It may sound as if you must have devotion first in order to have an understanding of the view, that devotion ignites the practice of the Dharma. But as you become more seasoned in practicing the Dharma, especially the Vajrayana, the gap between devotion and the goal of the devotion becomes very small.

As you become more skilled in practicing, you will see that devotion is the awareness of impermanence, devotion is the renunciation mind, devotion is compassion for all sentient beings, devotion is none other than the experience of dependent arising. Most important, the moment there is devotion, you have the view, and there is the awareness of shunyata.

Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche

from the book The Guru Drinks Bourbon?

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Further quotes from the book The Guru Drinks Bourbon?:

• Look beyond titles and hats
• Cultivating trust in simplicity
• Outer display of guru devotion
• Dharma without devotion
• Abundance and variety in the teachings is so important
• Check how the guru handles criticism
• Peeling of our patches of samsara
• Guru devotion and pure perception
• Hearing the Dharma
• Teachings don’t just rain down
• The authentic guru lineage is indispensable
• A proper guru-student communication
• A different interpretation of austerity
• Going beyond Rational and Irrational Devotion
• Pure perception
• Devotion
• Never opt for the easy way out
• Good gurus are on the verge of extinction
• You and only you will decide
• Spiritual wealth