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.
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Also available on RU-vid, iTunes, & Spotify - search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
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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
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To find out more about Joe Evans, visit:
- www.rangdrolfo...
For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- www.guruviking...
Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James