Do you practise meditation because you want to feel good? Or to help you relax and be "happy"? Then frankly, according to Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse, you are far better off having a full-body massage than trying to practise the Dharma.
Genuine spiritual practice, not least the Ngondro preliminaries, will not bring the kind of comfort and ease most worldly people crave. Quite the opposite, in fact. But if your ultimate goal is enlightenment, Ngondro practice is a must, and "Not for Happiness" your perfect guide, as it contains everything an aspiring practitioner needs to get started, including advice about:
- developing "renunciation mind"
- discipline, meditation and wisdom
- using your imagination in visualization practice
- why you need a guru

Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche (1910-1991) was one of the most respected and influential Tibetan Buddhist teachers of our age. There was something remarkable about his presence that impressed everyone who met him - a quality of mind that comes across even in photographs. Here is his memoir of a remarkable life of study, teaching, and solitary retreat, told with a wealth of anecdotes and stories. It will be an inspiration to the readers of his numerous books - as well as to all Buddhist practitioners, who will welcome this rare opportunity to hear the experiences of a highly realized being in his own words. The book also provides an authentic view of Tibetan culture and of the hardships endured by the Tibetans after the Chinese takeover. The second half of the book is a treasury of recollections about Khyentse Rinpoche by his wife; his grandson and heir, Sechen Rabjam Rinpoche; and, other lamas and friends who knew him well.

One of the most creative and innovative young Tibetan Buddhist lamas teaching today challenges readers to make sure they know what they're talking about before they claim to be Buddhist.

In this provocative account, one of the most innovative Tibetan Buddhist monks examines humanity's deepest beliefs and assumptions in exploring the path to true Buddhism. Synthesizing the essence of Buddhism into four basic principles posed as questions, this valuable guide asks "Are all things impermanent?" "Is it understood that all emotions carry pain and suffering and that no emotion is completely pleasurable?" "Are all phenomena illusory and empty?" and "Is it accepted that awakening is nothing more than liberation from ignorance?" and argues that only true Buddhists answer these questions with an unmistakable "yes." "En este libro provocador, uno de los lamas budistas tibetanos mas innovadores examina las creencias y presunciones mas profundas del ser humano, explorando la senda del verdadero budismo. Sintetizando la esencia del budismo en cuatro principios basicos, este guia valioso pregunta" Son todas las cosas impermanentes? Se comprende que todas las emociones conllevan dolor y sufrimiento y que ninguna emocion es totalmente placentera? Son todos los fenomenos ilusorios y vacios?" y "Se acepta que el despertar no es otra cosa que la liberacion de la ignorancia?" y hace el argumento que solamente los verdaderos budistas responden a estas preguntas con un inequivoco "si.""