Rigpa is the knowledge of the ground. Pure awareness. Open/panoramic/direct awareness; naked/empty vision. A Tibetan word meaning the “essential nature of mind”, or unchanging, transparent awareness.

Question: Can there be thinking during Rigpa (Buddha Mind)?
Answer: It is essential to resolve the fact that there is no namtog (thought) whatsoever in the state of rigpa; it is impossible. A hair cannot remain in a flame. I cannot emphasize this enough – there is no thought during the state of rigpa!
— As It Is, volume 2, p.168

For tantric rigpa is the knowledge of the essence of energy, the secret sound.
Most esoteric traditions agree that thoughts themselves are not the enemy. On the other hand, when we are thinking, awareness is dulled and confused.
Thoughts and emotions are different. In Buddhism the word namtog encompasses both.

In Dzogchen the emphasis is on the awareness within the emptiness, rigpa.
Rigpa is a living and permanent “knower” as what we are in all experiences and situations at all times that remains unchanged and unconditioned.