Sparks

Reviews of previous books include

“I read this years ago and thought at the time it was the best book ever (in English) on the Dzogchen tradition. I just re-read it and feel the same way, now.” (Simply Being)

“What comes through to this reader is the freshness and intimacy of this teacher’s voice and the inspiration of C R Lama and this remarkable lineage. Wonderful!” (Collected Works of CR Lama)

“James Low has made an invaluable contribution to Dzogchen studies with his excellent translation and commentary on this precious Tibetan text. Anyone interested in the view and meditation practices of Dzogchen, the Natural Great Perfection teachings, would benefit from keeping this handbook close to their hearts and minds, as I myself do.”–Lama Surya Das. (Being Right Here)

“An expansion of the traditional concepts embodied in the text and an examination of how they can function in contemporary life.”–Watkins Bookshop Review. (Being Right Here)

“Being Right Here is a must-read for anyone interested in awakening the enlightened nature of the mind.”–Tulku Thondup Rinpoche. (Being Right Here)

“The book contains a beautiful practice of inspiring wisdom. The root text is composed by radiant insights, the explanations are clear and luminous, just as the title of the book.” (Radiant Aspiration)

James Low is a disciple and teacher in the Byangter and Khordong lineages of the late Chhimed Rigdzin Lama. He began studying and practising Tibetan Buddhism in India in the 1960’s and received teachings from Kalu Rinpoche, Chatral Rinpoche, Kanjur Rinpoche and Dudjom Rinpoche. Having met his main teacher, Chhimed Rigdzin Lama (also known as C R Lama), he lived in his home in West Bengal, India for many years, serving him as required and being taught many aspects of the tradition. During this period in India James did several retreats and pilgrimages. In the 1970’s and 1980’s, on his return to Europe, he also had teachings and guidance from Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche. James translated many tantric texts and sadhanas with CR Lama who wanted texts from his lineages, Byangter and Khordong, to be available in English. These are used as practice texts by CR Lama’s disciples and have been translated into various European languages. CR Lama asked James to teach in 1976 and later gave him the transmissions necessary to do this, together with full lineage authority. In particular, James was encouraged to give the traditional instructions using methods that enable people in the west to get the point. James has been teaching in this way for over thirty years. James regularly teaches the principles of dzogchen in Europe and publishes translations and commentaries from time to time. Many of his seminars have been recorded, transcribed and made freely available on his website in the hope that they may be useful for those seeking to deepen their dharma understanding and to explore how to apply it in the complexities of everyday life. James studied at Edinburgh University, at Visva Bharati University (West Bengal) and others. He has retired from his work in London as a Consultant Psychotherapist in the National Health Service. He maintains a small private psychotherapy and supervision practice. He has been a staff member for many psychotherapy trainings in Britain.