Category Archives: black swan
Loving-Kindness – How to do it
(Note: This teaching was condensed from an email conversation I had explaining how to practice loving-kindness. I have edited it into this form so that they – and anyone else – can have this as a reference. May it be … Continue reading
Filed under black swan, Dharma, teachings
What is the purpose of retreat?
What is the purpose of retreat? In a Buddhist context, there are really two kinds of retreat: study and practice. Most retreats in the West are some combination of the two, since most of us are not living in either … Continue reading
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Guru Yoga (a short description)
For anyone reading this who doesn’t know what Guru Yoga is, it is visualizing the embodiment of all the Buddhas of the Three times (especially one’s root teachers) sitting in front of you. There are many possible forms that are … Continue reading
Filed under black swan, Dharma
How the Black Swan came to the Lake…(or, This Vajra Life :))
I’ve been asked by several newer students to explain my lineage. My path is not exactly the usual “person-curious-about-meditation-comes-into-the-shambhala-center-and-follows-the-curiculum”. Ok, it’s not even CLOSE to ‘normal’. If I had to describe my stream, it would be Drikung Kagyu-Mindrolling/Nyingma-Shambhala-Karma Kagyu. You … Continue reading
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A brief guide to liberation theology; or, Three ways out
Before I do a post going in-depth into the view of the Vajrayana, I would like to set the view of setting the view. :) My understanding is, in all liberation theologies – which means actual spiritual paths that lead … Continue reading
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The 4 Immeasurables and the 5 Skhandas
Acharya Richard John was teaching on the First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma (aka the Hiniyana) in September 2007 at the DC Shambhala Center. As part of his overview of the first turning (essentially the Four Noble Truths), he … Continue reading
Filed under black swan, Dharma
