Total Space, verse 31, summary and recordings.

[Igor Berkhin]

Dear friends,

In this letter:

1. an AI generated summary of the past session
2. links to the recordings and other materials
3. forthcoming onsite retreats in Wales, Massachusets, and South-West Poland

1. Summary (by Zoom AI Companion)

Guided Meditation and Visualization Session

Igor led a meditation session, emphasizing the importance of proper sitting posture and encouraging participants to focus on their sensations without overanalyzing. He instructed the group to perform nine purification breaths and practice Guru Yoga, involving visualization of a luminous sphere. Igor stressed that the session should be approached as a practice rather than an intellectual study, advising participants to listen without reading along from texts, which he noted can lead to mental activity and distraction.

Understanding Guru Yoga and Samaya

Igor led a discussion on Guru Yoga and the practice of going beyond the mind, emphasizing that this is a practice rather than a study of Tibetan Buddhism or its texts. He explained the technical terms used in the root text, including the concepts of skandhas (aggregates), dhatu (sense bases or constituents), and the unique meaning of Samaya in the context of Dzogchen, which refers to being in contact with the primordial state. Igor read the text again and provided commentary by Vairochana, highlighting the importance of maintaining presence and awareness of one's existence, which is the essence of Samaya in Dzogchen.

Samaya Beyond Concepts

Igor discussed the concept of Samaya in Dzogchen, explaining that it transcends the need for outer and inner commitments since the true nature of reality cannot be separated from the state of contemplation. He emphasized that while words like "Samaya" are useful for communication, they do not definitively establish anything, and the essence of practice is to remain in a state of non-dual awareness without attachment to concepts or distractions. Igor shared a story from Chogyal Namkhai Norbu about the true nature of Samaya, which is not about following rules but about recognizing and not insisting on distractions when they arise.

2. The links

The links for recordings and other materials of the course can be found in this file:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bSU2etlrXo4ZmK_ABuBErxY_DZFlgR-xZuij6c1k4M4/edit?usp=drive_link

3. Forthcoming on-site retreats

July 19-27, Kunselling, Wales

Discovering, Balancing, and Integrating the Elements with Igor Berkhin and John Renshaw

https://mailerlite.dzogchencommunityuk.org/emails/webview/358553/149509127279740703

August 8-17, Tsegyalgar East, Massachusets

The Teaching of Dzogchen: understanding, training, applying

https://www.tsegyalgar.org/tsegyalgar-east/events-calendar/igor-berkhin-retreat

September 5-14, Khordong centre in South-West Poland

Outer Rushen Retreat with Igor Berkhin and Aleksander Skwara organized by the Dzogchen Community of Israel

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc1WpfPsTJmzbcrBylPAB--MuLb11BWW_IkFy4UvQDRTaNxbA/viewform

Stay well,

Igor