James Low – Dzogchen and Buddhist Teachings
13rd March 2024. James Low had invited questions from people watching his Zooms, which he began to answer.
Note: the constant cuts in this video result from the removal of James Low's periods of silence, while waiting for the consecutive translation from the German translator.
Index
"(00:00) My father is 91 years of age and in the last days of his life. He is already unconscious and unaware of his surroundings. He has never been interested in religion and I think he's been agnostic all his life. Apart from accompanying him, is it possible to do more for him?"
"(09:53) Does dzogchen agree with the view that all events and occurrences are a result of previous events and occurrences and hat one's experience will continue to evolve and unfold naturally just like that as it is meant to?"
"(18:11) Should the fear of death diminish as we become more stable in meditation?"
"(21:09) When we engage in sitting meditation, attempting to remain in non-dual riga awareness, how long should the sessions last?"
"(34:09) Is it possible to retain awareness when under the influence of alcohol, cannabis and so on? Can hallucinogens be helpful in breaking habitual modes of perception or do they just lead up the blind alley of attention focused on content?"
"(37:13) When sitting in practice, we put the tip of the tongue on the roof of the mouth. Where precisely?"
"(38:05) Do we have a curriculum for a ngakpa training and ordination in the simply being sangha?"
"(38:31) How can we begin to recognize the ego aspects of ourselves more clearly? How to approach this in a helpful way, not being sucked in or pushing it away?"
Video at https://youtu.be/n0Y2DwUSWto?si=QDl1NjVqPu4TBYAg