Essence of Dzogchen

An introduction to the meditative roots of the Dzogchen tradition
  OPEN TO EVERYONE
Hi, ! This is the first course of the Dzogchen: Three Words that Strikes the Vital Point transmission. We hope you enjoy it!

About the Course

Dzogchen is considered the highest and most profound form of meditation in the Nyingma School of Vajrayana Buddhism. Its teachings lay out a path of meditation that reveals the pure, nondual awareness — or rigpa — that is the mind’s true nature. Once we recognize and develop familiarity with rigpa, it radically transforms our experience of thoughts, emotions, and perceptions, fundamentally changing the way we see ourselves and relate to the world. In this Essence of Dzogchen course, you will be introduced to the core principles and history of the Dzogchen lineage.
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What Is Dzogchen?

COURSE OUTLINE

What You Will Learn

This course includes eight lessons, each featuring a teaching from Mingyur Rinpoche, a guided meditation, a reflection by Tim Olmsted and Cortland Dahl, and a practice to integrate into daily life.

Lessons

LESSON 1
What is Dzogchen?
In this lesson, you will set out on this journey and receive teachings from Mingyur Rinpoche, clarifying what Dzogchen is.
LESSON 2
The Dzogchen Path
Mingyur Rinpoche introduces two common presentations of the path aspect: trekchö, or “breakthrough,” and tögal, or “direct leap.”
LESSON 3
The Ground in Dzogchen
Whether you realize it or not, the essence of your awareness is pure, open, and vividly clear. In this lesson, you will learn how to begin to access this through meditation.
LESSON 4
Recognize, Familiarize, Integrate
As Mingyur Rinpoche explains in this lesson, the key of the Dzogchen approach is to let go and simply be, without trying to “fabricate” any experience.
LESSON 5
The Three Lineages and the Indian Masters
Discover how Dzogchen emerged in India through masters like Garab Dorje and how it was passed down through the three lineages of direct transmission.
LESSON 6
Dzogchen in Tibet
Discover how Padmasambhava, Vimalamitra, Vairotsana, and Yeshe Tsogyal brought the Great Perfection teachings to Tibet and gave rise to its living lineage.
LESSON 7
Longchenpa and the Fourfold Heart Essence
Meet Longchenpa, one of Dzogchen’s greatest masters, and explore his legacy, including the Fourfold Heart Essence, or Nyingtik Yabshi.
LESSON 8
Important Masters of the Great Perfection
Learn about the realized beings — siddhas, dakinis, and awakened scholars — who upheld and embodied the Great Perfection throughout history.

Meet Your Teacher and Guides

In this course, you will receive teachings from Mingyur Rinpoche, with additional support from experienced Vajrayana Online guides.

Mingyur Rinpoche

Teacher
Mingyur Rinpoche was born in 1975 in the border region between Tibet and Nepal. He was attracted to a life of contemplation from an early age and spent many years of his childhood in strict retreat. Mingyur Rinpoche studied with some of the greatest masters in living memory. Nowadays, he heads the Tergar Meditation Community and takes care of the monasteries under his responsibility. He supports students in more than thirty countries.

Tim Olmsted

Vajrayana Online Guide
Tim Olmsted began Buddhist studies in 1977 with Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. He lived in Nepal for 12 years, studying with Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche and many renowned teachers while working as a psychotherapist. A founding instructor of Tergar International, Tim shares meditation with warmth and humor. He lives in Colorado with his wife Glenna, leading a community following Mingyur Rinpoche's teachings.

Cortland Dahl

Vajrayana Online Guide
Cortland Dahl is a scientist, translator, author, and meditation teacher with over 25 years of meditation experience. Fluent in Tibetan, he has published twelve books of translations of classical Buddhist texts. He holds a Ph.D. in Mind, Brain, and Contemplative Science from UW-Madison, where he was mentored by Dr. Richard Davidson. Cort is Executive Director of Tergar International and Chief Contemplative Officer at Healthy Minds Innovations.
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Mingyur Rinpoche possesses the rare ability to present ancient Buddhist teachings in an accessible and playful way.

In this Course, you will learn:

  • The essence of the Dzogchen view and meditative approach
  • The origin and the three lineages of the Dzogchen teachings
  • How to rest with the qualities of nondistraction (presence), nonmeditation (effortlessness), and nonfabrication (naturalness)
  • Ways to connect with the Dzogchen lineage of Padmasambhava, Longchenpa, and other extraordinary masters
SOME COOL OVERLINE

Your Course Includes

Video Teachings from Mingyur Rinpoche

Inspiring lessons where Mingyur Rinpoche shares key insights with clarity, humor, and depth.

Guided Meditations

Step-by-step practices to help you develop awareness, compassion, and inner stability.

Practices for Daily Life

Simple, practical exercises to bring mindfulness and insight into your everyday routine.

Readings and Reflections

Thoughtful texts and prompts to support deeper understanding and personal exploration.

Readings and Reflections

Thoughtful texts and prompts to support deeper understanding and personal exploration.

Weekly Live Sessions

Live meetings with experienced guides to ask questions, share experiences, and stay connected.
INCLUDED IN THIS COURSE

Guided Meditations

To get a taste of the guided meditations in this course, we’re sharing the second practice led by Cortland Dahl: Effortless Non-Meditation. In this session, you’ll explore the quality of effortlessness by gently moving between moments of focus and periods of completely letting go and dropping all effort.
Find a comfortable position and hit play to begin your practice now

Guided Meditations in this course:

  • Non-Distraction and Presence
  • Non-Distraction, Non-Meditation, and Non-Fabrication
  • Effortless Non-Meditation
  • Connecting with the Lineage
  • Naturalness and Non-Fabrication
  • Feeling the Presence of the Lineage
  • Reflecting on Lineage Masters
  • Supplicating to the Guru

Practices for Daily Life in this course:

  • Effortless Presence in Daily Activities
  • Connecting with the Lineage in Daily Life
  • Effortless Presence in Interactions
  • Connecting with the Lineage through Relationships
  • Non-Fabrication in Daily Life
  • Feeling the Presence of the Lineage in Daily Life
  • Resting in Awareness While Going to Sleep
    and Waking Up
  • Supplicating the Guru in Daily Life
Observe your awareness in this very present moment, just as it is.
It cannot be spoiled by the comings and goings of thoughts and memories,
Nor corrupted by ordinary thoughts of good and bad.
This awareness is vividly present, yet devoid of thoughts,
And while it is devoid of thoughts, it is vividly present.
This naked transparency is, in essence, the dharmakaya.
— Longchenpa
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Learn More About the Dzogchen: Three Words That Strike the Vital Point Transmission with Mingyur Rinpoche

A step-by-step guide to one of the most well-known and cherished instructions on recognizing pure awareness.
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Essence of Dzogchen

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