INTRODUCTION  OF

THE TIBETAN BOOK OF DISCOVERING THE TRUE NATURE OF ONESELF

UNIQUENESS

The uniqueness of this book is the merging of texts and profound knowlege of spirital masters (buddhas) of the 5th BCE and 8th AC and of the 20th AC century - 3 Buddhas of 3 Eras. In brief, this book is not just a repetition of already known texts but it furnishes the reader with applicable recipies (methods) to advance on the "stairway to heaven" (resp. to spiritual perfection) and sheds new light on the importance of attentiveness - truly a gem – as the foundation of Noble Morality and Bodhicitta. The intensity of this book is hard to surpass since it contains all path to spiritual perfection, except Raja Yoga. Those having already practical experience will definitely benefit.

The practical content sidesteps the canonical teachings and aims directly to the supreme goal, is depth-psychology and it serves as a "manual" for striving people already on the path.

All what is best for westerners is given in the chapters of "key know-ledge, "key instructions". Generally the book has 2 mainstreams:

1. Knowledge for clarity in definitions, to the purpose of a human life, to philosophical backgrounds and of yoga, the characteristics of Con-sciousness and power of distinction (viveka) and more. In appreciation of the original book certain repetitions were unavoidable - apparently aims at doubters and nihilists.

2. Instructions to practice, to walk the path from beginning to the end and to acquire all described states or results for our own1. This follows the principle: Nihil scire omni posse - he who can accomplish everything, can explain everything in his own words and does not need scripts written down by others some time ago. A true seeker most likely will rest on these parts of the book.

This book does not substitute basic spiritual and canonical literature (see chapter „Literature“) on Yoga and Buddhism; it is an "essence" of all those - a true juwel for the seekers for liberation. If a reader knows the original book "The Tibetan Book of the Great Liberation" he will notice, that a large part deals with life and work of Padmasambhava, which is unique and does not help you on your own spiritual journey; it is just inspirative. That's why those were omitted and the content here is focused on you and your destiny.

Text passages highlighted in bold serve to draw attention to specific topics within a chapter, as readers tend to browse or simply skim thru them - lol.

ON CONSCIOUSNESS

The texts in the treatise "The Tibetan Book of The Great Liberation" of Padmasambhava use the word "Mind" or "One Mind" as the ultimate component in human, what can be „developped“ to realize the ultimate truth and therefore lead to Nirvana - but it is not the Mind, it is the Conciousness. This misinterpretation of the term "mind" versus the term "consciousness" by the former translator W.Y. Evans-Wentz is presum-ably due the psychological knowledge of 1927. Only the transcendental component Consciousness has the capability to lead to spiritual perfection and to Nirvana. Hence the author included a list of definitions for psychic components and psychic states and psychic or spiritual results when practicing the Dharma. A common understanding and use of certain terms is highly recommended, since dogmatists and scholars love to argue and twist its meaning. A more detailed and unique ex-planation is given on the functionaltiy of the Consciousness, of its core ability of perception and cognition, of the mind and other compo-nents which are subject to the inevitable transformation process - see chapter "Indispensable Knowledge" and "What are Jhanas?".

ON APPLICABLE METHODS (THE 5 JEWELS)

The texts of Padmasambhava given in the referenced book of 1927 are of higher buddhist knowledge but they let the reader know what the Consciousness or "pure state of consciousness" is and what it is not.

Furthermore the orginal book of 1927 does not give any methodical recipies how to approach to this kind of spiritual state, which in fact goes step by step following more than 200 levels. This book now fills this missing gap for someone who wants to start and follow a "Path to the Great Liberation". The author therefore supplemnented the orgiinal book with some the most precious treatises available and some not yet known or published like:

1. "The Path of the Phoenix" and the

2. "Invaluable Path of Causless Joy" and an extra bonbon

3. "The Mystical Path" - never published before and is a center piece here. The embedded

4. "Introduction to the Mystical Path" is a treatise never seen or heard before: its significance is of utmost importance for any spiritual develop-ment, science and religions likewise.

5. „Mahamudra“ as a twin directly connected to the „Path of Phoenix“. Some (secret) commented aphorisms were added as a proof of the essence of Padmasambha’s teaching that are equal to those of later Tilopa. Those comments might be of great interest for advanced Yogis or Buddhists.

6. For those who wish to extend their practice and are already pro-gressed on their spiritual path the author included Buddha’s core teaching the Direct Path, the Prajna-Paramita and the Diamond Sutra which is another evidence how analycial concentraion and power of distinction can procure these results and insights. The true Raja Yoga of Patanjali and revived by Vivekananda is not in this book - Raja Yoga demands a true Guru after the stage „Asana“ (no „Pranayama“ practice without a Guru).

7. The author included „Introduction to Intellectual Yoga“ giving a pro-found insight to a seeker for depth of these paths.

(By the way: A true spiritual master knows all paths of this book.)

ABOUT TANTRA

The present tibetan Tantra practices consists of accumulations of vari-ous visible and audible practices (praying, singing-reciting, drumming, guru-meditating, integrating visual ideas) and they need a sangha in „exoctic or colorful“ environment. Some include into Tantra Kundalini-Yoga, sometimes Tantra is explained as „a box of everything“ with no clear forward path of development. Tantra is branded for many sorts of „exclusive“ practices, And every tradition has its own systematics. It is said, this is the fastest path for spiritual perfection (enlight-ment), which is not true - the fastest path is Mahamudra, whose practice is explained in „The Path of the Phoenix“, where higher awakness manifests soon. True Tantra practice needs the ability of „one-pointedness-concen-tration“ and this is only for advanced disciples where their practices are controlled by a true master. So nothing for those on the lamrim-ngöndro preparation path.

Real Tantra Practices aim to the realization of mystical powers and more higher qualities by using the potential of the Mind (see chapter „Tantra and the Mind“) and the reunion of space (akasha) and prana (energy) into ONE. The break-through to the light of the Dharmakaya is achieved differently. That is why the specific methods are not explained here. The true origin of Trantra is India. Tantra practices are pure esoteric (identifications) and not exoteric (tsoks etc.). Trantra is considered as part of the Vajrayana. The main goals of the trantric prac-tices are transformative. But this takes place on other paths as well, for instance the core of Theravada, Satipatthana, is also considered as „transformative and burning“ - so no reason to regard it as inferior. Increasing attentiveness is crucial in every step of progress. The com-bination of both is highly recommended. Furthermore there is no histori-cal evidence that Buddha Guatamo has taught Trantra, especially not in the way the Tibetan propagate it nowadays. The Tibetans have mixed the Tantra with Lamrim and hereby created a „new system“. The black Tantra is for (bad) magic powers, the red Tantra attracts animalistic people still interested in sensual pleasures, whereas the white Tantra is the right one. The use of black Tantra was the cause why Tibet has lost its Buddha and its protection against outsiders.

But the reader may be assured, that the securest path is the Mystical Path (for complete indestructibility) where later "you can walk with your slippers into heaven" or enter the „realm of Vairocana“ anytime at will. That is why this path is explained in detail in this book. The Mystical Path achieves same results as Vajrayana with Tantra but without any perils to become a demon. A contemporary Buddha, knowing profoundly the humans by their karma and their present mindset (done by many direct identifications and „living“ in them), teaches this path with first priority. After having accomplished the ultimate realization all other systems and methods will be explored and incorporated with the ability the use them wisely.

TO BE NOTED

Even if the texts read themselves quite easily and generate enthusiasm but omitting the importance of the Noble Precepts of Morality and not considering them in daily life can lead to a backlash or stagnation. Just meditating only without gaining insights about oneself remains a nice hobby. About 300 million people meditate more or less regularly on this planet. If just one out of a million would do it in the "right way", the world would have 300 bodhisattvas or perfect yogis and less dictators. The 28 Noble Precepts are given to guarantee success on any path and to avoid traps, they include much more subtleties than just a compliance with civil laws or the 10 christian commandments.

Someone who travels often to attend new events not being invited by his Guru who has accepted him as disciple, this one is still looking for diversification and prefers social embeddedness.

BUDDHA? (for newcomers)

The term "Buddha" can have two meanings: firstly, it refers to the historical Buddha Gautamo (Shakymuni) and secondly to anyone who has attained and stabilized the cosmic state of infallible consciousness and wisdom, regardless of the system of spiritual development they followed. Jesus Christ also achieved this: "Christos" represents the state of Buddha. In other words, a Buddha is the union of humanity's most valuable attributes in a single person. There were many Buddhas before the historical Buddha, and also after him, and even today (they are active in secret). The antagonist of spiritual light is Maro or Mara, also known as Satan - but his power is limited (or mastered) by the transcen-dental or cosmic light. He has numerous helpers (little Maros), which like to fight each other too. 

In Yoga, a Buddha or an Enlightened One is called a "Jivanmukta" and his state of consciousness is called "Turiya". An enlightened being who explains a path of spiritual development to people and successfully guides them along is a Bodhisattva, a Spiritual Master, or a True Guru. There are very few of them - the rest are „coaches“.

Generally, once consciousness has grasped emptiness, all distinctions disappear; only absolutely objective reality and its understanding re-main. All differences in educational systems become irrelevant. Anyone who crosses the threshold into emptiness must master Pranayama and Dhyana

It is advisable that certain chapters are read or studied in a retreat or on week-ends, far away from the noise of the world and or individual problems near you. Doing so, the essence of texts and instructions will be absorbed better – because of this, certain texts are in bold. Repeated reading will help or boost your efforts.

Dear reader, enjoy the content, have a good read and good practice all the time.

Tapopa 2026

1 In death only this remains what you acquired in transformation during life.