October 6-8 and 14-15, 2023
Dzamling Gar
by Carla Rauch
In the beautiful Gönpa of Dzamling Gar we were very fortunate to visit a 5 day course split into two weekends with Maxim Leschenko on how to actively practice two of the three of the 7th Lojong methods. With Maxim’s background of being a 3rd Level Yantra Yoga teacher, he was an excellent advisor to instruct us how to integrate kumbhaka in the practice in a very relaxed way. In order to show us a practical approach he recommended two books which gave us detailed theoretical knowledge on the methods.
Lojong is based on the instructions in the Base of the Santi Maha Sangha book “The Precious Vase” from Chögyal Namkhai Norbu and is the 7th of the Seven Special Mind Trainings (p. 48). An even more detailed explanation of the practice you can find in the book: “Teachings on Seventh Lojong, Rushens and Semdzins”.
Max explaining
The course was divided in the first weekend, where we focused on the first method, the experience of detong, sensation and emptiness, and the second weekend on the second method based on the experience of saltong, or clarity and emptiness. To start both methods it is important to already be in a relaxed state of body, energy and mind. In order to attain this state we started each lesson with warm-up exercises. Through a fluent transition over simple Yantra Yoga movements to rhythmic breathing, we prepared our breath perfectly and once we attained a calm state, we could start the actual practice.
The two methods, detong and saltong distinguish mostly in the visualizations. We started both practices, in a sitting position and a straight back, with the nine breathings and Guru Yoga. For me personally it was very interesting to study about energies and how to direct them to attain a more contemplative state. Maxim showed us a very soft and relaxed way and I believe everyone enjoyed the course. I will try to integrate kumbhaka in my daily meditation practices and I am more then happy to got it taught by a very kind, patient teacher who took very good care of our own individual capacity. Thank you Maxim for this great course and to everyone who made it possible. Thanks to the everyone who attended the course and everyone who reads this article about this great experience.
