Natural Perfection: Teachings, Meditations and Chants in the Dzogchen Tradition of Tibet

Rating:
Summary: Experiential Dzogchen
Review: As far as I know, this is the only tape set on Dzogchen, The Great Perfection, the highest teaching of the Nyingma tradition of Tibet (the oldest of the 4 surviving schools). Dzogchen is similar to the Mahamudra teachings of the Kagyu school, and the newest school (Gelugpa) of the Dalai Lama practices a version of Mahamudra as well. You can see my lists of Dzogchen, Mahamudra, and Union of Mahamudra & Dzogchen for other books and tapes on these subjects. Surya Das is an American Lama and best known for his Awakening the...books (especially Awakening the Buddha Within). On one hand, he dispenses with much of the Tibetan-specific mythology and symbology which Westerners can find disturbing or confusing. On the other hand, he tends to use humor a lot, coining such phrases as HahaYana (vs. Vajrayana). But these phrases often contain wisdom too: "We're all seekers; we need to become finders" and "Lighten up as we enlighten up." The latter may seem strange to those familiar with other Tibetan Buddhist (Vajrayana) teachings, but is not unusual for Dzogchen. Dzogchen gets to the heart of the mind without the elaborate visualizations of the generation and completion stages of the lower teachings. In this tape, Lama Das covers many basic teachings (e.g. the six paramitas--ways to approach life) as well as more advanced Dzogchen-specific teachings/methods (e.g. sky gazing). He does relate Dzogchen to regular Tantric Yogas (the lower 8 according to Nyingma). He also attempts to relate the teachings to life in America, coining phrases as "household engineer," America the Buddhafull," and "knowing and glowing." I find his metaphor equating vipashyana (insight meditation) to vaccination quite intriguing. In addition to actual teachings, he includes a number of guided meditations (which do take up a significant portion of the tape which is thus, blank--no talking) as well as the chanting of 3 mantras (Guru Rinpoche, Avalokiteshwara or Chenrezig, and Tara). Regarding the latter, he references the "21 Praises of Tara" which is commented upon by Khenchen Palden Sherab in "The Smile of Sun and Moon" which I highly recommend. All in all, this is a fine tape for someone interested in Dzogchen, especially if one doesn't have a Dzogchen Guru. It provides an additional dimension (hearing). I'd also recommend reading some of his books and some basic Dzogchen texts (e.g. Namkhai Norbu, Tulku Urgyen, or Drubwang Tsoknyi) before or immediately after listening to these tapes.

Rating:
Summary: redundant, kept waiting for practical training, too "hip"
Review: I found the speaker's voice quite irritating after awhile. I kept waiting to hear more than "wake up"-"enjoy". I was looking for more actual meditation instruction, rather than his pleas to enjoy life daily. I say instead buy the "Tibetan Book of Living and Dying" by Sogyal Rinpoche for a real, honest, wonderful look at Tibetan Buddhism and life in general. This selection strives to be a little too hip, too 90's for me, which is what I am tired of and want to get away from. I am interested in the serenity of the Tibetan people and Buddhist beliefs and how to apply it to my life, not American rhetoric over and over. I was disappounted by what the cover said and what was inside.

Rating:
Summary: Allowing our Natural Perfection to be here now!
Review: I have the audio cassette version of the book in my car, and have listened to it five times so far. I am finding the book extremely useful, for many reasons, some of which follow below: Lama Surya Das is an authentic Tibetan Lama, born and raised in the West - he understands the complexities of one of Tibetan Buddhism profoundest teachings - Dzogchen, but is able to convey it in a contemporary and often humourous form. A number of guided meditations accompany the discussion, and some "non-meditations", such as the 'sky gazing' technique are well explained. I would recommend the book, and other books by the author such as "Awaken the Buddha Within" which I have also read with much benefit. A humble debt of gratitude to Surya Das from me.