Dzogchen & Mahāmudrā Resources (with Links)
Soh

Mr K asked: "Hi, I've enjoyed reading the blog. I was wondering where your course of study has led you to now? I've been exploring Dzogchen lately and plan to do so for the next couple months before digging into Mahamudra, and then seeing what resonates best for me.

I was curious if you've found yourself studying with a particular teacher, or if a particular teacher did the best job of pointing out and confirming the nature of mind for you, and then how to rest in it (or if they were different).

Thanks for sharing your experiences!"


Soh replied:


Hi Mr K,

Thanks so much for reading the blog and for your thoughtful note. I’m glad you’re exploring Dzogchen now and considering Mahāmudrā next—that’s a great way to taste both streams and see what resonates.
Where my study led me (and who pointed out mind’s nature for me)
My main teacher is John Tan. He taught me early on, led to my realization of mind’s nature, and I continue to learn from him. I also have an interest in Dzogchen, and have attended teachings by Ācārya Malcolm Smith in recent years.

Nature of mind is nature of mind—the same recognition in Zen/Chan, Mahāmudrā, or Dzogchen.
To underscore that unity, here are two comments by Ācārya Malcolm Smith (from DharmaWheel) quoted verbatim:
"There really is no difference between perfection of wisdom, mahāmudra, Chan/Zen, etc., and tregchöd. I have heard it said that Tulku Orgyen asserted that trekchöd exists in all yānas, perhaps EPK would be kind enough to confirm this. What separates from trekchöd from these other systems of the method of introduction. Trekchöd, like any secret mantra practice, is based on empowerment/introduction."
"Realization of Chan, Mahāmudra, and Dzogchen are all the same. The length of time it takes to gain that realization is what makes the distinction.
Your concept of ka dag is a bit limited though. Kadag is not simply emptiness, though it has been dumbed down in that way for people like you."
And in response to someone asking whether Dzogchen’s uniqueness is basically tögal:
"There are a number of things which make Dzogchen distinct, thögal is one, but there are others, the explanation of the generic basis is another, the specific preliminary practices related to thögal such as 'khor 'das ru shan and so on are others, and the general requirement for some kind of introduction either through the fourth empowerment of Mahāyoga, the ati yoga empowerment found in Anuyoga or the empowerment of the potentiality of vidyā.
As far as tregchö goes, there is really no difference between tregchö, Kagyu Mahāmudra and the meditation the view of the inseparability of samsara and nirvana — all three have the same point and all three depend on the experiential view imparted during empowerment.
I also want to point out that like the rest of Vajrayāna, Dzogchen practice, path and realization completely depends on the Guru. Guru Yoga is absolutely central to Dzogchen. Without guru yoga and devotion to a realized master, no progress at all is possible in Dzogchen, none whatsoever."
Dzogchen — how to sample it and where to go deeper
Start here (book): Crystal and the Way of Light by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu — a classic overview of Dzogchen.
Amazon (US): https://www.amazon.com/Crystal-Light-Chogyal-Namkhai-Norbu/dp/1559391359 
Next, register interest and attend live teaching:
• Contact page: https://www.zangthal.com/contact  — register your interest and ask to be notified of the next online teaching with Ācārya Malcolm Smith.
• Important: Dzogchen cannot be learned from books alone. One needs direct introduction (pointing out) and ongoing instructions from a qualified teacher. Make it a priority to receive introduction from Malcolm when a teaching is available.
Discuss & ask questions:
• You can raise practice/view questions directly with Ācārya Malcolm Smith via the contact page above.
• I also personally recommend reaching out to his realized student Kyle Dixon for clarifications and discussion: [facebook link redacted], his clarifications of dharma on Reddit have been helpful to many. (See: https://www.reddit.com/user/krodha/ and https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2025/03/better-document-formatting-and-new.html)
Sangha portals:
• Main site: https://www.zangthal.com/ 
• Forum: https://forum.zangthal.com/   — you may need to request access. In practice, it helps to express interest in attending Malcolm’s teachings first, then request forum access as directed by the sangha guidelines.
 Intro talk (to get a feel for Malcolm’s style):
 Short reading (view clarifications):
Mahāmudrā — my recommended teacher & books
For Mahāmudrā, I’ve long appreciated Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche. All of his books are clear, practical, and deeply supportive for Mahāmudrā students.
• AtR: Thrangu Rinpoche attained Buddhahood (rainbow body) — reflections and links:
https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2023/11/thrangu-rinpoche-attained-buddhahood.html 
• AtR: All Thrangu Rinpoche’s 58 books at $35 (links list):
https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2022/01/all-thrangu-rinpoche-58-books-at-35.html 
If you want one place to begin, pick one Mahāmudrā book by Thrangu Rinpoche and work through it slowly while cross-checking view in practice.
Other teachers & sanghas you might appreciate
Finding a good, awakened teacher (why it matters)
In my experience, quality awakened teachers are essential. For background and criteria, see my AtR article “Finding an Awakened Spiritual Teacher and Sangha”:
https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2024/01/finding-awakened-spiritual-teacher-and.html  
If Dzogchen feels like home after a couple of months, contact Zangthal, receive introduction from Malcolm, and practice with guidance. If Mahāmudrā pulls you in, Thrangu Rinpoche’s books remain a superb self-study foundation. (Finding a good and accessible Mahamudra teacher is also important)
Happy to compare the “feel” of Dzogchen vs. Mahāmudrā in practice terms as you go—just let me know what’s landing and what isn’t.

Warmly,
Soh
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