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  • Published: 23 September 2025
  • ISBN: 9781645473732
  • Imprint: Shambhala
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 280
  • RRP: $55.00
Categories:

The Vital Essence of Dzogchen

A Commentary on Dudjom Rinpoche's Advice for a Mountain Retreat

  • Dudjom Rinpoche,B. Alan Wallace




A modern commentary on a classic Tibetan text of instructions for practitioners of the Dzogchen tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, with practical step-by-step instructions for advanced Nyingma teachings on realizing the nature of mind.

A modern commentary on a classic Tibetan text of instructions for practitioners of the Dzogchen tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, with practical step-by-step instructions for advanced Nyingma teachings on realizing the nature of mind.

Seamlessly interweaving the language of science with the sublime teachings of Buddhism, B. Alan Wallace presents a modern commentary on a pivotal Tibetan retreat manual, Extracting the Vital Essence of Accomplishment: Concise and Clear Advice for Practice in a Mountain Retreat by twentieth-century Nyingma master, Düdjom Rinpoché. The root text offers practical step-by-step instructions for dedicated practice in meditation retreat—wherever one may be—and Wallace’s commentary elucidates the enduring relevance of these teachings for our contemporary context.

The commentary includes four concise and powerful meditation practices, guided by Wallace, to bring the teachings into one’s immediate experience. This volume serves as a practice manual for those familiar with the teachings of Dzogchen and as a clear guide to this pinnacle of Buddhist paths for those interested in broader questions about direct and unmediated insight into the fundamental nature of awareness. “By extracting the essence of all meditative accomplishment through the practice of Dzogchen,” Wallace states, “you draw forth the vital essence of consciousness itself.”

  • Published: 23 September 2025
  • ISBN: 9781645473732
  • Imprint: Shambhala
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 280
  • RRP: $55.00
Categories:

Praise for The Vital Essence of Dzogchen

“In their pursuit of happiness and freedom from suffering, most people devote their lives to seeking material gain and avoiding loss, pursuing sensual pleasures and avoiding displeasure, longing for praise and fearing blame, and trying to gain a good reputation and doing everything possible to avoid the dislike and disrespect of others. In Buddhism these are called the ‘eight mundane concerns,’ and they have never brought enduring satisfaction in the past and will never do so in the future. Yet, we pursue them at great cost: bearing the anxiety of not acquiring material gain, pleasure, praise, and respect despite our best efforts and then still facing anxiety once we do acquire them because we fear losing them, which we certainly will. It is a loser’s game.” —B. Alan Wallace

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