Spectrum of Ecstasy
The Five Wisdom Emotions According to Vajrayana Buddhism
By Ngakpa Chögyam (Ngak’chang Rinpoche) and Khandro Déchen
Spectrum of Ecstasy describes the Dzogchen view of
emotions, emotional pain and pleasure – and the liberation of
emotions. It is valuable reading for anyone interested in human
psychology according to Dzogchen and a must-read for everybody
seriously interested in the Aro gTér. The book is suited for experienced
meditators as well as for beginners on the Buddhist path.
The teaching on the psychology of the five elements (earth,
water, fire, air and space) shows how we ourselves create
unenlightenment through neurotic patterns of emotional reaction to our
own spacious nature. It demonstrates in a direct and often amusing way
how we are addicted to the form qualities of the five elements. We
are obsessed with manipulating our experiential reality in order to
prove to ourselves that we are solid, permanent, separate, continuous,
and defined. However, as emptiness is always the basis of the
equation, this obsession is doomed to interminably repeated
failure.
Fortunately, by applying the practice of Dzogchen trèk-chöd, we can break this cycle. Our emotions become a powerful
dimension of transformation in which we can discover innate
enlightenment. This means that instead of acting out, suppressing or
obliterating neurotic emotional patterns, we allow the energy of the
emotions to expand into their enlightened qualities according to the
five elements. Thus, the personality of the practitioner becomes the
key to liberation.
Spectrum of Ecstasy is written in colourful contemporary
language and introduces a wealth of practical examples. After each
chapter, there are extensive question and answer sessions taken from
teaching conversations between Ngak’chang Rinpoche
and Khandro Déchen and their students. These sections
highlight the teachings from different angles and are an informative
display of the style of teaching chosen by the authors.
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