Quintessential Dzogchen: Confusion Dawns as Wisdom

This is a wonderfully produced collection of ancient and modern Dzogchen lineage teachings. I've read several of Schmidt and Kunsang's other translation efforts (although neither of the other two books in this compendium series), and they all have the air of authentic, authoritative and accessible communication. This one begins with a beautifully clear and simple teaching by Tulku Urgyen on the way to approach and train in Dzogchen (or "great perfection", the essence and pinnacle of the buddhist view). The rest of the book consists of detailed selections from various renowned lineage holders - drawing heavily from Tulku Urgyen and his sons - divided into four main sections ; "Background", "The Ground", "The Path", "The Fruition". While many of these selections are available in previous other Rangjung Yeshe publications, this collection does a good job of compiling and organizing these essential, general dzogchen teachings. It admirably serves the purpose of introducing the teachings to the curious and new as well as reminding more experienced learners.... There is something for everyone here (at least for the somewhat select audience drawn to these teachings) .These are immediate, practical and relevant teachings - Highly recommended!

Extremely helpful book on Dzogchen. I thoroughly enjoy reading it.

This book is even better than I had hoped. Each chapter is so full of information and inspiration that I am taking it slowly. It is a book for rather long term practitioners of Dzogchen Buddhism rather than beginners, as it might be harder to understand if I had not already received teachings on these subjects personally. If you are a Dzogchen practitioner, I would definitely buy this book!

Some of the selected excerpts and talks with a lot of historical and lineage references can be hard going for beginners, but it's content and selections give both a good overview and deeply profound specific pithy instructions that anyone from beginner to advance can find insightful and encouraging.

I highly recommend this book. There is a beautiful balance of information and words that lead to experience. The transmitted teaching is so clear that anyone, Buddhist or not, will benefit through these teachings.

I cannot recommend this book too highly. It is a skilfully written and inspirational work that I consider worthy of serious study and reflection.

Great Overview of Dzogchen. My practice had previously focused on Mahamudra (through the lineage I follow), but I had always been curious of the variations in Dzogchen. A different Dzogchen book, although very good, had left me a little unsure of how the two fitted together and could complement each other. This book cleared up all such uncertaities, and opened up the world of Dzogchen for me, greatly enhancing my practice. Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche and his sons provide an incredible treasure trove of realizations to aid one on the path 🙏

OM AH HUNG

Excellent up to date introduction.

This is a great read of a group of articles by Tibetan Dzogchen masters of both past & present.The credits of Tulku Urgyen as author on the Amazon site is a bit misleading because many authors are included within.But this is just the quibble of a grumpy old man trying to get the names of lineage holders in place.Here is a series of a words from masters in a tradition that goes straight to the center of the problem of Samsara.The clear light mind that lies beyond the constant inner chatter of thoughts & inner self delusion.This lies at the heart of our inner confusion that prevents us from experiencing our freedom of inner space.A wonderful book & is from extracts of varied publications from Rangjung Yeshe Publications.Here there are no problems & straight from the heart advice of compassion from Tibetan masters for any meditation practice.And dare I say a reason for living.

The other 2 books in the trilogy are: The Dzogchen Primer - An Anthology of Writings by Masters of the Great Perfection, by Marcia Binder Schmidt (Compiler) Dzogchen Essentials: The Path That Clarifies Confusion, Padmasambhava (Author), Marcia Binder Schmidt (Editor), Erik Pema Kunsang (Translator) It is, as with all pure Vajrayana, delicious to us who value Vajrayana.Not as punchy as "Advice from the Lotus-Born", though...HTH! The Dzogchen Primer - An Anthology of Writings by Masters of the Great Perfection, by Marcia Binder Schmidt (Compiler)Dzogchen Essentials: The Path That Clarifies Confusion, Padmasambhava (Author), Marcia Binder Schmidt (Editor), Erik Pema Kunsang (Translator)