Comment to 'The Mind According to Dzogchen'
  • The Rinpoche clearly states how one gets from non-dual consciousness to duality.  He puts to rest the idea that there is a knower behind the whole process.  

    This still may not satisfy those who firmly hold to the view of being a person with a sense of identity which is permanent. However, I'll share it from someone who is said to be a reincarnate lama in the Dzogchen lineage.  At  least you won't have to rely on my delivery of these ideas. 

     

    Response:

    Lama Dzogchen cannot put the rest the idea that there is a knower. For one thing his making such statements, is itself contradictory of what he is trying to establish. If there is no knower, then he, as no person, has nothing to say. And that is acceptable but instead he wrote something.

     

    His experience stands its ground and so does the experience of anyone who opposes him. The variety of knowers is a fact.

     

    Now a view should be considered which is

    • being a person WITHOUT a permanent sense of identity.

    Let me stress that there can be a person without a permanent sense of identity as that sense is experienced when using a physical body.

    In other words, a person can have a sense of identity which is not permanent. The sense of identity does not have to be permanent. And the lack of a sense of identity does not mean there is no person. One should not run away with the idea that because the sense of identity is variant, there has to be no person or self there. That is a rash conclusion only.

     

    We have to rely on your delivery because these ideas of yours and those of others whom you have confidence in, are being related through your person, even if through your ephemeral person if you are please to be considered as such.