Product Description

Rama - Dr. Frederick Lenz, was an American-born enlightened Buddhist teacher. Since Buddhism had adapted in very different ways in countries such as China, Japan, and Tibet, Rama taught Buddhism in contemporary American terms while strictly adhering to the highest traditional standards. He defined the core process as "Self-Discovery," and the spiritual practice as "The Enlightenment Cycle." The Enlightenment Cycle is a balanced combination of intensive daily meditation with full participation in the world, rather than a separation between monastic and worldly life. It is the quality of your morning meditation that enables you to overcome workplace obstacles, and then through excellence in the workplace positive internal energy is generated that in turn fuels an outstanding evening meditation. This daily cycle is the modern "short path" to enlightenment. Although in 25 years of teaching he held many public meditations for over 100,000 people, Rama worked directly with only a few hundred students during most of that time. He integrated other spiritual paths that he felt were on the same level as Vajrayana and Zen Buddhism, in particular the Vedanta tradition of Shankara and Ramakrishna, and the American Indian mysticism described by Carlos Castaneda. He also tried to find things in modern life that would further one's self-discovery, and in computer science saw a career that had much in common with Buddhist mind-strengthening visualization techniques. This transcribed set of 27 talks, from 1989-1990, is the last set of live talks ever recorded, and a unique synthesis of the material he had been teaching for the preceding 10 years. Highlights include "Self-effort," an unflinching explanation of what it takes to be liberated, "The Nexus of All Pathways," which puts the listener in a high world looking down on Earth, and "The Best Meditation I Ever Had," perhaps the most delightful talk he ever gave. This set is a complete course in how to become Enlightened.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3164492 in Books
• Published on: 2003-10
• Binding: Paperback
• 364 pages

Customer Reviews

Very special moments between an enlightened teacher and his students
You must know about the context of this set of transcribed talks to fully appreciate how special they are. This isn't a series of lectures on tape, but instead discussions of advanced Buddhist teachings recorded live in private seminars Rama held for his personally-selected students. You're in the hall sitting with his students, most of whom by this time had been studying with him for over 10 years. Quite simply, it is a rare opportunity that spiritual seekers normally only read about. One of the most unusual things about these talks is that you can feel the energy of this exceptional teacher, and feel his state of mind. I have meditated with and listened to some famous, very powerful and advanced teachers and yet there is no one quite with this clarity and mental purity, and even more remarkable because he's explaining everything in contemporary language as much as possible. It's hard to explain, but I and many others have actually seen gold light emanating from Rama and filling the room. In these tapes, especially if you purchase the audio CD set, you can sense it. Just see where your mind is by the end of each talk! A unique opportunity to actually walk the pathway to enlightenment, unlike any other spiritual book or set of CDs I am aware of.