Andrew108 wrote:Well if monktastic hadn't talked about these things then we wouldn't have had such an interesting and open discussion.
The trouble is, monktastic didn't want 'an interesting and open discussion'. He wanted a piece of useful advice on what probably is the most important issue in Dzogchen/Mahamudra practice - a piece of applicable advice that would put an end to his confusion and clarify to him that which is essential.
Andrew108 wrote:All views are presented and subtly elaborated upon and further understanding has come about for all sides.
You're surely joking.
What 'understanding has come about for all sides'? What 'sides'?
In such a situation as monktastic's is, discussions only make everything more confusing and unclear; the best one can hope is that he's discovered the futility of asking such questions on open forums.
Anyway, what good could such a discussion bring at all? Pointing-out and that which is pointed out are not a matter for discussions or debates. Intellectual play like that is a breach of our samaya.
Andrew108 wrote:If someone is making a mistake then it should be pointed out. No one is trying to be a teacher.
Well if you feel you should point out other practitioners' mistakes, who do you try to be if not a teacher?
Andrew108 wrote:Some students know more than others and are unafraid to pass on their experience. It may seem arrogant to you but their is no fear in confidence.
And how do they know their experience is valuable to other practitioners? How do they know that in this respect their confidence isn't ill-placed or mistaken?
Andrew108 wrote:These days people have to spell out their qualifications in terms of time spent practicing. I don't like this because new students get discouraged and think that they are somehow less able to realize the natural state. The idea is that the natural state is developed in practice over years and years.
The idea is that the familiarity with, and the ability to rest in, the natural state are developed in practice over years and years.
Andrew108 wrote:As for me well I have been studying and practicing sutra mahamudra and madhyamaka for the last 25 years under one of the greatest Khenpos ever. I have been practicing dzogchen for the last three years under the guidance of one of the greatest Dzogchen masters of this day. So I am hardly unqualified and at each step of my journey I have honestly been as uncontrived and open as possible.
Of course you are unqualified to give advice to others on recognising the natural state! You'll be qualified to instruct people on such matters when and only when ChNN (he's your guru, right?) tells us you can do so, as simple as that. Until then you're just as unqualified as monktastic - or yours truly.