In this book Ngakpa Chogyam, an English lama of the Nyingma school now living in Wales, has given us an excellent explanation of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. These are basic Buddhist teachings--the ground, in fact, of Buddhist practice--and it is always helpful to review them.
Here, the author takes a fresh approach, and his precise and careful use of language communicates a wealth of meaning. In some places, that meaning becomes fully clear only after a second reading. At other times, the author's choice of words makes immediate and surprising sense--for example, when he introduces the term "distracted-being" in place of the more conventional (to Western readers) and problematic word "ego."
The teachings here on the value of kindness are also very helpful and could usefully be taken to heart. The emphasis throughout is on direct engagement with the teachings, and on genuine experience.
Another lama, Chogyam Trungpa, in describing how mindfulness meditation can blossom into panoramic awareness, once said that "when one's feet finally touch the ground, the landscape opens up." That is the message of this very fine book, as well.
Rays of the Sun is published by Aro Books worldwide, ISBN 978-1-898185-06-2. It is also available at all leading bookstores including Lulu, Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk. For more information please see the book's web page http://bit.ly/ncrros
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