Ancient Wisdom: Nyingma Teachings of Dream Yoga, Mediatation and Transformation

176 Pages·1993·4.19 MB·English

by  Gyatrul Rinpoche

A n c i e n t 'W is d o m
Nyingma Teachings on
Dream Yoga, Meditation,
and Transformation
by Venerable Gyatrul Rinpoche
Translations by B. Alan Wallace and Sangye Khandro
ANCIENT WISDOM
Nyingma Teachings on Dream Yoga,
Meditation and Transformation
ANCIENT WISDOM
Nyingma Teachings on Dream Yoga,
Meditation and Transformation
Root Text: Transforming Felicity and Adversity
into the Spiritual Path
by Jigme Tenpe Nyima
Root Text: Releasing Oneself from Essential
Delusion
by Lochen Dharma Shri
Root Text: The Illumination of Primordial
Wisdom
by His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche
Commentaries by Venerable Gyatrul Rinpoche
Root text translations by B. Alan Wallace
Commentary translations by Sangye Khandro
Snow Lion Publications
Ithaca, New York
Introduction
If we were to consider condensing all Dharma prac ­
tices and required daily commitments into the most
essential practices necessary to accomplish realiza­
tion in this immediate lifetime, we must then consider
our own time and how it is spent. A slot of time is
usually dedicated to a daily practice or routine of
formal practice. Most of the daytime is spent involved
in various activities with family, friends and in the job
place. Finally there is the time that we spend sleeping
and dreaming during the night. It is with these three
time periods in mind that the three texts were chosen
for this book. Each of these three texts and their
commentaries give the methods and practical instruc­
tions that are applicable to these times so that our goal
of liberation in this very life can be achieved.
First, Transforming Felicity and Adversity into the
Spiritual Path by Jigme Tenpe Nyima was selected as
the contemporary classic for improving the quality of
daily life experiences and teaching the precise meth ­
ods through which extremes can be brought to the
8 Ancient Wisdom
path. This new English translation by B. Alan Wallace
is illuminating and superb.
The second selection, Releasing Oneself from Essen­
tial Delusion by Lochen Dharma Shri, is one of the
most direct and useful dream yoga accomplishment
manuals available. Translated from the original Ti­
betan by B. Alan Wallace, it is as clear as it is precise.
The commentary to it presented here was taught by
Gyatrul Rinpoche during the summer of 1990 in
Ashland, Oregon.
The third selection, The Illumination of Primordial
Wisdom by H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche, again is one of the
most simple, direct and useful manuals on ascertain­
ing the view, meditation and conduct through the
Great Perfection practices of quiescence and insight
(samatha and vipassana). This teaching is meant to be
accomplished in formal sitting sessions and carried
into daily life experience.
Even if we are successful in our formal practice and
lucid dream awareness, if our daily life experiences
are still the cause of hope and fear - thus increasing
our excitement and disappointment - then the goal of
liberation in this life is impaired. This little key to the
transformation of all highs and lows into true spiri­
tual awareness is truly indispensable.
The commentary to this text was given by Gyatrul
Rinpoche to the Vajradhatu community at Boulder,
Colorado in the fall of 1991. Hours before the teaching
was scheduled to begin, we received the sad news of
the parinirvana of H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche in
Thimphu, Bhutan. The impact of this news, combined
with the subject material, was yet another miraculous
display of the guru's kindness.
introduction 9
I would like to thank B. Alan Wallace for the excel­
lent translation he has made of the three root texts. In
the twenty years that we have known one another as
dharma friends, Alan has always been a source of
knowledge and an inspiration, as well as a good
friend.
I would also like to thank Kay Henry for all the
effort she has put into the preparation of this manu ­
script. Her enthusiasm to work hard for the Dharma
is a source of joy.
- Sangye Khandro
Tashi Choling
August, 1992