James Low - Dzogchen and Buddhist Teachings

Dive into a profound exploration of suffering and its roots in ignorance and grasping at the illusion of reality. The discussion delves into the Four Noble Truths and how awareness can spark personal transformations. Contrasting narratives of a scholar and a laborer challenge the constructs of identity. Rich anecdotes illuminate the essence of love and the pursuit of truth beyond societal norms. The concept of dependent origination sheds light on our interconnected existence, urging reflection on how our perceptions shape reality.

30th October 2024. 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. "(00:00) I have experienced the truth of who we really are and I know that all that you speak about as being how it is. At the same time, the story of me and particular traumas that have happened seem to have an unshake reality in terms of thoughts. I find it difficult to formulate the precise question that needs to be asked, but speak about the relationship between the spiritual path and therapy." "(13:53) How would god be called in this tradition in the sense of the origin and essence of all? Vajrasattva? Samantabhadra? Rigpa?" "(17:46) When practicing dzogchen, do we still take refuge? For many years, I have followed a different Tibetan lineage. Do I simplify my refuge prayers and pray to a generic Buddha or do I change lineages? I seem to be transitioning." "(25:43) Talk about karma and evidence of past and future lives." "(34:06) Within awareness, is the noticing or the registering, as you call it, a different thing from thinking or conceptualizing about appearances? How is it different? How subtle is the distinction between the two ways of seeing things?" "(41:00) Elaborate on the meaning of the Tibetan word 'damtsik', when used in the context of a student-teacher relationship." Video at https://youtu.be/j1rgcWyjA9g?si=__k0Goeuc6yyLwZO

5th October 2024. 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. Index "(00:00:00) Introduction" "(00:07:54) As I become more conscious of my habits and patterns, I also become more conscious of the five poisons impacting my activity. For the five poisons to become the five wisdoms, is it simply in self-liberation that this occurs or is there more involved in this transformation?" "(00:27:47) How to remain with nonduality when you come into treatment in hospitals and also have to deal with other people's thoughts about how you are?" "(00:37:54) The teaching says that in order to find our true self, which is emptiness, we need to relax and open. In everyday situations, in everyday decisions, is it also best to just relax and open and see what emerges instead of analyzing the situation and thinking about what to do?" "(00:48:49) Texts on meditation often have references to states of absorption. What are these states and how do we recognize them? Are they signs of progress?" "(01:08:23) As a non-monastic practitioner and a working adult, it's often necessary to use emotional strategy and seemingly unkind actions to solve problems. To help one group of people not get into trouble, we will often have to put the other group of people causing harm in a precarious position. Anger and aggression are sometimes necessary especially in corporate fights, but, if people know we are buddhist practitioners, then they might say 'oh aren't you supposed to be compassionate? You're not supposed to get angry and be aggressive. Aren't you supposed to be gentle and kind?'" "(01:25:06) James mentioned, in a previous question, vipassana without a special focus, just attending to how I am in this very moment. In what way does this vipassana exploration differ from dzogchen meditation?" "(01:40:38) Through sadhana practice, we can connect with Guru Rinpoche both as the guru, the embodiment of all the teachers, and also as our yidam. Is there a difference in the quality and feeling tone of this connection in either case or more formally in the way the practice is done?" "(01:54:47) If it's right that in all the Mahayana path, karma is an illusion, then is karma cause and effect teaching less important in dzogchen?" "(02:06:32) Could you give some guidelines on how to start to meditate?" "(02:31:23) When I'm having an exchange with someone, either verbally or online, and the person feels they've made a mistake and reacts harshly, even though I feel it's out of self-defense, I still react inwardly. I find their reaction dishonest and it makes me pissed off. Why is this the case? I know it's not directed at me, it's what's happening for them, but I still react very strongly. Instead of turning to them with sympathy, I think that I don't want to have anything to do with someone like. I can then discipline myself and stay in contact and try to react well, but it seems contrived. Why is that? What is missing?" "(02:52:53) A Zen Roshi is being quoted and the quote is 'actualization is not just the manifestation of your individual experience of the truth. It is your life interconnected with the tree life, a bird's life, water's life, Spring's life, Autumn's life, in the life of the whole universe'. Does the term 'truth' apply also to dzogchen? Would that quote also be applicable to a dzogchen path?" "(02:56:34) Can you explain the White A? How to do it when and what it means?" "(03:11:40) Is the path of the bodhisattva a natural outcome of direct seeing or is it an extra relative construction that leads to direct seeing but does not have any relevance beyond it?" Video at https://youtu.be/cfJ9WvwzJ-8?si=kCjUiko-zyq9Qruu

3rd July 2024. 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. Index "(00:00) How to keep generosity going in the face of other loved one suffering, yet not caring for themselves?" "(07:48) How can I distinguish between simply being conscious of sitting during formal sessions and being aware in the state of presence?" "(14:31) On the cushion, I can maintain rigpa or awareness pretty stably, but struggle in daily activities. How can a lay person gradually bring rigpa into daily activities?" "(24:25) Can I do therapy to deal with various psychological problems and not talk about them in a way that makes them seem more and more real and important and definitive of how I am well?" "(34:15) I have practiced a Tibetan Buddhist spiritual path for many years. Now I am enjoying Dzogchen teachings. Do you think there would be a conflict in following both? And is that likely to be confusing?" "(35:30) I have insight into the structure of my problem, but that doesn't dissolve it. I have a tendency that I try to control, but I can't control. Finding difficulty especially with people who have qualities I admire would indicate there is a background problem with pride and, with that, envy." Video at https://youtu.be/3ARgDMU7rEM?si=XxBzYr3dNUyKgtiP

8th November 2024. Your Mind is Mahamudra. James' Zoom talk hosted by Tibethaus Germany (www.tibethaus.com) https://simplybeing.co.uk/events/zoom... We are used to thinking about things and trying to work out what is going on. This is how we have been educated. However Mahamudra points to the intrinsic capacity of our mind to instantly and intuitively respond to whatever occurs without entering into dualistic thought production. We will explore how to awaken to this. Audio file: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mUg5... Image: @kellymlacy Instagram of excerpts from James Low's teachings: instagram.com/simplybeingsangha Learn more about future events: simplybeing.co.uk/events/ Video at https://youtu.be/GwFcvtuZCqw?si=7Tm9TYQofPBfxKbc

5th June 2024. 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. Index "(00:00) Introduction and the Pali Bāhiya Sutta" "(18:46) Many public intellectuals propound a view that all choices are entirely predetermined, determined by factors such as genes, environment, diet and upbringing, so that, actually, free will or free choice is an illusion. Is such a view of extreme determinism compatible with teachings of buddhism and dzogchen?" "(24:21) Does seeking emotional support from other people contradict our seeking refuge in the three jewels? How can I reconcile them?" "(26:43) Someone is looking for treasure texts from our lineage (which cover the whole of the path and all the stages) and a list of all the treasure texts with a short description of each, indicating which are available in English." "(28:58) Where to find a dzogchen teacher in India?" "(30:40) I am a young man and want to have sex with others, but I have a tendency to attachment. How to relate without attachment?" "(36:11) What is the dzogchen view of trauma? Do you think it gets released via meditation or do you think other modalities may need to be practiced?" Video at https://youtu.be/34o-GOgMel4?si=6VZFWJWTxL_f8_Ae

8th May 2024. 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. Index "(00:00) How to live a busy life and not create karma?" "(12:04) Fantasy, projection, intuition... How can you tell the difference?" "(19:03) Where is the line between bodhicitta – meaning the notion of developing an altruistic intention to benefit all beings – and self-sacrifice? Between too much compassion for others and the risk of burnout? How much ego is healthy or necessary in life?" "(26:18) If an already awakened person were to experience extreme suffering, would that person avoid identifying with the suffering and mixing with the suffering experience? Does it depend on your degree of progress on the dharma, whether you can suffer without being drawn back into samsara?" "(37:58) What is reincarnation from the dzogchen perspective?" "(40:04) How to work with fear and pain when you receive the news that you are sick and when you are living through it?" Video at https://youtu.be/J_EKfD6cfAU?si=_1gpgCMNZb0c4w_P

10th April 2024. 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. Index "(00:00) Among the many delightful conditions coming to visit my body, I have now got urticaria, a red rash which covers my body and legs and arms and is very itchy. So what to do from the dharma point of view when these things happen to us?" "(12:16) Someone is saying that they do a lot of practice of trekcho and tantra and while they're sitting they don't feel troubled by the variety of experiences. But when the time for sitting practice is over and there is more sense of participating in a world with other beings - who are, in fact, troubled by a sense of their own limitation – then we have a choice in how to respond. We cannot formulate our response beforehand - so can I trust my intuition, my spontaneous response?" "(25:49) How can I stabilize the lucid aspect of the dream so that I don't wake up immediately? When my awareness stopped identifying with my dream body, there was the appearance of white light, but then I awoke." "(32:33) We live in wild and dreadful times and for we humans have brought the world and nature into a catastrophic state. How can one keep one's inner balance in the face of such events so as not to stumble either into the clear yet cold light of wisdom nor into the warm yet sentimental perception of compassion?" Video at https://youtu.be/QVqqvHYI6yE?si=NWLMpY8-9wP3_BL6

13rd March 2024. 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. Index "(00:00) My father is 91 years of age and in the last days of his life. He is already unconscious and unaware of his surroundings. He has never been interested in religion and I think he's been agnostic all his life. Apart from accompanying him, is it possible to do more for him?" "(09:53) Does dzogchen agree with the view that all events and occurrences are a result of previous events and occurrences and hat one's experience will continue to evolve and unfold naturally just like that as it is meant to?" "(18:11) Should the fear of death diminish as we become more stable in meditation?" "(21:09) When we engage in sitting meditation, attempting to remain in non-dual riga awareness, how long should the sessions last?" "(34:09) Is it possible to retain awareness when under the influence of alcohol, cannabis and so on? Can hallucinogens be helpful in breaking habitual modes of perception or do they just lead up the blind alley of attention focused on content?" "(37:13) When sitting in practice, we put the tip of the tongue on the roof of the mouth. Where precisely?" "(38:05) Do we have a curriculum for a ngakpa training and ordination in the simply being sangha?" "(38:31) How can we begin to recognize the ego aspects of ourselves more clearly? How to approach this in a helpful way, not being sucked in or pushing it away?" Video at https://youtu.be/n0Y2DwUSWto?si=QDl1NjVqPu4TBYAg

26 April 2023. 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. Index "(00:00) What are the eight qualities of pure water?" "(03:18) Can you tell us something about the sambhogakaya ornament?" "(03:57 What are the different meanings of torma?" "(06:18) With the covid-19 restriction, I got used to saying no to many activities. And with a dharma view, I have a sense I don't need to engage in many activities, but, whether I say yes or no it seems to be me who's saying yes and no and have a egoic base. How not to get trapped in this?" "(08:57) Most dzogchen teachers insist on the necessity of absolute certainty about the view before starting this general dzogchen practices. Then you should be clear about the difference between recognizing or not recognizing, finding or not finding. To me you seem to have a different approach." "(10:39) I often treat the time of meditation as more important, more sacred than the time of my daily activities. How to change this while avoiding making the time after meditation less meaningful?" "(13:39) Outer, inner and secret: what do they mean?" "(14:25) I'm trying to understand where the distinction lies between dzogchen dharma teaching and that of certain Tibetan buddhist practices. But then I encountered the patriarchy and hierarchy in many Tibetan monasteries and so on. Is Tibetan buddhism missing compassion towards women? How can the so-called high lamas be enlightened, if they don't see good in the nature of women?" "(17:37) The function of the guru is to help you see your own light. Does this mean the guru in the flesh person or Padmasambhava or our own mind?" "(18:48) Being in a state of openness, when I'm everywhere and nowhere at the same time, it's as if I'm experiencing the feeling of freefall. It captures me so much that it interrupts my breathing and many thoughts appear." "(21:27) Do you recommend the rushen and lojong dzogchen preliminaries? Are they usually practiced in retreat?" "(22:35) How can my awareness be the red dakini?" "(27:29) How do the three doors of liberation relate to mahamudra and dzogchen?" "(30:49) Can retreat make me sad? Is it important to check where I am on the path?" "(32:23) In your book "Radiant aspiration", I read for the first time about the four meditative absorptions. Can you explain this a bit?" "(35:09) Question concerned with ecological issues." "(39:02) I have recently been told of the possibility of having cancer, but, although I have to wait for the biopsy to be 100% sure in a few days, at times there is a torrent of thoughts circulating. How was your experience when told about your body's condition with cancer and how to work with this change in our bodies?" "(42:05) Question concerning the Ganges mahamudra instruction. Tilopa says to Marpa "if you are free of all desire and do not abide in the extremes you will see all the dharma teachings of the three baskets. What are these three baskets?" "(43:55) A quote from Padmasambhava, where he says 'even though intrinsic awareness, which is self-originated primal awareness, appears to you, it is but a manifestation of mind'" Video at https://youtu.be/Pm7x9LWUH-E?si=zWNa3hVuV46JWufY