Dzogchen Path

[Dvs]

What is the Dzogchen path from start to finish. I would like to understand the complete path from point A to Z and everything in between?

Is it different in each Nyingma school? Is there a completely linear path?

Sorry if this is somewhat confusing.

[Malcolm]

What is the Dzogchen path from start to finish. I would like to understand the complete path from point A to Z and everything in between?

Is it different in each Nyingma school? Is there a completely linear path?

Sorry if this is somewhat confusing.

Do you mean is there a graded path of Dzogchen?

Yes and no.

Like all other Vajrayāna paths, one begins with receiving an empowerment or a so-called direct introduction. Then, depending on master and tradition, one either engages in common Vajrayāna preliminaries, or one moves directly to the uncommon Dzogchen preliminaries. One may or may not spend time practicing deity yoga.

The essential practice of Dzogchen teachings is guruyoga.

[Dvs]

Do you mean is there a graded path of Dzogchen?

Yes and no.

Yes that's I meant. What are the uncommon Dzogchen preliminaries?

Thanks for the reply!

[Malcolm]

Do you mean is there a graded path of Dzogchen?

Yes and no.

Yes that's I meant. What are the uncommon Dzogchen preliminaries?

Thanks for the reply!

They are called "separating samsara from nirvana."

[yagmort]

The essential practice of Dzogchen teachings is guruyoga.

Malcolm, could you please clarify this seeming contradiction ?

Now you got me confused, isn't Guru Yoga a main Dzogchen practice?

Of course not. The main Dzogchen practice is the direct perception of your own state. Even guru yoga is a practice that works with mind, rather than pristine consciousness -- even Ati guru yoga. Thus, guru yoga is a method related to the second phrase of Garab Dorje, "decide one thing/remain without doubt." One uses guru yoga, or rushan, etc., to introduce oneself to the mind essence over and over as many times as one needs until one has attained some stability in recognizing it and sustaining that recognition.

Once you have "decided on one thing/no longer remain in doubt", then you do not remain passive, you shift your focus to "continue in the confidence of liberation/continue in that state," relying principally on the primary methods of the Great Perfection found in so called "man ngag lde," trekchö and thögal.

this is from the thread "highest practices" and anti-intellectualism

[Malcolm]

The essential practice of Dzogchen teachings is guruyoga.

Malcolm, could you please clarify this seeming contradiction ?

Now you got me confused, isn't Guru Yoga a main Dzogchen practice?

Of course not. The main Dzogchen practice is the direct perception of your own state. Even guru yoga is a practice that works with mind, rather than pristine consciousness -- even Ati guru yoga. Thus, guru yoga is a method related to the second phrase of Garab Dorje, "decide one thing/remain without doubt." One uses guru yoga, or rushan, etc., to introduce oneself to the mind essence over and over as many times as one needs until one has attained some stability in recognizing it and sustaining that recognition.

Once you have "decided on one thing/no longer remain in doubt", then you do not remain passive, you shift your focus to "continue in the confidence of liberation/continue in that state," relying principally on the primary methods of the Great Perfection found in so called "man ngag lde," trekchö and thögal.

this is from the thread "highest practices" and anti-intellectualism

There is no conflict. Guru yoga is how we discover our own state.

[Danny]

There is no conflict. Guru yoga is how we discover our own state.

Yep.

[Lingpupa]

heart wrote:

Now you got me confused, isn't Guru Yoga a main Dzogchen practice?

To which Malcolm replied:

Of course not

But later said:

The essential practice of Dzogchen teachings is guruyoga.

then adding, with reference to both statements:

There is no conflict.

Now it's me that's confused.

[Danny]

heart wrote:

Now you got me confused, isn't Guru Yoga a main Dzogchen practice?

To which Malcolm replied:

Of course not

But later said:

The essential practice of Dzogchen teachings is guruyoga.

then adding, with reference to both statements:

There is no conflict.

Now it's me that's confused.

Main and essential are not contradictory. Malcom
Says the main practice would be the separation practices etc, but the essential is guru yoga.
One is secondary, the other primary.
Ya know, love and marriage etc....

[Dvs]

Do you mean is there a graded path of Dzogchen?

Yes and no.

Yes that's I meant. What are the uncommon Dzogchen preliminaries?

Thanks for the reply!

They are called "separating samsara from nirvana."

Malcolm, Thanks for the information!

[Yeti]

IMHO The Great Secret of Mind is one of the best coverages of Dzogchen

http://keithdowman.net/books/great-secret-of-mind.html

[Crazywisdom]

DzogChen is not a path. It is reality. It is like if all you ever saw was a puppet show amd you thought that was life, and one day someone showed you real life. You will never again think the puppet show was real life.

[Crazywisdom]

There are paths to learn and finally wake up to reality. That is called Vajrayana. The so called path of Dzogchen is some Vajrayana path. Guru yoga and visualization is Vajrayana. If you know reality what is there to practice? I do not have to practice eyesight. I just see. You have to practice sight only if your eyes were covered for a long time..