Tögal for dzogchen beginners?

[muni]

Master-student is often misunderstood. The idea about appearances is easy rejected.

Bodhichitta.

To avoid "people" get discouraged, lose trust, run in idea, in percieving thoughts, to give full opportunity, check experience....to ensure awakening as dream about cannot awaken...

Thinking thought don't know.

*BODHICHITTA*

[White Lotus]

dont know is as natural as know! you cannot ever leave your natural state and so not knowing is only part of the natural state.

how can you attain what comes naturally to you... pointless.

relax!

[Pastabodhi]

If you read the book a little more closely, Thrangu Rinpoche says on p.205, "If you want to do any of these types of practices then you should get instruction from a lama and meditate according to their instructions. If you just do it on your own without any instructions, it will not be easy and you will have many difficulties and problems". I don't see how he could have said it any more clearly.

may be it's true, but let's also admit that it's the classical Tibetan approach of "never without a master" ... a bit like "I am an absolute ignorant, ..."

Could we accept that nowadays, with the important existing litterature and the accessibility of open teachings, it could be otherwise?

Sönam

Sure! They call it : new age.
Just a big waste of time.

[Sönam]

If you read the book a little more closely, Thrangu Rinpoche says on p.205, "If you want to do any of these types of practices then you should get instruction from a lama and meditate according to their instructions. If you just do it on your own without any instructions, it will not be easy and you will have many difficulties and problems". I don't see how he could have said it any more clearly.

may be it's true, but let's also admit that it's the classical Tibetan approach of "never without a master" ... a bit like "I am an absolute ignorant, ..."

Could we accept that nowadays, with the important existing litterature and the accessibility of open teachings, it could be otherwise?

Sönam

Sure! They call it : new age.
Just a big waste of time.

this is an opinion, Dzogchen better recommend openness ... it always has been such type of opinion, We use to call it old age

Sönam

In essential reality, which lacks all bias and partiality,
view, empowerment, mandala and mantra-recitation are absent,
and levels, paths, commitment, training and progress are unimaged;
all are wide open, unfounded, boundless vastness,
everything embraced by pure-mind reality.
- Longchen Rabjam -

[Pastabodhi]

Dzogchen better recommend a real Guru. "Guru" stands for: guru-disciple relationship.

[Karma Dondrup Tashi]

this is an opinion, Dzogchen better recommend openness ... it always has been such type of opinion, We use to call it old age

Sönam

In essential reality, which lacks all bias and partiality,
view, empowerment, mandala and mantra-recitation are absent,
and levels, paths, commitment, training and progress are unimaged;
all are wide open, unfounded, boundless vastness,
everything embraced by pure-mind reality.
- Longchen Rabjam -

It's a weird position to take especially for an experienced practitioner. If I want to learn piano or karate how can I really do that from a book? I need a teacher.

[Sönam]

I was anwering to our friend Pastabodhi, who apparently did'nt took time to read all what I wrote ...

I do not disagree on the advantage of the master in descovering our true nature ... I simply disagree with those that repeat automatically that same litany, "you cannot discover ..." how do they know if they simply think so?

Sönam

and that's why I cited Longchen Rabjam

If you follow the discussion post after post, you certainly would'nt found that so weird ... what is often more weird is the antique chorus repeating, without real self understanding, words just like a motto.

as an exemple, Django Reinhardt did prove it's also possible without a teacher ...

Sönam

[Karma Dondrup Tashi]

as an exemple, Django Reinhardt did prove it's also possible without a teacher ...

What happens to direct introduction in this scenario?

[Inge]

If you read the book a little more closely, Thrangu Rinpoche says on p.205, "If you want to do any of these types of practices then you should get instruction from a lama and meditate according to their instructions. If you just do it on your own without any instructions, it will not be easy and you will have many difficulties and problems". I don't see how he could have said it any more clearly.

This I think refers to the other practiced mentioned above your quote in the text, as the next sentence states: "In contrast to these other practices, Khenpo Gangshar's instructions are concise and easy to follow."

[Silent Bob]

If you read the book a little more closely, Thrangu Rinpoche says on p.205, "If you want to do any of these types of practices then you should get instruction from a lama and meditate according to their instructions. If you just do it on your own without any instructions, it will not be easy and you will have many difficulties and problems". I don't see how he could have said it any more clearly.

This I think refers to the other practiced mentioned above your quote in the text, as the next sentence states: "In contrast to these other practices, Khenpo Gangshar's instructions are concise and easy to follow."

You may be right. I just re-read a transcript of his teachings in Vancouver, 9/2008, where Rinpoche gave more complete instructions on togal and he didn't say anything about "difficulties and problems".

[padma norbu]

fax me that transcript, would ye?

[Silent Bob]

"Restricted Distribution"

[padma norbu]

you've passed the test. now, it is okay to fax it to me.

[Sönam]

as an exemple, Django Reinhardt did prove it's also possible without a teacher ...

What happens to direct introduction in this scenario?

?? ... it's your own comparison, "If I want to learn piano or karate how can I really do that from a book? I need a teacher"

Sönam

[Pema Rigdzin]

as an exemple, Django Reinhardt did prove it's also possible without a teacher ...

What happens to direct introduction in this scenario?

It's helpful, but not necessarily even needed. Apparently, one fine day one may just spontaneously glimpse the true nature of primordial guitar chops and become one bad-ass guitar player. Not sure if one recognizes knowledge of one's natural state, let alone attains stability in it, though... which is a bummer.

[Sönam]

many intelligent peoples those days, having right opinions ... they know a lot! thank's for their unlightened views.

Sönam

[booker]

as an exemple, Django Reinhardt did prove it's also possible without a teacher ...

Really, are we limited to one life only?

Well also Buddha Shakyamuni proved it's possible without a teacher (in terms He discovered what none of teachers of His time known) however as far cumulation of merit&wisdom goes, he could not do what He did if in the past he didn't do what he did (and as far stories of Him goes, he was a student of a Buddha in some past life). Or in other versions He was already enlightened aeons before He manifested as Shakyamuni in our era.

So, it's a no - somehow we need the Master. And if someone has glimpses of true nature not even knowing what Buddhadharma is, such things are the results of a practice or an encounter with enlightned teachings in the past lifes.

At least this is if we assume a thingy called karma

[Pastabodhi]

antique chorus rocks!

[Sönam]

antique chorus rocks!

happy it pleased you

Sönam

[Dechen Norbu]

Is it possible for an interested dzogchen beginner like me to practice tögal?

The context and the question are themselves the answer. You ask it in a public Buddhist forum, to people you know little or nothing about, while saying you are a beginner. There's no need to argue about this. The definitive answer is no. Practicing togal before one is ready only brings trouble. So, back to the drawing board...