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The Crystal and the Way of Light: Sutra, Tantra, and Dzogchen (Tibetan Buddhist Philosophy) Paperback – October 1, 1999

by Chogyal Namkhai Norbu (Author), John Shane (Compiler, Editor)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 114 ratings
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A contemporary exploration of, and personal meditation on, the Buddhist tradition of Dzogchen and its many teachings for modern life—by an esteemed Tibetan master

In The Crystal and the Way of Light, Chogyal Namkhai Norbu examines the spiritual path from the viewpoint of Dzogchen. He discusses the base path and fruit of Dzogchen practice, and describes his education and how he met his principal master who showed him the real meaning of direct introduction to Dzogchen.

By interweaving his life story with the teachings, he both sets Dzogchen in its traditional context and reveals its powerful contemporary relevance. The book is richly illustrated with photos of Buddhist masters, meditational deities, and Dzogchen symbols.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    216 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Snow Lion
  4. Publication date
    October 1, 1999
  5. Dimensions
    5.46 x 0.6 x 8.42 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1559391359
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1559391351
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Within Tibetan Buddhism, there is a little-known discipline called Dzogchen, the turbo path to liberation. In some traditions, the path to liberation extends over lifetimes of diligent practice, but Dzogchen is an accelerated way to achieve self-perfection. After many years of formal study, Chogyal Namkhai Norbu was initiated into this less-formal practice, which is one of the highest yet most accessible of Tibetan Buddhist teachings. Namkhai Norbu eventually made his way to Italy to teach, where John Shane transcribed and translated Namkhai Norbu's lectures, putting together what is now one of the most popular books on Dzogchen. Namkhai Norbu makes it clear that these teachings are not a handbook for practice but rather an overview of Dzogchen, notably its three divisions: the base, the path, and the fruit. The ultimate and immediate goal is to achieve the primordial state of non-dual awareness, the one taste, and to maintain it. With colorful anecdotes from his own experience (finding an ancient text manifested in a dream, for example, and visiting eccentric cave yogis), Namkhai Norbu's teachings illustrate that Dzogchen is not just theory but the way to a new, and almost incomprehensible, way of being. --Brian Bruya

Review

"One of the most significant contributions to the understanding of Tibetan Buddhism to have appeared in recent years."—The Middle Way

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Snow Lion; F First Paperback Edition Used (October 1, 1999)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 216 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1559391359
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1559391351
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.46 x 0.6 x 8.42 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 114 ratings

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Namkhai Norbu

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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
114 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Michael Z
5.0 out of 5 stars Great intro to Dzogchen
Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2012
Verified Purchase
I have been a student of philosophy and spirituality for many years. This book is one of my favorites. It is written by a great Tibetan master. He isn't just a great scholar, but one who is definitely an enlightened master in his own right.

Dzogchen is a Tibetan Buddhist path to awakening originating in the Himalayan region many centuries ago. Its essence is Buddhist, but its terminology is different. Namkhai Norbu explains Dzogchen in a very clear and lucid manner. If you are interested in spirituality, psychology, Buddhism, or mysticism, then this book is a must have. Perhaps you will decide to choose Dzogchen as your path. Or at least you will learn something about such a wonderful and profound lineage.
18 people found this helpful
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Cameron Geldhof
5.0 out of 5 stars Review
Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2017
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Very good book well put together. Easy to understand and full of great stories and lessons. Really reccomend this book
3 people found this helpful
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Lasse Boyum
5.0 out of 5 stars Wake Up - Extremely inspirational
Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2013
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This is a book for those that want to go all the way, and likes the shortest way. Reminds me of gnosticism, mysticism as well as shamanism from other parts of the world. I bought this book after having read 'Dzogchen - The Self-Perfected State' because the author suggested it on a homepage. Norbu explains relatively easily, despite lots of terms has been translated from Tibetan and Sanskrit. In Western terminalogy we could maybe call this psychology or philosophy of mind, but we are taken deeper than we are used to compared to western standards, just my humble opinion. Now I have to go, I am looking for a master.
19 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars The best ever book about the nature of universe
Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2016
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The best ever book about the nature of universe, reality and existence from the surprisignly different angle, written in a very easy language :-)

Highly recommended to everybody asking questions about the sense of live, etc...
8 people found this helpful
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Tony N
5.0 out of 5 stars Very readable, enjoyable and good introduction to Dzogchen teachings
Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2013
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I recommend this book to anyone looking for an easy-to-read and enjoyable introduction to Dzogchen teachings, or even anyone who enjoys reading about life in a largely pre-modern, but, in its own way, advanced and sophisticated Asian society. A unique auto-biography by a unique Tibetan master.
8 people found this helpful
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Wende
5.0 out of 5 stars excellent
Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2015
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this is an excellent expanation of Dzogchen and its roots
One person found this helpful
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Neal J. Pollock
3.0 out of 5 stars Good, but no where near his best
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2004
There aren't that many good Dzogchen books available. One of the most prolific writers on the subject is Namkhai Norbu (I've read 9 of his books). His books are very readable and include important descriptions, insights, etc. They serve as, perhaps, the best introductory books (except for the wonderful "Supreme Source" which is more advanced). I also prefer "The Mirror" and "The Cycle of Day and Night" to "The Crystal and the Way of Light." Other books of his of similar value to this one include: "Dream Yoga & the Practice of Natural Light," "Dzogchen and Zen," "Dzogchen: the Self-Perfected State," "The Small Collection of Hidden Precepts" (Manjusrimitra), "and "Teachings of Chogyal Namkhai Norbu." However, I would also recommend the books of Tulku Urgyen which seem a bit more advanced than most of these (e.g. "Rainbow Painting" and "As It Is"). Also, the works of Tulku Urgyen's sons, Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche ("The Union of Mahamudra and Dzogchen" and "Present Fresh Wakefulness") and Drubwang Tsoknyi Rinpoche ("Fearless Simplicity" and "Carefree Dignity"). Also, try some Kagyu Mahamudra books such as Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche's or the wonderful commentaries on Karma Chagme's "The Union of Mahamudra and Dzogchen" (one is listed above) such as "Naked Awareness."
55 people found this helpful
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mario Loy
4.0 out of 5 stars Thorough treatise on the nature, essence and energy of ...
Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2017
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Thorough treatise on the nature,essence and energy of mind.Non dual perception and view of relative reality is encourage to expand mind.Constant awareness can be achieved thru Dzogchen practice.The book is a must reference for professionals
In the fild of Psycholoy ,Mental Hygiene and Behavioral studies.
6 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Lynette
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on December 7, 2016
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Good
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ewa talent
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book
Reviewed in Australia on June 21, 2019
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Wonderful book
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Utterly Distracted
5.0 out of 5 stars Important Beginning
Reviewed in Germany on October 7, 2014
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Namkai Norbu was the first to write in a western language about dzogchen and remains one of the few who (at least theoretically) says one can practice dzogchen directly beyond the path of sutra and tantra. This remains an important book for me because although "the View" sometimes becomes subserviant to tibetan culture this presentation remains remarkably direct.
One person found this helpful
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Shanti Padme
5.0 out of 5 stars My own true nature
Reviewed in Australia on May 3, 2016
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What a simple yet profound introduction to Dzogchen - my own true nature. I am genuinely inspired by Rinpoche's words of wisdom and so grateful to him for sharing it with us.
One person found this helpful
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