Secret Refuge

Prayer of Secret Refuge

I take refuge in the vast sky of being.

I take refuge in awareness, clear light.

I take refuge in the union of being and awareness.

From this union, may compassion spontaneously arise.

May all obstacles be cleared in service to others,

And in service to others, may I come home.

Meaning of Secret Refuge Prayer, A OM HUNG, and Dedication Prayer

Prayers by Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche

“I take refuge in the vast sky of being.”

Here, the vast sky represents the infinite openness of the natural state—pure, boundless, and unconditioned. This is the spacious essence of mind, beyond limitations.

“I take refuge in awareness, clear light.”

Awareness is the luminous clarity of the mind—clear light—where recognition of one’s true nature arises. It is self-knowing and radiant.

“I take refuge in the union of being and awareness.”

This union is the inseparability of emptiness (being) and clarity (awareness). In Dzogchen, this is the natural state—empty yet cognizant.

“From this union, may compassion spontaneously arise.”

When we rest in this union, natural compassion—thugs rje—arises effortlessly, benefiting all beings.

“May all obstacles be cleared in service to others, and in service to others, may I come home.”

Acting from this realized state, obstacles naturally dissolve, and serving others becomes the path home—to one’s own true nature.

A OM HUNG

A, Om, Hung each symbolizes a key aspect of our true nature. ‘A’ represents boundless space, the open expanse of pure being. ‘Om’ signifies clear awareness, the luminous light of knowing. ‘Hung’ embodies warmth and dynamic energy, the compassionate activity that flows naturally from that union.