The Crystal and the Way of Light: Sutra, Tantra and Dzogchen (Tibetan Buddhist Philosophy) (Paperback)

by Chogyal Namkhai Norbu (Author), John Shane (Compiler, Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Within Tibetan Buddhism, there is a little-known discipline called Dzogchen, the turbo path to liberation. In some traditions, the path to liberation extends over lifetimes of diligent practice, but Dzogchen is an accelerated way to achieve self-perfection. After many years of formal study, Chogyal Namkhai Norbu was initiated into this less-formal practice, which is one of the highest yet most accessible of Tibetan Buddhist teachings. Namkhai Norbu eventually made his way to Italy to teach, where John Shane transcribed and translated Namkhai Norbu's lectures, putting together what is now one of the most popular books on Dzogchen. Namkhai Norbu makes it clear that these teachings are not a handbook for practice but rather an overview of Dzogchen, notably its three divisions: the base, the path, and the fruit. The ultimate and immediate goal is to achieve the primordial state of non-dual awareness, the one taste, and to maintain it. With colorful anecdotes from his own experience (finding an ancient text manifested in a dream, for example, and visiting eccentric cave yogis), Namkhai Norbu's teachings illustrate that Dzogchen is not just theory but the way to a new, and almost incomprehensible, way of being. --Brian Bruya

Review
"One of the most significant contributions to the understanding of Tibetan Buddhism to have appeared in recent years." --The Middle Way, Journal of the Buddhist Society, London

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Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Snow Lion Publications (October 25, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559391359
• ISBN-13: 978-1559391351
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #146,703 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dzogchen as it is!, October 29, 2000

By	Svyatoslav Uvarov (Bathurst, NB Canada) - See all my reviews

I recommend this book to anyone sincerely interested in Dzogchen teaching. The author, Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche, is a worlwide renouned teacher, scholar and above all a Dzogchen practitioner. Not only he expounds the theoretical basis of the teaching, he gives us a lot of examples from his own life of practice. WARNING: THIS BOOK IS DANGEROUS FOR YOUR EGO!!!

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An inspiring and welcome contribution to Buddhist Studies., June 4, 2000

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

John Shane compiles and edits The Crystal And The Way Of Light, considering the spiritual path from the viewpoint of Dzogchen. From the foundations of Dzogchen practices and the author's familiarity with its philosophy and spirituality to symbols of Tibetan meditation and photos of Buddhist masters, this is filled with insights.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good, but no where near his best, December 30, 2004

By	Neal J. Pollock (VA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

There aren't that many good Dzogchen books available. One of the most prolific writers on the subject is Namkhai Norbu (I've read 9 of his books). His books are very readable and include important descriptions, insights, etc. They serve as, perhaps, the best introductory books (except for the wonderful "Supreme Source" which is more advanced). I also prefer "The Mirror" and "The Cycle of Day and Night" to "The Crystal and the Way of Light." Other books of his of similar value to this one include: "Dream Yoga & the Practice of Natural Light," "Dzogchen and Zen," "Dzogchen: the Self-Perfected State," "The Small Collection of Hidden Precepts" (Manjusrimitra), "and "Teachings of Chogyal Namkhai Norbu." However, I would also recommend the books of Tulku Urgyen which seem a bit more advanced than most of these (e.g. "Rainbow Painting" and "As It Is"). Also, the works of Tulku Urgyen's sons, Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche ("The Union of Mahamudra and Dzogchen" and "Present Fresh Wakefulness") and Drubwang Tsoknyi Rinpoche ("Fearless Simplicity" and "Carefree Dignity"). Also, try some Kagyu Mahamudra books such as Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche's or the wonderful commentaries on Karma Chagme's "The Union of Mahamudra and Dzogchen" (one is listed above) such as "Naked Awareness."