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Concluding Request to the Protectors – HIGHLIGHT
Understanding apparent contradictions in a text that many Shambhalians chant daily as an ongoing part of their practice by Russell Rodgers Doesn’t the Concluding Request to the Protectors contradict other Buddhist teachings? Certainly, this is the most frequent comment I hear about this chant. The line requesting “glory, ... continuePosted June 10, 2017 by CGH
Ekajati and the Ati Teachings – HIGHLIGHT
Exploring depth and meaning in the Ekajati protector chant by Russell Rodgers Ekajati: Queen of the Mamos, thangka painting by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche This chant has an extraordinary level of teaching in it about the nature of mind and the nature of reality. To the extent that one truly ... continuePosted January 2, 2017 by CGH
Is Vetali Real? – HIGHLIGHT
Our series of essays on the Shambhala chants continues, with a look at the “reality” of another protector by Russell Rodgers “Is Vetali real” seems like a simple enough question, deserving a “yes” or “no” answer. In fact, this question has many levels. In one of the previous ... continuePosted December 31, 2016 by CGH
Meet the Four Armed Mahakala – HIGHLIGHT
What is a mahakala? Do they exist in reality? by Russell Rodgers These are questions provoked by doing the chants. In this essay, I’ll explore those questions a little more, and in addition talk about the Four Armed Mahakala in particular. In the previous essay, “The Protector Ritual,” we ... continuePosted October 27, 2016 by CGH
The Shambhala Protector Chant – HIGHLIGHT
In our continuing series on the Shambhala chants, we take a look at protectors manifesting as coincidence. by Russell Rodgers A constant stream of coincidence shapes our lives. You get up in the morning. It’s raining and that always makes you depressed. There’ s a traffic jam on the ... continuePosted August 22, 2016 by CGH
The Protector Ritual – HIGHLIGHT
A long-time student ruminates on the practice of protector chants in Shambhala ritual by Russell Rodgers The protector chants have been causing controversy at centres since Trungpa Rinpoche first asked us to start doing them over thirty years ago. Periodically, members argue over whether or not it is ... continuePosted August 18, 2016 by CGH
Obstacles and Antidotes – HIGHLIGHT
Ekajati: Queen of the Mamos, thangka painting by Chogyam Trungpa RinpocheTeachings on Don Season by Shastri Andrew Sacamano As we move from winter to spring to summer to fall there is a natural process that takes place in the earth. There is a period where the earth needs ... continuePosted February 22, 2014 by
Part 2: When Monsters Become Protectors – HIGHLIGHT
The Transformational Power of Storytelling By Laura Simms Click here for Part 1 This story of The Transitional Place reflects what I feel I have begun to understand about the possibility of transforming energy through story. This is at the root of what I want to continue to ... continuePosted August 25, 2009 by
When Monsters Become Protectors – HIGHLIGHT
The Transformational Power of Storytelling By Laura Simms Shortly after 9/11, I was asked to tell stories to children at several public schools in downtown Manhattan. My task was to generate conversations with children about what they had experienced and what fears were lingering. I went ... continuePosted August 24, 2009 by