Dzogchen Atiyoga

The Great-Perfection - Atiyoga

The most fundamental teachings which points the mind towards freedom, the authentic non-dual realization of the fundamental state, the primordial state, are the teachings of the Great-Perfection (Atiyoga). In the root text the Cuckoo of Pure Presence it says:

The nature of the infinite variety of phenomena is without duality,
since, each thing in itself (singularity) is beyond all concepts and limits of the mind.
The natural condition, suchness as-it-is, is beyond conceptual elaboration,
yet manifesting as all diversity of form - the radiance of Samantabhadra, all-good.
All is self-perfected in actuality, so the sickness of effort is liberated,
remain free and natural in the contemplation of spontaneous total presence.

The state of ground of reality, which is the same as the ground of being, is beyond all conceptual elaboration, the natural condition. The natural vibrant responsive, and dynamic, nature of the ground shimmers as timeless, infinite movements - when that is realized that is awakening, when it is not, then the entire universe appears. However, all the variety of appearances are in reality beyond duality and non-duality. Both the ideas of duality, that is the existence of truly existent subjects and objects, and non-duality as in the sense of oneness of everything, are not the true condition. They are both extremes which are not the primordial state. The true condition is non-dual in the sense that there are no two, that is to say, the perception of a locus of existence as the individual which is the experiencer and observer is a mere illusion, in itself a radiance of primordial awareness contracted into the experience of an individual observer. There is however also no oneness, or one thing. In the great expanse, free-flowing dyanamic space of the fundamental condition, not even a hit of objective thing'ness can be found to be either one or two. The teachings and 'path' of atiyoga point us to directly discover our authentic condition beyond the limitations of the dualistic conceptual vision. In this moment of pure presence where both object and subject collapse, the ever shining responsiveness and clarity of the pure ground is ever present as the great spontaneity. The sickness of effort that is mentioned in the text refers to the ideas of a causal factor for awakening and liberation, because there is no such thing. However, on the other hand, it would be a mistake to assume that liberation will just randomly occur without applying any means of discovery. In reality, the true path is a non-doing, however, in the normal conditioned state of being, individuals do not know what non-doing means. So even though there is no cause for awakening, there is an apparent unveiling that occurs through the application of the path by means of learning and contemplation in conjunction of certain skillful methods for self discovery. This is the path of Atiyoga.

The spiritual tradition known as Great-Perfection (Sanskrit. Mahasandhi, tibetan Dzogchen), also known as Atiyoga (yoga of primordial knowledge), is a an ancient Buddhist non-duality tradition originating from the Indian Yogic Saint and Mahasiddha Prahevajra (tib. Garab Dorje) in the ancient kingdom of Oddiyana.

Atiyoga is a non-duality contemplative Buddhist tradition in its essence, and non-ritualistic in its conduct; this ancient tradition is still alive today part of an unbroken lineage maintained throughout the centuries, it has a profound view, and profound methods to achieve direct realization of the Absolute Condition.

The Great-Perfection in itself means the ultimate state of the mind, the true condition of the being and reality. In this respect the term Great-Perfection does not refer to some type of spiritual teachings or practices, but refers directly to the ultimate state of reality, it refers exactly to that which the Buddha was pointing to through all the different teachings.

The teachings of the Great Perfection explain that the apparent, and dream-like illusory, world arises within the fundamental Basis, the original pristine state that 'Is-as-it-is', suchness, the primordial ground of Being. All that manifests, both the normal living beings or fully awakened beings and the entire apparent universe, manifest in a non-dual mode within this fundamentally pure Basis, as the liveliness, or energy, of the basis or primordial state. By not knowing the nature of self and all appearances as inseparable, and of the same nature as the Basis or fundamental ground, living beings are confused and experience a dualistic condition where the entire field of experience seems to be made of truly existing entities and 'things' that exist by their own right.

The essence of the Atiyoga teachings is the recognition of the aspect of mind's nature referred to as 'Vidya' (tib. rigpa), an awareness, or special mode of knowing, that is self-knowing, uncreated, not-a-thing, independent of any object, non-dual, all pervasive and unobstructed. This 'Vidya' as primordial wisdom can fully and directly know the nature of the Basis and all manifestation. This Vidya itself is inseparable from the basis, and as manifestation is spontaneous great love and compassion; as the root of all manifestation is spontaneous appearance. In other words it is the pure-knowing aspect of the ultimate nature that can know itself as-it-is and all the diversity of appearance as inseparable from the pure Basis.

More details on the basic principles of atiyoga are published in several articles in this site, namely here: An Introduction to Atiyoga