Myth of Freedom and the Way of Meditation, The

Chögyam Trungpa's classic examination of what it means to be free and how perceptions, attitudes, and patterns can bind even the most dedicated practitioners—reissued for its 50th anniversary. In these collected lectures, Trungpa Rinpoche explores the true meaning of freedom, showing readers how preconceptions, attitudes, and even spiritual practices can become chains that bind them to repetitive patterns of frustration and despair. Here, through his unique ability to express the essence of Buddhist teachings in the language and imagery of modern American culture, Trungpa Rinpoche directly addresses the process of dissolving the barriers people often create and place between themselves and the rest of the world. The teachings and guidance presented in this classic text reaffirm why his books are among the most accessible works of Tibetan Buddhist philosophy. This edition also features a foreword by Pema Chödrön, a close student of Trungpa Rinpoche and the best-selling author of When Things Fall Apart. Topics include: • Disappointment and suffering. • Self-absorption and paranoia. • Simplicity and boredom. • Working with negativity. • The bodhisattva vow and patience. • Surrender and commitment.