By: Nyoshul Khenpo Rinpoche
The difference between the impure and the pure mind, the deluded mind and the enlightened mind, is mainly a difference of narrowness and openness. In our present deluded state, our mind is extremely narrow. For example, we live alone and rarely, if ever, consider the infinity of sentient beings. The more constricted and narrow the mind, the more it thinks only of itself, completely disregarding the well-being, happiness and suffering of others. Conversely, the enlightened Buddha is one who considers the infinity of sentient beings, rather than being concerned with his own ego and individuality. Thus the entire path—from an ordinary being to Buddhahood—is the gradual opening of mind. And that is precisely what we call the chang-chub or sem-kye: literally, to grow and develop that enlightened attitude. The concept of “growth” is used here for the passing from a completely narrow attitude, focused principally on oneself, to an open, loving heart whose scope instinctively encompasses the infinity of sentient beings.
From: Natural Great Perfection. Nyoshul Khenpo Rinpoche (1932-1999) was one of the most eminent Tibetan meditation masters of the 20th Century. He was trained in all four schools of Tibetan Buddhism and was renowned as a scholar and teacher. Khenpo Rinpoche was one of the principal lineage holders in the nonsectarian practice lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, and his teachings centered on the practice of Dzogchen (pronounced zo-chen). His book Natural Great Perfection is a wonderful expression of the dharma, clear and direct.