From the cover:
The early days of Vajrayana in the West were exciting and fresh. The vital spirit of questioning was a core concern for those who sought the few Tibetan Lamas who visited Britain. Eager students were often prepared to travel considerable distances to receive instruction from them. Unusual then - for that time - that some should also seek out a young Englishman recently returned from the Himalayas. In the midst of a furore of seeking, inspired by the magic and mystery of Tibet - some were keen to penetrate the esoteric surface and come to terms with the lived meaning.
Accidental meetings with Ngak'chang Rinpoche, living incognito as a hidden yogi in Cardiff - Wales - led to lively questioning and informal answers. The answers became talks - and the talks became weekend retreats. Rinpoche's teachings were simple, direct, and experiential. The four evening talks contained here deal with the themes studied by everyone who wished to explore Buddhism in depth: the four noble truths, eightfold path, refuge, compassion and causality. Although this material is commonly available, it is rarely discussed in creative contemporary English - nor are they presented from a perspective informed by Dzogchen.
Rinpoche was first asked to teach by Gétsulma Tsültrim Zangmo, a Western nun ordained by the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa. Rinpoche named her 'ö-Zér Nyima after she received Dzogchen sem-dé transmissions from him - and this book is dedicated to her memory. 'ö-Zér Nyima means Rays of the Sun - and exemplifies the lively, cheerful, unobstructed vision of an extraordinary English woman - and the nature of the teachings presented in this collection of talks. They espress the strongly held non-sectarian viw that was the basis of Ngak'chang Rinpoche's friendship with Gétsulma Tsültrim Zangmo - 'ö-Zér Nyima - Rays of the Sun.
