The question can be left in space

Taking tigers as consorts—and breastfeeding tiger cubs—can be registered as one would register music or a painting. It is simply there. I feel this is preferable – and, actually, creatively mysterious. It is more interesting not to know – not to have a fixed idea.  

p198, Warp and Weft of Wonderment, Ngakma Mé-tsal, Aro Books Worldwide, 2024, ISBN 9781898185680

Belief and disbelief

It’s better to say I have no way of knowing – therefore I neither believe nor disbelieve. Belief and disbelief are not the only available options – and disbelief is just another belief‚ merely a negative belief.

p198, Warp and Weft of Wonderment, Ngakma Mé-tsal, Aro Books Worldwide, 2024, ISBN 9781898185680

The time is now

So, the time to appreciate anyone is now. It’s not tomorrow. It’s not next week – or with some idea that you'll meet them again in another life. The time is now and the next life is tomorrow.  

p108, Warp and Weft of Wonderment, Ngakma Mé-tsal, Aro Books Worldwide, 2024, ISBN 9781898185680

Divisive logic

Duality—in one sense—is the artificial separation of experience into two fields: ‘perception’ and ‘field of perception’. This divisive logic distances us analytically from direct experience. 

p157, Tracts of the Sun : An Earth Orbit of Vajrayana Expressions.  Ngakpa Chögyam and Khandro Déchen, Aro Books Worldwide, 2022, ISBN 978-1-898185-28-4

The inconceivable view of Dzogchen

Phenomenal existence—experienced either as duality or nonduality—is simply display. One must realise their inseparability as the natural state. The natural state is all-encompassing, all-pervasive space. It is inexpressible spacious clarity. This is the inconceivable view of Dzogchen – do do not ruin presence of natural mind with obsessive techniques and mental constructs.

p286, Goodbye Forever Vol III, Ngakpa Chögyam, Aro Books Worldwide, 2023, ISBN 9781898185666

One would not need to test it

If one actually had power, one would not need to test it. If one’s power was only there for the benefit of others – then the fact that others had greater power would have no relevance. 

p164, Goodbye Forever Vol III, Ngakpa Chögyam, Aro Books Worldwide, 2023, ISBN 9781898185666

First and last

Every time you sit should be the first time. Every moment you live should be the last moment. 

p99, Tracts of the Sun : An Earth Orbit of Vajrayana Expressions.  Ngakpa Chögyam and Khandro Déchen, Aro Books Worldwide, 2022, ISBN 978-1-898185-28-4

Affectations

One doesn’t have to be humile to be unpretentious. Humility and hauteur are both affectations – and best forsaken. It is simpler to describe what one can do and what one cannot do – but only when asked. 

p76, Tracts of the Sun : An Earth Orbit of Vajrayana Expressions.  Ngakpa Chögyam and Khandro Déchen, Aro Books Worldwide, 2022, ISBN 978-1-898185-28-4

There's also the possibility...

There’s also the possibility of liking‚or not liking – without concept. Liking and not liking are subjective – and therefore empty.

p220-221, Warp and Weft of Wonderment, Ngakma Mé-tsal, Aro Books Worldwide, 2024, ISBN 9781898185680

Programmed by society

 

What does that mean about my appreciative sense? Is my appreciation actually personal to me? Or am I simply programmed by society to like what I like? Most people are conditioned.

p214, Warp and Weft of Wonderment, Ngakma Mé-tsal, Aro Books Worldwide, 2024, ISBN 9781898185680

The warm breath of the khandros

Recently appearing gTérma are effulgent with the warm breath of the khandros – and their authenticity is palpable. Within each lineage there is no intermediary or interface between the current living gTérton and Guru Rinpoche or Yeshé Tsogyel.

p290, Goodbye Forever Vol III, Ngakpa Chögyam, Aro Books Worldwide, 2023, ISBN 9781898185666

One cannot escape samsara

Everywhere where there are dualised beings is going to look like samsara – if one is dualised. One cannot escape samsara by going to a retreat centre.

p383, Warp and Weft of Wonderment, Ngakma Mé-tsal, Aro Books Worldwide, 2024, ISBN 9781898185680

It is there in the target

Target practice—with bow, rifle, or hand gun—is a valuable way of taking awareness into the physical dimension. One sees the proof of one’s ability to be present and undistracted. It is there in the target. 

p151, Tracts of the Sun : An Earth Orbit of Vajrayana Expressions.  Ngakpa Chögyam and Khandro Déchen, Aro Books Worldwide, 2022, ISBN 978-1-898185-28-4

In his ambience

Somehow it was true when I was with Düd’jom Rinpoche. There seemed to be a version of ‘me’ who seemed to rest in the natural state when with Düd’jom Rinpoche. It was as if I rested in his ambience – whenever I was with him.

p290, Goodbye Forever Vol III, Ngakpa Chögyam, Aro Books Worldwide, 2023, ISBN 9781898185666

Natural joy

Rinpoche explained that a mark of authentic teaching—stemming from authentic realisation—gave rise to joy. If what was taught was merely intellectually profound—there would be no natural joy.

p213, Goodbye Forever Vol III, Ngakpa Chögyam, Aro Books Worldwide, 2023, ISBN 9781898185666

The two major considerations

Actually shi-nè and lhatong—stillness and change—are the two major considerations whatever the activity in which you engage.

p184, Warp and Weft of Wonderment, Ngakma Mé-tsal, Aro Books Worldwide, 2024, ISBN 9781898185680

Stillness and movement

Shi-nè is the moment of silence – the moment of stillness in which there is no distraction. Lhatong is the moment in which the practitioner integrates with movement – the movement in which the arrow is released or the trigger is squeezed.  The two cannot be divided. 

p183, Warp and Weft of Wonderment, Ngakma Mé-tsal, Aro Books Worldwide, 2024, ISBN 9781898185680

Challenge

“It’s understood in The Tibetan tradition” added Khandro Déchen “that you can just end up not achieving anything, if there’s nothing that you come up against as a challenge.” 

p166, Warp and Weft of Wonderment, Ngakma Mé-tsal, Aro Books Worldwide, 2024, ISBN 9781898185680

Entertaining uncertainty

The experience of spaciousness can arise through entertaining uncertainty – and by failing to feel threatened. 

p263, Tracts of the Sun : An Earth Orbit of Vajrayana Expressions.  Ngakpa Chögyam and Khandro Déchen, Aro Books Worldwide, 2022, ISBN 978-1-898185-28-4  

Uncontrollable lust

It is far more interesting to have absolutely uncontrollable lust for everyone everywhere to get everything they want. When lust is contracted into just being me and what I want – it’s a rather sad, sorry, sterile affair.

p253, Tracts of the Sun : An Earth Orbit of Vajrayana Expressions.  Ngakpa Chögyam and Khandro Déchen, Aro Books Worldwide, 2022, ISBN 978-1-898185-28-4