This book is a rich collection of precious teachings given by the renowned Dzogchen master Chögyal Namkhai Norbu to his students around the world in order to benefit their understanding of the Dzogchen tradition and its value in the modern world. Dzogchen, or the path of Total Perfection, is the essence of Tibetan Buddhism; it is not a religion, tradition, or philosophy. As Chögyal Namkhai Norbu says, "Dzogchen is the path of self-liberation that enables one to discover one's true nature." Dzogchen is the reality of our true condition, not only the name of a teaching. Dzogchen is our own totally self-perfected state. In Dzogchen, the teacher gives you methods for discovering that true condition.

Through these clear, concise explanations and instructions not available elsewhere, Namkhai Norbu makes these profound teachings accessible to everyone. All the chapters contain beneficial instructions for both beginning and advanced students, regardless of which tradition they may follow, and insights into the genuine meaning of important subjects related to Sutra Tantra and Dzogchen. "Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche is one of the greatest Tibetan meditation masters and scholars teaching in the West today."—Lama Surya Das

"Chogyal Namkhai Norbu's lectures, teachings, and books have profoundly influenced the transition of Dzogchen from relative obscurity in the contemporary Buddhist world to a topic of tremendous international interest. . . . Whether discussing the difference between sutra and tantra, the meaning of vajra, or the education of children, Namkhai Norbu's inimitable voice remains persistently focused on the nature of mind."—Buddhadharma: The Practitioner's Quarterly