Roaring Silence: Discovering the Mind of Dzogchen by Ngakpa Chogyam, Khandro Dechen, Khandro Dechen, Traktung Yeshe Dorje (Foreword by)

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Synopsis

According to the Vajrayana Buddhist tradition, Dzogchen is the direct experience of enlightenment. In Roaring Silence, Vajrayana teachers Ngakpa Chögyam and Khandro Déchen walk the reader through the meditation techniques that "enable us to side-step the bureaucracy of intellectual processes and experience ourselves directly"—to discover this direct experience of enlightenment that is the mind of Dzogchen. Surprisingly, the approach is very pragmatic. Offering an investigation of the necessary steps, the authors begin with how to prepare for the journey: the lama is essential; as are a sense of humor, inspiration, and determination. They continue by describing the path of Dzogchen from sitting meditation to the direct perception of reality. The chapters include exercises for sharpening the presence of our awareness, for simple visualizations, and for investigating how to "remain uninvolved" with mental activity for a period—with follow-up guidance on how to view our experiences. Both practical and inspirational, the authors' exquisitely precise guidance is all presented with the caveat, "be kind to yourself, don't push yourself beyond your limits."

Library Journal

The authors, husband and wife, are both Westerners who teach meditation and other spiritual practices of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. Here they discuss the four traditional meditation practices (in Tibetan, Naljors) for achieving Dzogchen, i.e., utter totality. Readers conversant with Buddhism (especially Zen) will find much that is familiar, but this is no dry doctrinaire treatise. The authors have a pleasant conversational style and a lighthearted approach to religious practice. They strive to make Buddhist spiritual ideals intelligible to Westerners. Each chapter consists of a brief discussion, followed by some typical questions and answers. Specific meditation exercises are included. The text, however, frequently uses technical Tibetan religious terms without giving good definitions; a Tibetan glossary and cross-index to other Buddhist traditions would have been valuable. Thus, this volume will probably not appeal to casual readers. Nevertheless, it is recommended for academic libraries and public libraries with substantial religion collections.DJames F. DeRoche, Alexandria, VA Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Biography

Ngakpa Chögyam and Khandro Déchen, both Westerners, are teachers in the Nyingma School of Vajrayana Buddhism in the lineage of the Aro gTer. A married couple who teach together, they spend much of their time traveling and teaching in Europe and the United States. They live in Penarth, Wales.