Customer Reviews

Gently Whispered: Oral Teachings by the Very Venerable Kalu Rinpoche

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

 

 

The book is well organized by the designer and leads the reader gently along the path to a fuller awareness of their potenial for true liberation. The glossery is replete to a point this book becomes a valuable reference, one that will be handy on the shelf for years for anyone who is interested in Tibetan Buddhism, vajrayana and getting enlightened. Kalu Rinpoche IS (was) on of the most respected teachers on the topics the book covers and he was one of the first persons from Tibet who took seriously the interest of Westerners in this topic field and who saw in them the potential for development equal to or better than that of the Tibetans themselves. Generous in his willingness to share his knowledge, he stands above all other teachers in his compassion for all sentient beings. The photographer, Sherab Ebin, adds greatly to the wonders to be found in this volume and was the great Kalu's first Western translator. One of the beauties of this work is that it is well typeset and generously illustrated, making it user friendly.

This is a really sweet book. It is a compilation of mostly lectures and notes from Kalu Rinpoche's teachings. Many times during the first read-through, I honestly felt as though this master was in the room, speaking the words on the page directly to me - evidence of the truthfulness in his words. The format of the book is such that each chapter builds upon the last, going from some very fundamental teachings (examining our situation) through the refuge vow, and all the way up to the esoteric mahamudra teachings. There is also a chapter on the challenges of dharma practice. Appended is an actual visualization practice, ("sadhana" in sanskrit) of the tantric deity of compassion, along with instructions. Among my own books, this is one I keep on the "reference" shelf.

I think the cover of this book represents the book accurately: at first, you see a stern, wizened Kalu Rinpoche staring at you; the book, too, seems like a dry, dogmatic text expounding on things you may have read before. But the picture also captures Kalu Rinpoche's immeasurable awareness, the clarity of gaze and of his mind. And so the book, too, has such an immense scope, with such lucid explanations and discussions, that you will continually return to this book and find your previous understanding of the text was limited. This isn't a book for beginners, because it is not "fluffy" in any way. But it is an inspiring read, and fascinating, which sets it apart from so many other books on Tibetan Buddhism.

This is a very lovely book with lots of useful information on Vajrayana and Mahamudra. Its style matches its title. The author is famous as a great Tibetan Buddhist master and the book supports this view. He is gentle in his writing and gets one's attention by whispering. I've heard of this technique before--when people are actually together in person. It can really work, oddly enough. I like this book better than his other works that I've read: "The Dharma" and "Luminous Mind." It's well worth your time and effort to read. I took a few quotes from it as well (possibly from an earlier edition):
"In seeing that all appearance (not only one's mind and emotions) is luminous, unimpeded suchness, one recognizes that all internal appearance, which is also arising from the mind, is only mental projection." p. 14

"Dynamic, empty, and unobstructed luminosity...empty, clear, and unimpeded nature of the mind itself... p. 22

"It is possible that one can practice while still actively involved in the world. Such a combination of spiritual practice and worldly activity allows the aspirant to use his or her faculties in a very skillful way." p.164

In this no holds barred book on how to overcome the faults of the past and anticipate with confidence full liberation in the future, the greatest joy is the care taken in the design, so comforting exactly when you've just been put to the Rinpoche's test and realized you're not top in the class. Guess that is what compassion in action is all about. Highly recommended for all who seek solutions in today's life that will last beyond this impermanent lifetime.

Valuable introduction to the mind
from a masterfull Lama necessary reading to learn
Tibetan Buddhist thoughts being introduced to the West

Received in a timely manner and in good condition. A little harder to understand than most teachings I've read though. I'll meditate on it.