All session will happen at this zoom room: 813 3484 4564
Agreement reminder for this course:
Agreement for the course based on what we have learnt on the first session:
- Recognising the need for refuge in the Dzogchen Teachings of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu and Yeshi Namkhai
- Understanding the quality of being active - doing homework between sessions (minimum of 6 hours per week), having video on, participating with others, not listening to the recording unless attending the session - Being ready to make mistakes and persevere.
- Observing one’s own limitations as the base for learning together.
Course intention and self assessment tool:
August 22nd session 6
1- So let’s now summarize what we have learnt.
- Starting the session always with Guruyoga as the essence of the teachings and the 3 sacred fundamentals
- Working with circumstances based on clarity beyond dualistic choices and judgment]
- Integration as the absence of effort in regards to the 4 demons of Chöd
- Night practice approached with joy and a light heart
- Questions and answers
- Read the self assessment tool on top of this page and check where you are at and what you need to learn to increase your capacity.
- Complete the homework sheet for the week.
- Thank you for your active participation in this course.
August 15th session 5
1- So let’s now summarize what we have learnt.
- Study and application of the Short Tun
- Body, Voice and Mind, the three gates. Their relationships, their ways of being harmonised and how they relate with the Dzogchen Teachings (see diagram below)
- Deepening explanation of the 3 paths to liberation and how not to be controlled and slaves of our mind
- Dzogchen Transmission - its real meaning and daily application through Guruyoga
- The three statement of Guru Garab Dorje
- Being present just like driving a car
- How to obtain primary and secondary obtainments that help to harmonise Body, Voice and Mind through Tantric practices
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2- Until next session, suggestion of inquiry:
Do Guruyoga at least 5 times everyday in various formats including at least one Short Tun. Observe which of the 5 capacities (see diagram above) is missing the most in order to apply the 3 statements of Guru Garab Dorje. Then make a plan in writing on how you will work through it.
Do Guruyoga at least 5 times everyday in various formats including at least one Short Tun. Observe which of the 5 capacities (see diagram above) is missing the most in order to apply the 3 statements of Guru Garab Dorje. Then make a plan in writing on how you will work through it.
You can explore this task by using various practices of the Precious Vase including:
- The Crystal and the Way of Light
- Guruyoga of the white A
- Short Tun
- Any Rushen or Semdzin
- Chapter 7 section 6 (Chöd)
- Any books, recordings or passages of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu on the Three statements of Guru Garab Dorje.
3- Time for self assessment and question.
- Read the self assessment tool on top of this page and check where you are at and what you need to learn to increase your capacity.
- Complete the homework sheet for the week.
4- Precious Vase reading to prepare next week's session:
- Chapter 2 section 3 (first page of calming Body Voice and Mind)
- Chapter 7 section 6 (Chöd)
- Chapter 5 section 2.8.13 (Shang Shung Nyen Gyud)
August 8th session 4
1- So let’s now summarize what we have learnt.
- Review of the past few weeks - Guruyoga as the essence of the three sacred fundamentals
- Contemplation and the necessity to relax beyond dualistic effort. Instead of looking at the reflection in the Mirror, we are just being the Mirror and its reflection. Being in the state of the Mirror.
- Presence and awareness as a guide to relax beyond dualistic effort - analogy of the swimmer, the wave and the ocean.
- Working with circumstances in regards to the path leading to realisation. Just like a traveler needs to know where they are at to take the best route. Circumstances are composed of desire bsam pa), capacity dbang po), condition (khams).
- We then explore our relationship with emotions and thoughts via a debate and then via the connection with the 3 paths of liberation: renunciation, transformation and self-liberation.
- We ended the session by the practice of Inner Rushen (Chapter 6 section 6.1.2 of the Precious Vase).
2- Until next session, suggestion of inquiry:
Keep a ‘pattern diary’. Every morning read your diary. Every evening we reflect on the day and write one observed pattern (composed of habitual thoughts and emotions), the way we dealt with it and how that way relates with the three paths of liberation.
Keep a ‘pattern diary’. Every morning read your diary. Every evening we reflect on the day and write one observed pattern (composed of habitual thoughts and emotions), the way we dealt with it and how that way relates with the three paths of liberation.
You can explore this task by using various practices of the Precious Vase including:
- Footnote 211 (the 5 wisdoms)
- Inner Rushen
- Secret Rushen of the Mind
- Chapter 6 section 6
- Any books, recordings or passages of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu on the Three paths of liberation
3- Time for self assessment and question.
- Read the self assessment tool on top of this page and check where you are at and what you need to learn to increase your capacity.
- Complete the homework sheet for the week.
4- Precious Vase reading to prepare next week's session:
- Chapter 6 section 5 (Essence of Anuyoga practice)
- Chapter 7 section 7 (Yantra Yoga)
- Chapter 9
August 1st session 3
1- So let’s now summarize what we have learnt.
- Review of the importance and meaning of contemplation, using the analogy of the Mirror and the traveler.
- The importance of the three sacred fundamentals to exponentially link contemplative and post contemplative periods
- Practice of the Semdzin of the White A and the Secret Rushen of the Mind
- Working with circumstances in regards to the path leading to realisation. Circumstances are composed of desire, capacity, condition.
| Contemplative and post-contemplative activity |
2- Until next session, suggestion of inquiry
Complete the table of circumstances using your own personal contemplative and post-contemplative experiences.
Complete the table of circumstances using your own personal contemplative and post-contemplative experiences.
| circumstances_table__2_.pdf |
You can explore this task by using various practices of the Precious Vase including:
- Semdzin of the White A
- Secret Rushen of the Mind
- Semdzin of the Song of the Vajra
- Semdzin of the letter RAM
- Chapter 2, 3 and 4
3- Time for self assessment and question.
- Read the self assessment tool on top of this page and check where you are at and what you need to learn to increase your capacity.
- Send your Circumstances Table, feedback and/or question through the homework sheet
4- Precious Vase reading to prepare next week's session:
- Chapter 5
- Chapter 6 section 1 to 5 (from beginning until Atiyoga)
- Chapter 7 section 1 to 5 (from beginning until Chöd)
July 25 session 2
1- So let’s now summarize what we have learnt.
- The importance of contemplation
- The mind likes to create certainty as a ego construct safety
- Because it is relative, there is actually no certainty that derives from the mind
- We can get in that knowledge using the 4 understanding - explanation of the Door, the Mirror and Sweet taste. Understanding the relationship between Teachings/Instructions, Experiences and Knowledge
- Understanding how a shift of knowledge affect our reality - just like the shift between seeing life as real and as a dream
- Doing practice of the Semdzin of the white A
2- Until next session, suggestion of inquiry:
Using your own insight and not based on memory or intellectual knowledge, express in a poem form the process of using experiences to discover the state of contemplation.
Using your own insight and not based on memory or intellectual knowledge, express in a poem form the process of using experiences to discover the state of contemplation.
Resources to complete the task:
- You can explore this task by using the Semdzin of the White A (practice we did together last session) or any other Semdzin/Rushen of the Precious Vase. Do the practice until you have sufficient clarity to answer the task. Dedicate a minimum of 4 hours for it. Remember the task is not about discovering the state of contemplation but simply to express your understanding of the process of discovering. What do we need to do to discover, the methodology we explored together over last session.
- Precious Vase reading
- Chapter 4 section 6.5
- Chapter 5 section on the 4 understanding (2.8.10.1)
- Chapter 6 section 6
- Any material of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu and/or Yeshi Namkhai about Direct Introduction
- Learning the Art of poetry writing
- Short Video about Poetry from Chögyal Namkhai Norbu
3- Time for self assessment and question.
- Read the self assessment tool on top of this page and check where you are at and what you need to learn to increase your capacity.
- Send your poem, feedback and/or question through the homework sheet
4- Precious Vase reading to prepare next week's session:
- Chapter 2
- Chapter 4
- Footnote 64
- Chapter 6
- Chapter 9 section 2
July 18 2023 SMS session 1
So let’s now summarize what we have learnt.
To consolidate the learning of this session here is a suggestion of inquiry:
Create a drawing / vision board on how to be the best learner we can.
You can find some help by researching and reflecting on:
- Learning means being active. The more active the more learning occurs.
- Learning is conditioned by what we know. Knowledge is the content of the mind.
- In Dzogchen we are not interested in the content of the mind but in its nature
- So all we know is of no help. Meaning as long as we will give the content of the mind unnecessary importance we will make many mistakes along the way. That’s ok.
- Refuge is simply recognising the need to learn from More Knowledgeable Others.
To consolidate the learning of this session here is a suggestion of inquiry:
Create a drawing / vision board on how to be the best learner we can.
You can find some help by researching and reflecting on:
- General inquiry:
- 'constructivism',
- 'more knowledgeable others' (Lev Vygotsky)
- Educative and Learning theories (see PDF below)
| educative_and_learning_theories.docx.pdf |
- Precious Vase
- Chapter 2 section 2, 5 and 6
- Footnote 64
- Chapter 3
- Chapter 4 section 6.6.1 and 6.6.2
- Dzogchen Teachings:
- Any material from Chögyal Namkhai Norbu
- Any material from Yeshi Namkhai
Agreement for the course based on what we have learnt today:
- Recognising the need for refuge in the Dzogchen Teachings of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu and Yeshi Namkhai
- Understanding the quality of being active - having video on, participating with others, no recording unless attended the session - Ready to make mistakes.
- Observing one’s own limitations as the base for learning together.
Precious Vase reading to prepare next week's session:
- Chapter 4 section 3, 6.5 and 6.6
- Chapter 5 section 2.8.12 and 2.8.13
- Chapter 6 section 6
- Chapter 9 section 2