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Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism cover art

Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism

By: Marvin Casper - editor,John Baker - editor,Chögyam Trungpa,Sakyong Mipham - foreword
Narrated by: Jim Gimian
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Summary

In this modern spiritual classic, the Tibetan meditation master Chögyam Trungpa highlights the commonest pitfall to which every aspirant on the spiritual path falls prey: what he calls spiritual materialism. The universal tendency, he shows, is to see spirituality as a process of self-improvement - the impulse to develop and refine the ego when the ego is, by nature, essentially empty. "The problem is that ego can convert anything to its own use," he said, "even spirituality."

His incisive, compassionate teachings serve to wake us up from this trick we all play on ourselves and to offer us a far brighter reality: the true and joyous liberation that inevitably involves letting go of the self rather than working to improve it. It is a message that has resonated with students for nearly thirty years and remains fresh as ever today. This new edition includes a foreword by Chögyam Trungpa's son and lineage holder, Sakyong Mipham.

©1973 Chögyam Trungpa (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism

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no walk in the park

At times this book is tough going and had me questioning a lot of what I have been doing with my practice, which cannot be a bad thing right?

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5 people found this helpful

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An audio classic for tender-hearted practitioners.

Trungpa students and fans will undoubtedly listen to this many times. Jim Gimian, the narrator, certainly appears to be very familiar with the work. An inspired choice. Well done all involved.

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4 people found this helpful

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For those who engage in spiritual practises

The book begins to dare the heart to evaluate all religious and spiritual practises including meditation yoga and any chantings as props for ego. Refreshing explanation of difficult concepts for westerns like guru and gives a refreshing insight into Buddhism but also a glimpse into non-duality neti neti ‘not this not that’. Some sections become too technical. If you think your level 3 reiki or certified in yoga and healing. Or gifted with spirituality talents. Get this. May need to hear it a few times for things to sink in. Dare you to read it.

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3 people found this helpful

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A blessing for those on the spiritual path

Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu
A book I will gratefully return to again and again.... Clear and precise wisdom

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2 people found this helpful

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Insightful

Classic teachings for anyone on the spiritual path. Highly recommended for those looking to get deeper into their own consciousness.

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1 person found this helpful

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Started well, drifted off by the end.

Struggled with this, jumps around all over the place. In the end disappointed overall. Sorry

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A classic

It’s a matter of being ready for things when they turn up, and if you find you’re ready for this, I believe it will give clarity and direction to your practice as well as a healthy self assessment.
Beautifully read, I thought .
Thank you all involved 🙏🏻

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The pitfalls of the spiritual journey

Fascinating man with many deep insights. I enjoyed listening to this book, but if anything it confirmed to me that my path is not a Buddhist path. There is great wisdom and depth to this lineage of spiritual mastery and it has many tools that are of use to those on the path, yet the beauty, love and colourful exuberance of the yogic path finds more resonance within me. Trungpa very matter of factly lays out many of the mistakes that those on the path make. The confusions that may cloud their perception of where they are and the constant need to surrender to the process. Detachment lies at the root of his teachings.

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I intuit this is meaningful

Great reading, meaningful content. This book has sufficient spiritual cautions to function as a tool for spiritual growth.

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Very inspirational

Very well read book. The narrator had a steady style and clear expression. The content was very clarifying and understandable. It truly helped to understand the context of spirituality and spiritual practice by drawing a clear picture of the actions or the way of life that leads to renunciation and what hinders it.

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