Loving Life as It Is

“Desire, attachment, and turmoil have changed the collective consciousness of our world—Chakung Jigme Wangdrak welcomes readers to remember that incorporating our awareness of this when we meditate and engage in spiritual practice will contribute to our individual freedom, which ripples out into our collective freedom, creating a healing impact that is so urgent to the future of our world.”—Sharon Salzberg, author of Lovingkindness“Like crystal-clear deep water, this book is both inviting and profound. It comes from a true master, with helpful ideas and suggestions on each page. The writing is fresh and alive, full of heart, and always encouraging. It is a real gem.”—Rick Hanson, author of Neurodharma“Loving Life as It Is explains how skillfully meeting suffering is the direct path to the highest happiness. This book provides an excellent roadmap to navigate life’s ups and downs with wisdom and an open heart. A much-needed book for these times.” —James Baraz, author of Awakening Joy“Chakung Jigme Wangdrak offers a wonderfully heartwarming expression of Tibetan Buddhism’s profound and gentle way of understanding and living this human life. To read the book is itself to rest in the luminous nature of mind, to be comforted and encouraged to love this life, with all its troubles and sorrows, as a life of joy and ease. The text gives you all you need for a robust spiritual life. Born, raised, and trained in rural Tibet, but now living in the West, Chakung Jigme Wangdrak reflects the charm and magic of the original tradition in a way the Western reader can appreciate.”—Norman Fischer, author of When You Greet Me I Bow“[A] lucid English-language debut from Tibetan Buddhist teacher Wangdrak… . Buddhists of all stripes will find value.”—Publishers Weekly “Chakung Jigme Wangdrak eloquently addresses the dual nature of human experience—happiness and suffering—and provides a transformative perspective on both, encouraging readers to embrace each as a vital component of strength and spiritual growth. In clear language, he teaches methods that everyone—from beginners to experienced practitioners as well as non-Buddhists—can use to train their mind toward happiness when faced with the challenges of life.”—Lion’s Roar

Chakung Jigme Wangdrak Rinpoche was born in the Golok region of eastern Tibet as the fourth descendant of the nineteenth-century Buddhist master Dudjom Lingpa. At the age of fifteen, Jigme Wangdrak was recognized as the reincarnation of Rigzin Longsal Nyingpo. He studied Buddhist philosophy at Larung Gar Monastery with H. H. Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok. Jigme Wangdrak also received teachings from the well-known female teacher Dakini Kunzang Wangmo. In Tibet, Jigme Wangdrak published many revelatory writings from Dudjom Lingpa and an original woodblock edition of the Nyingma Gyudbum. Since 2011, he has lived in the San Francisco Bay Area and teaches to several Buddhist communities. He is spiritual director of the Abhaya Fellowship.