Ngakpa Chogyam – författare

Here two Western-born lamas of the Nyingma tradition of Vajrayana Buddhism explore what it means to be utterly emotionally alive. Written in contemporary, nonacademic language, this book is a radical challenge to the misconception that inner Vajrayana is primarily an esoteric system of ritual and liturgy. The authors teach that emotions can be embraced as a rich and profound opportunity for realization. This fiercely compassionate battle cry rallies all who are audacious enough to appreciate emotions for their supreme potential as vehicles for awakening.

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."

In the early days of Vajrayana few Tibetan Lamas visited Britain, and eager students were often prepared to travel considerable distances to receive instruction. Yet some sought out a young Englishman recently returned from the Himalayas. Inspired by the magic and mystery of Tibet, they were keen to discover the lived meaning. Ngak’chang Rinpoche’s teachings were simple, direct, and experiential. The four evening talks contained here deal with the themes studied by everyone exploring Buddhism in depth: the four noble truths, eightfold path, causality, compassion and refuge. This material is discussed in creative contemporary English, and presented from a perspective informed by Dzogchen. Rinpoche was first asked to teach by Gétsulma Tsültrim Zangmo, a Western nun whom Rinpoche named ’ö-Zér Nyima after she received Dzogchen transmissions from him. ’ö-Zér Nyima means Rays of the Sun and this book is dedicated to the memory of this extraordinary English woman.

An inspirational calendar of daily quotations selected by Naljorpa Druk-tsal and Naljorma Kha’drön from teachings given by Ngak’chang Rinpoche and Khandro Déchen. These quotations provide fresh insights into essential Vajrayana Buddhism. They range from hilarity to piercing directness. This approach is characteristic of the creative, contemporary prose and poetry for which these English Lamas are known.They are the Aro gTér Lineage Lamas and have specialised in expressing the Nyingma Inner Tantras, with an emphasis on incorporating practice in everyday life. Their enthusiasm for both the secular and religious Arts, inspired by Kyabyé Düd’jom Rinpoche, is central to what they teach. They address 21st Century society whilst remaining true to the ancient tradition in which they were trained by their Lamas.Interspersed in this calendar, are quotations from Kyabyé Düd’jom Jig’drel Yeshé Dorje Rinpoche, HE Trülku Ögyen Dro’dül Thrin-lé Kün-kyab Rinpoche and Khar-trül Wangchuk Rig’dzin Rinpoche.

Dzogchen is the primordial state of the individual. It is beyond limitations. Dzogchen is free of magical, religious, philosophical, or political conditioning. It is non-liturgical, non-ritual, direct, and symbolically minimal. Dzogchen is the heart and mind of Nyingma - and yet it has been practised by Lamas of all Vajrayana schools and traditions. ''Shock Amazement'' describes the core practice of Sem-dé: the direct mode of recognising the nature of Mind. It does so in creative, contemporary language: free of dense philosophical complexities, eulogisms, or tautology. The authors, as the Lineage Holders of the treasure teachings of Aro Lingma, are uniquely placed to describe what is ''shocking'' and ''amazing'' in gaining direct access to the nondual state.