Introduction to Tantra. The Transformation of Desire. Lama Yeshe. Tibetan Buddhism. Deity Yoga

Introduction to Tantra. The Transformation of Desire. Lama Yeshe. Tibetan Buddhism. Deity Yoga

Westerners studying Eastern subjects tend to be drawn to Tantra (using desires as energy towards Enlightenment). "Introduction to Tantra: the Transformation of Desire" by Lama Yeshe is among the best books with which to start. Lama Yeshe was a beloved teacher. He passed away about 40 years ago, but a foundation is dedicated to preserving and publishing his writings.


What is tantra? Who is qualified to practice it? How should it be practiced? What are the results? According to Buddhism, every human being has the potential to achieve profound and lasting happiness. And according to the tantric teachings of Buddhism, this remarkable transformation can be realized very quickly if we utilize all aspects of our human energy- especially the energy of our desires. Introduction to Tantra is the best available clarification of a subject that is often misunderstood. Tantra recognizes that the powerful energy aroused by our desire is an indispensable resource for the spiritual path. It is precisely because our lives are so inseparably linked with desire that we must make use of desire's tremendous energy not just for pleasure, but to transform our lives. Lama Yeshe presents tantra as a practice leading to joy and self-discovery, with a vision of reality that is simple, clear, and relevant to 21st-century life.

The Tibetan Book of the Dead. The Bardo Thodol

The Tibetan Book of the Dead. The Bardo Thodol. Buddhism. Mindfulness and Liberation

I'm traveling back to the 14th Century and re-reading the Bardo Thodol, better known as the Tibetan Book of the Dead. The Bardo is one of the most widely read Tibetan scriptures, party because it was the first such text to be translated into English.


In this classic scripture of Tibetan Buddhism—traditionally read aloud to the dying to help them attain liberation- death and rebirth are seen as a process that provides an opportunity to recognize the true nature of mind. This translation of The Tibetan Book of the Dead emphasizes the practical advice that the book offers to the living. The insightful commentary by Chögyam Trungpa, written in clear, concise language, explains what the text teaches us about human psychology. This book will be of interest to people concerned with death and dying, as well as those who seek greater spiritual understanding in everyday life.

Awakening the Buddha Within. Tibetan Wisdom for the Western World. Lama Surya Das. Dzogchen. Buddhism

Awakening the Buddha Within. Tibetan Wisdom for the Western World. Lama Surya Das. Dzogchen. Buddhism

Lama Surya Das is an American (born as Jeffrey Miller in New York) who has dedicated most of his life to the study and teaching of Tibetan Buddhism. He has a wonderful clarity to his words while communicating Eastern spiritual ideas to a Western audience. Originally published in the 1990s, "Awakening the Buddha Within" is probably his best known work.



Lama Surya Das, the most highly trained American lama in the Tibetan tradition, presents the definitive book on Western Buddhism for the modern-day spiritual seeker.
The radical and compelling message of Buddhism tells us that each of us has the wisdom, awareness, love, and power of the Buddha within; yet most of us are too often like sleeping Buddhas. In Awakening the Buddha Within, Surya Das shows how we can awaken to who we really are in order to lead a more compassionate, enlightened, and balanced life. It illuminates the guidelines and key principles embodied in the noble Eight-Fold Path and the traditional Three Enlightenment Trainings common to all schools of Buddhism:
Wisdom Training: Developing clear vision, insight, and inner understanding—seeing reality and ourselves as we really are.
Ethics Training: Cultivating virtue, self-discipline, and compassion in what we say and do.
Meditation Training: Practicing mindfulness, concentration, and awareness of the present moment.
With lively stories, meditations, and spiritual practices, Awakening the Buddha Within is an invaluable text for the novice and experienced student of Buddhism alike.