As a grand finale to an exciting year for the Digital Library, we are thrilled to release three new seminars: Conquering the Four Maras I, Conquering the Four Maras II, and Conquering Ego’s Deception. In this profound series, Trungpa Rinpoche presents not only conquering the maras, but also the birth and functioning of ego, discovering basic goodness, meditation, the six paramitas, and bodhichitta.
“In order to conquer, overcome the deceptions of ego, we have to perform the actions of generosity, patience, exertion, meditation, and knowledge. And having accomplished those, then we are well-equipped to work with others. Because we have fully been able to understand others’ pain and we are willing to give our pleasure to others, literally. And the willingness to do that exposes our secret holdings, or secret way of trying to exist as ‘I am.'”
Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche
Accompanying the playlist is a new article that skillfully explores the content of Rinpoche’s teachings, as well as the dramatic setting for many of the talks: the historic Keltic Lodge in stormy Cape Breton in 1980 and 1981. First-hand accounts from Rinpoche’s students in attendance alongside beautiful photographs and imagery artifacts from the era, including original posters advertising the programs, paint a rich picture of what it was like to experience these powerful teachings in person:
“On a narrow outcrop of rock in rural Cape Breton, in the stormy and bone-chilling November of 1980, about 200 students of Trungpa Rinpoche gathered for his first major teaching event in Nova Scotia. A grand, if somewhat outdated, hotel was transformed into a bustling dharmic mandala for two weeks. …In the Keltic Lodge poised on the edge of an ocean cliff, participants meditated, studied, and attended talks late into the evening.”
Conquering Ego’s Deceptions article
Nova Scotia would go on to play a central role in Chögyam Trungpa’s legacy, and the impact of the local environment is palpable in these talks. At various points, Rinpoche connects the (often harsh) Cape Breton weather directly to his teachings:
“Not even barely a glimpse of sunshine to dry our hair, dry our pores. Nonetheless, in such difficult situations like that, we can actually bring out tremendous goodness and a sense of basic goodness out of it. And in fact, we might be able to bring out the notion of fearlessness. It’s possible! It’s feasible! And it’s more than feasible in fact, ladies and gentlemen.”
Chögyam Trungpa
Thanks to Trungpa Rinpoche’s insistence that his talks always be recorded, we can now experience these powerful teachings for ourselves.
The Chögyam Trungpa Digital Library is committed to preserving Rinpoche’s teachings in his original voice for all to hear. Please consider a year-end donation to support our work!
Happy Holidays!
The Digital Library Team