What makes this discussion different than most dharma talks is that very often the subject of enlightenment comes up as something that you should be trying to do, and you are very bad and wrong not to be enlightened already, and that you should be making more effort towards this enlightenment.  However, what I am more interested in knowing is what you think enlightenment is. So I have a few questions for you. Number one, "What do you think enlightenment is?" 

The reason I am asking this question is because there is something inside you which has produced attitudes that are not easy to describe. We aren't interested in hearing you tell something that you don't believe is true. We want to discuss something that has become ingrained in you which is not located in your brain, but is right here (points to heart), which is the seat of your mind, in order for you to understand what you actually believe enlightenment is. In this way, your own ability to uncover what you are actually thinking can come as a very big surprise to you. Don't be shy to tell us what you think. If you uncover what you actually believe, it is likely in the future there will be others who think the same thing.

The fall activities of White Conch began with a special weekend retreat in Chicago. White Conch hosted Rigdzin Namkha Gyatso Rinpoche in September. At the request of Domo Geshe Rinpoche, Namkha Rinpoche, a high master of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism, bestowed Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) empowerment on the members of the gathered sangha. White Conch and Domo Geshe Rinpoche wish to express many thanks to Namkha Rinpoche for this precious bestowal.

As part of the weekend's activities, Namkha Rinpoche composed and offered a long life prayer to Domo Geshe Rinpoche and gave the oral transmission to the retreat attendees.

A copy of the long life prayer can be seen on the main White Conch web site. It may be offered at the end of our group and personal meditations.

Domo Geshe Rinpoche clarified the instructions to say that you should only offer the long life prayer if you feel you want to. It is not a requirement. More important is doing your meditation practice.

 
Student: Buddha consciousness to me means the attainment of total knowledge and compassion, and a sense of peace.
 
Rinpoche: How proud Lord Buddha Shakyamuni would be to see that half way around the world, more than 2500 years later, these ideals which he espoused are still alive. Not only alive, but have been put into practice.

What a marvelous gift, and what a marvelous society! Western Society is ripe for this kind of special awakening.