Mind Beyond Death

Mind Beyond Death
by Dzogchen Ponlop

Paperback * 375 pages
$18.95

Snow Lion Publications
ISBN 978-1559393010

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A work of easeful humor as well as scholarship that artfully synthesizes a wide variety of authoritative Buddhist teachings on death and dying, Mind Beyond Death is a wisdom treasure from one of the greatest meditation masters teaching today. Readers willing to contemplate the inevitable are likely to find these teachings on the bardos of life and death fascinating and thrilling.

The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, founder of the international Buddhist sangha Nalandabodhi and one of the foremost scholars and educators of his generation in the Nyingma and Kagyu schools of Tibetan Buddhism, is known for delivering the most profound teachings while at the same time citing funny, often irreverent references to popular culture, to the great delight of his western students. Mind Beyond Death follows this model, offering a thorough and systematic tour through the complex bardo teachings in a way that elucidates the specific practices that prepare one for death. Along with this, readers receive guidance that will enable them to make good use of all manner of experience (light, sound, pain and sickness, delight and misery, as well as emotions). This is real instruction for real life! Throughout the book, the author compassionately lays out the context of view, practice, and meditation within which each section of these teachings can be most fruitfully considered.

A detailed diagram of the stages of death appears in the book which Buddhist practitioners will appreciate as an ongoing reference and which other seekers will find worthy of close consideration. The appendices include songs of realization composed by Khenchen Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, Gotsangpa, and Guru Rinpoche. Included as well are two poems by the author, an accomplished poet and calligrapher. Happily, the four pages of vivid color inserts depicting the buddhas and deities described in the book are retained in the new paperback edition.

Anyone who has ever pondered the impermanence of his or her present existence will find value in this well-written and timeless instruction from a master teacher of Tibetan Buddhism. Look here for help in preparing for death — your own and others’ — as well as to acquire a deeper understanding of life.

Ceci Miller owns CeciBooks, an editorial and book publishing consultancy that empowers authors to write, publish, and market irresistible books that uplift and inspire. Ceci has written, co-authored, and edited books with bestselling authors and experts since 1988. See book projects here.

A graduate of the University of Iowa Writer’s Workshop, Ceci Miller is also the author of two published children’s picture books, and former contributing editor for Darshan, an international magazine dedicated to fostering sacred awareness in daily life. A student of yoga and meditation since 1976, Ceci leads seminars that explore language as a vehicle for personal transformation. Based on her book Sacred Visitations, and the popular book she co-authored with John Lee, Writing from the Body: For Writers, Artists & Dreamers, Ceci’s work (both with CeciBooks authors and in public programs) blends writing and intuitive guidance with contemplative practices that connect your right brain creativity with your true intention.