Journey Without Goal: The Tantric Wisdom of the Buddha

Dharma Ocean

by Chögyam Trungpa

Based on the author's talks at Naropa University, this volume introduces the reader to the principles of tantra, based on the practice of meditation, which leads to the discovery of egolessness. Trungpa Rinpoche provides a direct and experiential picture of the tantric world, explaining the importance of self-existing energy, the mandala principle, the difference between Buddhist and Hindu tantra—stressing the nontheistic foundation of Buddhism. The role of the teacher and the meaning of tantric transmission are also presented. Written for the student of Buddhism rather than the scholar, Journey without Goal demystifies the vajrayana and at the same time affirms the power and sacredness of its ancient teaching.

Genres: Buddhism, Spirituality, Religion, Nonfiction, Meditation, Philosophy

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Vidyadhara Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche (Tibetan: ཆོས་ རྒྱམ་ དྲུང་པ་ Wylie: Chos rgyam Drung pa; also known as Dorje Dradul of Mukpo, Surmang Trungpa, after his monastery, or Chökyi Gyatso, of which Chögyam is an abbreviation) was a Buddhist meditation master, scholar, teacher, poet, and artist. He was the 11th descendent in the line of Trungpa tulkus of the Kagyü school of Tibetan Buddhism. He was also trained in the Nyingma tradition, the oldest of the four schools, and was an adherent of the rimay or "non-sectarian" movement within Tibetan Buddhism, which aspired to bring together and make available all the valuable teachings of the different schools, free of sectarian rivalry.

Trungpa was a significant figure in the dissemination of Tibetan Buddhism to the West, founding Naropa University and establishing the Shambhala Training method, a presentation of the Buddhadharma largely devoid of ethnic trappings. In 1963, he moved to England to study comparative religion, philosophy, and fine arts at Oxford University. During this time, he also studied Japanese flower arranging and received an instructors degree from the Sogetsu school of ikebana. In 1967, he moved to Scotland, where he founded the Samye Ling meditation centre.

Shortly thereafter, a variety of experiences—including a car accident that left him partially paralyzed on the left side of his body—led him to give up his monastic vows and work as a lay teacher. In 1969, he published Meditation in Action , the first of fourteen books on the spiritual path published during his lifetime. The following year he married Diana Pybus and moved to the United States, where he established his first North American meditation centre, Tail of the Tiger (now known as Karmê-Chöling) in Barnet, Vermont.

In 1986, he moved to Nova Scotia, Canada, where hundreds of his students had settled. That Autumn, after years of heavy alcohol use, he had a cardiac arrest, and he died of heart failure the following Spring. His legacy is carried on by his son, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, under the banner of Shambhala International and the Nalanda Translation Committee.

Reviews

[Joe Larabell]

Another good summary of the Tantric path... but perhaps one that might be more appreciated by someone who is either following or is sincerely interested in Tantra because the author doesn't pull many punches.

[Signe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm listening to the original tapes this talk was pulled from now. VCTR's grasp of Western culture is amazing, and how he uses it to explain the Vajrayana is superb. He dances around it, and sometimes captures it completely, offering up it's essence here.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many of the questions I had about the more advanced practices and culture of Shambhala were answered in this book. I'm still a little leery of the vajrayana practices detailed therein, but the philosophical underpinnings of it aren't as nonsensical as I first thought. We'll see.

[Jade Kranz · Rating 5 out of 5]

an inspiring and informative introduction to the vajrayana path. I particularly enjoyed the part when he describes maha ati as a giant blue cosmic pancake that falls on our heads.

[Doug · Rating 1 out of 5]

Utterly baffled. I wanted to like it, but this is just not written like a "book".

[Shimon de Valencia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This text is a true treasure. Cutting through preconceptions, and biases, we engage in Tantric Practice. Not for some goal (locked in Amber), but the practice as goal. This insight was rarely given when Rinpoche penned this important text. Its message is still a doorway to not just understanding, but also endless realisation. The Goal ceases to some ossified tsa-tsa (relic). Instead, we become the goal. Engaging in endless change. Dancing in the endless bliss of practice.

[Logan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book covers a lot of ground in few pages. I had to take quite a few notes just to try to remember all the ideas and principles being introduced. I still feel confused about a lot of what I read.

There are definitely some good take aways from this read, ideas to reflect on and/or live by. Perhaps this was not a good first book for being introduced to Buddhism in general though.

[Joseph Inzirillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting introduction to tantric Buddhism. Many deep reflections and a lot of soul searching within the pages.

Highly recommended if you are looking for something to make you think about life and your perception of the world.

[Franco Romero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really love some of the big picture commentary on tantra and the philosophy. Last couple chapters are about tantric yoga which I found less engaging.

[Tom Booker · Rating 5 out of 5]

He excites and challenges you!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

". . .you actually can survive beautifully by doing nothing."

[Shashi Martynova · Rating 5 out of 5]

As ever, transcending any conceptuality. Yet another chance to "get it" without "grasping it".

[Arun Gurung · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good oversight of Tantra. Enjoyed it and finished it in only a few days. Really inspirational for anyone who's sincerely interested in Tantric Buddhism.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christine Hale
Journey without Goal is a book for Buddhist practitioners familiar with Vajrayana. But...advising caution to those not thus familiar...I am struck (like a bell!) by this wisdom from the final page: "...the world is not all that bad and confused...it is workable." Maybe join me just for a moment in examining...contemplating...how, from what angle, you could possibly feel the truth of that. See what is, clearly, without denial, projection, or self-delusion, and still see the truth of that statement? Is it possible? What's necessary, for the possibility to arise however fleetingly, Chogyam Trungpa says, is meditation practice, "your source of strength," and the source of "head room," the space that can provide us with "a relationship to reality."

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this back in 2010 when I was still a little baby in Buddhism. Six years later, I was thrilled to see that it is a breakdown of the different paths and what separates Dzogchen from the others. The writing is so clear and succinct. I would highly recommend to someone who's already got their bearings a little bit.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

What did I learn? That I am nothing, and there is a lot to learn. There is an important warning in this book, that Tantra is very dangerous. So is living, I suppose. The humour of it all is here. We exist but we don't exist. I should find a Varja master.

[marie monroe · Rating 3 out of 5]

i have been currently reading this book since 1985. it haunts me.

[John]

plain insight in the obscure

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easier said than done.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a helpful and important book for those of us wishing to understand more about Vajrayana Buddhism.

[Larry Branch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most excellent

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some wonderful ideas come from this book but it has many flighty moments and some condescension from the author. It is definitely a book that needs to be read slowly and over again.