JOURNEY WITHOUT GOAL (Dharma Ocean Series) [Paperback]

Chogyam Trungpa (Author)

Book Description

Series: Dharma Ocean Series | Publication Date: October 12, 1985

Based on the author's talks at Naropa Institute, this volume introduces the reader to the principles of tantra, based on the practice of meditation, which leads to the discovery of egolessness. Trungpa Rinpoche provides a direct and experiential picture of the tantric world, explaining the importance of self-existing energy, the mandala principle, differences between Buddhist and Hindu tantra--stressing the nontheistic foundation of Buddhism. The role of the teacher and the meaning of tantric transmission are also presented. Written for the student of Buddhism rather than the scholar, "Journey without Goal" demystifies the vajrayana and at the same time affirms the power and sacredness of its ancient teaching.

Editorial Reviews

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: Sacred Path of the Warrior, Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism, and Smile at Fear. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 150 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala; 1 edition (October 12, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0394741943
• ISBN-13: 978-0394741949
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,435,321 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

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Introduction to vajrayana practices., June 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Journey Without Goal (Paperback)

Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche's Journey Without Goal: The Tantric Wisdom of the Buddhas was published 25 years ago. Though the language is somewhat dated, this compilation of teachings on Vajrayana practice is an excellent introduction and explanation of the methods and intentions of the ordinary and extraordinary practices. We are indebted to Trungpa Rinpoche and will always be grateful for his courage in bringing Tibetan Buddhist dharma to the West in English. Some have been critical of the trend resulting from this 1970's me-decade contact that produced what Gary L. Ray in CyberSangha (Spring 1996) says could be termed

THERAFIRMA BUDDHISTS: Intellectual Buddhists, usually psychotherapists, who believe in Buddhism strictly as a psychological process and reject any hints of extraordinary aspects of the tradition.

Indeed, in Journey we find explanations of one's emotional life as it relates to the five Buddha families, and we are made conscious of the characteristically Western (it seems) tendency to what has become known, after another famous title by him, as spiritual materialism. But if you are looking for a concise, clear explanation of what is meant by tantric Buddhism ie. Vajrayana, and how it accomplishes the transformation that certain individuals with a strong attachment to sensory input may seek, this is a good book with which to begin.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good introductory text, May 10, 2007

By 

M. Bourdon (West Fargo, ND USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Journey Without Goal: The Tantric Wisdom of the Buddha (Paperback)

As someone who is beginning to study vajrayana practices, I found this a nice introduction to tantric practices and now I want to read more details, which this text does not provide. This felt like a teaser for wanting more. If you are a tantric practitioner, this may be too much of an introductory text.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good but not great, June 14, 2011

By 

Cortna09 - See all my reviews

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This review is from: JOURNEY WITHOUT GOAL (Dharma Ocean Series) (Paperback)

I really wanted to get this book to teach myself about egolessness. However, when I read the introduction there were warnings about reading on and trying to learn the last step first. Apparently, the Hinayana and the Mahayana are the first and second steps (in that order) to be mastered, before one reads this book. I read on into the beginning of the first chapter, and the warnings were correct, I was lost and had no idea what was going on. So Warning to all others, get books on the Hinayana and the Mahayana first before you dive into this book. Learn and master them. It is a great book otherwise, I just wish I knew about those other steps first.