Let's Help this Tibetan Kid Out/ An Appeal from ASIA

Sonam is a young student recently graduated from high school. He was born in a village and just left it to begin one of the most important project of his life: to undertake the university to become a translator into Tibetan language.

Sonam is a very careful guy: he placed third among the best students in the Hainan High School and in this way he was able to apply for Central University for Nationalities.

He has experienced a tough life story: he has lost his father at 7 years old and his mother got married a second time but she was unable to look after him. He has been living with his grandma who is very old and can not afford to pay for his studies.

Funds for his first months at the University have been collected by the inhabitants of his village - which softened by Sonam’ story and proud to have such a brilliant student among them - wanted to give at least the beginning of this experience.

There is an obstacle to his future: he has no one else relative but his grandma who can not afford to pay for his studies.

Together we can give some help to Sonam and students from high schools and universities as well. ASIA give the opportunity to young Tibetan students to continue and conclude their own studies through scholarships.

Let’s give him a chance.

Khaita Dancers to Perform at the Festival of the Hills on October 2, 2016

Khaita is really the bridge for people who are outside the Dzogchen Community. We have Vajra Dance and Yantra Yoga and, of course, there are some parts that you can present to the general public, but with Khaita you can bring the teaching outside the Community without saying a single word about meditation, practice, or spirituality. You can reach many people with Khaita and pass along the messages that are in the songs: messages of peace, evolution, and collaboration. We can pass along all these messages through dance.

Adriana Dal Borga reprinted from the Mirror

To read the full article, visit here. 

The Khaita Dancers of Tsegyalgar East will be performing next at the Conway festival of Hills on October 2, 2016  

Khaita Dancers will dance in the parade at the Festival of the Hills. The parade leaves from OESCO across Route 116 from the Schoolhouse at 1pm, and runs for about 1/2 mile.

Fire on the Mountain: Nary Mitchell in his Own Words

Just last Wednesday, Nary wrote the following to Ingmar on her Facebook message: 

I have felt that my time and skills were a poor repayment for the precious teachings that I received from CNN!...Since when can you get such treasures...it is so rare that i have wondered many times why I have been so fortunate to be alive at this time and, why it has seemed almost effortless for me to do projects for this community...I could never repay what I have been blessed with...That is a personal opinion of course..after I met Norbu at OZ I met many other teachers within the next 10 years so I realized that at some point in my previous lives I had been a serious practitioner and clearly I was on a powerful path and that it would do me well to pay attention to what was manifesting around me!!!

Nary on his knees polishing the ground cement floor of the massive 

Universal Mandala on Khandroling

Update on Nary Mitchell

The following message was received from Jeremy regarding Nary Mitchell who has now been been admitted to Baystate Springfield, 413-794-0000, Medical ICU.

Photo by Jacqueline Gens, Joe Zurylo, Yuchen Namkhai and Nary on Lower Khandroling farm, 2014

Dear friends, 

I want to try to let as many people as I can know what is going on with Nary Mitchell. I found him roughly 6 hours ago having trouble breathing, unconscious, unable to wake him up. He was taken to a hospital and the doctor there said that he has bleeding in the brain and will most likely not make it. He has been transferred to another hospital.

Nary is currently on life-support and awaiting the arrival of family members. According to doctors he will not survive going off life support. Numerous friends and practitioners are with him singing the Song of the Vajra.  

Nary was working on Rinpoche's cabin roof when he collapsed. A dedicated and hard worker, Nary excelled in permaculture, building maintenance, and numerous creative expressions of his love for flora and fauna. 

Nary working on the Vajra Hall 

A jovial friend to all and famous for his lengthy conversations on ANY topic, we are with him at this time.

Khandroling Updates

Photos by Kathleen Fekete

Currently, the crew of volunteers to repair the roof of Rinpoche's cabin and the Thogal cabin-- primarily Jeremy, Nary and Jeff Smith, continue to work during these cooler days. 

Here's a photo of the new chimney thanks to Jeff Smith taken by Jeremy the other day.

Photo by Tsegyalgar Geko, Jeremy

Our most remote cabin- the Thogal Cabin is located at the top of the road, a 15-20 minute walk from the bath house. It is a large cabin, with extra inflatable mattresses up to four people could stay here on the first and second floor. The road leading to this cabin is not accessible by car, however the geko can transport practitioners and their luggage to this cabin with the ATV.

Amenities Include:
Two story retreat cabin: first floor has kitchen, wood burning stove, and large living room space. Second floor has a single bed, table and altar with a large rug for practice space.
Single bed, pillows and blankets
Basic cooking utensils, dishes, pots and pans
Gas cooking stove
Kitchen table
Jugs of potable water
Fire pit in yard

Next up is the road paving schedule beginning on October 3rd, 2016 and will continue until October 10th, 2016 on the road leading from the parking lot up to the land at Khandroling. No cars will be allowed up the road during this time. The gate will be locked.   

Paving the Road from the Parking Lot to the Vajra Hall:

The road construction is an important project that will facilitate the presence of vehicles up to the Vajra Hall and many other kinds of equipment needed to maintain the infrastructure on Upper Khandroling. 

For those of you who have already supported this project, we are grateful. Further donations are still needed to complete this work. Please make your donations here online . 

Mary Gilliand Delivers Introduction to Poet Gary Snyder at Cornell University

[Left to right Gary Snyder, Christopher Dunn, Mary Gilliand, and Gen Snyder]

To kick off their 2016 Fall Lecture Series at Cornell University's Cornell Plantations, Pulitzer-prize winning Gary Snyder delivered the lecture "Scholars, Hermits and People of the Land" to a full house on August 24th in Call Auditorium, Kennedy Hall. (see video below).

Mary Gilliand, a long time member of the Dzogchen Community delivered the lively and moving introduction to Gary Snyder following Christopher Dunn's introduction. Now in his 86th year, Gary Snyder is an iconic poet at the forefront of ecology and poetics.

In an essay published in A Controversy of Poets, Snyder offered his own assessment of his art. “As a poet,” he wrote, “I hold the most archaic values on earth. They go back to the late Paleolithic: the fertility of the soil, the magic of animals, the power-vision in solitude, the terrifying initiation and rebirth; the love and ecstasy of the dance, the common work of the tribe. I try to hold both history and wilderness in mind, that my poems may approach the true measure of things and stand against the unbalance and ignorance of our times.”

--Reprinted from the Poetry Foundation page on Snyder

Listen now.......

Gary Snyder at Cornell Plantations from Cornell Plantations on Vimeo.

Fire on the Mountain: One, Two, Three Candles - Ingmar's Story

Ingmar Pema Dechen -Visionary Artist

"Life is interesting and wonderful. Our little living room practice circle, every Saturday morning is one expression of one candle at a time.

Practicing together with S.  and me here in Mississippi are Zen practitioner H, and Zen practitioner, local teacher and yoga instructor M. Both plan to become welcome card members of the Dzogchen Community in 2017.  

My heart wish is they will both go forward to attend many events and retreats of the community in the future. R, who became a member of the community two or three years ago now, drives over on a weekday from Louisiana every couple of months and we practice together. She works on weekends.

The one candle, two candles, three candles for me is the homey way -- a kitchen cup of tea and some practice in the living room. With webcast transmissions of direct introduction and lungs, this is possible, simple, and tucks into any cultural circumstance, in any age and circumstance."

Ingmar is a long time practitioner and member of the Dzogchen Community. She has listened to EVERY webcast by Chogyal Namkhai Norbu since 2005. She recently became a member of the Khandroling Paper Cooperative and has donated many original paintings for future Community fundraising. She also collaborates on the Mansion of Elements project by matching her original art of astrological animal/element combinations to our annual Losar poems. She is now working on the Fire Rooster for next year.

One Stroke and Big Brush Workshop Presented by Khandroling Paper Cooperative, October 23, 2016

Khandroling Paper Cooperative is pleased to offer new member Kichung Lizee's workshop on Eastern Calligraphy:

ONE STROKE & BIG BRUSH
Empty Hand, Empty Brush

A contemplative immersion into

East-West brush painting

Eastern calligraphy is a type of meditation and also a discipline in centering--starting from the correct postural alignment of the spine, to preparing calligraphic ink, holding the brush correctly as an extension of the arm, and executing the brush stroke in oneness. Learn how to sense your internal energy through Qi-Gong and Tai Chi exercises and apply this awareness to free-flowing calligraphic art. This workshop offers a unique opportunity to integrate mindfulness and creative expression. Experienced artists and beginners welcome!

When: SUNDAY, October 23, 2016, Time 10:00 AM 4:00 PM 
Where: Yellow Schoolhouse at Tsegyalgar East (in the Library)
18 Schoolhouse Road, Conway, MA (In the Library)
Cost: Recommended donation: $50-$90 or donate according to your financial circumstances
Pre-registration required: Contact Jacqueline at 413-522-1125 or jacqueline.gens@gmail.com

[Making first stroke followed by big brush]

Kichung Lizee is a Korean-born American artist and Buddhist practitioner who uniquely blends Eastern calligraphy and Western thematic materials. She has taught and exhibited internationally and curated many exhibits bringing together Eastern calligraphers and Western artists. She was honored with a special award in 2008 at the Seoul International Calligraphy Biennale, Korea, and has been a featured artist at the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, CA, the Jordan Schnitzler Museum of Art, Eugene, OR, and the Turchin Center for Visual Arts, Boone, NC.

Works by Kichung Lizee can be viewed at http://www.absolutearts.com/kichunglizee/ 

Travel by Car to Tsegyalgar

From the South:
In Massachusetts take I-91 north to exit #24 for Deerfield/Conway. Turn right off the exit ramp on to Rts. 5 & 10. At the 3rd set of lights take a left on to Rte 116 north. Follow Rt 116 ten miles uphill into the center of Conway. Continue on Rt. 166 through the center of the village and past Bakers' convenience store on the left. Continue up the hill a short way. Where Rt 116 curves right, take a left onto Maple Street and another immediate left onto the very steep Schoolhouse Road, where you will see Dzogchen Community welcome sign. At the top of the hill you will see the Yellow Schoolhouse.

From the North:
In Massachusetts take I-91 south to exit #25 for Deerfield/Conway. Take a right off the exit onto Rt. 116 north. Follow Rt 116 ten miles uphill into the center of Conway. Continue on Rt. 166 through the center of the village and past Bakers' convenience store on the left. Continue up the hill a short way. Where Rt 116 curves right, take a left onto Maple Street and another immediate left onto the very steep Schoolhouse Road, where you will see Dzogchen Community welcome sign. At the top of the hill you will see the Yellow Schoolhouse.

[Photo by Jacqueline Gens of Kichung Lizee showing us her "MU" scroll 

(seed syllable for emptiness) during one of our workshops]

COMING SOON: Fire on the Mountain, Practicing Together at Tsegyalgar East in Your Own Words

Summer 2016 on Khandroling by Kathleen Fekete

I am currently writing  a story "Fire on the Mountain: Practicing Together at Tsegyalgar East.

One of the aspects of our July 2016 Summer Celebration I was impressed with was the presence of small enclaves of Community members from all over the US/world who have met for years to practice together--most not associated with any particular Ling or Gar who navigated to come together this summer at Tsegyalgar East.  I'd like to add to this article a few quotes from people who would like to comment on their experience in this regard. 

Photo by John Shannon of offerings for Fire Puja offering on Sunday, September 17, 2016 on Khandroling

I am also looking for quotes about personal experiences practicing on Khandroling since many people over the years past and present do retreats on the land. Cabins are booked from May through late November. Tell us what it means to you. 

In my experience here at ground zero and that of many others who live close to Tsegyalgar East, there is a largely unacknowledged pool of individuals who collaborate day in and day out, practice together and support many projects year after year. We are the ones who keep the home fires burning, so to speak. 

Photo by John Shannon of Simhamukha fire puja on Khandroling, September 17, 2016

And then too there are the many live webcasts that bring us together both with Rinpoche and with Tsegyalgar East thanks to our Geko Jeremy who is skilled at this and dedicates himself to cover most pujas through-out the year. . 

Thanks as ever for your participation, your support  and your voice. I  look forward to hearing from some of you. Let's celebrate the unique richness of our community here and everywhere!

Detail of flames surrounding the outer circumference of the Universal Mandala on Khandroling


We are the flame that melts conceptual mind
We are the flame that protects the indestructible mandala 
We are the flame that dances in the fire
We are the flame that kindles endless compassion
one candle at a time

OM
AH
HUM

Photo courtesy of Rosemary Rawcliffe

Jacqueline Gens
Tsegyalgar East

Jim Raschick Died on September 14, 2016 on the Big Island of Hawaii

There is also the possibility to contribute to a fund for Jim's 'End of Life' Expenses HERE.

Thank you for your many kind messages and the tributes to the beautiful person that he was.

Here is a video from the Shang Shung Institute Archives that Jim recorded: Early Dzogchen Community 1985

May his journey continue to be luminous.

Best wishes,

Dzogchen Community Hawaii

*******************************************************

Jim was like a brother to me, and indeed was a dear Dharma brother since our meeting at the Dzogchen Community's Father's Day retreat at Starseed Ranch on the Big Island in 2012, where it seemed instantly like we had known each other for lifetimes.

This photo is from Summer 2014, after a retreat with Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche at Khandroling - The Land of the Dakinis in Massachusetts. Jim kindly drove me all the way from there to Jersey to see my family -- on a whim of course, in his usual whimsical way. On the way, we managed to stop in NYC just in time to sneak in to the musical tribute for Pete Seeger at Lincoln Center with three of my sisters.

Jim was always up for a spontaneous trip somewhere. Now he's done it again, big time. Dancing ecstatically until he went "Beyond the Box of Space and Time" (in tribute to the theme of his book*). May his journey be forever blessed with love, peace, joy, harmony and beauty. To his total liberation. <AAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaa

Reprinted from Jillian's Facebook

Khorde Rushan Practice with Michael Katz

Date:	November 5th-6th, 2016.
Category:	Santi Maha Sangha
Location:	Tsegyalgar East, Schoolhouse Gonpa, Conway, MA
with Michael Katz To participate you must have received transmission from Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. "Being conditioned by the delusive appearances of the mind and By thoughts without having any control over them constitutes the karmic Vision of Samsara. Abiding in the state of pure instant presents or Rigpa constitutes nirvana “ Chögyal Namkhai Norbu from "The Precious vase" Dzogchen Rushen practices are profound techniques of separating our dualistic mind from our Natural state, so as to gain confidence in recognizing and continuing in the natural state. Saturday November 5th: 10am-12:30pm; 2:30- 4:30pm Rushen of the Voice Sunday November 6th: 10M-12:30pm; 2:30-4:30pm Rushen of the Mind Michael Katz has a doctoral degree in psychology from New York University. He is a long time student of Tibetan Buddhism and has studied with many of the great masters of this age.  He is the co-author and editor of the book "Dream Yoga and the Practice of Natural Light" with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. He is also the author of the book "Tibetan Dream Yoga the Royal Road to Enlightenment" as well as the novel "The White Dolphin." Michael a Dzogchen Community SMS meditation instructor was authorized to teach dream yoga and meditation by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. He has subsequently taught for two decades in more than 30 countries internationally as well as Harvard University, Amherst College, Tibet House and other institutions and organizations. He was featured in the discovery channel's program "the power of dreams " and the first "gateways of the mind" conference in London, as well as a documentary movie called "Tamara's sacred journey" after leading a group to sacred caves in Tibet in 2010. Suggested Donation: $100/Full Course, $60/day, $35/Session

Jim Raschick's End of Life Expenses

Please support the GoFundMe campaign to  cover Jim's end of life 
expenses by visiting here.. 

Jaroslav Rudolf Majer - September 10, 2016

Jaroslav Rudolf Majer, “Jaro” to his many friends from all races and creeds and from all walks of life, passed away in Brooklyn on September 10, 2016.

There were many facets to this complex human being who, on his Facebook page called himself “a lover and a fighter for what I love,” although I rarely saw him fight. His writings and his discussions were invariably deeply philosophical. In February of 2003 he wrote, “For me, the Void is the unifying principle. The Void is the subtlest essence of all material nature, free of the duality of subjects and objects, as well as positive and negative, but pervades all subjects and objects as their power to be….” Later he wrote, “…[All that I experience is…Love on display in glorious manifestation, and this is the pulse that I dance to as I skip to each moment’s passing.”

And now the moment in time that was Jaro’s short life has passed and he will be sorely missed for his sweet, loving nature, his freewheeling, fun loving ways and his ability to expound on all manner of philosophical subjects. As a friend said, “He was a very intelligent person, striving hard for enlightenment…” Perhaps he is reveling in something like enlightenment now, leaving behind him a void. Those of us left behind mourn his loss.

–Rose Marie Prins (Jaro’s mother) Reprinted from the Mirror, International Newspaper of the Dzogchen Community

[Photo by Rosa Marie Prins, February 2015]

Group Photo of Teachers Communication Course with Gianfranco

[Tsegyalgar East, September 2016]

DCA Member, Miranda Shannon Interviewed By Business West on the Challenges of Parents who Homeschool their Children

[Photo by Olympia Shannon AKA Oly on

 Khandroling at the Universal Mandala]

The Shannon Family, long-time members of Tsegyalgar East and beyond are the proud parents of five extraordinary and accomplished kids all of whom have been home schooled. In the following article Miranda is interviewed. To read more, continue here.

[Top left to right--Uma, Max, Liam, Tatiana, Oly--

Bottom--Mom and Dad-John and Miranda Shannon]

Basho’s Pond: Lotus Leaves, Frogs and the Spirit of Transformation. Art Installation and Exhibit of Handmade Paperworks by KPC/DCA Member Sheryl Jaffe

WHEN: September 4-October 22, 2016

OPENING RECEPTION: Saturday September 10, 2016,  5:00 PM - 8:00PM

WHERE: Easthampton Arts Walk
Mill 180 Park, Easthampton 413-527-0311
180 Pleasant Street, Easthampton, MA 01022

Furu ike ya --Old Pond 

kawazu tobikomu --Frog Jumps in

Inmizu no oto --Sound of Water

SHERYL JAFFE - ARTIST STATEMENT

This famous Haiku, written by Japanese Zen poet, Matsuo Basho (1644-1694) is the inspiration for this colorful, provocative art installation. Out of the timeless serene summer twilight of the old pond comes the “kerplunk” of the frog’s splash. As the Buddha changed with noticing the morning star, we can be transformed by the “kerplunk” of the frog. The lotus is known for its purity and beauty that is born from the mud and muck of the world, frogs are living reminders of rain, fertility, transformation and rebirth. Their well-being is closely linked to that of our environment. Amphibian means 2 lives, (one on land and one on water), most of us have at least 2, some of us many more. Our brains carry the memories from one part of our life to the other and it can be challenging to move through these many lives. Frogs are a great metaphor for these transformations; eggs to polliwogs to froglet to adult frog.

Transformation is the thread that connects and repels. As living beings we change, grow and are transformed by events, relationships, emotions, experiences. Change is constant, this is both difficult and refreshing. In my studio practice I engage with plant fibers that are transformed by heat, water, movement, color and me. These paperworks are all made of plant fibers, they will continue to absorb the moisture in the air, the ambient light and the mood of the viewer.

This old mill is being transformed, this Park is becoming a place of shared experiences, laughter and conversation, music and art, meeting of minds. I am fortunate to be involved in the nourishing life of the people and the plants here. Sheryl Jaffe is an artist, papermaker, swimmer and teacher residing in Ludlow, MA.

End of Summer/Harvest Practices and Community Picnic on Khandroling

[Photo by Kathleen Fekete, August 2016]

Join us for a series of informal practices on Upper Khandroling as our Summer draws to an end.

Sunday, Sep 11

10am - 12:30pm   Vajra Dance Practice (11am Scheduled Vajra Dance Tun) 

2:30pm   Joyful Khaita Dance

3:30pm   Scheduled Vajra Dance

Wednesday-Friday September 13-16
Vajra Dance Practice session 10am-1pm

Saturday September 17
Vajra Dance Practice Session 10am-1pm
Fire Puja (with Simhamukha system) at 5pm
Please bring some offerings as follows:
•pacify obstacles: black sesame seed
•purification: white sesame seeds
•purify Illness: wheat 
•increase physical force: yellow pea
•specific increase (crop and money etc): barley un-husked
•calming negative force: white mustered seed
•wealth and power: red flower (dried), rice (red rice- it can be colored) 

Sunday, Sep 18

10am - 1pm Scheduled Vajra Dance Practice

Potluck Picnic by the pond

3pm - 5pm Joyful Khaita Dance

More practice days will be posted.

Come and enjoy last summer days at Khandroling!

Advice from Me to Myself by Patrul Rinpoche, Translated by Dzogchen Community Member, Constance Wilkinson

The following work by Tibetan Dzogchen Master,  Patrul Rinpoche (1808-1887) is universally recognized as a literary masterpiece. Much beloved,  numerous stories of Patrul Rinpoche's unconventional behavior as a hidden yogin abound. The following composition represents a type of self-reflexive commentary in which Patrul excelled at.   It is as relevant today as over a hundred years ago. Listen well!

Vajrasattva, sole deity, Master,
You sit on a full-moon lotus-cushion of white light
In the hundred-petalled full bloom of youth.
Think of me, Vajrasattva,
You who remain unmoved within the manifest display
That is Mahamudra, pure bliss-emptiness.

Listen up, old bad-karma Patrul,
You dweller-in-distraction.
For ages now you've been
Beguiled, entranced, and fooled by appearances.
Are you aware of that? Are you?
Right this very instant, when you're
Under the spell of mistaken perception
You've got to watch out.
Don't let yourself get carried away by this fake
and empty life.

Your mind is spinning around
About carrying out a lot of useless projects:
It's a waste! Give it up!
Thinking about the hundred plans you want to accomplish,
With never enough time to finish them,
Just weighs down your mind.
You're completely distracted
By all these projects, which never come to an end,
But keep spreading out more, like ripples in water.
Don't be a fool: for once, just sit tight.

Listening to the teachings — you've already
heard hundreds of teachings,
But when you haven't grasped the meaning of even
one teaching,
What's the point of more listening?

Reflecting on the teachings — even though you've listened,
If the teachings aren't coming to mind when needed,
What's the point of more reflection? None.

Meditating according to the teachings —
If your meditation practice still isn't curing
The obscuring states of mind—forget about it!

You've added up just how many mantras you've done —
But you aren't accomplishing the kyerim visualization.
You may get the forms of deities nice and clear —
But you're not putting an end to subject and object.
You may tame what appear to be evil spirits and ghosts,
But you're not training the stream of your own mind.

Your four fine sessions of sadhana practice,
So meticulously arranged —
Forget about them.

When you're in a good mood,
Your practice seems to have lots of clarity —
But you just can't relax into it.
When you're depressed,
Your practice is stable enough
But there's no brilliance to it.
As for awareness,
You try to force yourself into a rigpa-like state,
As if stabbing a stake into a target!

When those yogic positions and gazes keep your mind stable
Only by keeping mind tethered —
Forget about them!

Giving high-sounding lectures
Doesn't do your mind-stream any good.
The path of analytical reasoning is precise and acute —
But it's just more delusion, good for nothing goat-shit.
The oral instructions are very profound
But not if you don't put them into practice.

Reading over and over those dharma texts
That just occupy your mind and make your eyes sore —
Forget about it!

You beat your little damaru drum — ting, ting —
And your audience thinks it's charming to hear.
You're reciting words about offering up your body,
But you still haven't stopped holding it dear.
You're making your little cymbals go cling, cling —
Without keeping the ultimate purpose in mind.

All this dharma-practice equipment
That seems so attractive —
Forget about it!

Right now, those students are all studying so very hard,
But in the end, they can't keep it up.
Today, they seem to get the idea,
But later on, there's not a trace left.
Even if one of them manages to learn a little,
He rarely applies his "learning" to his own conduct.

Those elegant dharma disciplines —
Forget about them!

This year, he really cares about you,
Next year, it's not like that.
At first, he seems modest,
Then he grows exalted and pompous.
The more you nurture and cherish him,
The more distant he grows.

These dear friends
Who show such smiling faces to begin with —
Forget about them!

Her smile seems so full of joy —
But who knows if that's really the case?
One time, it's pure pleasure,
Then it's nine months of mental pain.
It might be fine for a month,
But sooner or later, there's trouble.

People teasing; your mind embroiled —
Your lady-friend —
Forget about her!

These endless rounds of conversation
Are just attachment and aversion —
It's just more goat-shit, good for nothing at all.
At the time it seems marvelously entertaining,
But really, you're just spreading around stories
about other people's mistakes.
Your audience seems to be listening politely,
But then they grow embarrassed for you.

Useless talk that just make you thirsty —
Forget about it!

Giving teachings on meditation texts
Without yourself having
Gained actual experience through practice,
Is like reciting a dance-manual out loud
And thinking that's the same as actually dancing.

People may be listening to you with devotion,
But it just isn't the real thing.

Sooner or later, when your own actions
Contradict the teachings, you'll feel ashamed.

Just mouthing the words,
Giving dharma explanations that sound so eloquent—
Forget about it!

When you don't have a text, you long for it;
Then when you've finally gotten it,
you hardly look at it.

The number of pages seems few enough,
But it's a bit hard to find time to copy them all.
Even if you copied down all the dharma texts on earth,
You wouldn't be satisfied.

Copying down texts is a waste of time
(Unless you get paid) —
So forget about it!

Today, they're happy as clams —
Tomorrow, they're furious.
With all their black moods and white moods,
People are never satisfied.
Or even if they're nice enough,
They may not come through when you really need them,
Disappointing you even more.

All this politeness, keeping up a
Courteous demeanor —
Forget about it!

Worldly and religious work
Is the province of gentlemen.
Patrul, old boy — that's not for you.

Haven't you noticed what always happens?
An old bull, once you've gone to the trouble of
borrowing him for his services,
Seems to have absolutely no desire left in him at all—
(Except to go back to sleep).

Be like that — desireless.

Just sleep, eat, piss, shit.
There's nothing else in life that has to be done.

Don't get involved with other things:
They're not the point.

Keep a low profile,
Sleep.

In the triple universe
When you're lower than your company
You should take the low seat.

Should you happen to be the superior one,
Don't get arrogant.

There's no absolute need to have close friends;
You're better off just keeping to yourself.

When you're without any worldly
or religious obligations,
Don't keep on longing to acquire some!

If you let go of everything —
Everything, everything —
That's the real point!

This advice was written by the practitioner Trime Lodro (Patrul Rinpoche) for his intimate friend Ahu Shri (Patrul Rinpoche), in order to give advice that is tailored exactly to his capacities.

This advice should be put into practice!

Even though you don't know how to practice, just let go of everything — that's what I really want to say. Even though you aren't able to succeed in your dharma practice, don't get angry.

May it be virtuous.

Patrul Rinpoche (1808-1887) was the wandering turn-of-the-century Dzogchen master of Eastern Tibet, beloved by the people. He was renowned as the enlightened vagabond.

Translation by Constance Wilkinson

Many questions about the text were clarified according to the extremely kind explanations of the Chogyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche, during his stay in New York City, and according to the detailed explanations of Khenpo, Rigdzin Dorje of the Nyingmapa Shedra,Bansbari,Kathmandu, Nepal.

Thanks to Matthieu Ricard of Shechen Tennyi Dargyeling, and to Anne Burchardi of the Marpa institute of Translation for their advice toward trying to make this translation faithful to both the letter and spirit of the original Tibetan.

All errors and misunderstandings are those of the translator. May this poem, despite all shortcomings of its translation, serve to benefit all beings! Sarva Mangalam.

Reprinted from Keith Dowman's site http://keithdowman.net/guestpage/patrul-rinpoche-advice-from-me-to-myself.html