Paths of Glory (Click here to own a copy)

It was such that I was unable to revisit Tibet this summer. Where I had planned to go, it is biting cold, harsh and pristine. Set at the top of the world, this grassland sits with the Himalayas since time immemorial. However I found some consolation in finding some time to read Jeffrey Archer’s “Paths of Glory”.

And it was some consolation. Archer, again, in his distinct style (and imagination) weaves another probable tale about the conquest of Chomolungma.

Chomolungma? Mount Everest, my friend. Goddess of the Earth, that’s how the Natives, the Tibetans address her before English changed her name.

Edmund Hilary & Sherpa Tenzing Norgay

Sir Edmund Hilary and Tenzing Norgay are recorded as having reached the peak of Mt Everest on 29^th May 1953 but this Archer tale tells us that a certain George Mallory succeeded long before Hilary. Of course, this is not what we care about when we read an Archer novel. It is the submission to his writing and his imagination that captivates us time and again, luring us into spending hours and hours lost in his world.

Within the cosy comforts of home, I could feel the piercing unforgiving cold as the story unfolds. I could empathize with the climbers as they struggled to acclimatize to the altitude. Every step of their breathless struggle reminded me of my own breathlessness before. And I was only at 12000 feet. Chomolungma is 29,028 feet. (Archer says 29,002 feet probably Everest has sunk since my schooldays.)

George Mallory

Each chapter is distinct and follows a straight chronological style. For aged readers like me, this makes it easier to put down. You know what I mean. When one is young, a novel is read non-stop. The story is feasted on the couch, on the floor, the meal table, on the bed never letting go until every morsel is devoured, eyes never leaving the pages. It makes one think that evolution has made man to have arms and hands strategically constructed to enable food to reach the mouth without need of eyes or brain.

Ruth Young (Mrs Mallory)

The novel has its juicy moments of romance which serves only as a byline. But come to think of it, the story would be only half as long without it. A simple tale which can, no doubt, be recounted in less than five minutes. But then, most novels are such. Novels are meant to enthrall us and unknowingly move on, eager to know the ending. On this, Archer has done exceedingly well here.

“Because it’s there” this is the famous retort, supposedly by Mallory when asked “Why do you want to climb Mount Everest?”

The Dalai Lama Path to Bliss

He carries many epithets. To most Tibetans, he is the Lord of Compassion. Also known as Kundun, the omniscient one. He is Buddha. I first caught sight of him in person in 2003, in India. He was within touching distance. Escorting him then under parasols were The Sakya Holiness and The Drikung Chetsang Holiness. It may have been my imagination but sweet bouquet wafted as I sat yards away from him – deities offering flowers perhaps! ( Friends and i also had the good fortune of bumping into and chatting with the Sakya Holiness in a sweets shop in Dehra Dun last year).

Here is a quote from THE Dalai Lama,

“By emulating the examples of great personalities of the past, by pondering upon scriptural quotations and anecdotes taught by teachers, by employing all sorts of means, you should be able to develop a deep conviction that this present human body has great potential and that you shall never waste even a single minute of its use. On the other hand, not taking any essence of this precious human existence, but just wasting it, is almost like taking poison while being fully aware of the consequences of doing so.

It is very wrong for people to feel deeply sad when they lose some money, while when they waste the precious moments of their lives they do not have the slightest feeling of regret. Such an indifference comes as a result of not realizing the value and rarity of the precious human existence. Therefore, you should determine that on the basis of this precious human existence you have the capability and capacity to undertake the practice of dharma.”

–from The Path to Bliss by H.H. the Dalai Lama, translated by Geshe Thupten Jinpa

Ajahn Brahm told the story of “two bad bricks”.

As a DIY bricklayer for the fledgling monastery, he could only see two bad bricks which he had laid. To him it was a mistake and it was there for all and sundry to see. Never mind that the other bricks were perfect.

The moral of this story is that we often only see the bad features of others. In a relationship this is the road to failure. He says that if we choose to see the other perfect bricks, things can only be better. Also the bad bricks are what make us unique.

Life in general is often fraught with imperfections. Well, we just have to take the long with the short.

Ajahn Brahm

In the book “Who Ordered this Truckload of Dung” Ajahn Brahm gave many insightful and inspiring stories but I liked the ancient Chinese proverb quoted at the opening page. It rightly deserves it place in the beginning of his book. It goes…

Grant yourself a moment of peace,

and you will understand

how foolishly you have scurried about.

Learn to be silent,

and you will notice that

you have talked too much

Be kind,

and you will realize that

Your judgement of others was too severe.

One of my most treasured books is ‘a Meditator’s Handbook’ by Ajahn Brahm. As the title implies, it serves as the best guide I have read so far. Sadly, action is another matter. J

Another book which I recommend is “Who Ordered This Truck Load of Dung”. It is really a book of anecdotes but more importantly those stories reveals many personal insights as well as life as a monk. Ajahn Brahm’s writings and talks are delightful to read and hear. Behind that wit, I am quite certain lies an enlightened mind.

You may be able to find them at the local stores but if Amazon’s the thing, here’s the link:
Who Ordered This Truckload of Dung?: Inspiring Stories for Welcoming Life’s Difficulties

Presenting … that grand old man of words … Mark Twain!

He was one of my favorite writers of old…er…my young days. Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn,

One of his favorite phrases which I still remember was, “Giving up smoking is so easy I have done it a thousand times.” Or something like that.

I beg your pardon for the pages a little twisted but what is a great tale if not twisted? Hope you enjoy the man’s wit and inimitable style as much as I did. Still do.

The rest of the pages are here..

To know more about Mark Twain, click this.

Earlier I posted the Tibetan Book of the Dead. I hope that the following little that I have read about will be helpful.

I must declare that what is written below are just a summary (and a very brief one at that) of my own readings. Some would be my own assumptions and simplifications. How real it is I do not really know. Perhaps the truth of it can only be realized by the individual. The more fortunate would ‘bump’ into a teacher who has realizations of what is taught in the Tibetan Book of the Dead.

The Book (of the dead) describes the process of dying into eight stages. I observed that it is in two major processes.

These two processes are:

1 the dissolution of the gross physical body

2 the dissolution of the consciousness winds

The Gross Physical Body

This is what we see walking around. Our physical body that we identify as ourselves is comprised of five elements: earth, water, fire, wind, space.

The other way of relating to these five elements is to think like this:

Earth = our cells, the solid organic matter that eventually decay to become earth or dust

Water = the liwuid part of us, the water in our cells and blood

Fire = the warmth or heat energy of our bodies

Wind = the cavities, the spaces between all cellular structures

Space = the gross consciousness (because there is also the subtle consciousness) which a part of the composition of us as a living thing.

The Consciousness winds

The critical part of the art of dying lies in the fact that there is that part of us that we cannot see. This is the subtle winds.

Before talking about winds, perhaps we need to know that there are 80 instinct patterns that comprise our makeup. A little technical but knowing this helps us to accept that these 80 patterns are driven by winds. These winds are the subject of the next stage of dissolution when we die.

As mentioned before in the earlier article, the winds, just like the gross physical body also dissolves in 4 stages.

The 8 stages of Dying

To sum it up, there are 8 processes to be aware of in the process of dying. These are:

1              earth dissolves (our cells die or lose its vitality) – things become blur . An image like water flowing down a highway is perceived

2              water dissolves – our body fluids dries up or stagnates. The image of being enveloped in smoke is perceived. We no longer hear well.

3              fire dissolves – our body heat subsides. The feeling of cold arises. An image of fireflies or bursts of sparks is perceived.

4              wind dissolves – breathing stops. Taste disappears. Body sense disappears. An image of being in the middle of a dying candle flame is perceived.

This is the point of being clinically dead.

The next 4 stages also gives rise to perceptions which arises from the dissolution of the winds and the ‘flying out’ of the indestructible  “subtle clear-light consciousness”. After this point we are truly dead.

Here are the next 4 stages and experiences which arises from the dissolution of the winds into the central channel.

5              gross consciousness dissolves. The male essence descends to the heart complex. An experience of a vast sky filled with white moonlight is perceived.

6              the luminance dissolves. The female essence rises to the heart complex. One experience a vast sky of orange sunlight.

7              radiance dissolves. The male and female essences meet at the heart and envelope the consciousness. One perceives pure darkness.

At this point one loses consciousness. Most will not know what happens after the next stage as it is too subtle to be perceived unless one has adequate training. The 8^th or last stage of dissolution is characterized by its non-dual nature and perceiving and making use of this stage offers the opportunity for enlightenment, ultimate wisdom and transcending the rounds of birth and death.

What often happens, it seems, is that most will not even know this last stage, going in and out of the 7^th stage of darkness as the reverse process of taking gross form takes its course – all driven by our karmic winds or imprints of past volitional actions.

The in-between state

While one is in the in-between state, one is embodied in ghostlike body effected by the imagery of the mind.

The important lesson I find most useful is to train our mind to go through these process in our meditation and to sharpen our awareness of them and to remain fully aware as they occur.

If this is of any help, visualizing the process and developing mindfulness and lucidity of our dream state is a good suggestion for practice. The Dalai Lama said that he practices this dissolution and generation 6 times daily.

Dream practice appears to be most useful and is a very useful tool. The process of sleep, it is said, contains all the experiences of death and being lucid of these stages helps one to understand the dying process.

It is a conjecture on my part but I believe that the traditional vipassana or awareness meditation also works in the same direction. The deeper levels of calm and awareness practices offers us opportunities of being familiar with our mind states as we go through the meditative states besides honing our insight into the Buddha’s four noble truths.

All errors are mine.

Living and dying. This is one aspect of our short life that is inescapable. Its actual nature is to most remain elusive.

I tend to think that death is not so frightening. What is most frightening is the actual process of dying. Having seen many friends dying, it fills me with dread and sorry for the pain and suffering they underwent.

Trying to understand death before coming to death’s door has always fascinated me. It would be a victory of sorts and immense satisfaction to know what comes with dying. Of course, eventually theknell will sound but for the time being, I am nowhere near having the answers.

Reading up and hearing about it helps but they are in no way substitute for the actual truth of knowing it for oneself. Among the many literature that I have read and tried to understand, the Bardo Thodrol, The Tibetan Book of The Dead seems to provide the best answers.

After a relative passed away a week ago, I looked up one of my old books and started reading it again. The book I opened was ‘The Tibetan Book of The Dead – Liberation Through Understanding in the Between’ by Robert Thurman.

This book is in many ways useful for the uninitiated to the Tibetan view of dying. It provides a very good background of the the Bardo Thodrol, its origins and the fascinating history associated with it.

There were many instances where the author exercised some carefree abandon in interpreting concepts in his own words which I found distracting but he was trying his best to convey the ideas. Can’t fault him too much for that.

The book did well to present dying as a process which is the ideal occasion to gain liberation. In speaking of liberation, it is from the Buddhist, Tibetan Buddhist viewpoint of knowing one’s true uncorrupted nature. It is a many profound subject, this uncorrupted nature. Some called it the true nature of mind. Whatever term, we label it, the essence is that it is through the ability of recognizing the true nature that dawns in the state after dying that we must work towards.

It is not an easy act. But there is hope for the hopeful, like me for instance, who hope to do something when the time comes for us to die.

The actual translations are presented in easy to understand terms. In fact, the translations are also intended for reading to the dying as well as the just dead. There are instructions which appear clear enough but following them may be another matter altogether.

Particular concepts are dealt with foe example the six realms of existence, the Buddha bodies and most importantly the stages of death. All these are concise explanations of the key concepts that are critical in glimpsing what realization is all about. It is useful irrespective of whether one believes in the Buddhist philosophy or some other religious philosophy.

Within are also prayers and the author has taken the approach of intending them for non-Buddhists as well. After all, angels are still angels although our concept and perception of them may be different because of our individual leanings.

Outlined are ordinary and extraordinary preparations for death. Of these, the three main ethical practices of generosity, sensitivity to others and tolerance.  This looks like the easiest to incorporate into one’s daily life.

The act of giving for example is explained. One is asked to give away things that we care about not just those things that we do not like. It is also not the size of the gift but rather the quality and the amount of mental attachment that one needs to overcome. We are advised to give away small things and not to bankrupt ourselves from a momentary positive impulse.

Thoughts like patience in relationships and concern for oneself as well as others are also taught. The main theme is that death is ever present and one could die just right then and there. All very sobering thoughts. For those familiar with the preliminary practices of the Tibetan Buddhist path would recognize and find them such strong reminders of their practice. It gives a sense of urgency towards working harder on our individual spiritual path.

For those inclined towards meditation there is a section that is devoted to this. Calm meditation and other meditation are discussed, all attached with easy advice.

Whichever way you look at it, be it as a casual read or as a tool for enhancing meditation and preparation for death, this book is a must-read. There has to be a meaning to life. There has to be a bigger picture, a picture much bigger than ourselves, our mansions, our cars and our families. In understanding dying and more critically in preparing oneself for this inevitable, the more we know and understand the better. I find this argument hard to counter.

I provide here the link for more reading and if you cannot source one at the local bookshop, here’s the link to Amazoncom.

The Tibetan Book of the Dead

May all be happy and free from hurt and harm.

It is the Season of Christmas cheer and soon it will be 2010.

This year round instead of making the annual resolutions, I found myself reading “How To Practise” by His Holiness The Dalai Lama.

I have had this book around for quite some time and only got round to reading it. I suppose in many ways, it beats making New Year resolutions. The Dalai Lama is indeed on eof the great personage of this lifetime and his experience and wisdom is as they say as vast as the ocean. He is as Jeffrey Hopkins says in the foreword amazing.

His Holiness opens his book with this:

“I travel to many places around the world, and whenever I speak to people, I do so with the feeling that I am a member of their own family. Although we may be meeting for the first time, I accept everyone as a friend. In truth, we already know one another, profoundly, as human beings who share the same basic goals: We all seek happiness and do not want suffering.”

The teachings are brief in most aspects but nonetheless is a great guide and reminder of the need to practice and to never underestimate our own potential as human beings to find happiness.

He includes and assimilates all the different religions. For example on page 12, he stresses that the encompassing compassion is common in all religions irrespective of whether we are Hindus, Muslims or Christians.

Death and more accurately understanding of the death process as well as the intermediate state after death is delved into. More importantly is instruction of familiarizing and practicing to help us eventually handle the dying process. He speaks with knowledge and in his very humble ways points out the correct way to practice. I find this part very simple and encourages me to develop this aspect in my daily life.

He stresses that he speaks as a humble monk but from hints dropped of his regular practice routine and expressions of confidence that his practice can bear fruit makes this a book that has one place – beside one’s bedside – to be continually referred to.

He talks about the special method of extending help and exchanging oneself with others on page 85 going on to bodhisattva practices on page 107.

For those who wish to know something about tantric practices, The Dalai Lama discusses tantric meditation in the later parts of the book. I find the structure of the book leads me on gently through and believe it is useful for both seasoned practitioners and new ones alike.

Take it as an introduction to Buddhism or simply as a guide to living a good life, this book I recommend. I believe this book is easily availabIe in your local book store and I have linked this book to Amazon. You can visit amazon.com or to go there straight, click this link: How to Practise: The Way to a Meaningful Life

Or you can click on the image of the book at the top.

Good Reading, may you benefit and Happy New Year!

I am reading a book called “Reminiscences of a Stock Market Operator” by Edwin Lefevre.

No likely you would not have heard of him. He’s no equivalent to Dan Brown but his book is a classic. Those in the finance industry especially equities and stock markets say this is a must read.

I find the writing style somewhat mafia-ish ie it is like being talked to by a mafia boss. But what is more interesting are the many tales and stories of intrigue. The best part is that he tells it from his own experience.

He was a succesfAt the very least, I find that I have something to learn. Maybe my meager stock market forays may at last show some profits. 

This is the link.
Reminiscences of a Stock Operator (Wiley Investment Classics)