The Crystal and the Way of Light - Blog Post by Namdrol
The Crystal and the Way of Light - Blog Post by Namdrol
For those that don't follow Namdrol's Dzogchen Blog, he made a great post on Namkhai Norbu's book "The Crystal and the Way of Light":
If you are really intelligent, you will understand the meaning of this title automatically and need nothing further. When I first read this book, back in 1987, back in the days of the Harmonic Convergence and so on, I had no clue what it meant, I was suspicious that it might be some new age book. And when I first read about "self-liberation" I was confused since I thought this was a book about Tibetan Buddhism. Well, I have learned a lot since then.
Read More Here...
If you are really intelligent, you will understand the meaning of this title automatically and need nothing further. When I first read this book, back in 1987, back in the days of the Harmonic Convergence and so on, I had no clue what it meant, I was suspicious that it might be some new age book. And when I first read about "self-liberation" I was confused since I thought this was a book about Tibetan Buddhism. Well, I have learned a lot since then.
Read More Here...
- How foolish you are,
grasping the letter of the text and ignoring its intention!
- Vasubandhu
Re: The Crystal and the Way of Light - Blog Post by Namdrol
mr. gordo wrote:For those that don't follow Namdrol's Dzogchen Blog, he made a great post on Namkhai Norbu's book "The Crystal and the Way of Light":
If you are really intelligent, you will understand the meaning of this title automatically and need nothing further. When I first read this book, back in 1987, back in the days of the Harmonic Convergence and so on, I had no clue what it meant, I was suspicious that it might be some new age book. And when I first read about "self-liberation" I was confused since I thought this was a book about Tibetan Buddhism. Well, I have learned a lot since then.
Read More Here...
I find it very hard to take Malcom seriously. This blog posting doesn't disappoint in that regard. I have a casual interest in Dzogchen, so I hoped Mal's post might shed a little light about the book, but alas he spends more time talking about the author than the book's content, or so it seems.
Mal also demonstrates a level of intellectual snobery I find difficult to deal with at times. "If you are really intelligent, you will understand ..." ??????? Are you kidding, Mal? Does that mean if we don't get it, then we're "really stupid"?
Thanks for the post, gordo, but it didn't exactly light my fire, y'know?
Re: The Crystal and the Way of Light - Blog Post by Namdrol
Nah, I hear ya Chaz...different strokes for different folks. Personally I wish he would come back to posting in forums as I think he has a wealth of information. Too bad he doesn't post more in his Sakya blog.
- How foolish you are,
grasping the letter of the text and ignoring its intention!
- Vasubandhu
Re: The Crystal and the Way of Light - Blog Post by Namdrol
Though Mr. Gordo said it was about Chogyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche's book, IMO it was actually more intended to be about Chogyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche, i.e. that it's a good idea to get teachings from him.Chaz wrote:I find it very hard to take Malcom seriously. This blog posting doesn't disappoint in that regard. I have a casual interest in Dzogchen, so I hoped Mal's post might shed a little light about the book, but alas he spends more time talking about the author than the book's content, or so it seems.
I think it was inspired by His recent health problems but you'd have to ask Malcolm.
Haha, perhaps that is true but you also seem to be kind of a touchy fellow.Mal also demonstrates a level of intellectual snobery I find difficult to deal with at times.
No, just not really intelligent. I don't know why that's so hard to accept, most of us aren't really intelligent. And intelligence here IMO means capacity (to understand teachings). It's said that those of highest capacity can understand/know the whole teaching just by reading the title."If you are really intelligent, you will understand ..." ??????? Are you kidding, Mal? Does that mean if we don't get it, then we're "really stupid"?
edit: Almost forgot. About the book, it was the first book on Dzogchen I've ever read. To this day I think I haven't read a more easily readable (and perhaps understandable) book on Dzogchen. I've read it three times so far, and surprisingly each time I seem to learn something new.
Although many individuals in this age appear to be merely indulging their worldly desires, one does not have the capacity to judge them, so it is best to train in pure vision.
- Shabkar
- Shabkar
Re: The Crystal and the Way of Light - Blog Post by Namdrol
This kind expression is actually very traditional in Tibetan Buddhism -- Tibetan commentaries often begin with something like "those of highest capacity will understand the meaning from only the title, the middling ones only need an outline, and for the rest of you folks I'm gonna to go through the text syllable by syllable."Chaz wrote:[Mal also demonstrates a level of intellectual snobery I find difficult to deal with at times. "If you are really intelligent, you will understand ..." ??????? Are you kidding, Mal?
R
Re: The Crystal and the Way of Light - Blog Post by Namdrol
Of course it also shows up not just in Tibetan Buddhism, but Mahayana and Theravada lineages as well. The Buddha taught different discourses to many people depending upon their capacities.ratna wrote:This kind expression is actually very traditional in Tibetan Buddhism -- Tibetan commentaries often begin with something like "those of highest capacity will understand the meaning from only the title, the middling ones only need an outline, and for the rest of you folks I'm gonna to go through the text syllable by syllable."Chaz wrote:[Mal also demonstrates a level of intellectual snobery I find difficult to deal with at times. "If you are really intelligent, you will understand ..." ??????? Are you kidding, Mal?
R
- How foolish you are,
grasping the letter of the text and ignoring its intention!
- Vasubandhu
Re: The Crystal and the Way of Light - Blog Post by Namdrol
Chaz wrote: Pero: Yeah, I can be a bit touchy, but even if I thought you're really stupid, I'd try real hard to not confront you with it.
Although many individuals in this age appear to be merely indulging their worldly desires, one does not have the capacity to judge them, so it is best to train in pure vision.
- Shabkar
- Shabkar
Re: The Crystal and the Way of Light - Blog Post by Namdrol
ratna wrote:This kind expression is actually very traditional in Tibetan Buddhism -- Tibetan commentaries often begin with something like "those of highest capacity will understand the meaning from only the title, the middling ones only need an outline, and for the rest of you folks I'm gonna to go through the text syllable by syllable."Chaz wrote:[Mal also demonstrates a level of intellectual snobery I find difficult to deal with at times. "If you are really intelligent, you will understand ..." ??????? Are you kidding, Mal?
R
Sorry ratna, but I don't think that capacity and intelligence are the same thing.
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Re: The Crystal and the Way of Light - Blog Post by Namdrol
Malcolm is being self-depracating here, not lofty or arrogant at all. He explains that someone who has the capacity/intelligence may easily grasp the message conveyed by the title, and then explains that he did not and was suspicious and confused.mr. gordo wrote:For those that don't follow Namdrol's Dzogchen Blog, he made a great post on Namkhai Norbu's book "The Crystal and the Way of Light":
If you are really intelligent, you will understand the meaning of this title automatically and need nothing further. When I first read this book, back in 1987, back in the days of the Harmonic Convergence and so on, I had no clue what it meant, I was suspicious that it might be some new age book. And when I first read about "self-liberation" I was confused since I thought this was a book about Tibetan Buddhism. Well, I have learned a lot since then.
Read More Here...
I have had few dealings with Malcolm but his advice has always been excellent.
If I were a Dzogchen practitioner and he recommended a text or a teacher I would want to discover more.
Left
Re: The Crystal and the Way of Light - Blog Post by Namdrol
Great blog post by Namdrol on a very special book. My first Dzogchen text. It was a light when it appeared as most of the translations existing at that time was "very dry", to say the least. Reading it you got a distinct feeling that realization was actually in the palm of our hand. It inspired and confused me. Still does in a sense.mr. gordo wrote:For those that don't follow Namdrol's Dzogchen Blog, he made a great post on Namkhai Norbu's book "The Crystal and the Way of Light":
If you are really intelligent, you will understand the meaning of this title automatically and need nothing further. When I first read this book, back in 1987, back in the days of the Harmonic Convergence and so on, I had no clue what it meant, I was suspicious that it might be some new age book. And when I first read about "self-liberation" I was confused since I thought this was a book about Tibetan Buddhism. Well, I have learned a lot since then.
Read More Here...
/magnus
"We are all here to help each other go through this thing, whatever it is."
~Kurt Vonnegut
"The principal practice is Guruyoga. But we need to understand that any secondary practice combined with Guruyoga becomes a principal practice." ChNNR (Teachings on Thun and Ganapuja)
~Kurt Vonnegut
"The principal practice is Guruyoga. But we need to understand that any secondary practice combined with Guruyoga becomes a principal practice." ChNNR (Teachings on Thun and Ganapuja)
Re: The Crystal and the Way of Light - Blog Post by Namdrol
Sorry Yeshe, but I must disagree. Over the years Malcom has shown me enough to be fairly certain that he wasn't just kidding around.Yeshe wrote:Malcolm is being self-depracating here, not lofty or arrogant at all.mr. gordo wrote:For those that don't follow Namdrol's Dzogchen Blog, he made a great post on Namkhai Norbu's book "The Crystal and the Way of Light":
If you are really intelligent, you will understand the meaning of this title automatically and need nothing further. When I first read this book, back in 1987, back in the days of the Harmonic Convergence and so on, I had no clue what it meant, I was suspicious that it might be some new age book. And when I first read about "self-liberation" I was confused since I thought this was a book about Tibetan Buddhism. Well, I have learned a lot since then.
Read More Here...
I've had a few dealings with him myself, but I can't say I share your appraisal. That's ok though. As gordo pointed out, different strokes ....I have had few dealings with Malcolm but his advice has always been excellent.
My own guru is a Dzogchen master so I don't need Malcom's endorement of any Dzogchen teaching, but that said, I wouldn't mind picking up a copy of that book and reading it sometime.If I were a Dzogchen practitioner and he recommended a text or a teacher I would want to discover more.
Re: The Crystal and the Way of Light - Blog Post by Namdrol
I just looked it up and the term in Tibetan for a person of lesser capacity is skyes bu chung ba, which means "lesser person" or "person of inferior scope". That term is short for skyes bu chung ba'i blo, which means "the person of lesser mental capacity".Chaz wrote: Sorry ratna, but I don't think that capacity and intelligence are the same thing.
Although many individuals in this age appear to be merely indulging their worldly desires, one does not have the capacity to judge them, so it is best to train in pure vision.
- Shabkar
- Shabkar
-
- Posts: 1967
- Joined: Fri Sep 04, 2009 5:23 pm
Re: The Crystal and the Way of Light - Blog Post by Namdrol
We must all make our decisions based on what we know.
In my case I always reserve the right to change my opinions. LOL
In my case I always reserve the right to change my opinions. LOL
Left
Re: The Crystal and the Way of Light - Blog Post by Namdrol
Malcom was speaking English as I recall.Pero wrote:I just looked it up and the term in Tibetan for a person of lesser capacity <snip>Chaz wrote: Sorry ratna, but I don't think that capacity and intelligence are the same thing.
Re: The Crystal and the Way of Light - Blog Post by Namdrol
That's for sure, for the past week I've been bugging him so much about Tibetan that I've got two pages of emails in my inbox filled with his name and though I was getting a little worried he's going to say to stop bugging him or that he doesn't have time, he hasn't said a word. Not yet anyway haha.heart wrote:and actually quite generous.
Although many individuals in this age appear to be merely indulging their worldly desires, one does not have the capacity to judge them, so it is best to train in pure vision.
- Shabkar
- Shabkar
Re: The Crystal and the Way of Light - Blog Post by Namdrol
LOL, yes he was, but you said you think capacity and intelligence aren't the same thing. I thought it was interesting and wondered what is it called in Tibetan. Mental capacity. To me that seems more or less the same as intelligence.Chaz wrote:Malcom was speaking English as I recall.Pero wrote:I just looked it up and the term in Tibetan for a person of lesser capacity <snip>Chaz wrote: Sorry ratna, but I don't think that capacity and intelligence are the same thing.
Although many individuals in this age appear to be merely indulging their worldly desires, one does not have the capacity to judge them, so it is best to train in pure vision.
- Shabkar
- Shabkar
Re: The Crystal and the Way of Light - Blog Post by Namdrol
Ok, I hear that. I think capacity has more to do with a predisposition towards certain things. Not everyone connects with the Mahayana. I see that as a reflection on an individual's capacity. I know a lot of VERY intelligent people who simply don't get Buddhism. At all. That doesn't make them any less intelligent. Some people get it and some people don't. Some people can't do visualization practices. It's not because they're not intelligent enough or hopelessly stupid. Some people simply have no capacity for such things.Pero wrote:LOL, yes he was, but you said you think capacity and intelligence aren't the same thing. I thought it was interesting and wondered what is it called in Tibetan. Mental capacity. To me that seems more or less the same as intelligence.Chaz wrote:Malcom was speaking English as I recall.Pero wrote: I just looked it up and the term in Tibetan for a person of lesser capacity <snip>
That's kind how I view capacity vs intelligence.
Re: The Crystal and the Way of Light - Blog Post by Namdrol
Yes, it is a classic book!heart wrote:Great blog post by Namdrol on a very special book. My first Dzogchen text. It was a light when it appeared as most of the translations existing at that time was "very dry", to say the least. Reading it you got a distinct feeling that realization was actually in the palm of our hand. It inspired and confused me. Still does in a sense.mr. gordo wrote:For those that don't follow Namdrol's Dzogchen Blog, he made a great post on Namkhai Norbu's book "The Crystal and the Way of Light":
If you are really intelligent, you will understand the meaning of this title automatically and need nothing further. When I first read this book, back in 1987, back in the days of the Harmonic Convergence and so on, I had no clue what it meant, I was suspicious that it might be some new age book. And when I first read about "self-liberation" I was confused since I thought this was a book about Tibetan Buddhism. Well, I have learned a lot since then.
Read More Here...
/magnus
- How foolish you are,
grasping the letter of the text and ignoring its intention!
- Vasubandhu
Re: The Crystal and the Way of Light - Blog Post by Namdrol
This is actually a play on the traditional introduction of a Tibetan text. The texts often say that for students of the highest acumen the title conveys all of the meaning. It has nothing to do with snobbery.Chaz wrote:mr. gordo wrote:For those that don't follow Namdrol's Dzogchen Blog, he made a great post on Namkhai Norbu's book "The Crystal and the Way of Light":
If you are really intelligent, you will understand the meaning of this title automatically and need nothing further. When I first read this book, back in 1987, back in the days of the Harmonic Convergence and so on, I had no clue what it meant, I was suspicious that it might be some new age book. And when I first read about "self-liberation" I was confused since I thought this was a book about Tibetan Buddhism. Well, I have learned a lot since then.
Read More Here...
I find it very hard to take Malcom seriously. This blog posting doesn't disappoint in that regard. I have a casual interest in Dzogchen, so I hoped Mal's post might shed a little light about the book, but alas he spends more time talking about the author than the book's content, or so it seems.
Mal also demonstrates a level of intellectual snobery I find difficult to deal with at times. "If you are really intelligent, you will understand ..." ??????? Are you kidding, Mal? Does that mean if we don't get it, then we're "really stupid"?
Thanks for the post, gordo, but it didn't exactly light my fire, y'know?
"All phenomena of samsara depend on the mind, so when the essence of mind is purified, samsara is purified. Since the phenomena of nirvana depend on the pristine consciousness of vidyā, because one remains in the immediacy of vidyā, buddhahood arises on its own. All critical points are summarized with those two." - Longchenpa
Re: The Crystal and the Way of Light - Blog Post by Namdrol
from the blog:
"If you are a Theravadin, Dzogchen seems similar to Vipassana, if you are a Vajrayanist, Dzogchen seems similar to Mahamudra. If you are Zen pracitioner, Dzogchen seems similar to Zen. If you are a Mahayanist, Dzogchen seems similar to Madhyamaka and so on."
Seems to me very good
"If you are a Theravadin, Dzogchen seems similar to Vipassana, if you are a Vajrayanist, Dzogchen seems similar to Mahamudra. If you are Zen pracitioner, Dzogchen seems similar to Zen. If you are a Mahayanist, Dzogchen seems similar to Madhyamaka and so on."
Seems to me very good