hi, there is this book i am currently reading which i think is
very good. contains direct instructions on how to meditate,
practice, and realize the nature of mind. has some core dzogchen
and mahamudra teachings clearly ellucidated. highly
recommended.
"vivid awareness"
http://opentrolley.com.sg/book_detail.aspx?ean=9781590308165
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/cr/1590308166/n=1/ref=aw_cr_i_1
comments
Thorough, Clear, and Profound January 22, 2011 By Edward c.
Utacht "Vivid Awareness" presents Khenchen Thrangu's commentary on
the famous Dzogchen/Mahamudra Master Khenpo Gangshar's texts "The
Concise Mind Instructions Called Naturally Liberating Whatever You
Meet", and "Naturally Liberating Whatever You Meet: Instructions to
Guide You on the Profound Path". The book also includes
translations of both root texts. It is probably worth pointing out
that the only previous source for English translations of these
texts was "The Crystal Cave" published by Rangjung Yeshe
Publications. "The Crystal Cave" is restricted and requires prior
completion of the tantric preliminaries and a signed letter from
one's Mahamudra/Dzogchen guru. The commentary is a compilation of
teachings given by Khenchen on 4 occasions during 2007. This is
among the very finest texts I have read on Mahamudra and Dzogchen.
Both the commentary and root text present a progressive path of
meditation on the Nature of Mind. There are short teachings on the
common and uncommon preliminary practices, followed by a teaching
on the special preliminary of the "Analytical Meditation of the
Pandita". This essentially consists of looking into the mind and
attempting to locate its dwelling place, an exercise that will
allow one to directly encounter the emptiness of one's mind.
Following the preliminary teachings is a lengthy teaching on "The
Resting Meditation of a Kusulu". This is the real heart of the
book, and contains the oral instructions on Treckcho found in
Dzogchen upadesha texts like Patrul Rinpoche's "Clear Elucidation
of the True Nature", and "The Special Feature of the Wise and
Glorious King". For example, on p.122 "Don't pursue the past and
don't invite the future. Simply rest naturally in the naked
ordinary mind of the immediate present without trying to correct it
or "re-place" it.", and on p. 125 " If you rest like that, your
mind-essence is clear and expansive, vivid and naked, without any
concerns about thought or recollection, joy, or pain. That is
awareness (Rigpa)." These and other similar statements are clearly
explained. My favorite part of the book is the discussion of "
Taking our Life Situations as the Path". This part of the book
contains clear instructions on self-liberation of the emotions,
taking sleep as the path, and even an interesting condensation of
the instructions of "Dark Practice" found in the Dzogchen Togal
teachings. All the instructions are exceptionally clear, and one
leaves the book with one's understanding of the nature of one's
mind greatly clarified. Excellent! 56 out of 56 found this helpful
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