Customer Reviews

Clear Light of Bliss: Tantric Meditation Manual

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Geshe Kelsang Gyatso's Clear Light of Bliss, gives extensive instructions on the generation stage and completion stage of Secret Mantra, the most profound and powerful teachings Buddha ever gave. Geshe Kelsang explains in great detail how we can generate a deeply peaceful mind and achieve powerful concentration by harnessing the subtle energy system within our own body. Utilizing this energy source, we can meditate powerfully and effectively on the true nature of reality, destroying the ignorance that prevents us from experiencing the supreme joy of permanent happiness and freedom from suffering.

I recommend this book to anyone that is searching for a deeper explanation of the inner-workings of our energy and how it can be used to improve our meditation practice and our minds so that we can be of greater benefit to others. These are advanced instructions so I would not recommend this book to someone who has no familiarity with Tantra at all. For a great introduction to Tantra I would recommend one of Geshe Kelsang's other books on the subject, Tantric Grounds and Paths.

How many of us have walked past this book whilst browsing in a book shop without even spotting it much less buying it, reading it and appreciating it for what it is? I have had a taste of the clearlight and I have had a taste of bliss. I know on a deep experiential level that the instructions are true and precious beyond words. Imagine as a christian walking over a the holy grail and the body of christ buried below the floor and not knowing they were there, not that the finding would ever do you much good. Clearlight of Bliss is the real holy grail becasue it tells how enlightenment works and how to get there in precise detail without any of the usual new age mumbo-jumbo or contradictions or loose ill-defined language prevalent elsewhere. It is exact, crystal clear and written with complete authority. I do not believe any other author comes close. However, It can not be readily understood if the reader has not read other books nor can it be readily understood by anyone who has not practised highest yoga tantra - the search for the holy grail is long but the way is mapped out, illuminated and the guide has gone before you and come back for you and will be your friend and companion on the way. This book is more than a spiritual travalogue of the path it is a precise set of instructions set out for all to see.
Many people have read books like the 'Da Vinci code' or 'the holy blood, holy grail' and are riveted with tales of knights and secret organisations, some have made the grail their life long study and yet none of them has the slightest idea that the real grail can be found on a shelf in a bookstore just around the corner?

Geshe Kelsang Gyatso makes very difficult Buddhist concepts and practices crystal clear. To me, his books are indespensible. All of his books are like textbooks to be referred to time and again for reference. This and Clear Light of Bliss are great tantric Manuals.
Dakini Land is another Tantric work by this author and is highly rated. I will be purhasing this one shortly.

Topics covered in the reviewed book- Isolated speech, Isolated Mind,
Isolated Body. Description of lower tantras and Highest Yoga Tantra.
How to advance from Generation stage to completion stage. In short, another great book by this author.

A clear explanation of Mahamudra? So clear a subsequent book (Mahamudra Tantra) was written to clarify it further? Both titles promise "easy enlightenment" ...as if it came in bottle, but no one ever has from reading a Gyatso book, proving the information is useless. As is always the case with the author's books, it is repetitive and preachy. The author's credentials to even write such books is questionable to begin with as his authority is not recognized by any other Buddhist tradition. This is due to his aggressively controversial actions, to include his on-going "religious" wars with other Buddhist traditions.

That said, his books are popular among his followers as evidenced by the across-the-board 5-star reviews and how purchasers of this title only buy and review his books. If you only read one author, your views on the subject are singular and close-minded. Additionally, it is indicative of how much people want to believe in magic, because again, there is no such thing as "easy enlightenment" and no one will ever acheive it by simply following Gyatso's paint-by-numbers, Dharma for Dummies advice for "busy Westerners" ...ugh!

For the past 15 years, I have studied and practiced Buddhism, this is one of my most favorite books, I have bought this book at least 10 times, because I have read it over and over again, and used it so many times, that I have worn them out. It is the only book I have ever come across that doesn't have the teachings thrown all over the place, it is very organized and easily referenced. I will continue to buy this sacred Buddhist Tantra. Contains all of the Six Yogas of Naropa in it, and goes beyond what other books on the subject do.