Healing with Form, Energy, and Light: The Five Elements in Tibetan Shamanism, Tantra, and Dzogchen
Product ID: 8605718
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A Buddhist manual for replacing an anxious, narrow, uncomfortable identity with one that is expansive, peaceful, and capable. In the shamanic worldview of Tibet, the five elements of earth, water, fire, air, and space are accessed through the raw powers of nature and through non-physical beings associated with the natural world. The Tibetan tantric view recognizes the elements as five kinds of energy in the body and balances them with a program of yogic movements, breathing exercises, and visualizations. In Dzogchen teachings, the elements are understood to be the radiance of being, and are accessed through pure awareness. Healing with Form, Energy, and Light offers the reader healing meditations and yogic practices on each of these levels. Tenzin Rinpoche's purpose is to strengthen our connection to the sacred aspect of the natural world and to present a guide that explains why certain practices are necessary and in what situations practices are effective or a hindrance. And the world too is transformed from dead matter and blind processes into a sacred landscape filled with an infinite variety of living forces and beings. "The secrets freely given in this volume can help us lay sound foundations for whatever yogic practice we may adopt. Tenzin Rinpoche has rendered all a great service." — Yoga Studies Review: Opens new horizons of understanding - This is a very unusual book in that it combines ancient Bön elemental practices which (on the surface) appear to be mythological if not superstitious with extremely advanced Dzogchen spiritual practices. However, the author takes care to note the psychological interpretation of much of the ancient symbols and techniques. For instance, on page 1, he says: "As in most cultures, the Tibetan tradition uses the natural elements as fundamental metaphors to describe forces both internal and external. For example, physical properties are assigned to the elements: earth is solidity; water is cohesion; fire is temperature; air is motion; and space is the spatial dimension that accommodates the other four active elements...The metaphoric use of the elements is also common in Western languages: a person can be earthy or spacey, fluid or fiery. Anger is hot, sadness is watery. Attitudes can be airy or grounded." Furthermore, he points out (p. 6): "It's easy to lose the sense of the sacred in the modern world." Thus, (p. 92) he emphasizes "Understanding how to apply all experience to the path of meditation." He does this by including a great many exercises of very varying method (physical postures, breathing, visualization, etc.) including (p. 55) supermarket offerings, (p. 60): "Retrieving the elemental energies," (p. 92): "Holding and Releasing," and (pp. 93-109): external, internal, and secret (mental) Tsa Lung Movements to activate the chakras (demonstrated with line drawings). He includes dedicated chapters outlining the relationships between the elements & Tantra and between the elements & Dzogchen. These include a short commentary on the (p. 113-120): "The Six Lamps" text, reference to his master Lopon Tenzin Namdak Rinpoche's (p. 123): "Heart Drops of Dharmakaya" & its rushen practice, (pp. 125-6) Trekchöd & Tögal, and (p. 130) dark retreat. He describes our normal perception (p. 119): "We hear an unknown sound and ask what it is. We get an answer, and the next time the sound arises we hear it less and think it more." But, he succinctly describes the experience of Rigpa (pp. 118-9): "When we abide in Rigpa, what we experience as external is less substantial. Our identities are less substantial. Our problems are less substantial. We experience Rigpa everywhere; there is no difference between inside and outside the body. There is no difference between meditation and non-meditation...If all phenomena, including the subjective sense of self, are recognized as an empty display of space and light, one is free. Then whatever arises is simply an ornament of pure being." And, he provides an incredibly concise description of Dzogchen (pp. 125-6): "Dzogchen practice can be summed up like this: Recognize non-dual innate awareness, dissolve all identity in it, and abide without distraction." Review: Blows me away what you can find in books these days, stuff like this was so hard to find in the '60's - "All the secrets revealed." No really, I probably would have given a valuable portion of my anatomy for a book like this in the 60's/70's. Back then all we had was Evans-Wentz "almost bootleg" translations of Six Yogas of Naropa "pith instructions" plus Chen's/Garma Chang's more reliable but almost equally obtuse instructions in Teachings and Practice of Tibetan Tantra (Eastern Philosophy and Religion) . The problem was, Evans-Wentz wasn't an authorized instructor and Chang was also a student (albeit an actual practitioner who had apparently done some serious work). Healing with Form, Energy, and Light, on the other hand, is from a "lineage holder" who has decided to make teachings available, without restriction, in book format. Unlike translations of classic texts by practicing and non-practicing Tibetologists which come with dire warnings not to practice without empowerment, this book gives useful meditation techniques related to the Five Elements and Chakras that are very difficult to come by. A word on lineage: the two major "lineages" (big picture) for Western students are Gelugpa via HH the Dalai Lama, and Nyingma, who seem to have migrated more widely than Kagyu and Sakyapa and others to the West (although the Chogyam Trungpa and Kalyu Rinpoche made a big impact in the West). Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche is a lineage holder of Bon, more specifically "white Bon" not the Bon who opposed establishment of Shakyamuni's Turning of the Dharma when it came to Tibet. "White" Bon, or current Bon in Tibet, views itself as holding the lineage from the Buddha who preceded Shakyamuni and is generally accepted as perfectly legitimate by the better known "traditional" Buddhist lineages in Tibet. More importantly for meditation-hungry Americans, Bon is renowned for preserving the Dzog Chen teachings central to their practice, and Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche has generously given many public empowerments in both the mental and the yogic side of the practice, as well as the "pointing out" instructions themself. My own practice lineage is Nyingma, but I am grateful to have received a basic introductory empowerment (Albany, California15-20 years ago?) from Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, and happy that he is making instructions so difficult to find widely available. If you want to get started, here is the book to explore, and if you want to take it further, he is still teaching.
| Best Sellers Rank | #289,755 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #316 in Energy Healing (Books) #362 in Chakras (Books) #524 in Other Eastern Religions & Sacred Texts (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.8 out of 5 stars 324 Reviews |
N**K
Opens new horizons of understanding
This is a very unusual book in that it combines ancient Bön elemental practices which (on the surface) appear to be mythological if not superstitious with extremely advanced Dzogchen spiritual practices. However, the author takes care to note the psychological interpretation of much of the ancient symbols and techniques. For instance, on page 1, he says: "As in most cultures, the Tibetan tradition uses the natural elements as fundamental metaphors to describe forces both internal and external. For example, physical properties are assigned to the elements: earth is solidity; water is cohesion; fire is temperature; air is motion; and space is the spatial dimension that accommodates the other four active elements...The metaphoric use of the elements is also common in Western languages: a person can be earthy or spacey, fluid or fiery. Anger is hot, sadness is watery. Attitudes can be airy or grounded." Furthermore, he points out (p. 6): "It's easy to lose the sense of the sacred in the modern world." Thus, (p. 92) he emphasizes "Understanding how to apply all experience to the path of meditation." He does this by including a great many exercises of very varying method (physical postures, breathing, visualization, etc.) including (p. 55) supermarket offerings, (p. 60): "Retrieving the elemental energies," (p. 92): "Holding and Releasing," and (pp. 93-109): external, internal, and secret (mental) Tsa Lung Movements to activate the chakras (demonstrated with line drawings). He includes dedicated chapters outlining the relationships between the elements & Tantra and between the elements & Dzogchen. These include a short commentary on the (p. 113-120): "The Six Lamps" text, reference to his master Lopon Tenzin Namdak Rinpoche's (p. 123): "Heart Drops of Dharmakaya" & its rushen practice, (pp. 125-6) Trekchöd & Tögal, and (p. 130) dark retreat. He describes our normal perception (p. 119): "We hear an unknown sound and ask what it is. We get an answer, and the next time the sound arises we hear it less and think it more." But, he succinctly describes the experience of Rigpa (pp. 118-9): "When we abide in Rigpa, what we experience as external is less substantial. Our identities are less substantial. Our problems are less substantial. We experience Rigpa everywhere; there is no difference between inside and outside the body. There is no difference between meditation and non-meditation...If all phenomena, including the subjective sense of self, are recognized as an empty display of space and light, one is free. Then whatever arises is simply an ornament of pure being." And, he provides an incredibly concise description of Dzogchen (pp. 125-6): "Dzogchen practice can be summed up like this: Recognize non-dual innate awareness, dissolve all identity in it, and abide without distraction."
M**K
Blows me away what you can find in books these days, stuff like this was so hard to find in the '60's
"All the secrets revealed." No really, I probably would have given a valuable portion of my anatomy for a book like this in the 60's/70's. Back then all we had was Evans-Wentz "almost bootleg" translations of Six Yogas of Naropa "pith instructions" plus Chen's/Garma Chang's more reliable but almost equally obtuse instructions in Teachings and Practice of Tibetan Tantra (Eastern Philosophy and Religion) . The problem was, Evans-Wentz wasn't an authorized instructor and Chang was also a student (albeit an actual practitioner who had apparently done some serious work). Healing with Form, Energy, and Light, on the other hand, is from a "lineage holder" who has decided to make teachings available, without restriction, in book format. Unlike translations of classic texts by practicing and non-practicing Tibetologists which come with dire warnings not to practice without empowerment, this book gives useful meditation techniques related to the Five Elements and Chakras that are very difficult to come by. A word on lineage: the two major "lineages" (big picture) for Western students are Gelugpa via HH the Dalai Lama, and Nyingma, who seem to have migrated more widely than Kagyu and Sakyapa and others to the West (although the Chogyam Trungpa and Kalyu Rinpoche made a big impact in the West). Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche is a lineage holder of Bon, more specifically "white Bon" not the Bon who opposed establishment of Shakyamuni's Turning of the Dharma when it came to Tibet. "White" Bon, or current Bon in Tibet, views itself as holding the lineage from the Buddha who preceded Shakyamuni and is generally accepted as perfectly legitimate by the better known "traditional" Buddhist lineages in Tibet. More importantly for meditation-hungry Americans, Bon is renowned for preserving the Dzog Chen teachings central to their practice, and Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche has generously given many public empowerments in both the mental and the yogic side of the practice, as well as the "pointing out" instructions themself. My own practice lineage is Nyingma, but I am grateful to have received a basic introductory empowerment (Albany, California15-20 years ago?) from Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, and happy that he is making instructions so difficult to find widely available. If you want to get started, here is the book to explore, and if you want to take it further, he is still teaching.
R**Y
Best book on the subject available
The title is not a put-down of books like "Rainbow of Liberated Energy" or "The Five Wisdom Energies". They do particular justice to the subject of the five 'elements'. The point that I want to make is that I liked this one best, not just because of the friendly and precise writing style, but because this one goes to the roots of the system - the primordial basis of Tibetan metaphysics. Rinpoche, rather that relying on abstraction and theoretical discourse, covers the subject in a way that is so jam-packed with teaching I had to stop every few pages to make sure I hadn't read a hundred. For me, that is real praise, because I tend to skim for the interesting points and ignore repitition and redundancy etc. I couldn't find anything to ignore in this book. This is not a treatment of the jungwa as a topic - it is a workbook; a training manual on approaching meditation/tantra/shamanic practice from the standpoint of balancing and harmonizing the workings of the five elements in the physical body. It's a field guide to working with the Panchamahabhutas, or five great states, in a simple and practical way. I would recommend it to anyone interested in Tibetan mystical practices, Yoga, Asian spirituality, Tantra, or Alchemy - it's a good way to get started on a path that will take you where you want to go.
J**O
this is in a sense like having one
It is rare indeed to find this information available and in such a readable manner. This text is for those who are deeply interested in Bon and Tibetan Buddhism. The level of detail is incredible and for those who practice, it provides "news to use". There is no substitute for personal contact with the teacher, this is in a sense like having one. It would be great to study with Lama Wengyal.
K**N
Practical, effective and beautiful introduction to Tibetan Buddhism.
A synthetic, practical, effective and very beautiful introduction into Tibetan Buddhism. You learn about the history of this tradition as well as practices you can immediately start doing in order to balance your body and mind. A jewel of knowledge that is also simple to read and understand.
Z**R
Healing with Form, Energy and Light: The Five Elements...
Healing with Form, Energy and Light: The Five Elements - I learned about the Five Elements from Zen teacher Chozen Bays Roshi, and after reading Tenzin Wangyal's book, The Tibetan Yogas of Body, Speech and Mind, I got his book on the Five Elements. The author is very practical, and I like the Bon approach. It blends nicely with my Zen practice of the Five Elements.
P**T
Condition and Arrival Time
Like brand-new ! Arrived 09-17 - a week earlier than its minimum arrival time. VERY pleased. TUVM
T**S
An incredible amount of information with a real "heart presence" ...
An incredible amount of information with a real "heart presence", if you will. That is, you can feel the wisdom and depth of the subject within the author's words.Had no idea how important the five elements were to understanding reality and development in the Tibetan Buddhist schools. Worth every cent and an extremely valuable resource. Will truly change those who ponder its content.
S**J
Five Stars
Very good book on elements
A**A
Healing with Form,Energy and Light
Es ist ein Meisterwerk vom besten Bön Geshe im Westen.Wer nicht nur das Buch liest sondern auch unterrichtet wird von Geshe Lama Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche wird feststellen das Krankheiten gar nicht erst endstehen müssen oder einfach gesagt,wer es beherrscht ist glücklich,und wird alle Anforderungen des Leben`s problemlos meistern.
K**A
Love this book!
Love this book! Rereading again and again. Beautiful language and insight on Tibetan culture and Mind Yoga , Supreme yoga practice
N**M
Great introduction to a powerful form of self healing
I enjoy this book more than I expected I would.
S**N
Heal your life?
This is a beautiful book, it is there waiting for you when you are ready to truly look inside and accept that there is no such thing as an individual, we are all one. I hope that if you read this book, you are able to ' find the peace within'' it is really well written and helps you to look at life and the interconnections, or Jung's Collective Consciousness. It is all the same thing, choose your own way to take this road.
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