Saeson's Greetings from Tsegyalgar East

The Coming of Light*

Even this late it happens:
the coming of love, the coming of light. 
You wake and the candles are lit as if by themselves, 
stars gather, dreams pour into your pillows, 
sending up warm bouquets of air.
Even this late the bones of the body shine 
and tomorrow’s dust flares into breath.

..Open your inner eye and observe yourself. Stop searching for a lamp outside of you to illuminate yourself inside. Kindle your inner light. Then the teaching will live in you, and you - in the teaching.... -Chögyal Namkhai Norbu 

Reprinted from "Dzogchen: The Self-Perfected State" (Part 1.1)

GREETINGS TO ALL FROM TSEGYALGAR EAST

***

[Photo credit: Dharamsala candle by  Rosemary Rawcliff]

*Poem by Mark Strand Reprinted from the Academy of American Poets website www.poets.org

Pre-Order Lama Tsultrim Allione's Newest Publication - Wisdom Rising - A Journey into the Mandala of the Empowered Feminine

Drawing on her experience as a Tibetan Buddhist nun, turned mother, who became a best-selling author and world-renowned Buddhist teacher, Lama Tsultrim Allione offers a guide to access a previously forbidden aspect of the feminine: the fierce wise Dakini, whose juicy potency is needed to meet the gale force winds of the current world situation. This is a dynamic spiritual model based on 1000-year-old tradition coming from Tibet. Through the Dakini Mandala, a universal template of wholeness, each of the five Dakinis transforms an emotional pattern into wisdom, giving us a practical method that enables us to find strength and wholeness within, empowering us to become effective agents of transformation and wisdom in our world.

TO READ MORE VISIT THE TARA MANDALA Webpaage

PLEASE GIVE TO OUR 2017 YEAR-END FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN

Please Donate to Tsegyalgar East 2017 Year-End Fundraising Campaign!

Your support is vital to helping us meet the costs of general operations, as well as the costs of developing outreach to attract new members, bringing in more international teachers, and updating the facilities where our programs take place.

Thank you and with much gratitude from the Tsegyalgar East Gakyil

Happy Holloween from Tsegyalgar East

photo and flower installation 

by  Adishakti Laila Reiss and company

reprinted from Facebook

Monthly Movie Night: Presents Kundun at Tsegyalgar East

Tsegyagar East invites everyone to join us for a motion picture masterpiece directed  by five-time Academy Award -nominated director Martin Scorsese. 

Free & Open to the public

Delicious Concessions - Donations Welcome 

Date: Thursday, November 9th at 7:00pm.

Location: Tsegyalgar Schoolhouse, 18 Schoolhouse Road, 

Conway, MA 01341

It's the true story of Tibet's leader, the Dalai Lama. and his daring struggle to rule a nation at one of the most challenging times in its history.

Run Time: 134 minutes
Rated: PG-13

Rosa Namkhai to Celebrate her Birthday on Monday, October 23, 2017 in Dzamling Gar

Supreme Mother 

of  Wild Yogins

Heart of Gold 

Vajra Queen 

Thank you for all your years of service

Thank you for bearing with us

rough tiger cubs 

nipping at your heels 

Thank you for

taking care of our

Master 

Golden Lady of Luminosity 

We love you!

Malcolm Smith Interview with Wisdom Pubications

Visit Wisdom Publications' lively  and brilliant Podcast with Malcom Smith,  translator of  Buddhahood in This Life.

Malcolm speaks about his early influences; the compelling role Abidharma informed his early studies; his study of the Tibetan language and  numerous topics he discusses in regard to Dzogchen and the art of translation.

Buddhahood in This Life
The Great Commentary by Vimalamitra

Available for the first time in English, Buddhahood in This Life presents the Great Commentary of Vimalamitra—one of the earliest and most influential texts in the Dzogchen tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. It explores the theory and practice of the Great Perfection tradition in detail, shows how Dzogchen meditation relates to the entirety of the Buddhist path, and outlines how we can understand buddhahood—and even achieve it in our lifetime.

- See more at: http://books.simonandschuster.com/Buddhahood-in-This-Life/Malcolm-Smith/9781614293453#sthash.lcW3TAlV.dpuf

Discover a profound text that has influenced Tibetan teachers for generations. Buddhahood in This Life is a complete translation of the earliest Tibetan commentary on the Dzogchen secret instructions.

Malcolm Smith is a graduate of the Shang Shung Institute’s School of Tibetan Medicine (2009) and has been a student of Chogyal Namkhai Norbu since 1992. He is a veteran of a traditional three-year solitary Tibetan Buddhist retreat, a published translator of Tibetan Buddhist texts (in Treasures of the Sakya Lineage, Shambhala, 2008), and was awarded the Acharya degree by the Sakya Institute in 2004. In addition, he is a licensed massage therapist and has cross-trained in Ayurvedic bodywork at Kripalu’s School of Ayurveda. He lives in Ashfield, Massachusetts.

Monthly Movie Night at Tsegyalgar East

Monthly Movie Night Presents: 

Seven Years in Tibet starring Brad Pitt

at the Tsegyalgar Schoolhouse, 18 Schoolhouse Road, Conway, MA

This event is sponsored by the Shang Shung Institute and IDC at Tsegyalgar East.  

Thursday October 12 at 7:00pm

FREE to the Public

Delicious Concession Stand - Donations Welcome.

A Review by Jacqueline Gens of Enlightened Vagabond: The Life and Times of Patrul Rinpoche Published in Levekunst

To read the full review visit Levekunst

http://levekunst.com/enlightened-vagabond/

Enlightened Vagabond

The Life and Teachings of Patrul Rinpoche
Collected and Translated by Matthieu Ricard
Edited by Constance Wilkinson
Shambhala Publications
Boulder, 2017, 282 pages

*****

His (Patrul's) self-deprecating humor and keen intellect combined with a vast heart pierce the human yearning for authenticity amid the sorrows of sentient life. His words go beyond poetic conceits and cultural baggage. In any case, I have remained wildly enthusiastic about the works of Patrul Rinpoche for decades now. The current publication is a much awaited event to carry his mindstream further into the 21st century. If you are unfamiliar with his work, you’re in for a special experience when coming into contact with him. Please read him. If he is an old heart friend, Enlightened Vagabond will not disappoint! -Jacqueline Gens

To purchase this book here is the Amazon link.

An interview with editor Constance Wilkinson is in the works....coming  soon!

Khandroling Paper Cooperative Two-day Workshop to Make Lanterns

Origami Lantern

Photo by Sheryl Jaffee

Khandroling Paper Cooperative located at 18 Schoolhouse Rd. in Conway, MA in the basement of the yellow schoolhouse invites you to join us for a pre-holiday 2-Day Workshop to make a variety of lanterns with your own handmade paper.

Saturday, November 4 - Part 1 with Sheryl Jaffe to make your paper

Saturday, November 18 - Part 2 with Brenda Lilly to make your lamps including an origami vase

In this two-day workshop you will learn how to make beautiful translucent papers with flecks of natural fibers. Then learn how to fold your paper into beautiful origami lanterns that can sit on your window and illuminate your evening with sunlight transformed.

Come and make paper to hold some light. A solar light in your window, make the paper from plants, bring the sun into your living room after dark. The solar lamp will offer warmth and inspiration for the way of light. The paper will hold it. Design your own with our guidance, for fun and light.

A members show on the theme of Light will be on view in the back foyer of the yellow schoolhouse from November 11-December 31, 2017. Opening reception TBA

For further information visit our blog at www.khandrolingpapers.blogspot.com or call Jacqueline at 413-522-1125 to pre-register or write jacqueline.gens@gmail.com. 

Recommended donation $75 for both days or by donation according to your circumstances.

Anasuya Weil publishes B is for Buddha: An Enlightened Alphabet Book

Anasuya Weil - a graduate of the first class of Tibetan Medicine from Shang Shung Institute at Tsegyagar East, is a grandmother of five children, biological mother of three and surrogate parent for at least three others.

She lived in India for two years, a Buddhist practitioner since 1971, and experienced the great fortune to study with many amazing Buddhist teachers and lamas. The teachings of the Buddha have been a refuge and support. Her root Guru is Neem Keroli Baba and his kindness towards all has always been an inspiration. Anasuya currently practices Tibetan medicine in Northampton, MA.

She writes: 

The idea of this book came to me while I was sitting a six week silent retreat. It was intended as a Christmas gift to my grandchildren. Although I have practiced Buddhism since I was 19, for many years I did not call myself Buddhist. It seemed that it was enough to be a good person and I wanted my children to have the freedom to choose their own belief or religion. As I got older I became more open to using that terminology because I follow the Buddhist path and because I wanted my children to have clarity about my own choice. It is certainly not necessary to be a "Buddhist." We all want our children to be happy, healthy, caring human beings that contribute to society and find meaning in their lives. How can we help that happen? 


--To read more and hear readings by Joseph Goldstein, Sharon Salzburg and Lama Surya Das, go here. 

3rd Series of Yantra Yoga & The Pranayama of the Secret Breathing for Directing the Prana into the Central Channel or Humkara, at Tsegyalgar East, with Yantra Yoga Instructor Naomi Zeitz

On the weekend of September 23rd and 24th, Yantra Yoga instructor Naomi Zeitz, will be teaching the first of three Yantra Yoga fall weekends starting with the 3rd Series of Yantra Yoga & the Pranayama of the Secret Breathing for Directing the Prana into the Central Channel or Humkara. 

Transmission is required

The course will take place at the Schoolhouse Gonpa, 18 Schoolhouse Rd, Conway, MA 01341.

Saturday: 9:30am-noon; 3:30pm-6pm
Sunday: 9:30am -noon

$75/full course; $30/session

Register and pay online

**All fees are suggested donations only. Those who are able to, please pay the full fee in support of the Teachings and Tsegyalgar East's operational costs. Those unable to pay suggested amount will not be turned away for lack of funds.

This course focuses on the yantras and the pranayama of the third series, the Secret Breathing for Directing the Prana into the Central Channel. We will extensively practice additional breathing techniques along with the preliminaries of Yantra Yoga to prepare for the movements and the pranayama. Simple modifications for the yantras will be offered to those who need it. 

The 3rd series is a wonderful series and is not too physically challenging, and works with the 5 emotions which is very beneficial.

Movements and functions:

• Bow - To eliminate obstacles related to being dominated by attachment.
• Half Moon - To eliminate obstacles related to being dominated by hatred.
• Lion - To eliminate obstacles related to being dominated by ignorance. (Good for students of Santi Maha Sangha)
• Vulture - To eliminate obstacles related to being dominated by pride.
• Triangle - To eliminate obstacles related to being dominated by jealousy.

Experience with the preliminary series of Yantra Yoga important. There will not be time to teach the preliminaries and they are essential for working with the later series and pranayamas. 

Naomi is a second level Yantra Yoga instructor authorized in 2008 and again in 2010 by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. She has taught throughout the US, in Canada, Italy, Argentina, Spain, Israel and Venezuela. Naomi is known for her gentle and precise methods, her humor and her capacity to transmit the powerful and profoundly beneficial methods of Yantra Yoga. She specializes in breathing training and working with people of all ages and physical conditions. 


.

Marilyn McArthur's article, "Times Past: Jittery student floats through meditative traditions of New England learning" appeared in The Greenfield Recorder.

Marilyn McArthur's article, "Times Past: Jittery student floats through meditative traditions of New England learning" appeared in The Greenfield Recorder.   

 
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“Now class, we will sit silently until the bell rings.”
We were suspended on the brink of the weekend, each alone at an immovable desk, and enveloped in a deeply calm and relaxed atmosphere of our mutual creation.

This was how Friday afternoons ended at my new school in second grade. Lately, I wonder how Miss Murphy routinely accomplished that feat of peacefulness with the 30 children in her class at Vernon Street School.

We had cleaned out our desks and filled the wastebasket in the corner with all the scrap paper of the week. Books and notebooks were arranged neatly in our desks and on shelves around the room.  

 Meanwhile, Miss Murphy had washed the blackboards with a big sponge, and someone had stepped outside to clap the erasers free of chalk dust. Inside my desk, my pencil case was clean of shavings, and my eight crayons were lined up in rainbow formation in their little tin box.  To read more, continue here. 

Second Annual Tsegyalgar Summer Celebration Pictures July 2017

It was a wonderful week practicing and being together!

Group Photo by John Shannon

Photo by Fred Klarer

Photo by Fred Klarer

Photo by Fred Klarer 

Fireside after Dark by John Shannon

Live Music After Dark by John Shannon

Before Puja on the Last Day by John Shannon 

 

Peter Fortunato Art Show Opening for "Recollection: Selected Works 2013 - 2017"

Peter Fortunato is a long time member of our community who lives in Ithaca.

Peter Fortunato

Recollection: selected works 2013 – 2017

 Gallery Night Opening August 4,2017

5:00 – 8:00 PM

CAP ArtSpace

Center Ithaca, The Commons

(exhibit runs 8.4.17 - 8.28.17)

SMS Base Talks with Oliver Leick

Oliver Leick, authorized SMS instructor and newly appointed Director of the Shang Shung Foundation will be giving two SMS Base talks at the Tsegyalgar East Schoolhouse on:

Wednesday, August 30, 5-7pm:
Movement and Relaxation - Essential Aspects in our Life
(Followed by Vajra Dance Tun)

Thursday, August 31, 5-7pm:
The Practice of Presence and Awareness - Essential Basic Practices for Dzogchen Practitioners
(Followed by Ganapuja)

Suggested Donation: $25-$50

For further information, please click on SMS Base Talks with Oliver Leick

Historic Chod Conference at Tara Mandala Concludes

To view more photos and information

visit Tara Mandala

Follow up Chod Practice Retreats

MIRROR Article on Tsegyalgar East's Participation in the Town of Conway 250th Anniversary

The Mirror, Newspaper of the International Dzogchen currently features a fine article about Tsegyalgar East's participation in the Town of Conway 250th Anniversary with a series of collaborative events which the Community began planning over a year ago. 

To Read more, visit The Mirror

HERE

Light, Air, Water & Space - A Photographic Exhibit by John Shannon at the Burnett Gallery in Amherst MA

 John Shannon, a long time member of our community, is exhibiting a series of his photographs at the Bunett Gallery in the Jones Library, Amherst MA, during the month of July (7/3 - 7/29)

There will be an opening reception for "Light, Air, Water & Space", during Amherst Arts Night Plus, on Thursday, July 6 from 5:00 to 8:00pm. The address is: Burnett Gallery, 2nd Floor, Amity Street, Amherst, MA 01002.

Hope to see you there!

Second Annual Tsegyalgar Summer Celebration Monday, July 17 - Sunday, July 23, 2017

The 2nd Annual Tsegyalgar Summer Celebration on Khandroling is around the corner!

A 7 day gathering, on the Land of the Dakinis, is planned. It will include an intensive practice retreat offering daily collective practice, community collaboration, dancing, music, food, and more.

Come learn and practice with authorized teachers. Daily practice activities will include Yantra Yoga, Vajra Dance, collective practice Tuns taught and led by Santi Maha Sangha teachers, Khaita, and Karma Yoga opportunities.

Summer Celebration lunch orders need to be reserved and prepaid by July 1st!

Let us know that you will be coming by reserving your place. Please register and reserve your lunches by clicking on the link below, you will find all program details and lunch menus as well.

http://tsegyalgar.org/support/tsegyalgar-celebration/

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Transmission is needed to participate.

Updated Vajra Dance Course Schedules With International Instructor Prima Mai

Prima Mai's updated Vajra Dance course schedule is now available.
 
First Level Vajra Dance Teacher Training August 10-15th

Dance of the Three Vajras Supervision Course August 18-20th. Course open to all who have transmission.

Dance of the Vajra That Benefits Beings Supervision Course August 21-23rd. Course Open to all.

Advanced Vajra Dance Course, September 1-4th.

For more information and to register please go to:
http://tsegyalgar.org/lo…/tsegyalgareast/tsegyalgareastcale/ . 

Thank you!

Pictures from Tsegyalgar's Open House at Conway's 250th Anniversary Celebration - June 17 & 18 2017

Thanks to all those who helped out at our Open House during Conway's 250th Anniversary Celebration. A great time was had by all!

The Open House was a wonderful collaborative effort between the International Dzogchen Community, Shang Shung Institute of USA, and A.S.I.A. 

Big thanks to Paula Barry, John Shannon and Dimitri Rimsky for their lovely photographs, and Dominik Niceva for her video.

Information regarding our three organizations

Origami Club paper lotus parade display

Matt Schmookler speaking about Tibetan Medicine

Giorgio Dallorto speaking about  Tibetan coins & paper money

Yantra Yoga demonstrations in front of Field Memorial Library

Harmonious Dances Demonstration 

 Conway 250th Anniversary Celebration Parade

         Khaita dancing with our dancers and Conway locals during the Harmonious Dances demo