
James Low - Dzogchen and Buddhist Teachings
James Low is a disciple and teacher in the Byangter and Khordong lineages of the late Chhimed Rigdzin Lama.
James regularly teaches the principles of dzogchen Buddhism in Europe and he publishes translations and commentaries from time to time.
Many of his seminars have been recorded and transcribed. They are now being put on his website to provide access for those seeking to deepen their dharma understanding and explore how to apply it in the complexities of everyday life.
Learn more about future events: simplybeing.co.uk/events/
Latest episodes

Jul 9, 2025 • 7min
What are phenomena?
Extract from "Wisdom and Compassion", on March 7-8th 2025, weekend teachings with James Low at Townley Hall in Macclesfield, UK: https://youtu.be/jtjlM1CYuN4Wisdom and Compassion are often said to be like the two wings of a bird. With their collaboration, we can fly free of the snares of samsara and its false dualism. We will integrate the wisdom of emptiness, which reveals how all our experience is like an illusion, with the kind compassion, which brings us into authentic contact.James has been teaching in Macclesfield once or twice a year since 2003 and you can listen to recordings of his teachings here: https://simplybeing.co.uk/category/audio-records/retreats/otherengland/macclesfield/📱 Instagram of excerpts: https://instagram.com/SBSangha_JamesLow🎧 Poscasts of some teachings: https://simplybeing.co.uk/news/podcasts/📆 Learn more about future events: https://simplybeing.co.uk/events/Video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QF0ucwkB_8

Jun 21, 2025 • 1h 28min
42 Questions & Answers. [EN-PT] Zoom 06.2025
June 4th 2025. James Low had invited questions from people watching his Zooms, which he began to answer.1) Is consciousness and mind the same in Buddhism? Is my mind which is deluded and has its own habits and tendencies the same as the mind which is primordial, unborn and clear? If so why is the mind which I call mine deluded?2) Are the explanations about karma and rebirth offered by traditional Buddhism part of a theory or belief or is it part of experience? Is it under the domain of consciousness or the domain of awareness? Does it make sense to practice Dzogchen without fully accepting these theories?3) What does it mean if a rinpoche bangs you on the head or gives you a shock?4) The luminous mind that we all have: is it also a compounded phenomena? If yes, how do we know when it is present and when not?5) Can a mind involved in conceptual elaboration ever generate compassion or loving kindness? Right mindfulness is one aspect of the eight-fold path. What are instances of wrong mindfulness? How do I guard against wrong mindfulness?6) In the White A practice, can we eventually include a Padmasambhava visualization with the three colors, the ball that radiates white light and drops into our heart, etc., or the practice of visualizing the tube that goes from the crown of our head to the perineum and then expands?7) We have some experience within the Theravada and Zen traditions; now we start to explore Dzogchen. What would you recommend: pointing out instructions, initiation, long-term retreat?8) Is there a practice that can be used to improve someone's situation? How would this work?English: youtu.be/xnsfHHP9vRsEnglish (without silence cuts): youtu.be/Z5vLJzeK4foGerman: youtu.be/Z6MKqkIVY48Russian: youtu.be/b-i8VP36OzsPolish: youtu.be/r4g3DkxASwQSpanish: youtu.be/tyWlgXr2RHUPortuguese: youtu.be/UOc2Bi_XuYQ (you are here)Romanian: youtu.be/GrmoLpoUMvYPortuguese translation: Milton PetruczokPlaylist “Perguntas & Respostas. [PT] Zoom 07.2020 –”: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLv-KZQo9b6hR2vHQ9K1blx96gzj1wprrS📱 Instagram of excerpts: https://instagram.com/SBSangha_JamesLow🎧 Poscasts of some teachings: https://simplybeing.co.uk/news/podcasts/📆 Learn more about future events: https://simplybeing.co.uk/events/Video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOc2Bi_XuYQ

Jun 21, 2025 • 1h 41min
42 Questions & Answers. [EN-DE] Zoom 06.2025
June 4th 2025. James Low had invited questions from people watching his Zooms, which he began to answer.1) Is consciousness and mind the same in Buddhism? Is my mind which is deluded and has its own habits and tendencies the same as the mind which is primordial, unborn and clear? If so why is the mind which I call mine deluded?2) Are the explanations about karma and rebirth offered by traditional Buddhism part of a theory or belief or is it part of experience? Is it under the domain of consciousness or the domain of awareness? Does it make sense to practice Dzogchen without fully accepting these theories?3) What does it mean if a rinpoche bangs you on the head or gives you a shock?4) The luminous mind that we all have: is it also a compounded phenomena? If yes, how do we know when it is present and when not?5) Can a mind involved in conceptual elaboration ever generate compassion or loving kindness? Right mindfulness is one aspect of the eight-fold path. What are instances of wrong mindfulness? How do I guard against wrong mindfulness?6) In the White A practice, can we eventually include a Padmasambhava visualization with the three colors, the ball that radiates white light and drops into our heart, etc., or the practice of visualizing the tube that goes from the crown of our head to the perineum and then expands?7) We have some experience within the Theravada and Zen traditions; now we start to explore Dzogchen. What would you recommend: pointing out instructions, initiation, long-term retreat?8) Is there a practice that can be used to improve someone's situation? How would this work?English: youtu.be/xnsfHHP9vRsEnglish (without silence cuts): youtu.be/Z5vLJzeK4foGerman: youtu.be/Z6MKqkIVY48 (you are here)Russian: youtu.be/b-i8VP36OzsPolish: youtu.be/r4g3DkxASwQSpanish: youtu.be/tyWlgXr2RHUPortuguese: youtu.be/UOc2Bi_XuYQRomanian: youtu.be/GrmoLpoUMvYGerman translation: Robert JaroslawskiPlaylist “Questions & Answers. [EN-DE] Zoom 07.2020 –”: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLv-KZQo9b6hQorJJB5YwaksSq90Z8mTeQ📱 Instagram of excerpts: https://instagram.com/SBSangha_JamesLow🎧 Poscasts of some teachings: https://simplybeing.co.uk/news/podcasts/📆 Learn more about future events: https://simplybeing.co.uk/events/Video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6MKqkIVY48

Jun 21, 2025 • 1h 31min
42 Questions & Answers. [EN-RU] Zoom 06.2025
June 4th 2025. James Low had invited questions from people watching his Zooms, which he began to answer.1) Is consciousness and mind the same in Buddhism? Is my mind which is deluded and has its own habits and tendencies the same as the mind which is primordial, unborn and clear? If so why is the mind which I call mine deluded?2) Are the explanations about karma and rebirth offered by traditional Buddhism part of a theory or belief or is it part of experience? Is it under the domain of consciousness or the domain of awareness? Does it make sense to practice Dzogchen without fully accepting these theories?3) What does it mean if a rinpoche bangs you on the head or gives you a shock?4) The luminous mind that we all have: is it also a compounded phenomena? If yes, how do we know when it is present and when not?5) Can a mind involved in conceptual elaboration ever generate compassion or loving kindness? Right mindfulness is one aspect of the eight-fold path. What are instances of wrong mindfulness? How do I guard against wrong mindfulness?6) In the White A practice, can we eventually include a Padmasambhava visualization with the three colors, the ball that radiates white light and drops into our heart, etc., or the practice of visualizing the tube that goes from the crown of our head to the perineum and then expands?7) We have some experience within the Theravada and Zen traditions; now we start to explore Dzogchen. What would you recommend: pointing out instructions, initiation, long-term retreat?8) Is there a practice that can be used to improve someone's situation? How would this work?English: youtu.be/xnsfHHP9vRsEnglish (without silence cuts): youtu.be/Z5vLJzeK4foGerman: youtu.be/Z6MKqkIVY48Russian: youtu.be/b-i8VP36Ozs (you are here)Polish: youtu.be/r4g3DkxASwQSpanish: youtu.be/tyWlgXr2RHUPortuguese: youtu.be/UOc2Bi_XuYQRomanian: youtu.be/GrmoLpoUMvYRussian translation: Marina SamarinaPlaylist “Вопросы и Ответы. [RU] Zoom 04.2023 –”: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLv-KZQo9b6hR-O5pCcz4jrfHv5eRKsMqU📱 Instagram of excerpts: https://instagram.com/SBSangha_JamesLow🎧 Poscasts of some teachings: https://simplybeing.co.uk/news/podcasts/📆 Learn more about future events: https://simplybeing.co.uk/events/Video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-i8VP36Ozs

Jun 21, 2025 • 1h 32min
42 Questions & Answers. [EN-ES] Zoom 06.2025
June 4th 2025. James Low had invited questions from people watching his Zooms, which he began to answer.1) Is consciousness and mind the same in Buddhism? Is my mind which is deluded and has its own habits and tendencies the same as the mind which is primordial, unborn and clear? If so why is the mind which I call mine deluded?2) Are the explanations about karma and rebirth offered by traditional Buddhism part of a theory or belief or is it part of experience? Is it under the domain of consciousness or the domain of awareness? Does it make sense to practice Dzogchen without fully accepting these theories?3) What does it mean if a rinpoche bangs you on the head or gives you a shock?4) The luminous mind that we all have: is it also a compounded phenomena? If yes, how do we know when it is present and when not?5) Can a mind involved in conceptual elaboration ever generate compassion or loving kindness? Right mindfulness is one aspect of the eight-fold path. What are instances of wrong mindfulness? How do I guard against wrong mindfulness?6) In the White A practice, can we eventually include a Padmasambhava visualization with the three colors, the ball that radiates white light and drops into our heart, etc., or the practice of visualizing the tube that goes from the crown of our head to the perineum and then expands?7) We have some experience within the Theravada and Zen traditions; now we start to explore Dzogchen. What would you recommend: pointing out instructions, initiation, long-term retreat?8) Is there a practice that can be used to improve someone's situation? How would this work?English: youtu.be/xnsfHHP9vRsEnglish (without silence cuts): youtu.be/Z5vLJzeK4foGerman: youtu.be/Z6MKqkIVY48Russian: youtu.be/b-i8VP36OzsPolish: youtu.be/r4g3DkxASwQSpanish: youtu.be/tyWlgXr2RHU (you are here)Portuguese: youtu.be/UOc2Bi_XuYQRomanian: youtu.be/GrmoLpoUMvYSpanish translation: Juan García Lázaro ( @juanb.garcialazaro )Playlist “Preguntas & Respuestas. [EN-ES] Zoom 07.2020 –”: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLv-KZQo9b6hS7c0fyRpIUppfblqzUKho2📱 Instagram of excerpts: https://instagram.com/SBSangha_JamesLow🎧 Poscasts of some teachings: https://simplybeing.co.uk/news/podcasts/📆 Learn more about future events: https://simplybeing.co.uk/events/Video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyWlgXr2RHU

Jun 21, 2025 • 54min
42 Questions & Answers. Zoom 06.2025
June 4th 2025. James Low had invited questions from people watching his Zooms, which he began to answer.Note: the constant cuts in this video result from the removal of James Low's periods of silence, while waiting for the consecutive translation from the German translator."(0:00) Is consciousness and mind the same in Buddhism? Is my mind which is deluded and has its own habits and tendencies the same as the mind which is primordial, unborn and clear? If so why is the mind which I call mine deluded?""(9:26) Are the explanations about karma and rebirth offered by traditional Buddhism part of a theory or belief or is it part of experience? Is it under the domain of consciousness or the domain of awareness? Does it make sense to practice Dzogchen without fully accepting these theories?""(22:00) What does it mean if a rinpoche bangs you on the head or gives you a shock?""(25:20) The luminous mind that we all have: is it also a compounded phenomena? If yes, how do we know when it is present and when not?""(31:35) Can a mind involved in conceptual elaboration ever generate compassion or loving kindness? Right mindfulness is one aspect of the eight-fold path. What are instances of wrong mindfulness? How do I guard against wrong mindfulness?""(37:13) In the White A practice, can we eventually include a Padmasambhava visualization with the three colors, the ball that radiates white light and drops into our heart, etc., or the practice of visualizing the tube that goes from the crown of our head to the perineum and then expands?""(39:26) We have some experience within the Theravada and Zen traditions; now we start to explore Dzogchen. What would you recommend: pointing out instructions, initiation, long-term retreat?""(46:41) Is there a practice that can be used to improve someone's situation? How would this work?"English: youtu.be/xnsfHHP9vRs (you are here)English (without silence cuts): youtu.be/Z5vLJzeK4foGerman: youtu.be/Z6MKqkIVY48Russian: youtu.be/b-i8VP36OzsPolish: youtu.be/r4g3DkxASwQSpanish: youtu.be/tyWlgXr2RHUPortuguese: youtu.be/UOc2Bi_XuYQRomanian: youtu.be/GrmoLpoUMvYFull transcript of these teachings: https://bit.ly/3ZlBcHgAudio file of this video: https://bit.ly/4jQRakgList of all questions and YouTube links to each one: https://bit.ly/JamesLow-QnA-questions Playlist “Questions & Answers. Zoom 07.2020 –”: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLv-KZQo9b6hRc2WtJW4KWXp8GefCiVa-R📱 Instagram of excerpts: https://instagram.com/SBSangha_JamesLow🎧 Poscasts of some teachinhgs: https://simplybeing.co.uk/news/podcasts/📆 Learn more about future events: https://simplybeing.co.uk/eventsVideo at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnsfHHP9vRs

Jun 21, 2025 • 1h 31min
42 Questions & Answers. [EN-PL] Zoom 06.2025
June 4th 2025. James Low had invited questions from people watching his Zooms, which he began to answer.1) Is consciousness and mind the same in Buddhism? Is my mind which is deluded and has its own habits and tendencies the same as the mind which is primordial, unborn and clear? If so why is the mind which I call mine deluded?2) Are the explanations about karma and rebirth offered by traditional Buddhism part of a theory or belief or is it part of experience? Is it under the domain of consciousness or the domain of awareness? Does it make sense to practice Dzogchen without fully accepting these theories?3) What does it mean if a rinpoche bangs you on the head or gives you a shock?4) The luminous mind that we all have: is it also a compounded phenomena? If yes, how do we know when it is present and when not?5) Can a mind involved in conceptual elaboration ever generate compassion or loving kindness? Right mindfulness is one aspect of the eight-fold path. What are instances of wrong mindfulness? How do I guard against wrong mindfulness?6) In the White A practice, can we eventually include a Padmasambhava visualization with the three colors, the ball that radiates white light and drops into our heart, etc., or the practice of visualizing the tube that goes from the crown of our head to the perineum and then expands?7) We have some experience within the Theravada and Zen traditions; now we start to explore Dzogchen. What would you recommend: pointing out instructions, initiation, long-term retreat?8) Is there a practice that can be used to improve someone's situation? How would this work?English: youtu.be/xnsfHHP9vRsEnglish (without silence cuts): youtu.be/Z5vLJzeK4foGerman: youtu.be/Z6MKqkIVY48Russian: youtu.be/b-i8VP36OzsPolish: youtu.be/r4g3DkxASwQ (you are here)Spanish: youtu.be/tyWlgXr2RHUPortuguese: youtu.be/UOc2Bi_XuYQRomanian: youtu.be/GrmoLpoUMvYPolish translation: Bartłomiej CzajkowskiPlaylist “Pytania & Odpowiedzi. [EN-PL] Zoom 07.2020 –”: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLv-KZQo9b6hQe263kW-j5ZmxrgMShNo4b📱 Instagram of excerpts: https://instagram.com/SBSangha_JamesLow🎧 Poscasts of some teachings: https://simplybeing.co.uk/news/podcasts/📆 Learn more about future events: https://simplybeing.co.uk/events/Video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4g3DkxASwQ

Jun 21, 2025 • 1h 30min
42 Questions & Answers. [EN-RO] Zoom 06.2025
June 4th 2025. James Low had invited questions from people watching his Zooms, which he began to answer.1) Is consciousness and mind the same in Buddhism? Is my mind which is deluded and has its own habits and tendencies the same as the mind which is primordial, unborn and clear? If so why is the mind which I call mine deluded?2) Are the explanations about karma and rebirth offered by traditional Buddhism part of a theory or belief or is it part of experience? Is it under the domain of consciousness or the domain of awareness? Does it make sense to practice Dzogchen without fully accepting these theories?3) What does it mean if a rinpoche bangs you on the head or gives you a shock?4) The luminous mind that we all have: is it also a compounded phenomena? If yes, how do we know when it is present and when not?5) Can a mind involved in conceptual elaboration ever generate compassion or loving kindness? Right mindfulness is one aspect of the eight-fold path. What are instances of wrong mindfulness? How do I guard against wrong mindfulness?6) In the White A practice, can we eventually include a Padmasambhava visualization with the three colors, the ball that radiates white light and drops into our heart, etc., or the practice of visualizing the tube that goes from the crown of our head to the perineum and then expands?7) We have some experience within the Theravada and Zen traditions; now we start to explore Dzogchen. What would you recommend: pointing out instructions, initiation, long-term retreat?8) Is there a practice that can be used to improve someone's situation? How would this work?English: youtu.be/xnsfHHP9vRsEnglish (without silence cuts): youtu.be/Z5vLJzeK4foGerman: youtu.be/Z6MKqkIVY48Russian: youtu.be/b-i8VP36OzsPolish: youtu.be/r4g3DkxASwQSpanish: youtu.be/tyWlgXr2RHUPortuguese: youtu.be/UOc2Bi_XuYQRomanian: youtu.be/GrmoLpoUMvY (you are here)Romanian translation: Viorica ConstantinescuPlaylist “Questions & Answers. [EN-RO] Zoom 01.2025 –”: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLv-KZQo9b6hSUA6_TORD9dM-sgIQsS-tx📱 Instagram of excerpts: https://instagram.com/SBSangha_JamesLow🎧 Poscasts of some teachinhgs: https://simplybeing.co.uk/news/podcasts/📆 Learn more about future events: https://simplybeing.co.uk/eventsVideo at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrmoLpoUMvY

Jun 16, 2025 • 2h 36min
Access, not ownership: staying present with whatever occurs. Zoom 05.2025
Explore the idea of experiencing life through 'access without ownership', emphasizing genuine engagement with the world. The conversation navigates how identity is shaped by external influences, especially in serious contexts like conflict. Delve into the fluid nature of identity and the significance of embracing transience during meditation. Discover the balance between personal choices and shared existence, along with practical mindfulness techniques. The discussion encourages a deeper understanding of life as a dynamic, interwoven reality.

Jun 16, 2025 • 4h 29min
Access, not ownership: staying present with whatever occurs. [EN-TR] Zoom 05.2025
May 10th 2025. Access, not ownership: staying present with whatever occurs. Zoom teachings with James Low.Turkish translation: Mustafa ÇelebiEnglish: youtu.be/kfxMQUKgHgAEnglish (withou silence cuts): youtu.be/_mfS_LlkYhAGerman: youtu.be/Z7VxJnXPZLQRussian: youtu.be/75h8-TP0CYIPolish: youtu.be/FrWGFSWVYPUSpanish: youtu.be/ikMvGzk62BUPortuguese: youtu.be/pRpPhwC0wxIRomanian: youtu.be/-5hCDJ7JIc4Turkish: youtu.be/6pUaCsByQ4E (you are here)📱 Instagram of excerpts: https://instagram.com/SBSangha_JamesLow🎧 Poscasts of some teachings: https://simplybeing.co.uk/news/podcasts/📆 Learn more about future events: https://simplybeing.co.uk/events/Video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pUaCsByQ4E