Finding Rest in the Nature of the Mind

By Longchen Rabjam, Herbert V. Guenther, Longchenpa

Book Overview

Kindly Bent to Ease Us, by the renowned Nyingma master Longchenpa, was translated by H. V. Guenther. This trilogy of the view, path, and fruit of the Vajrayana teachings (known in Tibet as the Trilogy of Finding Comfort and Ease) is an important introduction to Dzogchen practice by one of its foremost Vidyadharas.
Part 1 sets forth the preparation, essential concepts, ethical basis, and the stages of the Bodhisattva Path necessary for approaching the Vajrayana. Upon this foundation, Longchenpa introduces profound meditations on the nature of mind and reality.
Part 2 describes the environments that support different types of practice, the qualities useful for those aspiring to the path, and detailed instructions for preliminary and advanced practices with descriptions of the experiences that result.
Part 3 shows the practitioner how to transcend ordinary, limited perspectives using eight classic images that reveal the openness of reality: dreams, wizardry, illusion, mirage, reflections, echoes, cloud lands, and phantoms. A chapter on each image gives clear instructions for meditation and post-meditation practice to awaken readers to the magic of being in its two forms "the enchantment of samsara and the wonderment of nirvana, where mind finds comfort and ease."
Ranging from basic exposition to poetic vision, this trilogy, the Nyingma tradition's primary teaching on how to enter the path to enlightenment, is an essential foundation for all who seek enlightenment within the Nyingma tradition.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0913546402
• ISBN13: 9780913546406
• Release Date: January 1975
• Publisher: Dharma Publishing
• Length: 321 Pages
• Weight: 1.12 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Open Meaning

Guenther manages to bring to life and to this reader's understanding the full complexity and open simplicity of Longhchenpa Trime Oser (1308-1363)thought. If one is willing to do some work, to follow the intricacies of interpretation, the "Kindly Bent to Ease Us" trilogy is, imho, one of the best books on Dzogchen thought available, and one of the most profound books of philosophy ever published.

Gudnther's Translation of Kindly Bent Part I

The text itself is glorious, and the translation of it is just fine, very readable. I find Guenther's Introduction to the chapters heavy and ponderous, although typical of translations from thirty years ago. There are good points to learn from him, of course, although intellectual. However, if you have been practicing for a long time with good teachers, trust yourself to dive directly into the very blessed text. I don't know of any more contemporary translations, and the price of this book and the series is very reasonable. Don't hesitate to go for it if you desire to read this.

The Marvelous Master of Dzogchen

This is my favorite book of the 3 volume trilogy by 14th century Dzogchen master Longchen Rabjam or Longchenpa. He's also called: Klong-chen-rab-'byams, Drime Wozer, and Kunkyab Ngoggi Wangpo. He is very possibly the greatest Dzogchen master of all time--excluding the ones who may be mythological. It includes the much repeated metaphor of the moon reflected in the mountain lake (though I forget which of the 3 books it was in). This trilogy is a great classic. Also read the recent translations of some of Longchenpa's "Seven Treasuries" though most have not yet been translated. For a book of excerpts from Longchenpa's many works, read "The Practice of Dzogchen" translated by Tulku Thondup. Well worth the effort. However, the present trilogy is far easier reading than the other works mentioned here. They are a good start for the student who has already read a couple of introductory texts on Dzogchen (and perhaps Kagyu Mahamudra).