The responsibility of being a practitioner - Battlecry of Freedom

“Experienced practitioners understand their great good fortune in having been taught how to control their mind. They fully embrace the responsibility that comes with this: to be in control of the wild horse of the mind at all times. Non-practitioners have not had this good fortune. They have not been given the methods of Mind Training. Recognising this, practitioners expect absolutely nothing of nonpractitioners. They acknowledge that non-practitioners may inadvertently harm them, but take responsibility for that as well. This responsibility is present at all times, whatever the practitioners are experiencing in their life circumstances – good or bad.”

Battlecry of Freedom by Ngakma Nor’dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2019, ISBN 978-1-898185-46-8 Part II - the slogans, p. 172

Do not bring out others’ secret state - Battlecry of Freedom

“This slogan is connected to gossip. Indulging in gossip can be a means of feeling more secure through shared opinions. Practitioners of Mind Training take responsibility for their own states of mind, and regard the mindstates of others as none of their business. They know that even if they believe that they have clearly seen to the heart of situations, this does not give them the right to offer that insight to others.”

Battlecry of Freedom by Ngakma Nor’dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2019, ISBN 978-1-898185-46-8 Part II - the slogans, p. 167

Slogan 58 - Battlecry of Freedom

Ngakma Nor’dzin and Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin read from ‘Battlecry of Freedom’.

‘Battlecry of Freedom’ by Ngakma Nor’dzin, published by Aro Books worldwide in 2019, explores the Tibetan Buddhist practice of Lojong, Mind Training, as presented by Chekhawa Yeshé Dorje in the 12th century. His Seven Points of Mind Training offer a complete approach to daily practice in 59 slogans.

This video is Slogan 58.

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Do join us for silent sitting and yogic song, finishing with a reading from ‘Battlecry of Freedom’. Everyone is welcome.

Slogan 57 - Battlecry of Freedom

Slogan 57 of ‘Battlecry of Freedom’ is now available to view on Aro Ling Cardiff’s YouTube channel: https://youtube/KiB48be8gCc

For live commentary on these slogans of Buddhist Mind Training, join us for Monday Meditations: 7 - 8:30 pm (UK time) on Zoom, Monday evenings.
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Silent sitting and yogic song, finishing with a slogan from ‘Battlecry of Freedom’.

Everyone is welcome.

Avoid taking anything personally - Battlecry of Freedom

“Holding on to past wrongs, and looking for an opportunity to ensure that wrong-doers get their comeuppance, is an attitude that fixes the mind in the past, and distorts the present moment. Practitioners should avoid this mind-state. The perception of a wrong having been committed is subjective, and it cannot be assumed that the motivation of the perpetrator is accurately understood. It is best to avoid taking anything that happens in life personally, and to let go of the self-protective justification that might lead to waiting in ambush.”

Battlecry of Freedom by Ngakma Nor’dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2019, ISBN 978-1-898185-46-8 Part II - the slogans, p. 163

Let go of the past - Battlecry of Freedom

“Each present moment is a new opportunity. Do not let past grievances distort the relationship with whomever or whatever is in the present moment. The past is the past. Leave it there. Awakening—when it arises—will be in the present moment.”

Battlecry of Freedom by Ngakma Nor’dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2019, ISBN 978-1-898185-46-8 Part II - the slogans, p. 161

Trust mind and method - Battlecry of Freedom

“Practitioners just need to trust the methods and apply them. If the methods are being applied there will be progress and practitioners can feel content. Ceasing to engage in the neurotic patterning that prevents awakening, is the responsibility of riders. Trusting in the capacity to awaken is the responsibility of riders. Relaxing into awakening is the result. Mind is beginninglessly awakened —it knows how to take the jump—so relax, and let it awaken. Point the mind at awakening. Trust mind and method. Then relax, and awaken.”

Battlecry of Freedom by Ngakma Nor’dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2019, ISBN 978-1-898185-46-8, Part II - the slogans, p. 158

Stop distorting - Battlecry of Freedom

“Awakened is the natural state of being. The methods of Mind Training cooperate with beginningless awakening to strip off the delusion and patterning that prevent it sparkling through. All beings are beginninglessly awakened, but through the inability to see this are actively distorting it into delusion. Beings are not the victims of cyclic existence, but the perpetrators. To stop distorting, is to start awakening.”

Battlecry of Freedom by Ngakma Nor’dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2019, ISBN 978-1-898185-46-8 Part II - the slogans, p. 155

An opportunity to awaken - Battlecry of Freedom

“It is important to establish a daily practice habit, but this must not just become something that is fulfilled and ticked off on a list of things to do. Each and every meditation session is an opportunity to awaken and must be embraced with energetic application. Failing to apply effort poisons the potential of practice – and turns an opportunity to awaken into a routine.”

Battlecry of Freedom by Ngakma Nor’dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2019, ISBN 978-1-898185-46-8, Part II - the slogans, p. 154

Slogan 56 - Battlecry of Freedom

Slogan 56 of ‘Battlecry of Freedom’ is now available to view on Aro Ling Cardiff’s YouTube channel: https://youtube/KiB48be8gCc

For live commentary on these slogans of Buddhist Mind Training, join us for Monday Meditations: 7 - 8:30 pm (UK time) on Zoom, Monday evenings.
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Silent sitting and yogic song, finishing with a slogan from ‘Battlecry of Freedom’.
Everyone is welcome.

To see all videos with Ngakma Nor’dzin and Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin, go to:
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Slogan 55 - Battlecry of Freedom

Slogan 55 of ‘Battlecry of Freedom’ is now available to view on Aro Ling Cardiff’s YouTube channel: https://youtube/KiB48be8gCc

For live commentary on these slogans of Buddhist Mind Training, join us for Monday Meditations: 7 - 8:30 pm (UK time) on Zoom, Monday evenings.
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Silent sitting and yogic song, finishing with a slogan from ‘Battlecry of Freedom’.
Everyone is welcome.

To see all videos with Ngakma Nor’dzin and Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin, go to:
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Slogan 54 - Battlecry of Freedom

Slogan 54 of ‘Battlecry of Freedom’ is now available to view on Aro Ling Cardiff’s YouTube channel: https://youtube/KiB48be8gCc 

For live commentary on these slogans of Buddhist Mind Training, join us for Monday Meditations: 7 - 8:30 pm (UK time) on Zoom, Monday evenings.

Zoom Meeting ID: 85249620913

Passcode: 640389

Silent sitting and yogic song, finishing with a slogan from ‘Battlecry of Freedom’. 

Everyone is welcome.

To see all videos with Ngakma Nor’dzin and Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin, go to:

https://www.youtube.com/c/AroLingCardiff

Slogan 53 - Battlecry of Freedom

Slogan 53 of ‘Battlecry of Freedom’ is now available to view on Aro Ling Cardiff’s YouTube channel: https://youtube/KiB48be8gCc 

For live commentary on these slogans of Buddhist Mind Training, join us for Monday Meditations: 7 - 8:30 pm (UK time) on Zoom, Monday evenings.

Zoom Meeting ID: 85249620913

Passcode: 640389

Silent sitting and yogic song, finishing with a slogan from ‘Battlecry of Freedom’. 

Everyone is welcome.

To see all videos with Ngakma Nor’dzin and Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin, go to:

https://www.youtube.com/c/AroLingCardiff

Pay attention - Battlecry of Freedom

“If the mind is dull and lacking in focus, pay attention. Apply methods to lift and brighten the mind, to bring clarity and presence to the meditation session. If the mind is distracted and lacking in focus, pay attention. Apply methods to settle the mind and let go of distraction, so that the mind can be calm and clear. If the mind is relaxed and focussed, let it be. Do not squeeze and create tension, but remain alert and present.”

Battlecry of Freedom by Ngakma Nor’dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2019, ISBN 978-1-898185-46-8, Part II - the slogans, p. 154

Meditation is being practised - Battlecry of Freedom

“Meditation practice leads to meditational experience. A meditational experience is called a nyam. Nyams can be pleasant, unpleasant, or simply peculiar. They can be connected to any of the senses – experiences of sensation, sight, hearing, taste, smell, or ideation. Nyams occur through the settling of the psycho-physical elements during meditation. Nyams are ignored in sutric and tantric practice, but recognised as a sign of progress. (In Dzogchen, nyams are not always ignored. There are particular nyams that are engaged as method.) Nyams arise through meditation, so a nyam indicates meditation is being practised.”

Battlecry of Freedom by Ngakma Nor’dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2019, ISBN 978-1-898185-46-8 Part II - the slogans, p. 150

Slogan 52 - Battlecry of Freedom

Slogan 52 of ‘Battlecry of Freedom’ is now available to view on Aro Ling Cardiff’s YouTube channel: https://youtube/KiB48be8gCc

For live commentary on these slogans of Buddhist Mind Training, join us for Monday Meditations: 7 - 8:30 pm (UK time) on Zoom, Monday evenings.
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Silent sitting and yogic song, finishing with a slogan from ‘Battlecry of Freedom’.
Everyone is welcome.

To see all videos with Ngakma Nor’dzin and Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin, go to:
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Being shy - Illusory Advice

“One of the purposes of the sangha— the vajra family—is that it provides an arena in which trust can be developed. The vajra family are a group of people who are actively attempting to develop and hold pure view. On retreat the vajra family especially attempts to maintain pure view of their vajra brothers and sisters. They assume that their vajra brothers and sisters are also engaging with this practice. This means that you can trust that your fellow retreatants welcome interaction with you, and that they are interested in what you have to say and will respond kindly. If you say something clumsy or inappropriate you trust that they will not ridicule you but will wish to help you to communicate more effectively. If you hear a vajra sibling speaking in a way that seems hurtful or unkind, you entertain the possibility that they didn’t mean it like that and respond in a kind and open manner.”

page 138, Illusory Advice, Ngakma Nor’dzin & Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin, Aro Books Worldwide, 2016, ISBN: 978-1-898185-37-6

Slogan 51 - Battlecry of Freedom

Slogan 51 of ‘Battlecry of Freedom’ is now available to view on Aro Ling Cardiff’s YouTube channel: https://youtube/KiB48be8gCc

For live commentary on these slogans of Buddhist Mind Training, join us for Monday Meditations: 7 - 8:30 pm (UK time) on Zoom, Monday evenings.
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Silent sitting and yogic song, finishing with a slogan from ‘Battlecry of Freedom’.
Everyone is welcome.

To see all videos with Ngakma Nor’dzin and Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin, go to:
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Pure view - Illusory Advice

To belong to a sangha and to be able to immerse oneself in the pure view of a practising Vajrayana community is an extraordinary opportunity. You can let go of self-image and posturing; you can let go of needing to impress others or wishing to appear in a good light; you can let go of needing to be liked and appreciated, because being liked and appreciated is the ground of vajra sangha; you can let go of the fear of others’ limited views and misconceptions about you, because trust is the ground of the vajra sangha; you can let go of needing company and fearing isolation. You can free-flow in awareness-presence and discover the liberation of that experience.

page 128, Illusory Advice, Ngakma Nor’dzin & Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin, Aro Books Worldwide, 2016, ISBN: 978-1-898185-37-6

Won`t you buy me a Mercedes-Benz - Illusory Advice

Apprentice: The people I work with only seem to want to be able to afford an exotic holiday or to live like pop stars. I wouldn’t mind those things as well but feel as a practitioner I should be doing more to help others. 

Teachers: Indeed. As practitioners it would be inappropriate to indulge in regretting having insufficient money to fulfil fantasies, such as going on exotic holidays or owning expensive cars as one might if one was a pop star. Practitioners understand that such things are irrelevant to the cause of satisfaction. They practice rather than feeling sorry for themselves. They regard the unhappiness of others as real and to be taken seriously – whatever form that unhappiness takes, but are realistic about their capacity to help people, about their opportunities to help, and about what might be the most valuable focus of their lives. The most valuable focus in a practitioner’s life may be helping the person who sits at the desk next to them in the office of a multinational company.

Through being a Dharma warrior, you can help ordinary people in everyday situations. If you can work for an organisation whose purpose is to help with the suffering in the world, that is all well and good, but still your most valuable contribution may be your influence—as a practitioner—on your co-workers rather than on the nameless thousands your organisation sets sets out to assist.

page 128, Illusory Advice, Ngakma Nor’dzin & Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin, Aro Books Worldwide, 2016, ISBN: 978-1-898185-37-6

Slogan 50 - Battlecry of Freedom

Slogan 50 of ‘Battlecry of Freedom’ is now available to view on Aro Ling Cardiff’s YouTube channel: https://youtube/KiB48be8gCc

For live commentary on these slogans of Buddhist Mind Training, join us for Monday Meditations: 7 - 8:30 pm (UK time) on Zoom, Monday evenings.
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Silent sitting and yogic song, finishing with a slogan from ‘Battlecry of Freedom’.
Everyone is welcome.

To see all videos with Ngakma Nor’dzin and Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin, go to:
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Dying with dignity - Illusory Advice

 

The state of mind is the most important aspect of dying. It is important to die with an alert and happy mind so that it is an alert and happy mind that enters the bardo state between rebirths. The length of life in that sense is irrelevant as the mind-stream simply continues. It is the capacity of the mind to be present and aware in the moment that either moves your consciousness in the direction of greater openness or greater confusion.

page 127, Illusory Advice, Ngakma Nor’dzin & Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin, Aro Books Worldwide, 2016, ISBN: 978-1-898185-37-6

 

 

Slogan 49 - Battlecry of Freedom

Slogan 49 of ‘Battlecry of Freedom’ is now available to view on Aro Ling Cardiff’s YouTube channel: https://youtube/KiB48be8gCc

For live commentary on these slogans of Buddhist Mind Training, join us for Monday Meditations: 7 - 8:30 pm (UK time) on Zoom, Monday evenings.
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Silent sitting and yogic song, finishing with a slogan from ‘Battlecry of Freedom’.
Everyone is welcome.

To see all videos with Ngakma Nor’dzin and Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin, go to:
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Slogan 48 - Battlecry of Freedom

Slogan 48 of ‘Battlecry of Freedom’ is now available to view on Aro Ling Cardiff’s YouTube channel: https://youtube/KiB48be8gCc

For live commentary on these slogans of Buddhist Mind Training, join us for Monday Meditations: 7 - 8:30 pm (UK time) on Zoom, Monday evenings.
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Silent sitting and yogic song, finishing with a slogan from ‘Battlecry of Freedom’.
Everyone is welcome.

To see all videos with Ngakma Nor’dzin and Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin, go to:
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Slogan 47 - Battlecry of Freedom

Slogan 47 of ‘Battlecry of Freedom’ is now available to view on Aro Ling Cardiff’s YouTube channel: https://youtube/KiB48be8gCc

For live commentary on these slogans of Buddhist Mind Training, join us for Monday Meditations: 7 - 8:30 pm (UK time) on Zoom, Monday evenings.
Zoom Meeting ID: 85249620913
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Silent sitting and yogic song, finishing with a slogan from ‘Battlecry of Freedom’.
Everyone is welcome.

To see all videos with Ngakma Nor’dzin and Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin, go to:
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Slogan 46 - Battlecry of Freedom

Slogan 46 of ‘Battlecry of Freedom’ is now available to view on Aro Ling Cardiff’s YouTube channel: https://youtube/KiB48be8gCc

For live commentary on these slogans of Buddhist Mind Training, join us for Monday Meditations: 7 - 8:30 pm (UK time) on Zoom, Monday evenings.
Zoom Meeting ID: 85249620913
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Silent sitting and yogic song, finishing with a slogan from ‘Battlecry of Freedom’.
Everyone is welcome.

To see all videos with Ngakma Nor’dzin and Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin, go to:
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The greatest opportunity - Battlecry of Freedom

It can be painful to look directly at afflictions and honestly acknowledge them, but this is essential for Mind Training. Transform what is seen, and look accurately and deeply. Mind Training is wonderfully pragmatic. It addresses the reality of how things actually are. There is no room to hide from this reality, but also no need to fear it. The greatest affliction is also the greatest opportunity.

p. 147, Part II - the slogans, Battlecry of Freedom by Ngakma Nor’dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2019, ISBN 978-1-898185-46-8

Take care of your own practice - Battlecry of Freedom

Praise and blame are two of the jig-ten chö-gyèd – the eight worldly dharmas. The jig-ten chö-gyèd teach steadiness – to not be overly influenced by the highs and lows of life and opinion. The opinion of others may be enjoyable or it may be upsetting, but it should make no difference to practitioners of Mind Training – they just continue to practise. Everyone’s opinions are subjective and ultimately empty. It is the responsibility of a practitioner to take care of their own practice, and to learn to rely upon it

p.142, Part II - the slogans, Battlecry of Freedom by Ngakma Nor’dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2019, ISBN 978-1-898185-46-8

Regret it, and move on - Battlecry of Freedom

It is excellent to notice mistakes, but dwelling on them creates a depressive atmosphere lacking energy. It prevents joy and appreciation. It prevents inspiration. Dwelling on the mistake does not change the situation, and only traps the mind in the past, rather than paying attention to the present. Regret it, and move on.

p.137/138, Part II - the slogans, Battlecry of Freedom by Ngakma Nor’dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2019, ISBN 978-1-898185-46-8

Slogan 45 - Battlecry of Freedom

Slogan 45 of ‘Battlecry of Freedom’ is now available to view on Aro Ling Cardiff’s YouTube channel: https://youtube/KiB48be8gCc

For live commentary on these slogans of Buddhist Mind Training, join us for Monday Meditations: 7 - 8:30 pm (UK time) on Zoom, Monday evenings.
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Silent sitting and yogic song, finishing with a slogan from ‘Battlecry of Freedom’.
Everyone is welcome.

To see all videos with Ngakma Nor’dzin and Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin, go to:
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Slogan 44 - Battlecry of Freedom

Slogan 44 of ‘Battlecry of Freedom’ is now available to view on Aro Ling Cardiff’s YouTube channel: https://youtube/KiB48be8gCc

For live commentary on these slogans of Buddhist Mind Training, join us for Monday Meditations: 7 - 8:30 pm (UK time) on Zoom, Monday evenings.
Zoom Meeting ID: 85249620913
Passcode: 640389
Silent sitting and yogic song, finishing with a slogan from ‘Battlecry of Freedom’.
Everyone is welcome.

To see all videos with Ngakma Nor’dzin and Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin, go to:
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The approach of the Mahasiddha - Battlecry of Freedom

The transformative practices of Mind Training demand full-blooded engagement with every aspect of personality, and the vivid and good-humoured exploration of preferences. Any and every type of endeavour can be engaged as a means of embracing Mind Training: horse riding, cooking, scientific research, and all the arts. This is the approach of the drubthob chenpo, the mahasiddha. Whatever style of mind, style of energy, or style of physicality a practitioner displays, they are all ornaments of awakening. They are individual indications of how to practise transformation. They are the natural style of the individual in this life and are there to be embraced and appreciated. Awakened being is totally connected to confused being. Awakening arises from delusion. Practitioners practice as they are.

p.135, Part II - the slogans, Battlecry of Freedom by Ngakma Nor’dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2019, ISBN 978-1-898185-46-8