Chogyam Trungpa: His Life and Vision

I first read Fabrice Midal's book about a year ago. My impressions then, when I just beguin to read, were that I was before an easy reading biography about someone I knew very little about. I was curious, but I didn't have any great expectations beyond the fact that biographies, usually, just gives us informations, dates, anecdotic details, and all kind of outlaying knowledge about a certain major figure. It was a happy surprise when I discovered that the simplicity of the writting was filled with deep understanding and clear directions about where the author wanted to guide us. More than a description from an outside point of view of the world and the personality of Chogyam Trungpa, I could see a personal invitation to share his vision through the inspired and accurate style of the author. Midal doesn't fill up your head with second hand information or anecdotic details about the life and adventures of Chogyam Trungpa, but tryes to point out (and very often he fully does it) the possibility of making by ourselves the experience of Trungpa's vision and teachings, for real.

An excellent book. I had a hard time putting it down.Though not then a Buddhist or direct student of Trungpa's I was a student at Naropa from 1974 until 1979.Trungpa,through Naropa, has had a tremendous long term positive impact on my life. This book has gone a long ways in helping me to better understand the complexity and the power of the man and his vision, and why his work has had such an impact on me. Brian O'Connor - member of Naropa's first and third graduating class in 1977 and 1979.

When I first got into contact with the teachings of Chogyam Trungpa I was touched and moved by the directness and truth which matched my experience. I wanted to know more about this man. Digging deeper a whole universe of teachings and accomplishments opened up. Not just Buddhist, but also "worldly" Shambhala teachings on enlightened society, theater, poetry, flower arrangments, science and business - to name just a few - were all subjects Chogyam Trungpa genuinely offered his understanding to the benefit of others. All perfectly adapted to the West by a Tibetan master, presented in English, fascinating. Fabrice Midal brilliantly captures the many aspects of Trungpa's exceptional life, well structured and with a profound understanding. A well to read book on the life and accomplishments of Chogyam Trungpa and the profoundness of his teachings. A must read for everybody, at least for the ones interested in Buddhism in the West.

Trungpa Rinpoche was one of the most outstanding and also colourful masters of Buddhism to come to the West. As a genuine and deeply trained lineage holder of Tibetan Buddhism he came to the United States in the early 70s deeply soaked in his meditative tradition. He taught the Buddhadharma in a very traditional and profound way to his students, requiring a deep grounding in meditation practice from all. At the same time, he was very concerned with making the teachings of the Buddhist tradition applicable and relevant to peoples lives. In this way he was willing to experiment with many ways to teach Dharma to students, including art, photography, dressage, caligraphy and so on. Above all, he wanted people to find ways to incorporate Dharma into their daily lives, and not use a spiritual path as a way to be ungenuine or escape from their lives. One of his principal students, Pema Chödron and his son, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche continue to propagate the dharma in this fearless, uncomprimising manner. I found this book so helpful to give me an overview of all the different aspects of the teachings or Trungpa Rinpoche. I appreciate a lot the hard exertion that has gone into it. May it benefit others.

Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche was one of the first Tibetan teachers in the West and has been widely credited both by Westerners and by other Tibetan teachers with creating the ground for the subsequent expansion of Buddhism here. Beyond that. Trungpa Rinpoche taught Buddhism in a unique way, insisting on the complete integration of spiritual and secular life. He did not regard spirituality as a path out of this world but as a way of being in it. His teachings are amongst the most challenging, inspiring, and practical presentations of the Buddhist and Shambhala paths ever given. Fabrice Midla's biography of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche integrates many of Trungpa Rinpoche's extensive teachings with the diverse and colorful events in his complex life. In this way, M. Midal also succeeds remarkably in conveying a sense of the atmosphere which Trungpa Rinpoche's students experienced. This book will be of enduring value not just to those interested in the Buddhist or Shambhala paths, but to those who are curious about what it means to pursue a spiritual life within the secular Western world.