The Great Secret of Mind: Special Instructions on the Nonduality of Dzogchen

Dzogchen (Great Perfection) goes to the heart of our experience by investigating the relationship between the mind and the world and uncovering the great secret of the mind's luminous nature. Weaving in personal stories and everyday examples, Pema Rigtsal leads the reader to see that all phenomena are the spontaneous display of the mind, a magical illusion, and yet there is something shining in the midst of experience that is naturally pure and spacious. Not recognizing this natural great perfection is the root cause of suffering and self-centered clinging. After introducing us to this liberating view, Pema Rigtsal explains how it is stabilized and sustained in effortless meditation: without modifying anything, whatever thoughts of happiness or sorrow arise simply dissolve by themselves into the spaciousness of pure presence. The book is divided into chapters on the view, meditation as the path, conduct, attainment, and the four bardos. Each chapter consists of mini-sections that can be read as stand-alone Dharma talks. Pema Rigtsal has studied and lived with several authentic Dzogchen masters and has surprising stories to tell about their unconventional methods to introduce students to the subtle view of Dzogchen. Review “I pray with whatever prayers I know that the great waves of benefit that [Tulku Pema Rigtsal] generates for Buddha’s teaching in general, and particularly the study and practice of the Kama and Terma teachings of the Nyingma and Tersar traditions, from his ancestors up to his holy father, increase like rivers in summertime and that he has a long life.”—Dungse Thinley Norbu Rinpoche “I strongly recommend this work to all those who meditate. I believe this work will bring benefit to people of both the West and the East who have an interest in Dzogchen, and I urge everyone who wants to practice buddha-dharma to take time to read this book.”—Domang Yangtang Tulku “The fundamental teachings of Mahayana Buddhism in general and of Dzogchen, in particular, are elucidated in this book in the clearest possible way. For anyone who is open to learning the sacred secret of the mind that we all treasure, this is an eye-opening book to read.”—Tulku Thondup Rinpoche, author of Peaceful Death, Joyful Rebirth “The Great Secret of Mind is the condensed meaning of buddha-dharma and particularly the Nyingma teachings. . . . I am pleased by his work and pray to the Triple Gem and bodhisattvas that it may benefit all students of Buddhism.”—His Holiness Penor Rinpoche About the Author Tulku Pema Rigtsal is one of the last Tibetan tulkus to receive the benefit of full traditional training with no disruption from political conflict, and one of the last to head a traditional monastery. He lives in Nepal.