All beings want to be happy. All beings care for their own well-being and based upon that they search happiness. However not being aware of what is exactly the nature of happiness and suffering, they confuse the causes of happiness and the causes of suffering. In this way, despite their efforts, they seem not to be able to find lasting joy; instead mostly holding on the ideas and views that are not in accordance with their real nature, and in this way acting in ways that only cause more problems and suffering. The Buddha-Nature, or Tathagatagharba, is the actual condition of all beings, but that is veiled, or obscured by temporary stains. The essential point of Buddhism is the discovery of the authentic nature of being and of reality, that is the what Buddhism is all about.
The Buddha taught many different levels of teachings to suit different people of different inclinations and levels of maturity, and to clarify different aspects of the path. Also over the centuries many schools arose that focused on some particular approach or aspect. However, the single essence of the entire path, in fact the very essence of the entire canon of the Buddha's teachings can be summarized in the single principle of Mahasandhi Ati Yoga.
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. As Mipham wrote:
All approaches to the Dharma are included within Atiyoga, the Great Perfection. The crucial points of the Atiyoga path boil down to naturally arising wisdom. The primordially unborn nature of mind is unceasing, self-radiant and unfabricated. Wisdom is to recognize one’s own nature.
The Path of Cultivation
The specific study and training in this group is rooted in the authentic and ancient lineage of Buddhist teachings, and specifically on the Dzogchen Atiyoga path. The core essence of what we study and practice in this group is the teachings of Dzogchen mostly following a cycle of teachings and practice called the Treasury of Bodhicitta from the Single Essence of the Luminous Expanse. The main points, as an overview, would consist of:
- Teachings and Study of the foundations of Buddhist philosophy
- Teachings, study and practice on the common and special foundational practices of Vajrayana
- Special Dzogchen Atiyoga preliminaries
- Dzogchen Semde and Upadesha
- Optionally for those who are inclined: anuyoga tantra and chod is also part of this cycle
This is a very practical training group but at the same time it has a balanced amount of learning and study. We are a training group for those who aspire to engage in serious practice and engagement with the path of inner discovery.
Develop a strong foundation
The Foundations of the Buddha Dharma include a useful introduction to some of the core philosophical views and to many of the foundational teachings of the Buddha.
Understand the View
Once we have a strong foundation for our path, the crucial aspect is to come to understand, resolve and develop direct experience of the View. The View which in essence is the direct experience of the union of primordial purity and clear total awareness.
Discover your mind
The freedom that we seek, the natural condition of Being, our true nature, is nowhere else to be found other than in our own minds. It is by decisively looking that the veil that obscures is lifted.
Develop Experience
Words and ideas are not enough. Through practice and meditation it is necessary to develop concrete inner experience.
Contemplative life
The cultivation of contemplation is the most important aspect of the path, it is the moment where all experience comes to fruition, to truly see and liberate the mind from confusion.
Integrate
Learning how to take the practice and the state of presence into all aspects of daily life. Specially in our modern times this aspect is very important!
