Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #307607 in Books
• Published on: 2004-05-17
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 152 pages

Synopsis
A thirty-year student of Tibetan Buddhism shares his insights into Dzogchen, the highest expression of this particular strand of the religion--a practice of meditation and focus that helps people move beyond dualism and overcome anxiety, denial, and fear. Original.

Customer Reviews

Essential reading for Dharma practitioners
Wisdom comes flowing through Mr Lows words like a fresh water stream. The practice of Dzogchen flies right into the face of the condition of striving to get somewhere and the confusion that may sometimes come with that in spiritual practice.

This book is about a fuller and fuller awareness of what is going on right now! James Low's obvious devotion to his teachers comes out in the text but also does his own authenticity. Its this authenticity applied to life today that I found most inspiring. He tackles things such as ethics, practice and being true to ourselves. Overall it as provided inspiration for looking into the moment and seeing that I and everyone else are free already.

I have reluctantly give this book 4 stars intead of 5 basically because of the some of the Tibetan practices that may seem a little strange. These are only there because of the context from which the text came from! If James low ever reads this review I would like to express my sincerest gratitude towards him and to his teachers!

Not to be missed! One of finest book on Dzogchen in English!
I am quite amazed at the level of understanding, depth, and precision of James Low's commentary on Nuden Dorje's original terma text entitled "The Mirror of Clear Meaning." One marvels at the fact that a book like this exists in print, especially when you consider that the teachings were given extemporaneously during a 5 day retreat. There is not a single line in these 160 pages that one can omit!

I found James Low's talks illuminating, penerating, and enlightening. One gets a crystal clear glimpse of the original naked presence of the true nature of our mind. All the keys to this primordial state are handed over quite casually and effortlessly. From preliminary practices to all the way to "experiencing" the true nature of mind, the instructions are presented in a manner suitable for the modern audience. The author has studied Tibetan Buddhism for last 30 years and it shows. Quite an amazing feat. Million Thanks Venerable Dr. James Low.

In Buddhism, a great emphasis is placed on having the right "view"--a deep understanding of the way the things really are. Right "view" in the final reckoning is about having no view at all, obtaining freedom from our mind's habitual tendency of concept-making.

For:

Existence and non-existence are extremes,
Purity and impurity are extremes as well,
Thus, having relinquished both extremes,
The wise do not dwell even in the middle.
~King of Samâdhi Sûtra

Since:

No doer of the deeds is found,
No one who ever reaps their fruits;
Empty phenomena roll on,
Dependent on conditions all.

~Visuddhimagga

Afterall,

There is neither creation, nor destruction,
Neither destiny, nor freewill.
Neither path nor achievement--
This is the final truth!

~Ramana Maharshi, from Nine Stray Verses, Collected Works, p. 138.

That being so, what should one do, what is the right conduct:

Since everything is but an illusion,
Perfect in being what it is,
Having nothing to do with good or bad,
Acceptance or rejection,
One might as well burst out laughing!
~The Great Perfection's Self-Liberation in the Nature of Mind, chapter 1

Although, these quotes are not from this book, but reading this book "evokes" such feelings. In the ultimate Dzogchen view, reality is perfect as is; we can't do anything to make it more so. If we try, it will be like "legging the snake." Afterall, how can one make real what is already real. They say, if you add to truth, you actually subtract from it! A simple recognition of this fact is all that is needed. Simply Be! Even "simply" seems extra. Be! (as you truly are: anaadi,anannt, akhannda SatChitAnannd)

This little gem of a book needs to be thoroughly "chewed and inwardly digested"--with a tip of the hat to Francis Bacon--by all serious students of Dzogchen. Of all the books on Dzogchen that i have read, this little volume comes closest, imho, in communicating the feeling of the real thing re the practice of Dzogchen.

Dear Ven. James Low: More books like this, please!

I wish i could give more than 5 stars to this priceless jewel. I am surprised that it is not extensively reveiwed here on Amazon.

With folded hands and a deep bow,

Satinder Dhiman