As the Kasung Dapon from 1977 through 1997, Jim was one of the principal leaders of the Dorje Kasung, and among Trungpa Rinpoche’s closest and most trusted aids. Through his writing, publishing, and teaching activities, Jim continues to be one of the most articulate voices presenting Trungpa Rinpoche’s kasung dharma.
In this conversation with Julia, Jim talks about the origins of the Dorje Kasung, the path of service, the notion of true command vs. blind faith, and the myriad ways in which Trungpa Rinpoche worked with his students to nurture their personal understanding and sense of trust in their own intelligence.
Jim is the publisher of the Shambhala Sun and Buddhadharma magazines in Halifax, Nova Scotia, as well as the owner and publisher of Trident Publications, which has released a number of titles by Chogyam Trungpa, including True Command Volume I: The Town Talks, Warrior Songs, Royal Songs, as well as a series of prints of Rinpoche’s paintings. True Command Volume II: The Magyal Pomra Encampment will be published for the 20th anniversary of the encampment in August 2008.
Listeners’ Comments
Dispatches will take a three week break while Julia and the Dispatches crew cover Ocean of Dharma: Chögyam Trungpa: Spoken Words, Written Words, Beyond Words at Naropa University, October 20, 21, and 22. While we’re all in Boulder, we’ll record some very interesting Dispatches episodes, including conversations with Lady Diana, Fabrice Midal, David Rome, Ken Green, Fleet Maull, and more. We’ll be back on-air Thursday, November 9, with an interview with Jonathan McKeever.
