Finding Rest in the Nature of the Mind

By Longchen Rabjam, Herbert V. Guenther, Longchenpa

Book Overview

A new translation of Longchenpa's famous work that presents the Buddhist path to enlightenment--with pith instructions on developing a meditation practice, true compassion, and more

Longchenpa's classic Buddhist manual for attaining liberation teaches us how to familiarize ourselves with our most basic nature--the clear, pristine, and aware mind. Written in the fourteenth century, this text is the first volume of Longchenpa's Trilogy of Rest, a work of the Tibetan Dzogchen tradition. This profound and comprehensive presentation of the Buddhist view and path combines the scholastic expository method with direct pith instructions designed for yogi practitioners.

This first part of the Trilogy of Rest sets the foundation for the following two volumes: Finding Rest in Meditation, which focuses on Tibetan Buddhist meditation practice, and Finding Rest in Illusion, which focuses on post-meditation yogic conduct. The Padmakara Translation Group has provided us with a clear and fluid new translation to Finding Rest in the Nature of the Mind along with selections from its autocommentary, The Great Chariot, which will serve as a genuine aid to study and meditation.

Here, we find essential instructions on the need to turn away from materialism, how to find a qualified guide, how to develop boundless compassion for all beings, along with the view of tantra and associated meditation techniques. The work culminates with pointing out the result of practice as presented from the Dzogchen perspective, providing us with all the tools necessary to traverse the Tibetan Buddhist path of finding rest.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1611805163
• ISBN13: 9781611805161
• Release Date: December 2017
• Publisher: Shambhala
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 1.34 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 5.7" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

Open Meaning

Guenther manages to bring to life and to this reader's understanding the full complexity and open simplicity of Longhchenpa Trime Oser (1308-1363)thought. If one is willing to do some work, to follow the intricacies of interpretation, the "Kindly Bent to Ease Us" trilogy is, imho, one of the best books on Dzogchen thought available, and one of the most profound books of philosophy ever published.

Gudnther's Translation of Kindly Bent Part I

The text itself is glorious, and the translation of it is just fine, very readable. I find Guenther's Introduction to the chapters heavy and ponderous, although typical of translations from thirty years ago. There are good points to learn from him, of course, although intellectual. However, if you have been practicing for a long time with good teachers, trust yourself to dive directly into the very blessed text. I don't know of any more contemporary translations, and the price of this book and the series is very reasonable. Don't hesitate to go for it if you desire to read this.

The Marvelous Master of Dzogchen

This is my favorite book of the 3 volume trilogy by 14th century Dzogchen master Longchen Rabjam or Longchenpa. He's also called: Klong-chen-rab-'byams, Drime Wozer, and Kunkyab Ngoggi Wangpo. He is very possibly the greatest Dzogchen master of all time--excluding the ones who may be mythological. It includes the much repeated metaphor of the moon reflected in the mountain lake (though I forget which of the 3 books it was in). This trilogy is a great classic. Also read the recent translations of some of Longchenpa's "Seven Treasuries" though most have not yet been translated. For a book of excerpts from Longchenpa's many works, read "The Practice of Dzogchen" translated by Tulku Thondup. Well worth the effort. However, the present trilogy is far easier reading than the other works mentioned here. They are a good start for the student who has already read a couple of introductory texts on Dzogchen (and perhaps Kagyu Mahamudra).