For over three decades, Pico Iyer, one of our most cherished travel writers, has been a friend to the Dalai Lama. Over these years through intimate conversations, he has come to know him in a way that few can claim. Here he paints an unprecedented portrait of one of the most singular figures of our time, explaining the Dalai Lama's work and ideas about politics, science, technology, and religion. For Buddhist and non-Buddhist alike, The Open Road illuminates the hidden life and the daily challenges of this global icon.

A historical and comparative study grounded in close readings of important works, this book explores the dynamics of the theory and practice of yoga in Hindu and Buddhist contexts. Author Stuart Ray Sarbacker explores the fascinating, contrasting perceptions that meditation leads to the attainment of divine, or numinous, power, and to complete escape from worldly existence, or cessation. Sarbacker demonstrates that these two dimensions of spiritual experience have affected the doctrine and cultural significance of yoga from its origins to its contemporary practice. He also integrates sociological and psychological perspectives on religious experience into a larger phenomenological model to address the multifaceted nature of religious experience. Speaking to a broad range of methodological and contextual issues, Samā dhi provides numerous insights into the theory and practice of yoga that are relevant to both scholars of religious studies and practitioners of contemporary yoga and meditation traditions.

Based on the author's talks at Naropa University, this volume introduces the reader to the principles of tantra, based on the practice of meditation, which leads to the discovery of egolessness. Trungpa Rinpoche provides a direct and experiential picture of the tantric world, explaining the importance of self-existing energy, the mandala principle, the difference between Buddhist and Hindu tantra--stressing the nontheistic foundation of Buddhism. The role of the teacher and the meaning of tantric transmission are also presented. Written for the student of Buddhism rather than the scholar, "Journey without Goal " demystifies the vajrayana and at the same time affirms the power and sacredness of its ancient teaching.

A collection of Chogyam Trungpa's early teachings in North America--on buddha nature, emptiness, the feminine principle, and the three bodies of enlightenment.

At the beginning of a North American teaching career that would span seventeen years, the meditation master Chogyam Trungpa conducted five pivotal seminars covering various dharmic topics. The transcripts from these seminars are collected here so that readers can experience them right at home. Comprising twenty-six talks in total, each one followed by a Q&A, "Glimpses of the Profound" is sure to provoke glimpses of all kinds: glimpses that inspire you to look further, glimpses that give you confidence, glimpses that upset the apple cart, glimpses that open your heart, glimpses that undermine falsity, glimpses that awaken you to your boundless potential.

This book was originally published as four separate volumes by Vajradhatu Publications. Judith L. Lief has written a new introduction."

Dzogchen (Great Perfection) goes to the heart of our experience by investigating the relationship between mind and world and uncovering the great secret of mind's luminous nature. Weaving in personal stories and everyday examples, Pema Rigtsal leads the reader to see that all phenomena are the spontaneous display of mind, a magical illusion, and yet there is something shining in the midst of experience that is naturally pure and spacious.

An unprecedented look at the oracular rites of Tibetan Buddhism, this biography examines the life of Thubten Ngodup, at once a humble monk as well as the mouthpiece of the fearsome god Dordje Dragden--and, as such, a prophet to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government in exile. The picture that emerges is that of a mystical, mysterious, and wholly magical Tibet. "Una vista sin precedentes de los ritos profeticos del budismo tibetano, esta biografia examina la vida de Thubten Ngodup, a la vez un monje humilde y la portavoz del dios pavoroso Dordje Dragden--y, como tal, un profeta para el Dalai Lama y el gobierno en exilio de Tibet. El cuadro que emerge es ese de un Tibet mistico, misterioso y totalmente magico."

The art of composing spontaneous songs that express spiritual understanding has existed in Tibet for centuries. Over a hundred of these profound songs are found in this collection of the works of the great teachers of the Kagyu lineage, known as the Practice Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism.
Many readers are already familiar with the colorful life of the yogin Milarepa, an early figure in the Kagyu lineage, some of whose songs are included here. Songs by over thirty other Buddhist teachers are also presented, from those of Tilopa, the father of the lineage, to those of the Sixteenth Gyalwa Karmapa, as well as several songs by Chogyam Trungpa, the noted teacher of Buddhism in America who directed the translation of "The Rain of Wisdom."
The diversity of the songs mirrors the richness of Tibetan Buddhism and gives us clear portraits of some of its most eminent teachers. Their longing for truth, their heartfelt devotion, and their sense of humor are all reflected. These poems share a beauty and intensity that have made them famous in Tibetan literature. With its vivid imagery and deep insight, "The Rain of Wisdom" communicates a profound and timeless understanding.

Re-creating the speech that the Dalai Lama gave a few years ago to more than 10,000 people in southern France, this spiritual account shares some of the Dalai Lama's most important teachings and Buddhism's main principles, especially those concerning "Dzogchen," or the Great Perfection. The ways that the mind can transform itself through love, compassion, and an understanding of the world along with practical advice on how to implement Buddhist practices into everyday life are also discussed. "Recreando el discurso que dio el Dalai Lama hace unos anos a mas de 10.000 personas de todo el mundo en el sur de Francia, este relato espiritual comparte algunos de sus principales ensenanzas y los principios claves del budismo, especialmente los de" Dzogchen," o la Gran Perfeccion. Tambien se discuten las maneras en las cuales la mente puede transformarse a traves del amor, la compasion y una comprension de la realidad, y consejos practicas para poner en practica el budismo en la vida diaria."

All of us experience obstacles as part of our journey, in life and on the spiritual path. In many cases, we think of them as purely something unpleasant to overcome, or as a mistake that needs correcting. Here, Chogyam Trungpa takes a radically different approach to such obstacles, teaching that unexpected chaos, confusion, and emotional upheavals can actually be used as fuel for the journey--an energy that can transform confusion into sanity and wisdom. He illustrates this transformative principle through telling the lively history of the Trungpa tulkus (a lineage within the Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism), of which he was the eleventh incarnation. Trungpa referred to his lineage as the "Mishap Lineage"""because of the ups and downs and colorful lives that were typical of his predecessors, and true of his own life as well. The stories of the Trungpas are seen as a guide for the practitioner's journey and help us to understand how important lineage and community remain for us today.

This commentary on Padampa Sangye's classic verses of advise to Tibetan villagers of Tingri--by renowned and beloved meditation master Dilgo Khyentse--offers guidance for people trying to lead a dharmic life in the workaday world. These hundred verses, studied for centuries by Tibetans and students of Buddhism, contain a complete survey of the Tibetan Buddhist path. Dilgo Khyentse's lively explication of each stanza brings to light subtleties and amplifies the richness of the words and their pertinence to our lives. These two venerable teachers advise us in relating to everyday difficulties such as loneliness, craving, family squabbles, competition in business, disagreements with neighbors, and betrayal by friends--as challenging to us as they have been to meditators for centuries.

Thirty of the most creative, eloquent, and energetic Tibetan Buddhist teachers of Westerners in recent decades are featured in this collection of teachings that are certain to be highly treasured by all students of Buddhism. The contributors are masters who helped establish Buddhism in the West, founding centers in North America, Great Britain, Australia, and Europe; publishing books in English; and gaining recognition among Western Buddhists. Their teachings, drawn exclusively from the spoken word as given in talks and seminars, convey the directness and power for which the oral tradition is so valued in Buddhism. The book highlights the teachings of the practice lineages, the branch of Tibetan Buddhism that emphasizes meditation practice, personal experience, and spiritual realization. Selections are thematically organized, including topics such as the major approaches to the spiritual path, meditation and other practices, Buddhist ethics, tantric practice, and the role of the teacher. Includes the following teachers: Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche - Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche - Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche - Deshung Rinpoche - Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche - Drubwang Tsoknyi Rinpoche - Dudjom Rinpoche - Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche - The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche - Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche - Gen Lamrimpa - The Third Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche - Kalu Rinpoche - Venerable Khandro Rinpoche - Khenpo Konchog Gyaltsen - Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche - Lama Lodo - Lama Thubten Yeshe Rinpoche - Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche - Nyoshul Khenpo Rinpoche - Ringu Tulku Rinpoche - Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche - Sogyal Rinpoche - Tarthang Tulku Rinpoche - Thinley Norbu Rinpoche - Thrangu Rinpoche - Traleg Kyabgon Rinpoche - TulkuThondup Rinpoche - Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche - Lama Zopa Rinpoche

In these teachings, Dudjom Rinpoche calls upon us to follow the Buddha's instructions to "get a grip on our minds". He points the way to giving up our habitual ways of behaving in order to liberate ourselves from suffering. He also offers advice on how to view the Vajrayana teachings - which are said to be so powerful that they can be dangerous if misunderstood or practised incorrectly. This is a useful book of wisdom from an influential teacher.

The Tibetan Buddhist meditation practice known as "Dzogchen" (pronounced ZOG-chen) is a practical method for accessing the pristine, clear awareness that lies beneath the chatter and confusion of our daily thoughts. "The Dzogchen Primer " provides the keys for understanding Dzogchen and putting it into practice.
Marcia Schmidt, a long-time Buddhist practitioner, has gathered here the most accessible, down-to-earth writings published on this subject and has organized them into a study guide for the serious beginner on the Buddhist path. The collection includes writings from such well-known and venerable masters as Milarepa, Padmasambhava, Shantideva, Chogyam Trungpa, and Tulku Urgyen.
The concept of Dzogchen is said to lie beyond the confines of our beliefs, our intellectual constructs, our ordinary understanding. A Dzogchen master writes, "We need to dismantle our fixation on the permanence of what we experience. A normal person clings to his experiences as being 'real, ' concrete, and permanent. But if we look closely at what happens, experience is simply experience, and it is not made out of anything. It has no form, no sound, no color, no taste, no texture; it is simply empty cognizance."
"The Dzogchen Primer " includes an informative editor's preface as well as two forewords by prominent Tibetan masters that provide fundamental background information that will be helpful to readers new to this subject. The book also includes short, descriptive guiding notes intended to assist both independent students and teachers leading workshops.

This is the first English translation of one of the most-revered texts in Tibetan Buddhism. As part of the rDzog-chen or Ati tradition, Primordial Experience was written by Manjusrimitra, an Indian disciple of the first teacher of Ati yoga. Legend has it that the teacher, in a debate about the Buddhist doctrine of cause and effect, opened his student's eyes to the reality of Ati yoga, the state of pure and total presence. This book is the result of that encounter. Included is a preface by Namkhai Norbu that places this text in the Ati tradition, as well as a substantial introduction about the theory of translation, the history of the text and its author, philosophical questions about the relation of Ati yoga to "Buddhist Idealism, " and the meditation practice linked with this text.

Although Tibetan Buddhism continues to grow in popularity, the crucial relationship between teacher and student remains largely misunderstood. "Dangerous Friend " offers an in-depth exploration of this mysterious and complex bond, a relationship of paramount importance in Tibetan Buddhist practice.
According to Tibetan Buddhist tradition, the student must have complete trust in the teacher (the "dangerous friend") if he or she is to achieve any understanding. It is the teacher's responsibility to uphold the integrity of the tradition, the basis of which is compassion for all beings, by transmitting it properly to an appropriate student. Likewise, it is the student's responsibility to meet the challenge of carrying on the lineage of teachings. By entering such a relationship, both teacher and student accept the burden of protecting those teachings by understanding them completely and correctly, by practicing them fully and faultlessly, and by transmitting them without omission.
"Dangerous Friend " includes discussions of the following topics:
- Meeting and recognizing an appropriate teacher.
- Understanding the gravity of entering the teacher-student relationship.
- Shifting one's approach from spiritual materialism to genuine Buddhist practice.
- Accepting the challenge of being truly kind, honest, and courageous.

This book is based on a week-long series of daily meetings between Western scientists and His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the political and spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists, who was awarded the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize. The discussions took place in the meeting room of the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, India, in the relaxed atmosphere of a living room conversation. Topics ranged widely over mind and brain, the self, perception, memory, evolution, artificial intelligence, and the sources of knowledge in science and Buddhism. The various themes have been woven into clear and accessible presentations and dialogues that convey the lively flavor of the original meetings.

Tulku Thondup's guidance on healing meditation is addressed to anyone who wishes to become healthier, happier, and more peaceful in his/her everyday life. It will benefit those who want to preserve good health as well as those who need comforting and relief from illness and mental anguish. In this book the main object of meditation is the body, and the reader is given guided instructions to reflect upon the physical body in order to awaken its healing energies, and in so doing to awaken and enlighten the mind. The book includes
-- ways to apply the four healing powers: positive images, positive words, positive feelings, and positive belief
-- detailed instructions for meditative healing exercises that can be done individually or as part of a twelve-stage program
-- meditations for falling asleep and waking up
-- exercises for dispelling anxiety
-- special Buddhist meditations to heal body and mind
-- healing prayers for the dying and the deceased, plus advice for helpers and survivors

Chogyam Trungpa wrote more than two dozen books on Buddhism and the Shambhala path of warriorship. "The Essential Chogyam Trungpa " blends excerpts from bestsellers like "Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior, Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism, Meditation in Action, " and other titles into a concise overview of Trungpa's teachings. Forty selections from fourteen different books articulate the secular path of the Shambhala warrior as well as the Buddhist path of meditation and awakening. This "new classic" vividly demonstrates Trungpa's great appreciation of Western culture which, combined with his deep understanding of the Tibetan tradition, makes these teachings uniquely accessible to contemporary readers. It will appeal to beginning students of meditation as well as seasoned readers of Eastern religion.

"Masters of Meditation and Miracles "presents colorful biographies of thirty-five realized teachers whose lives were full of peace, enlightenment, and amazing miracles. They flourished in Tibet, the Roof of the World, in its golden days. These teachers belong to the Longchen Nyingthig lineage of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism, a cycle of mystical teachings revealed by the great scholar and adept Jigme Lingpa. From the first master, Garap Dorje, to the present, each spiritual personality has his or her own distinctive role to play in this great lineage. In retelling their stories in his own words, the author has sought to bring out their inner feelings as well as their external activities: how they faced and healed physical pain, how they dealt with emotional turmoil, how they overcame spiritual or meditative illusions, and most important, what experiences they had when they awakened their own inner Buddha Mind and Buddha qualities. These biographies not only provide great sources of teachings on meditation, but will also kindle a spiritual flame in the hearts of readers.