Charlie Awbery, an expert in Vajrayana and Dzogchen practices, shares his journey from the UK to India and his connection with the Dharma. He delves into the flexibility and accessibility of these spiritual practices in modern times, emphasizing the balance between discipline and openness. The discussion highlights Yidam practices and the importance of personal discernment within the guru-student dynamic. Awbery also reflects on societal changes, advocating for a pluralistic approach to spirituality that addresses contemporary challenges while fostering community.
Charlie Albury emphasizes a modern interpretation of Vajrayana, making traditional practices more accessible to contemporary practitioners.
Language is fundamental in Vajrayana, as adaptable vocabulary enhances personal experience and fosters collaborative learning within the community.
Evolving Ground prioritizes personal autonomy in practice, encouraging a dynamic exploration of traditions while fostering a participatory and inclusive environment.
Deep dives
Background and Journey into Vajrayana
Charlie Albury, founder of Evolving Ground, shares his journey from a rural upbringing in the UK to his deep engagement with Vajrayana Buddhism. His early encounters with meditation in India profoundly influenced his spiritual path, leading him to explore various Buddhist practices before finding a connection with the Aroter lineage. Over the years, he developed a deep understanding of traditional practices such as Yidam and Chud, ultimately transitioning from a strictly traditional approach to a more modern interpretation. This evolution included the organic development of Evolving Ground, a community aimed at exploring contemporary Vajrayana in a more accessible format.
Understanding Vajrayana Practices
Vajrayana is characterized as an energetic and diverse path within Buddhism, integrating practices like Tantric meditation and Zogchen that focus on engaging with form and energy. Unlike other Buddhist traditions that emphasize sensory withdrawal, Vajrayana invites practitioners to immerse themselves in their emotions and sense perceptions as part of their spiritual journey. Charlie explains how practices such as Yidam work as embodied representations of awareness, encouraging practitioners to interact with the vibrant aspects of life rather than renouncing them. This approach allows for a more vivid and relatable spiritual practice, which resonates with modern practitioners who may not be inclined to adopt more ascetic lifestyles.
The Role of Language in Practice
Language plays a critical role in shaping the practice and experience of Vajrayana, influencing how practitioners perceive their journey and the teachings they engage with. Charlie highlights the importance of using adaptable language that can resonate with individuals' unique experiences instead of rigid terminologies that may lead to misunderstandings. By creating a shared vocabulary within the Evolving Ground community, members can explore their practices more dynamically and authentically. This focus on language not only enriches personal practice but also fosters collaborative learning, encouraging dialogue and shared insights among practitioners from diverse backgrounds.
Community and Exploration at Evolving Ground
Evolving Ground serves as a platform for exploration, where practitioners are encouraged to engage with various traditions and systems of thought without the pressure of adhering to a singular path. Charlie discusses the significance of personal autonomy in practice, allowing individuals to choose the approaches that resonate most with them. The community emphasizes discourse and experiential learning, fostering an environment where members can share their insights and experiences freely. This multifaceted approach reflects a shift away from traditional models of rigid authority and toward a more inclusive, participatory practice.
Embracing Modernity in Vajrayana
Charlie reflects on the need for Vajrayana practices to adapt and remain relevant amidst contemporary cultural changes and social upheaval. He draws parallels between historical transformations in Buddhism and the current landscape, highlighting how these shifts necessitate a more worldly-oriented approach that emphasizes engagement with the here and now. By understanding Vajrayana's roots in cultural dynamism, practitioners can better appreciate their path's contemporary relevance, seeing it as a means to navigate modern challenges. This outlook encourages a blend of tradition and innovation, ultimately creating a practice that serves the needs of today's practitioners.
Wherein Charlie and I range and rove over the varieties and vagaries of Vajrayana, Dzogchen, and the adaptation and evolution of Tantric modes of practice for these turbulent times.
From a song of Milarepa:
All things in saṃsāra and nirvāṇa… all existents, phenomena, appearances, and non-existents,
all these functional realities are inseparably of one taste with the quintessential nature of emptiness…
All share in the vastness of the great coalescence.
The wise who realize this truth no longer see mind, but only wisdom-mind.
They no longer see living beings, only Buddhas.
They no longer see phenomena, only the quintessential nature.
- The Six Yogas of Naropa, translated by Glenn H. Mullin
You can find the community of the Evolving Ground here:
You can find me and my scribblings on my website:
https://www.wystantbs.com/
and playing amongst the ashes of the trash-fire currently known as X:
https://twitter.com/WystanTBS
May you and all beings live happily, free from suffering in sympathetic joy and profound equanimity!
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