Volume 20, Number 4 / August 2020
Letter from the Editors
Adapting in Unusual Times
Dear Friends,
These are unusual times for all of us, and while the pandemic continues to affect the world, we are learning to adapt in new ways. From social distancing and quarantining at home, to attending online teachings and meetings, to simplifying our lives, to expressing our grief and our care and compassion for others, we are all learning how to live more in the present moment as we face these undeniable lessons of impermanence and change. More
The Gift of Resting in the View
An Edited Excerpt from Oral Teachings Given by Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, June 2020
I have been teaching on The Seven Mirrors of Dzogchen, a text by Drenpa Namkha, who lived in the eighth century. He was one of the great masters present at the moment of a great transition in the history of Tibet when a new religion was coming in and the old religious tradition was having difficulty surviving. During some of the conflicts of the time, he was trying to preserve many of these teachings. As a result, later on these teachings became more available. More
Right Conduct During This Time of the Pandemic
A Message from His Holiness Lungtok Dawa Dhargyal Rinpoche
During Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche’s two-week online summer retreat on the topic “The Seven Mirrors of Dzogchen,” attended by more than 600 participants from around the world, we were honored with the presence of His Holiness Lungtok Dawa Dhargyal Rinpoche, the 34th Menri Trizin. His Holiness offered blessings and teachings on the final day of each week, with Tenzin Rinpoche translating. Here is an edited excerpt of His Holiness’ teachings from the first week, on June 26. More
Ligmincha’s New Code of Conduct
An Inspirational, Aspirational and Prescriptive Guide for Ligmincha’s Worldwide Sanghas
The Board of Ligmincha International is pleased to announce that after almost two years of work, Ligmincha has developed a Code of Conduct. The code, available here, was written in close collaboration with Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, and extends to all Ligmincha centers and sanghas worldwide. More
Upcoming Retreats Hosted by Ligmincha Poland
Two Online and One In-Person Retreat Coming Up
Ligmincha Poland will host two online retreats in July and August, with Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche and with Choekhortshang Rinpoche. Both retreats will be held on Zoom. In addition, Ligmincha Poland is planning an in-person retreat in September with Khenpo Tenpa Yungdrung Rinpoche, abbot of Triten Norbutse Monastery in Nepal. All are welcome to attend. More
Two Special Retreats with Tenzin Rinpoche on Zoom in October
‘Serenity Ridge Dialogues: Body, Breath & Mind’ and ‘Fall Retreat: The Five Elements’
Join us online via Zoom for two special online retreats in October. Starting October 10, join Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, leading scientists and physicians for dialogues related to body, breath and mind. The annual fall retreat on the topic of “The Five Elements” begins October 21. Both retreats are sponsored by Serenity Ridge Retreat Center and Ligmincha International, and all are welcome. More
How Is Covid-19 Affecting Our Community?
A Report from Ligmincha’s Worldwide Sangha
Covid-19 has caused a massive collective disruption all over the world. To get an impression of how the coronavirus has affected the communities of Ligmincha International, founded by Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, Ton Bisscheroux, VOCL’s new international correspondent and former editor of Ligmincha Europe Magazine, surveyed groups around the world. They include international sanghas; Serenity Ridge and Chamma Ling retreat centers; The 3 Doors, a nonsectarian program founded to explore the transformative practice of meditation; and Lishu Institute, established for more long-term study of Bön. Below is a summary of his findings. More
CyberSangha Launches New Instagram Page
An Interview with Daniel Conover
More than 42,000 people now follow and benefit from Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche’s free live teachings on Facebook and cybersangha.net. With help from Daniel Conover, the newest member of Rinpoche’s core CyberSangha team, CyberSangha has now launched an Instagram account featuring short videos from Rinpoche’s teachings, plus photographs. We asked Daniel to say a bit about how we can all benefit from this new social media offering. More
Upcoming Full Moon Practices on the Heart Mantras
And Don’t Miss August 16 Conversation with Six Spiritual Leaders
On August 3, 2020, and each subsequent full moon of 2020, join us online for a guided meditation followed by a 24-hour mantra recitation session. Upcoming sessions focus on the Heart Mantras of Bön.
The August session offers a precious opportunity to engage in reciting and connecting deeply with the Mantra of Liberation, or the MA TRI mantra, one of the Three Heart Mantras. More
Taking Care of Yourself and Others
3 Doors Online Programs Beginning September 2020
The 3 Doors is offering several online programs beginning this September to support both new and existing practitioners. Join 3 Doors senior teachers Marcy Vaughn and Gabriel Rocco for a nine-month online Compassion Project program and gather in small groups with others from around the world to share experiences and learn how to apply 3 Doors practices in your daily life.
In addition, 3 Doors senior teacher Raven Lee, Ph.D., will be offering a three-week immersion into “Walking the Healing Path” and senior teacher Laura Shekerjian will be offering a new four-week course called “Deepening the Flow of Interconnectivity.” More
Ligmincha Learning Upcoming Online Courses
'The Six Lokas,' 'Sherap Chamma' and NEW 'Sleep Yoga'
Ligmincha Learning is pleased to offer several upcoming online courses with Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche or senior teacher Marcy Vaughn. Courses feature beautiful video teachings, guided meditations, readings, journal writing activities, and the opportunity to interact with senior mentors and classmates from around the world. More
International Sangha Sharing
Poetry from the Heart
The poem below by Hira Hosen was inspired by Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche’s online teachings. The mantra is that of Khandro Kyema Otso from the Bön Mother Tantra. More
Student and Teacher
Together on the Path
As students on the Tibetan Bön Buddhist path, we offer our teachers a range of questions from the simple to the complex. Here is a question about recognizing how we understand our boundaries.
Student: I have great difficulty with understanding the right boundaries in my relationships with others. I have been trying to open, to transform, to change, not by forcing but by allowing. And I am a little bit lost about how to recognize the right boundaries. More
Spanish Translation of VOCL
Link to June Issue Now Available
Look for the translations of Voice of Clear Light newsletters at the top of the VOCL website.
Read VOCL in Spanish
