Togal

Leaping over

The word ‘Togal’ seems to imply something mysterious, but it’s not. It all depends on the way something is translated; don’t be misled by words.

Togal has been described as ‘visions’ which seems quite complicated (I have text on this matter) but it has to be far simpler as it’s one of the two wings of rigpa (pure consciousness), the other being Trekcho – cutting through. In Trekcho, the moment we notice a thought or emotion about to arise, we cut it at its root, which stops it developing into an emotional display. This needs conscious effort.

Togal is naturally leaping over any appearances. The idea of having visions is nonsense, as this would be identifying – and identifying with – whatever appears. It cannot be that. People do dark retreats, and visions are said to arise; these could be analogous to the death or bardo experience.

There are bardos – gaps or moments in between – in everyday life. When something arises in the mind, it arises within the gap of emptiness. When, through training and experience, this is recognised, we naturally leap over the appearance (emotion) without effort; appearances are illusions within the gap, and nothing to be afraid of. We maintain inner peace and, in this way, we are no longer disturbed by death, or by life.

Is there anything clearer than this?