Vajra Dance was discovered by Chogyal Namkhai Norbu through series of lucid dreams which were connected with dakini Gomadevi, and this practice firstly was transmitted in early 1990s. It is meditation in movement, which leads to a deep relaxation and helps to harmonize one's physical and mental energy.

The Vajra Dance in general is a practice to harmonize individual's energy. From the point of view of more advanced meaning of this practice, it is a method to integrate the three existences - body, speech and mind - in the state of contemplation. Such integration is one of the most important purposes of Dzogchen practitioner.

For Vajra Dance practice we need mandala which represents the correspondence between the inner dimension of the individual and the outer dimension of the world.

In Kunphenling we have a big hall (Vajra-hall) with two mandalas, which were blessed by Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche in 2001. All those who learned Vajra Dance practice with Dzogchen Community instructors can come and do this practice at any time, including late in the evening, all night long and early morning.

Duration of this practice is about one hour, and there are several ways to do full practice. It can be so called "complete" (consists of three different dances - "Song of Vajra", "Six Spaces of Samantabhadra" and "Three Vajras"), or Dance of Song of Vajra (3 times), or Dance of Three Vajras Irregular (6 times).

From time to time international and local instructors of Dzogchen Community leads Vajra Dance courses. Most of such courses are available only for Dzogchen Community members who have already received the transmission of Guru Yoga from Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche. But for the Dance "Six Spaces of Samantabhadra" there is also a possibility of "open" courses, which are available for everybody interested in this practice. It is considered that the power of this practice is so great that it brings benefit even for those who are not Dzogchen practitioners and never received the transmission.

Upcoming Vajra Dance courses are usually announced through mailing lists and web-sites of Dzogchen Community.

 

Illustration: Dakini Gomadevi
Photo: Vajra Hall in Kunphenling during the retreat of The Vajra Dance