Journey Into The Heart of Dzogchen Thogal Practice
Explore the transformative and significant enlightenment practice of Spontaneous Presence and Thogal
This course will offer an in depth and experiential journey into the heart of Thogal Dzogchen practice, along with Trekcho. Thogal, translated as “direct crossing,” “the direct approach,” or “leaping over,” can bring very quickly the actual realization of the three kayas in this lifetime, and thus is a more rapid way of bringing about the dissolution of the practitioner’s karmic vision. The practice of Togal brings the realization of “spontaneous presence,” and it can only be undertaken by a practitioner who has first gained stability in the practice of kadak Trekcho.
The main thing is pointing out the nature:
In this, the three bodies are completely present. Not substantial in any way, is the Dharmakaya. Lucidity, which is the gleam of emptiness, is the Sambhogakaya. It’s unlimited arising, anything is the Nirmanakaya. The complete presence of these as you were one mind is the Svabhavikakaya. To point this out directly and immediately:
It is this mind of yours right now.
Since it is just this, unaltered and clear to itself, how can you say, “I have not recognized the mind itself?”
Since there is nothing in this to be meditated upon, how can you say, “meditation has not occurred?”
Since it is just this manifest awareness, how can you say, “I have not found my mind?”
Since it is just this unceasing, lucid awareness, how can you say, “I have not seen the mind's nature?”
Since it is just this which thinks, how can you say, “looking, I have not found it?”
Since there is nothing to do, how can you say, “doing it, it did not happen?”
~ Excerpt from Padmasambhava’s "The Naked Seeing of Awareness," quoted from Karma Chame’s commentary on the Bardo of Dharmata as it appears in the third volume of the "Rinchen Terdzo" from the writings of the Terton Karma Lingpa.
Self Paced On Demand Class Videos
The 12 week course provides the convenience of on-demand access to all class videos and is designed to be self-paced. Participants have the flexibility to begin the course at any time and progress through it at their own pace.
What Is Included
A comprehensive 12 video class program on the meditations and practices of Khorde Rushen. The program includes teachings and Q&A sessions with Lama Michael, as well as interactive online learning at your own pace. Course notes, quizzes, and access to supporting written materials are included, as well as precise meditation practices and teachings to help participants deepen their understanding and experience of Khorde Rushen.
Important Course Prerequisites
Serious Application of either Trekcho and/or Mahamudra instructions with Khorde Rushen strongly recommended.
Helpful prerequisites, but not necessary: Serious Sutra study and meditation on emptiness and compassion, common and uncommon preliminary Ngondro practice, Chod, Khorde Rushen and a dedicated long-term meditation practice.
Please email [email protected] with your background before you register for this course.
Curriculum
Enrollment
This course is available in the sequence of courses making up the Lam Rim: Stages of the Path to Enlightenment as a Vajragarbha member.
If you are a Vajragarbha member, please remember to click the "Complete and Continue" button in each lesson so a certificate of completion will be issued when you finish a course and you'll be enrolled in the next course in the sequence.
Lame Michael: Former Monk and Buddhist Teacher
Lama Michael is a former Buddhist Monk, Teacher, and Executive Director of Dzogchen and Buddhist Teachings and Quiet Mind Retreat.
He acknowledges that he could never express enough gratitude to repay the kindness shown to him by others, especially by his teachers the XIV Dalai Lama, the XVII Karmapa--Orgyen Trinley Dorje, Gyaltsab Rinpoche, Bokar Rinpoche, Thrangu Rinpoche, HH Dodrupchen Rinpoche, and Penor Rinpoche, who have offered the empowerment cycles of Rinchen Terzo and Dam Ngak Dzod.
For over 25 years, Lama Michael has been teaching educated and experienced practitioners of all levels and backgrounds. He has led hundreds of meditation retreats and meditative pilgrimages throughout Thailand, Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, and India. He has also taught Buddhist Mindfulness practice to large corporations like Chase and JP Morgan, and mindfulness programs in correctional facilities in Colorado, with overwhelmingly positive results.
Lama Michael has been guiding people through end-of-life journeys and shares his experience and teachings on death and dying.
His life story has been a source of inspiration and a triumph over darkness to his students. His father's murder at the age and many other challenges led him to become an investment banker and achieve the height of material success, but he left it all behind to become a Buddhist Monk. His journey led him to receive teachings from the likes of the Dalai Lama and other great Buddhist Masters.
Lama Michael leads a vibrant local and international community of practitioners, who appreciate his direct, powerful, and often humorous teaching style. He shares inspiring and empowering stories from his own life, which many students can relate to. His teachings on Buddhism are approachable and modern, opening a door to experiencing a conscious and compassionate life and world.
