Herd mentality

“Seeing the fixed patterns of herd mentality is absolutely primary, in terms of Vajrayana” Rinpoche concluded. “Undermining it, in oneself, is probably one of the major practices.”

p92, Warp and Weft of Wonderment, Ngakma Mé-tsal, Aro Books Worldwide, 2024, ISBN 9781898185680

Realised-pragmatism

Künzang Dorje Rinpoche’s realised-pragmatism always hit me sideways. He explained that as I had no investment in my dislike – it was not lack of love. It was merely seeing people as they were. Naturally I would help such people if I could “Yes.”  Naturally I would be of benefit to such people if I could “Yes.”  Naturally I would speak in a kindly way to such people “Yes.”

p161, Goodbye Forever Vol III, Ngakpa Chögyam, Aro Books Worldwide, 2023, ISBN 9781898185666

Humour

Rinpoche spoke then of humour and the importance of humour in teaching. Humour was often linked with sudden understanding. He said that every good Lama made jokes and found humour in situations. The fact that we were both beginninglessly realised and fettered by duality – was funny.

p173, Goodbye Forever Vol III, Ngakpa Chögyam, Aro Books Worldwide, 2023, ISBN 9781898185666

At least eighty-one modes

What you must bear in mind, is that one can speak of every vehicle, in the language of every other vehicle – so there are at least eighty-one modes of presenting Dharma.

p292, Warp and Weft of Wonderment, Ngakma Mé-tsal, Aro Books Worldwide, 2024, ISBN 9781898185680

A sudden ‘Phat!’

Rinpoche shouted a sudden ‘Phat!’  I felt myself splatter across the room.  I didn't jump as I had on many previous occasions. I probably flinched slightly as my autonomic nervous system reacted involuntarily –  but the effect was still violent.  I sat there as my ‘self’ or my reality reassembled.

p209, Goodbye Forever Vol III, Ngakpa Chögyam, Aro Books Worldwide, 2023, ISBN 9781898185666