Recordings, session 53.

[Igor Berkhin]

Dear friends,

the recordings of today's session are already uploaded. 

All detailed info as for the schedule, reading, recordings, donations etc can be found here:

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

Sessions 54 and 55 are planned for May 16 and 23. On May 30-31, in the afternoon, I'm planning to teach on ten subtle obstacles and deviations according to Do Cu (Ten Topics), a root source of Dzogchen Semde.

Below, you can find an unedited AI generated summary of today's session.

Enjoy and stay well.

Igor

Summary Guru Yoga Practice Discussion

Igor began the meeting by welcoming participants and announcing they would start with Guru Yoga practice. He mentioned they were studying verse number 53 out of 55 verses, which are divided into 27 chapters called "kab" or moments/occasions. Igor shared that he recently discovered the source of this division was connected to Dochu, as the text they study contains instructions for 27 occasions.

Vajrayana Practice and Contemplation

Igor discussed a text titled "Total Space of Josatva," which is divided into 27 chapters focusing on the ocean of activities and their realization through contemplation. He explained two key aspects of Vajrayana practice: the function of energy, which involves working with a partner to increase bliss and clarity, and torma, a concept related to offering and non-grasping. Igor then read and commented on a verse about equanimous contemplation without speaking, emphasizing its context in shamanic or pagan cultures where interactions with multiple deities and spirits are common.

Cultural Food Offering Traditions

Igor discussed the cultural practice of offering and sharing food, particularly bread, across various cultures including Tibetan, Christian, and Eastern European traditions. He explained that torma or balin offerings serve multiple purposes, including creating an exchange with deities and beings who feed on smell, as well as symbolically representing a substitution for bloody sacrifices. Igor noted that these offerings often require significant cultural and labor-intensive processes, with bread being particularly significant due to its pleasant smell and the complex cultivation required.

Tibetan Buddhism Torma Practices

Igor explained the symbolic and spiritual functions of Torma in Tibetan Buddhism, describing its use in offerings to deities and spirits, as well as its role in empowering food and water during initiations. He discussed how Torma practices have evolved from shamanic origins to a spiritual path focused on liberation, emphasizing the concept of subject and object. Igor then read Vairachana's commentary on the meaning of Torma, explaining that true understanding comes from non-dual contemplation and the recognition of one's real nature.

Non-Conceptualization in Contemplation

Igor discussed the concept of non-conceptualization in contemplation, explaining that when we conceptualize our experiences or states (such as equality or enlightenment), we create mental replicas that obstruct true liberation. He emphasized that the habit of conceptualizing is a major obstacle to achieving a state beyond suffering. Igor also mentioned the importance of non-conceptual wisdom in eliminating obstacles and the practice of guru yoga in maintaining a state of contemplation.

Tibetan Buddhism Offerings and Rituals

Igor discussed the meaning and significance of offerings in Tibetan Buddhism, particularly the concepts of amrita (nectar) and rakta (blood) as symbols of life's origins. He explained how torma offerings developed in Tibetan tradition and their connection to shamanic practices across different cultures, including similarities between Tibetan and South American indigenous practices. Igor emphasized that while these ritual practices can help bring sacredness into modern, desacralized culture, practitioners should not become conditioned by them and should ultimately focus on contemplation and the ultimate gift of inner transformation.

Contemplation in Spiritual Practices Discussion

Igor discussed the importance of contemplation in spiritual practices, emphasizing that it should be the main focus rather than ritualistic activities like offerings. He explained concepts from various texts, including the commentary by Betshagyalamkanoru and Jim's translation of the Total Space of Vajrasattva, highlighting the significance of non-conceptual wisdom and the elimination of conceptual activity as the primary means to overcome obstacles. Igor also noted differences in terminology used in ancient texts compared to modern classifications of tantra types, such as Kriya Tantra and Yoga Tantra.

Ocean of Activities Discussion

Igor discussed Shresema's explanation of a text about the "ocean of activities," which represents both the dangers of samsara and the vast, powerful state of enlightenment. He explained the concept of giving without holding expectations, emphasizing that true contemplation involves not expecting anything in return. Igor also shared a story about Chogyalnam Kanorbo illustrating how practitioners should not feel offended, as feeling insulted indicates distraction from the true nature of reality.

Mantra Practice and Spiritual Teaching

Igor discussed a spiritual teaching about mantra practice and contemplation, explaining that true practice involves remaining in a non-conceptual state without making sounds, rather than performing ritual activities with expectations. He announced plans to teach about 10 subtle obstacles on May 30-31 in the afternoon to accommodate participants from different time zones, particularly those in Mexico.