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A review by sinogaze
The Tibetan Book of the Dead: Liberation Through Understanding in the Between by Robert A.F. Thurman
5.0
I picked up this book because I’ve been really obsessed with the Journey to the West— specifically the intertwining of religions that is present in China and the Journey (the in between). I wanted more perspective from a spiritual standpoint so I could understand some of the references and the metaphysics of Journey to the West. Obviously this isn’t exactly a beginner text. I’m not entirely surprised that this has been crazy influential to the way that I am thinking. I want to know more about some of the thoughts expressed in this text—nonduality, suffering, and the cycles as well as the in between.
I’m approaching this from a dualistic perspective because that’s just how I was raised. I think it’s interesting to try and hold everything as true but not permanent, but relative, but introspective, but compassionate. I understand how they relate but I myself struggle to hold everything at once without screaming contradiction. But that’s just because of the way I was raised.
This is great— while I was reading at points I felt so stupid with my nose in a book. The devotion to community and relationships and learning and creating knowledge makes me feel silly. Like I should be talking to people and learning from them not in my room and isolated.
I do believe in a lot of what is said here— our minds are eternal, our suffering comes from delusions and attachments and materiality. The cycles that inform each other. The way that our relationships return and are replicated. We will happen again and again and again. We will feel a connection and compassion for those around us and give up everything. That’s what it’s all about, I think. Giving up the earth and the material realm and then giving up beatific bliss because we can help others still. Choosing suffering because of love for humanity. Suffering for ethical reasons.
I’m approaching this from a dualistic perspective because that’s just how I was raised. I think it’s interesting to try and hold everything as true but not permanent, but relative, but introspective, but compassionate. I understand how they relate but I myself struggle to hold everything at once without screaming contradiction. But that’s just because of the way I was raised.
This is great— while I was reading at points I felt so stupid with my nose in a book. The devotion to community and relationships and learning and creating knowledge makes me feel silly. Like I should be talking to people and learning from them not in my room and isolated.
I do believe in a lot of what is said here— our minds are eternal, our suffering comes from delusions and attachments and materiality. The cycles that inform each other. The way that our relationships return and are replicated. We will happen again and again and again. We will feel a connection and compassion for those around us and give up everything. That’s what it’s all about, I think. Giving up the earth and the material realm and then giving up beatific bliss because we can help others still. Choosing suffering because of love for humanity. Suffering for ethical reasons.