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  • A Glimpse of Rigpa: The True Nature of Our Mind

    A Glimpse of Rigpa: The True Nature of Our Mind

    Yesterday Rinpoche gave me the simple instruction: to keep my thoughts in the room.
    As I practiced, the winds of memory and worry fell quiet, and what remained was a stillness like a pond untouched by breeze. In that moment I glimpsed the unity of ordinary and pristine mind—waves arising, yet nothing but ocean.

    Beloved Rinpoche,

    I write with gratitude for the instruction you gave yesterday, which opened a new door for me into the experience of Rigpa. Your words were simple, yet carried such profound kindness: to keep my thoughts in the room.

    As I sat in meditation, I followed your guidance. Thoughts about the ceiling, the plants, the breath, even the quiet pulse of tinnitus—all of these belonged to the room. They could be held gently within awareness without struggle. But when thoughts drifted toward memories of the past, or worries of the future, or stories beyond this room, I could see them clearly as outside. And so, with care, I let them go and returned to what was here.

    This way of practicing felt so different—so much more tender. Instead of wrestling with ordinary mind, I could simply remain rooted in this space, in this moment. And in that resting, the movements of the mind, the vrittis and pratyayas, began to settle of their own accord. Like a pond no longer stirred by wind, a natural stillness revealed itself. Within that stillness, I began to glimpse what you have pointed to again and again: the open clarity of pure awareness.

    In that glimpse, awareness shone with very little disturbance. An “I” was still present, but the usual fluctuations of thought were momentarily quiet, allowing the stillness of pure awareness to appear directly. To rest, even briefly, in that clarity was both humbling and wondrous.

    I could sense then that ordinary mind and pristine mind are not two separate realities, but two sides of the same coin. The waves of thought arise, yet they are nothing other than ocean. The ordinary shines as the pristine. To realize this in a living way, even if for only a moment, fills me with wonder and gratitude.

    Rinpoche, I bow in thanks for this precious instruction. It has shown me that Rigpa is not distant or hidden, but present in the immediacy of the room, in the simple presence of what is. May I return to this again and again, and may this glimpse ripen into lasting recognition.

    And may whatever merit arises from this glimpse and this practice be dedicated to the benefit of all beings everywhere. May it ease suffering, open hearts, and become a cause for the enlightenment of all sentient beings throughout time and space.

    With devotion and gratitude,
    Richard

    🙏✨️💛✨️🙏

    If you would like to learn more about the teachings of Orgyen Chowang Rinpoche and explore Dzogchen practice in greater depth, you can visit his website at pristinemind.org.

    In this talk at Google, Rinpoche offers instruction and a guided meditation based on his book Our Pristine Mind: A Practical Guide to Unconditional Happiness. He introduces a unique form of meditation called Pristine Mind meditation and explains how cultivating a Pristine Mind can transform every aspect of our lives.

    By resting gently in the fullness of the present moment, allowing the mind to settle naturally, and recognizing its luminous, pristine nature, one opens to profound serenity and enduring contentment.

  • Neti Neti Series No. 15: The Buddha as a Mirror of Enlightenment

    Question:

    The Buddha is considered an enlightened being, but does that mean he was a perfect mirror of enlightenment? Even though he had a personality and a sense of “I” or ego, was he a perfect emanation of enlightenment, like an expression of Dharmakaya? If so, does that mean the Buddha wasn’t actually Dharmakaya, but rather an emanation of it, perhaps as a Nirmanakaya?

    Dear friend,

    Your reflections on the nature of the Buddha and enlightenment bring us to the very heart of what it means to embody the truth in this world. The Buddha, as you have so insightfully observed, was not merely an enlightened being but an emanation of the deepest truths of existence—a perfect mirror, if you will, for the light of enlightenment.

    In the person of the Buddha, we see the qualities of enlightenment fully realized—wisdom, compassion, clarity, and non-attachment. And yet, the Buddha was not devoid of personality or a sense of self; rather, his personality was a vessel for the expression of these qualities. The “I” that remained in him was not the egoic self that we typically associate with suffering and delusion. It was an “I” that was fully aligned with the Dharma, an “I” that existed only to serve, to teach, and to guide others toward the same realization.

    This “I” was not driven by the usual attachments or aversions, but was instead a pure expression of the truth—like a clear mirror reflecting the light without distortion. In this way, the Buddha’s personality was a manifestation of enlightenment, a perfect embodiment of the principles that he taught.

    The concept of the Dharmakaya as the formless, ultimate reality—what we might call the truth body—helps us to understand the nature of enlightenment itself. The Dharmakaya is not something that can be grasped or embodied in the ordinary sense; it is the ground of all being, beyond all dualities, beyond all distinctions.

    And yet, this ultimate reality finds expression in the world through the Nirmanakaya—the manifestation body. The Buddha, as a Nirmanakaya, was an emanation of the Dharmakaya, taking on human form to teach and to guide. In this way, the Buddha was both a part of the world and a perfect reflection of the ultimate truth that underlies it. His teachings, his actions, and even his very presence were all expressions of the Dharmakaya, made accessible to those who sought the path.

    To see the Buddha as an emanation of Dharmakaya allows us to appreciate the depth of his compassion and the significance of his teachings. He was not separate from the ultimate truth, but rather a manifestation of it—a beacon of light in the world, showing the way to those who were lost in the darkness of ignorance and suffering. His sense of self, his personality, was not something to be transcended, but something to be used as a tool, a vehicle for the transmission of the Dharma.

    In this understanding, we see that the Buddha’s life and teachings were not about attaining something outside of ourselves but about realizing what has always been true—that we, too, are emanations of the Dharmakaya, capable of reflecting the light of enlightenment in our own lives.

    Dear friend, your reflections bring us closer to the essence of what it means to walk the path of the Buddha—to live in such a way that our own lives become mirrors of the truth, emanations of the light that shines at the heart of all things. Continue to explore these insights with an open heart, and allow them to guide you ever deeper into the understanding of your own true nature.

    🙏🕊️🙏

  • Neti Neti Series No. 14: Trusting in the Timing of Spiritual Understanding

    Question:

    I heard about this mantra many years ago, but it just didn’t click. And now it’s clicking. Why is it that something I once heard about long ago suddenly “clicks” now, as if it was waiting for the right moment in my life?

    Dear friend,

    There is a quiet wisdom in the way certain teachings or practices find their place in our lives. You mention that you first heard of this mantra many years ago, but that it didn’t resonate with you at the time. And now, suddenly, it clicks. This is a moment of grace, one that reflects the mysterious timing of our spiritual journey—where everything unfolds when it is meant to, when we are ready to receive it.

    Often, we encounter teachings long before we are ready to truly understand or integrate them. They may seem distant, abstract, or simply irrelevant to our current state of being. But these teachings, like seeds, are planted in the fertile ground of our consciousness. They remain there, quietly waiting, until the conditions are right for them to sprout and grow.

    Now, it seems, the conditions are right for this mantra to take root in your life. Something within you has ripened, has opened up in a new way, allowing you to receive the deeper meaning and power of these words. This is a beautiful and natural process, one that reflects the unfolding of your inner journey. The mantra has found its time, and now it can reveal its gifts to you in ways that were not possible before.

    There is a perfection in the timing of these moments, even though it might not always feel that way. We may wonder why certain practices or teachings don’t resonate with us at first, or why we seem to struggle with concepts that others find illuminating. But this is simply part of the journey—each of us has our own path, our own pace, and our own moments of awakening.

    When a teaching finally clicks, it’s as if a veil has been lifted, and what was once obscure becomes clear. This clarity is not forced; it arises naturally, out of the ripening of our own understanding and experience. It is a reminder that the spiritual path is not linear but cyclical, with periods of growth, rest, and renewal. Each cycle brings us closer to the heart of the truth we seek, even if the journey sometimes feels long and winding.

    Now that this mantra has clicked for you, it can become a powerful companion on your journey. Its simplicity, its resonance with where you are now, makes it an ideal focus for your practice. Embrace it with an open heart, knowing that it has come to you at the perfect time, just when you are ready to receive it.

    Let the mantra guide you, not just in meditation, but in your daily life. Allow it to become a thread that weaves through your thoughts, your actions, your moments of stillness. In this way, the mantra becomes more than just words—it becomes a living presence, a source of strength, clarity, and peace.

    This experience also invites you to trust in the journey itself, in the timing of the path that you are on. There is no need to rush, no need to grasp at teachings before their time. Everything unfolds as it is meant to, when you are ready to receive it. The seeds of wisdom that have been planted along the way will sprout when the conditions are right, and not a moment before.

    So continue with your practice, dear friend, with the confidence that this mantra has found its rightful place in your life. Trust in the wisdom of your path, and know that you are exactly where you need to be, at exactly the right time.

    🙏🕊️🙏

  • Finding Healing in the Fires Within: Shifting from the Ordinary Mind to the Pristine Mind with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

    Finding Healing in the Fires Within: Shifting from the Ordinary Mind to the Pristine Mind with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

    Discover how the quiet fire of the pristine mind can soothe the restless blaze of chronic fatigue, offering a path to inner peace and gentle transformation.

    I sit here today, tenderly aware of a fire burning within me—not the feverish blaze of energy or ambition, but a fire that comes with chronic fatigue, a fire that seems to consume my energy, that feeds on thoughts of worry, longing, frustration. This fire has been with me for as long as I’ve known this illness, and for many years, it seemed the fire was all I had—scorching, demanding, leaving me exhausted.

    But in recent days, I’ve come to see a new way of being with this fire, a gentle shift. There are, I believe, two fires within: one that belongs to the ordinary mind and another that belongs to the pristine mind.

    The fire of the ordinary mind is a hungry, restless flame. It feeds on what we give it—thoughts, fears, the inner whisper of “not enough.” It clings to the past and worries for the future, each thought a piece of wood thrown into the blaze, each worry an ember reignited. It takes, and takes, and when I stay too long with this fire, I feel myself slipping into exhaustion, my strength given over to a fire that never settles, never finds rest.

    And yet, there is another fire. It is quieter, calmer, like the deep glow of coals after the flames have settled. This is the fire of the pristine mind. It does not demand fuel; it simply is. It does not need anything from me, nor does it take. Instead, it offers a kind of sacred purification. It allows the impressions, the pratyayas, those old echoes of worry, disappointment, expectation, to rise up, to be seen, and then to burn themselves out gently, naturally, leaving a clean, quiet space in their wake.

    When I find myself caught in the ordinary fire—my mind racing, my heart feeling heavy—I take a breath and remember that there is another way. I sit with my awareness, letting go of each thought, letting each worry pass without adding to it. I let the flames burn low, and, slowly, I shift to the fire of the pristine mind, where each thought that arises can dissolve without reaction. I do not need to hold on to any of it, nor fuel it. In this place, I am simply present, letting what arises pass without attachment.

    This is, I’ve come to believe, a healing fire. Not a fire that consumes, but one that illuminates. When I rest here, I feel myself soften, as though I am held in a vast quiet. The pratyayas, those ancient patterns, have no hold here. They are seen, and then they drift away like ashes.

    Perhaps, if you too feel that restless blaze within, you can find this other fire. Sit with yourself, as gently as you would sit with a friend, and watch each thought arise and drift away. Do not reach to hold it, to make it stay, or to change it. Let it come, and let it go. Rest in the calm glow of the pristine mind, where there is nothing to fuel and nothing to fear. In this quiet, you are enough, you are whole.

    This journey, I realize, is very much a work in progress. Shifting from the ordinary fire to the pristine fire is not a one-time practice but an ongoing exploration—a gentle unfolding that reveals itself with patience and time. I invite anyone who feels drawn to this process, who wishes to explore this gentle technology of the mind, to sit with it and see if it offers benefit. Let it be an experiment, a curiosity, a way of tending to your inner world.

    This understanding has been inspired by the teachings in Our Pristine Mind by Orgyen Chowang Rinpoche. His work offers a profound look into the nature of the mind and the potential for peace that lies within each of us. If you feel drawn to explore this practice further, I highly recommend his book. It provides both guidance and wisdom for those seeking to discover the healing light of their own pristine mind.

    🙏🕊️🙏

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    🙏🕊️🙏



  • Balancing Ego and Atman: A Path to Inner Harmony

    In the journey of personal growth and spiritual awakening, one of the most profound challenges we face is understanding the relationship between our ego and Atman. The ego, often seen as the source of our individual identity, is the part of us that interacts with the world, makes decisions, and defines who we think we are. Yet, beneath the surface, there exists a deeper, more authentic aspect of our being—what nondual traditions refer to as Atman.

    Balancing the demands of the ego with the wisdom of Atman is essential for living a life of greater peace, compassion, and fulfillment. In this post, we will explore how to recognize these different aspects of ourselves, the importance of integrating them, and practical steps to harmonize our inner experience.

    Understanding the Ego: A Necessary Part of the Self

    In nondual teachings, the ego is not seen as a false self but as a necessary aspect of our human experience. The ego helps us navigate the world, providing a sense of individuality, self-preservation, and the ability to make decisions. It shapes our identities and our interactions with others.

    However, challenges arise when the ego becomes the sole focus of our identity. When we overly identify with our ego, we may become trapped in patterns of fear, insecurity, and attachment. The ego’s natural desire for control and validation can lead to suffering, as we cling to external circumstances and outcomes for our sense of self-worth.

    By recognizing the ego as an important part of the self, rather than the whole, we can begin to balance it with the deeper wisdom of Atman, the true essence of who we are.

    Rediscovering Atman: The Source of Inner Wisdom

    When we are overly identified with the ego, it’s as though we are living in a trance, confined to a limited sense of self. This identification restricts our awareness, causing us to lose access to the greater resources that are always available to us. Atman, the true essence of our being, represents these untapped resources—the wisdom, peace, and compassion that reside within us.

    By loosening the grip of the ego, we begin to rediscover Atman. This process doesn’t involve rejecting the ego, but rather expanding our awareness to include the deeper layers of our consciousness. As we reconnect with Atman, we find that we are not isolated, limited beings, but part of a vast, interconnected reality. This realization allows us to navigate life with greater wisdom and resilience, drawing upon the innate qualities of Atman.

    Practices like mindfulness, meditation, and self-reflection can help us cultivate this awareness, gently shifting our focus from the narrow confines of the ego to the expansive wisdom of Atman, and ultimately, even beyond Atman. As the Heart Sutra reminds us, we move beyond, beyond, beyond—into the infinite.

    Conclusion: Beyond the Ego and Atman, Into the Infinite

    As we explore the balance between the ego and Atman, we begin to see that our true nature is expansive, infinite, and beyond all definitions. This journey of self-discovery is one of continual unfolding, where we move beyond the limitations of the ego, reconnect with the wisdom of Atman, and ultimately, transcend even that, embracing the boundless nature of existence.

    For a musical reflection on this theme, listen to Van Morrison’s “Into the Mystic,” a song that beautifully captures the spirit of this journey.

    Listen to “Into the Mystic” by Van Morrison