Relaxation into natural awareness
Semde practices emphasize not creating or fabricating states of mind. Instead, the practitioner relaxes into the natural condition of awareness that is already present.
Practical instructions
Allowing thoughts to arise and dissolve
In Dzogchen, thoughts are not seen as obstacles but as natural expressions of awareness. The key is to let them arise and dissolve without interference, revealing their self-liberated nature.
Posture and gaze techniques
In Longde (Space Series) practices of Dzogchen, posture and gaze are essential methods for evoking spaciousness and supporting recognition of awareness.
Releasing fixation on body and senses
Longde practices teach that awareness is not limited to the body or the senses. By releasing fixation, practitioners recognize that awareness pervades all experiences without being bound by them.
Mindful eating and daily activities
Dzogchen emphasizes that awareness is not confined to formal meditation but extends into every action. Eating and ordinary activities become opportunities for recognizing and sustaining rigpa.
Non-meditation as meditation
One of the most distinctive teachings of Dzogchen is that true meditation is 'non-meditation.' Instead of striving to achieve states, practitioners rest in the natural awareness that is already present.