Ep224: American Dzogchenpa - Joe Evans

In this episode I am joined by Joe Evans, founder of the Rangdröl Foundation and teacher of Dzogchen under the name Jigme Rangdröl. Joe discusses his impoverished upbringing, recounts unusual childhood resonances with aspects of Tibetan Buddhism, and reveals how his boyish fantasies about meeting a guru were shattered when he met Gelek Rinpoche in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Joe shares his own practice journey, including his dream yoga skills and understanding of the Great Perfection, and recalls a transformative Vajrayogini retreat in which powerful meditation and dream experiences saw him seek the guidance of famous Dzogchen master Namkhai Norbu. Joe also shares his love of books, gives a tour of his library, highlights volumes of particular significance, and discusses the role of study in the path of Dzogchen. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep224-american-dzogchenpa-joe-evans Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:02 - Joe’s love of books 02:52 - Tour of Joe’s library 06:09 - Showing some favourite books 07:32 - Study vs practice in Dzogchen 10:57 - Higher standards for teachers 12:22 - Learning the Tibetan language 12:55 - Tibetan terms that require better translation 13:22 - Meaning of ‘yeshe’, ‘sherab’, and ‘dhatu’. 16:30 - Joe’s upbringing and early interest in meditation 21:17 - Teenage reading about Buddhism 22:41 - Fantasies about meeting a teacher 23:21 - Meeting Gelek Rinpoche 28:18 - University study of Buddhism and Tibetan language 28:54 - Praise for Professor Luis Gómez 32:22 - Decision not to enter graduate school 34:22 - Director of marketing for Wisdom Publications 37:01 - A life transforming Vajrayogini retreat 37:51 - Inspiration to seek out Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche 39:10 - Mystical experiences and spiritual dreams on retreat 41:18 - Namkhai Norbu’s revelatory dreams 44:16 - Joe’s talent for dreaming 45:27 - Namkhai Norbu’s emphasis on dream yoga 46:10 - Joe’s current dream yoga practice 47:29 - Meeting Namkhai Norbu in a dream 50:41 - 24hr Dzogchen practice 56:06 - Founding the Rangröl Foundation … To find out more about Joe Evans, visit: - https://www.rangdrolfoundation.org/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James