sequentiality still exists, simply of itself

Prosepective apprentice The Lama at the centre feels that his real rôle is to help students recognise what their path is – so he has no attachment as to where students go.

Lamas We would probably say almost the same.

Prospective apprentice He said that I would be welcome at his teaching weekends anytime I want. But after our discussion, he thinks my path is with you.

Lamas That is possible – but did he offer any reasoning with this? Was it based on something you said with regard to us or your perception of us or the teachings you have received on Open Teaching Retreats?

Prospective apprentice I have tried to study both his and your traditions equally – and realised I could not do that. It is too hard switching back and forth between the two lineages.

Lamas That tends to be the case at a certain point where Vajrayana practices are concerned – but we are both Nyingma lineages and so there should be no great problem.

Prospective apprentice A system where things are presented sequentially, where one is discouraged from looking at inner tantra, and a non-sequential system are radically different. A non-sequential approach can accommodate all other perspectives, but a sequential approach cannot accommodate things other than sequentially.

Lamas Well yes, that is indeed the case – but within our lineage there remains the need to proceed according to experience. Although it is not a sequentialist approach – sequentiality still exists, simply of itself in terms of your level of practice. There is no fixed curricular structure admittedly, but it will be apparent that the Dzogchen practices do not really function if there is no basis in shi-nè and experience of lhatong.