Steps to the Great Perfection : The Mind-Training Tradition of the Dzogchen Masters

The first-ever English translation of mind-training contemplations from the Dzogchen tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. The mind-training practices contained in the Dzogchen tradition of Tibetan Buddhism have never before been presented in the English language. The main text translated here, The Steps to Liberation, will be of great interest to Western practitioners, since its instructions are pithy and direct, and experiential rather than scholarly. The contemplations on core Buddhist principles like impermanence and karma, intended for beginning meditators, unfold as dramatic stories in which the meditator is to vividly imagine himself or herself as the main character who undergoes a sequence of experiences that result in transformative realizations. They distill the most essential teachings of the Buddha into a practical system that can be easily implemented in a daily meditation practice. At the same time, they bring together the most foundational Buddhist teachings with the profound methods of the Vajrayana (the esoteric teachings of Buddhist tantra). This is the hallmark of Dzogchen mind training and what sets it apart from other mind-training lineages. The Mind-training Practices Contained In The Dzogchen Tradition Of Tibetan Buddhism Have Never Before Been Presented In The English Language. The Main Text Translated Here, The Steps To Liberation, Will Be Of Great Interest To Western Practitioners, Since Its Instructions Are Pithy And Direct, And Experiential Rather Than Scholarly. The Contemplations On Core Buddhist Principles Like Impermanence And Karma, Intended For Beginning Meditators, Unfold As Dramatic Stories In Which The Meditator Is To Vividly Imagine Himself Or Herself As The Main Character Who Undergoes A Sequence Of Experiences That Result In Transformative Realizations. They Distill The Most Essential Teachings Of The Buddha Into A Practical System That Can Be Easily Implemented In A Daily Meditation Practice. At The Same Time, They Bring Together The Most Foundational Buddhist Teachings With The Profound Methods Of The Vajrayana (the Esoteric Teachings Of Buddhist Tantra). This Is The Hallmark Of Dzogchen Mind Training And What Sets It Apart From Other Mind-training Lineages. Jigme Lingpa ; With Contributions By Garab Dorje And Longchenpa ; Translated And Introduced By Cortland Dahl ; Foreword By Tulku Thondup. Translated From The Tibetan. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. The first-ever English translation of mind-training contemplations from the Dzogchen tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. A compilation of teachings on the seven contemplations, an ancient system of mind-training/lojong teachings that has been preserved as part of a rare set of instructions on Dzogchen , or the Great Perfection. This book is unique because although the lojong teachings of the Kadam tradition are well known, this is the first time the mind-training teachings from the Dzogchen tradition have been presented in an English translation, and most Western scholars and practitioners are unaware that such mind-training techniques even exist in Dzogchen. The contemplations themselves are vividly described, and some unfold as dramatic stories in which the meditator imagines himself or herself as the main character. Thus, they are quite accessible for beginning practitioners.