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“The Dzogchen teachings often speak of view, meditation, and conduct. The view means you understand the nature of your mind. You know it the same way that you know your own face when you see it in a mirror—instantly, without any doubt or hesitation. This is called “certainty wisdom.” The next step is meditation. Meditation means maintaining this view by continuously recognizing the nature of your mind as a way of life. Conduct refers to your speech and actions, which are the support for your view and meditation. Whatever you say and do should reflect, support, and strengthen your understanding of the nature of your mind. The essential point of conduct is to not accept or reject the six sensory experiences. If you continue to practice like this, your view, meditation, and conduct will merge into the result: your view will become indestructible, and you will no longer be distracted by thoughts or external events. You will maintain the view perfectly at all times and in all places. This result is not far away—in fact, it’s right here. But you must release your belief in thoughts to see it.
For the view, meditation, conduct, and result to manifest properly and fully we need a foundation, and that foundation is two-fold: (1) generating bodhichitta and (2) reflecting on impermanence. This is not only Shigpo Dudtsi’s teaching, but the teaching of all the great Dzogchen masters, from Garab Dorje until now. As we cultivate vast, impartial love, compassion, and wisdom, and develop a deep understanding of both the transience and preciousness of life, we’re crossing the bridge that leads from habitual patterns to absolute freedom. Bodhichitta and impermanence are not only catalysts for realization, but are expressions of the true nature of the mind.”
Venerable Khenpo Rinpoches
The Beauty of Awakened Mind: Dzogchen Lineage of the Great Master Shigpo Dudtsi (pgs 141-142)
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