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Guru Yoga: According to the Preliminary Practice of Longchen Nyingtik

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This book has been compiled by Matthieu Ricard. A Frenchman, Ricard got his PhD in molecular biology and pursued a career in scientific research before abandoning that life to go to Asia to study Tibetan Buddhism with some of the great lamas there. He did all this much to the surprise of his father, an eminent French intellectual, atheist and philosopher Jean-Francois Revel. You can read their recent dialogue, many decades after Ricard left, in the fascinating book "The Monk and the Philosopher."

One of Ricard's main teachers was the great Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, pictured on the cover of this book. He is considered an unsurpassed master of Tibetan Buddhism, a very senior lineage holder in the Nyingma school, and a teacher of many other great lamas, including H.H. the Dalai Lama. Particularly, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche was a master of Dzogchen.

In this very slim yet illuminating volume, Khyentse Rincpoche teaches on one of the most essential practices in Tibetan Buddhism, guru yoga. This is a meditation in which one fuses one's mind with the mind of one's guru. It is an important part of guru devotion, a practice done daily by most serious Tibetan Buddhist practitioners, and one that is common to all of the four schools.

That being said, not many teachings are available in published format on this very important practice. Guru yoga is of course mentioned in every introductory text to Tibetan Buddhism, and every more advanced book notes that one must practice guru yoga as a preliminary to any higher level practices (tantras, mahamudra, dzogchen, etc.) So this is therefore a very valuable book for practitioners. Transcribed from oral teachings, it very concisely points out the essence of this practice, gives advice, and points out the implications for one's whole life.

Because it is heavily focused on the actual practice, this book is not recommended for anyone who does not already engage in guru yoga. Nor should it be taken as a "how-to" manual on guru yoga. It seems to me that guru yoga should not be practiced unless one has been taught and empowered by a lama in person.

This book is especially suited for Nyingmapas, as the sadhana discussed focuses on Padmasambhava. That being said, it is clear that practitioners from all four schools have much to gain from reading and studying it.

Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, a wonderful teacher, has delivered a wonderful, living teaching in these talks transcribed in the book. This is, it seems to me, pretty advanced material; certainly it is for a person not well acquainted with Tibetan Buddhism. Yet, as he does in other writings, Khyentse Rinpoche is somehow able to make quite arcane concepts "available" to the non-student. His entirely human warmth comes through again and again.

Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche's Guru Yoga examines the beliefs of Vajrayana Buddhist traditions of Tibet, focussing on the practice of 'guru yoga', merging with the mind of the master, and considering its practice and benefits. Chapters provide important links between devotion and the power of the master to provide ultimate realization.

Guru Yoga is essentially keeping your mind and heart turned to the Guru at all times, places and circumstances. This can be equated to keep ones mind unswervingly devoted to thoughts of God/Goddess/Divine/Buddha, etc. Rinpoche widdles down the path to make it accessible for anyone.

Highly Recommended.

This book is extraordinary. The way it is written, its depth & clarity. It has changed my life and my spiritual practice.