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Transformando confusão em clareza: Um guia para as práticas fundamentais do budismo tibetano
Para qualquer pessoa interessada na prática e na filosofia budista, este livro traz instruções detalhadas e conselhos amigáveis e inspiradores para aqueles embarcando no caminho do budismo tibetano a sério. Ao oferecer orientação sobre como abordar todo o processo e dar instruções para técnicas específicas de meditação e contemplação, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche fornece, de modo gentil e minucioso, comentários, acompanhamento e inspiração sobre como se comprometer com o caminho budista.
467 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 8, 2014
274 people are currently reading
835 people want to read
About the author
Yongey Mingyur
17 books464 followersYongey Mingyur Rinpoche is a lama and monk of the Nyingma and Kagyu schools of Tibetan Buddhism, and the youngest son of Tulku Urgyen—his elder brothers are Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, Tsikey Chokling Rinpoche, and Tsoknyi Rinpoche. Mingyur Rinpoche serves as abbot of both Tergar Osel Ling Monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal, and Tergar Rigzin Khachö Targyé Ling Monastery in Bodhgaya, India, in addition to teaching throughout Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
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September 14, 2014
Yongey Mingur Rinpoche’s latest book “Turning Confusion into Clarity” did just what the title promised.
Well, at least the first two sections….
As a student and practitioner who is getting ready to dip a toe into ngondro practices (steady there, I still have a little ways to go), this book came at the right time as I study and meditate upon the four common foundation practices (those involving contemplation upon precious human birth, impermanence, karma and our ever-loving dear friend – suffering). As mentioned in a previous post, I underlined a good majority of this book.
Mathieu Ricard provides the foreword, and rightfully so, as he is a student of Yongey Mingur Rinpoche’s (who in turn, is also the heart-son of several of Ricard’s root spiritual masters). He speaks greatly to the importance of these advanced teachings and cites other prominent teachers who have written similar works and focused on these teachings throughout their lives.
Based on a series to talks delivered in 2004 in British Columbia (yay Canada!), “Turning Confusion into Clarity” features many personal stories of his life and those of Yongey Mingur Rinpoche’s father, Tulku Urgen Rinpoche and his brother, Tsoknyi Rinpoche. Other great teachers he studied under and the great masters from before his time such as Tilopa and Naropa are prominent within its pages as well.
Rinpoche shares his heart and speaks to experiences from his spiritual path and his experience of ngondro. Overall, this book is a humorous and joyful glimpse into both his early days as a young monk and as a present-day teacher and author. The personal stories really do make the book one which is a thoroughly enjoyable read.
Part One of the book lays the groundwork and is titled “Entering the Path.” It’s an examination of what materials will be covered and speaks greatly to the nature of mind, and its movement from confusion to clarity. The four thoughts that turn the mind to dharma are featured as well as a note on empowerments and transmission. Rinpoche then gives provides and overview of the four practices of the unique ngondro, setting the stage for a more in-depth examination in the chapters to follow.
Meditation is examined fully in “Turning Confusion into Clarity” in that Rinpoche both provides advice on how to do it- both from a physical and mental standpoint. Several meditation and contemplation exercises are offered throughout the book and serve to develop the stability and understanding required for the more advanced practices that a student will encounter on the path.
Part Two gets into the Four Common Foundation Practices and has a chapter dedicated to each: precious human birth, impermanence, karma and suffering. This provides details on the first part of ngondro or the ‘common’ or ‘outer’ ngondro. I found this section of the book to be extremely powerful as Rinpoche’s ability to tell magnificent stories of the joys and pitfalls for Buddhist practice shines through. He is adept at expressing the challenges of Western students and cites many references that resonated personally with me.
This section of the book also gets into topics such as the six realms of samsaric experience, practicing with the eight freedoms, the four restrictive conditions of the human realm and some of the most profound writing I’ve read on impermanence in my, well impermanent life. It’s strangely comforting to hear the stories of Rinpoche’s panic attacks and fear of death given that I too have these issues present in my life. I love this section for what it offered to me.
The chapters on karma and emptiness were also highly informative as oft-misunderstood terms by non-Buddhists and Buddhists alike. To have it distilled in a way that made sense made it an important read, and again, hearing Rinpoche speak to his own confusion of these concepts, only to be told by his teachers that many students get tripped up by it, was heartening.
Part Three is where things get “whoooshbang! Woo hoo. Strap in and put on your flight suit because we’re going on a wild ride. What is that glowing mechanical bull doing here? Zip Zap Wowsa” kind of stuff. These are advanced teachings folks so be forewarned. If you are not into getting to know ngondro, then half of the book isn’t really going to be your cup of tea, at least perhaps at this point on your path.Don’t be afraid though, and go in with an open mind.
Personally, I’m looking forward to this book evolving with me (and me with it) as I move through the practice path. For now, I’m content with reading and becoming aware of these advanced practices, without engaging just yet. “Patience young grasshopper,” I whisper to myself.
Reality check. This book is ‘A Guide to the Foundation Practices of Tibetan Buddhism’ and not meant to substitute the fine wisdom of a teacher’s guidance. I read it knowing that most of what has been described it not yet for my consumption, but rather for reading through for when the time is right. The materials became a bit overwhelming at times, but it was good to have some exposure to these teachings and visualizations. In a nutshell, this section contains several chapters where Rinpoche introduces the various ngondro practices such as refuge, purification mantra and guru yoga.
Back to the mundane reality of writing this book review…
Overall, I wholeheartedly recommend “Turning Confusion into Clarity” for those students who are serious about Tibetan Buddhism and have some semblance of an interest in learning more about the foundational practices. It’s not a book for beginners. Nope.
In my case, the book presented itself at the right time. It’s good to know the general direction of where I’m headed, so “Turning Confusion into Clarity” is a great roadmap for my journey towards ngondro. No doubt, I will be using it is a reference along the way.
Well, at least the first two sections….
As a student and practitioner who is getting ready to dip a toe into ngondro practices (steady there, I still have a little ways to go), this book came at the right time as I study and meditate upon the four common foundation practices (those involving contemplation upon precious human birth, impermanence, karma and our ever-loving dear friend – suffering). As mentioned in a previous post, I underlined a good majority of this book.
Mathieu Ricard provides the foreword, and rightfully so, as he is a student of Yongey Mingur Rinpoche’s (who in turn, is also the heart-son of several of Ricard’s root spiritual masters). He speaks greatly to the importance of these advanced teachings and cites other prominent teachers who have written similar works and focused on these teachings throughout their lives.
Based on a series to talks delivered in 2004 in British Columbia (yay Canada!), “Turning Confusion into Clarity” features many personal stories of his life and those of Yongey Mingur Rinpoche’s father, Tulku Urgen Rinpoche and his brother, Tsoknyi Rinpoche. Other great teachers he studied under and the great masters from before his time such as Tilopa and Naropa are prominent within its pages as well.
Rinpoche shares his heart and speaks to experiences from his spiritual path and his experience of ngondro. Overall, this book is a humorous and joyful glimpse into both his early days as a young monk and as a present-day teacher and author. The personal stories really do make the book one which is a thoroughly enjoyable read.
Part One of the book lays the groundwork and is titled “Entering the Path.” It’s an examination of what materials will be covered and speaks greatly to the nature of mind, and its movement from confusion to clarity. The four thoughts that turn the mind to dharma are featured as well as a note on empowerments and transmission. Rinpoche then gives provides and overview of the four practices of the unique ngondro, setting the stage for a more in-depth examination in the chapters to follow.
Meditation is examined fully in “Turning Confusion into Clarity” in that Rinpoche both provides advice on how to do it- both from a physical and mental standpoint. Several meditation and contemplation exercises are offered throughout the book and serve to develop the stability and understanding required for the more advanced practices that a student will encounter on the path.
Part Two gets into the Four Common Foundation Practices and has a chapter dedicated to each: precious human birth, impermanence, karma and suffering. This provides details on the first part of ngondro or the ‘common’ or ‘outer’ ngondro. I found this section of the book to be extremely powerful as Rinpoche’s ability to tell magnificent stories of the joys and pitfalls for Buddhist practice shines through. He is adept at expressing the challenges of Western students and cites many references that resonated personally with me.
This section of the book also gets into topics such as the six realms of samsaric experience, practicing with the eight freedoms, the four restrictive conditions of the human realm and some of the most profound writing I’ve read on impermanence in my, well impermanent life. It’s strangely comforting to hear the stories of Rinpoche’s panic attacks and fear of death given that I too have these issues present in my life. I love this section for what it offered to me.
The chapters on karma and emptiness were also highly informative as oft-misunderstood terms by non-Buddhists and Buddhists alike. To have it distilled in a way that made sense made it an important read, and again, hearing Rinpoche speak to his own confusion of these concepts, only to be told by his teachers that many students get tripped up by it, was heartening.
Part Three is where things get “whoooshbang! Woo hoo. Strap in and put on your flight suit because we’re going on a wild ride. What is that glowing mechanical bull doing here? Zip Zap Wowsa” kind of stuff. These are advanced teachings folks so be forewarned. If you are not into getting to know ngondro, then half of the book isn’t really going to be your cup of tea, at least perhaps at this point on your path.Don’t be afraid though, and go in with an open mind.
Personally, I’m looking forward to this book evolving with me (and me with it) as I move through the practice path. For now, I’m content with reading and becoming aware of these advanced practices, without engaging just yet. “Patience young grasshopper,” I whisper to myself.
Reality check. This book is ‘A Guide to the Foundation Practices of Tibetan Buddhism’ and not meant to substitute the fine wisdom of a teacher’s guidance. I read it knowing that most of what has been described it not yet for my consumption, but rather for reading through for when the time is right. The materials became a bit overwhelming at times, but it was good to have some exposure to these teachings and visualizations. In a nutshell, this section contains several chapters where Rinpoche introduces the various ngondro practices such as refuge, purification mantra and guru yoga.
Back to the mundane reality of writing this book review…
Overall, I wholeheartedly recommend “Turning Confusion into Clarity” for those students who are serious about Tibetan Buddhism and have some semblance of an interest in learning more about the foundational practices. It’s not a book for beginners. Nope.
In my case, the book presented itself at the right time. It’s good to know the general direction of where I’m headed, so “Turning Confusion into Clarity” is a great roadmap for my journey towards ngondro. No doubt, I will be using it is a reference along the way.
August 3, 2019
A slow introduction
A slow introduction to the basic practices of Tibetan Buddhism. The theoretical and practical material is interspersed with anecdotal illustration, but the book is manual rather than memoir.
A slow introduction to the basic practices of Tibetan Buddhism. The theoretical and practical material is interspersed with anecdotal illustration, but the book is manual rather than memoir.
August 24, 2020
Необходимый букварь "предварительных практик". Но повторение - известно чего мать, поэтому книжка совершенно насущная. Надо будет перечесть еще, когда накопится побольше заслуг. Сейчас-то больше для общего знакомства.
October 23, 2015
Tibetan Buddhism (TB) is a state of mind and it's a religion. I wouldn't have thought it, but it is. More on that later.
What is good about this book
TB uses meditation as a tool to transcend the everyday. What does that mean?
It means that it's followers are encourages and taught to meditate for self-analysis, to contemplate reality and become sympathetic to other beings (and objects). All of this is to bring heightened awareness and understanding of the self and reality. It doesn't have to be anything cosmic. It can result in having a greater appreciation for others, animals, and reviewing the role you play in your own life. This is completely different than how the concept of christian prayer is defined. In fact, it's about psychology. Hence, a guru (therapist) is needed to help guide in the process of meditation.
The book provides a number of techniques and exercises to meditate (or call it contemplate or self introspection.) There's nothing "wow" about the idea, and seems pretty basic. However, most people don't take time to self-analyze. You don't need to adopt TB to meditate.
Kudos for TB on this for acknowledging the mind within and supporting self-analysis.
What i was surprised by and didn't like
The author is in the family guru business. His dad was a guru, etc.
The author received a monastery and was given attendants because of his genetic selection.
There are a never ending lists of the "the four signs" or "the eight precepts"... lots of of 4, 6, 8 things just like all the self-help guides. Perhaps the book was an instructors guide?
Karma and reincarnation are motivation tools which can be used to assess actions, or to keep people in line so they are controlled and keep doing there work. It perfectly makes sense to motivate people without any prospect of a better life to "just do what you're told and if you do it well, you come back as a better being." How does one go from a human to a worm (mind no, atomic level - maybe)
Gurus (teachers) can become deities and are meditated on/worshipped despite the goal of TB is
to escape the self (ego) and become one.
TB seems to very male-dominated. There is mention of one female "guru-deity"
Deities (ex-gurus) are used as focii for teachings rather than the ideas they represented
(yes, religion and politics focuses on people - but really they represent and champion the ideas that are the most important thing. There needs to be a shift from the person to the ideas. People and interesting characters (real or not) are basically used to help teach ideas.
In one point in the book it is mentioned that a buddha (in general sense applied to anyone) can't fix the problems of the poor. However, the original shakyamuni buddha was the son of a king and actually did have that power but chose to rebel against his dad.
Everything means nothing and nothing means everything. Meditation is used to break free of the animal mind and the monkey mind. The monkey mind is always busy. You could say its the part of mind that is looking to understand reality, objects in reality and what they do. I found this to be a great contradiction. Without monkey mind there is no language, no cloth created to make robes or sandals, no farming techniques and no vaccines.
The purpose of TB is to "lose" oneself and let go and not be trapped by reality. That's all well in good. But I can't think of anything more like an animal mind than not engaging in reality, letting go, and letting attendants bring you food and keep your house. This isn't a practical way of looking at what it means to be a human (vs. an animal) and what you can or cannot do (Jack Sparrow) with your time in this life.
Unfortunately, this is where all religions seems to fall short. They create hierarchies, belief structures, rituals and rules, but they have a hard time actually assisting a person deal with contemporary issues and times. The fact that religious leaders are mostly male and are supported without having to live with the same concerns as everyone else, but stating that they know best is a huge gap in practical logic.
At least with TB you can meditate on your own and nobody will chastise you for not finding a guru or going to meetings, or tithing.
Still in the end, everyone has to strive to live in the times, be aware, and make active choices. That is inescapable. Not everyone has the luxury to sit under a tree and expect animals to bring them food.
Like most belief systems they grew from local knowledge. Some ideas transcend across the human experience, and others are purely fixed in geography and time.
What is good about this book
TB uses meditation as a tool to transcend the everyday. What does that mean?
It means that it's followers are encourages and taught to meditate for self-analysis, to contemplate reality and become sympathetic to other beings (and objects). All of this is to bring heightened awareness and understanding of the self and reality. It doesn't have to be anything cosmic. It can result in having a greater appreciation for others, animals, and reviewing the role you play in your own life. This is completely different than how the concept of christian prayer is defined. In fact, it's about psychology. Hence, a guru (therapist) is needed to help guide in the process of meditation.
The book provides a number of techniques and exercises to meditate (or call it contemplate or self introspection.) There's nothing "wow" about the idea, and seems pretty basic. However, most people don't take time to self-analyze. You don't need to adopt TB to meditate.
Kudos for TB on this for acknowledging the mind within and supporting self-analysis.
What i was surprised by and didn't like
The author is in the family guru business. His dad was a guru, etc.
The author received a monastery and was given attendants because of his genetic selection.
There are a never ending lists of the "the four signs" or "the eight precepts"... lots of of 4, 6, 8 things just like all the self-help guides. Perhaps the book was an instructors guide?
Karma and reincarnation are motivation tools which can be used to assess actions, or to keep people in line so they are controlled and keep doing there work. It perfectly makes sense to motivate people without any prospect of a better life to "just do what you're told and if you do it well, you come back as a better being." How does one go from a human to a worm (mind no, atomic level - maybe)
Gurus (teachers) can become deities and are meditated on/worshipped despite the goal of TB is
to escape the self (ego) and become one.
TB seems to very male-dominated. There is mention of one female "guru-deity"
Deities (ex-gurus) are used as focii for teachings rather than the ideas they represented
(yes, religion and politics focuses on people - but really they represent and champion the ideas that are the most important thing. There needs to be a shift from the person to the ideas. People and interesting characters (real or not) are basically used to help teach ideas.
In one point in the book it is mentioned that a buddha (in general sense applied to anyone) can't fix the problems of the poor. However, the original shakyamuni buddha was the son of a king and actually did have that power but chose to rebel against his dad.
Everything means nothing and nothing means everything. Meditation is used to break free of the animal mind and the monkey mind. The monkey mind is always busy. You could say its the part of mind that is looking to understand reality, objects in reality and what they do. I found this to be a great contradiction. Without monkey mind there is no language, no cloth created to make robes or sandals, no farming techniques and no vaccines.
The purpose of TB is to "lose" oneself and let go and not be trapped by reality. That's all well in good. But I can't think of anything more like an animal mind than not engaging in reality, letting go, and letting attendants bring you food and keep your house. This isn't a practical way of looking at what it means to be a human (vs. an animal) and what you can or cannot do (Jack Sparrow) with your time in this life.
Unfortunately, this is where all religions seems to fall short. They create hierarchies, belief structures, rituals and rules, but they have a hard time actually assisting a person deal with contemporary issues and times. The fact that religious leaders are mostly male and are supported without having to live with the same concerns as everyone else, but stating that they know best is a huge gap in practical logic.
At least with TB you can meditate on your own and nobody will chastise you for not finding a guru or going to meetings, or tithing.
Still in the end, everyone has to strive to live in the times, be aware, and make active choices. That is inescapable. Not everyone has the luxury to sit under a tree and expect animals to bring them food.
Like most belief systems they grew from local knowledge. Some ideas transcend across the human experience, and others are purely fixed in geography and time.
July 1, 2022
The Thoughts and Notes on Turning Confusion Into Clarity...Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.
~Melody Beattie
Content...
Part One: Entering the Path
1. FirstSteps
2. Meditation: The Essential Tool
3. Glimpses of My Gurus
Part Two: The Four Common Foundation Practices
4. The First Thought That Turns the Mind: Precious Human Existence
5. The Second Thought That Turns the Mind: Impermanence
6. The Third Thought That Turns the Mind: Karma
7. The Fourth Thought That Turns the Mind: Suffering
Part Three: The Four Unique Foundation Practices
8. The First Unique Practice: Taking Refuge
9. The Second Unique Practice: Purification
10. The Third Unique Practice: Mandala: The Accumulation of Wisdom and Merit
11. The Fourth Unique Practice: Guru Yoga
12. After Ngondro
“The mind is its own place and, in itself can make a heaven of hell or a hell of heaven."
~ John Milton
1: Entering the Path...
The entire Buddhist path is based on understanding that our own mind offers the most reliable source of comfort, ease, and protection, yet the habits that bind us to confusion remain very strong, and letting go of them does not happen in a prescribed sequence.
The mismatch between things as they are and things as we want them to cause an enormous amount of confusion and dissatisfaction every day.
The present is conditioned by our past, and our future will be conditioned by the present.
Past karmic influences that contribute to our present circumstances do not determine the future. Our behavior determines our future; in other words, our future is determined by whether we engage in behavior that intends to harm or help ourselves and others. We create our own karma, so the
more we take responsibility for our actions, the more we increase our capacity to create the life we want to live.
Our life is not preordained. We can change and control the direction of our life regardless of our past or present circumstances. But recognizing that we will die energizes our aspiration to create good karma.
Imagination makes anything possible. Anything.
The Buddha said that our body is like a cup, and our mind is like water. When the cup is still, the water is still. When the cup moves, the water moves.
More important than a relaxed body is a relaxed mind!
2: The Four Common Foundation Practices...
Big problems do not start big.
Everything that we can see and identify, and everything that we cannot see—it’s all changing. Continuous change simply manifests the nature of ordinary reality.
If the causes or the conditions change, the result will change.
But with a certain set of causes and conditions, nothing can change the result.
Why is it so important to understand interdependence?
With the first thought, we develop confidence in our capacity for self-discovery by recognizing that we already have everything we need. But, as we learned in the second thought, this opportunity is fleeting, inspiring us to best use the time that we have. In order to do this, understanding karma and the law of cause and effect is critical. Just as our human birth provides the potential to awaken, our everyday activities, moment after moment, hold the same potential.
Daily life is a sequence of cause-and-effect activities.
It’s how the world works.
To make tea, first, we boil water. To make the light come on, first, we flip a switch.
The concept of karma enters when we add ethical intention to cause and effect: virtuous activity leads to the positive experience, and nonvirtuous activity leads to the negative experience.
The mind is not a static entity that never changes. It’s actually changing all the time.
What activities incline a mind toward awakening? What activities impede our quest?
The law of karma exists whether we understand it or not. With understanding, however, we can deliberately cultivate conditions that best support our resolve to wake up.
Karma is not destiny. It is not fate.
Karma contributes to the everyday situations that we find ourselves in. It contributes to our family context, the type of work we do, and our financial circumstances. It shapes our appetites and behavior. It increases and decreases possibilities. Karma is not a life sentence, but more like a predilection that we can work with—and change. It is not immutable.
“What difference does it make how I behave? I will have problems no matter what I do.”
Even if we cannot comprehend that aspects of this life may be influenced by an unknowable past, we can keep in mind that our actions today will affect our life tomorrow. If looking back brings up too much resistance, then look forward. Look to the future. The future is not a destination location,
nor an arbitrary direction that we stumble upon. We create the future right now. Rather than trying to comprehend past causes by their present effects, take responsibility for future effects.
In this way, we become our own protectors.
Our behavior—how we relate to the world around us, even with very difficult situations—becomes the most reliable means of protecting our minds from anxiety and dissatisfaction.
We have amazing opportunities in daily life to set our direction.
Everyone has mixed karma.
Everyone’s life combines positive experiences and misfortunes.
Things that create suffering start out as causes of joy, and the reverse is just as true.
This is the way life works.
Everyone experiences suffering. But the degree of suffering, and negative conditions and circumstances in the future, result from the present.
Everything has the innate capacity to be experienced as a blessing.
Nothing is more important than recognizing that we often create our own problems.
Differences in perception lead beings to see the same object in different ways: one person might perceive a lamp shade, whereas another might see a hat. One person might see a wooden form as a table, while another might see the same object as a casket, a throne, or a desk.
Only with this experiential understanding of ultimate reality can suffering be uprooted.
We grow up, we grow old, we die.
This capacity for change allows us to transform our perceptions from ignorance to wisdom, and to transform our experiences from suffering to happiness.
3: The Four Unique Foundation Practices...
“Everyone is homesick because our true home is inside us, and until we recognize that, we will long for comfort outside ourselves. The issue is whether we set out for home on the right or wrong path. Taking refuge connects us to the right path.”
Everyone takes refuge in something, so once again we work with transforming ordinary tendencies into skillful means for spiritual development. Everyone identifies relationships, locations, or activities that offer the body or mind a sense of security and protection.
Taking refuge doesn’t protect us from problems in the world. It doesn’t shield us from war, famine, illness, accidents, and other difficulties. Rather it provides tools to transform obstacles into opportunities. We learn how to relate to difficulties in a new way, and this protects us from confusion and despair.
Eventually, we rely on the best parts of our being in order to protect ourselves from those neurotic tendencies that create dissatisfaction. This allows for living in the world with greater ease and without needing to withdraw into untrustworthy circumstances in order to feel protected.
The enlightened qualities that a buddha manifests are boundless wisdom, boundless love and compassion, and boundless enlightened activity.
Everything we long for, we already have. The outer guru is like the key, but when we open the door we discover ourselves, our true guru.
The more we do, the more we are capable of doing.
If we just sit on a chair and think about this concept, it’s unworkable. But once we sincerely engage in working for the welfare of others, then the concept falls away and we remain sustained by the energy of love and compassion.
Self-hatred can be an excruciating state of mind.
But if we investigate the situation we might see that such anguish is often fueled by comparing oneself to others who are identified as being better, smarter, or more attractive. Yet buried beneath these destructive comparisons is the desire for happiness, and the wish to be free from the entrapment of feeling wretched. Love and compassion are always present. Once we recognize them, then we can take responsibility for nurturing ourselves.
Sadly the news is filled with stories about people trying to find happiness in ways that bring suffering to themselves and others.
These people remain ignorant of the law of cause and effect. This is why we not only wish for all beings to have happiness, but also the causes of happiness, the wish that happiness will not be pursued by causing harm
To take revenge on our enemy by becoming the enemy leaves all of us victims.
“An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.”
~Mahatma Gandhi
Wisdom is what makes generosity, discipline, patience, diligence, and meditation transcend ordinary forms of good or ethical behavior.
Our buddha nature is like pure water: if water mixes with sediment it can be purified because
the nature of water remains pure. No matter how much mud covers the diamond, its true nature remains.
We use imagination to experience immeasurable generosity, so infinite and boundless that it reshapes our reality. We imagine entire world systems so vast and complex that in the face of
them, we cannot hold on to our ordinary sense of the world or of ourselves. Cultivating the mind of letting go purifies the mind of grasping
Truth is ever to be found in simplicity, and not in the multiplicity and confusion of things.
~Isaac Newton
July 20, 2020
Ця книга радше про тибетські буддійські практики і віровчення, ніж про медитацію. Традиційні повчання, початковий етап практики.
Мені не було цікаво, оскільки у цього вчителя шукаю саме секулярних моментів і виходу на науку.
Мені не було цікаво, оскільки у цього вчителя шукаю саме секулярних моментів і виходу на науку.
August 11, 2025
Definitivamente, esse não é um livro para iniciantes no budismo. Muito pelo contrário. É um livro complexo, que traz muitas questões técnicas da tradição, e se você for completamente novo, vai se sentir perdido.
Eu recomendo para quem já tem alguns anos de estudo e prática no budismo, caso contrário, em vez de ajudar, pode acabar trazendo mais confusão.
Entretanto, é uma obra muito bem explicada, dá para sentir que foi realmente escrita por um mestre, e vale cada página lida. O livro oferece muitos exemplos práticos da religião e das práticas, o que torna o conteúdo ainda mais rico e profundo.
Eu recomendo para quem já tem alguns anos de estudo e prática no budismo, caso contrário, em vez de ajudar, pode acabar trazendo mais confusão.
Entretanto, é uma obra muito bem explicada, dá para sentir que foi realmente escrita por um mestre, e vale cada página lida. O livro oferece muitos exemplos práticos da religião e das práticas, o que torna o conteúdo ainda mais rico e profundo.
July 6, 2019
The Joy of Living by the same author is, by far, the best book on Buddhism I have ever read. His next one, Joyful Wisdom, was almost as good. I read both cover and cover, underlined and notated large amounts of text, and reread both as soon as I had finished them. So it was with a tremendous amount of enthusiasm that I began this book, only to be deeply disappointed. Part of the seemingly infinite appeal of the first two books was its sense of intimacy, the feeling that Mingyur Rinpoche was talking to you live, in your family room, helping you in his warm and wonderful way.
This book looks different physically, and that difference extends to the text. The volume is a dry sterile description of principles and philosophies: I can't believe it was written by the same person. And for the first time with this author, I feel he is lecturing me, preaching to me, and advocating behavior that is impractical, potentially even unsafe or unhealthful. (Lest I seem too mysterious or whacked out, I am talking about the sanctity and value of ALL sentient beings).
The first time I tried to read this book I made it to page 48 before quitting in despair and disillusionment. This time I made it from the beginning to page 74 where he describes a situation so awful that I had nightmares about it. Was it an attempt to change my behavior in that way? It seems so. And that is the WORST way to get me to do anything---the heavy-handed approach, the guilt trip, the 'shaking your finger at me' approach. I will not risk him doing that to me later on page 74 of this book or on any other later page of the book. And that is sad: a grand part of the appeal of Buddhism to me is its positive approach to the mind and to life, and the lack of a need to suspend disbelief in order to believe absurd 'events' or dogma. But when you give me the idea that Buddhism can only be practiced in a mud hut in the jungle, you're losing me. Bummer.
This book looks different physically, and that difference extends to the text. The volume is a dry sterile description of principles and philosophies: I can't believe it was written by the same person. And for the first time with this author, I feel he is lecturing me, preaching to me, and advocating behavior that is impractical, potentially even unsafe or unhealthful. (Lest I seem too mysterious or whacked out, I am talking about the sanctity and value of ALL sentient beings).
The first time I tried to read this book I made it to page 48 before quitting in despair and disillusionment. This time I made it from the beginning to page 74 where he describes a situation so awful that I had nightmares about it. Was it an attempt to change my behavior in that way? It seems so. And that is the WORST way to get me to do anything---the heavy-handed approach, the guilt trip, the 'shaking your finger at me' approach. I will not risk him doing that to me later on page 74 of this book or on any other later page of the book. And that is sad: a grand part of the appeal of Buddhism to me is its positive approach to the mind and to life, and the lack of a need to suspend disbelief in order to believe absurd 'events' or dogma. But when you give me the idea that Buddhism can only be practiced in a mud hut in the jungle, you're losing me. Bummer.
July 13, 2019
Отличная книга! В силу узости темы я не могу порекомендовать её тем, кто лишь начинает знакомиться с буддизмом -- для этого есть другие издания. Вот ежели вы уже осилили книгу-другую, а теперь хотите подробностей, то в данном труде вы найдёте детальное и глубокое рассмотрение основополагающих практик тибетского буддизма.
Помещаю в категорию "Авторки", потому что книга написана в соавторстве с Хелен Творков.
Помещаю в категорию "Авторки", потому что книга написана в соавторстве с Хелен Творков.
December 29, 2015
While I liked the other books by Yongey Mingyur because of their more practical than religious nature, this one immediately looked different, and it's harder to read.
Anyway, I found interesting the part about the eight realms, the eight liberties, and the concept of offering bad emotions, and I guess I understand a bit better the iconology and mythology of Buddhism.
March 5, 2018
The first half was an amazing dive into Buddhism basics and how it's all about having a clear and kind mind. During the second one, I started drifting away as it focused more on religion and traditions. Overall it was very educating and mind-opening book and I totally can recommend reading the first half of it.
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June 9, 2015my teacher....what more needs be said.
September 26, 2016
Der englische Titel "Turning confusion into clarity" ist treffender.
January 2, 2017
Mingyur Rinpoche's books and teachings are profound, easy to apply, and he's a wonderful story teller and teacher.
August 4, 2018
توضیحات شفاف و به زبان ساده با پرهیز از زیاده گویی بیان شده
March 15, 2019
Uma introdução ao Varjayana que realmente ensina e inspira. Fala sobre o básico da meditação e sobre ritos inspiradores desta tradição budista.
July 24, 2024
Having read/listened to all of Mingyur Rinpoche’s audiobooks —some even several times— I can say this one is the best one.
In his previous books, he was slightly superficial which is understandable considering the scope of the books where to introduce listeners to Buddhism, the practice, and/or Rinpoche’s own biography. If you knew anything about Buddhism, you were left with the sense that you were only going over the basics. It was a good reminder but you were ultimately left wanting more.
In Turning Confusion into Clarity he further deepens the practice with theory and exercises I didn’t know after practicing for two years. For this reason, I think people should read the books in the order they came out: to be introduced, to be reminded, to further know Mingyur Rinpoche, and lastly to expand and deepen one’s practice.
I hear his got another book coming out soon which is much more theoretical and almost academic. I can’t wait to read/listen to that one.
In his previous books, he was slightly superficial which is understandable considering the scope of the books where to introduce listeners to Buddhism, the practice, and/or Rinpoche’s own biography. If you knew anything about Buddhism, you were left with the sense that you were only going over the basics. It was a good reminder but you were ultimately left wanting more.
In Turning Confusion into Clarity he further deepens the practice with theory and exercises I didn’t know after practicing for two years. For this reason, I think people should read the books in the order they came out: to be introduced, to be reminded, to further know Mingyur Rinpoche, and lastly to expand and deepen one’s practice.
I hear his got another book coming out soon which is much more theoretical and almost academic. I can’t wait to read/listen to that one.
February 22, 2025
“La nostra natura di buddha è come l'acqua pura: se l'acqua si mescola a sedimenti, può sempre essere purificata, perché la sua natura rimane pura. La vera natura del diamante è sempre la stessa, per quanto fango lo ricopra.”
Un viaggio illuminante e rinfrescante per lo spirito, ogni pagina ha rinnovato le mie aspirazioni a intraprendere il meraviglioso percorso spirituale buddista🙏🏻🪷
Un viaggio illuminante e rinfrescante per lo spirito, ogni pagina ha rinnovato le mie aspirazioni a intraprendere il meraviglioso percorso spirituale buddista🙏🏻🪷
June 22, 2024
How to have those experiences of God that change your reality? There are many ways but the ones mentioned in this book are my favorites.
A summary of what the path to enlightenment is in Tibetan Buddhism.
A summary of what the path to enlightenment is in Tibetan Buddhism.
February 6, 2022
The book is gentle yet strict introduction to Vajrayana. Which is pretty specific path of Buddhism, Tantric Buddhism to be exact. It’s toooo specific in my point of view…
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September 10, 2022Great beginners guide to meditation from a wonderful Tibetan teacher
October 18, 2022
Clarity of the teaching.
An amazing Dharma teaching, helping to expla
in and clarified doubts, in a wonderful way, with self narratives and past Masters events and stories.
An amazing Dharma teaching, helping to expla
in and clarified doubts, in a wonderful way, with self narratives and past Masters events and stories.
December 23, 2022
An excellent primer on Ngondro - the foundational practices of Tibetan Buddhism.
February 7, 2025
Enlightening, profound, and potentially life-changing,
Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche has achieved the near impossible: balancing extensive Buddhist teachings over thousands of years with a comprehensive yet accessible framework for the lay person.
The book tackles some seriously dense subjects - reality, suffering, and liberation - but Rinpoche's compassionate approach and storytelling make them relatable. The technical details of the Ngöndro practices are broken down beautifully, making them surprisingly digestible and even intriguing from a cultural and philosophical point of view (whether you are religious or not).
A book that I will surely revisit again.
Special mention - the audio narration was excellent and really added to the experience.
Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche has achieved the near impossible: balancing extensive Buddhist teachings over thousands of years with a comprehensive yet accessible framework for the lay person.
The book tackles some seriously dense subjects - reality, suffering, and liberation - but Rinpoche's compassionate approach and storytelling make them relatable. The technical details of the Ngöndro practices are broken down beautifully, making them surprisingly digestible and even intriguing from a cultural and philosophical point of view (whether you are religious or not).
A book that I will surely revisit again.
Special mention - the audio narration was excellent and really added to the experience.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews