

James Low - Dzogchen and Buddhist Teachings
James Low
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/
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/
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 29, 2025 • 4h 42min
No gain, no loss. [EN-RO] Zoom 06.2025
June 28th 2025. No gain, no loss. Zoom teachings with James Low.The eight worldy concerns (or dharmas) are stimulated by attachment and aversion:• hope for happiness and fear of suffering,• hope for fame and fear of insignificance,• hope for praise and fear of blame,• hope for gain and fear of loss.Full transcript of these teachings (English only): https://bit.ly/3Ie5Cp7Audio file of this video (English only): https://bit.ly/40tfwcMEnglish: youtu.be/GDD-yNMP9r4English (without silence cuts): youtu.be/RPikGwqC0OkGerman: youtu.be/PBBpi9bi_oURussian: youtu.be/ymP9KOey0-kPolish: youtu.be/Vi4fmXCG14ESpanish: youtu.be/Uz5qGScAAS0Portuguese: youtu.be/W-MgYzoLjzERomanian: youtu.be/Bh1oOGdjjYw (you are here)Turkish: [soon]Romanian translation: Viorica Constantinescu📱 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=Bh1oOGdjjYw

16 snips
Jul 29, 2025 • 2h 45min
No gain, no loss. Zoom 06.2025
The podcast dives into the eight worldly concerns shaped by attachment and aversion, highlighting how hope and fear influence our happiness. It challenges dualistic perceptions that obscure our true nature, urging listeners to embrace a liberated awareness free from labels. Additionally, it examines the complexities of identity and power dynamics, using contemporary examples like Ukraine. Compassion and interconnectedness take center stage, promoting the practice of Tonglen to enhance collective well-being. Lastly, there's a look ahead to upcoming teachings and the hard work behind them.

Jul 29, 2025 • 5h 18min
No gain, no loss. [EN-DE] Zoom 06.2025
June 28th 2025. No gain, no loss. Zoom teachings with James Low.The eight worldy concerns (or dharmas) are stimulated by attachment and aversion:• hope for happiness and fear of suffering,• hope for fame and fear of insignificance,• hope for praise and fear of blame,• hope for gain and fear of loss.Full transcript of these teachings (English only): https://bit.ly/3Ie5Cp7Audio file of this video (English only): https://bit.ly/40tfwcMEnglish: youtu.be/GDD-yNMP9r4English (without silence cuts): youtu.be/RPikGwqC0OkGerman: youtu.be/PBBpi9bi_oU (you are here)Russian: youtu.be/ymP9KOey0-kPolish: youtu.be/Vi4fmXCG14ESpanish: youtu.be/Uz5qGScAAS0Portuguese: youtu.be/W-MgYzoLjzERomanian: youtu.be/Bh1oOGdjjYwTurkish: [soon]German translation: Jayachitta Hartlein📱 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=PBBpi9bi_oU

Jul 29, 2025 • 5min
Everything is in here and now
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=R9MCxk0BjXk

Jul 29, 2025 • 5min
Siddharta
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=ofooqhMA6mw

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 • 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-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 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