Tutorial April 2024    

The Path of Acceptance at the Heart of Great Perfection
We have spoken about acceptance in a previous tutorial (“Acceptance” posted July 28, 2023) as a state of being reached when you stop arguing with reality. We have found that a deep understanding of Great Perfection is one way to support this state of being. The true nature of All That Is revels itself as Great Perfection and at the heart of Great Perfection lies acceptance.
Great Perfection is the tradition known in Tibetan Buddhism as Dzogchen. Usually, it is referred to as “The” Great Perfection, but we prefer to speak to Great Perfection without the article “the” which tends to reify it as a static noun. Great Perfection is a noun, verb, adjective and adverb all at once. Great Perfection is an understanding that emphasizes the inherent primordial purity and perfection of one’s mind and consciousness, and the completeness of all beings and experiences. Great Perfection emphasizes non-dual awareness, where subject and object, self and other, are understood to be inseparable. This non-dual view transcends ordinary perception and leads to a profound sense of unity and interconnectedness with all phenomena.

All beings possess primordial awareness, an intrinsic quality of mind that is clear, spacious, and unobstructed. Acceptance begins with recognizing and resting in this innate awareness, which is beyond conceptual elaboration and unaffected by transient experiences.  Acceptance involves letting go of dualistic notions and recognizing the unity of all phenomena. You let go of attachment and aversion to experiences as they arise. Rather than grasping onto pleasant experiences or pushing away unpleasant ones, you are encouraged to rest in a state of equanimity, allowing phenomena to arise and pass away without clinging or resistance.

With Great Perfection experiences unfold spontaneously, and you accept this without trying to manipulate or control them according to preconceived notions or preferences. When something arises on your path, be it a challenge or opportunity, engage it with total presence. Be fully present with whatever arises in the present moment, without judgment or distraction. This total presence will allow you to abide in the unconditioned nature of mind, free from conceptual elaboration and mental constructs, and to fully experience Great Perfection of reality and All That Is.

Acceptance is not passive resignation or indifference, but rather an active engagement with the present moment as it is, without distortion or elaboration. On the path of acceptance, you will gradually uncover the inherent clarity, purity, and freedom of your own mind, ultimately realizing a state of enlightenment.  In Great Perfection every individual possesses an innate state of enlightenment which can be described as primordial awareness or One Life Awareness. This is not something to be attained or cultivated; rather, it is the fundamental nature of your being.

At the heart of Great Perfection lies the true nature of your own mind. On the path of acceptance you find the true nature of your mind effortlessly. There is no striving for attainment or transformation, just Great Perfection everywhere. Great Perfection emphasizes effortless meditation, where you rest in the natural state of awareness which is acceptance, without trying to manipulate or control your experience.

​The ultimate goal of Great Perfection is not merely to attain a temporary state of meditative absorption but to integrate the recognition of the true nature of mind into every aspect of your life. This involves bringing the wisdom and compassion cultivated in meditation into daily activities, relationships, and interactions with the world. Great Perfection is characterized by a sense of boundless openness and inclusivity. Maintaining a state of effortless presence in every moment will allow you to abide in acceptance of every moment. Whether you are formally meditating or doing the dishes, you will be on the path of acceptance at the heart of Great Perfection.