From a friend

True Ati

The actual teaching of original Dzogchen Ati Yoga got lost somewhere over time and in translation. It’s truly unique and brings total relaxation and the Natural Bliss of Being.

There are no practices, meditation exercises or studies or special states to be transmitted from a teacher to a student.

The actual and authentic teaching of Dzogchen is this: the Ultimate nature of reality is whatever is known or experienced just as it is.

It’s always the “Ultimate” appearing as every inner state and perception including all deluded, neurotic, psychotic and demented states.

There is obviously no code of ethics or set of moral guide lines because virtuous activities and demonic behaviors are equally manifestations of the Ultimate however they appear.

Regarding consciousness and the apparent presence of awareness: the Ultimate Awareness is always your current Awareness just as it is. It must be so, because there is only Ultimate Awareness, nothing less, diminished or defiled.

Manifestations, appearances whether as inner mental states and thoughts or external phenomena and events; are the Ultimate’s luminous radiancy appearing as atoms, matter, neurons, brains, mind, thoughts, egoic identities, suffering, joy, hate, love, bodies, and the interdependent universe itself.

And that which is aware of all the above appearances as however experienced, is the Ultimate’s Awareness; there is no “other” or individual and separate Awareness.

This is all that’s transmitted in actual Dzogchen teachings.

No “how” is necessary as what is sought is already the case, and is constantly being displayed as every thought, idea, intention, feeling, action.

It can’t be lost, because there is no second alternative to replace it.

What effort is needed when whatever your current state, condition or situation happens to be, is always already IT, even when not recognized as always being IT?

Interestingly, the Sufis see it the same! 🙏