Tregchö (’cutting through’ or breakthrough) reveals the „primordial purity“ beyond conceptual elaboration, the natural state. Delusion is cut through, and the primordial purity and natural simplicity of the mind is laid bare. There are neither thoughts nor perceptions.
Tögal is gazing (’the direct approach’ or leap-over or jump-over), means „crossing the peak“, brings the realization of „spontaneous presence“. It is the practice of the direct perception of pristine consciousness. The meditator uses spontaneous flow of luminous rainbow-colored images or visions, in dark or via sky gazing, in his mind’s nature. The idle chatter is cut. The mind is tamed through the gazes. Visions are considered to be more important than experiences of bliss, non-conceptuality and clarity. Various colored lights moving in and out of “emptiness” manifest as visions. The colors of these lights and visions are said to be the direct seeing of the elements.
The contemplative practices of lhun grub thod rgal, or ‘leaping over the skull into spontaneous presence’ include prescribed body postures, breathing techniques, and associated gazes.
Emptiness aspect is Tregchö. Clarity aspect is Tögal. Tregchö is a practice of space, Tögal is a practice of light.
Tregchö is like in Zazen Nonthinking. Tögal practice is Tregchö practice and visions. Maintain awareness of the visions movement of sound, light, and rays without losing the ground awareness of space.
Tregchö is not the path in Dzogchen, it is the ground for practicing the path. The path is Tögal.