ralis

Thanks for stating this. On many occasions, I have posted academic quotes as to why Buddhism is a religion. The Buddhists here have condemned me for that.

Actually Vajraji is condescending. He hasn't posted today. Must have been a heavy duty party last night!

Freeing the mind or more precisely a relaxed state of mind. The practice in and of itself deals with any mental constructs. It is very difficult to explain this practice. However, I will do my best to continue answering any questions.

I understand about Rigpa and am not certain what you mean by a direction.

Direction Rigpa?

It is exactly like that. I soften the gaze and withdraw my focus slightly behind my eyes. The jaw is relaxed and the tongue is suspended in the space of the mouth. The visual focus is at a point neither external or internal. Actually both at once is correct. I would say it is like the vastness of space inside and outside i.e, no separation, the universe passes through me, a feeling as if the physical body will dissolve, are vain attempts to describe a non verbal experience. Very difficult to quantify. That practice can be used with physical objects as well.

Sky gazing puts me in the proper frame of mind along with just being in lonely places. The great deserts of the Southwest, Death Valley Ca. and high alpine country really do it for me. Sky gazing was a practice that I picked up from Norbu. I watched what he was doing and understood how to apply the practice. I can talk about the practice here if you like.

I lived down the road less than 1 mile away.

I first studied Tibetan Buddhism when Trungpa's first book came out in the early 80's. Spent years with various teachers here in Santa Fe NM at the Buddhist stupa. However, all the exotic cultural trappings and a segregated environment from any of the teachers, was absurd! However there was an exception. Lama Rinchen Phuntsok was honest in regards to all the spiritual trips; he said "it is all a game". That was a liberating experience from religious trappings for me. Namkhai Norbu basically said the same thing as well as Keith Dowman. These are my experiences and may not be applicable to others. For me, life, spending time in nature and the cosmos are the great teachers.

You are over reacting to my question. I am not attacking and am only asking for clear explanations especially when generalized statements are made. As in this case you claim your teacher is more realized than you are. Very subjective statement on your part. Are you in a certain state of bliss when you are around this teacher? Does the state diminish over time when you are no longer in the teachers presence? Is your teacher more like a parent to you?

By what criteria are you able to reach that conclusion with? Who are you studying with?

There are no guarantees that one will achieve anything by devotion to another, especially in this context. What is a good guru as opposed to a bad one? Please define. Why place a hierarchal value on "Buddhas" and the implication is that Buddhas are somehow higher in realization? Which does nothing more than create sects and therefor so called higher and lower teachings. Why not "beings who are realizing"?

I agree, one should avoid sweeping generalizations. However, to say that devotion and guru worship are just natural occurrences is missing the point. A study of intra group dynamics and social psychology would confirm that power in any group is the commodity most sought after. Conditioning caused by parenting, education and societal pressures will most likely determine how one behaves in any group and will determine group hierarchal placement. Again, this creates a predestined elitist group. This is what troubles me, is the placing of teachers on a hierarchy of vibrations from the lesser to the greater. Are you hedging committing to a solid position? You are a somewhat anti-monist? A somewhat anti-theist?

Buddhism is classified as a religion. The problem is your twisting of facts and projecting an authoritarian superior attitude that Buddhism is the ultimate authority, in proclaiming to completely understand the workings of the cosmos. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion

Dogma is a belief system or doctrine that is religious in nature and is established by the authoritarian hierarchy in any religious belief system, including Buddhism. Therefor, your statement is incorrect.

Vajraji just came back from being banned for three months, so I guess he has to make up for lost time. I was given a break from the forum last year for one week for challenging Vajraji's narrative. He always has some need to one up anyone that challenges his narrative. His experiences are always more profound, more subtle and and better than most others. He considers himself the final arbiter of absolute truth.

That is very Buddhist of you. Resorting to name calling is really low!

I thought it might be one of your trick questions. How do you know I answered anything except what you wanted to hear. Then your inflated self jumped in and condemned me. All you want to do is create the exclusive Dzogchen club led by you! I have had certain experiences while doing solitary retreats which I never discuss ,which confirms certain teachings of Dzogchen. BTW, you are not the absolute arbiter of truth.

Why are you asking me this? Whether I believe or not is irrelevant. I have never seen this phenomena and most never will. Therefor, your question is about faith based phenomena which is based on a few occurrences that I should accept on faith.

Norbu's students are children in his eyes or are they children in your eyes? I think you just make stuff up! Monist idealism? You are just making it all up! :lol:

It is interesting that you mention this. Norbu on many occasions has criticized restrictive teachings that are designed to enslave and limit.

I am not some puppet that parrots the Dzogchen party line or any other line of thought, which is the whole point of freedom, Rigpa or whatever. Terms are irrelevant and just create more authoritarian group dynamics. For example, several years ago when Norbu was in Santa Fe, one woman wanted to burn some heavy duty incense. Several asked her not to given the fact there were people in the audience that are allergic to incense. The woman insisted that Norbu requires incense to be burned! That was outrageous behavior on her part and Norbu never proclaimed an incense commandment. If he is not attached, he could care less! What I witnessed around Norbu were needy students clamoring for his attention and desperately wanting to please him in some way. It was disgusting! I am referring to adults that should know better. Exactly, what is "clarity talk" and how does a low life with no capacity such as myself achieve such esteem?

Why do you feel the need to put me down? As a matter of fact I have all his books and many unpublished works of his. I have read them all many times. Further, I never said anything about his taking on my projections. What is the childish need to compete with me and my experiences with Norbu? What proof do you have that I am not in Rigpa at all times? Are you a mind reader?

Dzogchen transcends all isms and dogma. It is not Buddhism. If it were, then Dzogchen would be a limited conceptual dogmatic notion just like any other religion.

What I find amusing is that many see Norbu as a parent and father figure. I have seen that displayed in many retreats that I have participated in with him. Very few really understand the entire point of his teachings. He never ever wanted any in his audience to pranam before him. When I first met him, he shook my hand.