Roaring Silence : Discovering the Mind of Dzogchen

Rating:
Summary: Best Dzogchen beginner's book
Review: Magnificent book! Highly recommended! This is the most eloquent book on Dzogchen. It clearly explains everything you need to know to actuate this vehicle for enlightenment. It is similar to Chogyal Namkhai Norbu's books but is easier to understand. Dzogchen requires experiential understanding which is achieved through meditation, contemplation, and studying/memorizing the main points, all on a daily basis.

Rating:
Summary: Remarkable for those w/some experience of non-dual awareness
Review: The authors of this remarkable book, two tantric teachers from the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism (which is where Dzogchen finds its home), state in the opening that this book is for those who have had at least a glimpse of non-dual awareness already. Without that, they say, it's rather pointless to read on, and I would agree.

If you have had some experiences of this, however, and you feel attracted (perhaps through a karmic connection?) to Dzogchen, then this book is a treasure. It is the closest to a "how-to" book that one can really find on this remarkable tradition. That being said, it is no substitute for a qualified teacher.

Dzogchen is a tradition of "formless" or "open" meditation, somewhat like Zen (also in its radical nondualism and corresponding use of paradoxical language). However, it is located within Vajrayana or Tantric Buddhism, and hence exists in a different system to Zen. From my own experience, I would hazard that Zen is in a sense simpler and cleaner than the Tibetan systems. However, I now prefer the Tibetan teachings, since they seem more encompassing and are richer (in my mind). But every person is different.

Dzogchen means "the Great Perfection", since in Dzogchen one sees all phenomena as the utterly perfect play of primordial wisdom. For more, I would suggest turning to the book.

One last comment: the book gives exercises and stresses that one follow them strictly and not just glaze over them. I would also reiterate that suggestion. Realization comes from practice, not just skimming through a book. Do the exercises faithfully, and I think you will benefit greatly from this excellent slim volume.

May all beings abide in perfect bliss.

Rating:
Summary: Clear, step-by-step instruction in Dzogchen
Review: The editorial review(above) says that this is not for casual readers. Of course not, what "casual reader" would be looking for a book which shows how to enter directly into a fully enlightened condition of life. Anyone not interested in such information should read nothing on Dzogchen or Zen. Those who are interested can begin Dzogchen studies very successfully with this clear, convincing and inspiring book. The meaning of Dzogchen, its methods and its results are superbly presented -- and offered in a series of steps which include meditation guidance to be followed in moving into and on from each step presented.
There is nothing obscure, vague or misleading about the writing in this book. For those stumbling on the book and simply curious to find out what this odd sounding business of Dzogchen is all about -- don't bother, YOU will find it obscure and certainly uninteresting. If, on the other hand, you are a serious spiritual seeker with some familiarity with Zen or Vedanta(non-dual traditions) then you will probably be excited to find such a direct, clear and useable volume as this.

Rating:
Summary: Clear, step-by-step instruction in Dzogchen
Review: The editorial review(above) says that this is not for casual readers. Of course not, what "casual reader" would be looking for a book which shows how to enter directly into a fully enlightened condition of life. Anyone not interested in such information should read nothing on Dzogchen or Zen. Those who are interested can begin Dzogchen studies very successfully with this clear, convincing and inspiring book. The meaning of Dzogchen, its methods and its results are superbly presented -- and offered in a series of steps which include meditation guidance to be followed in moving into and on from each step presented.
There is nothing obscure, vague or misleading about the writing in this book. For those stumbling on the book and simply curious to find out what this odd sounding business of Dzogchen is all about -- don't bother, YOU will find it obscure and certainly uninteresting. If, on the other hand, you are a serious spiritual seeker with some familiarity with Zen or Vedanta(non-dual traditions) then you will probably be excited to find such a direct, clear and useable volume as this.

Rating:
Summary: Nice Start for Dzogchen
Review: This is a good book to read for someone interested in learning about Dzogchen though it uses more Tibetan terms than others--most use the standard Sanscrit terminology. Thus Shamatha is pretty standard for Tranquil or Calm Abiding vs. the Tibetan Shine. Same thing, different word. The book is nicely written with questions answered separately, but consecutively by the two authors. It includes a short Glossary and a number of exercises (some even have drawings). But, somehow it just doesn't do it for me. I'd rather read Longchenpa or Tulku Urgyen or his two sons (Chokyi Nyima and Drubwang Tsoknyi). Maybe it's because this book contains much more Tibetan-specific information, assumptions, preconceptions etc.?