When I was a kid, I had to walk 10 km to school, barefoot and uphill in both direction, while knee deep in snow.justsit wrote: ↑Sat Apr 29, 2023 8:55 pmHow badly do you want the teachings?
Since most of us here do not have the merit to have access to a Dzogchen master when it's convenient. we must make some sacrifices. I'm guessing many here know people who have quit their jobs and moved across country, or made a 10 hour drive after working all day, or spent a fortune to stay for three days in NYC, or flown halfway around the world to get to a teaching or receive a blessing.
Obstacles - sometimes big ones - will arise, it's part of our karma. If you really, really want a guru, you may have to climb some metaphorical mountains to find them.
Why add artificial obstacles that can be avoided like time zone conflict?
Being tired, getting up after 3 h of sleep or pulling a 24h day etc wont improve my ability to observe nor absorb the teachings. It also wont make the teachings more "true" for me. Or me more dedicated.
People love to brag about how they made themselves suffer and how they made a massive sacrifice to get something they thought they want. I am sure many think that this demonstrates their dedication (and secretly strokes their ego). If that's what keeps someone motivated to stick with what ever they got after all that drama, more power to them. I just do not buy that "philosophy".
I am sure they enjoyed the penthouse suite at The Mark.