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Our Pristine Mind: A Practical Guide to Unconditional Happiness
This “gem of a book” reveals how we can go beyond mindfulness to connect with the ultimate happiness within us and transform our lives (Rick Hanson, Buddha’s Brain )
The true nature of our mind is brilliant, clear, and joyful. But we don’t experience this reality amid the swirl of stresses, thoughts, and emotions of day-to-day life. Our Pristine Mind is a practical guide to uncovering our naturally comfortable state of mind and reconnecting with the unconditional happiness that is already within us. Using straightforward, accessible language, Orgyen Chowang Rinpoche leads us through the path of Pristine Mind meditation, a practice from the profound teachings known as Dzogchen. This book presents the entire journey of meditation, from the very beginning all the way to the complete happiness of enlightenment. It is a realistic, natural process that can be practiced and experienced by anyone.
The true nature of our mind is brilliant, clear, and joyful. But we don’t experience this reality amid the swirl of stresses, thoughts, and emotions of day-to-day life. Our Pristine Mind is a practical guide to uncovering our naturally comfortable state of mind and reconnecting with the unconditional happiness that is already within us. Using straightforward, accessible language, Orgyen Chowang Rinpoche leads us through the path of Pristine Mind meditation, a practice from the profound teachings known as Dzogchen. This book presents the entire journey of meditation, from the very beginning all the way to the complete happiness of enlightenment. It is a realistic, natural process that can be practiced and experienced by anyone.
224 pages, Paperback
First published April 12, 2016
171 people are currently reading
549 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 9, 2016
Rarely does a book speak in such a fresh, intimate and inspiring manner. Where we immediately feel more alive as a result of reading even just a few pages. The great meditation master Orgyen Chowang Rinpoche has provided us with a truly great gift- a complete guidebook that clearly illuminates the endless benefits of re-connecting to the inherent wisdom and brilliance of our pristine minds through the path of meditation. The author celebrates the fact that the true nature of our minds is brilliant, clear and joyful and shows us how we can live our lives in a much more vibrant and healthy manner when we re-connect with the natural qualities of our pristine mind. I was consistently struck by the author’s unique ability to write in a manner that feels as though he is speaking directly to me. As a result I was able to apply the book’s wisdom and insights directly to my own life in a very real and practical manner. This book is a treasure that I will continue to read over and over for many years to come.
June 7, 2016
Our Pristine Mind is a unique and wonderful book with a very unusual, deliberate and organic structure. Starting with the stylized lotus designs on its front and back covers unfolding to make a flower whole, and the telling first word “Our” in the book’s title, it is very rich and deliberate and needs to be read from beginning to end.
Buddhist teachings need to be understood in the context of Buddhist practice. Buddhist practice needs to be understood in terms of the state and nature of our minds and lives. At some point, in order for practice to develop, faith in the teachers, teachings and goals of Buddhist practice must be engendered. Learning, faith and practice… modern Buddhist books in the West, facing new and curious but sometimes skeptical, busy and hassle-averse audiences, have to find a way to bridge these divides.
Our Pristine Mind blazes trail. The book, written throughout in clear and modern English, starts out with a familiar thematic “how-to” approach. First comes “Our” human predicament, the problematic consequences of having a mind, and knowing it, of living with and at the mercy of uncontrollable thoughts, emotions and all kinds of “mental events.” This leads to the subject of “changing our minds” through the practice of meditation.
Next, the simple, straightforward techniques of pristine mind meditation are taught. Then, over the course of several key chapters, the stages of development of proficiency in this practice, from beginning to advanced, are described experientially in exquisite detail. These are depictions that the author, Orgyen Chowang Rinpoche, can offer because he is a meditation master who lives these things. How does it feel to think like this? What is the difference from our normal thinking? How does this change our lives? How does this affect the environment in which we live?
Here is where the book really starts to surprise and really takes off. I think most readers who have some experience in meditation will be able to understand, believe and relate to the experiences described as the early stages of development of pristine mind meditation. We are inspired that we can do that, or are close to that. But, if we are honest, we may have to admit that the higher stages of the practice sound great, but are beyond our present personal reality. At the same time, because of the skillful way that the higher stages are shown to be a direct continuum of what comes before, these stages do not seem foreign or incredible at all. On the contrary, they seem at hand.
This is an inspiring revelation for the reader. Faith is elicited and hope is taught. At the same time the author, Orgyen Chowang Rinpoche really comes to light here as a teacher, explaining, showing something to us that we did not know before. He is indeed part of the “our” in Our Pristine Mind, a person, having a mind like us, and practicing meditation. But there is separation in that he has gone farther than we have. So now the atmosphere of the book expands, not by exalted title, by executive order or hyperbole, but organically.
Positive humility, the humility of accepting the person or even the possibility of a teacher, allows for the emergence of honest questioning, so honest questions emerge. How to get there? Reflecting this, the book's next section beautifully answers questions, such as ‘the purpose of it all,” “going beyond mindfulness,” “overcoming obstacles,” ”don’t give up,” “student-teacher relationship” and “dying with pristine mind.” And goes on to introduce the need to develop a “good heart,” by way of the four cardinal virtues of boundless love, compassion, rejoicing and equanimity, as the concomitants of meditation practice in daily life.
Now the book shifts again to higher ground, from mind and meditation to the subject of enlightenment itself, pointing out that the changes that pristine mind meditation brings about “are the process of awakening our enlightened nature.” Here, a formal, authoritative explanation (based on the teaching of Mipham Rinpoche’s Dzogchen text Spacious Path of Bliss) of the meaning of the word “enlightenment” is presented in clear and unequivocal terms. Here, finally, the connection between “our minds,” mental change and the blossoming of enlightenment, undistorted, blissful and true beyond change, is made explicit. This is revelatory. And so Our Pristine Mind concludes with a prayer of poetic aspiration to Guru Rinpoche, Padmasambhava, that this may be accomplished…
I too hope this may be accomplished, and that this review encourages people to connect with this wonderful book, its author and its and its teachings……
Buddhist teachings need to be understood in the context of Buddhist practice. Buddhist practice needs to be understood in terms of the state and nature of our minds and lives. At some point, in order for practice to develop, faith in the teachers, teachings and goals of Buddhist practice must be engendered. Learning, faith and practice… modern Buddhist books in the West, facing new and curious but sometimes skeptical, busy and hassle-averse audiences, have to find a way to bridge these divides.
Our Pristine Mind blazes trail. The book, written throughout in clear and modern English, starts out with a familiar thematic “how-to” approach. First comes “Our” human predicament, the problematic consequences of having a mind, and knowing it, of living with and at the mercy of uncontrollable thoughts, emotions and all kinds of “mental events.” This leads to the subject of “changing our minds” through the practice of meditation.
Next, the simple, straightforward techniques of pristine mind meditation are taught. Then, over the course of several key chapters, the stages of development of proficiency in this practice, from beginning to advanced, are described experientially in exquisite detail. These are depictions that the author, Orgyen Chowang Rinpoche, can offer because he is a meditation master who lives these things. How does it feel to think like this? What is the difference from our normal thinking? How does this change our lives? How does this affect the environment in which we live?
Here is where the book really starts to surprise and really takes off. I think most readers who have some experience in meditation will be able to understand, believe and relate to the experiences described as the early stages of development of pristine mind meditation. We are inspired that we can do that, or are close to that. But, if we are honest, we may have to admit that the higher stages of the practice sound great, but are beyond our present personal reality. At the same time, because of the skillful way that the higher stages are shown to be a direct continuum of what comes before, these stages do not seem foreign or incredible at all. On the contrary, they seem at hand.
This is an inspiring revelation for the reader. Faith is elicited and hope is taught. At the same time the author, Orgyen Chowang Rinpoche really comes to light here as a teacher, explaining, showing something to us that we did not know before. He is indeed part of the “our” in Our Pristine Mind, a person, having a mind like us, and practicing meditation. But there is separation in that he has gone farther than we have. So now the atmosphere of the book expands, not by exalted title, by executive order or hyperbole, but organically.
Positive humility, the humility of accepting the person or even the possibility of a teacher, allows for the emergence of honest questioning, so honest questions emerge. How to get there? Reflecting this, the book's next section beautifully answers questions, such as ‘the purpose of it all,” “going beyond mindfulness,” “overcoming obstacles,” ”don’t give up,” “student-teacher relationship” and “dying with pristine mind.” And goes on to introduce the need to develop a “good heart,” by way of the four cardinal virtues of boundless love, compassion, rejoicing and equanimity, as the concomitants of meditation practice in daily life.
Now the book shifts again to higher ground, from mind and meditation to the subject of enlightenment itself, pointing out that the changes that pristine mind meditation brings about “are the process of awakening our enlightened nature.” Here, a formal, authoritative explanation (based on the teaching of Mipham Rinpoche’s Dzogchen text Spacious Path of Bliss) of the meaning of the word “enlightenment” is presented in clear and unequivocal terms. Here, finally, the connection between “our minds,” mental change and the blossoming of enlightenment, undistorted, blissful and true beyond change, is made explicit. This is revelatory. And so Our Pristine Mind concludes with a prayer of poetic aspiration to Guru Rinpoche, Padmasambhava, that this may be accomplished…
I too hope this may be accomplished, and that this review encourages people to connect with this wonderful book, its author and its and its teachings……
June 7, 2016
In his Preface, Orgyen Chowang states his ambitious goal in writing Our Pristine Mind: To create "A guide to the entire path of meditation in one book..." Then, over the course of this slim, but powerful offering, he accomplishes all that and more. In clear, straightforward language, he shares wisdom that is simple, yet profound. Those who have achieved perfect enlightenment may find little that is new in this book. For all the rest of us who are somewhat short of that goal, Our Pristine Mind is a true treasure and an indispensable beacon to light the path. Highly recommended.
June 5, 2019
This is a fairly short book but it could've been a lot shorter. It seems perfect for beginning meditators but the practices also seem quite advanced with a lot of information missing... so I'm not quite sure what to make of it.
September 25, 2023
"Our Pristine Mind" discusses the true nature of our mind which is brilliant, clear and joyful as contrasted to our ordinary mind which is characterized by primordial fear. This primordial fear manifests itself in our perceptions and mental events that are inherent impermanence. The author contrasts Pristine Mind from Mindfulness both of which come from the Buddhist tradition. Mindfulness develops concentration and single pointed focus whereas Pristine Mind assesses the expansive state of mind and allows one to see the world without a distorted view of perception and reality. "Pristine Mind" presents a general overview of this philosophy but does not discuss a specific practice other to state that you must re-connect with your pure awareness. It would seem that you would need additional guidance or a qualified teacher to develop a beneficial practice.
October 9, 2020
À pristine sharing
I love the word pristine. I really think it captures what Rinpoche tries to teach us.
The beginning of the book practically explains the most important practice that we must do. The pristine meditation.
Then, when we do it consistently, we will achieve enlightenment which is the culmination of our effort.
Reading this book is like reminding ourselves of other Tibetan teachings, but a lot more direct.
I love the word pristine. I really think it captures what Rinpoche tries to teach us.
The beginning of the book practically explains the most important practice that we must do. The pristine meditation.
Then, when we do it consistently, we will achieve enlightenment which is the culmination of our effort.
Reading this book is like reminding ourselves of other Tibetan teachings, but a lot more direct.
August 12, 2018
Excellent book on advanced meditation practice.
July 8, 2021
just another westernised, softcore direct path dzogchen/mahamudra type book. too watered down and repetitive, there are many better books on the subject out there.
April 16, 2023
Excellent basic resource for Buddhist meditation and practice. The object-less meditation technique Chowang teaches has changed my practice forever.
December 1, 2023
Easy to read book with practical steps on how to practice and meditate
March 28, 2017
This is a very good beginners book for the understanding and practice of dzogchen. Clearly written for the western minded reader.
June 17, 2016
This book is so rare and special. Orgyen Chowang Rinpoche writes with enormous compassion and objectivity, and has no hesitation to say exactly like it really is, how our minds work and what we can do to transform from the ups and downs of life to the steady bliss of real wareness. No grand literary flourishes, no esoteric poetry, no confusing mysticism -- instead, cut-to-the-heart insight and clear, simple instructions to embark on the most profound mind and life changing practice. And it's not some kind of new-agey invention, but right from the ancient and proven lineage the author comes from -- thus giving me enormous confidence in the truth of his teaching. Strongly, wholeheartedly recommended.
December 16, 2016
What a beautiful book. There is much to learn from this book. Yet, I found that the author pretty much repeats for 50 pages the wonderful glory of the Pristine Mind. I found the practical instruction fairly minimal. What do you mean? I should open my eyes and gaze? I found my eyes watering when I did so, and I wasn't sure if that was the right way. The philosophy is beautiful and something I needed to imbibe.
May 19, 2021
This is an extraordinary book and its been amazing to see how many people - both long-time practitioners and people totally new to Buddhism have been greatly affected by this book.
Note, I know the author and I am affiliated with Shambhala Publications but this an objective and heartfelt review.
Note, I know the author and I am affiliated with Shambhala Publications but this an objective and heartfelt review.
July 5, 2016
Good book on meditation and mindfulness.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews