Books by Ngakpa Chögyam

A three-year-old boy has lucid dreams and visions - but no linear idea of what they mean. He tests his visions against the mysteries of: the Vikings; Norse legends; poetry; painting; Chicago Blues; girlfriends as inspirational other-worldly beings; and, through delving the vivid panorama of the 1960s' hippie epoch: a strange brew - but one from which a transformational perspective is distilled. At eight years of age, Vajrayana Buddhism replaces Norse legends, on finding picture books on Tibetan Art in the school library. Drölma and Chenrézigs replace Frig and Thor, his curious imagination captured by the poetry of their vibrant imagery. He learns silent-sitting meditation, goes to Farnham Art School and thence to the Himalayas. There he finds Kyabjé Düd'jom Rinpoche, who gives him transmission into the world of vision in which he discovers the nature of reality. At the age of nineteen, he looks to the future and wonders how he will fulfil the predictions that have been made for his life.

Here two Western-born lamas of the Nyingma tradition of Vajrayana Buddhism explore what it means to be utterly emotionally alive. Written in contemporary, nonacademic language, this book is a radical challenge to the misconception that inner Vajrayana is primarily an esoteric system of ritual and liturgy. The authors teach that emotions can be embraced as a rich and profound opportunity for realization. This fiercely compassionate battle cry rallies all who are audacious enough to appreciate emotions for their supreme potential as vehicles for awakening.

In the early days of Vajrayana few Tibetan Lamas visited Britain, and eager students were often prepared to travel considerable distances to receive instruction. Yet some sought out a young Englishman recently returned from the Himalayas. Inspired by the magic and mystery of Tibet, they were keen to discover the lived meaning. Ngak'chang Rinpoche's teachings were simple, direct, and experiential. The four evening talks contained here deal with the themes studied by everyone exploring Buddhism in depth: the four noble truths, eightfold path, causality, compassion and refuge. This material is discussed in creative contemporary English, and presented from a perspective informed by Dzogchen. Rinpoche was first asked to teach by Gétsulma Tsültrim Zangmo, a Western nun whom Rinpoche named 'ö-Zér Nyima after she received Dzogchen transmissions from him. 'ö-Zér Nyima means Rays of the Sun and this book is dedicated to the memory of this extraordinary English woman.