This book consists of a few short articles of "heart advice," many short songs/prayers, & 2 appendices. The appendices condense Dudjom Rinpoche's (DR) overview of the organization/content of (1) the 9 Buddhist vehicles (per the Tibetan Nyingma school) & (2) the writings of the Buddha. They help put the book into perspective, so those unfamiliar with this schema might read them first. In addition, Ron Garry's (RG) Introduction addresses the value of all the Buddha's teachings. Most of the book consists of songs & prayers. Per prior great practitioners, DR expresses some extremely profound realizations in his dohas (spiritual songs)--p. 49: "If you do not spoil phenomena with clinging & grasping thoughts, appearances & awareness will nakedly manifest as empty & luminous wisdom" & p. 117: "One's own awareness, fresh & uncontrived, is the primordially present ultimate Lama from whom you have not been separated for even an instant. This meeting with the original abiding nature-how amazing!" Similar to Mahamudra, he states: p. 53: "The stages of spiritual experience & realization arise either in a progressive order, without a progressive order, or all at once. This occurs according to the particular faculties of people, but there is no difference when the result is achieved." Unlike others, however, he directly addresses the Tantric ritual use of meat & alcohol & explicitly elucidates Tibetan symbol usage. This is especially helpful since his prayers, in particular, are heavily laced with Buddhist/Tibetan mythology, symbols, etc.-which RG defines in extensive endnotes. Close to my heart, DR relates Dzogchen to psychology, "p. 149: "When all experience arises as the pervasive manifestation of Dharmakaya, clinging to pure lands is misleading; the label "Buddha," the narrow path of attachment. There is no Buddha Amitabha outside me: I look within. I have discovered the Dharmakaya within myself. How exhilarating!" Thus, I dispute his self-effacing, p. 103: "I am a celebrated lecturer of others, giving advice, like a deaf person playing music." I must admit that the many Supplication Prayers did not resonate with me, & as he says, p. 271: "Reciting prayers, like a parrot repeating OM MANI PEMÉ HUNG-If I do it or not, it doesn't' really matter." Rather, p. 50: "Mindfulness is simple recollecting of the recognition of your own nature." As stated above, students differ. But, some of the Aspiration Prayers profoundly struck a note with me: p. 286: "When I sustain the naturally settled state without distraction or clinging In the uncreated state of present, empty, & clear awareness, Unfettered by the characteristics of mental frameworks, May I perfect the great dynamic energy of meditation on the abiding nature!" Pretty profound!!!

We should be very grateful to Ron Garry for the work he has done translating some amazing works from Dudjom Rinpoche. Even short letters from Dudjom Rinpoche in this book contain the whole path of Buddha Dharma, just to read a few lines will inspire and open ones heart. Very profound, very direct and to the point.......