We are not speaking in terms of nihilistic negation

  Form is the dance partner of emptiness – and emptiness cannot be understood apart from form.  Emptiness is the dance partner of form – and form cannot dance without emptiness.  Form could be said to be the apparently tangible aspect of experience and existence – but form is empty.  One can only understand form in the confident absence of tangibility.  That does not mean however that everything is nothing.  When we speak of emptiness as nothingness or voidness, we are not speaking in terms of nihilistic negation—but in terms of nothingness being inseparable from everythingness. 

p49, Emailing the Lamas from Afar, Ngakpa Chögyam and Khandro Déchen, Aro Books, 2009, ISBN 978-0-9653948-5-7

A process of evolution

  Meditation is not a progression through stages, nor is it advancing or climbing.  Meditation is a process, not entirely dissimilar from maturing or growing older.  Development occurs over a period of time – but it is not gradual.  It is a fluctuating stream which contains gradual change, stasis, and sudden change.  This is precisely what occurs in terms of meditation.  Meditation is not based on stages as heavily defined segments of an established spiritual framework, but on a process that is taking place in those who meditate.  That process also takes place in the context of our living situations.

p79, Emailing the Lamas from Afar, Ngakpa Chögyam and Khandro Déchen, Aro Books, 2009, ISBN 978-0-9653948-5-7

The dance of sub-atomic particles

   The elements are an array of characteristics which can be understood both in terms of duality and nonduality.  They express themselves at every level at which existence can be understood – yet they go beyond the sense-making remit of quotidian existence.  They travel into the sphere of unconditioned potentiality where language can no longer even hint at meaning.  The elements are the fabric of the Earth and the solar system in which it orbits the Sun.  Beyond that, the elements outstrip the extent to which science can currently see.  There is nothing other than the elements.  The dance of sub-atomic particles is simply the elements performing – arising and dissolving in a manner not entirely different from the way in which they perform within the facets of our perceptual continua.

p196-197, Entering the Heart of the Sun and Moon Ngakpa Chögyam and Khandro Déchen,  Aro Books, 2009, ISBN 978-0-9653948-3-3

With regard to ‘thought’ and ‘emotion’

   There is no difference between thought and emotion – in the same way as there is no difference between a breeze and a gale.  With the first there is simply the movement of mind – and with the second there is simply the movement of air.  In that respect, emotions are gusts of wind – or waves on the sea.  

Both the gusting of the wind and the billowing of the sea begin with a simple shift in time and space.  There is a single thought to which self-referential consequence is attributed – and this leads to more of the same.  This tends to generate squalls, storms, gales, and hurricanes.  

Emotional embroilment is the result of ocean of Mind failing to self-recognise – and understand its waves to be its fundamental nature.  There is no relaxation in this – and neither is there the opportunity to make creative use of the energy that prevents relaxation.

Posted by Ngak'chang Rinpoche and Khandro Déchen to sangha on Telegram, 18th April 2020