Thekchod and Thodgal
Most of the extant Bonpo texts dealing with Dzogchen are Upadesha. In the Upadesha or Manngagide (man-ngag gi sde), the emphasis is put on Thekchod and Thodgal. Thekchod means entering into and remaining in the Natural State. This is mainly concerned with the state of primordial purity (ka-dag), but Thodgal is the other half of Upadesha practice and refers to spontaneous self-perfected manifestation (lhun-grub). Here the practitioner uses posture, breathing and gazing. But nevertheless, as the base and foundation for this Thodgal practice we first need to establish our Thekchod firmly, which means being able to continue with stability in the Natural State.
Thekchod means that we enter into and continue in the Natural State. We begin practice by turning inward and observing the mind. But there is no visualization practice to be done here. We do not need to become engaged in the activities of Kyerim and Dzogrim as is the case with Tantra. All we have to do is to be aware without distraction and observe the arising of thoughts. We observe that they dissolve again without leaving a trace. As long as we remain in the Natural State, no visualization is needed. If we need the supports of visualization and mantra in our practice, then we are not ready for Dzogchen. When we are actually in the Natural State, we do not examine whether it is good or bad. There is no judging or thinking about something as, for example, when we watch TV. If we are examining or judging or focusing on something, this is the work of the mind, and therefore we are not in the Natural State. If we focus the attention, we lose the Natural State. Any focusing or fixating of attention is the work of the mind, and then we are no longer in the Natural State. So we do not judge in any way the thoughts that arise. If we relax our fixation on an object like the white A, then it seems as if more thoughts arise. They become like rough water in a mountain stream. But if we continue the practice, later the mind becomes like a slow-moving river and, eventually, like a calm sea.
At first we will need a quiet place to practice because many distractions come to disturb us. And also we may have problems with drowsiness, dullness and agitation. However, methods exist for overcoming these problems. Drowsiness and dullness mean that our energy is not there. For drowsiness, we need fresh air and to find a higher place. For dullness, we need to add energy in order to make things clearer. Agitation can be coarse or subtle. The first is easy to recognize, whereas the second is very difficult to detect and we do not realize that we are distracted. If agitation is very rough, we need to stop practice and do something else for a time. This is how to practice Thekchod.
Post a comment