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I have considered myself a follower of the Shambhala path, as outlined by Chogyam Trungpa, for a couple of years. Due to scheduling conflicts, I have been unable to do formal training. I feel I am at a point where I need formal training to continue progressing.
Strangely enough, I have been drawn to Dzogchen teachers of late, especially Dzigar Kongtrul and Tarthang Tulku. Now there is an opportunity to begin teacher training in the Dzogchen tradition here in Tucson.
There is a great opportunity to do pointing out instruction and bodhichitta instruction next weekend, and I plan to do both as a preparation for the class in case I decide to follow through with that.
I have no intention of being a teacher, but I think I could really benefit from the formal instruction.
Here's my question to the other Buddhists out there: Does anyone have experience with both traditions and maybe have anything you can share that might help in my decision? I'm not opposed to following both paths, but Shambhala is very secular compared to Dzogchen, so I'm not sure how compatible the teachings might be. And I also think there is benefit in choosing a path and giving it all of my attention.
Thanks in advance for info you can share.
Technorati Tags: Shambhala, Dzogchen, Chogyam Trungpa, Dzigar Kongtrul, Tarthang Tulku, Formal teaching
3 comments:
Hey William, this is a good question and I spoke about this with a senior student in the Dzogchen Community of Namkhai Norbu. Partly, it depends on your Dzogchen master. Namkhai Norbu teaches very essential Dzogchen and it can be practiced in addition to other paths out there. Some masters seem to teach a combo of Dzogchen and a more lineage oriented approach. If it's the latter, you might have difficulty pursuing two paths. If it's the former, you still might run into akwardness. The practitioner I spoke with said she did it, but it was akward being around the more secular community because she was/had to be secretive about her Dzogchen practice.
It seems to me, according to my master's teachings, that you can practice in both just fine. As a practitioner though, it might be easier to choose. And I agree, I think it's better to give your all to one path versus two, generally speaking. I guess, I'm sort of doing both by studying at Naropa, but it's more mixed with academics. The difficulty I think you might find is in the view of the two paths and holding them both equally. Dzogchen's view is none other than our real state, nothing to uphold. Whereas more secular, traditional paths definitely hold a view, and one that's definitely different than that of Dzogchen.
Love to hear more about your process, what more your thinking/feeling, and what your decision ultimately will be.
ryan
I can't offer much guidance, not having any experience in either tradition. However, I went from Japanese Rinzai Zen to Korean Zen, and am very happy with this tradition. Rinzai was very secular to me, and I was looking for something that still had meditation as its primary focus, but that was more spiritual, more religious. Korean Zen fit the mold perfectly. But I didn't know it until I started attending meditation sittings, classes, and events at the Korean Zen temple. So I'd say just start involving yourself in Dzogchen, and see where you are led.
Thanks to all of you for your generous assistance on this. I think that I am going to dive into the Dzogchen path and see where it takes me. I won't give up the Shambhala stuff I am doing around opening my heart, nor will I give up some of the psychology I do on my own.
As I mentioned to Kai above, the Dzogchen work feeds some Purple and Blue meme needs that don't get met by Shambhala work. And besides, I have always been drawn to the shamanic elements in Dzogchen.
Thanks again to all of you!
Peace,
Bill
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