The inconceivable view of Dzogchen

Phenomenal existence—experienced either as duality or nonduality—is simply display. One must realise their inseparability as the natural state. The natural state is all-encompassing, all-pervasive space. It is inexpressible spacious clarity. This is the inconceivable view of Dzogchen – do do not ruin presence of natural mind with obsessive techniques and mental constructs.

p286, Goodbye Forever Vol III, Ngakpa Chögyam, Aro Books Worldwide, 2023, ISBN 9781898185666

Transparent to ourselves

 

The experience of meditation practice is essential as a means of realising the view.  It is only within the development of the meditational experience that we become transparent to ourselves.  When we become transparent to ourselves, we can witness the mechanics of stylised perception – and only then can we free ourselves from restriction.

p49, Tracts of the Sun : An Earth Orbit of Vajrayana Expressions.  Ngakpa Chögyam and Khandro Déchen, Aro Books, 2022, ISBN 978-1-898185-28-4 

Beyond concepts of illusion

Vajrayana goes beyond concepts of ‘personal illusion’ and ‘group illusion’, into a space where the effect of entering the dimension of view is more important than whether the view is ‘hard wired’ in terms of the fundamental biochemical structure of human beings.  This, perhaps, is a paradoxical beginning – but when has the subject of romance ever been adequately described in terms of rationalism or scientific objectivity?

p11, Entering the Heart of the Sun and Moon 2nd edition, Khandro Déchen and Ngakpa Chögyam,  Aro Books, 2021, ISBN 978-0-9653948-7-1  

Great expectations

In life situations there is always malleability as long as we have a spacious view.  There are unending possibilities for creativity in our circumstances – but we need an open view to see them.  There are continual challenges which allow us to improvise – but we need an open view to meet them.  This open view, however, is not based on fantasy or fear – it is simply based on being here, without great expectations.

p22, Emailing the Lamas from Afar, Ngakpa Chögyam and Khandro Déchen, Aro Books, 2009, ISBN 978-0-9653948-5-7

      

Confidence allows divergence of view without hostility

  Tolerance doesn't involve smoothing over all the differences, it means seeing the differences, and allowing them to be there without making any damming judgements.  Tolerance actually means having real confidence.
Divergence of view is possible without there having to be hostility.  If you have confidence in your own path, you don't have to denigrate other paths.  You don't have to shore yourself up by dismissing other systems – that is simply not necessary.
So let us by all means disagree with certain views.  But let that not make us angry or violent!  Let us also have the good grace to acknowledge the benefit there may be in systems that employ different concepts.  We could in fact approach this thing with great gentleness and humour!

p24-25, Wearing the Body of Visions, Ngakpa Chögyam, Aro Books, 1995, ISBN 1-898185-03-4

Unconditional love

"There is nothing more important in life then unconditional love. Allowing phenomena to touch us deeply and to be open for its communication. So that we can become a unique expression of this unconditional love to be at service of phenomena, for everyone, everything, everywhere. There is no higher aspiration."
Aro Buddhism, Naljorpa Bar-ché Dorje

Side-stepping our attachment

"An act of kindness enables us to side-step our attachment to the past and future. It is a moment out; a day off; a holiday from me-centred concerns – and, as such, it can be lived vividly moment by moment."

p67, Rays of the Sun, Ngakpa Chögyam, Aro Books worldwide, 2010, 978-1-898185-06-2

Focus on appreciation

"When you focus on the aspects of your partner that irritate you, that seem inconsiderate, that fail to meet your desires, or that you do not understand or like, you starve yourself and allow the relationship to wither a little. However when you focus on appreciating what you find desirable, pleasurable, interesting, exciting and enjoyable about your partner, then you are nourished by your appreciation and the relationship can bloom."

p.88, Illusory Advice, Ngakma Nor'dzin and Ngakpa 'ö-Dzin

Filtering through

"Meditation experience will filter through into your daily life if you have the confidence to relax and allow it to."

p.194, Illusory Advice, Ngakma Nord'dzin and Ngakpa ö-Dzin

Real opportunities for openness

"If you can let go of self protection; if you can admit to yourself your sense of vulnerability; if you can let go of the assumption that you know what the person in front of you is feeling or thinking — then you have real opportunities for openness and kindness."

p.184, Illusory Advice, Ngakma Nor'dzin and Ngakpa 'ö-Dzin

The sound of the birds

"If you hear the sound of the birds outside--if you really hear them--then you'll hear Guru Rinpoche's mantra. If you hear this way, you will know the results of the development and completion stages--and Dzogchen is possible."

p449 Wisdom Eccentrics, Kyabjé Künzang Dorje Rinpoche, Ngakpa Chögyam, Aro Books, Inc, 2011, 978-0965394864

Dwell in the natural state

"Samsara exists because of duality. It can easily cease to exist in the moment through changing your view. Dwelling in the natural state would not mean that you lack the ability to act - your actions would be totally appropriate and compassionate. It is possible to be destructive where the situation requires it without this being out-of-control energy. It is possible to make a stand without justification and self protective posturing. To dwell in the natural state would be to be a Dharma warrior."

p.165, Illusory Advice, Ngakma Nord'dzin and Ngakpa ö-Dzin

Wandering mind

"If you mind is wandering, if your attention is not on what you're doing, if you're hang gliding in your imagination while you drive, that could certainly be very dangerous. Have you ever seen those stickers in the back of cars that say things like "I'd rather be windsurfing"? I think that the Buddhist version could run "I'd rather be precisely where I am."."

p162, Roaring Silence, Ngakpa Chögyam and Khandro Déchen, Shambhala, 2002, 1-57062-944-7

Changing view

"Tantra begins with experience of emptiness-the pregnant space from which form arises. Form is simply that which arises-and does not need to be viewed in terms of pure or impure. Human bodies are as they are and are available for appreciation. Samsara is not a separate existence to nirvana. They are the same experience-it is view that changes."

p.21, Illusory Advice, Ngakma Nord'dzin and Ngakpa ö-Dzin

Living the view

"Living the view is perhaps some of the most fundamental practices in the Aro gTér Tradition. We practice living the view to encourage the entire context of our lives to become our practice. Living the view is the interface between our formal practice and our everyday lives."

p.77Illusory Advice, Ngakma Nord'dzin and Ngakpa ö-Dzin

Inviting others in

"We cannot expect people to know we are in need just because we feel completely raw and think this must be obvious. Everybody is dealing with their own issues all the time. 'Not asking for help' may easily be interpreted as 'not needing help'. Everyone feels they are the centre of their own little universe. If you want people to become involved in your universe, you have to invite them in-and also be willing to accept invitations."

p.79, Illusory Advice, Ngakma Nord'dzin and Ngakpa ö-Dzin

Awakened mind

"The awakened-mind warriors delight in unbounded wealth because their appreciation is unlimited. Appreciation generates generosity which knows no limits. It is unobstructed by the self-referencing territorialism which generates manipulative pusillanimity. Awakened-mind warriors need no territory. Their refuge is the security of insecurity. Their refuge is the territory of intrinsic space, which is self-validating without the requirement of reference points."

The Ten Paramitas, Khandro Déchen, Aro Encyclopaedia

Our view

"We see our circumstances, not simply as an open environment – but in terms of how we can manipulate them as the project managers of our lives. We want some things, reject others, and the rest merges into the wallpaper of comfortable oblivion. This causes us to scurry around in a constant attempt to make the world conform to the preferences prompted by our conditioning."

an-uncommon-perspective, Ngak'chang Rinpoche

Enlightenment

"The energy expended on worrying about the future, regretting the past, and judging the present is liberated – and we find tremendous resources of generosity, accuracy, vitality, creativity, and spaciousness – the natural freedom that is of benefit to all. Buddhism describes this as enlightenment."

an-uncommon-perspective, Ngak'chang Rinpoche

As it is

"When we allow our emotional realm to be as it is, we are freed to experience the texture of life directly. We can side-step the sour orthodoxy of preordained likes, dislikes, and habitual concepts. When we allow our perceptual life to be as it is, we are self-liberated to be as we are."

an-uncommon-perspective, Ngak'chang Rinpoche