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I talk with my longest time spiritual friend, Samuel Bercholz, founder of Shambhala Publications and author of the new book, Rude Awakenings. It was written at the request of his second root teacher, Thinley Norbu Rinpoche, who asked Sam to write a book containing everything he learned from his first root teacher, the great and mysterious Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche.
For me, this book lives up to its subtitle: An Unconventional Guide to the Buddhist Path. It was written by someone who has known and published almost all of the great Buddhist (and other) masters of our lifetime, checked everyone’s sincerity and realization, and drawn, as far as I can tell, impeccable conclusions about the true dharma and who and what to trust.
I trust him deeply. In addition to his extraordinary accomplishments, he is my closest spiritual friend. Sam taught me how to meditate more than 30 years ago and is still my meditation teacher. He gave me the refuge vow (by which one formally commits to the Buddhist Path), taught me how to give this vow, and, most importantly, introduced me to my root teacher, Tulku Thondup Rinpoche.
In this first of 3 short episodes, we talk about his beginnings as a practitioner, the centrality of Guru Rinpoche and Yeshe Tsogyal, wakefulness, lineage, and why the relationship with a teacher is so important in Vajrayana Buddhism. We also look at how to find a teacher without becoming confused by cultural forms or an individual’s charisma.
Highlights:
- Why did Sam write this book?
- Who are Guru Rinpoche and Yeshe Tsogyal and how do you invoke them?
- What is the 7-Line Supplication?
- How do you find a teacher? What qualities do you look for?
- The relationship between teacher, lineage, and awakened mind
- Why a teacher is indispensable in Vajrayana practice
- How to investigate a potential teacher with both intelligence and heart
- The difference between Buddhist teachings and the cultures in which they developed
- For more on my personal thoughts about Chögyam Trungpa and other teachers who have influenced me, please listen to episode 8, “Who Can You Trust in the Spiritual World?”
Mentioned in this episode:
Traleg Kyagbon Rinpoche
Thinley Norbu Rinpoche
Ogyen Chowang
Watch this episode on video
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My new book is now available - in print and in audio format
Inexplicable Magic: Meditation for Mystics, is available for purchase. Explore the spiritual path through 7 principles which run counter to conventional wisdom on mindfulness.
Learn more and buy your copy here.
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Produced by Citizens of Sound
Music by: Derek O'Brien
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