This book provides clear and deep explanations of how to uncover our inherent wisdom and compassion. The authors explain how our minds function and what our primordial nature is, they show us how to go about cultivating insight, bodhichitta, and devotion so that our true nature can manifest. It gives detailed instructions on how to meditate using the tantric techniques of visualization, mantra, and formless meditation. At the same time, it is simple and accessible, pointing out how we can see our fundamentally enlightened nature. This is a great introduction to Tibetan Buddhism by highly respected teachers from the Nyingmapa Vajrayana tradition.

Opening to Our Primordial Nature, Khenchen Palden Sherab, Snow Lion Publications, 2006, 136 Pages, $15.95

Khenchen Palden Sherab & Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche are founders and directors of Padmasambhava Buddhist Center, based at Padma Samye Ling in upstate New York. PBC includes over twenty local centers in the United States, Puerto Rico and Russia, as well as retreat centers and monastic institutions in the United States and India. The autors live at Padma Samye Ling in western upstate New York.

	Contents:  Opening to Our Primordial Nature
	Acknowledgments	vii
	Editor's Introduction	ix
	Taming the Mind	1
	The Causes and Conditions of the Mind	9
	The Primordial Nature	19
	Taking Refuge	27
	Training in Discipline, Concentration, and Wisdom	31
	Cultivating Bodhichitta	37
	Loving-kindness	43
	The Power of Compassion	47
	The Inseparability of Compassion and Emptiness	51
	The Channels and Winds	57
	Meditation Posture and Breath Purification	63
	Meditating on the True Nature of the Mind	69
	The Five Supports of Meditation	73
	Shamatha and Vipashyana	81
	Ngondro Practice	87
	Vajrayana Meditation	91
	The Tantric Tradition and Terma	95
	Guru Padmasambhava	99
	Guru Yoga Practice	105
	Advice on Visualization	111
	Questions and Answers	117