Discovering Rigpa – The Essence of Natural Awareness

The teachings of Tulku Lobsang, as revealed in the video, beautifully encapsulate the essence of Rigpa, the nature of awareness in the Dzogchen tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. This profound teaching offers a direct and uncontrived approach to recognizing our true nature, often referred to as Buddha nature, basic goodness, or awakened mind. At its heart lies the radical simplicity of “not doing,” revealing that enlightenment is not something to be achieved but something to be realized.

Rigpa: The Core of Dzogchen

In the highest teachings of Tantrayana—particularly the completion teachings without identity, such as Dzogchen and Mahamudra—Rigpa is described as the innate, ever-present nature of mind. It is unchanging, luminous, and pure, like the clarity of water that remains untouched by the mud stirred within it. Tulku Lobsang draws a vivid analogy here: even muddy water retains its pure essence. The dirt does not alter the water’s nature; similarly, the mind’s essence remains unchanged despite the distractions of thoughts and emotions.

This teaching aligns with the Mahamudra view, which emphasizes that all phenomena—including emotions like anger, jealousy, and ignorance—are expressions of the same awareness. They arise, persist, and dissolve within the vast expanse of Rigpa, which is always accessible in its purity.

The Practice of “Not Doing”

The cornerstone of this teaching is non-practice—a practice of radical letting go. Tulku Lobsang repeatedly emphasizes:

• Do nothing.
• Don’t reject anything.
• Don’t pursue or expect anything.
• Just relax and let be.

This approach mirrors the simplicity found in Dzogchen texts such as the Six Vajra Verses, which state: “Leave it as it is, and it will settle itself.” Here, the idea is not to suppress or control the mind but to allow its natural clarity to emerge on its own. By doing so, one discovers the timeless, luminous awareness that has always been present.

The Metaphor of Water

Tulku Lobsang’s metaphor of muddy water is central to understanding this teaching. When the water is stirred, mud obscures its clarity. Yet the mud never alters the water’s essential nature. Similarly, when we are caught in the turbulence of thoughts and emotions, the clarity of our mind seems obscured. However, if we leave the water undisturbed—if we allow the mind to settle without interference—the clarity reemerges naturally.

This metaphor is echoed in ancient texts like the Samputa Tantra, which advises practitioners to avoid striving or forcing and instead to trust the innate self-liberating quality of the mind.

The Radical Simplicity of Rigpa Practice

The profundity of Rigpa lies in its simplicity, which can also be disarming. Tulku Lobsang articulates this through paradoxes:

• “You don’t practice anything; that’s what you need to practice.”
• “You don’t look at anything, and then you see everything.”

This teaching challenges our conditioned beliefs that progress requires effort, practice, or striving. Instead, it invites us to rest in non-doing, to trust that the nature of mind will reveal itself when we stop interfering. This is the pinnacle of self-liberation, where phenomena are not rejected or clung to but seen as expressions of the same luminous awareness.

Rigpa in Context: A Universal Wisdom

The concept of Rigpa resonates not only within Tibetan Buddhism but also with other wisdom traditions:

• In the Upanishads, the concept of Turiya—the fourth state of consciousness beyond waking, dreaming, and deep sleep—parallels the awareness of Rigpa.
• Taoist teachings describe a natural, effortless flow (Wu Wei) that mirrors the non-striving nature of Dzogchen practice.
• In Zen Buddhism, the practice of shikantaza (“just sitting”) embodies a similar approach to resting in the natural state of being.

The Path to Awakening

Tulku Lobsang concludes by highlighting a critical point: the potential dangers of pursuing spiritual practices with egoic motivations. He warns that striving for achievements, powers, or states can lead to delusion. Instead, the path to awakening lies in righteous behavior, humility, and simplicity.

The practice of Rigpa is not about adding anything new to the self but about uncovering what has always been present. As the water clears itself when left alone, so too does the mind reveal its true nature when we stop trying to control or change it.

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This teaching, deeply rooted in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, offers a timeless reminder: we are already what we seek. By embracing stillness, simplicity, and the natural flow of awareness, we step into the vastness of Rigpa, where the ordinary and the sacred are one. Shunyam Adhibhu