USA Gar-tak practice group

The Ling Gésar system

Ling Gésar was a realized Tibetan warrior king of history and legend. The Ling Gésar system of martial art we practice is called Dra'dül Gar-tak Nyèn-kyong (or Gar-tak, for short): the Dancing Tiger who protects relatives and friends by subduing enemies. It is common to emphasize ‘self-defense’ as the rationale for combative training – but this rationale is non-functional from the Buddhist perspective. Based upon compassionate motivation, the psycho-physical methods of Gar-tak create space for the individual to evolve awareness and kindness through the elusive pursuit of effective combat method. There is no separation between the spiritual and the pragmatic. The methods evolved through the practice of Gar-tak may prove equally effective in diverse situations: from the most prosaic of non-physical conflict, to the full-blown display of 'martial poetics' manifest as violent affray.

Gar-tak is the martial art component of a wider system incorporating yogic practices, training with weapons, horse-training, dancing, poetry and meditation. The Ling Gésar system is based in the Buddhist tradition of Dzogchen long-dé, which specializes in the use of physical sensation for developing confidence in the nature of reality.

About the event

This two day training is the first in a series to establish a Gésar Gar-tak practice group in America. The training is open to any individual with an interest in exploring martial art with an attitude of ‘combative conviviality’. This event will take place in Brentwood, California, on August 18th and 19th.

The Ling Gésar system cannot be grasped by verbal explanation alone. Rather, it depends on tactile interaction and oblique environmental orchestration. As a group we aspire to engineer the circumstances for understanding to evolve -- through direct experience of the teachings and physical practices. The training will be based in physical interaction, eventually including grappling, striking, and free sparring (according to individual comfort levels). We will also spend significant time investigating yogic practice and gentler modalities. These methods are suitable even for those who are nervous of leaping into apparently violent encounters, however kindly or cooperatively undertaken. Attendees will have varied backgrounds in martial arts and varying degrees of knowledge about the Gésar system. No previous experience with martial art or meditation is required.

The teacher may introduce specific yogic methods, depending on the composition of attendees and group inclination. However, the group will be organic in nature, and its growth will reflect the skills, interests and direction orchestrated by its members -- in dynamic interaction with the teacher. This is an exciting opportunity to mix your energy with that of the emerging ru'dren (cohort) of Gésar practitioners in the USA.

Naljorpa Chhi’mèd Künzang

Naljorpa Chhi’mèd is an ordained Aro Buddhist teacher and an enthusiastic practitioner of the martial arts. He holds a life-long commitment to practice and teach the Ling Gésar system in the West. As a father and working professional, he attempts to demonstrate the viability of the art for ordinary people by expressing it in a variety of competitive modes. These include mixed martial arts (MMA), full-contact stick-fighting, submission grappling, and horseback archery. He hopes through this nascent practice group to create a focused, contained, and sustainable environment for a small group of committed practitioners to join him in his ongoing exploration of the breadth and depth of Gar-tak as an art.

Although there is no commitment to attend every training session, it is anticipated that this event will be the first of a series through which the participants develop together in their understanding of the Ling Gésar system. We hope some of those attending will feel a connection and join us in the ongoing process of refining our skills and awareness through the practice of manifest warriorship.

Saturday, August 18 through Sunday, August 19: two days. Saturday: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Sunday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.