The Great Medicine That Conquers Clinging to the Notion of Reality: Steps in Meditation on the Enlightened Mind

by Shechen Rabjam, Matthieu Ricard (Contributor)

In these inspiring teachings on how to open the heart, a contemporary Tibetan Buddhist master shows us how to change our self-centered attitude and develop concern for the well-being of others. He teaches that when we acknowledge our own wish for happiness, we realize that all beings wish for the same. With a broader perspective, we can develop the strength to extend gratitude and kindness first to those we love, and eventually to everyone.

In his warm and informal style, Rabjam offers accessible Buddhist teachings that will appeal to anyone who would like to find more meaning in life. Based on classical Tibetan teachings, his commentary is fresh, humorous, and sharply insightful. Here is a modern Tibetan teacher who appreciates the challenges of living in today’s world. The Great Medicine will help contemporary readers draw on ancient teachings to find their way to wisdom, freedom, and joy amid the struggles of real life.

Genres: Buddhism

160 pages, Paperback

First published June 12, 2007

Reviews

[A.B. McFarland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shechen Rabjam provides commentary on a root text by Shechen Gyaltsap Pema Namgyal. Both root text and commentary are easy to read and very, excuse the pun, "enlightening."

[Quynh Anh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first part of this book was the poem, quite long that was not easy for me to get. However, I felt like reading the poem as it's a bit like the ones in Lord of the Rings.
The important parts of the book is the idea that clinging to ego and the self brings suffering. Maybe Buddhism is not for all but the idea applies to my case.
The best idea in the book is the idea that human life is precious, in which there are sufferings that we feel the urge to do our practice, but not too hard that (so that we can still live and practice).
There are parts that are quite philosophical to me. Maybe I can come back to the book in a 10 years, hopefully with more insights and experience.

[Cindi Eppers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is based on the writings of Shechen Gyaltsap Pema Namgyal who was Dilgo Khyenste Rinpoche’s first root teacher. This text is only 128 pages long and based on Buddhist Fundamentals. It is extremely interesting and easy to understand (I think). You might want to look at it and possibly consider it for a text for class study if you are a Sangha facilitator. But I think it’s a really good explanation of what (and why) we have Dharma practice.

[Steve Woods · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a commentary on a Buddhist text. Not of much interest to anyone but a serious student. It explores the basic tenets of Buddhist teaching laid out in the text and little more. Pretty indigestible to anyone without a pretty solid background.