Welcome

to the first edition of the Whispered Monthly Journal!

This journal is being born during a significant 'uprising' in our world. Everywhere we see the manifestation of The Truth of Suffering in all its' ramifications. Mother Earth is calling us to attention. Our charnel ground is very present, and the demons to be fed, very apparent. The 'herd' mentality is queuing to buy things that are only in short supply because people are hoarding. The panic and disorientation of many, people losing employment and all sense of certainty, brings to mind the exhortation in our Chö practice 'Little Meek Spirits do not be afraid...

Dakini's Whisper community has already attuned ourselves to practicing sharing and learning online. We have forged affectionate bonds with one another, even if we haven't met 'in the flesh'. In our last Topography session, which was replaced with a general sharing, Ryan used the useful analogy of feeling 'in the Bardo'. This hit the nail on the head. Our present reality is dis-assembling, and we have no idea what a new world will look like at the end of this crisis. We are challenged to stay present, stay kind and re-cognize our inter-connectedness. Not an easy thing to do when everything is in flux. However, a great source of practice for yoginis and yogis. 

The purpose of this journal is to provide opportunities for our members to deepen exploration, to share experiences and expand our knowledge of our wonderful Chö tradition. A serendipitous event in this challenging time is the publication of the 'Love and Liberation' podcast of Olivia Clementine's interview with Khandro-la. In 'The Broken Heart of Possibility' Khandro-la spontaneously and courageously explores her journey and in particular, the transformative experience of Chö, especially during her most painful and confronting life experiences.

Love Courage Resolve

Melissa

DW Team

 Student's Reflections

The meeting of my Bodhisattva Vows and TOPOGRAPHY OF THE PATH - Progressive Steps on The Journey to Awakening with Contemplative Inquiry:

I remember how deeply meaningful it felt to me to take Bodhisattva Vows several years ago. There's no question that the vows to become enlightened for the sake of all beings and to return again and again until all of samsara is empty became the orientation and intention for whatever time I have left of this life. Yet, in the back of my mind, there's also been an anxious feeling that what I've determined to do is actually an impossible or, at best, merely symbolic task.

Enter Dakini's Whisper and the Lam-Rim teachings offered by Khandro-la in our TOPOGRAPHY OF THE PATH classes! The Lam-Rim or the Steps on the Path to Enlightenment were so generously given to us by the lineage masters. In these teachings they offered us much more than a theoretical blueprint but rather a whole experiential map to follow, a true means of realizing bodhichitta and the fulfillment of our Bodhisattva vows.

I feel immensely grateful to have found in Khandro-la a qualified teacher who can help illuminate this map for me. With her way of teaching, the traditional text becomes immediate and lush and directly relevant to our lives while remaining as profound and luminous as when it was originally presented by Lama Tsongkapa and later by Pabongka Rinpoche.

I'm finding that here, in the TOPOGRAPHY OF THE PATH classes, the steps that lead to accomplishing "the impossible" are clearly identified. I take heart in knowing that these same tried and true steps have been taken by so many others over countless years to bring their own natural bodhichitta into the world. As Pabongka Rinpoche said, "Practice whatever you can.... But, above all, make bodhichitta your main practice." 

Katia

DW Student

Khandro-la's Corner

Q & A

[Student:] Can you discuss some of Machik’s prophecies and their relevance for this time

[Khandro-la:] A thousand years ago, Machik prophesied various forms of future deterioration in detail. Her prophecies describe the current environmental, social, and religious degeneration that we are experiencing right now. Her emphasis on altruism toward non-human spirits, especially hostile beings, is important. Internal and external perceptions exist in a completely reflective relationship. Our ego structure is based on taking. We are facing a cultural crisis, a crisis of too many people taking while not enough people are giving. Chöchallenges our old patterns and presents a radical shift toward a paradigm of giving, especially giving what we attach to our demons, like a mother giving her body to her troubled child.

I would say that Chö has revolutionized my spiritual practice in general and has been central to healing spiritual and personal trauma. This gem of ancient wisdom, the tradition of Chö, sheds light on a much needed and potent process-orientated tool for dealing with personal and collective challenges in the modern age.

"Whatever it is that beings in all realms of existence strive for or need,

may I spontaneously assume all forms that fulfill such a need!

May all beings partake of this with pleasure, with complete freedom,

without any restrictions and dangers and,

may all their wishes be fulfilled.

May I always be able to affect the benefit of all beings!"