What are you reading right now?

[Birch]

Cool! Beat me to it, huh?

 

Haha, that I very much doubt :-)

[Tibetan_Ice]

I am almost finished " Buddhahood Without Meditation - Dudjom Lingpa

 

Five stars!!!!!

 

[GrandmasterP]

"Madame Blavatsky's Baboon. Theosophy and the emergence of the western guru"

by Peter Washington.

 

An interesting history especially for anyone interested in the late modern era developments in hermeticism here in the west.

[zerostao]

Contemporary MAYA Spirituality

The Ancient Ways

Are Not Lost

Jean Molesky-Poz

[johndoe2012]

.

Edited August 18, 2013 by chris d

[konchog uma]

just finished dream yoga by Chogyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche and have had deepening dream experiences based on the practices. They take time to exact their full effect, but lately i have been having more vivid dreams which are easily memorable. Also of note, dreams within dreams which yielded insight into what i was dreaming about, and last nights dream of a weeklong meditation retreat (all 7 days of it).

 

The exercises are very simple and work with the energy of A and thigle and the unconditioned mind, so if you practice with those energies or with guruyoga to Samantabhadra or any dzogchen practice, its just a matter of incorporating your practice into your bedtime routine.

 

just received and now reading: The Cycle of Day and Night, also by Norbu RInpoche

[Alchemistgeorge]

Just finished "Eat, Sit, Sleep: My year at Japan's toughest training temple". Having every aspect of your life minutely proscribed for a year. Wow.

 

Now I'm reading "Zen Baggage" by Bill Porter about a pilgrimage in contemporary China.

[joeblast]

I'm thoroughly enjoying Tom Bisio's Bagua Circle Walking Nei Gung

[林愛偉]

Currently re-reading and note taking, again, on the Shurangama Sutra. Over and Over and Over again.

[林愛偉]

Does most everyone here only read spiritual books? How about great novels or even some Shakespeare?

 

Every time I hear the name Shakespeare, I am reminded of the movie "Bowfinger" with Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy. Directly at the part when Eddie Murphy is given a movie script where he counts how many times the letter K shows up in it, and rips apart the name 'Shakespeare'. HILARIOUS!

 

Sorry...just had to share

[zerostao]

We are such stuff
As dreams are made on; and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep.
http://www.shakespeare-online.com/biography/notedweed.html

[Tibetan_Ice]

Hi

Just finished A Spacious Path to Freedom - Practical Instructions on the Union of mahamudra & atiyoga

 

By Karma Chagme'

 

TI

[Seeker of Wisdom]

I'm reading 'The Sutra of Hui-neng': a Thomas Cleary translation of The Platform Sutra, including Hui-neng's commentary on The Diamond Sutra.

[Birch]

Heart Attack Sutra. Hearty fun and a Kuan Yin thing to boot.

[JustARandomPanda]

1. The Diamond Sutra Explained

 

2. The Analects of Confucius

 

3. The Wealth of Nature: Economics as if Survival Mattered

[C T]

Currently reading 5 books.

 

Absorbed by one.

 

The True Dharma Eye, Zen Master Dogen's Three Hundred Koans. (hardcover)

Commentary and Verse from John D. Loori

 

brings balance to the palpable 'heaviness' of the other four.

[Phi92]

Richard Dawkins: The God Delusion

Baruch Spinoza: Ethics

Umberto Eco: The Name of the Rose

 

I read slowly, so it's gonna take a while to finish

[konchog uma]

i liked god delusion even if i didnt agree with some of it. i forget the details but i remember my impression of it.

 

i've been reading Gen Lamrimpa's "Realizing Emptiness: Madhyamaka Insight Meditation" translated by B. Alan Wallace

 

Its good, lamprimpa is wide awake and wallace is really readable. I am halfway through and its been all philosophy and foundation so far, and none of the meditation instruction yet. I got it to study Tibetan vipashyana (lhanton) and ended up getting a heavy dose of madhyamaka emptiness. But i love that stuff so its great. Gen Lamrimpa spent two decades in solitary retreat and only came back out to teach because the HH Dalai Lama requested that he do so... so he insists that he doesn't have extraordinary insight, but the book is written in a very lucid way about a very slippery topic.

 

and this just arrived today:

Approaching the Great Perfection

by Sam Van Schaik

 

i look forward to it

[RiverSnake]

I am currently reading Exploring the Reality of Thought Forms by Bruce

 

Just began reading it and am already enjoying it. Some of it I already knew and at the same time I am learning a lot. He writes quite clearly and thoroughly on the topic, I am surprised its not a more popular book on the subject.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Mindscape-Exploring-Reality-Thought-Forms/dp/0835606600/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1361627886&sr=8-1&keywords=exploring+the+reality+of+thought+forms

Edited February 23, 2013 by OldGreen

[johndoe2012]

.

Edited August 18, 2013 by chris d

[Birch]

 

Does this contain exercises / meditations?

 

I couldn't find a table of contents anywhere and you can't "look inside" at amazon.

I've come across a mantra or two so far and what looks like advice to do insight meditation and recognize no-self. The book for Kuan Yin meditations IMO is the one by Blofeld. I'll go back and check the contents of this Heart Attack Sutra as I'm not done reading it yet and I'll let you know.

 

Edit: There's a 'meditation on the Heart Sutra' at the end of the book, but so far, most of it is a commentary and explanation of the different concepts in Bhuddism. It's actually not much about meditation, although during the story in the sutra the Bhudda (can't recall offhand which one but the idea is that it doesn't matter anyway) goes into a 'special' samadhi in order to transmit the teaching to the beings in the audience via 'their' Bhudda nature, but they can 'get' it only depending on how obscured or not they are.

[Tibetan_Ice]

so with my christmas money, i have bought some books! surprise

 

Tibetan Arts of Love by Gedun Chopel, transl. by Jeffrey Hopkins

Natural Perfection: Longchenpa's Radical Dzogchen by Longchenpa, transl. by Keith Dowman

and on their way to me...

Heart Drops of Dharmakaya: Dzogchen Practice of the Bon Tradition by Shardza Tashi Gyaltsen

and Dzogchen: The Self-Perfected State by Chogyal Namkhai Norbu

Hi Konchog

 

I've been reading Natural Perfection: Longchenpa's radical Dzogchen.

 

Where do you find all of these good books?

 

I haven't read that much, but so far, Dowman's introduction has blown me away.

 

First off, the definition of rigpa!!!

 

The difficulty of translating the one single term that distinguishes Dzogchen exposition, the word rigpa, has yet to be fully resolved. Rigpa denotes both cognitive and ontological aspects of nondual reality, establishing the intrinsic cognitive nature of all experience. Mere “awareness” is therefore inadequate; “knowledge” is an option yet its primary current denotation is the horrible “data”; and “presence” or “total presence” has been usefully employed, but the word is unable to hold the weight of the meaning of reality. In the previous edition of this translation we employed the Greek word “gnosis” as the equivalent of rigpa and this solution indeed provided some advantages in translation. A strong negative reaction by readers to the Christian and anti-Christian baggage that the word brings with it, however, convinced us that it could never carry the associations that rigpa provides. If rigpa is to be defined at all, it is as brilliant radiance, as a constant experience of pure pleasure, as lightness and clarity, as the soft silence in every moment. The apposite English equivalent has yet to emerge, so here in this work we have retained the Tibetan term rigpa itself.

Rabjam, Longchen (2012-06-25). Natural Perfection: Longchenpa's Radical Dzogchen (Kindle Locations 449-457). Perseus Books Group. Kindle Edition.

 

For me, this has confirmed that my "satori" moments are in fact "rigpa". I especially like the mention that rigpa is "a constant experience of pure pleasure". Bliss! I guess I am one of these rare people who have realized rigpa without a transmission from a guru..

 

The other part that is blowing me away is the mention of "light":

 

Reality—the “reality” that is evoked on every page of Longchenpa’s text—is the light of the mind that shines equally and inescapably in every moment of existence. Much of the difficulty of Dzogchen translation into English arises from the multiplicity of expression, the fine nuance of terminology, employed to evoke this fundamental luminosity. It is the single most important, unique assumption of Dzogchen that this light is self-existent and self-aware and in fact the sole ingredient of all our experience. This light is the great mystery of nondual mysticism. When we comprehend that Dzogchen is based upon the assumption that all and everything, consciousness and every form of experience, is naturally composed of this light, then we are able to read without let or hindrance the technical exposition of its revelation that allows the light to shine out in all its brilliance. The innate awareness of this pristine nondual brilliance is called rigpa.

Rabjam, Longchen (2012-06-25). Natural Perfection: Longchenpa's Radical Dzogchen (Kindle Locations 197-204). Perseus Books Group. Kindle Edition.

 

 

Finally! Someone who describes the light and identifies it as rigpa.

 

And talks about it too, as light!

 

The process through which resolution of this apparent dichotomy is reached can only be a momentary synchronistic event, yet in the Tibetan tradition two phases are identified. The first is the mind’s spontaneous function of disengagement from sensory and mental objects of attachment and simultaneous self-identity with the light of which they are made. This is called Breaking Through, or Cutting Through (trekcho), into original purity—where natural perfection lies. In the spacious luminosity of original purity there may still be a gap between the mind of the ati-yogin with its all-suffusing light and this last vestige of self-consciousness, and this is eliminated by the natural flow of nonmeditation upon the brilliance of the light through its apparent nuclear components known as “holistic nuclei,” which may be compared to the pixels of light in a hologram. This phase of atiyoga is called Jumping Through (togel) and implies entry into the state of spontaneity that belies causality.

 

The distinction between these two phases of praxis, although prominent in the contemporary mainstream Nyingtik tradition, may appear an invidious invasion of a nonverbal state by an obdurate intellect, and indeed we can only find bare traces of this distinction in The Treasury of Natural Perfection (see canto 122ii). The tendency to consider the difference purely academic and an indication of a concretization of Dzogchen in its recent history, however, is vitiated by the definition of two modes of final resolution. The culmination of Breaking Through is a body of light called a “rainbow body” that presages corporeal dissolution, leaving only hair and fingernails behind. The culmination of Jumping Through on the contrary is the so-called “body of great transformation” that betokens visible longevity. To onlookers the first may appear as a dissolution at death, whereas the body of light or great transformation appears as an ongoing corporeal illusion. But again this mythos is a development later than the tantras of The Collected Tantras of the Ancients allow and Longchenpa only makes a distinction between the natural perfection of the here-and-now within a body and the natural perfection of the bardo state, in the process offering a pure vision of death and its aftermath.

Rabjam, Longchen (2012-06-25). Natural Perfection: Longchenpa's Radical Dzogchen (Kindle Locations 210-226). Perseus Books Group. Kindle Edition.

 

 

Sometimes the light is so bright that it is blinding.

 

Thank you for pointing out this book. Wonderful!

 

TI

[konchog uma]

Hi Konchog

 

I've been reading Natural Perfection: Longchenpa's radical Dzogchen.

 

Where do you find all of these good books?

 

I haven't read that much, but so far, Dowman's introduction has blown me away.

 

First off, the definition of rigpa!!!

 

 

 

For me, this has confirmed that my "satori" moments are in fact "rigpa". I especially like the mention that rigpa is "a constant experience of pure pleasure". Bliss! I guess I am one of these rare people who have realized rigpa without a transmission from a guru..

 

The other part that is blowing me away is the mention of "light":

 

 

 

Finally! Someone who describes the light and identifies it as rigpa.

 

And talks about it too, as light!

 

 

 

Sometimes the light is so bright that it is blinding.

 

Thank you for pointing out this book. Wonderful!

 

TI

 

Hi TI,

 

i liked Dowman's introduction better than his translation of Longchenpa, but thats just me. The commentary was okay but overall i was really into the commentary and underwhelmed by the rest of the book. You're welcome for pointing it out. I hope you benefit.

 

As far as rigpa and light goes, it might depend on who you ask. I was at my friends apartment the other night listening to Lama Glenn Mullin give a talk on Rime (non-sectarian movement within Tibetan Buddhism).. he talked about mother and child clear light, and someone asked if that was like rigpa, and he said that rigpa was just a window to the clear light of consciousness, but they were different. He said that rigpa is just a step on the path, and that ultimately resting in clear light is of a higher order. ??? confusing, but he's got 35 teachers and "lama" in front of his name so i consider what he says to be more or less authoritative.

 

All this assuming that you are referring to clear light and not some other light in Buddhism or Dzogchen which i am unaware of. If so, apologies, i am just an ignorant student lol

 

I don't understand well enough to comment on that, but rigpa is just a state of awareness, in contrast to marigpa (avidya), ignorance. It is vidya, nondual wisdom. I am not sure but i don't think that there is anything inherently luminous about rigpa per se. Furthermore, light so bright that it is blinding sounds more like kundalini than either the rigpa or clear light. Perhaps others who have more experience with clear light states of mind can comment. I have watched myself fall asleep lucidly a couple times but can't say that i am familiar with clear light.

 

Not to be contentious, i am only communicating in an attempt to further all of our knowledge about these things. i am not interested in arguing about these concepts. I am pretty sure we understand each other tho

[Tibetan_Ice]

Hi TI,

 

i liked Dowman's introduction better than his translation of Longchenpa, but thats just me. The commentary was okay but overall i was really into the commentary and underwhelmed by the rest of the book. You're welcome for pointing it out. I hope you benefit.

 

As far as rigpa and light goes, it might depend on who you ask. I was at my friends apartment the other night listening to Lama Glenn Mullin give a talk on Rime (non-sectarian movement within Tibetan Buddhism).. he talked about mother and child clear light, and someone asked if that was like rigpa, and he said that rigpa was just a window to the clear light of consciousness, but they were different. He said that rigpa is just a step on the path, and that ultimately resting in clear light is of a higher order. ??? confusing, but he's got 35 teachers and "lama" in front of his name so i consider what he says to be more or less authoritative.

 

All this assuming that you are referring to clear light and not some other light in Buddhism or Dzogchen which i am unaware of. If so, apologies, i am just an ignorant student lol

 

I don't understand well enough to comment on that, but rigpa is just a state of awareness, in contrast to marigpa (avidya), ignorance. It is vidya, nondual wisdom. I am not sure but i don't think that there is anything inherently luminous about rigpa per se. Furthermore, light so bright that it is blinding sounds more like kundalini than either the rigpa or clear light. Perhaps others who have more experience with clear light states of mind can comment. I have watched myself fall asleep lucidly a couple times but can't say that i am familiar with clear light.

 

Not to be contentious, i am only communicating in an attempt to further all of our knowledge about these things. i am not interested in arguing about these concepts. I am pretty sure we understand each other tho

 

Hi Konchog

Yes, you are right. The rest of the book is tough slugging, although it is stretching my vocabulary. "Naked Awareness" is a much better book.

 

Sounds like Lama Glenn Mullin has taken the overly simple definition of rigpa to mean "awareness". That's why I appreciate Dowman's statement that " Mere “awareness” is therefore inadequate". I think neo-advaitans make the same type of mistake. The sambhogakaya is luminious and inseperable from the dharmakaya (and nirmanakaya), therefore, one would expect light to be intrinsic to any definition.

 

 

but he's got 35 teachers and "lama" in front of his name so i consider what he says to be more or less authoritative.

 

 

You know, just because someone has numerous titles, degrees or what not does not make every word that comes out of their mouths truth. Truth is where you find it, regardless of source. I'm sure Glenn Mullin has the correct architecture, it is just that his terminology is probably reflecting a cultural acclimatization.

 

Yes, perhaps kundalini, according to these definitions.. Sure sounds like it, the bright light and bliss part anyway and the dissolving into the central channel... but wait, there is much to a Buddhist description of dissolving winds into the central channel...

 

 

Perfect Expression of the Names of Manjusri states: [714] The great bonfire of wisdom and primordial awareness Arises from space and arises from itself. Due to the insertion of the vital energy of the posterior channels into the central channel, there is said to be a shining redness like a blazing fire, called "the illumination of the great light." Due to the convergence of the vital energy of the anterior channels into the central channel, there is said to be a flash like lightning, called "the shining appearance of primordial wisdom." Due to the convergence of the vital energy on the left, there is a shimmering whiteness like the moon, called "the fire of the world." Due to the convergence of the karmic energies on the right, there is a shimmering redness like the sun, called "the lamp of primordial wisdom." Due to the convergence of the upper vital energy, there is a shimmering blackness like Rahu, called "the great, glorious clear light." Due to the convergence of the vital energy in the central channel, it is said that there appears a minute, dark bindu of rainbow light.

Karma Chagme. Naked Awareness: Practical Instructions On The Union Of Mahamudra And Dzogchen (Kindle Locations 2158-2164). Kindle Edition.

 

 

 

Anyway, you should read the "Leap Over" in Naked Awareness.

 

For example, from Naked Awareness it again speaks of the bliss and light..

 

 

The Natural Liberation of Seeing: Experiential Instructions on the Transitional Process of Reality-Itself taught by Orgyen Rinpoche states: Second, in terms of the visions of progress in meditative experience, among visionary experiences and cognitive experiences, cognitive experiences arise in various ways such as a sense of bliss, a sense of clarity, and a sense of emptiness. Unstable and transient, they are common to the various yanas, and they are not especially important.

 

Furthermore, such traditions as Mahamudra also say that cognitive experiences are like mist, and one should not place credence in the value of such experiences. Rather, one should place the strongest emphasis on the value and so on of realizations. [724] Here, the criteria for the value of realizations are determined by way of visionary experiences; and since visionary experiences are not transient, they should be most strongly emphasized. Thus, as a result of cultivating visionary experiences, at times the absolute space and awareness become clear and at times they do not.

 

By continuing to practice, the absolute space and awareness are separated from the point between the eyebrows [they become separated from sensory phenomena"], and the lamp of the empty bindus effortlessly arises and approaches. The bindus turn into the size of peas, and awareness proceeds like a bird that is just able to fly. By continuing to practice, visions of the five lights transform so that they appear in a fragmented fashion, vertically, horizontally, like spear-points, similar in aspect to [holes in] a black yak-hair tent, and like the squares of a chess board; and those lights pervade everything in front of you. Moreover, the bindus also transform so that they are like a mirror, and awareness appears in the manner of a running deer. By continuing to practice, visions of the absolute space appear in the aspects of a jewel lattice, [725] lattices and half-lattices of light, checkered, radiant, like spear-points, and a multilayered stupa, a thousand-petaled lotus, a halo, the sun and moon, a castle, a sword, [a vajra,]' a wheel, and like the shape of a fisheye.

 

Moreover, that light fills the environment in which you live. The bindus become like brass bowls, and your awareness becomes like a bee hovering over nectar. By continuing to practice, the light saturates the environment, the bindus become like rhinoceros-skin shields, the light pervades everywhere you look, and the absolute space and awareness constantly appear day and night. A single body of a deity appears in each of the bindus, and individual, subtle divine embodiments arise in the midst of awareness. Awareness remains motionlessly. When such appearances arise, the appearances of the intermediate state are determined in that way, [726] so there is no later intermediate state. Thus, the practice of the transitional process of reality-itself is just this main practice.

Karma Chagme. Naked Awareness: Practical Instructions On The Union Of Mahamudra And Dzogchen (Kindle Locations 2271-2281). Kindle Edition.

 

 

TI

Edited February 25, 2013 by Tibetan_Ice

[konchog uma]

Thanks TI,

 

in the interest of not derailing the thread, i suggest we start another one to talk more about it.

 

unless we're done talking, in which case, i can only reiterate that i don't personally have a lot of familiarity with clear light. I am not even sure i understand it. I am encouraged to study deeper into the matter by this exchange tho, so thanks.