LIVING DREAMING DYING wisdom of Tibetan psychology by Rob NairnISBN: 0-9584348-9-1
soft cover; old gold endpapers; 230 x 140mm; 320 pages; full colour illustrations
Price: R148.00
Recognition already received
- Foreword by His Holiness the 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje
- Perspective on Living and Dying by Ringu Tulku
- Exclusive Books & SAfm ‘Book of the Week’ January 2003.
- Shambhala Publications USA edition out in 2004.
- German edition in hardcover by Theseus, Berlin.
- Italian edition by Astrolabio-Ubaldini, Rome
- Czech edition due out by Dharma Gaia, Prague.
also described as “Practical wisdom from The Tibetan Book of the Dead”
In everyday language, Rob Nairn presents a modern Western interpretation of this classic text of Tibetan Buddhist instructions for dying. Working with the premise that the mind and its habitual tendencies continue after death, Nairn explains the importance of preparing for the journey by cultivating authenticity, self-acceptance, compassion, and wisdom. With instructions for meditation, expansion of consciousness, and lucid dreaming, Living Dreaming Dying guides the reader through the daunting process of facing death without fear.
Reviews
“The Tibetan Book of the Dead is a guide to liberating the mind from illusion in the bardo of death. In order to accomplish this, it is necessary to train the mind in this life by developing kindness, compassion, and wisdom. Rob Nairn is offering a modern psychological perspective with the hope that it will be easier for people to understand and apply these ancient teachings to their lives. Rob’s work to benefit beings has my blessing.”
—HIS HOLINESS THE 17TH KARMAPA OGYEN TRINLEY DORJE
“Rob has studied and practised for many years under great masters. This book will benefit many beings.”
—HIS EMINENCE THE 12TH TAI SITUPA
“Rob Nairn integrates the insights of Jungian psychology with the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism to explain the relationships between day-to-day life, our experience of dream, and the opportunity for enlightenment that arises when we die. This excellent book speaks directly to the reader in a style free from jargon, and shows with great clarity how we can begin right now to prepare for a skillful death.”
—FRANCESCA FREMANTLE, author of Luminous Bliss and co-translator [with Chögyam Trungpa] of The Tibetan Book of the Dead
“Beautifully written, Living, Dreaming, Dying is at once a profound description and an accessible guide to the most fundamental aspects of ourselves—the great mysteries of birth, death, and what lies between. Highly recommended.”
—JOSEPH GOLDSTEIN, founder of Insight Meditation Society, Barre, Massachusetts and author of One
Dharma: The Emerging Western Buddhism
Full description
Living Dreaming Dying, Rob Nairn’s third book, embraces the flow of human consciousness through the cycles of life, dream and death. It addresses in very clear and practical terms the ‘grand and gaping enigma’: death and dying. If we train and make friends with our minds in life, we have a chance of recognising what is happening in death. This recognition can result in liberation or enlightenment.
Rob uses everyday language and psychological examples to interpret The Tibetan Book of the Dead. Specific Tibetan terms are explained and contextualised. Rob offers practical guidelines and exercises on how to apply this ancient wisdom in our daily lives.
The book is in four parts.
Part 1 The Greater Scheme of Things presents methods to identify our habitual psychological patterns and how we stenghten whatever we focus on. It is this stream of consciousness that flows though life, dream and death: ‘we die as we have lived’. Dream is discussed from the neuroscientific, psychological and Buddhist perspectives. The profound role of the five elements (earth, air, fire, water and space) is detailed in life and the dying process.
Part 2 Making friends with the mind takes us on a journey beyond the intellect, discussing actions that cause suffering – both to ourselves and to others. projection, and how to let go of our illusions: emotions such as attachment, resentment and fear. guidelines and exercises show how to work skilfully with these emotions.
Part 3 Helping the Dying and the Dead takes a practical look at how we can comfort and be of benefit to those dying and dead.
Part 4 Training for the Moment presents a series of simple methods of training the mind for freedom from suffering in life and in death. The major focus is on compassion - the wish-fulfilling jewel. The training is a guide to open the heart to benefit self, others, all sentient beings and the world.
At the back there is a synopsis of the main lineages in Buddhism, with focus on Tibetan Buddhism. Useful contact addresses are also supplied.
