Overview

Blending contemporary and traditional perspectives, this groundbreaking work offers guidance on the profound foundational practices of the Great Perfection. It contains classic commentaries by the renowned Tibetan masters Jigme Lingpa and Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, alongside a lively contemporary discussion by filmmaker, author, and spiritual teacher Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse that discusses how to incorporate these ancient practices into the fast-paced lifestyle of the Western world. Also included are a lengthy introduction to the world of Tibetan Buddhism and its meditative practices, as well as the long and short preliminary practice liturgies and numerous appendices on the nine yanas and other topics. The ng ndro or preliminary practice is treasured in the Ancient School of Tibetan Buddhism as vital for effecting a profound inner transformation and as a foundation for the very highest teachings of the Great Perfection, or Dzogchen. In particular, the Longchen Nyingtik ng ndro-revealed by the great saint Jigme Lingpa following a series of visions in which he was blessed by the omniscient Longchen Rabjam and received the transmission of his wisdom mind-has long been cherished by followers of all traditions on account of its power, depth, and poetic beauty.

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9781559393393

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Reviews

An excellent long introduction by the translator Cortland Dahl sets the profound spiritual teachings of Jigme Lingpa s Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse into the context of the history and diversity of meditative practices in the whole of Tibetan Buddhism...The language of the translations is clear and concise and uses a minimum of technical terminology. The book is well indexed and supported by a good glossary of translation terms that might be unfamiliar to the new or even average reader. There are also five useful appendices. They deal with the business of learning to visualize, give a brief overview of retreat in the Lonchen Nyingtik lineage of Chatral Ripoche, discuss the significance and place of Longchen Rabjam s seminal Fourfold Heart Essence, review the distinctive Nyingma nine-vehicle presentation of the progressive approaches to the practice of the path and, lastly, give a bibliography of the Longchen Nyingtik literature. Roy Sutherwood, The Middle Way; November 2011

Now in this inspiring book with Jigme Lingpa's original commentary alongside Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche's brilliant and practical guide, we have a perfect blend of ancient and modern, offering us nothing less than a path to enlightenment as relevant and effective today as ever before. --Sogyal Rinpoche, author of The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying A thoroughly accessible and highly recommended resource for anyone intrigued to learn more about Tibetan Buddhism. --Midwest Book Review Dahl offers a valuable contribution for those engaging in this practice. . . . Dahl writes with the humility that characterizes the best translations and with an eye to the balance of accuracy and readability. The book makes a strong case for approaching the Buddhist path in a holistic way. --Buddhadharma: The Practitioner's Quarterly These preliminary practices found in all the Tibetan traditions provide a solid foundation for tantric practice. They consist of initial and continuing study, reflection, and meditation on the preciousness and uniqueness of human existence, impermanence, Karma, and the causal dependencies. --The Middle Way, the Buddhist Society's quarterly journal

Author Information

Cortland Dahl is a Buddhist scholar and translator, a meditation teacher, and a collaborator on various scientific studies. Cortland's interest in meditation began more than twenty years ago. After receiving a Master's Degree in Buddhist Studies, he lived for eight years in India and Nepal, where he spent long periods in solitary retreat in the Himalayan foothills and taught courses on Buddhism, meditation, and Tibetan language at Kathmandu University's Center for Buddhist Studies and at the Tergar Institute, which he cofounded in 2007. He currently serves as a Senior Instructor in Tergar, a global network of meditation groups and centers, and as Chairman of Tergar International. As an author and translator, Cortland has published numerous translations on meditation and Buddhist philosophy, as well as scientific articles on meditation research and the cultivation of well-being. Cortland is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Wisconsin under the guidance of the renowned neuroscientist Dr. Richard Davidson.

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