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E-mailing the Lamas from Afar

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Ngak’chang Rinpoche

Lineage Holder
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Khandro Déchen

Lineage Holder

Aro gTér lamas reply to the e-mail questions of their students, questions which concern the full range of the students' lies, from the fine points of Buddhist teachings to the nitty-gritty details of relationship, work, family life and interpersonal conflict. They demonstrate, through concrete examples, the unconditional applicability of Vajrayana Buddhist teachings and practice to all realms of experience.

For more Q&As, please see:

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E-mailing the Lamas from Afar

Heart Advice from Two Buddhist Teachers to Their Students

Ngak’chang Rinpoche & Khandro Déchen This book carries into the 21st century the teachings of an ancient spiritual tradition, non-monastic Vajrayana Buddhism, the vehicle of …
Ngakma Shardröl Du-nyam Wangmo

conceptual sausages

Shardröl Du-nyam Wangmo Apprentice I will try not to let concept consciousness get the better of me all the time.
Lama Shardröl There’s nothing …
Ngakma Shardröl Du-nyam Wangmo

double rainbow

Shardröl Du-nyam Wangmo Apprentice What I would like to say, without disclaimers, at work lately – maybe more so or less so than …
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courage

Nor’dzin Pamo & ’ö-Dzin Tridral Apprentice I have often felt concerned that I seem to be a timid person who likes to live safely. When …
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dreaming

Nor’dzin Pamo Apprentice I have always had a suspicion that I may be just dreaming all this – to the point of …
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the path is the goal

Nor’dzin Pamo & ’ö-Dzin Tridral Apprentice Something I seem to experience a lot is the two extremes of feeling really inspired and motivated and then …
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watching

Nor’dzin Pamo & ’ö-Dzin Tridral Apprentice I found the solitary retreat very beneficial, and also the continuing mantras on the journey home was interesting. It …
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Opening ourselves to the unlikely

Ngak’chang Rinpoche & Khandro Déchen Apprentice I have read that, being in the Nyingma Tradition, we are in some way accident prone—that we are heirs …
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The initial display

Ngak’chang Rinpoche & Khandro Déchen A brief overview of how to relate to unsatisfactoriness without dwelling on it or becoming miserable, as explained by Lamas. The text emphasizes observing the initial experience with clarity rather than getting caught up in commentary and conceptualization, allowing for a sense of spaciousness and non-referentiality.
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Misery

Ngak’chang Rinpoche & Khandro Déchen Apprentice I am wondering about what you said recently about ‘remaining free of the prison of moodiness’. Could you say …
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Here’s another nice mess you’ve gotten me into

Ngak’chang Rinpoche Apprentice Rinpoche, I know you don’t like to answer questions in letters when the answer would be the length of …
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They may as well have kissed Barney Rubble

Ngak’chang Rinpoche Apprentice The intellect seems to get a raw deal in our lineage.
Ngak’chang Rinpoche That has more to do with Khandro …
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Look back in ang-ra

Ngak’chang Rinpoche Apprentice When I look back over my life I sometimes feel overwhelmed by anger at things people have done to …
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Sulkiness, sullenness, and surliness

Ngak’chang Rinpoche Apprentice In your last Vajra Letter, you mention that one must be able to ‘remain free of the prison of …
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They spook from time to time

Ngak’chang Rinpoche Apprentice In your reply to my last letter you said that I should try to celebrate whenever obstacles arose, and …
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Panic is not an option

Ngak’chang Rinpoche Apprentice Can you tell me what I can do when life gets too much? I sometimes feel as if I …
Khandro-Dechen

Great expectations

Khandro Déchen Apprentice I feel trapped by life—and I do not know how to apply Dharma to situations where I feel trapped. …
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Depression is the postern

Ngak’chang Rinpoche & Khandro Déchen Apprentice I do tend to get overwhelmed, and worry intensely about things . . .
Khandro Déchen If you see this …
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Worry is the mind’s attempt to stay safe

Khandro Déchen Apprentice Again and again lately, I have been reminded of the observation that when one strays from the natural state, …
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Apologises for being English

Ngak’chang Rinpoche Apprentice I have had some awful misunderstandings with friends and people I like very much and I wonder if you …
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Celebrate every aspect of each other

Ngak’chang Rinpoche & Khandro Déchen Prospective apprentices You said that trust and respect are essential in relationship—could you say more about that—just so that we …
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New York taxis and the world’s axis

Ngak’chang Rinpoche Apprentice I have never been at an apprentice retreat when there has been a teaching on the Celebration and what …
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I am the last person you should trust

Ngak’chang Rinpoche Apprentice I am feeling as though I know nothing. Teachings used to make intellectual sense to me—or so I thought—but …
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The technique could become a tourniquet

Khandro Déchen Prospective apprentice I am very interested in meditation techniques. Could you give me an example of meditation technique in your …
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The malodorous security of last night’s curry

Ngak’chang Rinpoche & Khandro Déchen Apprentice There is something a little irritating about shi-nè when I practise it properly—I mean when I don’t zone out …
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Peace and quiet

Ngak’chang Rinpoche & Khandro Déchen Prospective apprentice Can you suggest how I can best proceed with your teaching on meditation when it is almost impossible …
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Insurance is not available

Ngak’chang Rinpoche Apprentice When I am practising shi-nè, does it matter if being uninvolved with my experience is only another form of …
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Is that not dualistic?

Ngak’chang Rinpoche Apprentice Within the non-dual state, what happens with memories of things? Do you experience them? And if so is that …
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The Little Buddha

Ngak’chang Rinpoche Apprentice I have been practicing shi-nè for a year now, and I swear it’s making me crazier rather than saner.
Ngak’chang …
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Drinking the wine of the situation

Ngak’chang Rinpoche Apprentice Rinpoche, you said that in the practice of shi-nè, when either physical pain or pleasure arises, I should merely …
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“Here’s to boredom!”

Ngak’chang Rinpoche & Khandro Déchen Apprentice You have often said that shi-nè is boring and that boredom is necessary in terms of experience. But what …

Forthcoming events with Ngak’chang Rinpoche or Khandro Déchen:

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Thangka Painting Retreat

Retreat with Khandro Déchen & Ngak’chang Rinpoche.

UK In-person only

Tue April 21, 2026 - Tue April 28, 2026
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Tsog'khorlo

Teaching with Ngak’chang Rinpoche & Khandro Déchen.

UK Online only Apprentices only

Fri Oct. 31, 2025, 6PM UTC - 8PM UTC
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Pilgrimage to Nepal & Bhutan

Pilgrimage with Ngak’chang Rinpoche & Khandro Déchen.

Nepal In-person only Apprentices only

Fri Oct. 31, 2025

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More pages by Ngak’chang Rinpoche or Khandro Déchen:

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Embracing Emotions as the Path

Colours and Elements in Tantric Psychology
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Empowerment and the four kayas
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Empowerment & Transmission

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Books by Ngak’chang Rinpoche or Khandro Déchen:

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E-mailing the Lamas from Afar

Heart Advice from Two Buddhist Teachers to Their Students
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Entering the Heart of the Sun and Moon
Goodbye Forever 1

Goodbye Forever - Volume 1

Miscellaneous Memoirs of an English Lama

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