Customer Reviews

Hidden Mind of Freedom (Nyingma Psychology Series)

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Written in common, non-religious/philosophical language for lay people to use in any of life's daily situations. Some of these simple excercises are being taught by others for 100's or 1000's of dollars. This is a book to keep within reach throughout each day.

This is not a book about Buddhism, particularly. It is an excellent book on meditation. If you have already read it and are just reading the reviews, take it down and re-read it. Chapters that didn't mean much on the first or second read will suddenly mean a whole lot more when you catch up to them! There are hidden treasures in this book. Also, scattered throughout is good advice from a kind and gentle friend. Don't pass this one by. And don't confuse clarity and simplicity with a lack of depth.

On the surface, just another slim volume on how to meditate. Beneath, and when the discussed techniques are actually practiced, simple but profound changes in your consciousness and emotional well-being can occur. One technique in particular is also taught by two self-help programs, The Sedona Method and Avatar, in week-long retreats costing upwards of $2000. Spend a couple grand on the self-help programs or spend $12 on this book; which do you prefer? After Avatar, you return home blissed-out but can easily become "stuck" again, with no take-home materials to consult; at least with this book, you can return again and again to the relevant passages and help work yourself free.

Buddhist meditation techniques described simply for the Western mind.

Tarthang Tulku's talks, transcribed and edited in this book, are particularly useful to those more familiar with Western psychological concepts than with Buddhist teachings. These teachings comprise an exceptionally accessible introduction to meditation and Buddhism for such an audience.

The author makes little or no reference to exclusively Buddhist concepts or terminology; rather, he directs the reader's attention to the common experience of daily life with its quandaries and insights. The suggestions for practice seem simple and eminently possible to implement. One could mistake the approach for that of a self-improvement manual. Yet it would be a mistake to think that this material diverges from the traditional practices of Tibetan Buddhism as presented by the `spiritual friend' to beginning practitioners. The lack of unfamiliar language serves to extend an invitation to beginners; more experienced students will be reminded of the essential elements of practice.