Being Guru Rinpoche is a translation of a Tibetan ritual text in the Nyingmapa tradition, with commentary. The original is a 'terma' or hidden treasure of Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), discovered in the nineteenth century by Nuden Dorje, revealed publicly by Chhimed Rigdzin Rinpoche in the early 1980s.

The transformative process of tantric meditation is illustrated here through the interplay of a traditional ritual text with a modern commentary. This profound method evokes not just an improvement in one's personal qualities but also a fundamental shift in the way one experiences oneself in the world with others. Through symbolic and actual identification with the pure form of Guru Rinpoche, also known as Padmasambhava, we are freed from the hooks of our familiar assumptions and habitual activities. Just as a holiday can take us out of ourselves and lets us see our lives with fresh eyes, so the practice which this book presents, offers us an opportunity to look at ourselves anew, revealing the infinite in the ordinary.

The commentary provides background information contextualizing the practice in relation to Indian culture, Buddhist philosophy and the complexity of modern culture. It shows how the profundity of the Buddhist view is brought into lived experience through opening to the drama of aesthetic engagement.

Three stages of guided meditation are covered. The preliminaries prepare us by linking us with the lineage of practitioners stretching back over a thousand years. The main section describes the development of the mandala of eight forms of Guru Rinpoche as a means of transforming static defensive identity into a responsive flow of emergent possibilities. Being 'reborn' as the deity one experiences the arising and passing of forms within the open space of emptiness which is our true nature. With this primordial spaciousness experienced though divine forms in the mandala we recognize that our own everyday existence has this very same nature. The concluding section deals with the stabilization of this wisdom as compassionate being in the world.

Being Guru Rinpoche, James Low,, 2006, 292 pp, $25.00

James Low began studying and practicing Tibetan Buddhism in India in the 1960's. He received teachings from Kalu Rinpoche, Chatral Rinpoche, Kanjur Rinpoche and Dudjom Rinpoche. Having met his root teacher, Chhimed Rigdzin Lama (also known as C R Lama), he lived in his home in Bengal for many years, serving him as required and being taught many aspects of the tradition. During this period in India James did several retreats and pilgrimages in the Himalayas. In the 1970's and 1980's, on his return to Europe, he also had teachings and guidance from Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche.

James translated many tantric texts and sadhanas with C R Lama, who wanted texts from the lineages of Byangter and Khordong to be available in English. These were used as practice texts by C R Lama's disciples. Many have since been translated by others into various European languages.

C. R. Lama asked James to teach in 1976 and later gave him the transmissions necessary to do this, together with full lineage authority.

James is regularly teaching the principles of dzogchen in various places in Europe. He continues to publish translations and commentaries from time to time.

James currently works as a Consultant Psychotherapist in a National Health Service teaching hospital in London and has a private psychotherapy practice. He has taught on many psychotherapy trainings in Britain.

His recent publications are:

Being Right Here: The Mirror of Clear Meaning (Snow Lion Publications, 2004) Also available in German and Polish.

Simply Being: Texts in the Dzogchen Tradition (Wisdom Books, 1998). Also available in German and French.

The Yogins of Ladakh: A Pilgrimage Among the Hermits of the Buddhist Himalayas With John Crook. (Motilal Banarsidass, 1997) Reprinting 2006.

	Contents: Being Guru Rinpoche
	Preface	7
	Introduction to Some Aspects of Tantra	11
	Commentary on the Vidyadhara Guru Sadhana	31
A.	First Prayers	31
B.	Preparatory Practice	41
	a. The Four Reflections	42
	b. Refuge and Developing an Enlightened Attitude	47
	c. Seven Branch Prayer	48
	d. Dorje Sempa Meditation	50
	e. Guru Yoga	62
C.	Sadhana: Introductory Part	69
	a. Seven Line Prayer	71
	b. General Prayers for the Lineage	78
D.	Sadhana: Preparartory Practices	91
	a. The Visualisation	92
	b. Refuge and Bodhicitta	92
	c. Cutting the Boundary	102
	d. Confession	107
	e. Invitation	113
	f. Purifying and Blessing the Offerings	116
E.	Sadhana: MAIN PART	129
	a. Visualisation of the Mandala and the Deity	129
	b. Padmasambhava and his Manifestation	133
	c. The Invocation	144
	d. Offerings	154
	e. Praise of the Three Kayas	160
	f. Mantra Recitation	168
	g. Offerings and Praise	174
	h. Encouragement on Impermanence	192
	i. Prayer for What We Want	207
	j. Short Phowa Practice	214
	k. Receiving the Four Initiations	215
	l. Dissolving into the Guru and Maintaining the View	219
F.	Dharma Protector Practice	231
G.	Offerings	243
	a. Blessing the Offerings and Inviting the High Guests	243
	b. Making Confession	249
	c. Sacrifice	252
	d. Offerings we Share	257
	e. Remains	260
H.	Concluding Section	263
	a. Stabilising the Result	266
	b. Prayers of Aspiration	278
	c. Auspicious Verses	283
	Appendices	293
	Authorisation of the Practice	293
	Contact Details and Further Reading	293
	Table of Pictures	294
	Available Titles of Khordong Commentaries	294