Appropriate response - Battlecry of Freedom

Practitioners wholeheartedly embrace the reality that life is not fair, and do not rail against harsh life circumstances. They respond impartially when they are the object of good or bad fortune. They are impartial in their wish to help the victims of ill luck. They are impartial in their enthusiasm to celebrate with the recipients of good luck. Awakening heroes do not choose to be kind to some and ignore others, but respond appropriately wherever a need is perceived. They are receptive to the needs of others, breathing in pain and breathing out benefit, and offering practical help where possible. There is no partiality or ulterior motive in being patient, or in acts of kindness. This is the path of awakening.

p. 131, Part II - the slogans, Battlecry of Freedom by Ngakma Nor’dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2019, ISBN 978-1-898185-46-8

Increasing transparency - Battlecry of Freedom

Life can suddenly erupt like a volcano – or a skittish horse. It can be busy and challenging, with many distractions. Attempting to control the content of life is itself a distraction – life is as it is. All the circumstances of life are available as the means to transform the mind. If Mind Training comes to mind in such moments of distraction, this is a clear indication that practice has been embraced and is being effective. As experience of emptiness develops through meditation practice, gradually the patterning of the mind becomes increasingly transparent, and neurotic patterning can be caught earlier and earlier.

p. 126, Part II - the slogans, Battlecry of Freedom by Ngakma Nor’dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2019, ISBN 978-1-898185-46-8

Let it dissolve when it will - Battlecry of Freedom

If strong emotions, such as grief, are clung to, because of their vividness, there is the danger of adopting grief as a reference point, as an identity. Then joy cannot arise. The definition of grieving has to be allowed to naturally dissolve of its own accord, as and when it will. Similarly in the moments that sadness is suddenly potently present, it need not be suppressed or ignored. Let it be. Embrace the experience of sadness, but let it dissolve when it will.

p. 121, Part II - the slogans, Battlecry of Freedom by Ngakma Nor’dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2019, ISBN 978-1-898185-46-8

Be joyful in the capacity to notice - Battlecry of Freedom

The mind does not need to be unseated from riding joy when mistakes are made or difficulties occur. If there is great sadness, it arises in the moment and does not need to disturb the background potential of contentment. When sadness dissolves, then joy is present again. When it is noticed that mistakes have been made or a neurotic and harmful pattern has been indulged, this should not disturb basic happiness. Regret the mistake—certainly—but be joyful in the capacity to notice.

p.120, Part II - the slogans, Battlecry of Freedom by Ngakma Nor’dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2019, ISBN 978-1-898185-46-8

Always be joyful - Battlecry of Freedom

Joy naturally arises from trusting beginningless awakened mind. Joy naturally arises from letting go of self-centred protectiveness and having a more expansive view. Awakening is joyful.

p.120, Part II - the slogans, Battlecry of Freedom by Ngakma Nor’dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2019, ISBN 978-1-898185-4

Slogan 43 - Battlecry of Freedom

Slogan 43 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

Being honest with yourself - Battlecry of Freedom

Practitioners know whether they are engaged in Mind Training or not; whether they are becoming more open and kind, or more deluded; whether they have sufficient experience of emptiness to catch the moment a hurtful remark rises to the lips or whether it is out before they know it. The mind that is present, attentive, and engaged is the primary witness of progress in Mind Training.

p.117, Part II - the slogans, Battlecry of Freedom by Ngakma Nor’dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2019, ISBN 978-1-898185-46-8

Protecting personal identity - Battlecry of Freedom

The whole range of negative emotional responses can be recognised as arising from supporting and protecting personal identity: greediness and territorialism – this is mine, not yours, I want it; fear and aggression – you look as though you might hurt me, I will attack first to protect myself; isolation – this is my pain, and therefore much more important than your pain; jealousy and paranoia – you seem to be doing better than me, I must trample on you to get ahead; ignorance – I am in pain, so it is unreasonable to expect me to have any interest in you. Recognising this is to begin to awaken.

p.112, Part II - the slogans, Battlecry of Freedom by Ngakma Nor’dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2019, ISBN 978-1-898185-46-8

Slogan 42 - Battlecry of Freedom

Slogan 42 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

The primary delusion - Battlecry of Freedom

The nonduality of form and emptiness is true of all phenomena – everyone, and everything, everywhere. The nonduality of personal identity, however, is the most difficult to realise. The realisation of the nonduality of identity is of primary importance, because it is from this primary delusion that all self-centredness and unkindness arises. The belief that identity is form and never changes, never dissolves, but always abides, gives rise to the self-centred support and protection of identity, and the belief that it is more important than the needs of other beings.

p. 112, Part II - the slogans, Battlecry of Freedom by Ngakma Nor’dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2019, ISBN 978-1-898185-46-8

Top Path - logs and a new path

Drala Jong is a home for Vajrayana Buddhism, inspiring people to connect with innate kindness, authentic creativity and the natural world. It is a place where human beings can discover the pleasure of existence – the pleasure that animates the sense fields and revitalises the Arts. This is the Art of Living.

In August 2023, Ngakma Nor'dzin, Ngakpa 'ö-Dzin and their students walked the woodland paths at Drala Jong and made a series of short videos.

Slogan 41 - Battlecry of Freedom

Slogan 41 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

The Top Path - devastation of Storm Arwen

Drala Jong is a home for Vajrayana Buddhism, inspiring people to connect with innate kindness, authentic creativity and the natural world. It is a place where human beings can discover the pleasure of existence – the pleasure that animates the sense fields and revitalises the Arts. This is the Art of Living.

In August 2023, Ngakma Nor'dzin, Ngakpa 'ö-Dzin and their students walked the woodland paths at Drala Jong and made a series of short videos.

Slogan 40 - Battlecry of Freedom

 

Slogan 40 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 39 - Battlecry of Freedom

 

 

Slogan 39 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

The Top Path - drainage

Drala Jong is a home for Vajrayana Buddhism, inspiring people to connect with innate kindness, authentic creativity and the natural world. It is a place where human beings can discover the pleasure of existence – the pleasure that animates the sense fields and revitalises the Arts. This is the Art of Living.

In August 2023, Ngakma Nor'dzin, Ngakpa 'ö-Dzin and their students walked the woodland paths at Drala Jong and made a series of short videos.

Top path and coppicing

Drala Jong is a home for Vajrayana Buddhism, inspiring people to connect with innate kindness, authentic creativity and the natural world. It is a place where human beings can discover the pleasure of existence – the pleasure that animates the sense fields and revitalises the Arts. This is the Art of Living.

In August 2023, Ngakma Nor'dzin, Ngakpa 'ö-Dzin and their students walked the woodland paths at Drala Jong and made a series of short videos.

Slogan 38 - Battlecry of Freedom

 

Slogan 38 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

The Top Path and Badgers' Run

In August 2023, Ngakma Nor'dzin, Ngakpa 'ö-Dzin and their students walked the woodland paths at Drala Jong and made a series of short videos.

In this video Ngakpa Samten talks about one of the planned paths.

Drala Jong is a Vajrayana Buddhist retreat centre in Wales. It is a place where human beings can discover the pleasure of existence – the pleasure that animates the sense fields and revitalises the Arts. This is the Art of Living.

Drala Jong is the home of the Aro gTér Lineage.

Drala Jong - the Link Path

In August 2023, Ngakma Nor'dzin, Ngakpa 'ö-Dzin and their students walked the woodland paths at Drala Jong and made a series of short videos.

This video is of the link path between the large pond and the top path.

https://youtu.be/xuq3vE_C3fU

Drala Jong is a Vajrayana Buddhist retreat centre in Wales. It is a place where human beings can discover the pleasure of existence – the pleasure that animates the sense fields and revitalises the Arts. This is the Art of Living.

Slogan 37 - Battlecry of Freedom

Slogan 37 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

Drala Jong - the Courtyard

Drala Jong is a Vajrayana Buddhist retreat centre in Wales. It is a place where human beings can discover the pleasure of existence – the pleasure that animates the sense fields and revitalises the Arts. This is the Art of Living.

Drala Jong is the home of the Aro gTér Lineage.

In August 2023, Ngakma Nor'dzin, Ngakpa 'ö-Dzin and their students walked the woodland paths at Drala Jong and made a series of short videos. 

The walk began in the courtyard: https://youtu.be/4jn67y3DuWQ.

Slogan 36 - Battlecry of Freedom

Slogan 36 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

Monday Meditations

Monday Meditations recommences after the summer break, on Monday 2nd October. 7 - 8:30 pm (UK time) on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85249620913 Zoom Meeting ID: 85249620913 Passcode: 640389 

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

‘Battlecry of Freedom’ by Ngakma Nor’dzin, 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.

Preparation for Dying - Battlecry of Freedom

There is a similarity between the experience of falling asleep, dreaming, and waking up, and the process of dying, bardo, and rebirth. It is extremely valuable, therefore, to gain experience of maintaining awareness through the process of falling asleep, dreaming, and waking. This is excellent preparation for dying. Practitioners can also become accustomed to dying through simply observing the death of each moment, the death of an event or activity, the death of a thought.

Battlecry of Freedom by Ngakma Nor’dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2019, ISBN 978-1-898185-46-8 Part II - the slogans, p. 108/109

The Bardo Body - Battlecry of Freedom

The process of falling into sleep is similar to falling into death. 

The psycho-physical elements dissolve in the same way – but in death the dissolution is complete and connection to the physical body is lost. The elements manifest, not as a dream body, but as a bardo body.

The bardo body experiences dreamlike phenomena until this also dissolves into emptiness, and the elements re-emerge to manifest as physicality in a new body. 

Just as in waking life and in dreaming, the five powers - confidence, energetic application, alert presence, meditative attention, and intelligent discernment - offer protection during bardo experience.

Battlecry of Freedom by Ngakma Nor’dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2019, ISBN 978-1-898185-46-8 Part II - the slogans, p. 108

Never switch off - Battlecry of Freedom

The Five powers—confidence, energetic application, alert presence, meditative attention, and intelligent discernment—are the foundation of awakening intent and activity. Practitioners do not indulge doubt in the teacher or the methods of practice. They are not lazy or slovenly in their approach to practice or with life circumstances. Practitioners do not take the easier and less demanding option that may disadvantage others. They are never satisfied with good enough or fail to fully engage with any activity. The riders of Mind Training never switch off, but always embrace responsibility for their own conduct, and the responsibility to help others.

Battlecry of Freedom by Ngakma Nor’dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2019, ISBN 978-1-898185-46-8 Part II - the slogans, p. 107/108

Slogan 35 - Battlecry of Freedom

Slogan 35 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 34 - Battlecry of Freedom

Slogan 34 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

Holding the five powers protects the mind - Battlecry of Freedom

The five powers - confidence, energetic application, alert presence, meditative attention, and intelligent discernment - apply to all areas of life, including sleeping and dreaming.

When falling asleep, the psycho-physical elements dissolve into emptiness and the dream body is born. The dreamer has dream personality and dream life circumstances. If the five powers are engaged, openness and kindness can be practised. If they are not applied, dream activity may be deluded and move toward patterning and self-protection – just as in waking life.

Responsibility remains for any activity that is engaged while dreaming, and the consequences of patterning remain the same as in waking activity. Murderous intent in a dream carried through into activity in the dream will carry the same consequence of patterning as with waking intent and activity.

Battlecry of Freedom by Ngakma Nor’dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2019, ISBN 978-1-898185-46-8 Part II - the slogans, p. 108

Stability - Battlecry of Freedom

Meditative stability enables practitioners to take responsibility for themselves at all times and in all situations. This enables them to also take on responsibility for others. Being able to join whatever is encountered in life with meditative awareness is to be fully engaged with awakening. Practice has reached a point of stability and life as practice is fully embraced. There is certainty about the methods of Mind Training, and confidence in an ability to apply them accurately and effectively.

Battlecry of Freedom by Ngakma Nor’dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2019, ISBN 978-1-898185-46-8 Part II - the slogans, p. 100

Slogan 33 - Battlecry of Freedom

Slogan 33 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 32 - Battlecry of Freedom

Slogan 32 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

Immediately join whatever you meet with meditation - Battlecry of Freedom

This slogan expresses an heroic stance. It is the view of never taking a vacation from being responsible and working to benefit others. It is the view that whatever delusions and afflicted emotions arise they will be joined with practice. The opportunity to be present and kind is embraced in every circumstance. Meditation is not used in this slogan in the sense of a formal meditation session, sitting on a cushion. It is the application of meditation as presence of awareness in the moment. It is remembering Mind Training in every moment. It is paying attention to what is actually going on and embracing that as the path of practice.

Battlecry of Freedom by Ngakma Nor’dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2019, ISBN 978-1-898185-46-8 Part II - the slogans, p. 99

The perfect parent - Illusory Advice

Apprentice: I am becoming more and more excited by impending parenthood – a whole new adventure. I am aware however, that it is severely challenging to my ‘I just want to be a yogi in a cave’ head-trip and also makes my ‘walking around the world’ dreams look even more distant.

Teachers: You may not have to let go of all of your dreams, but you will need to consider whether being a parent can accommodate them without harm. The path of the Mahasiddhas is to live life exactly as it is and to enable that to be the path of realisation. Being a parent offers many opportunities for practice. You could become the ‘perfect parent’ and discover realisation through that as a method.

page 121, Illusory Advice, Ngakma Nor’dzin & Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin, Aro Books Worldwide, 2016, ISBN: 978-1-898185-37-6

Finding pleasure in others' happiness - Illusory Advice

Apprentice: I really enjoyed your examples of irritation, such as ‘squeezing the toothpaste tube in the middle’ and ‘whose turn it is to unpack the dishwasher…… 

Teachers: The khandro-pawo nyid-da mélong gyüd [1] teaches that when making love the khandro and pawo focus on the pleasure of their partner rather than on whether their own pleasure is being satisfied. Similarly you can focus on whether you can do a job rather than relying on others to do it in their turn, because of the pleasure you experience through saving them the work. There is a story of beings trying to eat using forks with incredibly long handles. In nirvana this works because everyone is enjoying feeding each other. In hell it is great suffering because everyone is trying to feed themselves and so the long-handled forks become a desperate encumbrance. [2]

[1] The khandro-pawo nyid-da mélong gyüd (mKha’ ’gro dPa’ bo nyi zLa me long rGyud) is a teaching where romantic relationship becomes a spiritual practice. See Entering the Heart of the Sun and the Moon by Ngakpa Chögyam and Khandro Déchen, Aro Books Inc, 2009. 

[2] This story is attributed to an itinerant preacher, Rabbi Haim of Romshishok, Lithuania page 120, Illusory Advice, Ngakma Nor’dzin & Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin, Aro Books Worldwide, 2016, ISBN: 978-1-898185-37-6

page 120, Illusory Advice, Ngakma Nor’dzin & Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin, Aro Books Worldwide, 2016, ISBN: 978-1-898185-37-6

Slogan 31 - Battlecry of Freedom

Slogan 31 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 30 - Battlecry of Freedom

Slogan 30 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

The most valuable ‘someone’ you can ever be, is simply a kind person with honour and integrity. - Illusory Advice

Apprentice: I have just discovered that my partner is pregnant. It has made me realise that I want to be able to provide a decent home life for my family…. 

Teachers:…. It shows strength of character to respond so immediately to the responsibility of the pregnancy. We would encourage any apprentice to try to be self-supporting. We are not keen on people living on state benefit in order to do their own thing, so we are glad to hear that you would like to find a way of supporting yourself and your family. Any employment, even if it appears menial, can have its own purpose, and can bring a real feeling of self-worth and achievement if approached as a tantrika. 

Apprentice: Perhaps I can start at the bottom and work my way to the top, to be someone, and then laugh at it all. Teachers: You are someone wherever you are and whatever you are doing. The most valuable ‘someone’ you can ever be, is simply a kind person with honour and integrity. If you have these qualities then you are a bodhisattva warrior, whether you are cleaning out a toilet at the time or heading a board of directors. Remember the Mahasiddhas. They numbered amongst them people of all walks of life, who discovered realisation through doing whatever it was they were doing exactly as it was.

page 118-119, Illusory Advice, Ngakma Nor’dzin & Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin, Aro Books Worldwide, 2016, ISBN: 978-1-89818

Slogan 29 - Battlecry of Freedom

Slogan 29 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

Being a Practitioner in the World - Illusory Advice

Being a practitioner in the everyday world is a source of inspiration but also a great challenge. As tantrikas, we aspire to be changchub sempas. Changchub sem means active compassion, and ‘pa’ (an abbreviation of pawo – dPa’ bo) means warrior. The changchub sempa therefore, is the awakened mind warrior we aspire to be, where the ‘war’ we wage is that of developing kindness and openness.

The warrior-like quality of the changchub sempa comes from their intimacy with death. Death is not feared because it is seen as being simply the natural outcome of birth. This knowledge is what makes the warrior fearless, and this fearlessness gives them the freedom to act without the crippling effects of self-protective referentiality. The warrior is simply open to what is and sensitive to the needs of others.

page 115, Illusory Advice, Ngakma Nor’dzin & Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin, Aro Books Worldwide, 2016, ISBN: 978-1-898185-37-6

Slogan 28 - Battlecry of Freedom

Slogan 28 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

The three root misconceptions are attraction, aversion and indifference and these create the experience of dissatisfaction - Illusory Advice

 

The three root misconceptions are attraction, aversion and indifference and these create the experience of dissatisfaction (or suffering). It is addiction to assessing all experience on the basis of these three that leads to the creation of reference points, and to grasping for solidity, permanence, individuality, continuity and definition. People live by: ‘I like it, I don't like it, or I don't care about it ' or: 'give me more of that because it supports my view of myself in some way; keep that away from me because it threatens my view; or I don't care about that because it neither supports or threatens my view.'

These three can be understood as inseparable, because the mindset that has attraction will inevitably have aversion and indifference as well. If there is a reference point for what is attractive this also becomes a reference point for what will create aversion and indifference -- and so on.

page 106, Illusory Advice, Ngakma Nor’dzin & Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin, Aro Books Worldwide, 2016, ISBN: 978-1-898185-37-6

 

Slogan 27 - Battlecry of Freedom

Slogan 27 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 26 - Battlecry of Freedom

 

Slogan 26 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

The bodhisattva regards the experience of others as real and takes responsibility. - Illusory Advice

 

When you attend an empowerment you are entering the presence of Padmasambhava and Yeshé Tsogyel and presenting yourself smartly is a sign of respect and appreciation. When your physical presentation is an expression of not bothering to be clean, tidy and smart you are failing to enter the compassionate activity of the bodhisattva path.

For the bodhisattva the sensibilities of others are never irrelevant or insignificant. The bodhisattva regards the experience of others as real and takes responsibility. The bodhisattva attempts to help others to be peaceful and comfortable in their thoughts, emotions and reactions wherever possible

page 102, Illusory Advice, Ngakma Nor’dzin & Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin, Aro Books Worldwide, 2016, ISBN: 978-1-898185-37-6

 

Slogan 25 - Battlecry of Freedom

 

Slogan 25 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

Life is practice - Illusory Advice

 

The style of practice in the gö kar chang lo is that life is practice. Practitioners find time to engage in formal sitting practice because it feeds and expands their capacity to engage in everyday-life as practice.

page 102, Illusory Advice, Ngakma Nor’dzin & Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin, Aro Books Worldwide, 2016, ISBN: 978-1-898185-37-6

 

Tantrikas are all always responsible for the results of their actions even if those results were unintentional. - Illusory Advice

From the perspective of karma, a complete karma requires intention, the act, and satisfaction about the completion of the act. Hence if there is awareness (intention) and somebody gets hurt through the action, whether or not it is a complete karma will depend on whether the instigator is satisfied that someone got hurt. If they are not and regret that there was harm, then this is not a complete karma. Tantrikas are all always responsible for the results of their actions even if those results were unintentional. If someone has been hurt through your actions—whether or not there was intention, self-control or awareness—you remain responsible for the outcome and should try to help the person who has been hurt.

page 101, Illusory Advice, Ngakma Nor’dzin & Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin, Aro Books Worldwide, 2016, ISBN: 978-1-898185-37-6

 

Slogan 24 - 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 24.

Monday Meditations: 7 - 8:30 pm (UK time) on Zoom Monday evenings.
Zoom Meeting ID: 85249620913
Passcode: 640389
Do join us for silent sitting and yogic song, finishing with a reading from ‘Battlecry of Freedom’. Everyone is welcome.