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?

 

Quote

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. 

 

Quote

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. 

 

Quote

“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 . 

[J.Finder]

On 23.11.2025 at 2:40 AM, Nungali said:

I am not sure how this is going to unfold .... I am going through my profile  > activity  and selected > 'topics'  - I have never looked through that before .... OMG  ! 

Thank you very much! I managed to get familiar with some of the materials. Wow, there are surprisingly many of them!

I think it would be more appropriate to continue with questions in separate threads. I’ve just found some free time to return to the forum.

[J.Finder]

On 26.11.2025 at 10:17 PM, stirling said:

Life IS the path, and the experiences we encounter, and our attachment or aversion to them..... Learning to see that emptiness is available in every moment is the antidote.

I completely agree — that’s exactly how it feels. Fully experiencing whatever arises, with as much mindfulness as possible, naturally opens the next “field of practice.” And regarding emptiness, that is true as well. I notice some progress in my practice, though I feel I still have a long way to go.
 

 

On 26.11.2025 at 10:17 PM, stirling said:

Have you have pointing out instruction?

 

Yes, I have received some pointing-out instructions from my teacher in personal practice. I think the term “deity yoga” describes it best. 
 

 

On 26.11.2025 at 10:17 PM, stirling said:

It sounds like another viewpoint on your work with the Five Poisons, etc.

And you’re absolutely right about Inner Goetia. First I became familiar with its approach, and it helped me more precisely identify “breakdowns of consciousness” (the Demon) and then, using the guidance, find their “harmonious state” (the Genius) in order to transform them. It’s not a fast process, of course, but for me it turned out to be very effective as a method of self-purification.

I also see it as simply “another point of view.”

Regarding the Five Poisons — for me they are more like general principles. If Goetia is about purification, then Buddhist practice is more about attuning to the “perfect principle,” the “enlightened pattern”, "The Buddha nature".  But I wouldn’t say I am deeply knowledgeable in traditional systems — most of this comes from personal experience....

 

On 26.11.2025 at 10:17 PM, stirling said:

After enjoying a podcast discussion with Alan Chapman and Duncan Barford

Wow... very interesting video... Thanks!

 

 

On 26.11.2025 at 10:17 PM, stirling said:

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.  

 

Thank you for sharing such a detailed and profound account of your experience!
Unfortunately, I haven’t had the chance to attend teachings by the Dalai Lama (or other teachers) in person — only via online streams. I hope that one day I’ll be able to experience it directly.
 

And yes, you expressed it very precisely — I don’t think I can add anything to that. Some time ago I felt a bit conflicted: on one hand, the “Buddhist view” of the world and inner processes has always felt natural and deeply familiar to me. On the other hand, the spirit of the Western Path and the Western esoteric tradition also resonates strongly. Over time, a personal system of “tools” for moving forward has formed for me — and continues to evolve.
 

Experiences of emptiness, reminders of impermanence, interdependent arising, and other key Buddhist insights gradually reveal themselves more deeply through time and practice…

 

[stirling]

2 hours ago, J.Finder said:

I completely agree — that’s exactly how it feels. Fully experiencing whatever arises, with as much mindfulness as possible, naturally opens the next “field of practice.” And regarding emptiness, that is true as well. I notice some progress in my practice, though I feel I still have a long way to go.

 

That's excellent. Slow and steady, with as little clinging to results as possible is the way forward. 

 

2 hours ago, J.Finder said:

Yes, I have received some pointing-out instructions from my teacher in personal practice. I think the term “deity yoga” describes it best.

 

Ah... but did he point our Rigpa to you, or at least attempt to?

 

2 hours ago, J.Finder said:

And you’re absolutely right about Inner Goetia. First I became familiar with its approach, and it helped me more precisely identify “breakdowns of consciousness” (the Demon) and then, using the guidance, find their “harmonious state” (the Genius) in order to transform them. It’s not a fast process, of course, but for me it turned out to be very effective as a method of self-purification.

I also see it as simply “another point of view.”

 

A fantastic attitude. 

 

2 hours ago, J.Finder said:

And yes, you expressed it very precisely — I don’t think I can add anything to that. Some time ago I felt a bit conflicted: on one hand, the “Buddhist view” of the world and inner processes has always felt natural and deeply familiar to me. On the other hand, the spirit of the Western Path and the Western esoteric tradition also resonates strongly. Over time, a personal system of “tools” for moving forward has formed for me — and continues to evolve.

 

Yes, absolutely. 

 

2 hours ago, J.Finder said:

Experiences of emptiness, reminders of impermanence, interdependent arising, and other key Buddhist insights gradually reveal themselves more deeply through time and practice.

 

Yes. Allow emptiness to well up whenever possible. Set a timer and do it once an hour. The more you can see emptiness in walking, washing your hands, cutting vegetables, etc. the more you will notice it is ALWAYS present.  _/\_