News from Shang Shung Institute of America

Tsegyalgar East welcomes the presence of Heidi Schor to the Shang Shung Institute of America Board of Directors. She is well qualified to lead the Shang Shung School of Tibetan Medicine’s team for accreditation and professional recognition.  

Heidi Schor, CCH is Past President of the Accreditation Commission for Homeopathic Education in North America (ACHENA), Co-Founder and Past President of the Washington State Homeopathy Association (WAHA), Board Member and International Liaison for the Council for Homeopathic Certification (CHC), representative for the International Council for Homeopathy (ICH) and member representative on the Academic Consortium for Complementary and Alternative Health Care (ACCAHC).  Heidi is past faculty at Bastyr University, Seattle School of Homeopathy and Homeopathic Academy of Southern California.  She is currently on sabbatical from her practice and teaching while writing an historical novel about Native Americans. Heidi has been a student of Choegyal Namkhai Norbu since the late 1980's and brings her experience with emerging professions to the SSI board and Tibetan Medical Program in hopes of expediting the process of recognition and accreditation.

Caroline Hotaling

Tsegyalgar East welcomes Caroline Hotaling in her new role as Bookstore Manager and part-time administrator for the Shang Shung Institute of America

Caroline brings over 25 years of professional nonprofit experience to a new role at the Shang Shung Institute of America. A DCA member since 2013, you may know her from some time she spent living at the Tsegyalgar East schoolhouse in Conway last winter. Originally from the Adirondack mountains of New York State, she lived and worked on environmental health, environmental justice and community development along the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona for almost a decade, where she also became a practitioner. Caroline later worked for the Ms. Foundation for Women in NYC, a national women’s fund devoted to funding social justice programs across the U.S. A current SSI-USA board member, she will leave the board when she starts work at SSI. In addition to transitioning into Anna Bartenstein’s role in the bookstore, Caroline also looks forward to working closely with the entire SSI team to accomplish SSI-USA’s ambitious plans, including the accreditation of Tibetan Medicine.

Michael Katz Reflects on his Journey with Santi Maha Sangha Training

The Tsegyalgar East community blog recently asked the newly authorized SMS Teachers in North America (Lynn Newdome, Michael Katz and Mariano Gil) to talk about their journey with Santi Maha Sangha Training. The first to respond, Michael Katz, is a familiar presence in the International Dzogchen Community. 

MICHAEL KATZ

I have  been participating in the SMS training since 1994 and I subsequently also completed the base as well as practices related to the first and second levels .

Although I just completed the SMS teacher exam this past month I have been a teacher in the community for the last 30 or more years. For many years I taught both yantra yoga and dream yoga. After chronic knee  and back injuries I retired as a yoga teacher about 10 years ago .

Subsequently I have continued to teach dream yoga and I have taught in more than 25 countries.The book “Dream Yoga and the Practice of Natural Light  " which I edited and wrote based on Rinpoche's  teachings has been published in at least 10  languages and continues to be the most popular of Rinpoche's public books. All royalties go to the community.

As up until two years ago I was still working full-time as well as parenting I did not find the time to take the teacher exam .

My circumstances changed when I retired from full-time work . Also last year when  I attended the teachers meeting at Dzamling Gar, Rinpoche emphasized the importance of the SMS training and the need for teachers who could perpetuate the transmission.

I had it in my mind that I would try to find the next occasion to take the exam.
This year when the exam date was announced I re- confirmed with Rinpoche that he would like me to take the exam.

 I found the studying for this examination both enriching and difficult. I had previously taken the base examination very long ago and so it was necessary for me to reacquaint myself with much of the material in “The Precious Vase." 

I spent many hours a day studying for this examination. As the time came closer I was basically studying around the clock.

Due to a heavy winter storm in New York my travel to Tenerefe was  delayed by two days . When I arrived it was only one day before the examinations would begin. Another of the examinees Mariano Gil and I traveled to get there from New York . We continued our studies ful while en route.

Although I have had many years of public speaking and teaching,  this event reminded me of my oral dissertation for my doctoral degree . The thought of presenting in front of CNN and 150 or so of my vajra brothers and sisters  made me very nervous.

Without knowing what question or questions I would receive I was  apprehensive .  I was particularly concerned  that I would receive a question that I had not prepared or even worse  block and forget everything during the examination itself.

I was informed upon arrival that I would be the second examinee. I wasn't sure whether I preferred to go early on , and get it out-of-the-way or wait until later. I still had severe jet lag when my  day arrived.

On the actual day of the exam although I had had only a few hours of sleep due to the jet lag I was feeling reasonably calm. My pervasive feeling was whatever will be will be.

The question I received was number 16. The actual question was to explain the four understandings of Ati Yoga.

I felt I did  a reasonably good job and afterwards when I was walking back to my seat I felt completely relieved almost like I was walking in the sky.

Afterwards  after the retreat some people came to me  and said that my question was one of the hardest . For me actually it was preferable to have received a question about Dzogchen  rather then for example a question explaining the various Mundane  schools of asceticism.

When I was requested to write a few words about the exam one of the questions was how it is changed my practice. On the most basic level I would say that the memorizationand re-acquaintance with the very important material in “The Precious Vase " was certainly valuable.

Most importantly, however, was the very deep feeling  that Samsara is infinite suffering and I would be able to benefit others.

I know the most important way is to teach the Dharma. I cannot think of a higher purpose then to assist Rinpoche, and despite my limited capacity to help him perpetuate the teachings of  Dzogchen .

In the past year or two since partially retiring and with more time and enough security, I have tried to step up my altruistic activity. I recently organized a successful benefit for the Dzogchen community with my friend the recording artist Krishna Das . I have also either completed or scheduled additional benefits for the near future. The most important part of studying and taking this exam was the feeling that I would like to do even more.

I am infinitely grateful for the teachings I have received from the master over these many years, and I pray for his continued good health and long life.

Michael Katz
from his IPhone.......


CHECK OUT the video featuring Michael and other artists of the Manhattan group show On and Of Paper Art Show - February 12- March 5, 2015 at Art345

Annual Losar Poem for Year of the Wood Sheep

Hey!  This Wood Sheep year

Let's clean up our messes

With the help of Vajra flock

No more making big bad wolves

Out of everyone

No more crying bha bha

       Over this or that

Let's break out of the mould

In honor of the Noble Ones

Shine resplendent with our little lamps

a beacon of collective wisdom --

Unsurpassable in our shared confidence

That compassion is our banner

This year of heart

Over mind.

Poem by Jacqueline Gens

For my Vajra Sisters and Brothers

2015

Graphic by Mariano Gil (courtesy of The Mirror)

UPDATED Tibetan Divination Soup and other Activities for Losar at Tsegyalgar East

UPDATED Full Losar Schedule at Tsegyalgar East

Wednesday, February 18th

4:30 pm Learn to make Divination soup and assist Yeshe-la and Phuntsog-la if you like

6:00 pm Divination soup! Please RSVP to karenprestwood@yahoo.com by 

Monday, Feb 16 at 12 pm

 if you are planning to attend so we know how many dumplings to make.

7:00 pm Vajra Dance Tun

8:00 pm New Moon Ganapuja

Thursday, February 19th - Losar: Wood Sheep year

7:00 am Long Life Practice

8:00 am Breakfast

5:00 pm Pot luck dinner and Bagchen

Saturday, February 21st

9:00 am Lungta raising

We could use a couple of strong volunteers in particular to help set up ladders and hang flags. 

Please join us for Divination Soup on Wednesday,  Feb 18 at 6 pm at the Schoolhouse. This is a Tibetan tradition celebrated at Losar. Everyone receives a dumpling with a message for the new year. 

Here are some of the symbols of divination soup as told to us by Dr Phuntsog Wangmo several years ago. For example, if there is a piece of wool in your dumpling, it means that one is calm, soft and smooth. If there is a bone, it means that one is very strong. Chili pepper means that one has intense energy and speech, sometime harsh. There are many  more interesting divinations!

If you want to learn how to make divination soup and help Yeshela and Phuntsogla make the soup, come to the Schoolhouse at 4:30 pm Wed Feb 18. 

Please RSVP to karenprestwood@yahoo.com by Monday, Feb 16 at 12 pm if you are planning to attend so we know how many dumplings to make.

LUNGTA - A Message from our Geko at Tsegyalgar East

We have initiated the process of creating lungta for Losar in the Gonpa. We already have roughly 50 sets printed, mostly from previous years. All the necessary equipment and supplies are available in the Gonpa. If you would like to print some more flags, contact me at geko@tsegyalgar.organd I will forward your message to the relevant contact who can get the matching fabric to bring to the schoolhouse.

Everyone is welcome to participate. Someone can help with pinning and sewing lungta onto the clothesline cords. Some people are coming this weekend to help out. Saturday is Dakini Day Ganapuja, so perhaps we all coordinate our schedules to create lungta on this auspicious day for the benefit of all. You can also come anytime that works for you between now and Losar, but try to be aware of the Tsegyalgar East calendar. The Tibetan Medicine students will be doing Yantra Yoga each evening with Paula 5:00pm-6:30pm. She told me she does not mind if people make lungta during this time, but to please be a little quiet. 

OTHER LOSAR activities for the Wood Sheep Year will be posted as the schedule evolves

Hope to see some of you in person.........

Tsegyalgar East is Pleased to Announce Three New Santi Maha Sangha Authorized Base Teachers

[Left to right: Lynn Newdome, Michael Katz and Mariano Gill]

Tsegyalgar East is pleased to announce the authorization of Lynn Newdome from Northampton, MA, Michael Katz and Mariano Gill from NYC as Teachers of the Santi Maha Sangha Base.  These three join Jim Valby in North America as authorized SMS Teachers. 

[International SMS Teachers of the Base newly authorized with their diplomas]

They took their exams at Dzamling Gar in Tenerife, Spain where they passed along with Yantra Yoga and Vajra Dance Teachers under the guidance of Chögyal  Namkhai Norbu. Carisa O’Kelly from Tsegyalgar West was also authorized as a second level Vajra Dance teacher. In all, 17 participants from around the world took part in the examinations held at the international  Dzamling Gar. 

[Photo of entire Teachers Training group with their diplomas reprinted from Michael Katz Facebook]

What is Santi Maha Sangha Training?

Santi Maha Sangha training  is a course of study and practice in nine levels initiated by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in 1994. The aim of Santi Maha Sangha, which in the ancient language of Oddiyana means "Dzogchen Commmunity," is to guarantee the continuation of the Dzogchen teaching as it was originally transmitted by Garab Dorje, and as the Master has been transmitting it for more than thirty years within the Dzogchen Community. After the "Base" level, whose contents are presented in The Precious Vase, there are three levels dedicated to Semde, three to Longde and the final three to Mennagde or Upadesha.  

For further information about SMS study and training programs, visit the Tsegylagar East webpages here  or go to our pages Resources for New Practitioners on this blog.  

To read Choegyal Namkhai’s article in the Mirror on the Continuation of the Dzogchen Teaching prior to the authorizations,  click here. 

[ Top photo courtesy of Naomi Zeitz]

An Important Message from the International Gakyil about Memberships

The Mirror recently posted the following article from the IDC about the new membership categories and various questions.  

There are a number of questions being raised by changes to the membership system this year, as the International Dzogchen Community becomes an established reality. We hope to answer most questions here in one place, rather than answering on an individual basis. Please do let us know if anything is still not clear!

To Read More visit the online Mirror article.


PHOTO CREDIT: Sean Quinn - crystal ball at the center of the universal mandala

News from Margaret J. Wheatley

Dear Friends and Colleagues,    This new header represents a shift in the focus and direction of my work. Increasingly I feel compelled to speak and teach about how we can persevere and do good work as Warriors for the Human Spirit. I draw great strength and clarity from the red rock canyons of southern Utah, so they appear here and in the design of my new website. And raven, as described in my newest book How Does Raven Know?, is a continual reminder of the many sources of support and companionship available to us from ancient ways of knowing this planet. To preview my new book, click here to visit my new web site:  http://margaretwheatley.com/books-products/books/raven-know/ I would like to tell you of three seminars or retreats I'm offering in the first half of 2015, each of which focuses on strengthening us warriors to be able to persevere and contribute well to this increasingly difficult time. Engaging Wholeheartedly as Women Leaders: Maintaining stamina, direction and values in the midst of challenge and uncertainty The Sophia Institute, Charleston, South Carolina, May 8-9, 2015 For description and information, visit  http://margaretwheatley.com/seminars-retreats/#may2015sophia Avoiding the Ambush of Hope A Retreat for Exhausted and Overworked Leaders Hosted by FOUG Montréal, Canada June 4 to 6, 2015 For description and information, visit  http://margaretwheatley.com/seminars-retreats/#june2015auberge  Subtle Beliefs that Restrict Our Leadership Capacity: Peeling the Onion One More Layer Cape Cod Institute, August 3-7, 2015 For description and information, visit http://margaretwheatley.com/seminars-retreats/#august2015cape  Please continue to check my website at http://margaretwheatley.com for additional seminars, retreats and new products.

Rochelle Hood May 27 1935- Jan 23 2015

[Photo reprinted from the Mirror]

Rochelle Hood 

May 27 1935- Jan 23 2015

A long-time Dzogchen Community  member, Rochelle was known throughout the community and beyond. She was an excellent and reliable provider of healthcare through her use of Shiatsu, and later Ku Kye healing techniques and helped many people to have better lives through her treatments. Her specialties also included acupuncture, cupping, a brand of Philippines massage and macrobiotic counseling, all of which she was highly trained in. She was born in the Philippines where she leaves family and friends, and lived for many years in NYC, Paris, Germany, and Italy. It was in Italy near Merigar that she passed away among her Dzogchen family after some years of declining health and illness. 

There are personal reminiscences abounding of Rochelle, because she was very witty and exuberant and loved to talk to people and engage in all the activities of the community such as performing the Vajra Dance, retreats, practices, parties, teas, excursions. She was known for her irreverent sense of humor and her self-deprecating manner; she did not seem to take anyone’s pretenses seriously, least of all her own. And yet despite her frequent hilarity, she showed a profound respect for the Guru, Dharma and Sangha, as well as real understanding and experiences of her dharma practice. She was a good person to be around, a real friend.

She will be greatly missed by many people, and we will not see anyone quite like her again. It was a pleasure and privilege to call her our sister. Our prayers go to her for a speedy and good rebirth.

By Lauri Marder

Happy New Year and Recap of 2014 Milestones

[Photo reprinted from the Mirror] 

Dear Vajra Community--

Best Wishes for the New Year!

Many milestones occurred in 2014 at Tsegyalgar East including, of course, our Retreat with Choegyal Namkhai Norbu, the 30th Anniversary including the dance  competition between Tsegyalgar and Namgyalgar and the Inauguration of the Mandala Hall.

Visit the NEW online Mirror (another milestone) for an article about Rinpoche’s Teaching/Commentary,  Light of the Sun on The Four Dharmas of Longchenpa in July 2014. 

Visit www.melong.com to download the new pdf format.












***

Soledad Suarez’s video highlights the importance of the Mandala Hall  project which houses the first Universal mandala on Earth along with some wonderful archival footage of Choegyal Namkhai Norbu.


          

  ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES

***

Congratulations to Joey and Laila on the birth of their third child, a son - VEDA KAI MELLA-REISS, born October 13, 2014 in Conway, MA at home who joins  Laila, Joey, Goma Devi and Ati Norbu

Congratulations to Matt Schmookler and Katya Borisenko 

on the birth of their son Varya

Tashi Kaiser of the NY ling and Sydney Maressa 
were married on August 1, 2014

***

2014 marked a year of losing many friends. We celebrate their life and remember them well for their dedication to the Teachings. 

Andrea Sertoli
Thomas Kehoe
Kathy McGrane
Catherine Ling

Khaita Tibetan Joyful Dances - Harmony in the Space
became an international sensation in 2014.
Click here to view the fantastic video of dances performed at most every Gar and Ling in honor of Choegyal Namkhai Norbu’s birthday on December 8, 2014.

***





MORE TO COME..........

Season's Greetings from Tsegyalgar East and West

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....  -Choegyal Namkhai Norbu 

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

SEASON’S GREETINGS and Love to all From Tsegyalgar East

***

TSEGYALGAR WEST sends Holiday wishes and thanks to all for your support of the reconstruction project and preparations of Rinpoche's Winter retreat happening this weekend at the Gar. It has been an extraordinary year and TW is poised to move forward into a new phase of growth in 2015.

Please do join us at the retreat on the webcast Sunday, Monday and Tuesday Dec. 20-22nd from 12-2 p.m. EST.and check our website
www.tsegylagarwest.org for 2015 program schedule and information.

We send you our very best wishes for a marvelous holiday season filled and all best in the New Year ahead!

Warm wishes and best from
Tsegyalgar West Gakyil

[Photo credit: Dharamsala candle by  Rosemary Rawcliff]

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

Dear Friends of ASIA ~ 

Thanks to all of you who came forward over the weekend to answer our urgent appeal for our mission to Khamdogar.

What are ASIA and Tsegyalgar? YOU! ME! US! Together, we are realizing the goals of this project. THANK YOU! We have already collected over 14k - from all over the world.

In addition, an anonymous donor is offering this statue of Guru Padmasambhava as a gift. It is believed to have been consecrated by Rinpoche in 2012. The sponsor who donates the most will receive a gift of this statue, as a thank you for participation.  

If this gift interests you follow this link to the Khamdogar donation page: 

http://tsegyalgar.org/support/donateonline/ 

We continue to accept tax deductible donations for this project. You will receive a thank you letter and tax deduction receipt for your donation, from ASIA. 

Or contact andreamnasca@gmail.com or
dkramer@peakskillslearning.com for more information or if making donation by check.

Thank you very much, everyone.

With kind regards, 

Andrea Nasca, ASIA America

Choegyal Namkhai Norbu’s USA 2015 Schedule

Exciting News.  It has now been confirmed that Choegyal Namkhai Norbu will return next summer

USA, Tsegyalgar East Retreat July 1-5, 2015

USA, Colorado (Naropa University, Boulder, CO)
July 9, 2015 USA Public TalkJuly 12-14, 2015 Retreat

USA, Tara Mandala
July 17-19, 2015 Tara Mandala Retreat                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Lama Tsultrim Allione has confirmed that Choegyal Namkhai Norbu is scheduled to teach at Tara Mandala July 17-19, 2015.   Tara Mandala is our sister organization known as a Dam Trog Fellowship in which the organizations are separate but share in Teachers and Transmissions. For further details as they develop, contact the office of  Tara Mandala.


For full details visit - Choegyal Namkha Norbu’s international schedule on the Mirror Website