Dzogchen is a system of nondual catalysts which self-describe the fundamental nature of what we are through exploding the horizon of conventional reality.
Dzogchen approaches our essential nature absolutely directly, but—because it is: too close, too accessible, too present, and too simple—it seems elusive.
Dzogchen—the primordial state—is entirely accessible. Ironically however, it cannot be approached in isolation as an individual initiative. Committed preparation under the guidance of a Lama is necessary. The Lama is indispensable.
p5-7, Shock Amazement : The four naljors and four ting-ngé’dzin from the Dzogchen series of the nature of Mind.
Khandro Déchen and Ngakpa Chögyam, Aro Books Worldwide, 2018, ISBN 978-1-898185-45-1
For anyone who wants access to the teachings of wisdom eccentrics – it’s found within the world we know. Trying to find it in a Land of Snows you may never see is impractical. Even to look to India for wisdom eccentrics is no longer as possible as it was in the 1970s. Those days are more or less gone. The non-dual inspiration however, remains – often in unexpected places.
The wisdom eccentrics of these lays discovered the nature of Mind as human beings.
Rinpoche instructed me to “Tell these stories to your students. Make a book – but tell the stories in the language of the West – so that people will enjoy them and understand them. These are not just stories from the past – they are stories for practitioners everywhere in all times”.
p8, Wisdom Eccentrics : Rumours of realisation as told by Künzang Dorje Rinpoche with additional tales of the unexpected.
Ngakpa Chögyam, Aro Books, 2011, ISBN 978-0-9653948-6-4
The word ‘mindfulness’ is not a bad translation of dranpa (dran pa—smriti in Sanskrit) but it is more accurately translated as ‘resting in recollection’. Recollection does not mean thinking about a past event—but ‘being present with what has been received as teaching’. The word ‘awareness’ is not an equivalent for ‘dranpa’ – because ‘awareness’ relates to rigpa or non-dual awareness.
p63-64, Emailing the Lamas from Afar, Ngakpa Chögyam and Khandro Déchen, Aro Books, 2009, ISBN 978-0-9653948-5-7
One begins with the accidental nature of what is occurring—and accepts that as the nature of one's current reality.
We do not have to begin with clarity, because clarity is inherent in every situation. We simply have to begin with that which presents itself. This will include our mistakes and the mistakes of others. It will include errors, omissions, miscalculations, appropriations, misappropriations, faux pas, indiscretions, and oversights . . .
Clarity is a groundless experience, but one that we can only realise when ground and groundlessness are realised a non-dual. When we accept confusion as the rich ground from which clarity can be discovered, we can cease being our own enemies.
p3, Emailing the Lamas from Afar, Ngakpa Chögyam and Khandro Déchen, Aro Books, 2009, ISBN 978-0-9653948-5-7
