What do you think?
Rate this book
Healing with Form, Energy, and Light: The Five Elements in Tibetan Shamanism, Tantra, and Dzogchen
A Buddhist manual for replacing an anxious, narrow, uncomfortable identity with one that is expansive, peaceful, and capable.
In the shamanic worldview of Tibet, the five elements of earth, water, fire, air, and space are accessed through the raw powers of nature and through non-physical beings associated with the natural world. The Tibetan tantric view recognizes the elements as five kinds of energy in the body and balances them with a program of yogic movements, breathing exercises, and visualizations. In Dzogchen teachings, the elements are understood to be the radiance of being, and are accessed through pure awareness.
Healing with Form, Energy, and Light offers the reader healing meditations and yogic practices on each of these levels. Tenzin Rinpoche's purpose is to strengthen our connection to the sacred aspect of the natural world and to present a guide that explains why certain practices are necessary and in what situations practices are effective or a hindrance. And the world too is transformed from dead matter and blind processes into a sacred landscape filled with an infinite variety of living forces and beings.
"The secrets freely given in this volume can help us lay sound foundations for whatever yogic practice we may adopt. Tenzin Rinpoche has rendered all a great service." — Yoga Studies
In the shamanic worldview of Tibet, the five elements of earth, water, fire, air, and space are accessed through the raw powers of nature and through non-physical beings associated with the natural world. The Tibetan tantric view recognizes the elements as five kinds of energy in the body and balances them with a program of yogic movements, breathing exercises, and visualizations. In Dzogchen teachings, the elements are understood to be the radiance of being, and are accessed through pure awareness.
Healing with Form, Energy, and Light offers the reader healing meditations and yogic practices on each of these levels. Tenzin Rinpoche's purpose is to strengthen our connection to the sacred aspect of the natural world and to present a guide that explains why certain practices are necessary and in what situations practices are effective or a hindrance. And the world too is transformed from dead matter and blind processes into a sacred landscape filled with an infinite variety of living forces and beings.
"The secrets freely given in this volume can help us lay sound foundations for whatever yogic practice we may adopt. Tenzin Rinpoche has rendered all a great service." — Yoga Studies
184 pages, Paperback
First published April 24, 2002
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 24, 2015
This is a fabulous book for anybody who wants to start a spiritual practice based in earth energies. A wonderful explanation of the shamanic/pagan practice of the Bon religion of Tibet and the elemental energies of the 4 directions.
January 23, 2024
Articulates the elemental foundations of all existence in an incredibly, dare I say, palpable way. It was a joy to read, particularly the opening chapters that speak more broadly about balancing the 5 elements. The meat of the book is concerned with ceremony and ritual, however, some of which felt strange to read in a book (as I feel one should get these instructipns directly from a teacher). I was however drawn most to the tantric practices (particularly as they most align with yoga, pranayama, mantra), with which I am already familiar. This was also my first introduction to Dzogchen, but unfortunately the text didn't go deeply into it (perhaps because it is also something transmitted only through direct teaching and experience).
November 14, 2013
This is a fascinating book which explores the elemental principles of spiritual work done in Dzogchen and Tibetan Shamanism. The author shares how to work with elements and provides practical exercises that can be done by the reader, provided s/he is willing to put the time and effort in. I like this book because I feel that it provides further insight into Tibetan spiritual practices and how they work, as well as how they can be integrated into your practice. The author does an excellent job of explaining the concepts and practices. If you are interested in Tibetan spiritual practices, read this book, as well as the other books by the author.
January 15, 2008
Some pretty cool stuff...but only if you're already into yogic and Buddhist philosophies. The tantric exercises are extremely powerful but again, I think you need something of a yogic background before doing them on your own here.
February 23, 2017
Excelente libro
June 1, 2025
"Abiding in the space of the nature of mind, we not only are free, we are freedom."
"As practitioners, we are taught to think about the gift of the precious human
body. We have been born in places where the dharma is taught, at a time
when teachers are accessible and where transmission is obtainable. We live
where there is the political freedom to follow our spiritual paths. Our living
conditions are good and we have the leisure to practice.
What we often lack is the recognition of the gifts we have already received.
Sometimes we remember how good our lives are when we are
brushed by tragedy, but then, caught up again in our normal lives, we forget.
We are driven away from gratitude and appreciation by dark and negative
forces, habitual dissatisfaction and constant stimulation. When others
have more than us, we feel envy, but in a world where so many people have
less than us, we often don’t recognise how fortunate we are."
"As practitioners, we are taught to think about the gift of the precious human
body. We have been born in places where the dharma is taught, at a time
when teachers are accessible and where transmission is obtainable. We live
where there is the political freedom to follow our spiritual paths. Our living
conditions are good and we have the leisure to practice.
What we often lack is the recognition of the gifts we have already received.
Sometimes we remember how good our lives are when we are
brushed by tragedy, but then, caught up again in our normal lives, we forget.
We are driven away from gratitude and appreciation by dark and negative
forces, habitual dissatisfaction and constant stimulation. When others
have more than us, we feel envy, but in a world where so many people have
less than us, we often don’t recognise how fortunate we are."
September 26, 2020
Excellent overview of Bon beliefs and practices. The book is organized very well and is helpful to understand the history and dimensions of practice in this native Tibetan religion. It was very eye opening to see the similarities with some forms of Hinduism and Tibeta Buddhism. It gave me a new and broader perspective of the spiritual world as seen and practiced in the Tibetan culture. There were many take aways but this book changed the way I look at the elements and the rich symbolism in Bon and Indo-Tibetan religions.
May 9, 2021
Informative book about the five elements in both Tibetan shamanism (Bon) and Buddhism. There are a couple practices in here that I've adopted, and another I'd like to try. In the penultimate chapter, Tenzin Wangyal turns the Dharma Wheel vigorously. The whole chapter could be considered a pith instruction. Very valuable teachings.
February 21, 2023
Another first rate TWR teaching
Some teachers are so ‘present’ in their language that their presence translates even into digital text. This is one such work, and like TWR’s other excellent works its transformative potential is significant.
Some teachers are so ‘present’ in their language that their presence translates even into digital text. This is one such work, and like TWR’s other excellent works its transformative potential is significant.
February 15, 2021
Easy to follow instructions
Do as he says and you will see results. Clear instructions. Helpful and informative. Read read read read read it.
Do as he says and you will see results. Clear instructions. Helpful and informative. Read read read read read it.
March 4, 2021
Excellent information in this book
As an Ayurvedic physician, I find it interesting to compare the concepts of 5 elements in different disciplines like Tibetan.
As an Ayurvedic physician, I find it interesting to compare the concepts of 5 elements in different disciplines like Tibetan.
April 29, 2023
Absolute brilliance. Thank you.
November 7, 2024
'Healing with Form, Energy, and Light: The Five Elements in Tibetan Shamanism, Tantra, and Dzogchen', by Tenzin W. Rinpoche
An excellent basic introduction to these subjects.
However, if anyone should choose to delve deeper into Dzogchen, or any of these practices, they would need to go find themselves qualified and experienced teachers to work with, which is why the text doesn't go into more depth.
When you're a novice and just starting out working with these kinds of energies, or even if you've been practicing for awhile, to really understand these things in depth and be safe, you'd really need to train with a qualified teacher, in addition to getting the transmissions directly and in person.
Just as in Kundalini Yogic practices, if someone just starts playing around with energies they don't understand, things can go "off the rails" and real harm can occur (physically and mentally).
So please do yourself a solid and if these teachings are of serious interest to you, do some research into which qualified teachers either live in your area, or are accessible to you; you might have to wait for a traveling teacher or go to another location.
It's worth it!
This is a book I've had for awhile and keep handy to re-read.
(I've been lucky & Blessed to have had some really excellent teachers; I love knowing that learning and experience are forever ongoing...)
Two thumbs up! 👍👍
An excellent basic introduction to these subjects.
However, if anyone should choose to delve deeper into Dzogchen, or any of these practices, they would need to go find themselves qualified and experienced teachers to work with, which is why the text doesn't go into more depth.
When you're a novice and just starting out working with these kinds of energies, or even if you've been practicing for awhile, to really understand these things in depth and be safe, you'd really need to train with a qualified teacher, in addition to getting the transmissions directly and in person.
Just as in Kundalini Yogic practices, if someone just starts playing around with energies they don't understand, things can go "off the rails" and real harm can occur (physically and mentally).
So please do yourself a solid and if these teachings are of serious interest to you, do some research into which qualified teachers either live in your area, or are accessible to you; you might have to wait for a traveling teacher or go to another location.
It's worth it!
This is a book I've had for awhile and keep handy to re-read.
(I've been lucky & Blessed to have had some really excellent teachers; I love knowing that learning and experience are forever ongoing...)
Two thumbs up! 👍👍
Currently Reading
October 4, 2008Had been wanting to check this out?
looks good, just picked it up today :)
Will sit with this for awhile tonight, check it out.
At times there seems to be lot's of conflict with folks
over the Bon "religion" but don't really care about the conflict!
Folks who only look at a single leaf say there is no roots?
They don't realize they are standing above them : )
LOL, if the information is good? I'm happy!
and if it's bad, still makes me happy!
easy enough to let it be!
Like to see if i can find some connections in it!
This stuff is really the same the world over, nothing new,
be fun to see what similarities there are?
Until such things are practiced one can not say,
but folks sure like to say alot!!!
Love working with "elements"! ...any of them :)
Think it will be a fun read,
maybe heavy in some ways compared to the fluff
I've been reading, but interesting I hope!
happy about this book.
Hey!
Any one read this???
Whatchaya think of it?
: )
looks good, just picked it up today :)
Will sit with this for awhile tonight, check it out.
At times there seems to be lot's of conflict with folks
over the Bon "religion" but don't really care about the conflict!
Folks who only look at a single leaf say there is no roots?
They don't realize they are standing above them : )
LOL, if the information is good? I'm happy!
and if it's bad, still makes me happy!
easy enough to let it be!
Like to see if i can find some connections in it!
This stuff is really the same the world over, nothing new,
be fun to see what similarities there are?
Until such things are practiced one can not say,
but folks sure like to say alot!!!
Love working with "elements"! ...any of them :)
Think it will be a fun read,
maybe heavy in some ways compared to the fluff
I've been reading, but interesting I hope!
happy about this book.
Hey!
Any one read this???
Whatchaya think of it?
: )
May 5, 2012
I thought this book was fascinating! I think it might be hard for someone to read this who hasn't already been exposed to some Buddhist philosophy and/or Buddhist yoga, or at the very least isn't open to some new ideas!
I loved it though - fascinated by the theories of the five elements and their presence everywhere and in everything, and then the practices that go along with this. Also fascinated to learn more about Bon tradition, as well as Tantra and Dzogchen.
I actually checked this book out of the library then had to leave that town before I was finished so I bought it. Definitely was one I wanted to own and will read again! I look forward to checking out some other books by him.
I loved it though - fascinated by the theories of the five elements and their presence everywhere and in everything, and then the practices that go along with this. Also fascinated to learn more about Bon tradition, as well as Tantra and Dzogchen.
I actually checked this book out of the library then had to leave that town before I was finished so I bought it. Definitely was one I wanted to own and will read again! I look forward to checking out some other books by him.
July 17, 2011
This is a well written highly accessible guide to the Tibetan Buddhist Bon lineage view of the composition of reality as five elements, and presents some excellent exercises to work with the concepts.
Tenzin Wangyal writes clearly and with a lot of heart. This book presents less of a complex hugger-mugger of practices than his book on dream yoga, and yet more variety and analysis than his sound healing book.
While there are some differences between the Bon and other lineages, I found this book very helpful (for example) in understanding teachings from another lineage.
Tenzin Wangyal writes clearly and with a lot of heart. This book presents less of a complex hugger-mugger of practices than his book on dream yoga, and yet more variety and analysis than his sound healing book.
While there are some differences between the Bon and other lineages, I found this book very helpful (for example) in understanding teachings from another lineage.
Read
May 24, 2012This is the first book of Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche that I read and it had a profound effect on my life since. I read it about 9 years ago now and it has led me on and on into many other of his books and teachings.
One line in this book really spoke very loudly to me
"for the shaman earth is ground, for the tantrica, space is ground "
Makes soooo much sense now but back then was just what I needed to hear/read. Led me on to meeting him etc etc
As they say "the rest is history" or in my case "herstory".
One line in this book really spoke very loudly to me
"for the shaman earth is ground, for the tantrica, space is ground "
Makes soooo much sense now but back then was just what I needed to hear/read. Led me on to meeting him etc etc
As they say "the rest is history" or in my case "herstory".
February 28, 2016
A fascinating read ! I am amazed at how the basic tenets of the workings of the universe is grounded in the same principles regardless of culture. This book based on theories behind the 5 elements resembles very closely the knowledge of the Ojibway people in Canada. this is a book to consult and digest over a long period.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews