out in India, Nepal so that they can avoid the danger tion of colleges for the study of the women in Tongde country. ered art to be a powerful tool to and Tibet by Master Namkhai of social exclusion. Thanks also philosophy and practice of Bud- Metok, one of the women par- show the great vitality of Tibetan Norbu, ASIA was created with to distance support thousands dhist meditation and the pub- ticipants in a tailoring course ex- culture that, despite the serious the aim of working concretely to of children and young Tibetans, lication of ancient unpublished presses the value of this project threats to which it is subject, con- preserve the immense heritage of who would not have had the re- Tibetan manuscripts. We have in a few words: “When we moved tinues to thrive and proliferate. culture, traditions and spiritual- sources to do so, have been able published about 300,000 books to the resettlement in Tanguzhen no- ity of Tibet. to exercise their right to educa- that were distributed in 120 mon- body in my family was working and ASIA is currently the only Europe- tion. The words of Andrea S., a asteries with about 15,000 monks we had very little money. Then thanks an NGO present in all the regions The strength and effectiveness member of the Community and benefitting. to the tailoring course I learned how to inhabited by Tibetans and in of an organization depends on friend of ASIA since its incep- make Tibetan clothes and started sell- these 20 years, we have achieved a multitude of factors, among ing them to people in the resettlement. more than 150 development proj- them one of the most important, Some time ago, my husband was sick ects, emergency and long-dis- perhaps the most important is and needed to go to the hospital. If tance support which have directly people. I hadn’t known how to make these benefitted over 500,000 people. clothes and hadn’t started to sell them, This success is something to The people who work here, who we couldn’t have taken him to hospital share together and to encourage with their passion and profes- because we wouldn’t have had enough us to move forward to reach new sionalism can make a small money.” goals. project big, are also and above all people who espouse a cause, make it their own and stand by it.

Without this “base” of people who have the same sensibil- ity and the same idea of how the world should be and who decide to dedicate themselves, each in their own way and with their own skills in order to implement that idea, the work of an organization tion, explain the deeper meaning Another very important aspect of would not have the same value. of this project very well: our work is our intervention dur- “Distance support is a formidable ing emergencies. In recent years, Since ASIA has its “base” in the weapon both from the humanitarian unfortunately, we have had to Dzogchen Community, to mark and cultural point of view as well as intervene several times distrib- the celebrations for the Thirtieth making the life of a Tibetan child a uting livestock and food among Anniversary of Merigar, we would little easier. It ensures the maintenance the nomadic populations as a re- like to share with you the results of the Tibetan language and culture in sult of extraordinarily cold winter of over 20 years of work in Tibet the new generations and is crucial for weather that had decimated their that has been made possible by the preservation of Tibetan culture and herds and with them the earn- your active participation. to provide a well-defined cultural iden- ing power of families and then tity for an individual.” as a result of natural disasters. Over the years we have promoted After the devastating earthquake activities concerning education Cynthia and Fabrizio, who like of last April 14 in Yushu, we were in health, hygiene and preven- many others of you went to meet able to act immediately thanks to tion, we have built 10 structures the children they had been dis- the warm response of ASIA sup- to ensure basic health services to tance supporting for years, de- porters. We were able to make 5 local populations and promoted, scribe their experience in this distributions of relief goods and protected and spread knowledge way: “In 2005 we were in Bir and thus assist almost 30,000 people. of traditional medicine through Mussoorie for ten days in total to meet On our website www.asia-onlus. the construction of 4 specialist the two children that we support. It org there is a detailed report of clinics. was a wonderful and very moving ex- this humanitarian intervention. perience.” We have built 18 school buildings We have also started up training designed respecting the tradi- projects, investing in the tech- THE MIRROR · No. 110 · May, June 2011 Shang Shung Institute

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Shang Shung Institute Italy Shang Shung Institute Austria Shang Shung Institute of Tibetan Shang Shung Institute of America Località Merigar Gschmaier 139 Studies 18 Schoolhouse Rd 58031 Arcidosso (GR, Italy) 8265 Gr. Steinbach, Austria The London Centre for the Study P.O. Box 278 Tel & fax: +39-0564-966940 Cell phone: 0043 676 3221365 of Traditional Tibetan Culture and Conway, MA 01341, USA [email protected] Offi ce: 0043 3386 83218 Knowledge Phone (main-Anna) 413 369 4928 www.shangshunginstitute.org Fax: 0043 3386 83219 Kathy Cullen Administrator Fax/Bookstore 413 369 4473 http://shop-it.shangshunginstitute.org www.shangshunginstitute.org ++44 79 5086 2270 www.shangshung.org www.ssi-austria.at [email protected] www.shangshunguk.org

In order to guarantee the con- Support the tinuation of the precious work Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Translation Projects of Adriano and Elio we need the Healing with Fire support of everyone. Oliver Leick Unfortunately in 2011 we have Translated and introduced not been able to raise suffi cient by Elio Guarisco Dear all, funds for the “Ka-Ter Transla- I think that you all know the real tion Project” and the “Complete his manual is the fi rst yal Namkhai Norbu, a foremost importance and the value of the Works of Chögyal Namkhai Nor- of its kind to focus on scholar of Tibetan culture and activities and programs of the bu” up to now. T the Tibetan technique of philosophy, who, inspired by international Shang Shung Insti- Please consider the great value moxibustion, an external ther- his personal experience of this tute. of the effort made for translating apy that uses the power of heat unique and effective treatment Here is a quotation from Matt these books of wisdom into our to stimulate a curative effect. A method, has gathered knowledge Schmookler of the Shang Shung languages and support our activi- widespread form of traditional from ancient scriptures ranging Institute USA. ties. healing in the East, moxibustion from the well-known Four Medical “Just as Chögyal Namkhai Norbu If you feel that our work is im- is one of the most ancient medi- to recondite manuscripts has made the once secret Dzogchen portant, please cal therapies known to humanity. found in the caves of Tun-Huang. Teachings more and more accessible · make a donation via our web- Mainly popularized as a branch The book features twenty-four throughout the world, the Institute’s safe site. Here is the link for your of Chinese medicine, moxibus- original drawings illustrating commitment should be to make Tibet- new card-details: https://ssl13. tion was originally practiced in the positions of the individual an Cultural knowledge more and more inode.at/ssi-austria.at/creditcard Shang Shung, a kingdom predat- points, as well as an index of indi- accessible throughout the world. offering.htm ing Tibet whose existence can be cations to facilitate the identifi ca- Just as Chögyal Namkhai Norbu has · make a donation by Pay Pal traced back at least four thousand tion of points for the treatment of defi ned what authentic Dzogchen is in www.ssi-austria.at/ssi-engl/contact- years. specifi c medical conditions. It in- the World through the Dzogchen Com- frame.htm Healing with Fire is a compre- cludes an appendix that discuss- munity, the Shang Shung Institute can · or make a money transfer di- hensive compendium of the fi ve es arcane astrological factors fre- defi ne high quality standards for the rectly to our bank account: hundred most important and ef- quently taken into consideration dissemination, acquisition and appli- Name of the bank: fective moxibustion points in the in Tibetan traditional medicine. cation of Tibetan Cultural knowledge Raiffeisenbank Ilz Tibetan and Shang Shung sys- Information about availability in order to preserve it in its authen- Address: Hauptstr. 39 tem, with an emphasis on prac- and ordering can be found on the tic form.” ZIP and town: 8262 Ilz tical instructions for readers with website of Shang Shung Publica- One of the main activities of Country: Austria varying levels of expertise in the tions: the Shang Shung Institute is to BIC (= SWIFT): RZSTAT2G151 healing arts. The book is the cul- www.shangshungpublications. make authentic texts of wisdom IBAN: AT19 3815 1000 00030387I mination of decades of painstak- org/healing-with-fi re/ that are entirely written in the Ti- in the name of Shang Shung ing research by Professor Chög- betan language available in West- Institute ern languages to all those who are interested and to preserve Thank you so much for all your this unique knowledge for future support and help, generations. many Tashi Delegs and very best Shang Shung Tibetan Medicine Summer All New 750 Hour The Institute’s two translation wishes, Institute USA Intensives Tibetan Kunye Massage Training projects are the “Ka-Ter Transla- SSI is very pleased to announce tion Project”, which also includes Oliver Leick Updates Tibetan Medicinal Herbs: the launch of our all-new 1.5-year trainings in the Tibetan language, Shang Shung Institute for Learn, recognize and prepare Tibetan Kunye Massage training and the “Complete Works of Chö- Tibetan Studies August 1st–6th, 2011 located in Florence, MA begin- gyal Namkhai Norbu” project. [email protected] he Shang Shung Insti- With Menpa (Dr.) Kalsang Wangyal ning Spring, 2012. This training The two main translators www.shangshunginstitute.org tute is very happy to an- will be the most extensive train- are Adriano Clemente and Elio London: T nounce several new de- This course is an introduction to ing in Tibetan Kunye Massage Guarisco. www.shangshunguk.org velopments. Firstly, we are happy traditional Tibetan herbal reme- ever offered in the US and fulfi lls Adriano Clemente, who is in USA: www.shangshung.org to offer a $ 100 discount towards dies. We will cover the basic prin- the professional massage licen- charge of the “Complete Works Russia: registration for our intensives ciples of the theory, identifi ca- sure requirements in the state of of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu” in- www.shangshunginstitute.ru before July 14th. Please contact tion, and processing of tradition- Massachusetts. The training will troduces one of the translations Austria: www.ssi-austria.at us right away if you would like to al Tibetan herbs, based on their conveniently take place on nights he is currently working on: Publications: take advantage of this special of- taste and effects. This is a unique and weekends, centrally located www.shangshungpublications.org fer. Secondly, we are very excited opportunity to learn about Tibet- in our brand new classroom in “Dear friends of the Dzogchen Com- Multimedia Portal: to announce that these Summer an herbs in a hands-on environ- Florence, MA. munity, www.shangshunginstitute.com Intensives will take place in our ment! This class will include fi eld To fi nd out more about these the only divination which we have Webstore: new Florence, MA location lo- trips to the Western Mass woods offerings please visit: been using in the Community so far www.shangshungstore.org cated in the Florence Commu- to identify local varieties of Tibet- www.shangshung.org or email is an easy “mala divination” based on nity Center at 140 Pine St., Suite an Herbs! [email protected] a text that Chögyal Namkhai Norbu 10. It is still possible to stay in the taught in Subiaco in 1976. In recent dormitory in Conway, MA during Tibetan Kunye Massage: Level 1 years Rinpoche has received a new kind the intensives. Rides will be co- August 8th–13th, 2011 of divination related to the Longsal ordinated to the Florence class- With Menpa (Dr.) Phuntsog Wangmo, teachings. This divination, called “The room. Also our Tibetan Kunye SSI School Director and Teacher dice divination of Dorje Yudronma”, is Massage: Level 1 intensive has performed with dice containing the col- been approved for 36 NCCAOM Tibetan Kunye Massage is an ef- ors of the elements instead of numbers, PDA points towards continu- fective, dynamic system of mas- and one hundred and twenty results ing education. Lastly, we are of- sage and bodywork therapies. It are possible. fi cially announcing the launch is an important aspect of Tra- The source of this divination is of our all-new 750-hour Tibetan ditional Tibetan Medicine, one a cryptic and short root text which has Kunye Massage comprehensive of our world’s most ancient and been clarifi ed in details in the commen- certifi cation program in our new advanced lineages of the healing tary. The book is scheduled to be pub- Florence, MA location begin- arts. For many centuries, the re- lished in 2012. This is really a won- ning Spring 2012. Please contact nowned physicians and yogis of derful occasion for all practitioners to us with any questions regarding Tibet have relied upon the prac- benefi t from this extraordinary Long- these exciting developments! tice of Kunye Massage for restor- sal divination.” ing health and balance. THE MIRROR · No. 110 · May, June 2011 Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Focus on the New Generation

7 Education of Children From Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s ‘Dzogchen Teachings’, a collection of oral teachings originally published in The Mirror

f you want to educate your small children while they are growing up, you should try to educate them in a I particular way. Until they are around ten years old, children cannot control themselves. Letting them do as they wish is not very good. There must be some way you can control children, and help them. From the beginning you explain what kinds of limitations we have in society. We know that educating by setting limitations is not good, but that it is necessary for the condition and functioning of our society. We don’t have a free dimension, and if chil- dren are trained as though there is such a dimension, then later in life it becomes very diffi cult for them. They can’t integrate into society. It’s not necessary to be overly severe with children, but mainly you have to explain and help them to understand, and surely they will. But the main point is how you explain – for children, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu speaking to the children in the garden at Merigar in the fi rst years of the Gar. this is essential. For example, if you want to teach a small child not to kill, you explain, “You don’t kill animals,” be- cause sometimes children enjoy killing insects. If you just Focus on the New Generation tell them, “You must not kill because it’s not good,” they don’t really understand why, and the more often you say his year, 2011, marks a milestone in the history of Merigar – the Gar will fi nally be thirty years old, the time it takes “No,” the more they feel like killing. For example, if you for a new generation to grow and mature. say, “You must not kill because this small insect may be a T Merigar will be celebrating its 30th Anniversary this July with three days of festivities, meetings and confer- mother or father or baby; maybe this insect is coming out ences involving the entire international Dzogchen Community and as a refl ection of this marker of time, our Focus sec- to fi nd food for its children who are waiting somewhere, tion this issue is dedicated to the ‘new generation’ who were once children at the different Gars and are now adults or and if you kill her, she can’t go back, and they will feel very are still growing up there. Many of them have sent us their experiences, thoughts and impressions on living at or near bad.” If you explain it in that way, then it is an experience a Gar and growing up with ‘Buddhist’ parents. We are also re-publishing Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s teaching on ‘Edu- they can relate to. They have a mother and father, maybe a cating Children’ from ‘Dzogchen Teachings’, a collection of teachings originally published in The Mirror, his oral Santi sister and brother, and they may think, “What if someone Maha teachings given to children in 1996 and an interview made with Rinpoche by the children of Merigar about killed my mother and she couldn’t come back, what would children’s yantra yoga, both re-printed from The Mirror. I do?” Or, for example, “If some giant stepped on you and The young generation of practitioners who have grown within the Community are bringing a different and dynamic killed you, how would you feel?” They can understand approach to the Teachings and represent our profound hope for the continuation and spread of the Teaching. with their experience. Then their sense of responsibility arises. You can explain in this way. After ten years of age, children must really be free, and if you see they are really doing something wrong, you try to explain. You don’t try to control. This is important in education. In regard to ourselves, we also observe and reeducate Santi Maha Sangha ourselves, and try to be aware, for example, in our eating and drinking in daily life. If people are not able to control their drinking and they become drunk, in the end their Kumar (boys) Kumari (girls) realization is illness, or problems. We need to remember that we eat and drink in order to live. If there is no food, Reprinted from The Mirror, issue 37, September/October 1996 we cannot live. Eating and drinking are only examples of hundreds of possible circumstances. Through practicing At the request of the children present at Merigar this August (1996), Chögyal Namkhai Norbu gave teachings related to the children’s Santi awareness in eating and drinking, we can realize a little Maha Sangha. More than twenty children of different nationalities from four to fourteen years of age attended the session on August 30th. how we can control ourselves. In conclusion, if we are Dzogchen practitioners, we must ur life as people, whether adults, children or old child just like you. And a few years ago I, too, was a child. be responsible for ourselves. If we don’t have that capacity, people, is basically the same. Now it seems that it But then time passes and everyone becomes old. Time never we should learn and ultimately realize that. This is very im- Ois not the same, doesn’t it? We are older, you are stops, it always goes ahead. As it goes ahead, what do we portant. We need to act responsibly, with awareness. If we younger, some of you are young children and some are a bit do? In general we are always distracted and so with distrac- are not aware in all circumstances, then we never become more grownup. But the truth is that we have all been like tion a year passes. And then with more distraction it be- responsible. This is the duty of all practitioners.  you. Only a few years ago, he (pointing to an adult) was a comes two years, and then three years. First of all, you were a small child and then someone calls you a young lady. Then after a few more years someone calls you “Madam”. Some- times you have to say, “I’m not madam, I’m a young lady!” But the truth is nothing changes, it is always the same. What does that really mean? It means that time is passing. First of all this means that we have to be very aware of time, both old and young people. Time passes immediate- ly. Right now you might think you are a child, but in a few years you will become an adult. And when you become a big person what do you have to do? Perhaps you have to get a job to earn a living. Right now you have your mother and father and when you have a problem you can call them. But when you are grown up, your mom and your dad dis- appear. For example I don’t have either my mother or my father. First I had them, but they’ve both gone. That’s the way things are. And when that happens what can you do? You become responsible. You have to think what you are going to do in life. The same with your children and then your grandchildren, it always continues in the same way. So fi rst of all we have to understand time. Another thing that is very important is that we all have many qualities if we do things in the right way. If we don’t do things in the right way even if we have many qualities, Rinpoche and a group of Merigar children after a SMS exam. Photo: A. Bajic Jovanovic >> continued on the following page THE MIRROR · No. 110 · May, June 2011 Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Focus on the New Generation

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MM: What is the purpose of Question: What’s the purpose of Kumar Kumari? “Kumar Kumari Yantra Yoga’ in Kumar Kumari Yantra Rinpoche: It is for children to your opinion? grow up and form their bodies M. Margherita: I think it is to in a better way, because children make the body grow up well and grow every day, and if their bod- purifi ed, free of illness. Yoga for Children ies and above all their energies Mandarava: It is to grow up well, are co-ordinated, they grow up to purify and be calm. Reprinted from The Mirror, issue 19, 1993 perfectly and are protected from Lilly: It is breathe in a better way. illnesses and disturbances. Dewa: It is to relax and not to Maria Margherita Maglietti (8 years 5. Three Yantras (’phrul ’khor): the some things I didn’t know about harm oneself, to let go what you old) asked Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche cobra, the bow, Kumar Kumari. MM: What does Kumar Kumari have in your mind. some questions about Yantra Yoga for the plough. mean? Camilla: I think it is to warm up. children. Maria Margherita: Did you invent Rinpoche: ‘Kumar’ means boy, Namsel: It is to become a ‘yogi’, Kumar Kumari Yantra Yoga is Kumar Kumari? and ‘Kumari’ means girl – male this is it! very weekend at Merigar made up of swift movements, Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche: I and female children: Yantra for Jessie: It is to relax. we practise Kumar Kumari some of which are also really didn’t invent it, it has always ex- children. EYantra Yoga for children good fun. When you breathe in, isted. It is linked to the Yantra we Question: What does it mean ‘to with Cristiana De Falco as we did with some movements you pro- practise in general. What I did MM: How often is it best to do it? relax’? last summer. nounce OM, in others HAM and was just to adjust it to children, Rinpoche: It is best to do it ev- M. Margherita: Being calm and some others HA. We practise Ku- because their condition is not the ery day, if possible – especially not getting nervous. Kumar Kumari is made up of: mar Kumari for half an hour, and same as that of adults who can at night, before going to bed, or Dewa: Sleeping. 1. The nine purifi cation breath- eachlesson we learn a new exer- hold their breath and do longer a little earlier, when you feel very Mandarava: Being calm, not ner- ings (rlung ro gsal ba) cise. breathings, things which chil- tired, because of study, work or vous and not too serious. 2. Five tshigs sbyong dren cannot do. So what I invent- confusion, In this way you relax, Jessie: Remaining happy and not 3. Five rlung gsang I asked Namkhai Norbu Rin- ed is how to get the same results feel better, sleep better and stay fi ghting. 4. One rtsa ’dul poche a few questions to fi nd out doing some movements. healthy. If you can’t do it every Viola: Not being uptight or ner- day, it’s quite good to do it at least vous and being calm. every two or three days. Lilly: To be relaxed, tranquil. Camilla: Lying down and feeling MM: Thank you Rinpoche. well. Namsel: It means feeling well. Cristiana De Falco, one of the children’s KKYY instructors, interviewed the Question: What do you do in children after a session. your daily life when you realize that you are getting nervous? Question: How do you feel after M. Margherita: When I’m home a session of ‘Kumar Kumari Yan- I sometimes practise ‘Kumar tra Yoga’? Kumari Yantra Yoga’, then I lie Mandarava (6): Well. down and rest and maybe I write Jessie (6): Like a butterfl y. something in my diary. Dewa (7): I feel like a rainbow. Mandarava: I go to Mum and tell Viola (13): I feel relaxed. her that I feel nervous and she Jessie: A butterfl y is relaxed. helps me to calm down and does Dewa: And a rainbow is relaxed, some ‘KK YY’ with me. too. Jessie: I sit down on a sofa, Maria Margherita (9): Just after watch some TV and breathe the session I feel a little tired and deeply. very relaxed. Viola: If the weather is good I go Lilly (7): I feel stronger, I feel outside and run fast, or I drink a cheerful. glass of water, or I take my jour- Camilla (7): I feel well because nal and read it. through the exercises I warm up. Lilly: I listen to a beautiful Namsel (6): One feels good be- song. cause one does Yantra Yoga, this A Kumar Kumari Yantra Yoga session in the early years of Merigar. Photo: A. Siedlecki is why.

>> continued from previous page not making them angry, not disturbing them and acting How can you understand if it’s not ok? Take an example. we don’t get anything and nothing will manifest. So we respectfully towards them in every way. If someone was to say that word to me, how would I feel? shouldn’t neglect our qualities. In that regard we should One of the most harmful things in life is jealousy. We If I would feel offended then that’s not ok. If I was to say it do our best. If we have to do something, if we have to study, don’t really understand very well how jealousy comes to others certainly they wouldn’t like it. This is the famous if we want to be a good person so that people will say about about. For example we say, “I haven’t got something” taking the example from oneself. For example, consider us, “Ah, that’s a good person”, what shall we do? If I do or “Whatever I do is not as good as the way other people an insect: some children enjoy quashing it and killing it. something wrong or do it in a bad way then nobody will do things” and immediately jealousy arises. Among chil- They almost feel powerful because they are able to kill that say I’m a good person. Instead I should do something good dren some are very close friends but instead of being close being. If we refl ect a bit taking ourselves as an example, if for others. This is true, everyone knows this. So we have to sometimes they leave each other and maybe they feel guilty I was this insect and some giant came and squashed me, do our best to use the qualities that we have to be someone about that. So there are many ways of creating problems. how would I fell? I wouldn’t like it. So refl ect a bit and take who is well brought up, with good manners and behavior. But sincerely I’m not talking only about children but also ourselves as an example if you have to say or do something This is something very important for children, because about parents who don’t know how to work to overcome so that you can understand. This understanding is called children are like plants. If someone looks after the plant, jealousy. The poor children are innocent, they just follow awareness because we should do things with awareness. that plant will grow well and become very beautiful. If no- their parents so all of these things can happen. Basically When with awareness I notice that something is not ok body looks after it, maybe a branch will grow crooked or it’s not important if the parents are guilty or the children. then I don’t do it. So fi rst of all you must learn this. downwards. In general this is what is called awareness. The important thing is to understand that jealousy is not For example if I insult someone or say a bad word to Awareness means trying to do everything well, especially nice and that you shouldn’t be jealous about anything. For them what happens? That person will be unhappy and up- manifesting ourselves as a good person, who collaborates example small children start being jealous about their toys set. And if that person remains upset for a few days, won- and helps other people. and developing in that way you can reach many things. So dering why I said that word, he’ll become nervous and an- Do you know why that doesn’t happen for some people you should observe yourselves about these things and do gry and one day he will want to get his revenge. Why does and they turn out the opposite? The fi rst reason is selfi sh- your best. he get that idea? Because I created that cause to make him ness, egoism. They always think, “I”, “I want this”, “This You should always take the example of yourself. When angry or unhappy. But when he’s got his revenge it doesn’t is mine”. They never think of others. This selfi shness is we do something, before we do it we should think a little mean he’s resolved the problem. It always goes on, he al- one of the worst things. bit. For example if we say a bad word without thinking ways has that problem. So what to do then? It’s important And another thing is not respecting others. We can un- about it, the person we say it to will be upset and we will to know a bit in general how you should behave and what derstand this because if someone doesn’t respect us how have created a problem. We don’t need ten minutes or one you should do in everyday life, in your contact with your fa- do we feel? We immediately think, “How rude that person minute to do this, even twenty seconds is enough. If we ther and mother, your brothers and sisters and everybody. is!” Maybe that person says something nasty, maybe their just think, “Is it ok if I say this or not?” and it seems to be This is the way you should learn. behavior towards us is very unpleasant, then we immedi- ok, then you can say it. If it doesn’t seem ok then don’t say And then there’s this new book of Santi Maha Sangha ately judge that person as worthless. We can take the ex- it. That way you don’t create problems. which explains this principle. Study it a bit. This is the be- ample of ourselves and try to do our best towards others, >> continued on the following page THE MIRROR · No. 110 · May, June 2011 SeitenüberschriftFocus on the New Generation

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As if now, I had to make a choice. would tell many jokes and would I couldn’t really come just as a The Elements of greatly enjoy hearing jokes from tourist. a Good Life us children. Some of the “children of Mer- I remember widening a creek igar” started to really take part, Jamyang Oliphant bed and pruning trees, as we read about Dzogchen, do the currently living in the UK sang a song about Merigar that practices, and others just didn’t Rinpoche composed. The song is come so often anymore. It is as y parents met at a Dzog- in Tibetan and I cannot remem- if at some point, you had to jus- chen retreat in England ber the exact words, but it goes tify your presence there. So I Min the early 1980s. I was something like: ‘it is difficult, it wondered, “Shall I try it now? born in Rome in 1985 and a few is difficult, if you want Merigar See if I want to be one or not?” weeks later we moved to Merigar, you must work…’. Once we were At first, it was quite a deal to take where I first met Rinpoche. As digging up soil in the boschetto part in all of it, not knowing if a child I spent about eight years and because there had been a it’s your choice or simply fol- living in a small town called Ar- heavy rain, the ground was very lowing what you’ve always seen. cidosso, three kilometers away soft. I found a bone that prob- But then I understood it wasn’t from Merigar. The remaining ably was a horse’s hip. I ran, full the right way of thinking about years of my childhood were spent of excitement, to show everyone. it. I am not “in” or “out”. Those in Italy, between Rome and Na- I thought it must be a dinosaur like me who grew up in Meri- ples. As a child I had the occa- bone and Rinpoche confirmed it gar can’t be neutral towards all sion to spend numerous Easter, was. I was so happy to have found this. I guess somehow we will summer and Christmas holidays a dinosaur relic and Rinpoche always be a bit connected to this at Merigar, where retreats, often congratulated me on my finding. place, and to those practices. I one month long, were held. In the evenings, we would grill shouldn’t worry, but be happy, I clearly remember working meat and tell stories around the because if I need it someday, I in the boschetto, the woods be- fire. One evening we were sitting know it is there, just like an open neath the Gonpa, when I was around the fire and we children door. about eight. During karma yoga, asked Rinpoche to exhibit some Rinpoche would assign special magic feats. He showed us a si- tasks for us children and by in- ren that was resting in the blaz- cluding us I felt we were doing ing fire bed. I clearly remember Ana and her sister Marija. something important and use- seeing its silhouette in the fire. ful. We got to spend time with Then we were instructed to close somewhere else with other kids. the ‘big people,’ and we enjoyed our eyes; suddenly someone else “Shall I try now?” But since I have started coming Rinpoche’s cheerful and en- was wearing the eyeglasses that as a grownup, things have be- tertaining company. Rinpoche >> continued on the following page Ana Bajic Jovanovic come different. I don’t go there France because I have to, but because I want to. It is really a special place. e’ve been going to What I like the most is how easy it Merigar almost ev- is to talk with people, as if we had Wery summer with my something in common. mother, brother and sister since There are the old ones who we were born. give you that nostalgic look that Sometimes we took part in makes you still feel like a “child some practicing, dancing, read- of Merigar”, but there are also all ing books, but really we were the others, the newcomers that just following our mother, and think you are a practitioner. So I never got involved in any of felt like I wasn’t really supposed it. The few times I tried to fol- to be here anymore, or at least low the teachings, I was quick- that I wasn’t here for the right ly bored and ended up playing reasons. It was an odd situation.

>> continued from previous page ginning. This is what is called karma. What is karma? Kar- ma means cause and effect. If I give somebody a punch, that’s a cause. What is the effect? That person won’t be happy. It will make them angry. That’s the effect. If I give them a lovely gift with great kindness, how will that per- From left to right: Matteo and Maria Margherita, Minjyur, Mandarava, Jampel and Franco. son feel? He’ll feel happy because since the cause is posi- tive the effect is positive. With this principle we do our best that the games and the country- be scared of the dark even for to create as much positive karma as possible and to avoid Twenty-Two Wild side explorations were interrupt- a little child. So I went into the making any negative karma. This is called cause and ef- Children in One Car! ed was during the Ganapujas. We yellow house but everything was fect. This is something to learn. There is an explanation of usually waited for the end of the closed and nobody was there. At cause and effect in the book with many examples. When Jampel Dell’Angelo Ganapuja to invade the Gonpa that point I remember starting to you read it you will find many examples and stories so that Italy and take part to what we con- get a little afraid. Where is every- you can learn what it is talking about. sidered a fundamental aspect of body I was thinking? Then I went Then when I return, we’ll do another exam to see if you was a child in Merigar when the practice (eating). Sometimes up the stairs and everything was have really studied or not. If you have studied you’ll be able the “old practitioners” were though that was a sad moment, still dark, all the lights off. But to give all the answers. But it’s not just an answer in words. I the age I am now. I was part because it meant that the retreat I started to hear some laughter. I want to see how you apply it and put it into practice. If of the first generation of the wild was finished and we would have Finally I opened a door and what you always make your mom and dad angry that’s putting a kids that used to play around in to leave Merigar. I found was one of the best im- negative cause and it means you haven’t learned it. If you the Gar. Our parents, who most I will just try to share with you ages of my life: Rinpoche play- have learned it, it means you’ve created a positive cause. If of the time were long-haired hip- two memories that if I close my ing Bagchen with my mum and we plant some geraniums or some other flowers, then only pies, were following retreats with eyes appear as very clear images. dad, laughing happily that I had those will grow. Beans won’t grow because we didn’t plant Rinpoche in the casa gialla, where The first was when Rinpoche arrived there in the middle of the any beans. So if we plant good causes then everything will the office is now. My memories used to have his house in the casa night. manifest in a fantastic way. And if we plant something of that period are so many that I gialla. It was winter and my par- A second image is shorter but negative then certainly that is what will manifest. When don’t really know where to start. ents and me were sleeping in a representative of the vibe of the you have understood that, you have to integrate it into your As a child I remember very well caravan in the parking lot. I was children’s gang at Merigar. Once attitude and into your everyday behavior. The people will how wild and free the situation probably 4 or 5 years old. In the we wanted to go the swimming say, “Look at these children from Merigar who are follow- was. The possibility of spending middle of the night I woke up and pool at the Capenti hotel but no- ing the Santi Maha Sangha training. How good and kind so much time with many other my parents were not there and I body would bring us. In the end they are!” That means there is really a result from this. And children in the countryside was felt very weird because they were we convinced a poor volunteer you must be especially kind to one another among your- fantastic. During the summer re- there before. So I went out of the with a car to take us, and 22 of selves, and not be jealous and create problems. If you col- treats we were a group of up to 25 caravan and it was dark and cold. us (I am sure of this number) laborate in this way then Santi Mana Sangha will work and children of different ages in com- The stars in winter at Merigar are squeezed into the car. I swear we it can be of benefit.  plete freedom. The only moment so bright that it is impossible to were 22 wild children in one car. THE MIRROR · No. 110 · May, June 2011 Focus on the New Generation

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>> continued from previous page kinds of interesting figures and Michel had been wearing an in- some of the consequent conver- The Saddle at stant before! sations influenced my way of un- Namgyalgar Since many children in the derstanding in my teenage years. community were born in the mid- I had the great fortune to meet Erin Stutchbury 1980s and we were quite lively, numerous important masters in Australia parents tried to organize some Merigar, such as Dugu Chögyal entertaining, safe activities to Rinpoche, Dorzong Rinpoche, was one of the mob of kids keep us busy during Rinpoche’s Situ Rinpoche, Drukchen Rin- with a dirt-smeared face, teachings. A playground was poche, Ontul Rinpoche, Sey Rin- I grimy hands and paint en- built, with swings and a climb- poche, Sakya Trizin and his sister crusted clothes that ran full pelt ing grid. A children’s room was Keshun Chime Dolkar, as well as down the saddle at Namgyalgar. set up in the yellow house, with His Holiness the . I, One of the so called “ Ba- toys and comic books. However age four, remember vividly His bies” who was born a part of the we developed a taste for more Holiness’s arrival, in a helicop- Dzogchen Community and whose exciting activities, and the valley ter and great numbers of people, youth was inextricably bound to it. surrounding Merigar became our katags (silk scarves), and flowers. I don’t know how old I was extended playground. Activities The teachings were not easy to when I first attended a retreat such as ice skating on the thin understand for us and to distin- and truthfully I couldn’t tell you sheet of ice covering the ponds, guish fact from fiction, Rinpoche how many I have been to, they rolling down a hill (with a big wrote Santi Maha Sangha book- aren’t even separate entities in my precipice below it) at full speed, lets for children. We had week- mind, but a wondrous blur of co- driving cars, developing ‘magic end study sessions at Merigar, lour and people – the incontest- Erin Tara shows Rinpoche her ring at Namgyalgar. potions’ (a cocktail of whatever to prepare us for the exam with able fabric of my youth. liquid chemicals we could find), Rinpoche. We were introduced It was a freedom that is hard Rinpoche’s lap and snacked on comes with such affairs. A family and homemade fireworks were to the basic concepts of karma to put into words. And though his rice cakes. I knew that he was diverse, with all the ‘normal’ ec- amongst our favourites. and of compassion, morality and it is perhaps like the freedom of some sort of teacher and that a lot centricities that exist in a family. To avoid troubles and possible generosity. any child – carefree and fanciful of people including my Mum lis- There were different accents and injuries, concerned parents pro- Sometimes we would go to – there was something different. tened to what he said, but to me languages, people young and old posed to occupy us with Kumar collective practices and sit quietly Something that picked up our feet as a five year old he was just a kind and somewhere amidst all this Kumari, a type of yoga especially or even sing along, but usually we on one of the countless expedi- ‘old’ man who sat on a slightly I found somewhere where I felt apt for children, as well as sports would play outside. We knew ex- tions to the creek and that made higher chair than everyone else. safe and involved and loved. I activities. At one point a baby- actly which melody in the Ganapu- it impossible not to smile on the Over the years my apprecia- travelled with my Mum to Meri- sitting service was set up, but I ja announced the distribution of race back to the Gompa. It lit up tion of Dzogchen and interest in gar when I was six and Tsegyal- was not entirely pleased with it food and we would go in to join our faces as we sat around the the teachings grew. I participated gar when I was seven and there because they ignored my sug- the feasting. I used to think that fire under the Gazebo roasting in Santi Maha Sangha for kids too I had a feeling of belonging. gestions for absorbing activities leaving aside abundant amounts marshmallows, and made more and would join in at the Gana Pu- Something about the Dzogchen such as going hunting for vipers of food for the offering of the re- poignant the various dramatic jas focussing on the little colour Community made my world infi- in the high grass. mains meant accumulating good endeavours we took part in at the circles I had drawn in my prac- nitely bigger. Whether it be phys- As a child, what intrigued karma. Later I discovered that it New Years Eve Auction and Con- tice book to help with the visu- ically, spiritually or emotionally, me most about retreats was the was more of a symbolic gesture, cert. alisation in the Purification of the I’m not sure. All I know is that it variety of people who attended and I started to enjoy the food Even though we hadn’t Elements. While at first I would grew, and I grew. them. I was a small town child with less apprehension about my grasped the depth and complex- mimic the during the It was a childhood that I would and greatly looked forward to karma. ity of the teachings, we knew offerings of the Gana Puja I dis- have loved to last forever. A Peter retreats where I particularly en- Growing up in, and along with even as kids that we were a part tinctly remember Mum explain- Pan-esque existence where we joyed meeting the international Merigar was a good experience, of something bigger. Something ing to me the significance of the would still be running full-pelt participants. I found people with and a rich one, and laid a base for that made people from all over mudras and the five senses. In a down the saddle at Namgyalgar. dreadlocks intriguing, and I had a future harvest. the world come together and sit short time I knew them by heart. But everything is impermanent. fun knotting their hair further. I and listen and reflect. I got my first Vajra and bell for As readily as days come, they go… had the opportunity to meet all At one of the teachings in Syd- my eighth birthday and sat in on Times evanesce, times of youth, ney before Namgyalgar was es- practices attempting to ring the as well as times of life. tablished I went up and sat on bell and move the Vajra in time It was youth and life at its with Rinpoche. I felt very grown greatest, a whimsical world bril- up and remember being very liantly adorned. A world so great coconut drink or a little turtle of proud when finally my hands that sometimes I fancy it was all Growing up in shell and sand, from the sellers moved by themselves and I could just… a dream. the Dzogchen at the beach. These memories of sit with my eyes closed. Tashigar Norte in Margarita have I would explain Gana Pujas to Community stayed with me until now, making friends from school as the ulti- Namgyalgar that time very important for me, mate dinner when you could have Rules OK Tara Theiss even though I could not under- dessert at the same time as the main (13 years old), Germany stand the words of the teaching, meal. I believe it was quietly the Jan, Cyd & Louie Cornall but I still communicated with the envy of most of my friends and Australia am Tara Theiss, and was Community and Rinpoche. even though I knew the concept born on the 1st of May in Although Tashigar Norte is a of ‘one taste’ and the transforma- y son Louie was one I 1998, in Kathmandu, Nepal, place I really liked to be, Merigar tion of the food and wine offer- year old and my daugh- although I come from Germany. West in Tuscany is where most ings, it didn’t stop us from hunt- Mter Cyd was four when I I met Chögyal Namkai Norbu for of my memories considering ing down the large plates of choc- came across Tibetan Buddhism. the first time when I was three, Also, after the teachings, I asked the Dzogchen Community take olate and biscuits – I guess the In fact, the decider when I signed in 2001 at Merigar West. Grow- him if I could massage his feet, place. This is because my family saying ‘kids will be kids’ is fitting. up for Sogyal Rinpoche’s 1988 ing up as part of the Community which he let me do, making this and I have travelled there every On a personal note, the Dzog- retreat at Tiona Park, a lakeside means several things to me, and my usual activity after the teach- year at least once for the past nine chen Community was something tourist park north of Sydney, was accompanying my family to many ings. My mother and I spent a years. When I was very small and else for me. I grew up as an only that it advertised childcare. There retreats obviously makes it signif- lot of time at the Gar, as well my family was at Merigar West, child in a single parent home and my kids met Grit Fair’s boys, Ka- icant. I have been to Merigar West as at the beach, which I really I also sat beside my family dur- a lot of the time I felt an air of runa and Surya and Erin Tara, twelve times, to Margarita (Tashi- liked. I enjoyed swimming in the ing the teachings and listened to sympathy in the looks from my Elise Stutchbury’s daughter. It gar Norte) six times, to Barcelona ocean, with the Community and the teachings, like in Margarita. school friends whose ‘nuclear was also where I heard about two times, once to Austria, and Rinpoche, and Rinpoche called At the recent retreat of Jnana Da- family’ understanding was al- Chögyal Namkhai Norbu and a once to Australia. my mother and myself “Cangu- kini in Merigar, I fully participat- ready neatly ingrained in their few months later Cyd and I drove I have had very different expe- ru”, the Italian word for kanga- ed, and tried to understand the minds. And there is no doubt to Kyneton to meet Rinpoche2 riences on all retreats, since I had roo because I could not swim yet, meaning of the teaching, now be- that my family was different for the first time. When Chögyal different “priorities” at different and clung to my mother when we ing able to understand the words but not in the way that they per- Namkhai Norbu returned the fol- ages. In Margarita, I was very swam in deep water. After swim- but not the exact meaning behind ceived. The idea of Vajra broth- lowing year to teach at Tiona Park enthusiastic about the teachings ming, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu them yet. Next summer, in the ers and sisters was something I was the childcare co-ordinator and always sat beside my mother would often sit on a beach chair, summer of 2011, I wish to partici- that I connected with from a very and by then all the Dzogchen during the teachings, listening to and the other people would gath- pate in the teachings of Garuda early age. In my eyes, it was one kids were an inseparable bunch what Rinpoche said, although I er around on the sand. Often, and Yangtig. big extended family that got to- of best mates. Cyd is now 27 and could not understand, since my Rinpoche would then invite me to gether a few times a year with the Louie 23. I asked them about English was not that good yet. sit with him, and would buy me a usual organizational stress that >> continued on the following page THE MIRROR · No. 110 · May, June 2011 SeitenüberschriftFocus on the New Generation

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longer. In 2008 I moved west to relaxed. Learning that has been was no Santi Maha Sangha, no Growing Up and Waking California to rejoin the Commu- the most fruitful and the most Dzogchen Community, and ev- Up within the International nity and discover for myself what difficult. erybody was on a first name basis this path would mean in my life. Watching and taking part in with Rinpoche. Today, not only Dzogchen Community Three months later Khyentse Ye- this generational transition has have we matured as practitio- she visited our ling in Berkeley. led me to reflect upon the mean- ners, the world has matured, and Logan Mikyö Clark McLellan There was something so dif- ing of the teachings in context. so has the world of spiritual dis- USA ferent in his presentation, some- Here in America, where Rinpoche course (for example, how many thing which connected with my rarely visits, the face and structure teachers now are labeling them- would not say that grow- own perspectives on this stream heart and allowed me to see the of our Community is very differ- selves ‘Dzogchen’). In order for ing up in relationship to of wisdom, this knowledge and contours of my path in a different ent. Many of the practitioners are us to embrace this change, and I Rinpoche’s has these people that we value so context. His life story, his lack of much older, and as a result they usher in a new era for our Com- been easy. What I would say is much. pretentiousness, and the com- have different ideas and differ- munity worldwide, we need to that growing up in this commu- It wasn’t until my father’s plexity he embodies have radi- ent experiences about the mean- support the young people who nity has given my life tremendous death in 2005 that I began to rec- cally changed my ideas about the ing of the teaching in their lives. are interested in the teachings, to depth, and a container in which ognize the impact that the teach- relationship between so-called The younger generation of prac- really hear and understand their to grow and express that depth ings and the community have had worldly life and practice. It is titioners, like those I’ve met in feedback and their experience, in my own way. The Communi- on my upbringing. It was in the through his example that I have Europe and Russia (and the few and to allow them to mold and ty has been the fabric, the page moment of his dying that I first felt liberated enough to steer my here in America), are approach- change this tradition into a new upon which I have begun to write came into contact with my own own life in the direction that I ing the teachings very differently. form that corresponds to their my life story. This memoir is an- naked awareness, stripped of all have, choosing to pursue educa- We are reinterpreting and recon- own circumstances. We need to other attempt to tell that story. To it’s prior identifications, con- tion, career, and family with the textualizing this knowledge in a support up-and-coming teach- weave its threads in with the larg- cepts, and ideas about time and same attitude and presence that way that is meaningful for us – ers, both financially and through er story of our Community, which space. That glimpse was some- I do formal practice. Also, Khy- and yet the knowledge remains our mentorship, to see that these is now a Community of not only thing I could not ignore, and in enste’s manner has taught me the same. beautiful practices are passed second but third generation prac- the years that followed I dug and much about what it means to be I think it is important for us, as intact from one generation to titioners, all of whom have their dug until I could ignore things no a Community, to recognize and the next. Lastly, we need to open value our own growth. With Mer- our doors and our minds to oth- igar West celebrating its thirtieth er groups who share our same anniversary, and the recent suc- values, in order to network and cess of the Open Forum in Mos- share knowledge and perspec- cow, it is time for each of us to tives and to take the time to enjoy feel and honor the many changes each other’s company. that are taking place. In the thir- It is my hope that this piece ty-five years since Rinpoche be- has conveyed something of my gan teaching here in the west, we perspective having grown up in have grown into a sangha of over the Dzogchen Community in ten thousand people. Our role as the presence of Chögyal Nam- an organization has changed, as khai Norbu. The changes that we other communities and teachers face as a sangha will not be easily are looking more and more to overcome, but they are a part of us and to Rinpoche for guidance our becoming, our maturation, and leadership in the globalized and our gift to the world. In fur- spiritual marketplace. Recog- thering our Master’s vision, each nizing our role in this context is of us is playing a unique and sig- important if we are to truly step nificant role. The years to come out of our insularity and begin will hold the privilege for each of to make the lasting connections us of being a part of this commu- with other who can help nity in this distinct era of its un- to further the vision of our mas- folding. With gratitude to those ter and benefit even more beings, who came before, and for those both now and in the future. who will come after. Times have changed since ‘the good old days,’ when there His Holiness the Dalai Lama visits Merigar West for the inauguration of the Merigar Gonpa in 1991.

>> continued from previous page water. I was vomiting for three us three questions, something their memories of growing up in days. These women told me it about view… (thinks a while)… the Community. must be purification. I said no – I Jan – meditation? just feel sick. Louie – yeah and… behaviour, Cyd – I remember Tiona park: all Louie – I remember walks down wow I still remember it! We all the kids sitting around Rinpoche to the creek with Finn, learning passed, I was really happy. being given protection necklac- to ride the postie bike and drive Jan – Have you brought anything es he had made; playing on the the car down to the saddle and from those days into your lives wishing tree that leaned out over back. We had so much freedom now? the lake; getting a tick (a small at Namgyalgar, we could just ex- Cyd – It helped me understand burrowing insect) in my head and ist independently. We didn’t have nothing is permanent in this the lady at the store digging it out. to go to the adults for anything. life, everything is always chang- Louie – I remember running Cyd – Like Lord of the Flies with- ing and you just have to face it. around with Erin when we were out the cannibalism. Then pic- Though I don’t know if I’m do- looking for land on the South nics on the saddle with Rinpoche, ing that very well at the moment. Coast, and after we got Namgyal- swimming at Mystery Bay with Jan – Do you still call yourself a gar, playing in the Gonpa when Rinpoche. Buddhist, Louie? it was just a big shed with can- Louie – He looked like a big tur- Louie – Nah not really, but I al- vas walls and a bumpy sand floor tle with all the little fishes swim- ways say a if I see a dead covered in carpets. ming around him. animal and I still miss Namgyal- Cyd – And falling asleep on Louie – Doing the Kuma Kumari gar. The Gar of my childhood mum’s lap when everyone was exam with Rinpoche. doesn’t exist now. If I go back, singing Song of the Vajra. Jan – I held training sessions ev- it will be to the Gar of my adult- Louie – Yeah, that was a nice feel- ery day in the childcare tent. hood and the good thing is I ing. And hanging out around the Louie – And we all went up to know if everything in my life goes open fire in the gazebo when they Rinpoche’s house – me, Erin, wrong and I need to take up some were having a big Ganapuja, lis- Finn, Claire, Nina, Sylvie, Ga- kind of religion, Namgyalgar is tening for the last mantra so we brielle, Ananda, even some re- always there. would know it was time to go ally little ones. At first we were Cyd – Yeah as we ‘homies’ used to down and eat. all nervous but it was cool getting say – Namgyalgar rules.

Cyd – The first two times I went to talk to Rinpoche. He asked Jan and the Namgyalgar Kids at the Bush to Namgyalgar I got sick from the Kitchen. THE MIRROR · No. 110 · May, June 2011 FocusSeitenüberschrift on the New Generation

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When we would meet Rin- ber his name anymore! But I also ample a lot of us would first take I missed, but that I didn’t really Memories of poche he would always bring thought that he said it in an iron- all the little bits of offering away know. Then I felt very sad be- Euphoria some presents. I would often tell ic way a little, maybe because we and then start enjoying the rest of cause all this time I had been liv- him all these dreams I had and liked to think that we were doing the food! On the other hand I re- ing more the memory of a feeling Mandarava Bricaire later he told me that having all something really special, like no member that when we were sing- of Rinpoche and of Merigar, but currently living in the UK these dreams is not always that other kids. ing “A” the adults would always it was never a real knowledge of important! And once around I remember that we were remind us that we shouldn’t re- Dzogchen. hen we were growing a fire he asked, “Who can see studying the Santi Maha Sangha peat it again and again by taking Each time I came back to Mer- up at Merigar there a mermaid in the fire?” and of for children at the Capenti swim- another breath. And now I un- igar in the summers Rinpoche W were lots of children course, I could see it! I really felt ming pool near Merigar and in derstand why, but at the time it reminded us that we were not of the same age because many like my imagination and my de- the little book it mentioned some wasn’t very clear to me. children anymore, that we were students of Rinpoche had chil- sire were so strong that I could examples to make us understand, The teachings for me started growing up. This meant also that dren in the same couple of years. sometimes see the things I want- and often those examples in- to become something different maybe Merigar should not be a So we all played together, fight- ed to see. volved eating ice cream or doing when I started going to universi- place where we were only having ing and crying like brothers and Once I thought I had seen something we liked to do while ty, and studied religions and phi- fun. sisters. a Naga in the little pond near studying, and that felt very excit- losophies as well as living away My memories of Rinpoche are For me going to Merigar was the Gonpa and was crying and ing! At a certain point I thought from a Gar. Going a bit deeper very important because I remem- very exciting. The Ganapujas ran to tell Rinpoche about it, he could read my mind and start- into the study I realized that I ber experiencing the feeling of were something amazing for us, but it didn’t seem very impor- ed being very self-aware! did not know very much about being around him, and the feel- because first of all for a couple of tant. I don’t remember if I had Growing up at Merigar was Dzogchen, because often I would ing of enthusiasm of the people. hours (which felt like more) we just imagined it anymore! Once good because we would learn the read something about a Chris- I think it is a great fortune to be were completely free and would we were walking together with purification of the five elements, tian ascetic or a philosopher able to be in the world and to re- organize all these games, hiding Rinpoche down the hill towards the Song of the Vajra and the realizing I didn’t really know the member the feeling of freedom everywhere around particularly in the Gonpa and he mentioned a Naggon naturally. I never felt like difference between those and the and of being around Rinpoche the tool sheds, in the empty space child in Tibet who was already I had to learn anything by heart, it teachings. At that time I started of when we were little. And may- below the Gonpa and also in the practicing and was a good prac- felt very natural and smooth. But to realize that the teachings were be if I am still not able to recall wood, which was completely titioner, and I felt a little jealous we were also eating the food at not really part of me, but it was the state of presence, at least it’s against the rules. of that child and I asked, “What’s the Ganapuja without doing the becoming distant and some- good to be able to recall the eu- his name?!” but I don’t remem- offerings in the right way, for ex- thing of my past, something that phoria.

M: Do you have some fun memo- in life that’s okay, but I’ve held on Story of Growing Up ries from Margarita? to those memories, and continue in the Community L: I loved learning and playing to think of them as a positive mo- bagchen. It was a great experience ment, rather than trying to hold Interview with and I got pretty good at it. It was onto something that has ended. It Lilith Winkler-Schor a positive way to start gambling. is important to be in the moment. It was also a sort of vacation. Lilith is 17 years old and lives We found a dog and named him M: How has that experience im- in Seattle Washington Navi because we found him on pacted your life? Christmas Day [Navidad], on L: Yes, some people say that I Mirror: Please tell us a little about dead dog road, and he became have a broken “stranger danger growing up in the Dzogchen a part of our family. We gave meter”. Some people have never Community. him to a couple living there and had a stranger in their home and I Lilith: I would say as far what is in- they were happy to have him. It say, well I have and they are really fluential, I’d say the people are the worked out beautifully, he was awesome people. I want to be one most influential, as we stayed with a happy dog and they were very of those people that always have many different people in our trav- happy to take care of him. an open door and have people els and so on. I have not been in- Lilith on the left with her sister Sophia Winkler-Schor. open their doors to us. I look for- volved in many communities with- M: And Zaragoza Beach? ward to go couch hopping, in my short life, so the Dzogchen parents and what was the influ- I loved meeting all the people L: Yes, I loved it, but my sister got Community is probably the most ence of the Community. from all around world; spiritually stung with jellyfish. The water M: And some memories of Rin- community experience I’ve had. It My parents showed me breath- involved people have a different was fabulous. We knew others poche? has been the most diverse experi- ing techniques, mantras; they quality. The kids and I had great there and the locals; we wished L: Rinpoche stayed at our house ence and I have established good also showed me the power of and interesting time. Even with we could have gotten to know and he would sit on our bench friendships within the Commu- light and visualizing that within the people who weren’t my age, the locals better, but we did not in the garden and do practices. nity. Most people cannot under- us. I think it was really helpful to I made lasting friendships. My speak enough Spanish. I don’t think I understood the stand, for example, when my par- have a visual image of something sister and I were around 11 and One highlight of the time there magnitude since I was small, so ents go to Ganapujas or do practic- so powerful. We always bless our 12 years old. Sometimes we sat in were the Spanish lessons with for me he was just another per- es, but other kids within the Com- food with the light when we eat. the Gonpa doing homework, but Victor at our house for about two son at our home. He smiled and munity know and understand. Also the aspect of respecting and we listened to the teachings. For hours a day. It was a crash course. gave me these really nice pens. When I reflect on growing up caring for others is important. me it was more about following I always wanted to learn Spanish One day he blessed our cat, in the Community, I am glad it was what other people were doing, and my school didn’t have the ba- which was pretty amazing. She part of how my parents raised me. M: You mentioned karma before. like the nine breathings. There is sic course I wanted, so I took the was old, 21 years old, and she I think that the respect portion of What does karma mean to you? a great spirit in the Community more advanced course and used was bitter, not ever very friendly the teachings make a large differ- L: I think it is more about energy. and I really loved the New Year’s what Victor taught us and I man- and she had intense seizures. ence in the interactions between I feel like a lucky person, when party and the auction. I haven’t aged. We went to Peru after Mar- One day we thought she was kids and parents. My mom would I feel like a lucky person, I am a found that great spirit anywhere garita and I also needed Spanish dead and Rinpoche walked into always say that she would treat me lucky person. So karma is in your else. I liked talking with all the re- there, because my whole family the kitchen at the very moment as if I could have been her parent, mind in a way. I have not had mo- ally cool individuals. got sick and I had to take care of she had a strong seizure and we or that every person is Buddha. ments where I have felt hopeless them. thought she was dead. Rinpoche and I think that is a part of my M: Do you think that this spe- The Dzogchen Community said, “The cat is dying” in Italian. M: Did you feel pressured to be karma. A lot of people under- cial quality that you can’t find members are always interesting He said the mantra a ah ha she sa involved in the Community? stand karma in a basic way [cause elsewhere is somehow related to to meet. In Lima we stayed with a ma, and then she lived another L: No, not at all. I think my par- and effect] but I think if we go teachings, to the transmission? family from the Community and year and she was even nice after ents hope I find a source of spiri- through life being the best per- L: Yes, I think that from what I it was really fun! I really enjoy be- that! She wouldn’t hiss, she was tuality, like parents hope that son we can be, we will bring that was raised with. There weren’t ing with people from the Com- friendly and we really liked her their kids are happy and so on. with us – not just that we have to that many explanations growing munity. At our house we have an after that. We put roses on her However, it’s not pressuring. go help this person. I think kar- up, but I can’t say I have heard open door and getting to know all grave, cut moon roses, and we They aren’t forcing me to become ma is a choice and how we decide any teachings I have disagreed these people has been one of the put them into the ground where Buddhist, but rather find a way to to be is our karma. with. A group of people coming best experiences. I love getting to she was buried and they took express myself spiritually. But I together to better themselves is a know them. You also learn about root and bloomed- they bloomed wouldn’t be surprised if I found M: What are some of your memo- really powerful thing and it would attachment meeting all these dif- in winter! That was our miracle Buddhism. ries, experiences of the Commu- be good if more people did it. The ferent people and having them story. He was always really nice to nity and Rinpoche, for example principle is powerful; we can be pass in and out of your life. There us, he never pressured us about M: What did other aspects of the going to retreats, etc? better for ourselves and the other is a being in the moment kind of teachings or anything and he just teachings bring to you? L: I think the retreats are fantas- people around us; that is a great thing, being in the present. My wanted us to be kids. L: It is a little hard to tell when tic. The retreat in Margarita was and powerful thing. mother taught me that everyday. you are small what was just my the best experience of my life. So even if we aren’t friends later >> continued on the following page THE MIRROR · No. 110 · May, June 2011 SeitenüberschriftFocus on the New Generation

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bunch of us would run towards began to feel that my life was di- from other children in the Com- different to both of those I was “My thoughts had the Gonpa. The moment we went vided into two different parts – munity, and perhaps this was one accustomed to living in. A lot of to follow their inside we knew that we had to be the ‘normal’ part, that is school, of the reasons that we felt unit- thoughts, ideologies, personal really quiet, eating what we were the local scene and my friends, ed by a strong connection, the observations, openings were at own path and get given and leave the remains. I the cold and the snow, and then awareness of our diversity, which the center of discussion and I back to where they liked being there, with warm the summer, the Community, I think we all considered in a pos- ended up once again reflecting. wood under my feet, sitting still Merigar, when all my friends itive way, almost as a privilege. And slowly I came under oth- started.” and listening to our parents sing. came back, and we played togeth- But when I reached sixteen er influences, even more open, I could feel the air just as I feel it er under the hot summer sun. or seventeen I started to think reaching for a greater accep- Matteo Maglietti today, saturated with a particular And the Master, too, came back, about life and the world, discover tance, seeing more possibilities, Italy energy that I have never found in and everyone waited anxiously new things, thoughts that were and soon I returned, I went back other places. for him in the square in front of much bigger than I was. I also to Merigar, I met some of my old y house is a short walk Soon enough I went from be- the yellow house. Many of the found that my thinking was not friends again, I talked about my from Merigar, in the ing a child to a teenager, saw new best memories of my childhood similar to that of my mother, to experiences and I began to follow Msame valley, and from people arrive, the yellow house and my teenage years are linked that of some of my friends or to the retreats and the Teaching. In where you can see the same changed, Merigar was expanding to these moments that I looked the Community. And so, just as conclusion, my thoughts had to beautiful sunset. Since my child- and growing, but that particular forward so much to all year, and I have seen it happen to others, I follow their own path and get hood I have always lived in close energy I felt was always there. that passed too quickly. distanced myself, I felt the need back to where they started, and contact with the Community and And I also learned, for example, So I grew up divided between to follow my rationality, to ex- even now when I enter the Gonpa my earliest memories are closely that I should not kill or hurt ani- these two realities that were so plore it, even if I carried my posi- for the Ganapuja I feel that ener- linked to it. As a child I remember mals. Most of the year, especially different from each other, and I tive experiences of the past in the gy vibrating, hovering in the air, that when it was time for the Ga- during the winter, I didn’t feel the felt these differences very strong- Community along with me for a and I see children playing and I napuja at the end of the retreat, presence of the Community in ly even as a child. As a result I long time. think how everything continually we children would hear the Song my life, because in winter people grew up differently from my local When I got to college I found changes but from a certain point of the Vajra from far away and a didn’t come here as much, and I friends though I was no different myself in a situation that was very of view remains the same.

to some strange situations when enced some cultural dissonance sion towards the community as An Incredibly Lucky Connection to the I was subjected to ‘mainstream’ between my home environment I tried to carve out my own iden- Dzogchen Community settings. While I was still a toddler and mainstream society. I attend- tity. I disliked the thankas that and just beginning my schooling I ed a Catholic school for a couple decorated almost every room of Trinley Walker had some challenges when learn- of years at which I was somehow our house and at times I would UK ing to sing alongside my class- cajoled into signing up for the think twice about inviting friends mates. As I am told while learn- choir which sang at the adjoin- home. Not choosing this com- was born to parents who were that people would gather at our ing to sing I would only be able to ing Abbey. After months of ar- munity/cultural environment yet students of Chögyal Nam- house for Ganapuja. The chant- sing one note, A, this was what I duous training under our strict, nevertheless often being associ- I khai Norbu and members of ing, incense, and ritual of the Ga- knew singing to be at that age. disciplinarian task master I was ated with it was particularly exas- the Dzogchen Community from napuja stimulated my imagina- As children we always had finally admitted to join the ranks perating at times. early in its life. While my mother tion. On occasions I would sit in plenty of opportunities to have and take chorister robes. This oc- Slowly, slowly this attitude was pregnant my parents asked during the practice, but more of- fun at retreats. I remember caus- casion was to be inaugurated at waned as I became older so that I Rinpoche if he could suggest a ten I would wait until the chant- ing plenty of havoc, particularly mass that coming Saturday. I re- could look at the teachings from name for me. From what I heard, ing had finished and I could hear with my friend Jigme Mullhol- member the horror I felt as we be- a different perspective. I came to Rinpoche responded by reeling people talking. At this point I land, while the teachings were gan the ceremonial walk from the see that the teachings really have off a number of possible names knew very well that I could look given we had license to roam chambers into the Abbey, only to value and I was actually incred- as if to make the point that really for leftovers, so I would join the around and look for trees to see my parents in the front row, ibly lucky to have such a connec- it was they that should make this group hunting for tasty bites. I climb and rocks to collect. Al- wearing T-shirts with Buddhist tion to the Community. I began to decision. Of the names suggested also enjoyed engaging with the though my memories of those re- iconography! I couldn’t bring my- develop an interest until I actually they chose Trinley, so it was this Community members who came treats are somewhat patchy I do self to look at them and instead came to follow the teachings, a Tibetan name that was marked to our house and I could count on remember that Rinpoche was im- bowed my head pretending not turn around that I could not have on my birth certificate and with- entertainment and fun from the mensely kind towards all of the to see and hurried to the seat in envisaged when I was younger! out any choice in the matter, I was local group of practitioners who children and he never hesitated acute embarrassment. After the In retrospect I can see that I really raised in and amongst the Com- were to become something of an to take time to play with us and mass I was sure to remonstrate gained a lot from growing up in munity in the UK. extended family, as they visited make us laugh. During one re- with my parents and tried to ar- such an environment and despite From among my earliest frequently. Although it was sec- treat in Devon Rinpoche dressed gue as to the error of their ways. strange encounters with colour- memories I can remember be- ond nature at the time, this sense up in a gorilla outfit and came to Such instances were symp- ful characters and some cultural ing very curious about the chant- of camaraderie and community greet us all, leaving most of us tomatic of a feeling of awkward- confusion I was truly fortunate ing and melodies that I would spirit is something that has re- in fits of laughter or completely ness and confusion as to this to have had such an environment hear emanating from the practice mained with me. dumbstruck. cultural clash. As I got older and while growing up. room in our house. I was particu- Being brought up in such an Growing up in a relatively pro- into my teenage years I began to larly interested on the occasions environment could at times lead vincial part of the UK I experi- develop something of an aver-

MA: And what you dislike? And then once he was laugh- Life is beautiful, we Zoe: Gakyil meetings! People talk ing because I managed to sound a just need to work and talk for hours and hours and strange instrument at the Gonpa. I must be there quiet and listen- Uma: The Master once made with circumstances ing. puti and we ate it in his house!!! An interview with Zoe (12) and Uma: What I dislike is when they His house is what I like most of Uma (5) Sued, from Tashigar meet to do a practice and people Tashi gar! South Argentina begin to come and I don’t know what to do... I have to choose be- MA: Do you remember some- tween all things I brought to read thing of what he teaches? Marisa Alonso for The Mirror: or to write or to paint... and I’m Zoe: Yes, I remember what he How is it for you to live in Tashi- bored… I spend most of the time says always: life is always beauti- gar? thinking and thinking on what to ful, we just need to work with cir- Zoe: Sometimes it’s a little lonely, do… cumstances. but when the Master comes and there are other people here it is MA: Do you have any memories MA: And what does that mean? cool! you like the most here in Tashi- Zoe: (thinks and then in a com- gar? plaining tone...) that for exam- MA: Did you learn some practice? Zoe (left) and Uma (right) at Tashigar South, their home. Zoe: Yes, once in a retreat we were ple if you were planning to go Or you don’t know any? a lot of kids and so we made lem- to Aquazone (a water park) with Uma: I know one!!! AAAAAAAAAA you do AAAA and then you can do MA: What you like most of living onade and sold it, and we also your family and your sister gets whatever you want! in Tashigar? picked a lot of berries and plums ill, you have to think of another MA: And what is that thing of the Zoe: That people here are nice, and made a marmalade and thing to do!!! A? MA: The A has that power? everybody knows you and takes brought it to the Master and he Uma: But why you are complain- Zoe: Something that takes care of Uma: Yes!!! The A for the sleep- care of you. ate it with a spoon!!! ing? That was in the past! And you and prevents nightmares... ing time does it! Sometimes I do Uma: The two swimming pools! was long time ago !!!!! (laughs) >> continued on the following page it with my sister. THE MIRROR · No. 110 · May, June 2011 Kunsangar South

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probably watched the webcast, Kunsangar – and partly because… is that pos- The Land Where sible at all? The golden Longsal sign All Is Fine shone over the Gar high in the blue sky, painted on a big blue Andrei Besedin balloon, as a symbolical repre- sentation of Rinpoche’s teach- hat is the best present ings that shine on all. for a Gar, celebrating Later during the retreat days a W one year from laying golden-yellow metal sign took its its cornerstone? Of course it’s place on the roof of the gonpa, as the Teacher’s physical presence. was seen in the original plan. In May 2011, after transmitting Since from the beginning of Changchub Dorje’s terma teach- June the Black Sea was already ings on Tibetan medicine for warm enough to enjoy swim- the first time in a newly-reborn ming, after the teachings a lot of Kunsangar North, Chögyal Nam- people went out to enjoy the beach khai Norbu arrived at Kunsangar or enjoy a good piece of lamb (a South. Crimean specialty) in a mountain Since Rinpoche’s first visit last pass restaurant with a panoramic year, one big change was noticed view over the whole seaside area – The blue balloon with the Longsal symbol over the Gonpa. Photo: O. Cherkesova immediately: the gonpa is no whatever one wishes is possible.

People in the newly-built Kunsangar South Gonpa. Photo: B. Kostomarov Photo: B. Kostomarov longer a tent, but it finally has a These moments of rest and responsibility. If you haven’t had ings fast. I was walking down the me, as if having remembered roof and walls. As Rinpoche last enjoyment were a much needed this experience yet – go for it and village when a 10-year old local something important, whether year said: “We would need more moment for all those who had have a try at Tsegyalgar East, July girl playing on the street asked >> continued on the following page light because we are practitio- studied hard for the Santi Maha 2012! ners, no?” - so the original proj- Sangha Base exams as they start- 165 practitioners passed the ect was amended to have bigger ed immediately after the retreat. exams and attended the First Lev- windows. I’m sure you know what usu- el training. This year it was a mar- The new gonpa and a sur- ally happens – even if you’ve stud- vellous occasion indeed, because rounding tent gallery hosted over ied well, the overall atmosphere for the first time Rinpoche dedi- 600 practitioners from Russia, still makes you nervous. Then you cated ten whole days to the train- Ukraine, Italy, Poland, Hungary, wonder if one examiner will be ing, while at the previous train- Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ger- kinder than the other one (Sasha ings the teachings were more many, France, the UK, and the Pubants, Sasha Gomonov and condensed. USA, who came for Rinpoche’s Igor Berkhin were the examiners But the Santi Maha Sangha teachings. Chögyal Namkhai this year at Kunsangar South), Base level wasn’t the only exam Norbu taught Dzogchen Ati Yoga and finally you just come in, sit, that took place in Crimea. First- “Jangchub Semgom” – instruc- talk and come out with a happy ly a supervised course on Yantra tions on the primordial state. smile and the understanding that Yoga took place, and then, as a There is no need to try to retell oh, you really should have stud- lot of candidates who had already his teaching on contemplation — ied better and probably should passed the supervision were partly because most of the readers study it all once again with more gathered in that place, Rinpoche held an examination for the Yan- tra Yoga teachers. They had to answer a question and to show a yantra from the first five groups. All seven candidates passed and received a diploma from Rinpoche, so now the Dzogchen Community has 7 new First Level YY instructors: Ekaterina Stepa- nova (Saint-Petersburg), Aleksei Zharinov (Krasnodar), Maksim Leschenko (Kiev), Irina Novikova (Lugansk), Margarita Solovtso- va (Vladivostok), Kirill Mironov (Saint-Petersburg), Larissa Lis- ichkina (Vladivostok). The younger generation is also The Black Sea near Kunsangar South. Photo: N. Totskaya getting involved into the teach- THE MIRROR · No. 110 · May, June 2011 Full moon eclipse at Merigar East

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The Merigar East Gonpa in full blossom. Photo: M. Viktoria Central outside mandala that is part of the Longsal Symbol. On the right of the Gonpa you can see new shower-toilet place, which will be enlarged before next year and also camping and camping kitchen. Photo: M. Viktoria

Rinpoche making corrections to the mantra on the thanka of Korwa Kontrug painted by Ondrej Olsiak from the Czech The lottery in the Gonpa at Merigar East. Many thanks again to everybody who participated! Photo: L. Gajdos Republic. Photo: L. Gajdos

>> continued from page 1 to thank and remember: Sasha Pubants for the practice explana- tions and gipsy songs; Zoli for the Dance explanations; Fijalka for the advanced Yantra Yoga; Books by the hard working Slovak kitch- en team with the chef Zuzana Chögyal for delicious meals; Simion and Nikolfor the Meribar coffee and fantastic cakes with real Belgium Namkhai Norbu chocolate and the Gakyil for all their efforts to make this all hap- pen! ◆ Yantra Yoga ◆ Dream Yoga and the Practice of Natural Light ◆ Dzogchen Teachings >> continued from previous page ◆ The Supreme Source the yoga for children had already started. “Oh, I am probably late,” ◆ Dzogchen: The Self- she said and hurried off to the credits: Isa Cidonio/Fede Mastropaolo Perfected State gar. Victor Krachkovsky taught ◆ The Crystal and the Way Kumar Kumari Yantra Yoga to a This is the Root Symbol of all the Longsal group of practitioners’ children Teachings Cycle of Light (or perhaps children-practitio- ners would be a more correct way to say?), and several local kids t manifested in Rinpoche's Vajra Dance Costumes terma text which gladly attended the sessions, has not been translated yet. The same Symbol appears on the Cos- helping us create close ties with Itumes in different colours for Pamo and Pawo. the local villagers and integrate. On Margarita Island, when we asked Rinpoche about its meaning So if you want to have an ex- he replied: “The symbol which appears at the centre of the Vajra Dance www.SnowLionPub.com Tibetan Buddhist news and perience of the Land Where All is Costume is connected to the main Longsal Symbol but it represents thousands of items online. Fine – come to Kunsangar South. a continuation which means that it is possible to go in all directions FREE quarterly newsletter 800-950-0313 Rinpoche said he would come so that we can live without too many limits and that we can be like air and catalog on request. [email protected] next August! which always goes through everything.” THE MIRROR · No. 110 · May, June 2011 International Community News

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

At the end it will be the turn Arnon – USA, singer, Marc Eagle- of the Prague Garuda Circus, a ton – USA, guitarist, Richard Ea- group internationally known for gleton – USA, guitarist, Pancho its ability to combine juggling, Company – Spain, percussion, acrobatics, theater and new cir- Harvey Kaiser – USA, saxophon- cus arts. The evening will end at ist, Jasna Jovicevic – Serbia, saxo- 23.30 with a fi reworks display phonist, Valery Tolstov – Russia, www.merigaranniversary.org www.merigar30blog.com from the Aldobrandescan Castle. fl ute/guitar, Romano Consoli – Saturday July 16 will be an eve- Italy, saxophonist, Livio Brasi – ning devoted to popular music, Italy, piano, Max Ottaviani – Italy, particularly important with lo- bass. The Joy of Being cal groups such as the Giuseppe Two ensembles will give spe- Here has Almost Verdi choir from Arcidosso, the cial performances: the Slovak Cardellini del Fontanino from Band and the ADRIANO CLEMEN- Arrived Castel del Piano and the San- TE AKASHMANI PROJECT. And ta Fiora Miners choir which is then THE MERIGAR SINGERS, fter 30 years we will meet known throughout Italy having a group that have come togeth- together to celebrate performed in some of the most er for the occasion with Rosie A the birth of Merigar, the important town squares in col- Wiederkehr – Switzerland, Nel- Dzogchen Community, our his- laboration with renowned musi- ida Saporiti – Argentina, Naomi tory. Merigar was the fi rst place cians such as Simone Cristicchi, Zeitz – USA, Rita Kaiser – USA, of the International Dzogchen Mannarino and Ambrogio Spar- Anna Bartenstein – USA, Cristia- Community and was built by and agna. There will also be popular na de Falco – Italy, Jan Cornall – for practitioners from all around music from geographical areas as Australia, Jan Blumenroth – Ger- the world. far away as Hungary with Diana many. Four days of festivities and Panzarisz and Kalmykia with Ir- And to close the evening a events will be held in the three vil- injan Andriyanov as well as some spectacular performance of reg- lages that surround it, Arcidosso, fi ne classical music with different gae music by JAKA & FIRE BAND. Castel Del Piano and Santa Fiora. performers such as thirteen-year- The mountain community that old harpist Andrea Giulia Pietro- Philatelic postmark welcomed another community, bon, the highly successful pianist On July 15, 2011, there will be a the Dzogchen Community thirty Daniela Manusardi and many stand set up for the occasion in years ago, will be hosting con- others from different parts of the collaboration with the Italian certs, art exhibitions and confer- world who will join in for the oc- Post Offi ce in the center of Ar- ences. casion in the Merigar World En- cidosso, where postcards and let- Practitioners from around the semble: Petr Fedkov – Russia, ters will be made unique because world will join together in order oboe, Ilia Poubants – Israel, vio- they will be stamped with a spe- to offer their talents as musi- Foto: O rnella Trentin lin, Natasha Cheverda – Ukraine, cial postmark. The postmark will cians, dancers, painters, cooks, violin, Irina Cheverda – Ukraine, be a memento of the event and a sculptors and experts in many di- violin, Ignazio Bernardoni – Italy, collector’s item. verse fi elds as well as their com- Amiata – personal enrichment to another and to meet each oth- bass, Alexander Korenkov – Rus- But what is a “philatelic post- mitment to do manual work to and cultural exchange. Today er. sia, baritone, Regine Alagno – mark”? In addition to the ordi- set up, clean and welcome. we celebrate this story by invit- Germany, soprano, David Severi nary stamps supplied by post To celebrate its anniversary ing all those who participate in The evening shows – Italy, piano. There will also be offi ces, the Italian Post Offi ce Merigar will open itself to the our lives to a new meeting. For The evenings will be dedicated to two very special performances of creates “special postmarks” or world outside, on the one hand 4 consecutive days, we will talk big outdoor shows, with a stage music that combine classical and “philatelic postmarks”. These are by inviting everyone to visit the the language of music, of art, of mounted in the main square of experimental styles by two in- postmarks created only for spe- Gonpa, the and the Library dance and good food, but also Arcidosso for the many and var- ternationally famous artists: the cial cultural, economic or social and on the other by appearing in enjoyment, holidays, festivities. ied contributions. Israeli guitarist Alex Pollack and events and exhibitions and they the streets of the three villages Relaxation! Two presenters will introduce the Italian composer and pianist reproduce the theme of the event and involving all the inhabitants July is a wonderful month to the various performances to the Roberto Cacciapaglia. In addi- in their wording and design. of Amiata. meet on Amiata, the days are audience: Anna Diogene, for the tion to all this music there will There are stamps that are used The unique story of the rela- long, the weather beautiful. Dzogchen Community, theatri- be two unusual performances: only one day, the day of the event, tionship between the Dzogchen During the Teaching retreats cal actress and famous voice ac- Brunella De Biase, Italian dancer and then preserved for posterity Community and the mountain we are a great number of people, tress and Adriano Crescenzi from and Sergei Ermakov, Ukrainian in the archive of the Post Offi ce communities will be central to and it is not always easy to meet Arcidosso, journalist and well magician. in Rome. A wonderful opportu- these celebrations. Together, each other. We are focused, we known fi gure on the Amiata cul- Sunday 17, however, will be an nity for collectors. these 30 years, we have walked try to understand well what our tural scene. evening full of jazz with the Band On this occasion, the post- the streets of peace, environ- teacher has transmitted. We of- On Friday July 15, the festival of the Music School of Castel del mark will be a drawing created by mental conservation and natural ten go to bed early at night, and of International folk dancing will Piano, the Arcidosso Street Band Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. medicine participating side by go out little in order to be lucid be held. About 60 members of the and the expertise of the great side in a joint process. the next morning. Dzogchen Community, including American saxophonist Harvey Together, we have hosted to- During the Thirty Year An- several professionals, will offer Kaiser as well as a band made up day’s big names for the history niversary we will have a unique traditional dances in costume, of musicians from different back- of mankind on the mountain, chance to be together in a differ- from China, Kalmykia, Russia, grounds who, for the occasion, fi rst of all His Holiness the Dalai ent way, to move from one event Ukraine, Italy, Spain, Lithuania, will play together for a unique Lama. Comparison and commu- Venezuela, Argentina, the USA, event – MERIGAR SWINGIN’ and nication. This is our history with Germany and Hungary. ROCKIN’ BAND with Gabriela

Accommodations near Merigar West 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. 110 · May, June 2011 International Community News MerigarWest 17

Master Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, Enrico Brusa – Bologna – specialist in Griselda Galmez – Argentina – writer of The “Friendship will introduce the speakers. organic and biodynamic farming. The children’s books. Mothers and children Merigar – Meetings” “The path of kindness” is the biodynamic method in agriculture and in children’s stories, refl ections of a Arcidosso title of the meetings that will take its implications. mother and a writer. place in Arcidosso. he “Friendship Meet- The topics related to these Niso Cini – Amiata – former director of Paola Zamperini – Italy/USA – scholar n the occasion of the ings” will take place in meetings will be about the indi- the Monte Amiata Faunistic Park. Role of of Chinese literature. Bringing Tibet in Thirtieth Anniversary T the morning on Saturday vidual’s relationship with others, the Faunistic Park in a territory rich in the classrooms, solidarity in action in OMerigar has decided to 16th and Sunday 17th of July in not only interpersonal relation- biodiversity such as Monte Amiata. American colleges. donate a sculpture to the citizens Arcidosso, Castel del Piano and ships in general, but also the re- of Arcidosso as a token of friend- Santa Fiora. We can defi ne them lationships that are often estab- Stefania Ulivieri – Amiata – director of Sabrina Melani – Amiata – Person ship and gratitude for the way as meetings with a theme, during lished with people in fragile or the Amiata Museum System. Experience in Responsible for Nursing Homes. My direct they have welcomed and collabo- which a moderator will introduce diffi cult positions, where it is in- the organization of museum events in experience with the young, the needy rated with the Community over a topic and the speakers, and in- dispensable to recognize the oth- the territory. and the elderly. the years. vite members of the Community Pierangelo Bonacina was from all Gars in the world and commissioned to create the also residents of the Amiata area sculpture. Piero is an artist from to tell stories about their life and Lecco, an adoptive ‘Amiatino’ work experiences. Each short and the creator of several very speech, far from being a con- beautiful statues displayed at ference, arises from the wish to Merigar. spontaneously share deep and The place chosen to host the outstanding personal experienc- sculpture is the Parco del Tennis es, in order to offer a signifi cant in Arcidosso, at the entrance to testimony of the relationship the village that is in full view of between human beings and the all the inhabitants. world surrounding them. On Friday July 15 at 10.30 the The meetings will follow three sculpture named “To peace” will “paths”: be inaugurated in the presence “The path of equilibrium” is the of the highest authorities of the title of the meetings that will take area with an offi cial ceremony place in Santa Fiora. that will also mark the opening They will be about human be- of the four days of festivities. ings and their relationship with The festivities will close on the natural environment, about July 18 at 6pm at Merigar. All the relationship that, since the those who will have participated dawn of time, challenges man- in various forms, whether mem- kind in the construction of a dy- bers of the Community or lo- namic equilibrium with the world cal residents, will be invited for that he inhabits and to which he is a short informal ceremony of linked by an umbilical cord. The thanks. topics suggested will be related to experiences of sustainable lifestyles such as bio-architec- Peta Sneddon – Amiata – osteopath. ture, biodynamic agriculture and The context of osteopathy and the role bioenergetics, methods for recy- it plays in prevention. cling and reutilizing waste ma- terial, but also great journeys, Paolo Roberti di Sarsina – Bologna – tales about pilgrimages, experi- er person, their dimension and 17th July 17th July psychiatrist, founder of the onlus “Medicine ences about a profound contact the empathy which makes us all Gianfranco Brero – Peru – actor. Maura Baldi – Amiata – Arts degree, Centered on the Person”. Ethics of Health. with nature, at times sublimated equal as human beings. Kindness The power of unconscious language. teacher in high school. The importance by expressive celebrations such towards others, whether they are Managing expressive skills. of opening young people to the world Daniela Brancati – Amiata – journalist, as art, poetry, music, photogra- children, young people, elderly through travel, cultural exchange and entrepreneur and executive (former director phy. The moderator will be Fa- people or disabled, is the best an- Saviana Parodi – Umbria – expert in stimulating their creativity of TG3). Choosing places for physical bio Maria Risolo, a graduate in swer to our wish for happiness. permaculture. Permaculture. and spiritual well-being. Arts and Philosophy, school di- The speakers will discuss topics Renata Chiesa – Italy/Brazil – psycholo- rector and authorized instructor such as the practice of solidarity, Michele Nucciotti – Amiata – archaeolo- gist, specialized in gestalt and transpersonal Nello Nanni – Amiata – architect, expert of Santi Maha Sangha, a system for example in children’s edu- gist. The local communities and the therapy. Helping children to be emo- of Davide Lazzaretti. Davide Lazzaretti’s of study and practice connected cation, in the support of young Dzog-chen community. A long cultural tionally intelligent. spiritual message to the Dzogchen teaching. people, in the integration of im- history of Monte Amiata (VII–XXI cen- “The path of well-being” is migrants, in the care of elderly turies). Julie Breukel Michel – Switzerland – Sunday 17th the title of the meetings that will people or in the support and naturopath. Being a mother, a spiritual Fulvio Grosso – Rome – deviser of Con- take place in Castel del Piano. solidarity to people who have un- Enrica Rispoli – Rome – scholar of Tibetan path? scious Training. Listening deeply through The quest for well-being today dergone a traumatic experience. and Chinese language and literature, func- movement. has become almost a need, the The moderator Pia Barilli from tionary at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Enrica Baldi – Rome – philosopher, educa- antidote to the stress of modern Firenze is a surgeon, specialized Affairs. Italians in Tibet between inter- tor specialized in the Montessori Method. Carla Bellavia – Rome – rehabilitation life, which often averts human in psychosomatic medicine and religious dialogue and socio-anthro- Applying the Montessori Method in therapist, specialized in Shiatsu, Mezieres beings from a deeper contact Homeopathy, charter member of pological research: Ippolito Desideri, child communities in conditions of Method and proprioceptive activity. The with themselves and their physi- the Associazione Lycopodium, Orazio della Penna, Giuseppe Tucci. poverty. body does not lie. cal, energetic and mental needs. teacher at the Mario Garlasco In the days of almost unlimited school of Homeopathy, autho- Greta Joris (Frauke) – Belgium/Amiata – Mario Malinverno – Amiata – pharmacist Laura Yoffe – Argentina – psycho- access to various kinds of knowl- rized Yantra Yoga instructor, the translator. “L’Aquilaia” Association and and president of the theatrical company therapist, specialized in therapies with the edge and traditions, new tech- Tibetan yoga taught in the West its impact on the territory. Nè Arte Nè Parte. In the theater of life, assistance of animals. Joy, kindness and niques and approaches come by the Master Chögyal Namkhai experiences on everyday’s stage. compassion in therapy with the help alongside with ancient meth- Norbu. Gianfranco Nanni – Amiata – mycolo- of dogs. odologies whose objective is to gist. Brief investigation on the most The Path of Well-Being achieve a state of well-being and Schedule of the events typical and peculiar fungus and fl ora of (Castel del Piano) Puntsog Wangmo – Tibet/USA – doctor. happiness. The meetings will be The Path of Equilibrium this ecologic island: Monte Amiata. Diet and well-being. about nutrition, massage and re- (Santa Fiora) 16th July laxation techniques, martial arts, 16th July The Path of Kindness Paolo Pappone – Naples – doctor and Lucio Niccolai – Amiata – Teacher and yoga, art-therapy, in order to Raimondo Bultrini – Rome – journalist (Arcidosso) Aikido instructor. The glance and the journalist. Ernesto Balducci: the civiliza- compare and share experiences and writer. The physical journey and 16th July hand: oneself and others in Aikido. tion of villages, the culture of peace. connected to different branches the inner journey. Tibet and South East Patrizia Martini – Amiata – school direc- of the various schools and tra- Asia. tor. Introduction of Kumar Kumari in Fabio Andrico – Italy – senior Yantra ditions. The moderator Luigi schools. Yoga instructor for the Dzogchen Commu- Vitiello from Naples, surgeon, Desmond Barry – England – writer. nity. Yantra Yoga, a path of well-being psychotherapist and authorized Excerpt from the biography of Jamyang Colin Ellar – UK – psychologist, specialist open to everyone. Yantra Yoga instructor, the Tibet- Chodron, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s in childhood problems. The support to an yoga taught in the West by the older sister children in the English public system.

THE MIRROR · No. 110 · May, June 2011 International Community News MerigarWest 18

Merigar West Update Report on membership In 2010 there were 2,350 members of e have fi nally arrived at thirty Merigar West which was an increase years in the existence of Meri- of 15 % in the number of members and W gar and just like all phenome- 6 % in the amount of membership fees na that are compound and impermanent from 2009. This increase took place in its buildings have also been marked by Western European countries other than the passage of time. For this reason Italy, particularly in Ordinary member- there are a lot of different works in prog- ship and Reduced. There was particular ress at the moment, many of which have development in Spain and the U.K., been completed and others to be started that are the biggest lings of MW, with as soon as the festivities for the Thirtieth over 400 members in Spain and 335 in Anniversary of Merigar and the retreats the U.K. Other big national lings are with the Master have fi nished. Germany (275) and France (141). All Among the restoration works that other national Lings have less than 60 will certainly be noticed by the many members. In Italy there are 7 lings with practitioners coming to Merigar this about 20 to 74 members each, although summer will be the work that has been two thirds of Italian members sub- masterfully carried out at the Gonpa scribed directly to Merigar. and the Stupa by Migmar and the many Photo: S. Celeri In 2010, in total, there were 25 people who collaborated with him in Meritorious members, 414 Sustaining karma yoga. The external decorations building has been prepared to house the nized internally in a way that we hope and they can be found near the path (17 %), 1239 Ordinary (53 %) and 673 of the Gonpa have been redone using museum that Rinpoche requested while will turn out to be more functional. that has been opened to link the Gonpa Reduced (29 %). Of course the percent- strong bright colours – the golden the lower part has become the actual There is now internet there and a POS to the Stupa. ages are very different when reading letters stand out on a deep blue back- residence of the Master and has been terminal for credit card payments so it Another very important project will the value of membership fees: Meritori- ground and the multi-coloured fl owers redecorated and repainted. will be the place where all types of en- be the setting up of a new space for ous at 8 %, Sustaining at 48 %, Ordinary seem like apparitions in the equally Then we should mention the less rollment for retreats takes place. It will, the library down at the Mandala Hall, at 36 % and Reduced at 8 %. deep blue sky of Merigar. conspicuous but more demanding and as usual, be the information point for which will start at the end of the sum- At end of May, 2011 is, basically Other more practical work has been heavier jobs that have been done. We Merigar in general and this year it will mer retreats. following the progression of 2010 per done at the Gonpa: the wooden railings can start with the channeling in front also host, with joy, even an information Finally we should mention the large month, even a little better (+4 %), let- have been repaired in some areas and of Rinpoche’s house and then go on to point on the activities of the Thirtieth Longsal symbol that has recently been ting us hope for a successful 2011, as the railing on the right of the main en- talk about the repairs to the channeling anniversary celebrations that will be set up in the area between the Infopoint the season of Rinpoche’s retreats in trance has been reinforced. In addition system near the Mandala Hall which held shortly! and Serkhang overlooking the valley Western Europe has still to start. the terracotta vases that cracked and was very challenging work. The Meribar that was in the grassy below – one of the fi rst things that 23 of 25 Meritorious members have broke from the winter cold have been Outside Serkhang, the Golden area below the Gonpa has now been greets the eyes of visitors. The symbol already renewed, as well as two thirds changed for vases made of fi berglass. House, where, during the summer incorporated into the ex-Kayo bar and is placed in a tigle with a two-metre of Sustaining, 43 % of Ordinary and The footpath that goes from the road retreats, people have their meals, the is currently situated in the area in front diameter and built in iron. only one third of Reduced. to the Gonpa as far as the Stupa has wooden trellis that covers the area has of Serkhang. The little outbuilding been reopened and a great number of been newly set up. In addition, visitors that housed the old Meribar has been branches and prickly bushes had to be will now be able to use mobile phones restructured and set up with drinks and cleared to do this. Electricity has been linked to the three main network opera- snacks dispensers and benches so that brought from the Gonpa and will illumi- tors on the upper fl oor of the building, it will be a meeting point where people nate the Stupa that has been renovated. in the area in front of it, at the side of can relax in the shade during the hot Around the Stupa a number of rose- the house where the trellis is, inside summer days. bushes in different colours have been the tent and in the gardens at the back Below the Gonpa there is a small planted and the area at the front has of the house. It is now also possible to building made up of four bathrooms been enlarged and transformed into a use Wifi in the refectory, in the dining that was used, many years ago, for the beautiful grassy place. During the June area outside, in the tent and also in the camping area which, unfortunately, we retreat all these areas will be decorated garden at the back of the house. are not allowed to use for legal reasons. with Lungta (prayer fl ags). The Infopoint in the parking area at The bathrooms have been reopened, Going down to the Master’s resi- the top of the road leading down to the repaired and are now operative. There dence, Gadeling, the upper part of the Gonpa has been cleaned up and reorga- will be signs indicating how to get there

the instrument of Yantra Yoga, an led by Fabio Risolo, again with The Union of the effective “bridge” to connect new the Gonpa completely full de- Sun and the Moon people to the Teaching and now, spite the fact that it was a work- with the release of the Italian edi- ing day. Clara Lovisetti tion of the Yantra Yoga book, ac- A heartfelt thank you to Khyen- quires greater signifi cance in this tse Yeshe for once again having oubly lucky. The more sense. given us these wonderful days so than two hundred peo- The same Sunday afternoon, generously. But also great thanks D ple who took part in the at the same time in Merigar, the to our precious Master Chögyal retreat held at Merigar last May 7 Gonpa was fully booked for the Namkhai Norbu, who has given to 9 were able to benefi t not only session of Yantra Yoga with Lau- us unparalleled teachings and a from the pleasant weather but ra which completed the explana- person to explain to explain them from the opportunity to listen to tion of the sequence of the eight to us, his son Khyentse Yeshe. a very deep and important teach- movements which began on Sat- ing “The Union of the Sun and urday. the Moon” by Khyentse Yeshe On Monday, the cycle of teach- and to practice Yantra Yoga with Photo: G. Vitiello ings was followed by a ganapuja, Laura Evangelisti. The retreat opened on Satur- ple of the cycle of Longde teach- center in Grosseto, on a day dedi- day morning with a session of ings, to those particular Upadesa cated to sports activities. A dozen Yantra Yoga and the teachings in instructions called “The Bridge practitioners, mostly instructors the afternoon. of the Vajra”, which in the end of Yantra, led by Tiziana Got- Khyentse Yeshe began by in- deal with the same aspects of tardi, performed a series of cho- troducing the theme of the re- prana and clarity.” reographed movements of Yantra treat, “We’ll talk about three dif- On Sunday the teaching fo- Yoga. The event was very striking ferent aspects or contexts. One is cused particularly on direct intro- and expressive, and accompanied Yantra Yoga, or is connected to duction and on the way to explain by a soundtrack of Tibetan music the principle of movement and the . The session was that started with an A sung by our how we work with prana. The particularly rich with intellectual precious Teacher, whose voice other context is more traditional explanations, that were, how- struck a deep note within us even knowledge related to Vajrayana, ever, followed by a pleasant off though it was recorded. of which the most famous text the program event, a “dress re- The event in Grosseto is part today is the Tibetan Book of the hearsal” of the Yantra Yoga dem- of a series of new initiatives Dead (...); fi nally, the third con- onstration that was to be held in aimed at greater openness of our text is more linked to the princi- the afternoon at La Runa Bianca Community, in this case using Photo: G. Vitiello THE MIRROR · No. 110 · May, June 2011 International Community News MerigarWest 19

France Italy Desalling Bologna New Gakyil Blue: Rocco Bellanova [email protected] Red: Paolo Roberti di Sarsina [email protected] Yellow: Cesare Pilati [email protected] Assistants: Blue: Ana Luz Lopez Red: Paolo Carta Yellow: Carlotta Azzali [email protected] www.desalling.org

Italy

The Retreat on Ischia by Salvo Zivillica

anding on Ischia, on the after- noon of June 1, the signs of a L lightning storm are still evident. The appointment is at Forìo, a short distance in the car, at Villa Spadara, another little piece on foot. Lucilla greets us one by one and leads us to our rooms. When everyone has arrived we Mandarava retreat with Nina Robinson in Paris, April 22 to 25, 2011. meet in the hall on the ground fl oor. It’s time for a swim and ... relaxation: a swimming pool in the farmhouse ac- GERMANY commodation is equipped with thermal morning and at sunset. We practice and But we live in time and the fi ve day- water and the fi rst meeting between the share our experiences. sgo by as they must. We have practiced members of the group is there, soaking The air, water, fi re, earth and the calm and movement. We don’t hide it up at 36 °C. teaching on this island for fi ve days the contact we feel with a strong and This pearl of an island, born from are the foretaste of the “single taste”, powerful energy. We said goodbye with the sea as a result of a war between presence beyond the duality of inner deep gratitude to Zhenphenling which Jupiter and the Titans welcomes us to and outer, of subject and object, of the organized this retreat, to Sergio its pleasures. senses and the object of the senses. who suggested it, to Fabio and Sergio In presenting the program of the re- The sky is always ready to support us who conducted the sessions, and to treat, Fabio Risolo introduces us to the in the practice of Namkha Arted and we Lucilla who was the logistics manager. energy of the place: from high up Epo- close the windows of the room in order We share the resolve to meet again meo, down to the sea, to the fi re that not to disperse the energy of the “wild soon to continue, as we leave the island rumbles and spurts all over the place. laughter of the gods”, or “The fi ght of for our different destinations: Naples, The storm of a few hours earlier starts the Asuras”, or “ the sound of Hum that Rome, Siena, Amiata, Venice, Sardinia, to make sense. runs after thoughts” and we enjoy good England. Everyone leaving took a last The retreat is based on practices of food, the smell of orange blossoms and look at Epomeo (789 meters). contemplation that Fabio leads with lemon trees, exotic fl owering plants In our hearts devout gratitude to skill and patience, the same qualities never seen before, the warmth of a the Master, through whose teachings New Gakyil that we fi nd in the sessions of Yantra place struggling to contain the fi re that all this has taken place. Blue: Angelika Pottkämper, Günther Frosch; Red: Viktoria Gershevskaya (director), Jil Self; Yoga with Sergio Quaranta in the lives inside it. Yellow: Heidemarie Lindner, Ilka Müller-Mennrich, Michael Möhle. [email protected] Milan

Berlin New Gakyil Blue: Jan Böhm, [email protected]; Red: Achim Nelke, [email protected]; Yellow: Dmitri Lavrow, [email protected] Gomadevi retreat with Enzo Terzano at Dribselling June 17–19. Photo: P. Fassoli THE MIRROR · No. 110 · May, June 2011 International Community News

20 MerigarWest

Italy collaborate with the Community even Forgiveness is the fruit of love and after he left the Gakyil. begins to manifest itself when we For those of us who had the oppor- feel good, at peace, in harmony with tunity to know him, Davide was a dear ourselves. Then this passes to another friend, kind and always ready to help person. To the next brother or sister. To those around him. We will remember whoever is closest … until it expands him with much love and joy for every- and reaches those who are distant and thing that he gave us. different. I do not always want to make peace His friends at Merigar West but if I think about the thing that is still the most annoying to me, it is * the slowness of events, the extreme had a dream not long ago that I was calmness with which people react. And reading a speech in church. I didn’t if I think of you, of how you were so I understand what was happening, highly gifted, I understand how much and when I did, I woke up and began to love I have always felt for you and what write. These words have already been a great opportunity there is for me to used. But now I understand that even if testify to “being there and being with ”. Zhenphenling at the Rome Yoga Festival Passages they have been spoken and heard many Thank you for letting me see that by Sergio Quaranta times, they can always be new; the can even slow people can be fast, that every- Died: Our Vajra brother Davide Gre- take different nuances. one can change, even at the last minute. our years of the Yoga Festival in Rome, four years that Zhenphenling has gorini passed away on May 17, 2011 in I will not sing praises to you, Davide, Thank you, it was wonderful to walk participated. This time, we invited Laura Evangelisti, who led the free class in Rimini, Italy at the age of 41. He had but I will simply say that we humans can with you. F front of about 50 people. We had a chance to advertise Yantra Yoga courses in been suffering from skin cancer for two become what we already are and what Rome, the retreats of our Master for the coming summer and the celebrations for years. we don’t see to be. When we love we Your sister Giorgia the thirtieth anniversary of Merigar’s foundation. The festival gave us some space to Davide had been part of the become, through something, witnesses present the Yantra Yoga book, now available in Italian. The presentation was carried Dzogchen Community since 2000 and of life, of being, “of being with “and of out by Laura together with Gino Vitiello. We had fun with the many practitioners of was a member of the yellow gakyil at our essence. We become something Rome’s Community who helped or simply stopped by to visit, with our guests Laura Merigar West during the time that he with someone else. and Gino and some old and new friends that come regularly to the festival to stay lived on Mt. Amiata. He continued to together and share the different experiences in the fi eld of yoga.

Spain UK

Santi Maha Sangha Base course with Jim Valby at Kundusling, Barcelona, May 13–17, 2011.

Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Full Conference Schedule: London 2011 www.shangshunguk.org (see events calendar) SOAS & SSIUK International Conference Venue: Brunei Gallery, School of Oriental ‘Bon, Shang Shung and Early Tibet’ and African Studies (SOAS) 9th–10th September Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, An international conference celebrat- London WC1H 0XG ing 60 years of Tibetan Studies at SOAS, Web: www.shangshunguk.org 50 years of Bonpo studies in the West, (see events calendar) and the founding of the Shang Shung Institute UK: London School of Tibetan 10th–12th September Studies. Dzogchen Atiyoga Teachings This conference will unite 25 of the Saturday 10th Sept world’s most prominent researchers 5.30 pm to 7.00 pm: working on Bon, the Shang Shung king- Public Talk – Introduction to Dzogchen dom, and other aspects of early Tibetan Civilisation. Sunday 11th Sept Keynote Speakers: 10.00 am to 12.00 pm: Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Dzogchen Atiyoga Teaching Lopon Tenzin Namdak 4.30 pm to 6.30 pm: Samten Karmay Dzogchen Atiyoga Teaching

Rinpoche’s Schedule Monday 12th Sept Friday 9th Sept 10.00 am to 12.00 pm: 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm Dzogchen Atiyoga Teaching Presentation Bon Shang Shung and Early Tibet Bookings: www.dzogchencommunity.org (see activities and events) THE MIRROR · No. 110 · May, June 2011 International Community News

21 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

New Gakyil 2011–2012 Administrator: ??? · Together with Geko, purchase sup- · Participate in Gakyil meetings. If you would like to hear fi rsthand from plies for the buildings itself and for any our current admin and Geko, please get Blue: We are still looking for the administra- scheduled activities, retreats, practices, Benefi ts: in touch with Adrian offi ce@dzogchen. Lune Jazudekova (Slovakia) tor of the Gar. The ideal candidate is a etc., held there; · Free participation in all retreats in ro or Anatol [email protected] Daiva Razmarataite (Lithuiania) member of the Community for at least · Maintain an awareness of the behav- the Gar; Adrian Bivol (Moldavia) three years, is able to communicate in ior of people staying at the Gar, mak- · Monthly salary that is enough to feel The Gakyil of Merigar East Red: English, speaks or is willing to learn Ro- ing sure that it is in accordance with comfortable in Romania (300 Euro); offi [email protected] Agniezska Kubiszowska (Poland) manian and has a valid driving license. Rinpoche’s guidelines for the Dzogchen · Free accommodation; Michal Marcinov (Slovakia) Admin’s responsibilities include: Community. Be able to deal appropri- Eugen Savescku (Romania) · Liaison between public and local com- ately with any confl icts that may arise, The position is available now, we are Yellow: munity; inappropriate or illegal behavior taking looking forward to receiving your appli- Beatrix Csete (Romania) · Ensure that the administrative part place within the building, etc; cations. Should you have any questions, Marek Riesz (Slovakia) is done (this includes tasks such as: · Work collaboratively and in a spirit of please don’t hesitate in contacting us. Harri Jaalinoja (Finnland) payment of the bills, reviewing the open communication with the Merigar Geko: Anatoli Carp (Moldovia) contracts); East Gakyil

Czech Republic Serbia

Summer and autumn events: Yantra yoga in Serbia The Dance of the Song of the Vajra 1st part he Yantra yoga course led by Zsolt with Rita Renzi Somogyvary took place from May (there are a few pawo places left) 20–23 in the center of Belgrade. T Yantra yoga course for beginners – Zsolt and July 2–6 at Phendeling Zsolt gave teachings in 2 phases; the 1st was for beginners and held at some participants, 22 May 2011. Kunye massage course the House of Dance studio and the 2nd Second part was for advanced students at the Yoga exercises, the purifi cation of the breath, August 26–September 1 at Phendeling Center. Altogether 15 people attended movements to loosen the joints, the 8 the courses, both Community members movements and the Vajra wave. SMS Ist level course and newcomers. Zsolt was a perfectly calm and gentle with Igor Berkin During the beginners course we teacher who explained and demon- October 1–7 at Phendeling Jnanadakini retreat with Enzo Terzano held at Phendeling in the Czech Republic, May 12–15. were led through preparatory warm up strated all movements and breathings very precisely, clarifying the purpose Shine and effect of each movement. He also with Igor Berkin Poland Most welcome are people form Rus- · take care of the house and retreat cab- checked our postures individually and October 7–9 at Phendeling sia, Czech and Slovakya, as it may be ins: cut grass around the houses, clean gave advice. The beginners’ course Polish Dzogchen Community more easy for them to communicate a little, do small repairs, etc. ended with a Ganapuja in the evening. Kunye massage course is looking for a New Geko for with Polish people, because of language · in wintertime you would have to care In the advanced course Zsolt showed third part Paldenling similarities. about a central hather – to stoke a fi re us how to control the channels and their December 3–8 at Phendeling Paldenling is the reatreat place of Pol- We offer a possibility to stay in very with wood and coal, which is some- pranayamas, Tsadul and the First series or in Prague ish Dzogchen Community, situated in beautiful and powerful place, which is times hard work of Yantra (without its pranayama). Polish Mountains Beskidy near Dukla the retreat place. It is rather quiet there, · take reservations from people eager to Zsolt was very satisfi ed with the par- Everybody is very welcome, please con- town. you could make use of our retreat hous- come for retreat and coordinate this ticipants’ dedication and effort they took tact [email protected] for detailed The best option would be a couple. es which are very special: Longde Retreat a little, register payments for staying during both courses, and encouraged information and registration. Also probably the best way would be if House and Dark Retreat Cabin very comfy. there etc. them to continue their collective practice someone is working via internet and Your responsibility would be mainly: If you are interested, please write to: in Belgrade, and individually as well. could continue his/her job, as we are · communicate with Polish gakyil about [email protected] Dear Zsolt thank You for Your precious small community and do not offer too what is going on there time, for teaching us how to breathe cor- big salary. rectly and to understand the deep mean- ing of our condition in daily life. Kunsangar

Kunsangar South New Gakyil Gekö: Sergei Kozhukharov We would like to let you know that on [email protected] May 20 at the Members Meeting at Kun- Assistants: sangar South attended by Rinpoche, a Andreas Bogevichus, Svetlana Chakova, new Gakyil was elected consisting of Alena Gamolya, Dmitry Kudryavskiy, the following people: Vitaly Shestopalov, Alexandr Zheleznov, Nadezhda Entina, Vladislav Mitko, Edu- Blue: ard Avzalov, Tamara Vinokhodova, Ta- Natalia Rogozina tiana Semeshko, Elena Pahno. Olga Bondar Yuriy Alpeev Secretary of Kunsangar South [email protected] Tel.: +7 (953) 356-19-17 Red: http://kunsangar.org Alexandr Balyura Mikhail Ovchinnikov Dmitry Yurchenko Passages [email protected] Yellow: Died: On the morning of June 24th, Victoria Adamenko our Vajra sister Irina Tsevkova passed Natalia Palkina away after an operation due to cancer Nadezhda Ermakova which was then followed by a coma. [email protected] She was a very kind-hearted, cheer- Secretary: During the First Level SMS training, seven candidates took an examination and received diplo- ful person and a good practitioner. Pavel Filimonov mas from Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. Please include her into your Shitro So now Dzogchen Community has 7 new Yantra Yoga instructors: Ekaterina Stepanova (Saint- [email protected] Petersburg), Aleksei Zharinov (Krasnodar), Maksim Leschenko (Kiev), Irina Novikova (Lugansk), practice. Margarita Solovtsova (Vladivostok), Kirill Mironov (Saint-Petersburg), Larissa Lisichkina (Vladi- Love, vostok). Photo: L. Vagabond Sangyeling Gakyil THE MIRROR · No. 110 · May, June 2011 International Community News

22

New Website China Samtenling China has just launched our offi cial website: www.dc-cn.net Many Tashi Deleks, Please spread the good news where there are Chinese people. Wes Guo on behalf of Samtenling

Apr. 30–May 4th 2011, Lishui, China. Goma Devi Retreat including Vajra Dance teaching led by Wes Guo, and Yantra Yoga teaching led by Tracy Ni. YY photo taken by Wes Guo. VD photo by Seele

Namgyalgar PO Box 214 Central Tilba [email protected] Japan Namgyalgar Dzogchen Community NSW 2546 www.dzogchen.org.au in Australia Phone/Fax: 61 02 4473 7668 Munselling and Pacifi c Rim We are very happy to announce that the Gakyil of the Dzogchen Community is necessary. It is preferred that a one since the 2011 Losar celebrations with Japan has formed a Japanese Ling with year visa be obtained if possible, other- our precious Maestro Chögyal Namkhai Rinpoche’s permission and Rinpoche wise 6 monthly, the Community can as- Norbu. has given the name “Munselling”. It sist with obtaining the visa (provide an We were blessed with warm sultry means The Ling Free from the Dark. invitation letter, provide visa info, etc). weather and gentle collaboration as 8. Medical Care – The Gekö will be re- we navigated our way through the long “Munselling” started on 15th June 2011. sponsible for their own medical insur- Mandarava practice with sogtig and ance in case of accident or illness. The chudlen, making our dadars, refreshing Keigo Yoneda, Blue Gakyil, Gar insurance covers the Gekö and all kumbakha with Emily and enjoying the [email protected] visitors for accidents that occur on the play between young Liam and energetic Dzogchen Community Japan Gar itself. Alfi e. (Munselling) Fortunately the long weekend If you are interested please contact the enabled people to come from quite a secretary at distance away and with Nicki’s eagle Gekö Needed at [email protected] eye, we were able to fi nd a place for the Namgyalgar North Vajra Dance Mandala and dance a tun out in the open air with the Protector Namgyalgar – Gekö Conditions of Mandarava in Mountains holding us in their benevo- Service Namgyalgar North lent gaze. 1. The Gekö is to be paid an allowance by Rosemary Friend We will come together regularly of AUD $150. per week. Accommoda- for the Mandarava chudlen practice at tion on the Gar and gas for cooking etc hirteen keen practitioners arrived Namgyalgar North with the memory of is provided free. Phone Calls – as part to Namgyalgar North in April for our Master’s inspiring words, that we of the allowance the Gekö is allowed T our fi rst group practice retreat should continue in this direction. personal phone calls to the value of $ 15 per month. The Gekö may have use of the Gar computer for personal emails. 2. The term of Geköship is for one year at a time. The Gekö of the previous year can reapply for the following year is s/he wishes to. 3. The Gekö is required to be on the Gar and is to notify the Gakyil and local Gar support team if s/he will be absent for a day or longer and of who will be re- sponsible whilst s/he is away. Leave of Absence: · The Gekö may have 2 days (48 hours) free per week. · The Gekö is entitled to 4 weeks leave of absence in one year and will receive the weekly allowance either in full or part, dependent upon whether the temporary replacement Gekö requires Mandarava chudlen retreat at Namgyalgar North, April 2011. fi nancial support. As much as pos- sible holiday leave should be taken when there are not many activities happening at the Gar and when there are no practice retreats or other events occurring. 4. The Gekö is required to give a report www.jcrows.com at each Gakyil meeting. 5. Gakyil members will be available to communicate with and provide support J. Crow’s® for the Gekö. 7. Air Travel and Visas – If possible Mulling Spice Folk Medicine overseas applicants will pay for their Tibetan Medicine own air travel to Namgyalgar. If they are unable to the Gakyil will consider SpicedCider.com the situation and try to assist with travel fax or phone: 1 800 878 1965 603 878 1965 expenses. The Community will pay the [email protected] cost of a Visa and visa extensions if this THE MIRROR · No. 110 · May, June 2011 International Community News

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

The fi rst Ganapuja and Serqyem amid huge blocks of beams, mountains Calendar held at the Vajra Hall on of plywood, an enormous abundance of Khandro ling, Tsegyalgar East tools, and all the other technical items by Marit Cranmer you fi nd on a building site. of Events The long alter was signifi cantly Dance of the Three Vajras n June 7th, 2011, an auspi- placed directly above the center, con- with Kyu cious day according to the taining the precious Vase that Rinpoche July 1–3 on Khandroling O Tibetan Calendar, an elaborate so generously prepared when he was Ganapuja was held in the Vajra Hall. It last at Tsegyalgar East in 2008. This Mandarava Tsalung and was a memorable event as it was the Vase was installed in the summer of Sogthig Breathing Collective very fi rst ritual to take place under the 2009 during the Goma Devi course Practice Retreat new Vajra Hall roof, and also marked given by yet another knowledgeable July 22–29 on Khandroling the end of a beautiful week doing Chöd Italian guest teacher, Enzo Terzano, practice with the eloquent and kind with the very same Ganapuja and Ser- Santi Maha Sangha Base: Costantino Albini. qyem ritual. Semdzins with Jim Valby The Treasure Vase of the Vajra Hall prepared by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu 2008. July 30–31 on Khandroling promenade, will be equal to the area of Mandala design, providing it will be Worldwide Transmission Day the whole Universal Mandala placed in beautiful, durable for all seasons and, Anniversary of Guru the center. of course, exquisite to dance on. If we August 7 Things are happening so fast, it is manage that, it means we could in the- like a miracle; this giant hall is mani- ory, construct a temporary dance fl oor Dzogchen without Buddhism festing before our eyes, and yet being already for next summer and really test with Jim Valby inside the hall, it feels surprisingly inti- things out when our Master is here. August 20–26 on Khandroling mate and ever so harmonious. Looking My eyes wander over to the con- up at the bare wood roof, I am thinking struction guys, they look tired, not quite Upcoming in the Fall: of the possibility that Rinpoche will so young anymore, but strong and de- September 17–18 Primordial Knowl- suggest it be painted – maybe with the termined. Most of them were here when edge with Jim Valby in Northampton same concept like the Merigar Gonpa, Rinpoche fi rst came in 1982. I am in awe October: Visit and teachings with with precious tantra’s written in the of what they give to our Community Khyentse Yeshe together with a Shang Shung language covering all of in the form of backbreaking physical showing of the fi lm My Reincarnation First Ganapuja and Serqyem with Costantino Albini in the Vajra Hall, June 2011. the ceiling. Or who knows, he may have work, time and energy, but even more at the Amherst Cinema, details to be very different ideas. Since we just got important, their straight devotion. No announced. The unison singing with the drums Sitting under this new large roof, the wonderful news that he will visit arguing, no fuss, just a direct attitude October 22–23 Parlung with Jim Valby and the incense, and the sprinkling of knowing that the by the end of the Tsegyalgar East next summer, 2012, which seems to say; “Rinpoche our be- both aged Brunello wine and fi re water summer, if all goes well, two circles of and teach, my guess is that by the end loved Master, wants this Vajra Hall built For more information: 413 369 4153 in all directions, was truly a dignifi ed skylights will be in place in the center of his stay he will have many new ideas now, at the place of his Terma, so let us [email protected] opening of countless ritual practices (the size of one Earth Mandala), we are as to how we can decorate and utilize get it done quickly before we cannot do and teachings to come. wondering how much more light there the surfaces of all of the columns, ceil- it anymore.” Although the Vajra Hall currently will be? And we look out at the almost ing and fl oor. (For more information you are wel- is still very much a construction site, fi nished 24 cement base columns, each If we can manage to raise enough come to have a look at our website; being so large, we had no problem fastened way down to the bedrock, funds this year, we should be able to www.tsegyalgar.org/localcenters/ fi nding space on the sand to put down upon which steel columns will be pour a sub-fl oor in cement, before the tsegyalgareast/vajrahall/vajrahall a portable Earth Mandala and dance. mounted. These columns will carry the winter at the cost of $ 25,000. This will donation/ This occurred alongside about 50 seated weight of the promenade roof. The area then be the base upon which we can lay Or contact the Tsegyalgar East secretary practitioners and children of all ages of this whole korwa, the circumference down any fi nal fl oor with the Universal at [email protected])

Chöd Retreat with Costantino Albini June 1 to 7, 2011 at TsegyalgarEast. Photo: P. Barry Chöd Retreat with Costantino Albini June 11–12, 2011 at Kundrolling NYC.

Main Offi ce: PO Box 479, Conway, MA 01341, USA * Tel: 413 369 4208 * Fax: 413 369 44 73 * [email protected] * * European Offi ce: The Mirror, Istituto Shang Shung, Podere Nuovissimo, GR 58031 Arcidosso, Italy * Tel: 39 32 98 86 52 92 * Skype: lizmirror * [email protected] * * Editorial Staff: Naomi Zeitz, Tsegyalgar, Conway, MA, USA * Liz Granger, Istituto Shang Shung, Arcidosso, Italy * * Literary Editor: John Shane * * Advisors: Des Barry, Adriano Clemente, Anna Eid, Barbara Paparazzo, Jim Valby * * International Blue Gakyil Advisor: Fabio Andrico, International Publications Committee * * English Language Advisor: Liz Granger * * Design & Layout: Thomas Eifl er * * Printer: Turley Publications, Palmer, MA, USA * * Distribution: Tsegyalgar at Conway, MA, USA * * Subscription Rate/6 Issues: $35 US available through Tsegyalgar; 27 through SSI * * Visa and Master card welcome * * Online Mirror: www.melong.com * * All material © 2011 by The Mirror * * Reprint by permission only * * We reserve the right to edit all submissions. THE MIRROR · No. 110 · May, June 2011 International Community News

24 TsegyalgarEast

NYC 6 Spaces Course with Kyu June 27–29, 2011 Photo: W. Shea Three Vajras Dance for Beginners and one day renewal course of the Dance of the 6 Spaces with Kyu, June 24–27, 2011.

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

Tsegyalgar West Update

he Gakyil of Tsegyalgar West wishes to thank very much the T Vajra Dance Instructors Anya Neyman and the Yantra Yoga Instructor Patrizia Pearl for the long time spent with us at the Gar of Baja California during the last months.

From November 2010 to May 2011, Anya and Patrizia resided in Mexico, dedicat- ing their time to daily sessions of prac- tice of Vajra Dance and Yantra Yoga for Yantra Yoga for more advances students with Patrizia Pearl, TW Baja California, Mexico 22–24 Vajra Dance of the Three Vajras with Anya Neyman – Wangdusling, Tepoztlan, Mexico 22–24 the practitioners in medium and long April 2011. April 2011. retreats at the gar, and to the courses of Vajra Dance and Yantra Yoga organized by the local gakyil at the Gar as well as on the Mexican mainland.

Their presence helped the Gar to become much more alive and more attractive for the practitioners of the Dzogchen Community, and also offered a bridge to the Dzogchen Teaching and to the Dzogchen Community for several new people from the local area.

Anya and Patrizia will be back to contin- ue their collaboration with Tsegyalgar Beginners’ Yantra Yoga with Patrizia Pearl May 13–15, 2011 in Valle de Bravo near Mexico City, Yantra Yoga for beginners with Patrizia Pearl – Wangdusling, Tepoztlan, Mexico 22–24 April 2011. West also for the next season October Mexico. 2011 – May 2012 to make practice at the Gar more successful and joyful. deeper into these wonderful practices. We were lucky to have her for the next We really want to thank Nina for her weekend, when we practiced the OM A For information: dedication and loving approach, and HUM dance. [email protected] hope she can come next year so we can continue to know these practices much Most of the participants were different better. from the other group. In both groups everyone was interested, concentrated The Dzogchen Community From April 15th to 17th we organized and enjoyed the experience. in Mexico two Vajra Dance retreats with Anya by Susana Dultzin Neyman from Russia. We have a great place for the Mandala, which we painted ourselves with the fi rst n Mexico we had the privilege of They were held in Wangdusling (which group that invited Rinpoche to come to sharing the practices of Chod and in Tibetan means “Dominating All”). Mexico in 1995. Prima Mai gave us our Yantra Yoga, beginner course with Patrizia Pearl – Valle de Bravo, Edo Mexico 13–15 May 2011. IMandarava, thanks to the retreats we We studied the Six Spaces of Samanta- initiatory experience with the dance in organized with Nina Robinson. We had bhadra and fi fteen persons participat- this Mandala. In the last years we have in a very special town, Valle de Bravo, delicious. And of course, we offer the Chöd last February in Wangdusling, in ed. Some had practiced it at the Gar in invited other very good teachers from on a lovely lake about two hours from friendliness and hospitality our lings the beautiful town of Tepoztlan – about Baja California where Anya previously Italy and Argentina. We feel that we Mexico City. We hope that some prac- have been known for. an hour away from Mexico City – and had taught, so that made us advance will now have more stable participants titioners from other countries can also in March the Mandarava practice at more quickly. to continue practicing these wonderful come and join us. We would love for Rinpoche and Rosa Pelzomling in Mexico City. teachings that Rinpoche has given us. and their family to come to Mexico. All We love the way Anya teaches, with Wangdusling is in a traditional village the Sangha and several hundred more Nina had come last year, so many of the great enthusiasm, precision and pa- We are soon offering two Yantra Yoga situated in the base of soaring cliffs interested persons are waiting with participants had already studied with tience. retreats. One will be held in Wang- with the ruins of prehispanic temples. open hearts. her. This gave us the possibility of going dusling and the second will take place The climate is mild and the food is THE MIRROR · No. 110 · May, June 2011 International Community News

25 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

ily – Andrew and Marie – were so in- tions, participation and collaboration News from Tashigar North spired that they donated their $ 80,000 Tashigar del Norte will not be here. by Gilberto Parrella dollar house to be used and transform it in a kind of dormitories as well. This We need to raise approximately an ad- nce again Tashigar Norte is on project will be done in a second phase. ditional $ 15,000 so we do not run short the way to continue the building There is no doubt about how inspiring it in the total budget we have. Please Oof new infrastructures. Before is when Rinpoche is transmitting us his make this new vision of Rinpoche for Rinpoche left Tashigar North in 2010 Vision. Many thanks to the Farr Family Tashigar del Norte possible. he requested and ask in a very keen way for such a kind of donation to Tashigar to please, by the time Rinpoche comes del Norte. Please make your donation and col- back this coming December 2011, to laboration either in Bs or in US$. If you build dormitories in order to provide We have already started building a dor- will make a donation in BSF please proper lodging for our visitors from the mitory for 40 people, where the previous deposit it to: International Dzogchen Community. Agricola Tashigar offi ce and Aloe Lab Cuenta Corriente de la Asociación Civ- Gilberto Parrella at: gilbertoparrella@ ABA: 067010509. was installed. As additional news, SENE- il Nuevo Tashigar del Norte atl Banco yahoo.com SWIFT: MNBMUS33 The Gakyil team consisting of Steve CA, The Government Electrical Company Mercantil No.01050124501124018905. Margarita Promotions C.A. Commerce Landsberg, Delma Miralles, Aloka, has recently installed streetlights along Please if you do so, please notify and Bank Information: And Let us know how much are you Gloris and Ana Maria along with Michel the dirt road that goes from the main write to Rolo, the TN Secretary, at Benefi ciary: Margarita Promotions C.A. donating!!!! Dubourdieu, Carolina Hernandez, Gil- road to the gate entrance of the Gar. [email protected]: Calle Bolivar, fi nca Tashigar, casa nu- Rolo and the yellow Gakyil will update berto Parrella and others, collaborated Having a proper comfortable dormitory and to Gilberto Parrella at: mero 1, and keep records of all your donations. in the discussion of the designing, the will for sure provide more safety to our [email protected] Pedro Gonzalez, No words can thank you for your kind- plans, etc., and after some time the people. No need to rent rooms in the Let us know how much are you donat- Nueva Esparta, Venezuela ness, generosity and continuous sup- project is ready to be executed. town anymore and walk back and forth. ing!!!! port to Rinpoche’s vision of Tashigar del Bank: Mercantil Commercebank N.A. Norte, Your home and Gar. Architect Carolina Hernandez did all We welcome you back to Tashigar del If you will make your donation in US $$ 220 Alhambra Circle, Coral Gables, the plans and design free of charge for Norte once more to stay in the dor- via bank transfer please use the account Florida 33134, USA. All our love and many thanks the new dormitories that will provide 40 mitories when Rinpoche comes back of Margarita Promotion C.A which is Ta- Account Number: 8303628606 Gilberto Parrella beds with two bathrooms. One side will by December 2012. We all know that nia and Gilberto’s Travel Agency. Please be for the use of men and the other for Tashigar Norte is the manifestation also notify and write to Rolo, Tashigar women. of the generosity that each of you has del Norte Secretary, at tashigarnorte shown and given to make this place [email protected] with that dona- The Gakyil, lead by Michel Dubourdieu, what it is. Without your spirit of dona- tion as well and to: will hire the workers to minimize the cost and the entire work will be su- pervised as karma yoga by Carolina, Michel, Enrique the Gekö, and others.

The spirit of collaboration is high, since we understand that it is a new step for the Gar to create a more secure and comfortable stay for those who visit us, especially when Rinpoche is here. As you know, Rinpoche will be in Tashigar del Norte from December 2011 until January 2012. Teachings and retreats In the beginning of May, Steven Landsberg led a course on the View of Ati and the Secret Rush- will be given during that period. en for the Community in Caracas. Here everyone tries to apply the Vajra position.

Rinpoche himself donated a sum of Costa Rica money to build the dormitory and au- thorized us to raise funds in order to make a simple but comfortable build- ing. While Rinpoche was addressing the Community of Tashigar Norte asking us to build the dormitories, the Farr Fam-

Peru New Gakyil

Pablo Flores-Guerra (Azul – Blue) Nanay Valdivia (Rojo – Red) Raúl Ricci (Amarillo – Yellow) María Noel Sibila (Gekö) Yantra Yoga with Marisa Alonso in Costa Rica May 6–8, 2011. Yantra Yoga with Marisa Alonso in Costa Rica May 13–16, 2011.

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

Each Saturday in May 20 people practiced Chöd together with Ricky Sued at Tashigar South. From Mirror 58. THE MIRROR · No. 110 · May, June 2011 Review

26

mother archetype as manifested Women of Tibet through the core experience of Film Series human love and compassion. Rosemary Rawcliffe Frame of Mind Films The second film in the trilogy, A http://womenoftibet.org Quiet Revolution, is an outstanding exploration of the lives of women in Tibetan society through a se- Jacqueline Gens ries of multi-generational inter- views and narratives. Rawcliffe ver the years it has been received a well-deserved EMMY a privilege to see His Ho- for A Quiet Revolution, which elo- Oliness the fourteenth Da- quently narrates the role of wom- lai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso on any en in the exile community of number of occasions – from the Dharamsala and their historical most informal reception, scien- precedents in Tibet. Again draw- tific conferences, to the grand ing on her considerable talent for teachings of a Kalachakra. Some- creating an intimate environment time in the early 1990’s, I began for conversation, Rawcliffe con- to notice that his presence among tinues her homage to the femi- Westerners was an important nine presence deeply embedded endorsement for following the in Tibetan culture. teachings of the Buddha as a le- gitimate path, not just a cultish Here we learn of the now legend- fad or fringe phenomena. His ary March 12, 1959 spontane- great dignity and capacity to re- The mother of His Holiness far right. ous women’s uprising in Lhasa late to people on a personal level against the Chinese occupation has made him a household word hood. In short, a warm bond be- er, the film draws us more deeply For me what I have always loved and the continuity of the Tibetan worldwide. He is a man whose tween mother and child can pro- into the values of the woman who about His Holiness and which is Women’s Association that was so singular grace has endeared him vide a measurable prediction for gave birth to His Holiness and we apparent in Rawcliffe’s film is the encouraged by the Dalai Lama. to millions. future well being even countering experience a glimpse of how her palpable quality of con- The voices of these women weave environmental early indicators personality influenced her family veyed – it is so tangible. While an important story not only of the If there is one consistent message such as poverty and diet. through the love and respect that there are thousands of pages of past heritage of Tibet but of the that His Holiness has expressed they communicate in the film writing on the Prajnaparamita lit- future identity of Tibetan culture over and over, it is his seemly In her trilogy, Women of Tibet, simple philosophy of affection Rosemary Rawcliffe begins her Among the most gripping of for others as the basis for one’s investigation of the feminine these narratives is the oral his- happiness. And then there are the in Tibetan culture with the first tory of Tseten Drolkar Ngarong- stories one hears – that corrobo- film, The Great Mother or Gyalyum sha, a woman who tells the story rate the actualization of this point Chemo which is inspired by Dekyi of her mother’s incarceration of view. Tsering (1901–1981), the actual and unbreakable spirit who was mother of His Holiness. Who eventually executed for failure A young poet in my poetry pro- was this woman? How did she to become “reeducated.” After a gram from Furnace Mountain in influence her son? long narration, we are stunned Virginia once waited on the Dalai to learn that Mrs. Ngarongsha Lama & party at a steak house as- In the film, Rawcliffe, explores committed suicide sometime af- tonished at his human accessibil- these questions through an inti- ter this interview. Another special ity and jovial personality; My col- mate family portrait of the Dalai feature of A Quiet Revolution is a vi- league and friend who sat in the Lama’s family drawing on inter- sual catalog of the contemporary front row of a conference at Mid- views with his brothers and sisters painter, sculptor and poet, Gawa dlebury College feeling self-con- and other family members inter- Mangsa Pekar, whose work Raw- scious about impolitely cross- woven with western psychologists cliffe takes the time to highlight ing his leg so that his feet were and authors who take the Great in the Special Features following pointed towards His Holiness, Mother as an archetype beyond the film. stunned when he received a bear cultural boundaries. The beautiful His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his mother. hug at the end of the event as the production values of the film en- Frame of Mind Films is currently Dalai Lama was exiting the room; hance the close up head interviews about her life. The film captures erature, it takes a living person to in production with the long await- my housemate dying from a mys- by showing images of an inspired the unique spark of “affection” communicate this essence in the ed third film in the series, Women terious provocation for whom culture recreated in Dharamsala that has become the hallmark flesh – that the Great Mother lives of Tibet: The Buddha’s Wife. His Holiness whispered the Tara that revolves around His Holiness of the Dalai Lama. Thus, Dekyi in us all. The film succeeds well mantra in her ear as he massaged as an emissary of kindness. Tsering’s story becomes our story in bringing us close to experienc- Jacqueline Gens her shoulders making her repeat and she, our mother. ing the feeling tone of the great June 28. 2011 it until she got it; so many special What is increasingly moving moments for so many people one about the interviews in the film, on one. One need only google is that one begins to experience “images” of the Dalai Lama to the profound tragedy of Tibet’s see his playful nature in action historical fate and the extraordi- around the world – the tweaking nary adaptability of the Tibetan of a young girl’s nose, touching people from narratives that focus a child’s forehead in honor to his on individual lives. Up close and own, a photo op on an airplane personal, we hear many fine sto- with a stranger snuggling up to ries about Dekyi Tsering’s gen- him. Hands on – always hands erosity, humor, and forthright on in loving “affection.” character, which made her a be- loved icon of the Tibetan people. So what does His Holiness attri- bute the origin of this philosophy Rawcliffe covers in detail mate- of happiness? For him, it is none rial probably never before re- other than mother’s love, the pri- corded with some stunning “spe- mal bond of nurturance between cial” outtakes not included in the mother and child as the force that actual film. In a sense, this one promotes inner peace and the ca- hard-working woman becomes pacity to experience happiness. emblematic of the Tibetan peo- Less a pop psychology, recent re- ple. Rawcliffe’s interviews in- search corroborates that mothers voke a relaxed intimacy with her indeed can have a profound influ- subjects that allow them to speak ence even on the a molecular level directly to us as though sitting at with health effects manifesting the kitchen table sharing a meal in their offspring well into adult- and family stories. The Great Moth- Tibetan Women's Uprising. 27

M: Was Rinpoche living in Na- me too.” So she joined in. So ples with his family at that time? when we took , Rinpoche How I Met CA: Yes, they lived in Pozzuoli, a was there. suburb of Naples, on the edge of the volcano. M: That seems auspicious! Chögyal Namkhai Norbu CA: Yes. Then sometime later I M: Was your mother a practitio- took a trip to India and Sikkim as Costantino Albini ner at that point? a pilgrim. I went with a big group CA: She was interested, not quite of Danes and Scandinavians, a practitioner, but still interested. headed by Ollie Nydal. We ended nterview in NYC, June 17, 2011 Also my father told me stories of ple who were interested in Bud- We were both interested. So in up at Rumtek Monastery and that the masters he knew. dhism or already devotees of the the following days after the Kar- is where I took my vows of ge- IThe Mirror: As one of One day very, very early in the , or in any case inter- mapa’s arrival, we went to see the nyen (lay practitioner). [For one Rinpoche’s fi rst students and as morning, I remember my father ested, and we went to greet the Karmapa at a Benedictine mon- year I kept all the thirty vows of a we approach the 30-year anniver- woke me up, we were at our sea Karmapa upon his arrival at the astery where he was receiving novice.] My mother joined me at sary of Merigar West, we would house on the island of Ischia, airport in Rome, at Fiumincino people. The Pope had given him Rumtek and while we were there like to kindly ask you for your near Naples, and I was sleep- Airport. I was around eighteen or a big hall where he could receive the Karmapa gave us a name for a story of how you met Chögyal ing with my nanny in the same nineteen years old at this point. people, give blessings, teachings Kagyu center in Rome. Namkhai Norbu. room. My father came very early An acquaintance of ours said they and hold court. The Karmapa was So regarding the center in Costantino Albini: Some people in the morning and woke me up, wanted to introduce us to a friend very kingly. Chögyal Namkhai Rome, we asked the Karmapa ask me how it is that I am a Bud- without waking the nanny, and of theirs, a . So he took us to Norbu was translating there. He what we should do. He said we dhist. The fact is that since my he took me outside. We went meet this man who was standing was with another lama, a Gelug- had to have a place and he would childhood I was in contact with to the beach and there we sat there all by himself, in silence, pa , called Geshe Jampel send us a lama, and this lama Buddhist teachings because my and watched the sun rise, and and well, that man was Chögyal Sangye. They were both helping would be the teacher of the center father was a Buddhist. He had he taught me the beginning of Namkhai Norbu. very much. and we would have to organize lived in China for many years, a breathing meditation, how to Rinpoche was very formal at On that occasion I took ref- the whole thing and he would let from the early 1930’s until the concentrate on breath, and then the beginning and not particu- uge with the Karmapa, there was us know step by step what to do. end of the Second World War, he he taught me the mantra, om larly welcoming, but from his a small group of us, we started So we told him we needed some was working there as an offi cer mane padme hum. I was about voice and his way of being, I im- making prostrations and my teachings. “Well, I have a very in the Italian army, and was also eight years old. My father was mediately felt a strange feeling of mother pulled my sleeve and good Lama for you, he is very old a journalist, historian and law- like my fi rst Guru, and it was like closeness, of acquaintance. Just she said, “What are you doing?” and very learned, but his docu- yer. He got a job in the Shanghai a little secret between the two of a year before I had lost my dad, I said, “I am taking refuge and I ments are not ready. So I cannot court. On his vacations he trav- us for a long time. but I felt like I was in the presence want to take the vow to become send him to Italy yet. But in the eled a lot and went to Mongolia Then almost at the end of his of my dad. With this man so dis- a Buddhist.” And she said, “Ok, >> continued on the following page many times, also to Sichuan and life when he was no longer able tant and far away from me, I felt Chinghai, met some masters, to travel he sent my mother and like I was in the presence of my received teachings and even be- me to India to see a teacher and dad. I felt very comfortable and Chögyal Namkhai Norbu came a Buddhist. without telling my mom, he had close. So we made acquaintance So when I was a very little child arranged that we meet the Gyalwa and when the Karmapa and ev- Schedule 2012 I got the two traditions, the West- Karmapa. That was in the 1970’s. eryone else went to the Vatican, >> continued from page 1 ern tradition of fairy tales and I was sixteen years old. So we met my mother and I gave Rinpoche fables I got from my sister, and the Karmapa there, we were there a ride back to Rome, where he Argentina Russia from my father I got the Eastern primarily as tourists, but already had left his car. My mother was January 20–24 July 22 one; he told me Tibetan, Mon- we were interested. I already felt chatting with Rinpoche; my Tashigar South Retreat Public Teaching in Moscow golian and Chinese stories, so I I had a link with dharma. mother was a big conversation- grew up with a double imagina- Then after a few years we got alist. So they spoke of family February 3–7 July 25–29 tion. My father saw I was interest- a telephone call that the Karma- and exchanged addresses, and Tashigar South, 2nd Retreat Kunsangar North Retreat ed in these stories. I was thinking pa was arriving as a guest to the informally he invited us to see February 22 Ukraine already as a child, “Will I ever Pope. It was Pope Paul XI. So we him anytime we wanted. He said, Tibetan Losar August 3–9 meet my teacher, my master?” organized a group of a few peo- “Come whenever you like.” Australia Kunsangar South Retreat March 16–22 Romania Namgyalgar North Retreat August 17–23 April 6–12 Merigar East Retreat Namgyalgar South Italy Retreat August 31–Sept. 6 Asia Merigar West Retreat April 27 Sept. 7–9 Leave for Singapore Santi Maha Sangha Level I New Website for The Mirror! May 10 Examinations Leave for Hong Kong Sept. 10–16 e hope you are enjoying the new Mirror website at www.melong.com. On the new website Santi Maha Sangha Level II you can now fi nd Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s most current schedule as well as clear instruc- May 16–20 Training Hong Kong or Macao Retreat Wtions on how to use the site in the “News” section at the bottom of the home page. We have Sept. 21–27 recently added vimeo, where videos are available as well. Taiwan Second Retreat of Merigar West May 24–28 We have some great features like: Greece Taipei Retreat October 3–7 · “Your Archive” where you can see all past issues that you have had a subscription to. Japan Greece Retreat · “Search” for any topics of interest in the archives. June 1–5 Spain · “Edit details” to change or correct your address. Tokyo Retreat October 12–16 · Change your password to one of your choice or fi nd a lost password by logging in and using “Lost Hawaii Barcelona Retreat Password?” June 13–17 Hawaii Retreat Canary Islands The most recent issue of The Mirror is free for any new subscriber. October 26–30 USA First Tenerife Retreat If you are only receiving the online version or the paper version and would like to upgrade to receive June 22–24 Los Angeles Retreat November 9–13 both, you can “Upgrade” when you login. Second Tenerife Retreat June 29–July 1 November 23–27 If you are a Dzogchen Community member and are having any diffi culties with logging in, please con- New York City Retreat tact [email protected] with your name, surname, gar and membership type so that we can Third Tenerife Retreat July 6–10 fi nd you in our database. December 7–18 Tsegyalgar East Retreat Fourth Tenerife Retreat We hope you enjoy our new state of the art website that exists due to the generosity and expertise of July 11–12 Community members. Dec. 26–January 1 Santi Maha Sangha Base Exam Christmas and New Year: July 13–17 Fifth Tenerife Retreat Thank you!!! The Mirror Staff www.melong.com Santi Maha Sangha First Level Training 28

>> continued from previous page in the morning and I was just waking up retreat. The fact is the retreat went on for meantime you can take teachings from this from my sleep at my house in Rome, the the whole summer. Every day we were with great master you have in Italy, you have a telephone rings and I answered it and it him from morning until evening. He start- very important master there.” We asked was Rinpoche’s voice. He said, “I am Nor- ed teaching at breakfast and stopped when who this master was. And he said, “Chög- bu.” I said, “Oh Rinpoche, good morn- we went to sleep. He went away for one yal Namkhai Norbu, didn’t you understand ing. How are you?” and he said, “I am at week to visit Rosa’s family and told us to >> continued on the following page that?” He had seen us meet Rinpoche in the station in Rome, would you come and stay and do rushan and when he came back Rome. pick me up?” So I said, “Yes, yes immedi- he would check and see how it went. Rosa And so the Karmapa said, “I will write ately, I will be there in a minute.” My moth- and the children where also there for the letters to Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche and er was already up and I told her, “Norbu entire summer. We ended the retreat mid tell him what to teach you, and if you have Rinpoche’s at the station and I am going September. Some people would come and a group of people interested in the teach- to pick him up.” She said, “Ok I will make go, but my mother and I stayed the whole ings you can ask him for teachings.” So breakfast.” So I picked him up and he time. Rinpoche taught us so many things. we went back to Italy and after some time came to my place and we had a nice break- He taught us the whole dream practice, we started calling Rinpoche and ask if we fast, my mother had prepared a sumptuous he taught us tummo, the whole Chetsun could come and visit. So he invited us over breakfast, and so we were there with him. Nyingtig cycle starting with the ngon- to tea, we went to his house in Naples, and He was just back from a trip to Switzerland dro, he taught us Chöd, because he had we spent a wonderful afternoon. He was so where he gave lectures to young Tibetans. the famous dream of the Chöd practice, hospitable and an exquisite host. He fasci- So he was telling us about all his travels and tregchöd, contemplation and Yantra Yoga. nated us with all stories of Tibet, his child- comings and goings and ups and downs Photo: M. Amici We did Yantra Yoga with him every evening hood, and his family, and the day passed and things, and then after one of those si- in the garden. like a magical enchantment. Then it got lences that sometimes happen in conver- the impression for a single moment that late and he had us stay for dinner. And then sation, he looks at me and says, “ So, you he was hiding something. He was speak- M: Rinpoche was teaching Yantra Yoga in he said, “Now it is 11 o’clock, Rome is not have a little group of people interested in ing so freely of all the different levels of the Naples at that point, right? so near, you should go back. Otherwise it the teachings, haven’t you?” So immedi- practice. He was speaking of the Dzogchen CA: Yes he was and some of those students is too late for you to drive all the way on the ately, like a dog whose ears stick up, I said, Teachings and that was the first time we came to Subicao and we met, but they had highway.” So we said ok Rinpoche thank “Yes we do! So he said, “If you like I have had ever heard that word, Dzogchen. I be- no clue about Dzogchen because he never you very much, it was very nice to be with something to tell you. So can you call them lieve that the word Dzogchen was never taught it before. They came and were very you. And we went back to the car and took over here?” I made a few phone calls and a pronounced before in the West. Maybe by impressed by the situation. off. And then when we are already in the few people came over. Not many. a few Tibetologists, but as far as the teach- Then at a certain point towards the end middle of the highway, I was startled and ing, no one knew what Dzogchen meant. of the retreat we were beginning to say said to my mom, “Well he didn’t answer, M: Had you already been practicing to- So at the end of the evening he said, “If you goodbye to each other and then someone we asked him for teachings but he did gether in the Kagyu group? are interested in receiving teachings from asked Rinpoche, what should we do now? not answer. He didn’t say anything about CA: Yes we were practicing guruyoga of me then we have to make a retreat. So you Should we find a place and make a center? that.” My mother agreed that was true. We the and Avalokiteshvara and have to find a place where we can be al- Rinpoche looked and said, “No, no cen- had asked him timidly. And he was just we had received an important Lama, for together for a limited period of time, and ter. The system of the centers in the West nicely speaking of other things and gra- several weeks, sent to the West by the Kar- then I will give you the teachings.” will not work. This is the idea of some Ti- ciously saying, “Yes, yes, I see, I see”, but mapa. His name was Lama Gendun. He My mother asked when would be a good betan to export the idea of a monas- not really answering. was a Chöd practitioner, a very good mas- time for him and he said he would be free tery into the West, but you will see in a few So after some time my mother wrote ter and teacher and he stayed at our place. after the exams at the university in June years that system will not work. We have another letter to the Karmapa and he re- We received teachings from him, and we and from then on he was free all summer to do something different.” Then he said, plied, “I wrote him a second letter, don’t had received many people and so there was until mid September. He said whatever pe- “We will do a community.” That was the worry. Let a few weeks go by and then call a small group of people interested in the riod was good for us, he could arrange. So first time he said that word to us. “And a him up again.” So we let a few weeks go by dharma. my mother and I started looking around community of practitioners of Dzogchen and we called him up and he invited us over So this afternoon I am speaking of at my for a place, and in the end we found an old in which each practitioner is a center.” again. And we were with him all the after- mother’s house, there were a few people beautiful villa, not so in perfect condition, That was his idea. noon again and we met some other people all ready and after lunch Rinpoche sat on but still in good condition, in a big park, That is the inspiration that keeps me that would become his students. Paolo and the sofa and started by saying, “I have been and it was for rent for the whole summer. going. I can see in Santi Maha Sangha to- Pupe Brunatto and Mario Maglietti. They receiving letters from Gyalwa Karmapa for We did not know exactly when the retreat day, that project is still alive in his mind. were there asking about the Drugpa Ka- two years ordering me to teach you, so I would be, so we took it for the entire sum- Rinpoche wants to make our Community gyu Ngondro and they were asking him have to say, I do not take orders from any- mer. It was not so very expensive. There of students into a Community of practi- teachings related to it. He was just reading one, not even the Karmapa, however now were a lot of rooms and we only had to buy tioners. That would be the Community it over a little bit with them. But the same is the time for me to offer you teachings a lot of military beds. So we organized it that Rinpoche wants, which he envisions, thing went down, we asked him again if you are still interested. Just because the and my mother called Rinpoche up and where every practitioner is a center. And for teachings and he just enticed us with time is right.” So that is how it started and told him we had a place, near Subicao. the point is that everyone is a practitioner all stories – fantastic marvelous recounts we were very hit by it. So Rinpoche started That is where Gina Lollobrigida was born. of his teaching, of Dzogchen. and tales. And then at the end he sent is to teach and he taught the whole afternoon There was a very famous retreat place near Personally I still consider myself a stu- off without saying anything. And then an- until late in the evening. You know his way by where Saint Benedict had his cave. My dent, not a practitioner. I get shocked other letter from the Karmapa and off we of teaching, when he starts from the be- mother told Rinpoche that the villa was at when I hear people talk about each other went again after some time, and this whole ginning and gives you a whole panorama his disposal for the whole summer any- as practitioners. Also Rinpoche says we thing went on for about two years. He did of the teachings. I thought I was dream- time he wanted. He said, “Very good, I will should never judge each other and so I only not accept to give teachings for about two ing. I had never heard any lama teach like finish my exams around mid June.” judge myself, and I am still not a practitio- years. that. That way of teaching for me was just So we started the retreat and there were ner, I am still a student. But I am doing my And then one morning in the spring- paradise, because of his incredible spa- never that many people, from about twen- best, in any case. time of 1976, I remember it was very early ciousness and freedom, and he never gave ty to maximum thirty people for the whole