The Crystal and the Way of Light: Sutra, Tantra and Dzogchen (Tibetan Buddhist Philosophy)

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Summary: Dzogchen as it is!
Review: I recommend this book to anyone sincerely interested in Dzogchen teaching. The author, Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche, is a worlwide renouned teacher, scholar and above all a Dzogchen practitioner. Not only he expounds the theoretical basis of the teaching, he gives us a lot of examples from his own life of practice. WARNING: THIS BOOK IS DANGEROUS FOR YOUR EGO!!!

Rating:
Summary: An inspiring and welcome contribution to Buddhist Studies.
Review: John Shane compiles and edits The Crystal And The Way Of Light, considering the spiritual path from the viewpoint of Dzogchen. From the foundations of Dzogchen practices and the author's familiarity with its philosophy and spirituality to symbols of Tibetan meditation and photos of Buddhist masters, this is filled with insights.

Rating:
Summary: Good, but no where near his best
Review: There aren't that many good Dzogchen books available. One of the most prolific writers on the subject is Namkhai Norbu (I've read 9 of his books). His books are very readable and include important descriptions, insights, etc. They serve as, perhaps, the best introductory books (except for the wonderful "Supreme Source" which is more advanced). I also prefer "The Mirror" and "The Cycle of Day and Night" to "The Crystal and the Way of Light." Other books of his of similar value to this one include: "Dream Yoga & the Practice of Natural Light," "Dzogchen and Zen," "Dzogchen: the Self-Perfected State," "The Small Collection of Hidden Precepts" (Manjusrimitra), "and "Teachings of Chogyal Namkhai Norbu." However, I would also recommend the books of Tulku Urgyen which seem a bit more advanced than most of these (e.g. "Rainbow Painting" and "As It Is"). Also, the works of Tulku Urgyen's sons, Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche ("The Union of Mahamudra and Dzogchen" and "Present Fresh Wakefulness") and Drubwang Tsoknyi Rinpoche ("Fearless Simplicity" and "Carefree Dignity"). Also, try some Kagyu Mahamudra books such as Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche's or the wonderful commentaries on Karma Chagme's "The Union of Mahamudra and Dzogchen" (one is listed above) such as "Naked Awareness."

Rating:
Summary: Awareness of awareness
Review: This is a well-written, well-organized book. It appears to be an attempt to make Dzogchen teaching more accessible, for example, via the episodes from early in Namkhai Norbu's life.

Direct, written teachings of Dzogchen seem to be highly concentrated and mind-blowing, for example "Self-Liberation through Seeing with Naked Awareness", an old text translated by John M. Reynolds and Norbu's own "The Mirror". Each of these texts is accompanied by less terse commentary. It seems to be the expectation that any student of Dzogchen would also receive instruction ("transmission") from a Dzogchen teacher, to account for individual differences between students and, presumably, to help clear up whatever confusion the written texts may have led to. Dzogchen seems to be a substantial challenge, said in not too many words but not unlikely leading to a wealth of questions. A book like this one, "The Crystal and the Way of Light", probably functions to lessen the intensity and make the teaching more comfortable, at least until one is ready to face the challenge of the core teaching.

Despite the formidable challenge of Dzogchen, it is a teaching that emphasizes relaxation and acceptance. I've had no personal instruction in Dzogchen and it may be for those who do it seems substantially less confusing and overwhelming than it has for me. Judging from the number of books by him and in which he has supplied commentary, Norbu seems to be doing a great deal to make Dzogchen more accessible. His Dzogchen Community has chapters around the world.

This book seems a good introduction to Dzogchen, which is a curious and perhaps contradictory mix of mindfulness (to the extreme) and magic (e.g. the rainbow body). The teaching seems well-packaged, with an emphasis on amazement. Dzogchen can be found within Buddhism but also within Bon, another Tibetan religion. It's unclear to what extent Dzogchen elements were brought from Buddhism into Bon (and vice versa). Nevertheless, Dzogchen talk of awareness seems to mostly map into Thervada talk of mindfulness, with some "enhancements" in positive imagery like the sky, rainbows, and crystals.

Whether any of Norbu's books or teachings or any other on Dzogchen can help get you to this "magnificent sameness" I don't know. It seems attractive but I seem to need a more step by step approach and wonder about this big wow approach. Although Dzogchen is supposedly beyond institutional and cultural barriers, Norbu's Dzogchen Community seems heavily attached to Tibetan forms.