Search found 2148 matches

by Josef
Tue Sep 19, 2023 5:11 pm
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: Is the nature of the mind cognizant of itself?
Replies: 232
Views: 16147

Re: Is the nature of the mind cognizant of itself?

just to be clear, because this is important (to me) - it is possible for a human being to become aware of the ultimate true basis (gzhi?) within oneself - this awareness is rang rig (one's own rigpa) and it is self-cognizing, non-conceptual, direct cognition? in the case of someone who has received...
by Josef
Tue Sep 19, 2023 3:47 pm
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: Is the nature of the mind cognizant of itself?
Replies: 232
Views: 16147

Re: Is the nature of the mind cognizant of itself?

rang rig means one's own rigpa. It is each individuals own cognizant presence of the basis as it abides within themselves. This is ones personal knowledge of the basis. just to be clear, because this is important (to me) - it is possible for a human being to become aware of the ultimate true basis ...
by Josef
Tue Sep 19, 2023 12:50 am
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: Is the nature of the mind cognizant of itself?
Replies: 232
Views: 16147

Re: Is the nature of the mind cognizant of itself?

Doesn't Dzogchen talk about a reflexive awareness? a digital search of the phrase "self-cognizing awareness" in "The Precious Treasury of the Fundamental Nature" by Longchenpa with commentary by Khangsar Tenpa'I Wangchuk reveals it's used TWENTY TIMES - I can quote all 20 if you...
by Josef
Mon Sep 18, 2023 7:54 pm
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: Pointing out instructions
Replies: 168
Views: 6446

Re: Pointing out instructions

I'm not sure you can answer "how" one has faith in a Teacher. I think it's primarily a function of past-life karma. Since you feel incapable of having faith in a real-life Teacher (at least for now), perhaps you should focus on accumulating merit through the many means of the sutrayana wh...
by Josef
Mon Sep 18, 2023 7:45 pm
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: Pointing out instructions
Replies: 168
Views: 6446

Re: Pointing out instructions

Pointing Out instructions, no matter in what tradition, require a great degree of faith in the teacher who is bestowing them. Aside from all the opinions regarding on-line, real time, meat-space, recordings and transcripts and books........a degree of faith and trust in the teacher is essential to ...
by Josef
Mon Sep 18, 2023 3:05 am
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: placing attention between subject & 6-sense base?
Replies: 3
Views: 466

Re: placing attention between subject & 6-sense base?

There are similar statements in the Lama Yangthig and Chogyal Namkhai Norbu's Upadesa of the Introduction to the State of Ati, other places as well I am sure. In very general terms this is an explanation of how rigpa is between mind and objects. When ones cognizance strays toward and grasps at the ...
by Josef
Mon Sep 18, 2023 2:59 am
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: Pointing out instructions
Replies: 168
Views: 6446

Re: Pointing out instructions

There is nothing trivial about properly giving empowerments and transmission. Additionally, when people take controversial positions they are opening themselves up to having those positions criticized. This is not unusual. There is a reason that the opinion that accepting recorded empowerments is i...
by Josef
Sun Sep 17, 2023 8:35 pm
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: Pointing out instructions
Replies: 168
Views: 6446

Re: Pointing out instructions

Its funny how we marble reading namthars where there is mentions of yoguis who barely now how to write or even speak for that matter and yet are able to transmit the knowledge of dzogchen but then somehow think that because you use the word "telepatic" you are somehow frak up students. It...
by Josef
Sun Sep 17, 2023 7:46 pm
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: Pointing out instructions
Replies: 168
Views: 6446

Re: Pointing out instructions

So you think that she is being unintentionally disrespectful of the students' time because she, in this case, teaches in a way that you don't think is actually effective? She is mistaken about how empowerments function and it leads to students thinking they are practicing Dzogchen when they are not...
by Josef
Sun Sep 17, 2023 7:13 pm
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: Pointing out instructions
Replies: 168
Views: 6446

Re: Pointing out instructions

I find it a bit hard to have a lot of faith in transmissions from a recording myself, even if some prominent lamas support it in various degrees (including those I've received transmission from as well). So I don't go about receiving it that way (except once when I didn't know that was how it was g...
by Josef
Sun Sep 17, 2023 6:39 pm
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: Pointing out instructions
Replies: 168
Views: 6446

Re: Pointing out instructions

I don't think group livestreams with the teacher have particularly strong relationships either though. In most cases, a live stream is basically equivalent to a recorded video. If there are more than 50 viewers or so, you can't even rely on being able to ask a question, let alone establishing a rel...
by Josef
Sun Sep 17, 2023 6:04 pm
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: Pointing out instructions
Replies: 168
Views: 6446

Re: Pointing out instructions

The same can be and was said about livestreaming... This is true. Livestreaming actually has a tenable argument however, I am yet to encounter such an argument for recordings. I find it a bit hard to have a lot of faith in transmissions from a recording myself, even if some prominent lamas support ...
by Josef
Sun Sep 17, 2023 5:45 pm
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: Pointing out instructions
Replies: 168
Views: 6446

Re: Pointing out instructions

I have little doubt that the recording-yana will be quite successful and popular in the future. Everyone is free to choose the path that suits them. Some will choose the path of actual collaboration with living teachers and many will choose what they perceive as easier. Personally, I don't see any ...
by Josef
Sun Sep 17, 2023 5:13 pm
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: Pointing out instructions
Replies: 168
Views: 6446

Re: Pointing out instructions

So you think that she is being unintentionally disrespectful of the students' time because she, in this case, teaches in a way that you don't think is actually effective? She is mistaken about how empowerments function and it leads to students thinking they are practicing Dzogchen when they are not...
by Josef
Sun Sep 17, 2023 3:53 pm
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: Pointing out instructions
Replies: 168
Views: 6446

Re: Pointing out instructions

What is "wang"? Also, regarding the other post, are you saying that Lama Lena is disrespecting the tradition by wasting my time? wang is empowerment. The empowerment for entering into the practice of Dzogchen in the rigpai tsal wang. Direct is introduction or pointing out is way of giving...
by Josef
Sun Sep 17, 2023 3:39 pm
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: Pointing out instructions
Replies: 168
Views: 6446

Re: Pointing out instructions

As I said, I asked her, and she says that it can transmit through recordings. I asked here before I knew this, because I wanted to know what others think. Don't overcomplicate this. She also says that wang is “telepathic”, which it definitely is not so it’s not surprising that there is also confusi...
by Josef
Sun Sep 17, 2023 3:35 pm
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: placing attention between subject & 6-sense base?
Replies: 3
Views: 466

Re: placing attention between subject & 6-sense base?

a Dzogchenpa once told me to place attention between the subject (supposed subject?) and the 6-sense base(s) - this may not be an exact quote but it gets the sense of it. by 6-sense base(s) I understood this to mean (or include) the appearances of supposed objects arising through any (all) of the s...
by Josef
Sun Sep 17, 2023 3:27 pm
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: Pointing out instructions
Replies: 168
Views: 6446

Re: Pointing out instructions

The question people should be asking themselves is - did they understand something? Does that understanding, does their experience match up to what practice texts say? You can be metaphorically hit over the head with the initiation vase until your forehead is flat, or if you prefer, have people sho...
by Josef
Sun Sep 17, 2023 3:18 pm
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: Pointing out instructions
Replies: 168
Views: 6446

Re: Pointing out instructions

I haven't said anything that indicates that I don't like how Lama Lena teaches though. The reason I am checking is because I find her style of teaching so compelling. If I didn't care about her teaching at all I wouldn't be asking. Than, sorry i don't get what you are asking. She more than once sta...
by Josef
Sun Sep 17, 2023 5:39 am
Forum: Dzogchen
Topic: Pointing out instructions
Replies: 168
Views: 6446

Re: Pointing out instructions

bowsamic wrote: Sun Sep 17, 2023 4:51 am So to summarise, I am not to even know if I have received pointing out instructions, and should just assume so even if she didn’t say it?
If the purpose and intent is not clearly explained and not live then no, you have not received the empowerment in question.

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