Perhaps one of the hallmarks of being human is a sense that we are not good enough as we are. This hidden belief drives us to seek paths of healing, purification and transformation, to seek ways to become more awake, wise and whole. While this impulse may act as a powerful stimulus towards the spiritual path, the teachings of Dzogchen, or the Great Wholeness takes a unique perspective on this hidden belief.

These unique teachings offer a hypothesis that no one is fractured or broken. In fact, the opposite seems to be true. This thing called “waking up,” these teachings suggest, is not a matter of clearing away darkness, or filling in  deficiencies. It may be a matter of noticing that we have always been, from the very beginning, primordially whole. Hence this tradition refers to itself as “the great wholeness.”

The key to glimpsing the great wholeness is not doubling down on one’s spiritual practice, tightening up one’s concentration, and becoming “great meditators.” Because this wholeness is already present as everyone’s birthright, the emphasis is on letting be, loosening up, opening up and turning the gaze inwards to glimpse an inner friend that has always been present, our primoridial, wakeful awareness.

In this eight-week course, Liz and Willa introduce the path of the Great Wholeness by way of Tsoknyi Rinpoche’s book Fearless Simplicity and Shabkar’s classic Dzogchen text The Flight of the Garuda. Topics will include:

• basic history of the Dzogchen tradition
• the Three Vital Points of Garab Dorje
• Dzogchen view
• meditation and action
• discernment between mind and awareness
• the essential points of Dzogchen meditation practice

Through study and practice, participants will engage with the principals, practices and view of Dzogchen online via live teachings, a book study group and guided practice.

Core texts: Fearless Simplicity by Tsoknyi Rinpoche and The Flight of the Garuda by Shabkar