The book Being Guru Rinpoche shows how to understand and engage with a traditional Tibetan tantric meditation practice (sadhana) and relate it to the lived complexity of our daily life. The ritual focuses on living within the mandala of Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, and becoming inseparable from the Guru in his Eight Manifestations. The root text is from the terma tradition of Chhimed Rigdzin Lama (C. R. Lama), one of the great Nyingma lamas of the modern period. The text is given in Tibetan, with pronunciation (for reciting) and each verse is translated, with commentary. It can be used as a meditation practice text for those wishing to do so.
James Low's overall commentary is based on an edited transcript of various talks and is offered as a way for western people to engage with tantric practice. The text itself is from the Nyingmapa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism and is a treasure text (or terma) revealed by Nuden Dorje, a 19th century terton of whom C. R. Lama was a recognised incarnation. James Low first translated it with C. R. Lama in the 1970's and it became the most frequently practised larger text amongst his students.
This ritual text is very important and powerful because of the depth of its content and the shortness of its lineage, in other words, its closeness to Padmasambhava, the root of all the Nyingma lineages.
For those in any tradition of Tibetan Buddhism the commentary illuminates how symbolism is used as a method of transforming samsara into nirvana. Transformation is the distinctive method of tantra. For the general reader the text provides a way of revisioning personal identity and purpose.
James Low is a disciple of the late Chimed Rigdzin Lama and he teaches in the Byangter and Khordong lineages according to the instructions of his Guru. He began studying and practising Tibetan Buddhism in India in the 1970's and received teachings from Kalu Rinpoche, Chatral Rinpoche, Kanjur Rinpoche and Dudjom Rinpoche. Having met his root teacher, he lived in his home in West Bengal, India for many years, serving him as required and being taught many aspects of the tradition. On his return to Europe he also had teachings and guidance from Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche. James translated many tantric texts and sadhanas with C. R. Lama who wanted texts from his Byangter and Khordong lineages to be available in English so that they can be used as practice texts. James trained in various models of psychotherapy. He has retired from his London work as a Consultant Psychotherapist in the National Health Service. He has taught on many psychotherapy trainings in Britain. He has a website www.simplybeing.co.uk where his teachings can be accessed in various media.
