Leaving the Cocoon
A warrior, or pawo in Tibetan, is a brave person, a genuine person who is able to step out of the cocoon–that very comfortable cocoon that he or she is trying to sleep in. If you are in your cocoon, occasionally, you shout your complaints, such as: “Leave me alone!” “Bug off!” “I want to be who I am.” Your cocoon is fabricated out of tremendous aggression, which comes from fighting against your environment, your parental upbringing, your educational upbringing, your upbringing of all kinds. You don’t really have to fight with your cocoon. You can raise your head and just take a little peek out of the cocoon. Sometimes, when you first peek your head out, you find the air a bit too fresh and cold. But still, it is good. It is the best fresh air of spring or autumn or, for that matter, the best fresh air of winter or summer. So when you stick your neck out of the cocoon for the first time, you like it in spite of the discomfort of the environment. You find that it’s delightful. Then, having peeked out, you become brave enough to climb out of the cocoon. You sit on your cocoon and look around at your world.
From September 17th through the 22nd, KCL will feature a variety of online events for the whole community.
A Day of Practice
On June 28, the Profound Treasury Retreat community hosted a day of practice (nyinthun) on Ocean. Here is a talk that Judy Lief offered during the morning session.
Like Meeting Shechen Gyaltsap Face-To-Face
A Review of Shechen Gyaltsap's PRACTICING THE GREAT PERFECTION: INSTRUCTIONS ON THE CRUCIAL POINTS
Tribute to Fran Lewis
Our dear friend and dharma sister Frances Lewis passed away early Saturday morning, July 18, 2020, having suffered a very recent decline in what had been quite good health...
50 Years Ago: First Teachings in North America
These three talks, given in NYC in early July 1970, were Trungpa Rinpoche's first recorded teachings in North America.
Tribute to Carolyn Kanjuro
Please join us for the online practice of the Sadhana of Mahamudra on July 7, 2020 at 5:00 PM MDT, 7:00 PM EDT for Carolyn Eve Kanjuro. Carolyn passed...
Tribute to Hildy Maze
We are very sorry to tell you that Hildy Maze was found dead at her home on Long Island on Thursday. There is not much specific information. It was...
Tribute to Karl Usow
Sukhavati for Karl
A Sukhavati Ceremony is scheduled online for Karl, for Wednesday, July 8 at 6:00 pm EDT. We will recite the Narak Kongshak, a traditional practice for clearing...
1978 Seminary: Hinayana/Mahayana Talks
During the coming weeks, we will be posting the hinayana/mahayana talks (19 talks in all) from the 1978 Vajradhatu seminary.
Tributes for Douglas Anderson
May we all please send our best prayers and wishes to Douglas for a journey free of obstacles and blessed by his strong practice and devotion.
Tributes to Douglas
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Salutations to the General
"Salutations from private DJKN to the general to mark his day"*
*Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche's message on the anniversary of Trungpa Rinpoche's parinirvana, April 4, 2016. "DJKN" stands for Dzongsar Jamyang...
At a Campfire
At a campfire with the participants of the 1981 Magyal Pomra Encampment VCTR said "Things are familiar and strange." I said I understood the familiar part, but why strange...
A Lover Not a Fighter
It was 1976 and I was attending a public seminar at Karme Choling conducted by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. A close friend and I first met Rinpoche in 1971 and my...
Compliments to the chef
In 1986 at the Vajradhatu Seminary, I signed on as the breakfast cook at Amakulo, the building used primarily as a family center. One day, the dinner cook became...
No Man’s Land
In No Man's Land, Robert Merchasin talks about an extraordinary day in September 1971, and reflects on the lasting impact the events of that day have had on his life.
Like a Foreign Country
He called a meeting of his senior students from the Bay Area and told us that things were going to get worse in this country...
Grandmother’s Audience
As told by Sarah Cox to Elizabeth Richardson
Born in 1890, Sarah Louise Buffington, was an unusually self determined woman for her generation. With the onset of the First World...
Interview with Her Eminence Jetsün Kushok Chimey Luding Rinpoche
Jetsün Kushok worked full-time as a weaver and part-time as a housekeeper, while also raising four boys, running dharma centers, and practicing—often through the night.
It’s Up To You
A Review of Chögyam Trungpa's Latest Title
A Harrowing and Most Amazing Journey
From the Jaws of the Lion
Father Thomas Keating and Trungpa Rinpoche Talk About Egolessness
This conversation took place during Naropa’s 1983 Christian Buddhist Conference
On the Mamos, the Dharmapala Principle and Mahakali Vetali
... the feminine principle, functions as a force of creating harmony, friendship, and connectedness, in relationships and family, in community, between self and nature, and between mind and body.