by Rosemary Friend
Musings from Tashigar Norte in 2025.
In 2002, Tashgiar Norte was the destination for the first round of potential Santi Maha Sangha, Yantra Yoga and Vajra Dance instructor enthusiasts who travelled for their assessments with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in Isla Margarita. It was an exciting time. We met in a building that was to become the future Gönpa, relished the raw primordial elements, swam in the invigorating Caribbean waters and bathed in the glorious radiance of a Master who graced us all with his acutely, provocative direct introduction to our mind’s nature. His benevolence permeates the land still today.
Slowly thawing from a deep freeze that traversed both the Venezuelan ‘Crisis’ and subsequent Covid phenomenon from 2016 to 2022, it is truly astonishing that this gar still exists and is functioning, thanks to the extraordinary commitment of Marina and Rolo, and more recently Duglas. We are forever grateful for the energy required to protect the vision and purpose of practical application for our Dzogchen community as referenced in the famous ‘blue book’.
Something I am struck by, and I am observing how it manifests, is the evolution of Rinpoches’ precious gift of the Vajra dance and its intended potential as a means for integration of our real nature in movement. More recently we have been fortunate to extend the profound application of “where, how and when we move” by slowing our pace even more – in the expression of our sound, light and rays in the form of the Khalongdorjekar. Whether we are dancing the Vajra dance of Space 12 A’s or the Song of the Vajra, the Innermost Essence of the Luminous Clarity of the Dakinis of the Universe invites us to discover more concretely our rolpa energy as that inevitable realisation …. that actually … there is no outer … and that everything is inner.
I recently came across Chogyam Trunpa’s words from the 60’s, in relation to how we deal with the chaos in this positively collapsing world of ours – reduce speed, reduce aggression and fall in love with something somehow; and if it is 2 people falling in love, not just with each other but with the whole world.
Our human tendencies for conflict and ego play have played havoc with our Dzogchen Communities everywhere. And with the rapid and profound technological advances hurling towards the transhumanist ideologies, we can easily and increasingly be dominated by the screen with its formidable sounds and images, increasingly difficult to discern in terms of their authenticity. What is truth? What is real? Who am I? How do I traverse this myriad of chaotic sensory and intellectual challenges?
I am reminded of a beautiful moment during Namkhai Yeshi’s recent retreat. Looking into the mirror every day, recalling the depth within the mirror, I see my potential. Every morning looking and seeing myself … I remember who I am. I connect with that unswervable knowledge of my deep clarity … and memories of those undeniable moments with Master and community. Crystalline vision … light emanating … youthful Garab Dorje playing with us …. profound presence and awareness.
Nature reminds us of the anchor of reality and limitation, beauty and cruelty, awe and wonder, fertility and brutality. The windy season has arrived in Tashigar Norte. When the wind stops, the heat reminds us that we are still close to the equator. I used to love the wind, embrace it at every opportunity. That was when my earth element was very heavy. Then Rinpoche encouraged us to discover and balance our elements. The space element, being mother of all, is very helpful for balancing all. I remember contemplating “if only I could increase my capacity for contemplation, then my space element will be stronger”. Slowly, slowly, we evolve and relax more and more.
Utilizing the abundant land and excellent growing conditions as long our water supply remains stable, we are playing with growing rainbow bodies … in the form of banana trees, papaya trees, nispero, coconut trees, melon, watermelon, cucumbers, mangoes, aji margariteno, guanabana, pan del ano, pimenton, cacao and more. Local gardens created by Marina, Massimo, Ralf, Dina, Rosemary and Duglas are establishing, along with the Posada gardens which hopefully will evolve into a Vivero.
Rinpoche used to say that Margarita could be a place for some of us to retire to. A place to practice and grow old together. He also referred to the power of the region with respect to local guardians and the potential benefits for this part of the world.
What are we doing here? Now that the retreat season with Adriano and Dina, Claudia and Pietro, Grisha, Olga and Tatiana is over, we are 8 people living here in Tashigar Norte. Marina continues to shelter and care for many rescued animals alongside preparing to receive Airbnb guests and blue gakyil matters. The many demands on Rolo to manage all the government and bureaucratic aspects of our existence here continue unabated. Duglas manages the 24hr on call security detail, infrastructure, roads, ACTN buildings and PCTN private houses. Some are fortunate enough to be able to take time out for a private retreat. Dina, Massimo and Rosemary have joined the gakyil – fresh blood for energizing our activity together. Red and yellow affairs always have their continuous needs. Blue matters are much more dependent on the environment which strongly determines the degree of participation possible here. Zoom and international connections help maintain our bond.
We are aiming to meet as a Community at least for regular Ganapujas and Vajra dance sessions. It is easy to melt into the ether heat. Disappear for a while. The Khalong mandala is being finalized and is a permanent structure on the Gönpa floor adjacent to the existing earth mandala that has sustained the beautiful colors made possible by marble dust.
I am older now. Young people come to visit. They never met Rinpoche. But they have connected with Namkhai Yeshi. There isn’t the same shared experience of immersion in the Dzogchen formal practices. But there is, without doubt, the shared experience of continuing presence and awareness. We are exploring each other. So we discover…. how to continue with respect for each other. And with those who come to visit or work or play … we go ahead .. while we are still alive.
We hope that the limiting circumstances impinging on those geopolitically unable to visit, because of visa or fear restrictions, will one day dissolve.
But either way, we continue to do our best, while we are here. And as long as this Gar exists, we are thankful for the privelge of being here.
We send our love and best wishes to you all.
