NATURAL RADIANCE, AWAKENING TO YOUR GREAT PERFECTION - LAMA SURYA DAS

RATING - A (almost A+!!)

A very interesting and entertaining practice manual combining a book and CD. Along with the Ngondro of my former lineage, I intend for this book/CD to become the basis of my regular practice over the rest of my current life. I was also interested to learn how much of the Dzogchen teachings I could re-find from a former life.

Highlights include:

* amusement at my initial attempt at 'morning sky breath', due to sounding somewhat akin to dirty bath water going down the plughole. (With further practice, I sound as if a cross between a didgeridoo and someone doing a Tarzan impersonation, but....)

* confusion over 'Rushen' - due to previously achieving the same results in a different way and having to try to find and then go in the back door after already having gone thru the front. The instructions appeared as 'just words that were spoken' without leading anywhere, as I already had arrived thru differing means.

* likewise concerning Thekchod - I have already learned to achieve the same result using a differing method.

* the results of my initial practice of Hung Mantra and Togal.

Overall, I find this a highly valuable book. It would suit someone who was unable to take one-on-one instruction in Dzogchen at the moment, yet was curious and determined to practice anyway. With either practice from a former life or an ability to tune in spiritually to the writer at the point of the recording of the CD, this book/CD should be workable with until linking to a teacher.

NB: in many opinions, it is impossible to practice Dzogchen without a teacher-to student DIRECT/LIVE transmission. Whilst I have not personally found this to be the case due to having practiced/received transmissions in former lives, I agree that a complete 'newbie' would benefit extremely from personal tuition and transmission from a qualified teacher in a one-on-one basis.

HOW TO BE HAPPY - LAMA ZOPA RINPOCHE

RATING - B

A collection of short pieces of wisdom arranged in topical order. A generally easy to read book, giving a break after the serious study style books I have been reading recently. That is not to say that there is nothing to learn within these snippets of wisdom, merely that it is not a serious practice to focus upon as much as advice, ideas, and a few meditations to balance and progress one's practice.

I would recommend this book to those wanting to find clues as to how to improve their state of life and living, those seeking understanding, and those wanting to take small steps towards big goals.

Incidentally, had I ever managed to get up to Sydney to attend the Vajrayana Institute, I might have encountered the author who teaches there regularly - but all three attempts to attend prior to my leaving Australia failed.

DZOGCHEN HEART ESSENCE OF THE GREAT PERFECTION – HHDL

RATING - A-

Highlights from the book include a page agreeing that some people can have done something in previous lives enabling them to have a clearer view to start with in their current life & a paragraph explaining why I find some harder things easier than the easy things. There are also a chunk referring to what I call think mind and know mind, linking it to conventional and ultimate, an explanation of Rigpa,...

Altogether a highly instructive book that I would recommend to anyone wishing to know the basics of Dzogchen practice who had a basic knowledge of Buddhism. Covering all the essential aspects without giving away too much, this book can be used either as reference material or for an informative read.

THE DHAMMAPADA - GIL FRONSDAL & READ BY JACK KORNFIELD

RATING - B

This is the third version of The Dhammapada that I have read, and the second that I own. Although an essential for the Hinayana practitioner, it also comes in handy for the Mahayana practitioner in way of being a 'safety net' for when other reading material/practices become extremely complex and you just want to relax as you read yet have something good to read.

I find that after having read quite a few Dzogchen books and texts recently, new views fall into place when reading books that I have already read such as this one. I would have to say that I am not too fond on the lenience in translation that allows some of the he/hims to be read as she/hers, however - I prefer my texts to be accurate rather than politically correct.

I would recommend The Dhammapada to anyone, Buddhist or not, seeking verses of wisdom - but not necessarily this specific translation, unless you are a feminist rather than a precision lover.