A teaching by Orgyen Topgyal Rinpoche given at Yanglesho, the Asura cave where Guru Rinpoche gained the 4th Vidyadhara level of accomplishment. For us as Nyingmapas, Guru Rinpoche is the embodiment of all sources of refuge. He is the emanation of all the buddhas of the past, regent of all the buddhas of the present,

– Excerpted from the introduction to A Marvelous Garland of Rare Gems, in which Sogyal Rinpoche recounted the teachings of Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche. In the case of the Dzogchen Teachings, and the great oral lineage of pith instructions, from the time of the great primordial buddha until today, the lineage has continued unbroken and unimpaired.

“One who is in harmony with emptiness is in harmony with all things.” – Nagarjuna I never really thought I had intellectual prowess, something I assumed was needed to study things like calculus, physics, and Madhyamika. But when I first studied the ninth chapter of the Way of the Bodhisattva with Rinpoche at Naropa, a

The prevalence of technology in modern society presents us with a dilemma: the more dependent we become, the greater the chances that we begin to see technology as a sort of savior, as something that will become our ultimate friend, our source of joy and comfort. Our love affair with technology increases day by day,

As human beings, we naturally desire to be happy and free from suffering. In America, this desire translates into an expectation of guaranteed rights: the right to happiness, prosperity, freedom, and so forth. This guarantee of rights is just another idealistic view, and it fosters much resentment among Americans. For instance, we automatically assume we

There are two types of power. The first type of power is natural power, or things as they are. “Things as they are” means that there are naturally occurring relationships between all phenomena. For instance, if you pour water on a fire, the fire will go out. You do not need to add anything to

In spiritual communities, just as in society, there are different views, different personalities, and so conflicts do occur. Reflecting on this fact, and how harmony within the sangha leads to harmony within society, maybe we can address how to work with those examples. First to say, as much as we are American, as much as

Wherever we go, we carry this “bigness” of ourselves, this huge persona and all that comes along with it. We are not ready to give up anything, or let go of anything – whether it is our aggression, our pride, our critical mind, or any of the things that make up our persona and our

How do we die with grace? This is a very important question for all of us. I am not a hospice worker but I have stayed with several friends and loved ones as they moved on, and each time I felt deeply touched and inspired by the courage and wisdom I witnessed in their passing.

As we discussed earlier, when speaking of the ego, and developing self-awareness of the ego and its effects, we need to “produce the remedy at the source.” We can do that by learning to let go, and especially letting go of this drive to feel special, with the ego wanting more and more. People who