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the series of audio teachings by Ven. Robina in the buddhist sub-forum contains some very helpful pointers for those who seek to help others cope with mental anguish.

Because of misdirected motives, i guess. Karma and ignorance begins to roll at that level, even before any 'doing' takes place. The prevalent mind states just prior to taking any action are the main causes for the accruement of karma and its perpetuation, not just the action itself.

never trust a 'teacher' who resorts to will-breaking tactics. Buddhism is based on loving-kindness & compassion, and genuine teachers never try to make their students become subservient. Despite first-hand accounts of his dodgy dealings, people still refuse to accept the facts, choosing instead to push the agenda further. By all means, go take refuge with a fraudster.

haha.ok. my duh moment.

I'm not Irish, but am very happy on their behalf. thanks.

Shantideva Meditation Center, New York.

Reality is my consort. Lets Dance!!!

i'd rather you take the time to explain, thru your own insights, how this can be achieved, instead of badge-flashing (again). For example, your signature acknowledges reality to be your consort... care to explain whats your take on that? Maybe then a dialog of some purpose can begin? At least, if we attempt rightly, there is a chance we wont become distracted with other people's affairs too much.

Thank you for speaking up, YY24. The Super-sized Wand of Adamantine Truth Team, on her majesty's secret service. At the end of the day, its simply a penis ~ misappropriated, it quickly becomes a dick.

More than likely the thing that will imprison me would be to stay silent and uninvolved, watching from the sidelines in the face of intelligent-sounding, right-speeching buddhist elitists who band together to scream 'BEWARE, FOLKS' each time Jax comes to this forum to post something about what he is doing, which is not often, btw. Its like some pattern, or some kind of oath these guys have taken to try to shut others down. By 'others' i would mean individuals whom they look upon as either 'renegade-ish', as in they have no time for buddhist pat-backing and decorum bs, or maybe individuals who simply want to do their own thing without wanting to be associated with all the clamouring and posturing often displayed by 'knowledgeable' so-called dzogchen cliques. A similar thing happened around March last year as well, when Jax first came to the forum. Same pattern, same routine, and Jax's posts were given the same 'beware, folks' kind of treatment. Hello, like, why does it have to be this way? I really want to understand why we feel the need to disallow others the freedom to do their thing here and not only that, but to set about creating tangible obstacles in their path? Is it so hard to be cordial, friendly, open, receptive even in the face of each possessing different and contrasting views? What gives us the right to say to someone their view is inadequate, insubstantial, impure and therefore rubbish in terms of authenticity? What gives us the right to deny another's freedom to express their own creative impulses without having to do it in such a way as to have had the approval of the 'band of brothers', the ones who appoint themselves Dharma heirs, favoured princes and princesses of great lineage Masters with unbroken lineages all the way back to Garab Dorje? Seriously? You bet. Just take a look in DW. So much prancing and bitching around it makes my skin crawl sometimes. If i could, i would hope that TTB will remain free of such fancy-pancy buddhism. You should ask these guys their real motive(s) for trying to bring Jax's name to disrepute. What's worse, they can't even be honest about their intentions. If this is not hypocrisy, i really dont know what is.

So now we are all familiar with how aspiring teachers ought to conduct themselves. While the inspiration is still there, would you also kindly remind us, the eager learners, how professing students of the Noble Ones ought to conduct themselves on a platform such as this so that we may stride forth with confidence and seize the throne of the dharmakaya, swift as an arrow in flight. For example, should we spend time on frivolous issues, cutting down those whom we deem to be deviants, or perhaps use the precious time to check our own conduct, again and again, that we will quickly bring to fruition the subtle wisdom of the youthful vase body endowed perfectly with the six unique characteristics.

A bit early to have already acquired a taste for Southern Comfort, MH.

nowadays the trend is to depend on sat navs.

I know my limitations. I am not omniscient, therefore i am unable to call someone out, in full confidence, to say that they are not in the position to teach something, and furthermore, to pound away disparagingly at the integrity of this individual. I dont care if you say it, or even if some high lama were to say it, this is contrary to buddhist conduct. If you are so precise and full of wisdom (you obviously come across as knowledgable) then you will know instinctively the right approach to adopt in this instance, instead of resorting to nonchalant remarks and quips, for example, by saying "dangerous, dangerous".... is that some ego-stoking thing or what? Could you not have chosen a better, clearer, more helpful response? (yes, you could) but in your lapse of clarity, you uttered those words which are completely without substance, and here you are again, showing your knowledgable side (the good looking side) as if saying, hey, people, see how pretty i can sling the mud? Hypocrites, the likes of you and Anderson. Go chant more Vajrakilaya mantras.

i do consciously try, as much as possible.

Funny, the influence which first aroused Tsem Rinpoche's deep, deep need to become a Dharma student was a plumber/author who went by the pen name of Lobsang Rampa. I mean no disrespect, but i think people like you will never get it. You simply want to maintain what you think is pure and right on the one hand, and on the other, you crumple, all in one smooth motion, the very foundation of Buddhadharma. You can argue about qualifications, lineage authenticity, blah blah, till the cows come home, but honestly, when the day's done, what have you achieved? Even if you win the argument, what have you really achieved? A tally to your meritorious accumulations?

Sure, feel free to disagree. Will such disagreements set records straight, or merely lead to more doubts arising in people looking in for a peep at the buddha-Drama which seems to be a constant feature here? There is such a thing as skilful means, right? You seem like someone who's been reasonably exposed to Tibetan Buddhism, and presumably have been in the company of eminent teachers from that tradition ~ tell me, how many times have you seen these teachers demonstrate an attitude of arrogance towards those who act disruptively during teachings and retreat workshops? As a matter of great significance, those who are suddenly overcome by emotional outbursts (which happens now and then) actually get to feel more warmth and given more understanding by the teacher. The more stable one's view, the more expansive one's ability to hold others, especially those whose steps are not fully steadied yet.

for a bit of levity.... don't turn everything into what's right and who's wrong, such are the ways of those still caught by signs. The earliest indications of having grokked the meaning of the great perfection ~ everything feels bouyant, lively, open, natural, brimming with joyfulness and spontaneity. Things dont have to go according to script all the time. Getting uptight over ultimately insignificant matters is definitely not the hallmark of one who claims to have embraced the essence of this great tradition. Dont be like this character (or be exactly like him, it does not matter in the end)... getting all hot under the collar in the name of Dharma is too silly imo. finally, thanks also to Rongzomfan for calling bs on everything (again)!

Most evident is the decline in the number of practitioners attaining rainbow bodies in contemporary times. There used to be hundreds still being recorded up until a couple of centuries ago. Nowadays, the mood has shifted to discovering post-crematory relics of masters, one of the ways to sustain traditional reverence, i am thinking. Read somewhere some lama said in this day and age no one will be able to physically dissolve into rainbow light anymore due to the grossness of the existence of this aeon. Just to point out, in case you or anyone is interested, the sudden exposure to one's primordial, stainless nature is not necessarily dependent on nor shaped by shamanic practice, but the process of bringing stability to that realization can be deemed to be to be shamanic, with all the prime practices like tummo, togal etc being akin to shamanistic trends found in other cultures. Certainly, it would appear that to dismiss traditional, healthy lineages as outdated and useless seems rather flippant, but on the other hand, within those traditions, if one were to adhere strictly to basic practice requirements, then one ought to be ready to spend many many hours trying to decipher a lot of very vague, yet essential approaches at the beginning which then opens the gate to the higher tantras in due course. In the meantime, aside from the investment of time, there is the issue of money, which we all know can be real challenge in this modern age of jet-setting, celebrity-like lamas. This is often the bane of many sincere beginners who want to devote more (energy, time, effort) but fail to find the necessary sustainability to last the distance. Just some odd thoughts, as usual.

Thats a reasonable line of thought. Maybe the term is used in an expedient manner. After all, if we really want to get to the barest, most profound level, we cannot even dare to fit a descriptive term to the state of great perfection, i guess. Wasn't it said somewhere that Dzogchen predates Bon and Buddhism in Tibet? Not sure. Have you heard similar?

Did you become homeless and solitary by choice? Sorry if the question brings up some kind of aversive reaction, but i have met happy, homeless people who dont feel life has to bend according to their ideals. Most times they learn that by embodying the yielding principle as opposed to the hard resistance principle, it gives them a greater leverage when tough times comes a knocking. This enables the coping mechanism to function with greater integrity, and still allows room for growth despite being faced with tough challenges. The more tenacious ones actually use the challenges as steps to become even stronger in the process, but such inner determination is quite a rare commodity. I feel for you, and genuinely want to listen to more of what you have to say.

In your mind, what would be an acceptable, positive way to phrase "not teaching from within a true lineage" without appearing foolish? (sincere question -- for possible future use... just in case).

have you studied the Yeshe Lama instruction manual by Jigmed Lingpa? Its the ultimate handbook of Nyingma Dzogchen practice. Cant be purchased without written verification of having received the essential empowerments. I thought it would be included in his work 'Approaching the Great Perfection' but unfortunately its not. Let me know what you think if you have read it. Thanks!

haha forgot about HH Steven Seagal... cool example, thanks for the memory jolt!

Shabkar was a great inspiration for me when i was fumbling around with the Tibetan Buddhism a few years back. This is one of the few verses of his that i still spend time contemplating now and again: Fortunate friend, listen without distraction. For the yogin of the most secret Great Perfection There is no leaving of retreat, Neither is there any entering. In the simplicity that is beyond concepts, There is no crossing of boundaries. With all this formal entering and leaving One cannot really be called a retreatant. My way of doing retreat is this: In the retreat hut that is my own body Endowed with the six characteristics, With the three pure vows I sweep away the dirt ~ negative actions of the three doors; In the stream of the four initiations, I wash away all defilements. Seated on my cushion ~ the fundamental consciousness, Coarse and subtle thoughts ~ I, the yogin of awareness That is itself brilliant and cognizant Remain in the retreat That is the uncontrived natural state. Freed from discursive thoughts, Staying within the limits Of naturally abiding meditation, Fearing visitors ~ mental dullness and wildness ~ I mark my retreat boundaries With the poles of undistracted mindfulness. My retreat helper is emptiness: Through which whatever arises Is freed as it appears. As for my way of practicing the development stage: In the immeasurable palace Of primordial purity arisen of itself, The universe and beings arise As a display of deities, apparent yet unreal. Since all sounds are the resonance of voidness, Recitation is never interrupted; Thoughts that are set free just as they arise Are the utter openness of Dharmakaya. I offer all food and drink As a feast-offering, a gathering of merit To the mouth of the birthless absolute state. Whether walking, sitting or sleeping, To blend all actions with contemplation Is the Mantrayana seal. Just as no darkness exists in the center of the sun, To a yogin the universe and beings all arise as deities ~ And the yogin is content. To a yogin all sounds resound as mantras ~ And the yogin is content. Just as a bird flying through a clear, empty sky Leaves no trace, To a yogin, all thoughts arise as Dharmakaya ~ And the yogin is content. In the vastness of awareness, Without any separation into sessions of practice, For a yogin, practice is relaxed and at ease ~ And the yogin is content. In the indivisible state in which, from the beginning, Development and completion are indissociable, One may do practice, or leave everything just as it is. Even if one does intensive practice, There is nothing to be done. Beyond the workings of mind, I realize that phenomena are the Dharmakaya. You, my friend, should realize this too. Not putting your trust in intellectual teachings, Master the meaning of the great evenness That has no origin. As for the duration of such a retreat: When, at death, the net of the body is finally torn apart, And one is freed in the clear light of the Dharmakaya, One could call that "taking down the boundaries of one's retreat". The virtuous practice of such lifelong retreat, Beyond fixed periods, Was the way of great yogins in the past. HA HA! Having done no such thing myself, I have just been joking! May all who read this be blessed with happiness!