Clear Light of Bliss: The Practice of Mahamudra in Vajrayana Buddhism

Rating:
Summary: Extremely clear explanation on Mahamudra
Review: Based on oral teachings received by the author, as well as authentic works from great masters like Je Tsonkhapa and the first Panchen Lama, this book provides a detailed and precise explanation of the completion stage practices of Tantric Mahamudra. It takes the reader from the initial Meditation on the Subtle Body, through Inner Fire Meditation, to the final attainment of Full Enlightenment. Some of the topics include: Channels, Winds, and Drops, Clear Light and the Four Joys, Nine Mixings and the Two Mudras, the Nature of Mind, instructions to achieve Tranquil Abiding, Meditation on Emptiness, the Illusory Body, Clear Light and Union, and Resultant Mahamudra. Although the main purpose of this book is to explain the advanced practices of Mahamudra, students of different levels will benefit from the clear and practical explanations and instructions on many aspects of Vajrayana Buddhism. These include foundational issues, like how to develop meditative concentration, and how to meditate on emptiness. It also answers question like "what causes the dream body to enter the gross body when we wake from the dream state?" And on to instruction on how to mix with the Truth Body, Enjoyment Body, and Emanation Body during death. One gets as much out of this book as one is capable of, and cannot help but being inspired by it. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche has been residing and teaching in the West for more than twenty years, transmitting ancient wisdom to the modern world. A fully accomplished Tantric Master, he wants this book to especially benefit the Western Dharma practitioners. First published in 1982, this book is already a classic. The writing is simple and direct. The explanations and instructions are extremely clear, leaving nothing to guesswork. Especially valuable for the practitioners, are the superb and unparalleled descriptions of the inner states. Making this book more than just a philosophical discourse or a reference, but a veritable guide.

Rating:
Summary: Worth further exploration
Review: This book gave me a good understanding of various Mahamudra perpectives and practices. It should be siad that in terms of applying the various practices outlined one should have received some form of instruction from a appropriate teacher in the subject at hand... not really something that one can just pick up out of a book. Although a book like this does provide a good foundation of understanding.

Rating:
Summary: Detailed explanation of Tibetan Buddhist "Raja Yoga"
Review: This is my favorite of the 5 Kelsang Gyatso books I've read. Many other Vajrayana (Tibetan Buddhist) books refer to or even provide some explanation of the Vajrayana psychic system (which seems to me to parallel the Hindu Raja Yoga approach). But, in his usual thorough manner, the author provides a very organized and detailed description herein. I attended one of his weekend gatherings and was impressed with him, though I've heard he's had some falling out with other Vajrayana lamas. His New Kadampa school is, I believe, a follow-up to the now defunct Kadampa school of Tibet which, I believe, the present Gelugpas (headed by the Dalai Lama) evolved from. It seems to me that the Gelugpa "Mahamudra" is VERY different from the Kagyu Mahamudra. The latter is quite similar in many respects to the Nyingmapa Dzogchen. The four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism are: Nyingmapa (the oldest based on 9th century translations), the Kagyu and Sakya (evolved about the same time), and the Gelugpa (the newest, I believe). Though the relatively recent Rime ecumenical movement attempted (pretty successfully) to provide cross-over teachings across the four schools. In any case, this book, while certainly not easy reading, provides a great source of information on esoteric, hard-to-find Vajrayana principles.