“I think that in the future people will relate with this sadhana as a source of inspiration as well as a potential way of continuing their journey. Inspiration from that point of view means awakening yourself from the deepest of deepest confusion and chaos and self-punishment; it means being able to get into a higher level and being able to celebrate within that.”
Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, The Sadhana of Mahamudra (pg. 157)
Dear Friends of the Chögyam Trungpa Institute,
We are thrilled to announce the arrival of a new book from Shambhala Publications: The Sadhana of Mahamudra: Teachings on Devotion and Crazy Wisdom by Chögyam Trungpa. This book, edited by Carolyn Gimian, is historic in its inclusion of both the teachings Trungpa Rinpoche gave on the sadhana and also The Sadhana of Mahamudra text itself! This is the first time the powerful sadhana has been published for a general audience. It also includes rich supplementary material, providing context and accessibility for all who wish to engage with these teachings.
In celebration, the Library is re-releasing recordings of the two seminars included in the book: Embodiment of all the Siddhas (Karmê Chöling, 1975) and Sadhana of Mahamudra (Boulder, 1975). These pithy talks are introduced with an article by Barry Boyce, illuminating the origins of the groundbreaking text, and the intimacy and profundity of the recorded talks.
READ MORE AND ACCESS THE TALKS
A PIVOTAL TRIP TO BHUTAN
One of the many highlights in these seminars is Trungpa Rinpoche telling the story of his trip to Bhutan in 1968. His visit culminated in a retreat in the cave at Taktsang, which led to a sudden breakthrough in his approach to teaching the dharma. As beautifully described in Boyce’s article, “The practice of the Sadhana of Mahamudra emerged from that cave and would ever after be a means for students to proclaim the power of cutting through spiritual materialism by rousing the energy of fierce compassion embodied by Dorje Trollö combined with the exemplary devotion of the Kagyu gurus, represented by the line of the Karmapas.”
ABOUT THE SADHANA
The Sadhana of Mahamudra is a vajrayana liturgical practice that revitalizes spiritual inspiration and insight, especially in times of global materialism and political divisiveness. Uniquely for this kind of text, Trungpa Rinpoche offered this sadhana to all practitioners, not just those who have received vajrayana transmission. Usually practiced on the new and full moon in group settings (such as on retreat or during special gatherings of the sangha), the Sadhana of Mahamudra is meant to rouse inspiration to cut through all types of materialism and see our mind and the world as workable and sacred.
This new book, along with the original recorded talks, gives students a thorough and invigorating entryway into this profound text and practice. Enjoy!
Each month, the Digital Library team presents Trungpa Rinpoche’s recorded talks accompanied by searchable transcripts, as well as articles, imagery, artwork, and more. Please consider a donation to help us continue this important work!
Yours in the Dharma,
The Digital Library team