Rejoicing is always good. As a practitioner I rejoice if I hear of one person teaching or being taught the Dharma.
Then how can we make it better?
The absolute numbers of Members or attendees at events are one measure.
Those who actually received a valid Direct Introduction are a different measure.
Only a Dzogchen Master can determine that.
So it is clear that if the new initiates continue and take the course then the absolute number people are happy.
It is clear that if the new initiates attend this course then the SMS Instructors are happy.
It is clear that if the new initiates don’t have any other Direct Introduction to compare with then they are happy.
So maybe “rejoice” is appropriate.
OR
Maybe it would be possible to allow that the World Wide Transmission includes an introduction from the Spirit of Rinpoche or from the collective of the living practitioners who are attending the Worldwide Transmission.
Then many more would get the benefit.
It is clear that Yeshi does not want to take responsibility for the education of the newcomers and the Lung reading requirements of ChNN.
So it is clear that any help that the newcomers can get is of benefit to them.
What about the other 7 billion who might benefit from receiving the precious Dharma Teachings?
A valid Direct Introduction is one which allows the recipient to have confidence that they have received it.
Ordinary mind stops (even if you do not want it to) - and a new way of seeing / being starts. This is different for everyone, but also has similar characteristics for everyone.
Everything after a valid Direct Introduction is the same as before but now informed by luminous clarity where the intellectual mind is at rest and at peace. A valid Direct Introduction introduces the recipient to a new form of non-dual consciousness (instant presence) where the intellect need not function and where thoughts dissolve as they arise. You need not follow your thoughts. This is new and different.
You are no longer in Kansas anymore.
There are many books about the qualities of Dzogchen starting with explanations of spontaneous arising and pure from the beginning. Google ”Dzogchen.”
These books and the 120+ Secondary Practices as taught by ChNN in over 650 retreats are the intellectual and experiential field in which the Direct Introduction experience has a context and is explained - and then developed through the practices.
Going back to the other 7 billion, wouldn’t it be nice if the World Wide Transmission (WWT) of Garab Dorje also was considered a valid Direct Introduction by the powers that be within the IDC? Wouldn't it be nice if those newcomers who could not attend the recent Direct Introduction at Merigar could also attend this teaching?
The role of the Master could be filled by taking the Direct Introduction from the spirit of the Master or by taking the Direct Introduction from the collective of the living lineage holders of the IDC who are attending the WWT. Maybe Yeshi or an "Enlightened Student" could attend the WWT and fulfill the role of the Master.
The key point – again and with joyful resonance, is that there needs to be a regular and easy source receiving valid Direct Introduction and Lung Reading Authorizations within the Dzogchen Community if it is to continue.