Advaita and Dzogchen
In Advaita there is ‘Self’
and the opposite is not-self.
In Dzogchen there is pure awareness
and the opposite is impure awareness.
All paths are our dream confusions
and come to the same wakefulness conclusion.
The approach and terminology are slightly different.
‘Self’/pure awareness
is wakefulness.
Not-self/impure awareness
is a dream state.
When the dream is recognised,
‘Self’/pure awareness
is awake.
In not-self/impure awareness,
thoughts are an obstacle.
In ‘Self’/pure awareness
thoughts become the expression
of ‘Self’/pure awareness.
The two opposites become a unity.
Two precious wings on the same bird.
It’s a wing-wing situation!
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. 
A “wing-wing situation”?!!! 😉 😉 😉 You have a gift for find little twists on standard sayings that make things so memorable!
I do appreciate the way you look for aspects that are similar in these 2 traditions rather than focusing on that which is different.
Could you please explain a little more about thoughts becoming an expression of pure awareness? It’s the “becoming” that I’m not clear about. I know you’ve written about this before, but hearing it explained again is always valuable.
Thanks!
Daisy
Hello Daisy,
“Thoughts becoming an expression of pure awareness.”
The short answer is love!
Before being aware of pure awareness, all thoughts are centred around an “I”, they have an “I” orientation. When resting in pure awareness, thoughts and our conduct becomes an expression of love. We become mindful of the effect we are having on others. We therefore maintain space to communicate freely.
Thanks,
Tony