The Myth of Freedom and the Way of Meditation (Shambhala Dragon Editions) [Paperback]

Chogyam Trungpa (Author), John Baker (Editor), Marvin Casper (Editor), Glen Eddy (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Shambhala Dragon Editions | Publication Date: February 12, 1988

Freedom is generally thought of as the ability to achieve goal and satisfy desires. But what are the sources of these goals and desires? If they arise from ignorance, habitual patterns, and negative emotions—psychologically destructive elements that actually enslave us—is the freedom to pursue them true freedom or just a myth? In this book, Chögyam Trungpa explores the meaning of freedom in the profound context of Tibetan Buddhism. He shows how our attitudes, preconceptions, and even our spiritual practices can become chains that bind us to repetitive patterns of frustration and despair. He also explains the role of meditation in bringing into focus the causes of frustration and in allowing these negative forces to become aids in advancing toward true freedom. Trungpa's unique ability to express the essence of Buddhist teachings in the language and imagery of contemporary American culture makes this book one of the most immediately available sources for the meaning of the Buddhist doctrine ever written.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"All is made painfully clear—we are routed out of our little 'cubby holes', all of our excuses are brought out into the open and exposed for what they are. . . . If it is reality you want and not illusion, this is it. . . . An ego-shattering experience."— The Middle Way --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Chögyam Trungpa (1940–1987) was a meditation master, teacher, and artist who founded Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado, and an international association of meditation centers known as Shambhala International. He is the author of numerous books including Shambhala: Sacred Path of the Warrior and Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala (February 12, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877730849
• ISBN-13: 978-0877730842
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,112,172 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Chögyam Trungpa (1940-1987)--meditation master, teacher, and artist--founded Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado, the first Buddhist-inspired university in North America; the Shambhala Training program; and an international association of meditation centers known as Shambhala International. He is the author of numerous books including Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior, Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism, and The Myth of Freedom.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

93 of 94 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Freedom through meditation., March 26, 2002

By 

G. Merritt (Boulder, CO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Myth of Freedom (Shambhala Classics) (Paperback)

Chogyam Trungpa (1939-1987) brought Tibetan Buddhism to our country as the founder of the Boulder Shambhala Center and Naropa University. In the Foreward to this new edition of his book, Trungpa Rinpoche's student, Pema Chodron (WHEN THINGS FALL APART, THE PLACES THAT SCARE YOU) writes: "When I took to heart the teachings presented here, a curious change slowly began to take place. I became far more open to the pain of myself and others; far more open to laughing and crying; far more able to love and accept and see my interconnectedness with all beings. As the years go by, I gradually become more and more at home in the world with its inevitable ups and downs."

In his 179-page book, Trungpa teaches us how to know ourselves through meditation. "Meditation in the beginning is not an attempt to achieve happiness," he tells us, "nor is it an attempt to achieve mental calm or peace, though they could be by-products of meditation. Meditation should not be regarded as a vacation from irritation" (p. 46). While we may believe we are free to pursue our dreams, achieve our goals, and satisy our desires, Trungpa shows us how we are instead enslaved to our habitual patterns and negative emotions such as self-absorption (pp. 23-28), paranoia (pp. 28-29), passion (pp. 29-32), stupidity (pp. 32-35), povery (pp. 35-37) and anger (pp. 37-40). "We must be willing to be completely ordinary people," he observes, "which means accepting ourselves as we are without trying to become greater, purer, more spiritual, more insightful. If we can accept our imperfections as they are, quite ordinarily, then we can use them as part of the path. But if we try to get rid of our imperfections, then they will be enemies, obstacles on the road to our 'self-improvement'" (p. 44). And in this highly-recommended book, Trungpa teaches us how to cut through the barriers separating us from the rest of the world.

G. Merritt

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What Buddhist practice is really all about, September 4, 2000

By 

Kim Boykin (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Myth of Freedom and the Way of Meditation (Shambhala Dragon Editions) (Paperback)

Incisive teachings by one of the most influential Tibetan Buddhist teachers in the West. A central theme: giving up our hopes that meditation will bring us bliss or tranquility or make us better or wiser people or otherwise serve our ego's purposes, and realizing the liberation that is right here within our pain and confusion and neurosis.

Trungpa's "Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism" seems to be more widely known and more often recommended, but I like "The Myth of Freedom" even better, and I think it's a more suitable book for folks who are new to meditation. Also recommended: "The Wisdom of No Escape" by Trungpa's student Pema Chodron.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't Kid Yourself, September 23, 2004

By 

S. Plowright (Sydney, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Myth of Freedom (Shambhala Classics) (Paperback)

After reading his excellent book "Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism", I was happy to find another one by this author.

While the first took a razor sharp sword of insight to the idols of delusion which surround us and appeal to our egos. This book takes a finer blade to the ways we fool ourselves into a life of dissatisfaction.

Trungpa uses clear language to explain the path to enlightenment, and the ways in which we sabotage ourselves. He lets us know that a clear view of reality is far more wonderful than our most wild and tempting fantasies of paradise.

If you are serious about meditation or spiritual development, this book is invaluable. Read it more than once, you will find new treasures in it as your perspective changes along the path.

Sweyn
Author of
The Rune Primer: A Down to Earth Guide to the Runes