Hello

[stirling]

On 11/20/2025 at 8:46 AM, J.Finder said:

Regarding practice, I feel very close to what Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche and Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche describe in their books. I have also drawn many insights and much “food for inner work” and inspiration from the writings of the Dalai Lama, Lama Sopa (Khenpo Jampa Sopa), and Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. In meditation (śamatha and vipassanā) and in everyday life I resonate with the approach of transforming obscuring emotions and bringing them onto the Path — here following the instructions of Padmasambhava. 
 

What Buddhism calls the “five poisons of the mind” I try to track and work with using the corresponding five wisdoms. I was deeply impressed by trips to India and Nepal — the sense of harmony, clarity and openness experienced in the Buddhist monasteries of Dharamsala left a strong impression.

 

This is good. Life IS the path, and the experiences we encounter, and our attachment or aversion to them, the story we tell about them (our "new" karma) and how we respond to them are our practice. Learning to see that emptiness is available in every moment is the antidote. Have you have pointing out instruction?

 

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For me, the Inner Goetia approach as a system for overcoming “dead ends of consciousness” resonates in some ways with tantric Buddhist practice: identify / recognize a destructive manifestation and oppose it with a remedy. I’m currently rereading The New Lemegeton: goetic psychoanalysis (author Enmerkar), and when I find such dead ends in myself I try to work through them in daily life (and in meditation). By observation, this approach makes me freer and more harmonious, and external circumstances tend to arrange themselves more harmoniously as well.

 

It sounds like another viewpoint on your work with the Five Poisons, etc.  I haven't used this perspective or toolset myself. 

 

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Could you tell a bit more about your experience?
Have you personally met any contemporary teachers of the Nyingma/Dzogchen tradition, or perhaps attended any teachings?

 

I started practicing Nyingma/Dzogchen in 1990 with Ngakpa Chogyam Rinpoche. I took classes at Rigpa UK when I lived there. I took refuge with Gyatrul Rinpoche and Lamrim teachings with David Newman. I also had teachings from Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Robin Courtin, and Jon Landau. I received empowerments with all of them, but also the Dalai Lama (and a thousand or so other people) twice. There were plenty of other adventures in there I am sure I forgot. Since 2015 I have been working in Soto Zen, and am now a teacher. 

 

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“Success in the attainment of the Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel” sounds very impressive — did that achievement open new horizons on the Path and make you stronger and freer?

 

After enjoying a podcast discussion with Alan Chapman and Duncan Barford (could have been this one: https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/worp-fm/003-do-what-thou-wilt-KuLDrjd3ea0/  ) they mentioned the simplicity of summoning the HGA. I did some research, found this video, added a black candle to the proceedings and tried out the call. 

 

The video:

 

Within two days I had a vision of a completely real "angel" at my bedside... something strange, ancient, clothed in pale grey robes and humanoid, but with it's face blocked by a hand. I haven't received any instructions, but was offered a sword once. 

 

My insight into non-duality has continued to deepen, but existed before I summoned the angel, so I'm not sure if I had already preempted the process. The angel still visits occasionally, but each time somewhat transformed.

 

Some may take Chapman and Barford cum grano salis, being that they are Chaos Magicians and don't always use the strict ritual structures, but it in reading and listening to them I find that the Chaos Magic framework works quite well with my Buddhist instructions to hold reality lightly. Many Buddhist texts are magic, and include admonitions to hold belief systems, but LIGHTLY, for the purposes of altering our way of seeing. In absolute terms, ALL of these appearances are empty and have only relative existence.  

[Nungali]

Recently I have had a young  'first-step'  magical student visit and quiz me about  her desire to go along the path of magical development , particularly  she wants to cut through the crap and get to the essence ... and do something to set her firmly on her way . After a bit of thought I came up with  'the basic essential practice ' .... which seems to me to be ' 'the oath'  (of dedication to such a path) .  This is very similar to the above  '' I give permission ...... '' 

 

I took mine at a very early age   and was very 'insistent'  about it  ;  ''  I dont care what you do or what happens  .....  ''

 

    Well .... its been an 'interesting ride ' 

 

A technical point  .......   you say  'summoning '  ...  and you 'saw' 

 

But they say .... and the  tradition says  .....  'knowledge and conversation '   .... very different things between those two . 

 

....   did you take the sword  ?  

 

 

I also wanted to ask you about  'Chaos magicians ' .... But I will start a new thread in esoteric section for that .