Question on certain practices

[Virgo]

Hello,

This question is about Dzogchen practices that some teachers seem to be giving out very freely these days. For example Geshe Tenzing Wangyal Rinpoche has a series on the Three Spaces of Dzogchen here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnk-eFMf40E&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCr9oHaaSM0&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sBt4tFQlp8&feature=relmfu

He also gives some other teachings out like this, for example The Fivefold Teaching of Dawa Gyaltsen (mind series), as well tsa lung practices (not the same as tummo in this case).

Now I know that Geshe-la is a Bonpo teacher (He says Bon-Buddhist), but other Buddhist teachers do this as well (such as Lama Surya Das).

My question is it harmful for people who have received Dzogchen pointing out instructions from other teachers to freely do these practices as they see fit, based off these materials? Or is that harmful?

These lamas don't seem to mind that people do them, even before getting the pointing out instructions live.

Also, does people doing these practices who have not had transmission dilute their efficiency in any way (for those who have had the nature of the mind pointed to them)?

I have a ton of respect for both the teachers I mentioned above, and I am NOT criticizing them in any way. I am just asking questions. I'd like to make that clear.

Thanks,

Kevin

[heart]

Geshe Tenzin Wangyal used to teach in the DC. The style of the Bonpo these days seems to be to hold nothing back since it is very bad times for the Bon religion.

All old practitioners that I talk with say that Surya Das is a nice guy but they sincerely doubt that he have been told by his teachers to teach Dzogchen.

Doing these practices without getting them from someone you trust as a Guru is meaningless, transmission is everything in Vajrayana.

/magnus

[Virgo]

OK. Thanks magnus.

Continued comments by all welcome of course.

Kevin