Refuge

Refuge – what does the word mean in terms of dharma; and what does dharma mean?  Dharma—or chö—means as it is.  As it is is actuality, and to ‘take refuge’ means to establish confidence in actuality.
To take refuge is not to seek safety and assurances. It is to acknowledge that any form of security is illusory.  The pursuit of security is the root of our dualistic dilemma. To live this view in every moment is the goal of practice.

p85, Rays of the Sun, Ngakpa Chögyam, Aro Books worldwide, 2010, ISBN 978-1-898185-06-2

Open perception

When we open our perception, we do not feel constrained to anticipate events or people’s possible reactions.  Because our perception has opened, our responses naturally begin to flow from that free source, and motivation becomes less constricted by the need to establish ourselves as solid, permanent, separate, continuous and defined.  We become able to relate to life as it actually is.

p33, Rays of the Sun, Ngakpa Chögyam, Aro Books worldwide, 2010, ISBN 978-1-898185-06-2

Letting go of our addiction to the thought process

The discovery of space begins with shi-nè.  Shi-nè is the practice of letting go of our addiction to the thought process. 
 
There is no special breathing technique.  Just let your breath flow as it will.  At first you should simply find the presence of your awareness in the inward and outward movement of your breath.  If thoughts arise do not try to block them.  Just let them be.  If thoughts drift away do not detain them or grasp at them.  Just let them go.  Rest your attention in the movement of your breath.  If thoughts come and go, simply allow them to lap like the tide. 

p38 and p85, Spectrum of Ecstasy, Ngakpa Chögyam with Khandro Déchen, Aro Books, 1997, ISBN 0-9653948-0-8

Responsibilty and kindness

What then does responsibility mean in the Buddhist sense of kindness?  It means that we are not separate from our world, or anyone in our world.  We cannot say of anything ‘This has nothing to do with me’.  We are not separate as beings.  This idea of connection is subtle, because our connection can take any form.  Only our innate kindness—liberated through meditation—can guide us to respond accurately.

p63-64, Rays of the Sun, Ngakpa Chögyam, Aro Books worldwide, 2010, 978-1-898185-06-2