Dzogchen Foundations
By now you should have an understanding of ‘where we are going’. Now we have to look at the preliminary and protection practices, which are the ‘how to get there’.
Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche said:
Do not grab at the higher teachings of Trekcho (cutting through) and Togal (spontaneous presence).
They are like the impressive wolfskin hats worn in Kham; they look very good but what keeps your ears warm in the winter is the unimpressive collar of a plain sheepskin! It’s much more important to emphasise the preliminaries and lay a solid foundation: then whatever is built on top of that afterwards will make sense. Otherwise, it will be empty talk.
Most important of all, more crucial than the extraordinary practices of trekcho and togal are the general and specific preliminaries. Without having taken to heart these mind changings, whatever practice we do will never lead anywhere. Nothing can be built when there is no foundation to build on. You may already know this very well; it may not be the first time you have heard this. My words may be like trying to give the reading transmission of OM MANE PEME HUNG to Avaloketishvara. Nonetheless, I want to say this to refresh your memory.”
from The True Foundation
Padmasambhava said:
“The essential meaning of taking refuge is to accept the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha as your companions for practising the path, and then to pledge that they are the fruition you will attain. Thus, taking refuge means a pledge, or acceptance. Why is such an acceptance called taking refuge? It is because of accepting the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha as support, refuge and prtector – or rescuer – from being freed from the great fear of suffering and obscurations. That is the essential meaning of taking refuge.
The definition of taking refuge is to seek protection from the terrors of the three lower realms, and from the inferior view of believing in a self within the transitory collection as it held by non-Buddhist philosophers. There are three tyres: the outer way of taking refuge, the inner way of taking refuge and the inner way of taking refuge.
from Dakini Teachings
(both these quotations are taken from The Dzogchen Primer, compiled by Marcia Binder Schmidt)
BUDDHA IN THE MUD is a blog - a living book based on the Dzogchen teachings. Our teacher is life, and life is karma. We are all Buddhas in the mud of concepts. 
~~~Thus, taking refuge means a pledge, or acceptance.~~~
The definition of taking refuge is to seek protection from the terrors of the three lower realms .
Hello Rob,
The pledge is compassion for all sentient beings, which comes from enlightened beings, to which
we join, becoming part of the Sangha. The protection comes from compassion, in compassion
for others, we guard the mind against selfish acts…and thus the terrors of the lower realms.
To put is simply we want to join the good guys…the wise guys!
Regards,
Tony