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p9ng's review
5.0
It's a wonderfully written book covering traditional Tibetan teachings in a more modern, accessible format. Sogyal Rinpoche was charismatic, eloquent, learned without being academic, and very funny. He stepped down from the organization he founded, Rigpa, in 2017 after complaints were published against him by some of his students. Sogyal Rinpoche passed away in 2019. The book is his legacy. In addition to Sogyal Rinpoche, the book was edited by Patrick Gaffney and additional writing was done by Andrew Harvey.
heruvim's review
havent finished it yet but this books feels like a hard slap on the face followed by a half-hour warm hug
boomt's review against another edition
4.0
I have encountered the bardo in two books recently, Lincoln in the Bardo, and the wry Bardo or Not Bardo. In Buddhism the bardo is the state of existence between death and rebirth that varies according to a person's conduct in life and the manner of his death. This book places the bardo in a larger context as an ongoing opportunity to exercise mindful choice and step outside the normal delusion of mind in which our behavior is an automatic response to the stimulus of daily existence. As one of my teachers said, we constantly face the choice between the good and the pleasant, but most of the time we mindlessly choose the pleasant.
Our routine response to death tends to be a combination of denial, avoidance, and a vague hope that everything will somehow turn out OK. Then, when confronted with a terminal diagnosis or the impending or sudden death of a loved one, we respond with panic, fear, denial and distress. If instead we understand the process of the bardo, we can approach death with understanding and compassion. We can live our lives more confidently and fearlessly, and we can provide loving support to those who are suffering death's approach while we comfort those who grieve. When we understand birth and death as part of the greater process of samsara, a cycle to which we are bound by delusion, we can begin to develop the awareness and compassion to transcend this bondage, and to help others who are suffering.
Yes, the context of this book is a specifically Tibetan Buddhist view of the process of dying, but if you look beyond those details that might make you skeptical (like confronting the 16 Buddhas), you'll find inspiration that you can apply regardless of your spiritual tradition.
Our routine response to death tends to be a combination of denial, avoidance, and a vague hope that everything will somehow turn out OK. Then, when confronted with a terminal diagnosis or the impending or sudden death of a loved one, we respond with panic, fear, denial and distress. If instead we understand the process of the bardo, we can approach death with understanding and compassion. We can live our lives more confidently and fearlessly, and we can provide loving support to those who are suffering death's approach while we comfort those who grieve. When we understand birth and death as part of the greater process of samsara, a cycle to which we are bound by delusion, we can begin to develop the awareness and compassion to transcend this bondage, and to help others who are suffering.
Yes, the context of this book is a specifically Tibetan Buddhist view of the process of dying, but if you look beyond those details that might make you skeptical (like confronting the 16 Buddhas), you'll find inspiration that you can apply regardless of your spiritual tradition.
michaelhold's review against another edition
5.0
There are Three wisdom tools: listening and hearing, contemplation and reflection, and meditation, and so, the dying wants to be really loved and accepted. And when you are dying, you’s fathers and mothers essences that are in you, go to your heart. When you become enlightened, therefore Buddha. You know all of your life's. See into others minds and have knowledge of all six realms of existence.
These are fundamental pavement of realization how meditation changes your perspective to live real, therefore beautiful life, fulfilled with inner & external meaning, that gives riches of quality. --- And that is what this book has to offer.
These are fundamental pavement of realization how meditation changes your perspective to live real, therefore beautiful life, fulfilled with inner & external meaning, that gives riches of quality. --- And that is what this book has to offer.
anderssporring's review against another edition
5.0
There's so much I think when I read this book, and it's not only a book to me it's part of the wonder of what's happening in my life right no. This book is a keeper, and I will return to it as well as I return to Happiness by HH Dalai Lama. So my friends Read it, eat it and pray with it!
marionleary's review against another edition
5.0
This book is a hard read. I want to read it and what it says I really connect with and want to understand but it is not an easy read and for the little time I have to read, it is hard to make myself read this. All that said, I do recommend it for anyone interested in Buddhism or anyone who is looking for understanding and meaning in life (and in death). I know this book will help me through out my life, it already has, as I think of the principles of the book almost daily.
freeheart's review against another edition
4.0
I'm on page 134.... reading slowly.
Every time I read a paragraph in this book, I can feel my pulse slow, & my heart open. I drop back into myself and remember why I'm here. I remember to be a human being & not just a human doing. This slowing has happened enough that now even just looking at the book across the room has a similar effect.
My mother loaned me her copy -- not sure she's gonna get it back soon as it is such a powerful reminder for me.
Every time I read a paragraph in this book, I can feel my pulse slow, & my heart open. I drop back into myself and remember why I'm here. I remember to be a human being & not just a human doing. This slowing has happened enough that now even just looking at the book across the room has a similar effect.
My mother loaned me her copy -- not sure she's gonna get it back soon as it is such a powerful reminder for me.
kait_unicorn's review against another edition
3.0
I have never previously read any of Sogyal Rinpoche's teachings and after the revelation of his poor conduct of the last year, I didn't intend to. But it was required reading material for the 2018 Yarne at Gampo Abbey.
This is not so much a commentary on the Tibetan Books of the Dead (like Chogyam Trungpa's commentary) as it is a Buddhism 101 text. It covers most key concepts and presents the need for us to cultivate compassion in order to address suffering, using death as the primary example of suffering all human beings will face.
There is some arrogance on the writing, and attribution of virtue to a lack of access or choice - some problematic language around practice that can across to me as capitalising on shame. But it's a generally good book.
I would not recommend it, however, and am not inspired to seek out any other teachings by Sogyal.
This is not so much a commentary on the Tibetan Books of the Dead (like Chogyam Trungpa's commentary) as it is a Buddhism 101 text. It covers most key concepts and presents the need for us to cultivate compassion in order to address suffering, using death as the primary example of suffering all human beings will face.
There is some arrogance on the writing, and attribution of virtue to a lack of access or choice - some problematic language around practice that can across to me as capitalising on shame. But it's a generally good book.
I would not recommend it, however, and am not inspired to seek out any other teachings by Sogyal.
telbisz_sergiu's review against another edition
5.0
This book is one of those books that made a true impact in my life. I loved it. It shifted my perspective of life and death and the meaning of my existence. On the outside I used to say that I am an atheist or maybe an agnostic, but deep inside I knew that something was off. I felt an attraction towards buddhism but never truly read something about it, nor did I tried to find someone that can teach me. Well, as the saying goes, the book will find you when you are ready for it. I was ready for this one and for certain made me a more spiritual person. I will hold this book by my side for the entire circle of my life. Read it, it is well worth it, regardless of your religious belief. In truth, it is a book written with the spirituality of the east but with a western touch.