Openness Mind: Self-knowledge and Inner Peace through Meditation

Nyingma Psychology Series #3

by Tarthang Tulku

For the many people searching for ways to improve the quality of their lives,  Openness Mind  clearly explains the value of meditation and how to proceed with its practice. Defining meditation as a way of opening our minds to the richness of experience, this book emphasizes a practical approach that anyone can apply to develop awareness, transcend the limitations of self-image, improve concentration, and effect positive changes in their way of being. Here readers have an array of opportunities to reflect on experience and find their way through the layers of self-image, tension, fears, and emotions to the ground of authentic being.
Openness Mind introduces visualization, meditation, breathing, and dream yoga techniques helpful to individuals in their daily activities.

Genres: Buddhism, Meditation, Spirituality, Religion, Nonfiction

180 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Tarthang Tulku Rinpoche (དར་ཐན་སྤྲུལ་སྐུ་རིན་པོ་ཆེ dar-than sprul-sku rin-po-che) is a Tibetan teacher ("lama") in the Nyingma ("old translation") tradition. Having received a complete Buddhist education in pre-diaspora Tibet, he taught philosophy at Sanskrit University in India from 1962 to 1968, and emigrated to America in 1969, where he settled in Berkeley, CA. He is often credited as having introduced the Tibetan medicine practice of Kum Nye (སྐུ་མཉེ sku mnye་, "subtle-body massage") to the West.

In 1963, he founded Dharma Publishing in Varanasi, India, moving it to California in 1971. The main purpose of the publishing house is to preserve and distribute Tibetan Buddhist teachings and to bring these teachings to the West.

Neither Rinpoche nor Tulku are surnames; the former is an honorific applied to respected teachers meaning "Precious One," while the latter is a title given to those who have be recognized an the reincarnation of a previous lama.

Reviews

[Glenn Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read and reread this remarkable book years ago when I first became acquainted with the Buddhist teachings from Tibet. The author dedicates his work to Western students of the Dharma. This is most appropriate since if there was one book I would recommend to anybody interested in learning about the Tibetan approach to meditation and the Buddhist teachings, this book would be the one.

Tarthang Tulku guides the reader on the path of awakening in a most gentle and sweet manner. To provide a sampling, here are a few quotes with my own commentary as a Westerner having practiced the Dharma over the span of thirty years.

"I think Westerners can automatically understand many of Buddha's beginning teachings because there is a lot of frustration here. We can understand a great deal just by studying our own life experience."

The author lets us know as Westerners that we can use our own culture and background as a powerful way to access the Dharma. Buddha didn't teach for the benefit of Asians only; Buddhism and the Dharma is meant for everybody willing to step on the path.

"Our senses are nourished when we become quiet and relaxed. We can experience each sense, savoring its essence. To do this, touch on one aspect of the senses, and then allow the feeling to go farther. As we go to an even deeper level, we can intensify and enjoy the values and the satisfaction to be found there. We can explore the creamy texture of our deeper feelings, and contact an ever subtler level of beauty within our bodies and senses. Within the open space of meditation we can find infinite joy and perfect bliss."

You can read and study dozens, maybe hundreds, of texts in Western philosophy and religion going back to Plato, Aristotle, Plotinus, Augustine, and Aquinas, but you will not find anything in any of those ancient and medieval texts like what Tarthang Tulku has written here.

"When you realize that everything is like a dream, you attain pure awareness. And the way to attain this awareness is to realize that all experience is like a dream."

The author presents the teaching of dream yoga in such an approachable and easy-to-understand way. This will be a unique experience for Westerners, since, sadly, we lack comparable teachings within our Western tradition.

Tarthang Tulku relates a number of unforgettable stories about old Tibet. This is one I recall in my own words: One young lama bragged about his fearlessness in doing the Chod practice of calling out to demons while sitting alone is a spooky cemetery at night. The other lamas got tired of his bragging and one night they smeared their bodies with sulfur paste so they glowed. When the young lama called out to the demons that night, all the glowing lamas came out from hiding and moved toward him. Seeing this sight, the young lama took to his heels, fast! The next morning at breakfast, the lamas didn't have to listen to all his bragging about his Chod practice and fearlessness. Rather, he ate in silence.

[Gord Clements · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first Buddhist Book that I read 38 years ago. Along with Alan Watts it opened my eyes to the beginning of another way of seeing I reread it this year and feel that it was equally appreciated.

[Philipp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the best introduction you can get to Tibetan-style Buddhist meditation, much less random than for example Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion. A short series of transcribed talks, usually followed by (Western/US-background) student questions and answers. How to meditate? What to focus on? How to deal with intrusive thoughts during practise? What is meditation even good for? How do I live a good life (compassion! learn how to love! then compassion will follow!)?

It's a fairly straightforward read, almost-deceptively simply written. I wanted to do my usual race-reading but I was doing disservice to the content; slow yourself down.

[Sean Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

My father gave me this book in my early teen years. It's a way of relaxing your view of things in an effort to relieve stress and be more grounded.

[Anne Earney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting, informative and useful essays on different aspects of Buddhism and enlightenment. Continuously reminds the reader to meditate without being too heavy handed.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

some day i'll be enlightened....