Journeys & Retreat

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PV5IJ_f6p64 Introduction to the Five Dakinis Tsok Five-Dakini Tsok in Vajrayana

There is this little gnat in my meditation room. Or maybe there is more than one gnat and it’s just that one appears at a time. Or maybe there are many manifestations of this one gnat that join me in Retreat - studying, contemplating, and practicing. Seeing the gnat always brings a smile to my face.

“What are you holding onto for dear life?” Khandro-la asked us during our first Shiwa Lamsab practice following transmission. As our Retreat ended last night, I listened to everyone’s beautiful and heart-felt comments about their Retreat experience. I was touched and inspired and, I can’t deny it,

How can I smile at how I feel today - unsettled, out of sorts, discombobulated, sad, scared - lots of some really old stuff rising up - attachment, aversion, confusion. I feel Troma Nakmo dakini breathinginto me, breathing me, rising up with fury through my central channel only to dive back down wit

In the late 70’s, the evening news in Hong Kong was always about the refugees from Vietnam. I remember seeing them on the TV, and I still remember. When they finally made it to the shores by those flimsy boats, of course they were joyful and excited. However, I couldn’t miss noticing signs of to

Recently during the Troma Nakmo Retreat, Khandro La spoke about imagining Vajrasattva Father Mother Union as white figures but crystalline clear white. I had been playing with creating a 'natural' representation of Stainless Clear Light, as it is part of my new refuge name which I had received

May all beings awaken from the delusions of Nirvana May all beings awaken from the distractions of the symptoms of Samsara May any benefits and roots of good merit, become the awakening for all beings May this body become the food and the fulfiller of all desires and needs for all beings. Just as t

I sit here after this mornings crazy practice. Technology not going to plan, not being able to log in to practice and not holding space for practice on the Dakini zoom space. This is what showed up in the after glow.. There is a place inside me that will! make any thing asked of me happen. I will

Khandro-la's teachings on the long sadhana in Kechara Journey are instilling some "new perspectives" in my practice. I am referring to new curiosities and perhaps understandings about inner offerings - this external imaginary experience and internally, what potential is here. The container as the sk

Practicing mahamudra, recognizing kleshas, stepping back, looking directly.....leads me directly, literally and figuratively, to our Purification Retreat and Regrets/Remorse. "I must practice the antidote right away, without a second's delay."

When all thoughts Are exhausted I slip into the woods And gather A pile of shepherd’s purse. Like the little stream Making its way Through the mossy crevices I, too, quietly Turn clear and transparent -Ryokan (1758 – 1831) In the spring of 2013, I found myself in a tiny house in the midst of a

Yesterday 15 DW members and seven DW friends shared this experience of the blessings of Cho transmissions from the Ear-Whispered Lineage. We came from all over the globe - Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Canada, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Finland, USA. I feel grateful and so fortunate. As Kh

Spiritual inquires into your Dharma journey or what I call "spiritual topography of the path" keeps us honest and authentic on this profound path. Here is my invitation to this process. Your feedback and reflections are most welcome on this blog. https://vimeopro.com/user50894646/inquiry-into-spiri

Tell me, how can I behold the beautiful face of Vajrayogini? Is she perhaps my “original face before I was born?” The one I am coming home to? What did you say? Oh! Vajrayogini’s (my) own face is not a face at all?! No! It is this state of vivid, clear awareness, a union of seeing/not seeing, being

During the recent Cho Retreat I offered this artwork and poem for the Tsok feast as i wasnt able to attend in person. So i would like to share it here with an additional connection that I have made with the shadow art image. I have found this image very compelling since it was created and i could

My aversions are bold and loud; attachments quiet, sweet, comfortable until they are threatened. Then the torment begins. Is this the workablity of the surprising charnel ground?

As part of our Kechara Journey, we were asked to choose one of the 11 Yogas and dive deeply into it. I was tempted to jump into what seemed to me to be a more complex and challenging Yoga. But the Yoga of Purifying Beings kept calling to me in its simple power. I yielded the call. I “think” I have

As I sit here contemplating the up and coming death of my martial teacher, Sensei Cox. He helped me crack open my broken heart and lost humanity. Someone who has dedicated 40 years of his life to growing people through to the other side of trauma. He found out he has a terminal brain tumor one week

Language has a very conceptual element to it. Its the mind putting boxes around and under everything. Yet conjures up so much of everything. Playing on words, I love messing with the different play of the same word, depending on its context within a phrase. Language can box the mind or free the mind

I made a note from Khandro-la's teaching during the last KJ that in the Guru Yoga visualization of Guru Vajradharma adorned with the six bone ornaments, the 6th one is ashes smeared on his body from the charnel ground. Each time I visualize this now, my body/mind swoons with waves of inspiring stren

I was inspired by Dan's beautiful art expression post of Machik Lobdron in the 'Meeting the Dakini' category to share some of mine too. This first one is of a feeling/vision I had whilst practicing the 5 Dakinis. It is my heart opening and expanding with billions of pink lotus petals ( but this is j

"We tend to consider moving mind as a distraction but there is no possibility of escaping moving mind. Look and see it's true nature!" This may not be an exact quote from Khandro-la's teachings yesterday in MMJ, but for me it was a powerful message and is still resounding through my mind. What is my

Yesterday Khandro-la introduced the idea of "spiritual independence." I say she introduced it because I don't recall this idea registering in my brain before from any of her teachings. I must say, it has struck a chord in me and I am pondering what it may mean in my own Journey towards awakening for

When I coached youth soccer teams, I spent a lot of time teaching the basics, establishing the goals and setting the limits—what to do, what not to do. As the players grew older and more experienced, they had absorbed those lessons, and I began to encourage them to go beyond those limitations, to b

So-called "commitment" is only an invitation to your authenticity. Dakini's Whisper merely invites you to engage in this path authentically aligned with your Buddha Nature - no more or no less. If you feel overwhelmed by the word "commitment" which sometimes feels like an obligation, please take a b

Jens DW Manager 2019 has been a very momentous year for Dakini’s Whisper, and its members. It saw the first of DW’s own retreats, one in Europe and one in the U.S., that brought together students from all over the world. This was only possible due to the deep commitment of our dear teacher – but als