Dzogchen. a way to reconcile the appearance of two

[movingalways]

Many years ago I came across the teachings of Dzogchen and found them illuminating and helpful. For the sake of simplicity and clarity I am quoting the definition and goal of Dzoghen as is stated in its Wikipedia entry:

"Dzogchen is a tradition of teachings in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism aimed at discovering and continuing in the ultimate ground of existence. The primordial ground ("basis") is said to have the qualities of purity (i.e. emptiness), spontaneity (associated with luminous clarity) and compassion. The goal of Dzogchen is knowledge of this basis, this knowledge is called rigpa." And for those who want to argue the meaning of existence (or non-existence) please be aware that in this case, 'existence' is a pointer, not a truth.

Rigpa is nondual wisdom revealing that because the primordial ground has a natural cognitive potentiality giving rise to appearances, the appearance of the Dharmata (sentient attachment or ignorance of the primordial ground) arises from the primordial ground itself and that when the Dharmata collapses due to correct knowledge of the emptiness and the oneness and the completeness of the primordial ground, ignorance of the primordial ground ceases to arise again. The appearance of the Dharmata or ignorance is not a duality. How is dualism explained by Dzogchen? Dualism in Dzogchen is likened to a veil of conditioning that must be removed so the luminosity of the undivided primordial ground may be realized.

This thread was not written to argue whether or not duality/dualism is true, instead, it was written for those who are seeking for wisdom on how to reconcile the appearance of two with the truth of one.

[Unseeking Seeker]

There are several scriptures or teachings that attempt to reconcile the paradox of non-duality vs duality. Swami Sarvapriya Nanda is a great and well known teacher of Advaita Vedanta. Then there is Rupert Spira, Mooji, Aaron Abke and of course books expounding wisdom of Ramana, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Mehr Baba … the list is endless.

In direct experience however, the knowing imbibed without thought or vicarious knowledge interference, is what truly matters. We cannot use the mind to go beyond mind. All the teachings are useful but as a pointer to what others have seen and so known, in their direct experience. Their experience is not our experience, yet.

The truth is revealed to each of us in different ways, perhaps because of past conditioning. It’s like water flowing down a hill. There may be several streams, all merging with the river and finally with the ocean.

In direct experience here and now, in mind-body, we may be graced to know how the one divides itself into two polarities (separation) and how the two again unite in bliss to become one (union) in a game of concealing and revealing, a cosmic dance, if you will. This corresponds to the energy path or kundalini.

We may draw inspiration from Swami Lakshmanjoo’s affirmation that with each breath the universe appears and disappears.

The actual knowing, etched in our consciousness is by seeing without mirrors. Who can tell how this may happen? Enjoy!

Originally Posted by movingalways

Dualism in Dzogchen is likened to a veil of conditioning that must be removed so the luminosity of the undivided primordial ground may be realized.

Advaita calls that veil of conditioning Maya which is ignorance. Not seeing the forest for the trees.

[Ewwerrin]

Before realisation and after realisation = duality.

[movingalways]

Originally Posted by Ewwerrin

Before realisation and after realisation = duality.

Once one is realized (one has gone beyond the intellect) the duality of 'before' and 'after' (time), like all dualities, is realized to be an illusion.

One is either unaware of one's absolute nature or one is aware of one's absolute nature.

[Ewwerrin]

Originally Posted by movingalways

One is either unaware of one's absolute nature or one is aware of one's absolute nature.

Still a duality.

[movingalways]

Originally Posted by Ewwerrin

Still a duality.

What you seem not to understand with your reasoning intellect that loves to compare and divide is that the reasoning intellect functions only when the body is alive and healthy.

Will you still be reasoning a dual reality if you have a stroke or are subjected to dementia or Alzheimer's? And although I cannot say for certain that those conditions will not also effect one's direct experience of the oneness or infinite interconnectedness of reality but what I can say for certain is while the brain is alive and healthy, the one who is reasoning (dividing) reality will not realize the profound peace and happiness of the one who is not.

[Ewwerrin]

Originally Posted by movingalways

the one who is reasoning (dividing) reality will not realize the profound peace and happiness of the one who is not.

You have divided reality right there.

Originally Posted by movingalways

with your reasoning intellect that loves to compare and divide

I don't love duality, never have. Been searching for non-duality for decades.

[iamthat]

Originally Posted by Ewwerrin

I don't love duality, never have. Been searching for non-duality for decades.

That which you are searching for is that which is seeking.

Let go of the thought of "I" and you will find that what you are seeking has always been present.

Peace

[Ewwerrin]

Originally Posted by iamthat

Let go of the thought of "I" and you will find that what you are seeking has always been present.

Before finding and after finding is also a duality.