On January 20, 2026, Master translator Erik Drew joined the Denver Dzogchen Sangha in celebration of the group's 25th anniversary. This episode includes a few clips of Erik sharing his wisdom with our sangha. Look out for a full episode with Erik here in the future.

Denver Dzogchen Podcast, Episode 45

Mind’s Everest: Kalu Rinpoche’s Three-Year Retreat

00:00:10 Joe and Damien introduce special guest Lama Dawa Zango. Lama Dawa Zango discusses his dharma background.

00:07:18 Lama Dawa Zango discusses his three-year retreat under Kalu Rinpoche.

00:13:15 Discussion about potential difficulties during a three-year retreat. The saintly nature of Kalu Rinpoche.

00:17:40 The hardest part of Lama Dawa Zango’s three-year retreat was coming out of it.

00:23:53 Tips for making life more retreat-like for people who cannot complete an extended retreat. The importance of sincerity and isolation.

Note: we strive to release a new episode on each Guru Rinpoche Day and Dakini Day. Podcast timestamps and chapters are provided for informational purposes. Any mistakes or spelling errors are the fault of volunteers who assist in the production of these videos.

Please contact us with any questions or requests for future episodes.

Contact us for information about our weekly Zoom and in-person sits https://www.denverdzogchen.com/index.html

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Video available on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@DenverDzogchen108/videos and Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1VQKqUDAYTThJVcdtjd8bf

Audio available on Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/denver-dzogchen/id1712156487 and other podcast platforms

Denver Dzogchen Podcast, Episode 44

Veganism on the Path

00:00:10 Introduction to a discussion about veganism. Christspiracy documentaryhttps://christspiracy.com/. Buddhism and abandoning activities that are based on ignorance.

00:13:20 Diet and merit.

00:17:05 Integrating a conscious diet into your life. Great masters, realizations, and diet. The importance of being conscious of our actions.

00:23:10 Sacrificing the ego instead of sacrificing another being. Striving to to our best.

Note: we strive to release a new episode on each Guru Rinpoche Day and Dakini Day. Podcast timestamps and chapters are provided for informational purposes. Any mistakes or spelling errors are the fault of volunteers who assist in the production of these videos.

Please contact us with any questions or requests for future episodes.

Contact us for information about our weekly Zoom and in-person sits https://www.denverdzogchen.com/index.html

Find us on social media:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DenverDzogchen/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/denverdzogchen/

Bluesky Social https://bsky.app/profile/denverdzogchen.bsky.social

Video available on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@DenverDzogchen108/videos and Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1VQKqUDAYTThJVcdtjd8bf

Audio available on Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/denver-dzogchen/id1712156487 and other podcast platforms

Denver Dzogchen Podcast, Episode 43

Santa Claus - Jambhala’s Generosity & The Spirit of Giving

00:00:10 Jambhala/Dzambhala and the spirit of generosity. Joe discusses his connection to Jambhala practice. Parallels between Jambhala and Christmas.

00:09:35 Buddhist practice of bringing local deities into the fold of our faith. Mantra of HO HO HO. The parimita of Generosity.

00:15:30 The spirit of love and generosity. Connection between Tara and Mary.

00:20:25 Importance of the energy of Jambhala and framing gift giving as an offering. The importance of Bodhichitta as motivation. Openness and The View. Reference to Episode 19 with Father Tiso https://youtu.be/n3Sb4NIvC_g?si=P9bk3LzFlNLu8qS_

Note: we strive to release a new episode on each Guru Rinpoche Day and Dakini Day. Podcast timestamps and chapters are provided for informational purposes. Any mistakes or spelling errors are the fault of volunteers who assist in the production of these videos.

Please contact us with any questions or requests for future episodes.

Contact us for information about our weekly Zoom and in-person sits https://www.denverdzogchen.com/index.html

Find us on social media:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DenverDzogchen/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/denverdzogchen/

Bluesky Social https://bsky.app/profile/denverdzogchen.bsky.social

Video available on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@DenverDzogchen108/videos and Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1VQKqUDAYTThJVcdtjd8bf

Audio available on Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/denver-dzogchen/id1712156487 and other podcast platforms

Denver Dzogchen Podcast, Episode 42

Grateful For This Sangha

In this episode of the Denver Dzogchen Podcast, Joe and Damien talk with Denver Dzogchen sangha member Ricky Coffin.

00:00:10 Ricky’s introduction to Buddhism, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche on Buddha-nature, and how he found Denver Dzogchen.

00:05:25 The foundational practice of Ngondro and support from Joe.

00:09:00 Reflections on practices from different Buddhist traditions.

00:19:30 Activities of Denver Dzogchen.

00:22:30 The importance of Sangha. The living aspect of the Dharma.

00:29:30 Closing remarks and an invitation to participate in the next prostration pilgrimage.

Note: we strive to release a new episode on each Guru Rinpoche Day and Dakini Day. Podcast timestamps and chapters are provided for informational purposes. Any mistakes or spelling errors are the fault of volunteers who assist in the production of these videos.

Please contact us with any questions or requests for future episodes.

Contact us for information about our weekly Zoom and in-person sits https://www.denverdzogchen.com/index.html

Find us on social media:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DenverDzogchen/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/denverdzogchen/

Bluesky Social https://bsky.app/profile/denverdzogchen.bsky.social

Video available on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@DenverDzogchen108/videos and Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1VQKqUDAYTThJVcdtjd8bf

Audio available on Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/denver-dzogchen/id1712156487 and other podcast platforms

Denver Dzogchen Podcast Episode 41. Creating Merit: Offering the Food and Luxuries of Our Lives

In this episode’s of the Denver Dzogchen Podcast Joe and Damien discuss merit and its role in our practice.

Note: we strive to release a new episode on each Guru Rinpoche Day and Dakini Day. Podcast timestamps and chapters are provided for informational purposes. Any mistakes or spelling errors are the fault of volunteers who assist in the production of these videos.

Please contact us with any questions or requests for future episodes. Contact us for information about our weekly Zoom and in-person sits https://www.denverdzogchen.com/index.html

Find us on social media:Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DenverDzogchen/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/denverdzogchen/Bluesky Social https://bsky.app/profile/denverdzogchen.bsky.social Video available on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@DenverDzogchen108/videos and Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1VQKqUDAYTThJVcdtjd8bfAudio available on Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/denver-dzogchen/id1712156487 and other podcast platforms

Denver Dzogchen Podcast, Episode 40

Suppressing Nagas: The Power of Ye Dharma Discs

In this episode’s of the Denver Dzogchen Podcast Joe and Damien discuss at the Ye Dharma disc project. Discs are available at https://futurealchemy.com/shop/naga-discs-for-averting-the-iron-dog-predictions/

The location of Ye Dharma Discs and Stupas is available at https://yedharma.com/where.html

Please contact us with any questions or requests for future episodes.

Contact us for information about our weekly Zoom and in-person sits https://www.denverdzogchen.com/index.html

Find us on social media:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DenverDzogchen/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/denverdzogchen/

Bluesky Social https://bsky.app/profile/denverdzogchen.bsky.social

Video available on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@DenverDzogchen108/videos and Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1VQKqUDAYTThJVcdtjd8bf

Audio available on Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/denver-dzogchen/id1712156487 and other podcast platforms

Denver Dzogchen Podcast, Episode 39

Halloween Special: Using Fear as the Path

In this episode’s of the Denver Dzogchen Podcast Joe and Damien discuss the role of fear in Vajrayana practices.

00:00:10 the role of fear and the path. Milarepa statement about fear of death. The Island: An Anthology of the Buddha’s Teaching of Nibbana book. Paltrul Rinpoche on the importance of contemplating death.

00:04:10 Damien shares his personal experiences of death. A Year to Live: How to Live This Year as if it Were Your Last, book by Stephen Levine.

00:12:09 The power of fear. Resting in the waves of life.

00:20:25 The fear of fear. Practice of Chöd and nurturing demons and negative emotions until they are satisfied, thereby disintegrating the ego and developing compassion.

Note: we strive to release a new episode on each Guru Rinpoche Day and Dakini Day. Podcast timestamps and chapters are provided for informational purposes. Any mistakes or spelling errors are the fault of volunteers who assist in the production of these videos.

Please contact us with any questions or requests for future episodes.

Contact us for information about our weekly Zoom and in-person sits https://www.denverdzogchen.com/index.html

Find us on social media:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DenverDzogchen/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/denverdzogchen/

Bluesky Social https://bsky.app/profile/denverdzogchen.bsky.social

Video available on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@DenverDzogchen108/videos and Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1VQKqUDAYTThJVcdtjd8bf

Audio available on Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/denver-dzogchen/id1712156487 and other podcast platforms