This is a translation of a classic Tibetan Buddhist text, focused on lojong, or mind-training. It both presents and expounds upon the seven points of mind training of Tibetan Buddhism. Chogyam works to peel back and re-orient certain dynamics our ‘selves’ use to perpetuate the narratives that shape our existence. It provides practical direction on how to help expand the scope of one’s focus, and how to move away from small-mindedness and pettiness, in order to help drive a mental culture of continuous improvement.
It is designed to help develop one’s practice of loving-kindness and compassion. As it typically works with these lineages, Chogyam Trungpa is re-presenting what had been taught to him, along with his own commentary and understanding. It is excellent and I strongly recommend reading it. I was originally put off a little by the title, opting instead to read some of his other books, but this is probably my preferred written work of Chogyam Trungpa’s. It is full of not only philosophical frameworks and perspective, but each point has tangible elements that can be incorporated into practice, which is one of the reasons this powerful book has received so many treatments throughout history, Trungpa’s being one of the most contemporary and accessible.