Just came back from a 5 day silent retreat and was gutted to see the vague and ineffective meditation instruction gBest meditation book ever (so far)!
Just came back from a 5 day silent retreat and was gutted to see the vague and ineffective meditation instruction given there, not the fault of the teacher or the tradition because all of them are like that-- the one size fits all instruction, evasive/vague/unhelpful answers to questions, claim that their way of teaching is the best way.
This book blows them all away. I came to this already having had an awakening experience through an open awareness practice of some years, and what this program is doing for me after a couple of months with just one 30 minute sit a day is amazing.
If you ever wondered what "single pointed" awareness was, this is your best chance to get there and find out....more
About half prison memoir, which since the author was a super chill buddhist monk is not so harrowing or dramatic or exciting as the average prison memAbout half prison memoir, which since the author was a super chill buddhist monk is not so harrowing or dramatic or exciting as the average prison memoir, and half collected teachings. At first I was disappointed, but at a recent silent retreat the teachings were just the right thing. Concise, clear, wide ranging, nice perspective. A little bit old school......more
Audiobook review. Very short, and thus maybe not a bad investment of your time even if you are not a swordsman. Even shorter when you consider every 5Audiobook review. Very short, and thus maybe not a bad investment of your time even if you are not a swordsman. Even shorter when you consider every 5th line is “you must practice/research this deeply” Every 4th line is “cut/kill the enemy” Compellingly read audiobook. Apparently people have taken this text and run business seminars on it. Whatever. Standouts: Do nothing that is without purpose. People think that what they do not know (how to do) is the void, but it is just bewilderment. Consider the enemies troops as your own, and you can move them about the battlefield. Do not rely on any particular technique or style. With every move cut the enemy. ...more
The root text is only 21 pages. This is the super awesome 5 star part that I will return to again and again. Very very good Dzogchen 5 stars, sort of.
The root text is only 21 pages. This is the super awesome 5 star part that I will return to again and again. Very very good Dzogchen instruction. Great translation. 5 stars.
Then the commentary on the root text by the translator, about 40 pages-- awful. Most of this is saying the exact same thing with the exact same words as the root text, but with more words in the middle thrown in, which makes it very hard to read and not at all clear. Very little added value, except for the very occasional observation. One star.
Then the history of the first translation, about 80 pages-- which contains a lot of biographical detail of Evans-Wentz. Historically interesting, nicely written, if that sort of thing is interesting to you. Also some stuff about Jung. 3 stars-- a pleasant way to spend your time if you have nothing better to do, like meditate for instance ;-)
This book does indeed provide an "overview," with a couple of paragraphs each on such diverse topics as tummo and dzogchen. It does not contain any orThis book does indeed provide an "overview," with a couple of paragraphs each on such diverse topics as tummo and dzogchen. It does not contain any original texts except for the 7 page song of Yuthok Nyingthig. There are 4 commentaries on the root text and this book devotes a page each describing the commentaries. There are no practices here, and on its own this book seems to have little value. If the author is your lama then I expect it might come in handy....more
I admit there is a problem where Dharma books get super high star ratings. That said, Mind Beyond Death seems to me now head and shoulders above otherI admit there is a problem where Dharma books get super high star ratings. That said, Mind Beyond Death seems to me now head and shoulders above other books I have given 5 stars.
This book was recommended to me by Jill Purce who is a western expert in such matters, along with Luminous Emptiness by Freemantle. The Freemantle book I find fluffy and am still dragging my way through, where Mind Beyond Death I would open at random and be uttterly consumed by the clarity and brilliance of the philosophy and practice instructions. This is really a must have if one has any other exposure to Bardo Thodal (Book of the Dead) teachings. This is one of the few books where the gushing description from the publishers is 100% true.
I will close with my favorite quote from this book: All practices are Phowa.
Elegantly written by a native English speaker. Very clear, very logical, very rational elucidation of several fundamental Buddhist principles. NOTE: IElegantly written by a native English speaker. Very clear, very logical, very rational elucidation of several fundamental Buddhist principles. NOTE: I am NOT affiliated with this lineage in any way, though I did once attend a public weekend retreat....more
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