Relaxing into Meditation : Direct experience of who we are

"By letting go of thought we can discover the space of mind without thought. Through Letting Go the arising and dissolving of conceptual mind can be revealed as a wave that surges and breaks on the surface of the deep, still ocean of fundamental mind. Through discovering the quietness of fundamental mind we can gain direct experience of who we are, what we are and where we are, rather than trying to discover this through the ebb and flow of concept."

p80, Relaxing into Meditation, Ngakma Nor'dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2010, 978-1898185178

Spacious Passion: The development of spaciousness

"Through the development of spaciousness, our patterning can become totally open and transparent"

p146, Spacious Passion, Ngakma Nor'dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2009, 978-1-898185-07-9

Moving Being: The human condition

"The human condition is one in which we are simultaneously beginninglessly nondual and dualistically distorted"

p13, Moving Being, Khandro Déchen, Aro Books worldwide, 2009, 978-1-898185-05-5

Rays of the Sun : Kindness is something you feel

"Kindness is something you feel - a warmth and expansiveness which flows from our growing openness. Kindness is our contact, our strongest link with the nondual state."

p51, Rays of the Sun, Ngakpa Chögyam, Aro Books worldwide, 2010, 978-1-898185-06-2

Moving Being: Death

"Only through the death of one moment can the next moment arise"

p18, Moving Being, Khandro Déchen, Aro Books worldwide, 2009, 978-1-898185-05-5

Rays of the Sun : Whole-hearted intention

"When we open our perception, we do not feel constrained to anticipate events or people's possible reactions. We stop registering every being detected by our perceptual sonar in terms of our preconceptions. Perception then begins to expand beyond its set boundaries. Once perception has begun to open we're led naturally toward the liberation in our responses, which is known as whole-hearted intention."

p33, Rays of the Sun, Ngakpa Chögyam, Aro Books worldwide, 2010, 978-1-898185-06-2

Rays of the Sun : Karmic law is directly consequential

"The ‘Law of Karma’ is different from externally enforced societal law, because ‘karmic law’ is directly consequential and self-implementing. We perceive the world in a certain way, and react to it in accordance with that style of perception. That is what is meant by karma. There’s no injustice in this kind of ‘law’ apart from the injustice to the nondual state perpetrated by karmic patterning."

p51, Rays of the Sun, Ngakpa Chögyam, Aro Books worldwide, 2010, 978-1-898185-06-2

Relaxing into Meditation : Daily practice

"Simple daily practice will gradually enable us to become less stressed, less emotionally churned up by the things that happen to us, and more relaxed about who are."

p80, Relaxing into Meditation, Ngakma Nor'dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2010, 978-1898185178

Relaxing into Meditation : Learning to be fearless and at ease

"Learning to be fearless and at ease in the empty space of the mind-mind without thought-enables us to be fearless and at ease when our life circumstances thrust us into moments of emptiness."

p148, Relaxing into Meditation, Ngakma Nor'dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2010, 978-1898185178

Shock Amazement : The desire to be in charge

"The nature of existence continually helps and hinders the search for definition in a completely impartial manner. The problem is the desire to be in charge of the defining process. This is a highly complicated procedure – but it is so customary, that it is hardly noticed. Rather than allowing continual re-definition (and occasionally lack of definition), the prevalent impetus is to attempt domination of the mutually defining and un-defining process which constitutes the flux of reality."

p32, Shock Amazement : The four naljors and four ting-ngé’dzin from the Dzogchen series of the nature of Mind. Khandro Déchen and Ngakpa Chögyam, Aro Books Worldwide, 2018, ISBN 978-1-898185-45-1

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Rays of the Sun : Taking refuge in the three jewels

"Taking refuge in the three jewels-Buddha, dharma and sangha--means to rely on the as it is-ness of the Buddha-the realised exemplar of actuality; the dharma-the expression of actuality; and the sangha-those who aspire to experience actuality."

p85, Rays of the Sun, Ngakpa Chögyam, Aro Books worldwide, 2010, 978-1-898185-06-2

Rays of the Sun : Practice of kindness

"In everyday life we have the ideal opportunity to develop our practice of kindness, because we are constantly brought into contact with others."

p67, Rays of the Sun, Ngakpa Chögyam, Aro Books worldwide, 2010, 978-1-898185-06-2

Spacious Passion: The still potential of the-nature-of-mind

"Cloud mind is the ebb and flow of conceptual mind, and Sky Mind is the still potential of the-nature of-mind. Clouds arise in the sky, flit across it and decorate it, but do not limit or define the vast empty blueness of the sky. Sky always has the potential for cloud to arise. Cloud is a natural aspect of sky, but sky is not limited by cloud. Sky exists irrespective of cloud, but cloud cannot exist irrespective of sky."

p19, Spacious Passion, Ngakma Nor’dzin, Aro Books, 2007, 978-0-9653948-4-0

Rays of the Sun : Open perception

"When we open our perception, we do not feel constrained to anticipate events or people’s possible reactions. Because our perception has opened, our responses naturally begin to flow from that free source, and motivation becomes less constricted by the need to establish ourselves as solid, permanent, separate, continuous and defined. We become able to relate to life as it actually is."

p33, Rays of the Sun, Ngakpa Chögyam, Aro Books worldwide, 2010, ISBN 978-1-898185-06-2

Shock Amazement : Fear of non-existence

"The discovery of shi-nè confronts fear of non-existence as being both the driving force of duality – and the sparkling through of non-duality. So—in one sense—it is quite justifiable to mistrust the nature of personal identity. That mistrust however, is usually aimed in the wrong direction. The open dimension of being is mistrusted rather than the conceptual criteria by which existence is habitually validated" 

p31, Shock Amazement : The four naljors and four ting-ngé’dzin from the Dzogchen series of the nature of Mind. Khandro Déchen and Ngakpa Chögyam, Aro Books Worldwide, 2018, ISBN 978-1-898185-45-1

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Illusory Advice: Expectation and disappointment

"Silent sitting gradually allows you to let go of living your life through expectation and disappointment. While expectation exists, you continually wish your life to pan out in a particular form and become frustrated and unhappy when life has its own ideas and circumstances create a different form. Meditation enables these patterns of projection and wilful obduracy to reveal themselves – your patterning becomes transparent. Then you can let go of this patterning and learn to be comfortable in the present moment. Once you are able to live in the moment, the form of your life in that moment becomes available to you simply as the experience of as it is. As it is will always be perfect because it is as it is"

p212-213, Illusory Advice, Ngakma Nor'dzin & Ngakpa 'ö-Dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2016, 978-1-898185-37-6

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Illusory Advice: Cup of tea?

"Symbols exist in ordinary life. There are symbolic rituals around visitors for example. Your host may say: ‘Welcome. Would you like a cup of tea?’ They are not necessarily enquiring as to whether their guest is thirsty. It is a symbolic ritual of smoothing the movement into form of the new situation of a visitor arriving. It enables the host and the guest to become comfortable with one another. "

p200-201, Illusory Advice, Ngakma Nor'dzin & Ngakpa 'ö-Dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2016, 978-1-898185-37-6

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Illusory Advice: When is a dog…?

"Unenlightenment is a bit like thinking you are a dog and trying to be a human being, when in fact you already are human. Others can see that you are human—it is obvious to them—and cannot understand how you think you are a dog. You need to let go of dog-ness and discover that you are human. The effort—to continue the analogy—is to not dwell or wallow in dog-ness, but believe in the possibility of being human. Practise being human by trying to walk on two legs and visualising not being furry. This is a method until you actually discover that you are human. In that instant there can be no method, only realisation."

p196, Illusory Advice, Ngakma Nor'dzin & Ngakpa 'ö-Dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2016, 978-1-898185-37-6

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Illusory Advice: Shi-nè, every day

"All practitioners engage in formal practice – it is too easy to kid yourself that you are practising when in fact you are indulging neurosis. We would strongly recommend daily shi-nè practice as a minimum. You will find that other practices such as yogic song, mantra accumulation, and sKu-mNyé will support the practice of shi-nè. "

p190, Illusory Advice, Ngakma Nor'dzin & Ngakpa 'ö-Dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2016, 978-1-898185-37-6

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Illusory Advice: Reference points

"Every time you notice that you are using something as a reference point, this is a spontaneous moment of awareness and something to celebrate. You can laugh at how silly you have been, for example, in getting all worked up about the fact that someone dismissed you as stupid. This might be because you like science fiction, or period drama, or soap operas, or whatever … . Tantra is intrinsically optimistic, because it recognises the energy of neurosis as no different to the energy of realisation. "

p184, Illusory Advice, Ngakma Nor'dzin & Ngakpa 'ö-Dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2016, 978-1-898185-37-6

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Illusory Advice: The openness of doubt

"Doubts about a situation keep it fluid and available for examination – they leave things open. Openness—in terms of being uncertain of an outcome—is an experience of emptiness. Once you have decided definitely on one side or the other about a situation, then there is no longer openness and the possibility of working with the outcome. Once you have established a concrete view of how the situation should be, there is only the possibility of matters supporting or conflicting with that view. You will encourage and like the things that support it, and hit against the things that oppose it."

p183, Illusory Advice, Ngakma Nor'dzin & Ngakpa 'ö-Dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2016, 978-1-898185-37-6

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Illusory Advice: Purpose

"There is no purpose to life—in the sense of an ultimate purpose—there is only purpose in the moment. To give a simple example: there is a purpose in brushing your teeth because it will make your mouth feel nicer and help prevent gum disease so that your teeth don’t fall out. Your life will be more comfortable with a mouth full of teeth in healthy gums. However eventually your gums will rot and your teeth fall out—if not while you are alive, then certainly after you are dead—so there is no ultimate purpose in brushing your teeth. Being aware of the transient, in-the-moment purpose of brushing teeth, you do so conscientiously, beautifully, with presence of mind – brushing teeth becomes an art form. It has its own purpose. "

p172-173, Illusory Advice, Ngakma Nor'dzin & Ngakpa 'ö-Dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2016, 978-1-898185-37-6

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Illusory Advice: Secondary causes

"External factors spark patterns of perception you do not know you have. Life is a little like walking through a minefield – you never know when you may step on something—a circumstance of your life—that will explode a programmed pattern of perception. If the cause is not encountered the reaction will not occur. One of the principles of the monastic path is to regulate the secondary causes—in terms of life circumstances—as much as possible to avoid triggering unhelpful reactions that deepen patterning. The tantric path however says: ‘Bring it all on!’ so that you have the opportunity to transform distorted perception and response into enlightened perception and response. "

p168-169, Illusory Advice, Ngakma Nor'dzin & Ngakpa 'ö-Dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2016, 978-1-898185-37-6

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Illusory Advice: Does samsara really exist?

"Samsara exists because of duality. It can easily cease to exist in the moment through changing your view. Dwelling in the natural state would not mean that you lack the ability to act – your actions would be totally appropriate and compassionate. It is possible to be wrathful without being angry. It is possible to be destructive where the situation requires it without this being out-of-control energy. It is possible to make a stand without justification and self-protective posturing. To dwell in the natural state would be to be a Dharma warrior. "

p164-165, Illusory Advice, Ngakma Nor'dzin & Ngakpa 'ö-Dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2016, 978-1-898185-37-6

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Illusory Advice: Intensity

"When you start to practise more intensely all sorts of aspects of yourself suddenly seem to come into focus and insist you notice them. These have always been there, but safely tucked away where you could previously ignore them. This is what Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin calls ‘the hell of being a practitioner.’ Practice—especially Vajrayana—is like grabbing the bare electricity cables and inviting the shock. If the intensity is becoming too much, then ease off a little for a while. Engage in simple practice such as shi-nè, and inspirational practice such as Lama’i Naljor and yogic song. Physical practice may help as well. Perhaps have a few short practice sessions rather than one long one. When you feel a little more settled again you can increase the intensity once more. Remember, this is a marathon, not a sprint and you have to learn to pace yourself – knowing when to ease off and when to push through. It sounds as though this may be a time to ease off for a while. "

p146, Illusory Advice, Ngakma Nor'dzin & Ngakpa 'ö-Dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2016, 978-1-898185-37-6

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Illusory Advice: The Annoying Friend

"Sangha members are the annoying friends who help each other to be real in the world and live their lives as practitioners. They do not offer the comforting platitudes, but they also have to be careful with their directness. Sangha members do not want to add to the person’s negative view of themselves by confronting them with the cause of discomfort. Dwelling on shortcomings gets in the way of developing pure view. It makes it more difficult for others to view them as a realised being, and it makes it difficult for them to view themselves as beginninglessly enlightened. Remember that their miserable expression of their view of themselves is directly linked with their enlightened nature: their avarice with generosity, their anger with clarity, and even their depression with intelligence. If you can see this then a helpful response might suggest itself. "

p136-137, Illusory Advice, Ngakma Nor'dzin & Ngakpa 'ö-Dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2016, 978-1-898185-37-6

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Illusory Advice: Pure view

"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."

p135, Illusory Advice, Ngakma Nor'dzin & Ngakpa 'ö-Dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2016, 978-1-898185-37-6

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Illusory Advice: Worthwhile pursuits

"Spiritual practice is a worthwhile cause that can succeed. The path is valuable and the goal is achievable. Only spiritual development steps outside the mere manipulation of the form of your existence. Only spiritual development can give lasting liberation and freedom from the dissatisfaction and hardships of samsara. It is important to free people from suffering in its most physical and gross form and give them comfort, so that they can discover the subtleness of dissatisfaction in the context of the comfort and pleasure of their lives. Then they have the opportunity to engage in spiritual practice. "

p126, Illusory Advice, Ngakma Nor'dzin & Ngakpa 'ö-Dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2016, 978-1-898185-37-6

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Illusory Advice: Right livelihood

"We are all always compromised. Being alive is the cause of discomfort or death for other beings. Every time you cook, drive your car, walk across a lawn, take medicines, etcetera, etcetera, you are causing the death or discomfort of other beings. It is not possible to live in the world ‘purely.’ Your life is the cause of suffering for other beings. Everything is interconnected. Practitioners recognise their dependence on all other beings, in their ability to live their lives. They try not to do harm and to be of benefit to others within their capacity. "

p122, Illusory Advice, Ngakma Nor'dzin & Ngakpa 'ö-Dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2016, 978-1-898185-37-6

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Illusory Advice: The perfect parent

"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. "

p121, Illusory Advice, Ngakma Nor'dzin & Ngakpa 'ö-Dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2016, 978-1-898185-37-6

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Illusory Advice: The wrong letter

"Ngak’chang Rinpoche once told us a story. He was travelling with a lady who had experienced a difficult situation with a friend. During the journey she wrote a letter to her friend and showed it to Rinpoche and asked him what he thought of it. 

Rinpoche said, “It’s a clear well-written letter. It expresses what you feel – but how do you wish your relationship with your friend to be after she receives your letter?” The lady said that she would like to be better friends. 

Rinpoche replied, “Don’t send that letter, then.” She asked Rinpoche why, as he had said that it was clear, well-written, and expressed what she felt. 

Rinpoche answered, “There are various factors to be considered when writing such a letter: what you want to say; what you feel should be said; what you think the person needs to hear; and finally – what the desired outcome might be. The final factor is the one you have to bear in mind. If you don’t care what the outcome is – send the letter. If you do care, then you had better re-write it.” "

p110, Illusory Advice, Ngakma Nor'dzin & Ngakpa 'ö-Dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2016, 978-1-898185-37-6

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Shock Amazement - Review - Each step has the quality of unfailing precision

"This book elegantly traverses a very tricky subject. It crisply informs the reader about the exact nature of four different methods of practice, and how each of these relates to one another in a unique way. One is left with the impression that Khandro Dechen and Ngakpa Chogyam are competent guides for anyone wishing to step on to this path. Their practical instructions are disarmingly simple. Each step has the quality of unfailing precision, and this fills one with the courage and inspiration to commit to this journey. "
—Paul Carter, Lulu

Shock Amazement : The four naljors and four ting-ngé’dzin from the Dzogchen series of the nature of Mind. Khandro Déchen and Ngakpa Chögyam, Aro Books Worldwide, 2018, ISBN 978-1-898185-45-1

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Illusory Advice: Looking good

"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"

p106, Illusory Advice, Ngakma Nor'dzin & Ngakpa 'ö-Dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2016, 978-1-898185-37-6

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Illusory Advice: Won’t you buy me a Mercedes-Benz

"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. "

p128-129, Illusory Advice, Ngakma Nor'dzin & Ngakpa 'ö-Dzin, Aro Books worldwide, 2016, 978-1-898185-37-6

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Shock Amazement - Review - Introduction to Dzogchen

"This book provides a clear and vigorous introduction to the practice of the first series of Dzogchen. The authors here provide a lively account for practitioners starting on the path."
—David Flanagan, Amazon US

Shock Amazement : The four naljors and four ting-ngé’dzin from the Dzogchen series of the nature of Mind. Khandro Déchen and Ngakpa Chögyam, Aro Books Worldwide, 2018, ISBN 978-1-898185-45-1

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