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The Myth of Freedom and the Way of Meditation  By  cover art

The Myth of Freedom and the Way of Meditation

By: Chögyam Trungpa,Marvin Casper,John Baker - editor,Pema Chödrön - foreword
Narrated by: Roger Clark
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Publisher's summary

ChgyamTrungpa's unique ability to express the essence of Buddhist teachings in the language and imagery of modern American culture makes his books among the most accessible works of Buddhist philosophy. Here Trungpa explores the true meaning of freedom, showing us how our preconceptions, attitudes, and even our spiritual practices can become chains that bind us to repetitive patterns of frustration and despair. This edition features a new foreword by Pema Chödrön, a close student of Trungpa and the best-selling author of When Things Fall Apart.

©1976 Chögyam Trungpa; Foreword 2001 by Pema Chödrön (P)2014 Audible Inc.

What listeners say about The Myth of Freedom and the Way of Meditation

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Buddhist Teachings for Americans Living in 1970

This recording was very dated. It comes from material that was written and taught in the early 1970s. Much of the tone and wording used were geared to that period of time in mind set and focus. If you happened to have been an adult in the late 1960s and early 1970s you will understand what I mean the minute you start listening.

The teachings are very anti faith and religion. It does not matter what religion you follow--if you are a person of faith you will most likely be offended by the ideology presented and the instruction to stop "all that nonsense and pain creation". To me this "all or none" approach is limiting and unnecessary. It is possible to practice meditation and mindfulness living in addition to being a faith based person.

I agree with another reviewer that Roger Clark, the narrator has perfected the "voice of god-style" of reading. This further adds a level of strangeness to the experience with all the "there is no God" info presented here. Another reviewer suggested that the teachings take on the tone and feeling of "cult instruction". I think that goes a bit too far, but I can see where they got that idea.

I think that better editing of this material would have improved the accessibility of the information for modern westerners. The recording has wonderful teachings and insights--you just need to be able to sort out the wheat from the chaff. Discernment is necessary here--as it is in all things. A mixed experience.

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46 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Advanced level

The biggest problem with this audio book is that it does NOT include the forward by Pema Chrodron as advertised. I really want to hear what and has to say about this book. So that is a major disappointment I think Audible should rectify.

Talking about the content, I admit I was over my head with this book. Chogyam Trungpa starts out by saying we need to first look at what Buddhism is. So it sounds like we're going to start out gently. But soon it gets into topics that may make more sense for advanced practicioners, but I wouldn't know.

Still, I have listened twice and likely will again in a few months. This all sounds highly unorthodox and really remarkable to me.

Chatham Trungpa himself was a paradox, so that's another layer on this. An alcoholic who renounced his monastic vows and got married? But still was regarded as a master, for lack of a better term?

The book is as remarkable as the man and has taught me a lot. Highly recommended. A bit mind bending.

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10 people found this helpful

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Poppy Boopers

I love oatmeal. Do you love oatmeal as much as I love oatmeal? Have your mom call my mom to discuss and confirm.

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6 people found this helpful

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Good teachings wrapped in too many descriptions

There are very valuable teachings here, but wrapped in too many descriptions of stages in the path, like the things one is likely to think and feel when reaching such and such stage.

For me, personally, those descriptions are a waste of time. I would much more like the core teachings by themselves. Then again, this would be a pamphlet instead of a book.

Great work by the narrator. The pace and the pronunciation were very enjoyable.

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Important Book, Wrong Reader

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

The voice irritated me.

What other book might you compare The Myth of Freedom and the Way of Meditation to and why?

Heart of the Buddha, Spiritual Materialism

What didn’t you like about Roger Clark’s performance?

I've read the book, where I imagined Trungpa Rinpoche's quiet voice, pausing, giving opportunity for openness. This guy reads it as if he's God. The voice is not cool for this book.

Any additional comments?

Maybe the Sakyong could do it justice as a reader, but I'm not sure. I think Judith Lief would be the best reader for this book + I think Shambhala should consider this in the future for VCTR audiobooks. I won't buy another from this reader.

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Must read by Spiritual Seekers

Iconoclast, transgressive and disruptive!
This book will rip off all what you have asume and suppose about enlightenment and realization; trungpa’s sharp and accurate words are ground-shaking, inspiring and extremely accurate for this times.
A Book to embrace our inadequacy, to let go the patterns of self-deception and embrace our daily lifes as the most reliable path to realize sacredness in each little detail; from the morning tea up to changing the tire of the Car. CRAZY WISDOM as fresh as the breath of the morning fog.

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4 people found this helpful

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Best Beginner Buddha Book

A great read for those new to Buddhism ... aside from the pronunciation of his name :-), Chögyam Trungpa is very accessible and engaging for the layperson, but doesn’t water down or lose any of the key elements of Buddhist teachings, highly recommend.

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Magnificent

Magnificent book, I can't recommend this enough. One of the most direct dharma books I've encountered.

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Crazy confusing but wonderful . . .

If you've already been studying Buddhist concepts! I wouldn't recommend it otherwise. There are ideas (I say "ideas" even though that's probably not the best word to use) in this book that I hadn't come across before and others that have been reiterated beautifully. Still, at least half of it is a mystery so I will listen to it over and over for a long time just like I have other books of this topic.

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Relentless hard hitting spiritual compassion

This book had a profound impact on me challenging me to be ruthlessly honest about my own neuroses that form the veil of ignorance. Confronting yet compassionate, the teaching cuts deep.

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