Dzogchen Pointing Out Instructions. Direct Introduction.

Greetings and Good Fortune!

This is the third installment that introduces you to Dzogchen and, more specifically, it presents the pointing out instructions that may assist you in the vital recognition of your true nature which is the pinnacle of teachings and all practices. It should be noted that this is not necessarily restricted to practitioners, but there are caveats I have mentioned already.

Dzogchen should not be considered to be, or made into, a religion, a philosophy or a science, for that is to miss the point and put a mask of the ridiculous on the simple, naked reality of mind. In that case, even the nihilistic hedonism of the materialist or the intellectually skilled antithesis of the atheist or even the perfect game of the bowler in the bowling alley are not barriers to entry at all and the temple and the movie theater hold equal status as the places of perfection. Besides, beliefs, (secular or religious) are useless here!

We may wander around in the valley and get to know the local things and events well, but when we ascend to the peak of the nearby mountain, our view is of the entire panorama of valley below and the sky above and the mind is like the sky. So, here we setup our base camp at the foot of that mountain and prepare for the ascent with the understanding that the base, the path and the fruit of this teaching are one and the same.

It is said that this is the Dharma Ending Age or Mappo. In the cyclic nature of impermanence, that is not necessarily a bad thing, but merely a natural dynamic in the revolutions of apparent existence. Besides, from the view, it ends where it begins, so it is all good.

In these tumultuous times there seems to be a great increase in complexity and distraction. In and of itself, that is not a problem. However, unlike the simplicity and cultural differences of ancient times when certain teachings prevailed, the ability to recognize our nature may seem far more difficult or nebulous due to the extremes of modern life and especially in the West. In that case, the Dharma Ending Age is a working concept for consideration concerning our practice and aspirations.

Beings are cared for here. In order to bring comfort and ease, especially, (but not exclusively) to those who practice diligently and sincerely various forms of Dharma, (or in any system) it is in times like these that certain teachings come as bright beacons to shed lucid, clear light on our practice that we might realize suddenly and with great ease, as it should be. The flash of the bright Vajra thunderbolt arises from emptiness and without effort or stirring, we pay heed to what already has been accomplished knowing now that it need not be accomplished again, but simply recognized as it is in the here and now in its amazing, timeless completeness. As you may know by now, emptiness is not a conceptual idea you have as an opposite of form or anything else.

If you have already basked in the aura of Longchenpa's illustrious, vast mind and soaked in the hot tub of awakened mind, then the resolution of any questions or doubts may be in order and a direct introduction might be the spark that lights the fuse to the wisdom of great insight in a direct, non-conceptual way that is both beyond comparison and doubt due to its immediate and unmistakable quality.

What is your true nature? What is it like? How is it recognized? What is the point? Is there a point? Those and many other questions may come to mind as you enter this cycle. Until the conceptual shell cracks open, the intellect will tend to function in such an inquisitive manner, of course since it functions as a particular way of knowing "about" things until knowing simply gives way to the already extant and unmistakable fact of being as all-pervading Awareness where rigpa projects the multiplicity of the myriad forms arising beyond duality and non-duality.

While they are not the reflection of a living master, these humble offerings present the most precise and eloquent pointing out instructions that can be presented openly in a venue like this. It is suggested that readers spend some time listening to Longchenpa's teachings that were presented in previous posts first for best results, but simply diving into direct introduction might be fine. You can put your toe in the water to test it, but jumping in is how you swim.

Relax fully from head to toe. Repeat. Repeat that again, especially the face and around the eyes. Being alert, rest freely and hang loosly in the vast space of the mind. Know right now that the mind is already empty and always has been. Appearances are just simply arising and, when you notice, they are also self-liberating just as you are. Let them. Meditate on the meditator, simply being, dissolving naturally without residue at the point of no more learning where we give up completely.

May all sentient beings be fully realized, enlightened and naturally, timelessly free!

In Absence, Openness, Spontaneity and Unity, Tashi Delek

Patrul Rinpoche - Self-liberating Meditation - Dzogchen


Dzogchen Practice in Everyday Life - HH Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche


The Vital Essence - Shakya Shri Jñana - Dzogchen


Dzogchen: Pointing Out Rigpa