Dahl, Cortland : Entrance to the Great Perfection

Entrance to the Great Perfection - A Guide to the Dzogchen Preliminaries

This book serves as an accessible guide to the history and practices of the Great Perfection, or Dzogchen, one of the most profound systems of meditation in Tibet. In addition to providing background information on the origins and development of this tradition, the book also offers practical guidance on its preliminary practices. It includes a classic commentary on the preliminary practices by the great eighteenth century Tibetan saint Jigme Lingpa, plus a lively contemporary discussion by the renowned spiritual master and filmmaker Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche - who approaches these practices from a modern perspective, showing how they can be incorporated into the fast-paced lifestyle of the Western world.

Includes: How to Practice: Instructions on the Common Great Perfection Preliminaries of the Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse, and the Applications of Mindfulness: Instructions on the Unique Great Perfection Preliminaries of the Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse by Jigme Lingpa; the Quintessential Nectar of the Profound Meaning: a Concise Explanation of the Great Perfection Preliminary Practices of the Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo; Advice on the Longchen Nyingthik Preliminary Practices by Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche; the Sublime Path to Omniscience: a Liturgy for the Preliminary Practices of the Heart Esseence of the Vast Expanse compiled by Jigme Trinle Ozer; and the Sublime Path to Enlightenment: a Concise Liturgy for the Longchen Nyingtik Preliminary Practices by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo.

"In this inspiring book, with Jigme Lingpa's original work alongside Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche's brilliant and practical guide, we have a perfect blend of ancient and modern, offering us nothing less than a path to enlightenment." Sogyal Rinpoche.

"Ngondro practice is rooted in the Vajrayana approach. Unfortunately, the term "ngondro" has misled a lot of people. Literally translated, it actually means something like "preliminary practices." From this, we somehow develop the idea that this also means "not as important" or "not the main practice". We think of it as something that we have to do before we get to the "real" or "main" practice. This is quite sad because as our study deepens, we will realize that there is nothing more distinctively Vajrayana than ngondro practice." Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche.