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