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| Features• ISBN13: 9781559391207
• Condition: New
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Incredible but difficultWell, I am not as completely won over as every other reviewer here (all 5 stars), but it could be that my understanding is just too shallow, too.
The book is broken down into three parts: i) the history of this text and Dzogchen in general, traced to the land of Oddiyana (now generally considered to be the Swat valley in modern-day Pakistan); ii) a lengthy and very insightful commentary by Namkhai Norbu on each chapter of the tantra; and iii) the translation itself by Adriano Clemente.
The historical section is fascinating, if a bit dull in style. Namkhai Norbu's commentary is extremely valuable and interesting, and the extent to which it clarifies the tantra really can't be underestimated. Being able to flip back to his commentary on any given chapter is almost like having a master sitting next to you, ready to explain that which is bewildering you.
The text itself: as far as tantras go, the Kunjed Gyalpo (aka Supreme Source) is a model of clarity, but I still found large parts of it rather impenetrable. It is also brutally, brutally repetitive. As one reviewer noted, perhaps this is the point (to drill it into you), but perhaps it was simply originally transmitted orally and it is stylistic baggage once used as an aid to memorization, as in the Buddhist sutras. Nonetheless there are a lot of intense passages within, some of which directly affected my meditation practice (rare for mere words to be so powerful!). The whole pretension of the text too, as being a record of the universe itself (more or less, or the fundamental reality, whatever you would like to call it) giving teachings in a 'Voice' and language we mere mortals can understand is fascinating as well, and very reminiscent of the Greek notion of the 'Logos.' The positive vision of Enlightenment I also find much more amenable than the typical negativistic Buddhist view, and also struck me as very reminiscent of Vedanta's take on it all.
Fairly difficult, but I think a book like this should be judged more on the merits of its translation and presentation/commentary than the tantra itself, which is in any case a very difficult thing to assess - and in this respect Namkhai Norbu and Clemente have done a very, very admirable job. Recommended, especially if you are better versed in tantra/Dzogchen than I am! You may get more out of it.
Cuts to the pointThis Dzogchen text and commentary gets right to the point of what we have to do in order go beyond mind. Just reading it is like an initiation. It gives only enough historical information to help you organize the message in your mind (so you can get rid of it!). It's good, read after read.
For the Advanced PractitionerThis book is great if you've already received an introduction from a master. If not, you might want to buy it to have it on hand for when the day comes that you can read it without becoming confused by the lofty language and obscure references.
ExtraordinaryThe Supreme Source, for those who have the wisdom to deeply embrace it, is an extraordinary book. I was not particularly familiar with the subject matter of Dzogchen (I knew about it, but had read very little on it) and reading this book says it all.
If you are willing to step beyond the illusion of imperfection, struggle, striving, and spiritual progression then I highly recommend this book. I recommend reading it many times over, and taking the time to do this slowly. Dzogchen is not something for the ego-mind to simply take in and rationalise intellectually, but rather something for the whole being to bathe in until its essence permeates ones skin and sinks deep into the profundity of that one Supreme Self that is All.
I give thanks to Chogyal Namkhai Norbu for making this wondrous spiritual text available to the world. It is something I will take delight in reading and absorbing many many times over the years to come.
Read, enjoy, treasure, and read again.
Blessings,
Jonathan Evatt
Author of multi-award winning book Peace, Power, and Presence: A guide to Self Empowerment, Inner Peace, and Spiritual Enlightenment, the first title in the Wisdom for a Life of Freedom series - available on Amazon.com
Fundaments of SemdeThe book was an excellent introduction to a fundamental tantra of Semde. I wish the entire tantra was translated here, but what is included advanced my understanding.
I write this review primarily to comment on an earlier reviewer's comment on problems with this work related to double translation from Tibetan to Italian to English. The reviewer commented that sometimes passages made no sense at all. To me, that comment makes no sense at all. I did not notice any problem that might be related to double translation. Perhaps the reason passages made no sense at all to the reviewer, reflects incomplete understanding.
Product DescriptionThe aim of Dzogchen is the reawakening of the individual to the primordial state of enlightenment which is naturally found in all beings.
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