The Cycle of Day and Night: Where One Proceeds Along the Path of the Primordial Yoga : An Essential Tibetan Text on the Practice of Dzogchen [Paperback]

Namkhai Norbu (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1987

The Cycle Of Day And Night by Namkhai Norbu is a practical guide to a fundamental practice of the Dzogchen system of Tibetan Buddhism, presented in a clear and direct manner, written by an acknowledged contemporary master of this ancient tradition. Central to Dzogchen, the "Great Perfection" , is contemplation the immediate experience of the primordial state of the individual, the unconditioned nature of the mind. This nature of the mind transcends the specific contents of mind, the incessant flow of thoughts reflecting our social, cultural, and psychological conditioning. Based on the teaching by Garab Dorje, the first human master of the Dzogchen lineage, The Cycle Of Day And Night gives a translation of the author's Tibetan Text, together with a commentary drawn from the author s extensive oral explanations. Actual methods are given for entering into contemplation and integrating it with our activities during the 24 hour cycle of day and night. Midwest Book Review

Editorial Reviews

Review

The Cycle Of Day And Night by Namkhai Norbu is a practical guide to a fundamental practice of the Dzogchen system of Tibetan Buddhism, presented in a clear and direct manner. It is written by an acknowledge contemporary master of that ancient tradition. Central to Dzogchen, the "Great Perfection", is contemplation -- the immediate experience of the primordial state of the individual, the unconditioned nature of the mind. This nature of the mind transcends the specific contents of mind, the incessant flow of thoughts reflecting our social, cultural, and psychological conditioning. Based on the teaching by Garab Dorje, the first human master of the Dzogchen lineage, The Cycle Of Day And Night gives a translation of the author's Tibetan Text, together with a commentary drawn from the author's extensive oral explanations. Actual methods are given for entering into contemplation and integrating it with our activities during the 24 hour cycle of day and night. --Midwest Book Review

Language Notes

Text: English, Tibetan (translation)

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Product Details

• Paperback: 126 pages
• Publisher: Station Hill Press; 2 Revised edition (April 1, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0882680404
• ISBN-13: 978-0882680408
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #405,886 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorite Norbu books, December 29, 2004

By 

Neal J. Pollock (VA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Cycle of Day and Night: Where One Proceeds Along the Path of the Primordial Yoga : An Essential Tibetan Text on the Practice of Dzogchen (Paperback)

Of the 9 Norbu books I've read so far, this is one of the top 3 (the other two are "The Supreme Source" and "The Mirror"). His books tend to be rather short though and are very readable. He is one of the contemporary masters of Dzogchen, the highest teaching in the Nyingma (old translation) tradition of Tibet. This is one of the 4 main contemporary schools of Tibetan Buddhism. He also has a magazine called "The Mirror" that you can subscribe to and gives seminars/teachings around the country (see the Snow Lion Bulletin for announcements). This particular book takes the teachings through a typical day (thus, the title). Dzogchen includes the view that all that we see, hear, etc. is empty of independent being (like the reflection of the moon in a lake). While this is also part of the Prajnaparamita works on Mahayana Buddhism as well (see Conde's translations), Dzogchen takes it farther into the View of the Ground of Being or Dharmakaya and its practice of Trekcho as well as the maintenance, during post-meditation, of spontaneous presence. It is quite profound. Enjoy this book, but read his others as well since this book is not completely comprehensive.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Direct Way to Enlightenment, January 3, 2001

By 

Svyatoslav Uvarov (Montreal, Quebec Canada) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Cycle of Day and Night: Where One Proceeds Along the Path of the Primordial Yoga : An Essential Tibetan Text on the Practice of Dzogchen (Paperback)

In this work, Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche, an eminent Dzogchen master of modern times, gives a direct way how to practice the Essence of Tibetan Yogic Practice called "Dzogchen" - "the Great Perfection". Please bare in mind that the openness of the teacher's style - with no unclear mystics - is a gift rare to find nowadays. Good luck in your journey to Self-Realization!

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Treaty on Contemplation - Dzogchen Style, July 20, 2000

By 

Tuc Mabynot - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cycle of Day and Night: Where One Proceeds Along the Path of the Primordial Yoga : An Essential Tibetan Text on the Practice of Dzogchen (Paperback)

Namkhai Norbu is an amazing teacher: clear and precise. In this translation of the Longde Series of Dzogchen Teachings, Garab Dorje (Ancient Dzogchen Big-Wig)shows how to maintain contemplation Day and Night. Wonderful introduction, excellent translation of the Text, amazing commentary to follow; Norbu makes the Evening, Night, and Morning practices simple and easy to understand. This text is a kind of Dream-Yoga/Daily-Yoga cream center. It gives you ways to smooth the edges of your Dzogchen practice. I found it easy to read and informative: a real Boon!