Khenchen Thrangu - Vivid Awareness: The Mind Instructions of Khenpo Gangshar
Thanks to AndyJK for the original upload.
This PDF scan is much clearer, more compact, and a MOBI file is included.
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In the summer of 1957, the revered Buddhist teacher and scholar Khenpo Gangshar foresaw the difficulties that would soon fall upon Tibet and began teaching in a startling new way that enabled all those who heard him to use the coming difficulties as the path of Dharma practice. The teaching consisted of the essential points of mahamudra and dzogchen, both view and practice, presented in a way that made them easy for anyone to use, even in the most difficult of circumstances.
Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche was one of the grateful recipients of these teachings, which he regards as among the most important he has ever been given. He transmits them here, for the benefit of all of us who strive to practice in challenging times. They include contemplations on the ephemeral nature of both joy and suffering, meditations for resting the mind, and guidance for cultivating equanimity in any situation.
Review:
"These instructions are exceptionally concise and easy to follow. Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche received this distillation of the essential points of Mahamudra from the renowned master Khenpo Gangshar, and he credits them with saving his life. They could save your life too — giving you the tools to stabilize the mind even in the most terrifying and challenging of circumstances."
~ Pema Chödrön, author of Taking the Leap
Review:
"'Vivid Awareness' presents Khenchen Thrangu's commentary on the famous Dzogchen/Mahamudra Master Khenpo Gangshar's texts "The Concise Mind Instructions Called Naturally Liberating Whatever You Meet", and "Naturally Liberating Whatever You Meet: Instructions to Guide You on the Profound Path".
The book also includes translations of both root texts. It is probably worth pointing out that the only previous source for English translations of these texts was 'The Crystal Cave' published by Rangjung Yeshe Publications. . .
The commentary is a compilation of teachings given by Khenchen on 4 occasions during 2007. This is among the very finest texts I have read on Mahamudra and Dzogchen. Both the commentary and root text present a progressive path of meditation on the Nature of Mind. There are short teachings on the common and uncommon preliminary practices, followed by a teaching on the special preliminary of the 'Analytical Meditation of the Pandita'. This essentially consists of looking into the mind and attempting to locate its dwelling place, an exercise that will allow one to directly encounter the emptiness of one's mind.
Following the preliminary teachings is a lengthy teaching on 'The Resting Meditation of a Kusulu'. This is the real heart of the book, and contains the oral instructions on Treckcho found in Dzogchen upadesha texts like Patrul Rinpoche's 'Clear Elucidation of the True Nature', and 'The Special Feature of the Wise and Glorious King'. For example, on p.122 'Don't pursue the past and don't invite the future. Simply rest naturally in the naked ordinary mind of the immediate present without trying to correct it or "re-place" it.', and on p. 125 'If you rest like that, your mind-essence is clear and expansive, vivid and naked, without any concerns about thought or recollection, joy, or pain. That is awareness (Rigpa).' These and other similar statements are clearly explained.
My favorite part of the book is the discussion of 'Taking our Life Situations as the Path'. This part of the book contains clear instructions on self-liberation of the emotions, taking sleep as the path, and even an interesting condensation of the instructions of 'Dark Practice' found in the Dzogchen Togal teachings. All the instructions are exceptionally clear, and one leaves the book with one's understanding of the nature of one's mind greatly clarified. Excellent!
~ Edward C. Utacht
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