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IF death were to call soon, i'd remember my mother's love, my father's unfailing duty to his family, and my siblings, for standing together as brothers do... I would hug my dogs and say sorry for having to depart. Then, i would sit down (like Taomeow, in front of the altar) and contemplate the Buddhadharma one last time, together with my partner. For the rest of it, come hell or high water, i'd hope to still post in the heavenly TTB and bugger the likes of marco, even in the next bardo. For now, i'm gonna go play Zynga Poker on FB -- just so i could pretend for a while like im a multi-millionaire in the casinos of Monaco. Will be chatting to y'all later, i bet. Ciao bellas and bellos, adios!

I think Marco suggests we take a shower each time he posts a quote. Even now. Especially now. Yes, a cold one.

Baah... baaaah... Baaa... bah?

Hi TI, Picky is good. After all, we need to be very cautious not to confuse techniques with realizations. In Dzogchen (the Dzogchen that i understand, at least), techniques (i prefer the term 'practices') come after being shown one's true mind nature. Some are inclined towards the idea that, after introduction, one must perform all sorts of yogic exercises in order to ascend further up the gradient to reach 'rigpa', but i have been taught that that's not the case. Hence, i'd disagree with your proposition that Rigpa is 'on the other side'. Some practitioners (like me, due to much obscurations) have to work hard to stabilize the rigpa mind. This, however, is not a prerequisite. Other more fortunate and karmically endowed practitioners simply return the mind again and again to that instant of recognition, and practice nothing else. When questioned, the answer given is, since Dzogchen is the Great Perfection, or Great Completion, it transcends ritual and symbol, therefore, one can choose either to pursue practices, or, return the mind 'home' to rest each time one notices discursive or distractive mental movements. Many learned Dzogchen teachers say both are valid approaches, but should be careful not to feed the thought that Rigpa is anything other that what is already so, and no amount of 'doing' can make it more 'such'. Furthermore, in Dzogchen, the union of wisdom and clarity/cognizance is the union of shamatha and vipassana. Focussing on shamatha creates the possibility of an incomplete realization, but its just a possibility.... like i said, for the fortunate sons and daughters who are karmically endowed, there is always room to disregard general advice given.

Spot on, MH. Saying this even at the risk of Marco's labeling that only sheeples agree with one another.

Out of more than 1,300 posts, this is the only one that does not reek of condescension. Yet, its still tinged with haughty overtones. Que sera sera....

And this, too...

You can ramble on as much as you like, Marco. Your words to me means nothing. I have seen thru you from day 2 of your posting in the forum. Save your advice for yourself, please. We can all try to practice this a little:

Alas! Another lesson in impermanence. The forum was rather peaceful during the few weeks that Marco took a leave of absence. Let the mayhem dance again!!! How long can this last? After a while, it will subside, or change course. No need to actually do anything in particular, except to wait. Wu Wei.

I was introduced to the great teachings of Dudjom Rinpoche back in 1996, and till today i am still practicing his Dudjom Tersar Ngondro. One advice which he gave to students really stuck with me all these years. He said, "Do not meditate to arrive at a conclusion. If you meditate that way, it becomes intellectual activity. Here (meaning in Dzogchen) there is no object of meditation whatsoever nor even an instant of distraction. Distraction from resting in natural awareness is true delusion. Dont be distracted! Whatever thoughts arise, let them arise. Do not follow after them nor suppress them. However, many teachings considered to be very deep or extremely vast have left individuals of lesser intelligence mystified. If I put my finger on the concise essential meaning, it is this: In the gap between the last thought's cessation and the next's arising, isn't there a fresh, pristine knowing that has not been modified even in the slightest --- luminous, naked awareness? That itself is awareness's abiding state. However, this state at the beginning (of one's Dzogchen practice) does not last, and before long, another thought arises, doesn't it? This is the natural display of the same awareness, so simply let it manifest without doing anything to alter its arising. Letting it arise means there is recognition. If there is no recognition, then that thought which arise will spread, naturally. This is called the 'chain of delusion', which is the root of samsara. Simple recognition of thoughts as they arise breaks their flow. Release thoughts within that recognition. When you are able to remain in that state, arising thoughts will all be liberated equally within awareness, the expanse of dharmakaya. This is the main practice in which the View and Meditation of cutting through solidity are cultivated as one." ps ~ the thought that you are making steady progress with the purification/prelim practices really warms my heart. Keep at it, my friend. Its a true blessing to hear of such wonderful devotion to the Buddhadharma. _/\_

Hi Anamatva, Posting a link here which i think you will find helpful at some stage on your path. http://www.lotsawahouse.org/tibetan-masters/nyala-pema-duddul/signs-practice-penetrating-mind

Hi Jetsun, Yes it can be that simple. Its so simple that it becomes so easy to miss it altogether. I have great great devotion to Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche. Thanks for quoting him.

That's actually quite a fancy way to describe it, but you're right, its not a big deal. The further one goes, the clearer it gets. Yet, some just dont get it, as noted by Mr Wallace. I guess some do tend to cling to their preferential views more than others. These are probably the same ones who think they are in rigpa, while not realizing there is actually no such thing, what's more, that rigpa is not even a meditation, and, compounded by their own confusion and delusion, undertake very technical attempts to draw up their own dzogchen blueprint. Hopefully they do not implode into that as well, or they may find it quite difficult to later retrace their steps should they realize the deviation. But its all good. With your intelligence and Wallace's infallibility as a teacher, surely you are on the right track, so forgive me for the interjections.

Out of respect for Anamatva, i'm calling 'time out' on this conversation. Deal?

Capitalism in Buddhism is causing just as much strife, if not more.

Are you so black and white?

You have a short memory it seems.

Do you sympathize with capitalistic tendencies within spiritual circles? Just curious...

Point proven.

I disagree with the implications of this statement. Many so-called Vajra/Dzogchen masters, complete with authentic lineages, have been and still are nothing more but unscrupulous business-minded folks who show one face to the public and another in private. And Jeff could not have 'forced' anything even if that was his wish. Be nice if you stop trying so hard to be curt all the time.

Hi Jetsun, Avoid, or forebear, your choice. Most opt for the former. http://www.samyeling.org/index/the-paramita-of-forbearance

Wow! your wiki knowledge surely is impressive, Alwayson.

Hello TI, Berzin Archives can be very technical, but is a recognized source for Buddhistic students. Actually, Alan Wallace, who im sure you would find more agreeable, presented a similar view in his Lojong book. I dont think what he wrote is any less complex than what you read in the archives, but i guess we each have our preferential sources. Anyway, here's one excerpt titled 'Establishing the nature of the path in the sphere of the foundation of all'. http://lojongmindtraining.com/Commentary.aspx?author=5&proverb=5 As i have wrote much earlier, the actual fruit of Dzogchen may be simplicity itself, but getting there to the harvest can be a daunting process. Look back at those experiences you yourself have gone thru and have shared here for other's benefit. You needed those to get to where you are today. I would not entirely dismiss your journey as un-complex. But it was necessary. Likewise, on the road to the pinnacle of Dzogchen, there can happen lots of discussions and twisty talks, but one should not construe these discussions as actual realizations. They aren't.

Apologies for butting in, Anamatva. I remember attending one teaching where it was said that realized beings no longer have dreams because their wakeful quality has shattered/permeated the separation between the waking and dreaming states. I cant remember exactly who the teacher was, nonetheless.... Tulku Urgyen commented thus: "The buddhas and bodhisattvas are like people who have never fallen asleep and therefore are not dreaming, while sentient beings, due to ignorance, have fallen asleep and are dreaming. Buddhas exist in the primordial state of enlightenment, a state that is completely undeluded. This state moreover is endowed with all the qualities and free from all defects. Cut through your daytime confusion, and the double delusion of dreaming atop deluded samsaric existence ceases as well." Perhaps Jeff had also heard something along these lines which would explain why he made that comment. Cant comment on the astral experience part though.