Important Message from the Tsegyalgar East Gakyil Inviting Participation in a Webex Review of Tsegyalgar East's Five-year Strategic Plan

Dear Vajra Brothers and Sisters,

Warm greetings from the Tsegyalgar East Gakyil. We have been working hard at putting together programs for 2017, and thinking more about Our longer term future.
We are writing to invite you to learn more about a strategic plan we have drafted that includes a vision for the next 5 years. The goal of our vision is to grow and develop our Gar. This will include increasing our visibility and membership, further developing self-sustainability, and seeing through to the completion of many ongoing projects.

We invite you, members of Tsegyalgar East, to SIGN UP for a Webex (web conferencing software) session in which we can share the Strategic Plan with you. It is our intention that we provide an overview and you can decide your part in its implementation.
Collaborating together, we can help to realize Rinpoche’s vision for Tsegyalgar East and the International Dzogchen Community. Please click link to SIGN UP for Webex session.

Thank you,Tsegyalgar East Gakyil

May 5-7, 2017 - A Meditative Approach to Creativity with Tibetan Calligraphy Artist Tashi Mannox

Renowned calligrapher and artist Tashi Mannox will present an interactive workshop where participants bring their hand and heart of awareness while creating an ensō* and selected seed syllables**. Tashi will explain the historical and contemporary sacred integrity of Tibetan calligraphy and mark-making, and how to unite heaven and earth though the creative process of spiritual practice in art - as a means of liberating the mind.

The unique nature of this weekend workshop which is co-sponsored by Shang Shung Institute and Khandroling Paper Cooperative, is to realize the perfection in the imperfection, with an attitude of non expectation and fearlessness through creativity. Anybody can attend and does not need previous artistic experience as a calligrapher. 

Some paper, ink and brushes provided.

*an ensō is a disciplined-creative practice of traditional Japanese Zen ink painting, a circle that is hand-drawn in one uninhibited brushstroke to express a moment when the mind is free to let the body create.

**Seed Syllables Link

Wrathful HUM by Tashi Mannox

WORKSHOP FEE: $225***
Dormitory option at $30 a night in the Yellow Schoolhouse
***Some work exchanges may be possible for teacher care, set-up and clean-up, registration, Airport pick and departure for Tashi, and cooking.

SCHEDULE
Friday Night, May 5th, 2017-- Book Signing and Reception-- 5:30-7:30 PM
On the evening of Friday, May 5th, a public reception and book signing of Tashi’s new publication 'Sacred Scripts' - A Meditative Journey through Tibetan Calligraphy - illuminating the beauty of the various and endangered Tibetan scripts, through inspiring, if not thought provoking Buddhist quotes and Buddha images. Endorsed by H.H Dalai Lama. 

Saturday, May 6, 2017 --
Class 9:30 -12:30 PM (tea break)
Lunch Break 12:30 PM--1:30 PM (usually pot luck)
Class 1:30-5 PM (Tea Break)Dinner -Catered Tibetan style (donation requested) at the schoolhouse 

Optional: for those interested Khandroling Paper Cooperative will give a hands on introduction to papermaking after dinner.


Sunday, May 7, 2017
Same as Saturday through 5:00 PM
Dinner TBA local restaurant

SPECIAL EVENT: Monday, May 8, 2017
In the Khandroling Paper Studio with Tashi to make calligraphy PAPER using sacred texts and substances added to traditional Asian fibers. Limited to 6 people. This is a very special event. Please apply early. By donation. 


LOCATION:
Tsegyalgar East
18 Schoolhouse Road
Conway, MA 01341

CONTACTS:
For further information about work exchanges and papermaking option contact, Jacqueline at jacqueline.gens@gmail.com or 413-522-1125

To reserve space in the Tsegyalgar East dormitory, contact Jeremy at geko@tsegyalgar.org

For registration information,  contact the SSI at caroline@shangshung.org

Collaboration: Manifestation of our Realization by Diane Kramer

Photo by Fred Klarer

The following article is reprinted from the Mirror, Issue 134, December 2016

In this article, we explore the importance of collaboration as both a necessary tool for community and individual evolution, and a marker pointing out our progress - or lack of it - toward realization.


As members of the International Dzogchen Community, all together we represent Rinpoche’s mandala. The Community purpose is to help all members experience, stabilize and integrate with their authentic condition, the Dzogchen state, through the transmission, dissemination, preservation and practice of our Master’s Dzogchen teachings.

According to Rinpoche, as members realize this state, egotism, attachments and tensions subside. The ability to collaborate increases. A genuine compassion for others arises along with a particular love and respect for our Vajra brothers and sisters, in permanent relationship with us. It is as if we are all in the same boat, and all are working to get to the other side of a big body of water. In this boat, we share a common purpose and through collaboration, we can do everything needed to reach our goals.


However, all becomes difficult when our common purpose becomes background, personal problems become foreground and we stop collaborating. Rinpoche: “The aim of travelling is arriving somewhere beyond that ocean. How then can they succeed? They must collaborate with each other, but if, after just two days of travelling on the ocean of samsara, they start fighting with each other and creating many problems, then they can never cross the ocean. So each person is responsible for the journey of everyone else; which means that each one has his or her commitment toward all the travelers, not only toward
some. “

From what I have been told by a member of the International Gar (personal communication), some of the Gars and Lings are better at collaborating to reach our common purpose than others. In those centers, members hold our common purpose as foreground. When disagreements occur, members work out their differences based on this common purpose. They are not so attached to their views. They find it easy to relax and let go of fixed positions in order to collaborate and work together toward a shared outcome.

What about those centers with more problems and more tensions? Rinpoche tells us: “Whenever there is a problem, the first thing people do is to try to find someone else to blame. They always say, ‘I am innocent. I didn’t do anything wrong. He or she is the guilty one…’ If you are demonstrating that you have a problem with someone but claiming that it was created only by that other person, you should remember the famous teaching of Buddha that everything is interdependent. It is not possible that the other person is guilty and that you are innocent. …the most important thing is to observe yourself to see what you did wrong and what you intend to do instead. There is the possibility to correct and also to change. Even if there are some difficult situations you can modify them… It is extremely important to collaborate and try to be open with each other, communicate and try to help each other.”

Rinpoche goes on to state that at some centers, members discuss and argue and get angry at each other very easily. He says that after a half an hour or one hour, each of us should notice that we were not being respectful. Instead, becoming aware of our own need for respect as an example, we should find ways to pay respect to, and not create problems for, others. What does Rinpoche suggest as solutions when there are too many problems and tensions, instead of collaboration and increased realization?

· Keep our common interest or shared purpose in the foreground as you weigh what is better for the community. Do not take an immovable position.
· Learn to relax tensions and keep an open flexible mind.· When conflict and anger intensifies, do not blame. Instead, turn inward to notice your ego mind and integrate more with your real nature.
· Learn to work with circumstances within the context of shared purpose instead of ego needs. Ego needs include duality needs for control, for approval, for importance and for security.
· Learn to notice your own disrespect for someone and re-establish respect as a way of furthering the shared purpose of evolution to full realization.

At Tsegyalgar East, we are following Rinpoche’s request that our entire Dzogchen community collaborate more and reduce tensions. To this end, the Gakyil has created a five-year Strategic Plan to align all members with our common purpose and direction. The Yellow Gakyil will meet with members in small groups to present the Plan and get feedback.

With this strategy, and others, we expect to experience and demonstrate a higher level of collaboration. We will inform the reader of the results in a later edition of the Mirror.

Diane Kramer is a clinical psychologist specializing in marital therapy, a professor emeritus of psychology (retired after 40 years), and owner and founder of a soon-to-be-launched online self-development platform, called the Extraordinary Self. This is her third year on the Yellow Gakyil as Treasurer. Diane has been a student of Rinpoche since 1992, along with her husband, Fred Klarer. Diane and Fred live on Eatons Neck on Long Island, NY. To reach Diane: dkramer@peakskillslearning.com

Join us for a Presentation of our Conway Rags to Paper Project on February 11, 2017

Please join us for a celebration and presentations for HATCH grant Recipients

WHERE: Buckland Community Center on Main Street in Shelburne Falls, MA
DATE AND TIME: February 11, 2017, 5:30-7:00 PM
Refreshments provided, $5.00 donation requested (soups, snacks, and cash bar)
                                                                                                 
Papermaking is an ancient tradition that is an important base for the evolution of cultures world-wide. Before the advent of modern papermaking from trees, paper was made from natural fibers or rags.

As part of the upcoming Summer 2017 Town of Conway Anniversary, Tsegyalgar East will participate in the 250th Anniversary for the town of Conway in a number of events through Khnadroling Paper Cooperative, Khaita Dance and Shang Shung Institute. For a full list of these events visit, here. 

Khandroling Paper Cooperative will give a public presentation on February 11, 2017 of its Conway Rags to Paper Project for which it received  a HATCH Grant from the Greater Shelburne Falls Business Association and Massachusetts Cultural Council. 

    
The Conway Rags to Paper Project will collect, process, and beat in our Hollander beater cotton rags from Conway residents to create pulp which will then be used in making handmade paper specifically for the 250th anniversary of Conway. This paper will become the base to contain writing by participants and artist members related to the history, stories and personal connection to the town of Conway, which will then be mounted in a variety of formats (ex: scrolls, mural, and folding books,) using various printing methods (stamping, stencil, calligraphy, printing) for exhibition during the three-day anniversary.

The Conway Rags to Paper Project will take place on two Saturdays:

April 29, 2017 - Making Paper with Madeline Liebling
May 13, 2017 - Writing Workshop with Jacqueline Gens

These will be offered free and open to anyone
For full descriptions of these workshops, visit: 

In our FEBRUARY 11, HATCH 2 presentation we will show examples of our handmade paper and text. Please join us for a fun and informative event!

  

    

Worldwide Transmission Explanation for Garab Dorje Transmission

WWT Transmission of Guru Garab Dorje Explanation

with SMS Instructor Lynn Newdome

Explanation Date:
Time: Sunday, March 5th, 7pm EST

Location: Tsegyalgar East, Schoolhouse Gonpa, Conway, MA:
In person and telephone call-in. Explanation is required for first time participants in the World-wide transmission. To learn more about live Worldwide Transmissions three times a year given by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu visit:

here: http://tsegyalgar.org/theteachings/worldwidetransmissions/

RSVP for Call-In Number Open to the public and free. The actual transmission date is March 11, 2017 at 10:00 PM. See our events page for details at : http://tsegyalgar.org/localcenters/tsegyalgareast/tsegyalgareastcale/wwt_spring2017/

Levenkunst Publishes Article by Malcom Smith on a Historical Overview of Chod

The following article  by Malcolm Smith appears in 

Erik Pema Kunsang and Tara Trinley Wangmo's 

Stellar online publication Levenkunst

Widely regarded as an emanation of Prajnaparamita the Great Mother of all the Buddhas, Aryatara, and Kharchen Yeshe Tsogyal, Machig Labdrön rightly takes her place in history beside eleventh and twelfth century Tibetan patriarchs such as Sachen Kunga Nyingpo, Milarepa, Desheg Dampa, Gampopa, and so on. However, she alone is credited with being the mother of an independent stream of Dharma in Tibet inspired by her visions of Tara and other deities. For this reason, Machig Labdrön’s teachings are considered to be unique amongst the eight practice lineages of Tibetan Buddhism. While never forming an independent school, the principles of Machig’s teachings were widely and enthusiastically adopted, especially amongst the Kagyu and Nyingma sects. Colleges for studying Chöd existed in Tibet until 1959, where students would gradually, over many years, first learn the liturgical melodies of Chöd by heart and later learn the instrumentation, dances, and ancillary rites. ---to read more from Malcolm's article, continue to the Levenkunst  here.

This article, written for the First International Chöd-Zhije Conference, initiated by Lama Tsultrim Allione and hosted by Tara Mandala in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, July 12-16th, 2017 by Ācārya Malcolm Smith is ©2017 Malcolm Smith.

Malcolm Smith has been a student of the Great Perfection teachings since 1992. His main Dzogchen teachers are Chogyal Namkhai Norbu and the late Kunzang Dechen Lingpa. He is a veteran of a traditional three-year solitary Tibetan Buddhist retreat, a published translator of Tibetan Buddhist texts, and was awarded the Acharya degree by the Sakya Institute in 2004. He graduated in 2009 from Shang Shung Institute’s School of Tibetan Medicine. He has worked on translations for renowned lamas since 1992, including His Holiness Sakya Trizin, Kyabgön Phakchok Rinpoche, Kunzang Dechen Lingpa, Khenpo Migmar Tseten, Tulku Dakpa Rinpoche, Khenchen Konchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche and many others.

A Video of Uma Shannon Dancing at Nary Mitchell's Memorial in California on Nov. 19, 2016

Uma Shannon dancing to Amazing Grace at John / Nary Mitchell Memorial with Lynn Mitchell (Nary's sister)  singing and a friend playing flute. 




Nary died on September 29, 2016 while working on Khandroling. He lived at Tsegyalgar East for a number of years where he undertook many projects to benefit our community. To read more tributes visit the Mirror at http://melong.com/died-john-nary-mitchell/

A Message from the Tsegyalgar East Gakyil about Renewing Membership for 2017

Dear Tsegyalgar East Members,

On behalf of the TSEGYALGAR East Gakyil and in the spirit of the coming Losar,
we want to thank you all for last year’s  Membership.

Our 2017 MEMBERSHIP Registration is Now Open

Renew 2017 / or become a Member at https://dzogchen.net

Our Membership is one of the fundamental commitment toward Rinpoche and his Dzogchen Teachings and represents Tsegyalgar's lifeblood allowing us to sustain his Teachings in North America. 

A certain portion of everyone’s Membership fee helps cover our annual operating expenses, as well as the cost of organizing programs and the creation and hosting of a whole schedule of events.

You Membership also supports maintaining our Community properties and helps toward developing our Global Dzogchen Center in Dzamling Gar. 

We are asking you to PLEASE renew your Membership today, 
as we are in a budget tightening period. 

2017 membership tiers are adapted as issued by the International Gakyil: 

            • Ordinary: $260 / $21 monthly
            • Global Sustaining: $550 /$45 monthly
            • Global Meritorious: $1650 / $137 monthly

Whenever possible please make full membership payment -
The monthly installment payment are meant to help those of you in financial hardship. 
For Special Case Memberships for those in extreme financial hardship, please apply to the Yellow Gakyil. 

All Members have access to our Retreat Cabins, Dzamling Gar House, Restricted Webcast and  replays, access to restricted files and FREE download of Mirror Newsletter. 

 To renew tour membership visit: https://dzogchen.net

Soon you will be sent a request to sign up to attend an online Webex session for the presentation of our new 5-Year Strategic Plan. We are looking for members to give feedback and to collaborate in many community projects. Please sign up.

With Many Thanks and Gratitude, 

Tsegyalgar East Gakyil
gakyil@tsegylgar.org

Latest Announcement from Tara Mandala about the Historic Chod-Zhiji Conference and Reduced Rates

Announcing additional housing options and reduced camping/commuting rates for the Historic First International Chod-Zhijé Conference July 12-16, 2017. This historic conference will bring together leading scholars and teachers of the unique Tibetan Buddhist lineages of Chöd and Zhijé in their various forms. Practice retreats to follow July 18-23, 2017. The conference is designed for Dharma practitioners as well as those with scholarly interests ... Read more. We are happy to announce additional housing options and reduced camping/commuting rates.* Camping/Commuting: $492 Reduced! Dorm Yurt: $660 Reduced! Student rate: $342 Reduced! Price includes full conference access, camping/commuting, and three meals per day, from dinner on 7/12/17 to lunch on 7/16/17. *Early bird pricing ends March 31, 2017. Confirmed Follow-up Retreats July 18-23, 2017 Registration Coming soon Chöd Retreat: The Ear-Whispered Lineage of Ganden with Kunze Chimed (Mongolian scholar, writer and singer) & Chöying Khandro. Click for more Tibetan Healing Chöd with Drüpon Lama Karma. Click for more With speakers: Lama Tsering Wangdu Rinpoche, Lama Tsultrim Allione, Drüpon Lama Karma, Lama Sarah Harding, Sangye Khandro, Dan Martin PhD, Michael Sheehy PhD, Kunze Chimed, Amelia Hall PhD, Karma Lekshe Tsomo PhD, Michelle Sorensen PhD, Alejandro Chaoul PhD, Naksang Rinpoche, Chöying Khandro, Padma Tsho, Sarah Jacoby PhD, Tina Lang, Ācārya Malcolm Smith and others. Thank you to our sponsors: Shambhala Publications, Tsadra Foundation and Wisdom Publications. For more information, please visit: www.chodhealing.org or email info@taramandala.org

A Message from the Tsegyalgar East Gakyil on Losar Preparations at Tsegyalgar East

Lungta/Prayer Flags on Khandroling

Warm greetings from Tsegyalgar East.  We are nearing the end of the year of the Fire Monkey and beginning to prepare for Tibetan New Year, Losar. Here is a link to a wonderful article by Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo about Losar

Preparing Lungta this weekend

Help prepare the prayer flags we hang at the School house and Khandroling 

The Schoolhouse Lungta

• Sunday January 28 2-4pm at Conway Schoolhouse
• RSVP to Jeremy geko@tsegyalgar.org 

Karma Yoga to prepare for Losar

The following days are auspicious for cleaning. Note the dates we will have organized karma yoga opportunities at the Gar. Please write to Jeremy to coordinate  geko@tsegyalgar.org  on the following dates:

• Sunday, Feb 5 
• Tuesday, Feb 14 and 
• Saturday, Feb 25 cleaning between preparation and eating divination soup

Raising Lungta

The hanging of Lungta/prayer flags is a ver special part of our New Year practice and adds to the beauty and and good fortune of our Gar both at the Schoolhouse and on Khandroling.  We need a few strong people who can help with this action.

• Wednesday, March 1 please write to Jeremy to coordinate geko@tsegyalgar.org 

Click here for the complete Losar schedule

with Love,

The Tsegyalgar East Gakyil and Geko 

Traditional Tibetan Divination Soup

A PDF Download of The Mirror No.134 is Now Available

This December issue of The Mirror brings 2016 in the International Dzogchen Community to a close. It is with great sadness that we publish a tribute to one of the founding members of the IDC and member of the International Gakyil, Enrico Dell’Angelo, who passed away at the end of the year.

The issue is rich with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s recent Santi Maha Sangha teachings at Dzamling Gar, his talk on his 27 personal commitments as a Teacher, and his advice to SMS instructors at the end of the Training.

The section on the Global Gar in Tenerife gives an update on the Gönpa project as well as the experiences of two of the SMS teachers during the Training.

Issue 134 also focuses on Merigar West in Italy where the long awaited Museum of Asian Art and Culture in the nearby village of Arcidosso was opened by Prof. Namkhai Norbu and celebrated by the authorities of Mt. Amiata and a host of international guests. During the same period, Merigar West celebrated it 35th Anniversary, during which a Festschrift, a publication honoring Chögyal Namkhai Norbu was presented to him. During Rinpoche’s stay at Merigar a street in Arcidosso was named ‘Via Tibet’ in his honor, and the marble Stupa of Complete Victory was consecrated. This issue brings you accounts of all these events, together with many great photos.

This December issue also presents two book reviews of three books, The Holy Madmen of Tibet and The Guru Drinks Bourbon by Alex Studholme, and Buddhahood in This Life by Jacqueline Gens. Diane Kramer and Elio Guarisco have contributed articles on Collaboration, and we have interviewed Fabio Andrico about Harmonious Breathing.

Our Dzogchen artist for this issue is Federico Herrero from Costa Rica while the Dzamling Gar Gekö, Rabjyi, tells a fascinating story of "How He Met Chögyal Namkhai Norbu".
We hope you enjoy the issue!

To read the newest issue visit www.melong.com

Shang Shung Institute Presents UNPLUG Meditation Mondays in Northampton with Lynn Newdome

Join Us on the

First and Third Monday Evening of the Month for

Unplug: Meditation Mondays

with Lynn Newdome

At the Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence, MAStarting February 6th, 2017 7:00 - 8:00 P.M.


About the Series:The unplug: Meditation Mondays series with Lynn Newdome is an ongoing exploration of meditation and sitting meditation techniques.


Time:Every First and Third Monday of the Month Starting February 6th, 20177:00 - 8:00 P.M.


Location:Sojourner Truth RoomUnitarian Society of Northampton and Florence220 Main Street, Northampton, Massachusetts 01060


Website:http://www.shangshung.org/home/events/meditationmondays/


Cost:By Donation

About the Instructor:Lynn Newdome has been exploring the path of meditation for over 40 years, practicing and studying Tibet’s Buddhist traditions. She is authorized to teach meditation by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. Lynn works professionally as a violinist, teaching from her studio near Northampton and performing with the Chameleon String Quartet.

To register, or for more information, please contact:

Shang Shung Institute of America

Phone: +1 413-369-4928

Email: secretary@shangshung.org

Website: http://www.shangshung.org/home/events/meditationmondays/