2. Meditation as the Path
2.1 FIRST, CONVICTION IN THE VIEW IS ESSENTIAL
WE RECEIVE INSTRUCTION from a rigzin-lama. Then, with experience of the essence
of the empty pure presence of the dharmakaya, which is the view free of all
conceptual limitations, immaculate and certain conviction naturally arises. We
cultivate and deepen this by training in meditation. If we lack experience in the
Dzogchen view, if we lack realization of our own nature, then conduct will not be
perfect, and no matter how much effort we apply, it will only make us tired. The
measure of conviction is indicated in this anecdote about Dzogchen Shenga
Rinpoche, who, when asked by a disciple, “What about the view, Uncle?” replied,
“My view? If Guru Rinpoche came in the door right now, I’d say, ‘Welcome! How
are you?’ That shows the view!” Shenga Rinpoche meant no disrespect; he meant
rather that only personal experience provides complete assurance in the Dzogchen
view. Similarly, Sri Saraha sang,
In front, behind, in the ten directions,
In whatever is seen, there lies the suchness;
Today the lord in me has eradicated delusion.
I never need ask anything of anyone again!Saraha says that he has now gained certainty in the reality of all experience of
samsara and nirvana, free of conceptual limitations. With absolute certitude,
meditation and conduct will emerge effortlessly from the view. In his Beacon of
Certainty, Ju Mipham says,
What is the perfect way of being?
Certitude in seeing!
Conviction in the view
Facilitates conduct and meditation.Meditation is nothing more than sustaining the essence of the view, and the view,
as mentioned earlier, is direct awareness of appearances or consciousness that
does not crystallize into this or that. Pure presence itself does not slip into the
object, and all positive and negative attachments vanish by themselves into the
spaciousness of the dharmadhatu. That is not the method of the Approach with
Signs, wherein each object is neutralized separately with an antidote.