Present Fresh Wakefulness: A Meditation Manual on Nonconceptual Wisdom

Books often seem to appear when needed. Here’s a book that has been out since 2002, but is as relevant today as the day it was first published. If you’ve studied Theravada, Mahayana, and done some basic reading on Mahamudra and Dzogchen this book is timely. It is a very readable book that puts them all in perspective, with many practical tips and guidance. It summarizes the basic teachings, yet carries within it a subtle profundity. It is punctuated with beautiful poetic teachings and practical questions and answers for students, as well as right view and meditation techniques and tips. The emphasis is Dzogchen, but it’s Dzogchen in context. It makes clear that all the schools and traditions can help support each other and aid an individual spiritual path. This shouldn’t be the first book you read on Buddhism and meditation, but it should be on the list when you’re trying to pull it all together.

A taste of liberationfrom inspired instruction on the path to true vipashyana. I feel fortunate to have these teachings from a genuine Dzogchen master and compassionate spiritual friend. The essential points and expanded commentary and quotes that present a complete picture of the heart of Buddha's message. A truly extraordinary book!

This is a very good book with simple instructions on liberating one's confused, discursive mind into a more refreshing space

A must read for any Buddhist practitioner. A friend called it "revelatory" - you can feel your understanding change jut by reading Chokyi Nyima's words.

Good book, useful

This book records sessions at several seminars and retreats. It is basically advice on how to meditate via Shamatha and Vipashyana, what the view of Mahamudra and Dzogchen is, and how to be mindfully present in meditation and post-meditation--to experience "Present Fresh Wakefulness" in your life. It is very practical and includes many questions and answers. My favorite part is pages 86-88 where Chokyi Nyima describes Trekcho and Mental Nondoing quite succinctly (and mentions Togal). He also has a summary chapter near the end of the book ("The Heart of the Practice"). He also wrote "The Union of Mahamudra and Dzogchen" that I enjoyed even more than this work. Readers who like this work, which is like meeting with your own Guru or Lama, might like the works of his brother Drubwang Tsoknyi (Carefree Dignity & Fearless Simplicity) and his father Tulku Urgyen (Rainbow Painting etc.).

I discovered this book in 2003 when I was going through a tough time. I was amazed at the directness of Chokyi Nyima's teachings on the nature of mind. I was so moved by his writings, that I attended a seminar of his in California later that year and was again moved deeply by his heart felt and precise teachings. Over the years I have read and re-read this book many times, and it lives up to its title 'a meditation manual on non-conceptual wisdom'. my copy is dog eared and underlined all over the place, and I literally use it as a manual because it is all in there. I have been practicing for many years, so while this book is still very powerful for a total beginner to buddhism, it is much more powerful for someone who is been practicing for a little bit and knows a bit of the buddhist terminology. Nevertheless, I have given this book to many many friends, and they all appreciated it greatly. Thanks to Erik Kunsang for an excellent translation.

This is the quintessential advice of an experienced living master for modern yogis to realize complete enlightenment. One of the clearest most concise meditation manuals on non conceptual wisdom by the Tibetan Buddhist Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche. Most Highly recommended!!!