C T

few and far between wind-blown early autumn leaves mild winter beckons....

~ Jamgon Mipham Rinpoche ~ What is meant by dependent origination? It means that nothing within inner and outer phenomena has arisen without a cause. Neither have they originated from what is not their causes - that is, non-causes such as a permanent creator, in the form of a self, time, or the Almighty. The fact that phenomena arise based on the interdependence of their respective causes and conditions coming together is called dependent origination. To proclaim this is the unique approach of the Buddha's teaching. In this way, the arising of all inner and outer phenomena require that their respective causes and conditions come together in the appropriate manner. When these factors are incomplete, phenomena do not arise, while when complete, they will definitely arise. That is the nature of dependent origination. Thus, dependent origination ranks as an essential and profound teaching among the treasuries of the Buddha's words. The one who perceives dependent origination with the eyes of discriminating knowledge will come to see the qualities that have the nature of the eightfold noble path, and with the wisdom gaze that comprehends all object of knowledge will perceive the dharmakaya of Buddhahood. Thus it has been taught.

to the OP: You seem quite self-assured about the path you've chosen, so all the best. In addition to the pitfalls wisely pointed out by others here, I'd just like to add something that you may want to consider as a pointer to keep in mind: Dreams don't lie. Take note of them, for the frequencies of patterns and particular types of dreams show to you whether your practice is progressive, stagnant, or in decline. Rather than offering more of the same kinds of advice, as so much seems being snubbed, all I'd like to remind is to just "listen" to your own dreams. For eg., if practice is leading you in the right direction, you could have dreams of forgiving enemies, healing damaged relationships, visiting god realms filled with blissful sounds, colours and lights, and so on. If stagnant, usually its dreams of routine stuff like eating breakfast, having a shower etc., and if in decline, there'd be dreams that usually revolve around fearful events, having sex with demons, being suffocated in a black box, stuck in a maze, consuming poison and so on. So whichever kind is dominant will reveal much about the general state of your practice.

~ Paramito Ladakh ~ While it cannot be located, in either the material or immaterial realms, it can nevertheless be known, by mere fact that it is knowing itself, which is beyond the conceptual framework of time and space.

They could have written thus, "From the voidness of the Mysterious Female emanates an eternal spirit that is inexhaustible."

Interesting that the term 'Valley Spirit' needs further explication. Do you know the reason for this?

Hi Steve I assure you none of whats been shared here can be classified as "restricted". As one of my teachers said, the only texts that are restricted are those passed directly from teacher to student with specific instructions not to expose said texts, either because they have been 'sealed' for private practice undertaken by said student, or because traditionally there's no precedent for exposing certain texts openly, bar those who have received specific empowerments to engage with sadhanas commensurate with those texts.

It does bear some semblance, doesn't it?

~ Dudjom Rinpoche ~ The Nature of Mind No words can describe it No example can point to it Samsara does not make it worse Nirvana does not make it better It has never been born It has never ceased It has never been liberated It has never been deluded It has never existed It has never been nonexistent It has no limits at all It does not fall into any kind of category.

~ Longchenpa ~ Pure mind is like the empty sky, Without memory, supreme meditation; It is our own nature, unstirring, uncontrived, And wherever that abides is the superior mind, One in buddhahood without any sign, One in view free of limiting elaboration, One in meditation free of limiting ideation, One in conduct free of limiting endeavour, And one in fruition free of limiting attainment. Vast! spacious! Released as it stands! With neither realization nor non-realization; Experience consummate! No mind! It is open to infinity.

One way to suspend discursive mind is to learn how to wilfully generate states of inner bliss. Thats the mental equivalent of a full body orgasmic peak experience.

relevant

Creation story from the Hopi Nation in Arizona Creation said: “I want to hide something from the humans until they are ready for it. It is the realization that they create their own reality.” The eagle said, “Give it to me. I will take it to the moon.” The Creator said, “No. One day they will go there and find it.” The salmon said, “I will bury it on the bottom of the ocean.” The Creator said, “No. They will go there, too.” The buffalo said, “I will bury it in the Great Plains.” The Creator said, “They will cut into the skin of the earth and find it even there.” Grandmother, who lives in the breast of Mother Earth, and who has no physical eyes but sees with spiritual eyes, said, “Put it inside of them.” And the Creator said, “It is done.”

Your sincere aspiration and the level of determination shown in wanting to cultivate an authentic path to enlightenment is truly heartening, and humbling at the same time. May your endeavours be free of obstacles always. _/\_ I started out with a lineage from the Nyingma tradition, but have since stepped away from this group, and no longer feel drawn to any particular sangha or lineage in the past 6 or so years, although I continue to practice with the Dudjom Tersar Ngondro graciously passed down from the great Nyingma master HH Dudjom Rinpoche, who remains a vital figure among a host of enlightened beings to whom I go for refuge. And anyone who consciously and sincerely seek enlightenment will always be part of the precious sangha in that same field of merit. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refuge_tree The accumulations are crucial as these are the actual exercises that gradually and systematically purify the subtle body. Its important to give it time to mature and produce tangible results. This will take years to even begin to shift the ingrained psychophysical habits. Initially I was quite caught up in notching up the numbers (mandala offerings, mantras, prostrations, etc), but nowadays I don't keep score anymore - I just do them spontaneously as part of my daily rituals. Over time, I have found that with heightened awareness, every liberated experience of body, speech and mind can be used as a spark to remain in equipoise, and each successful spark and the clarity of visualization that follows, when they engender the desired result (ie to remain undistracted, thereby pacifying grasping and aversion, which is basically what equipoise means) is an accumulation of merit and wisdom. With sufficient practice, confidence in the result will arise spontaneously. There really isn't any need to become overly conscious of wanting to achieve any particular goal, because that in itself is antiethical to Dzogchen, which we all know is about resting the awareness in an easeful yet alert and pervasive non-state. But even after so many years of practice, there are still countless instances in my daily life where arising experiences remain lost in distraction and unawareness; however, even noticing this is already a marked progression. It helps to gather the mind and bring it back to its fundamental nature. You may have heard of Dr. Alan Wallace. I have great respect for his teachings, esp those on Dzogchen. I believe he will be a wonderful source of knowledge for any and all of your queries relating to your practice going forward. This link hopefully puts you in touch with him: http://www.alanwallace.org/contact/ Another valuable Western Dzogchen teacher is Dr. Miles Neale. You can also try to get in touch here: https://www.milesneale.com/ Thankfully, you will not find either of them expounding their vast practical wisdoms on DW. This is a wonderfully presented Ngondro guide by Dr. Neale. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5a8e29ffcd39c3de866b5e14/t/5b52d83888251b4755ec7b53/1532155982075/Visualization.pdf It may resonate with you more if you happen to connect and find affinity with this teacher. He has a number of teaching videos on youtube and elsewhere on the interweb. (late edit) I think its auspicious to want to get a blessing to begin Ngondro, but at the same time, dont let the lack of one prevent you from initiating practise. Its not a prerequisite. All the best, Radix. *Stay away from DW! lol Even sincere practitioners may end up losing their way there.