Acknowledgments

Lama Tsomo walking with Tulku Sangak Rinpoche

It seems only right to begin with my family. My parents permanently infected me with the joy of exploring the nature of reality and understanding people. During my growing-up years, my sister sat with me for hours as we passionately replicated that pursuit. She’s the real writer in the family, not to mention a brilliant editor, and she’s always graciously encouraged my e orts.

I also want to thank Herman Schaalman, my family’s rabbi, who gave me my first guidance and pointed me in the right direction in my pursuit of wisdom and compassion.

Four more whom I wish to acknowledge are my dogs Gonpo, Soongma, Kusung, and Dawa, my loving companions over the many years of writing this book . . . well, except for one writing stint at the

monastery in Nepal. I deeply regretted that they were too big to fit in my carry-on bag.

They say that everyone needs a witness our lives. Aaron Stern is that for me. And so much more. We’ve been deep thought partners on many subjects, always learn from each other, and are closer than many brothers and sisters. So his presence permeates this book in ineffable ways.

I’m a teacher, and this series is a succession of many teachings. If it weren’t for all of the students over the years and decades, I would not know what or how to teach. If it weren’t for students’ needs calling this forth from me, I wouldn’t have troubled myself to write it. If it weren’t for future students, I certainly wouldn’t have written it. For all of this, and their inspiring open-minded and open-heartedness, I’m deeply grateful.

I feel a great deal of gratitude for my editor, the late Michael Frisbie, who was not only top-notch at the art of editing, but a natural and accomplished educator. Given that this was my first real attempt at a full-length book, I needed both of those gifts in great measure. Had it not been for him, this whole series would have been just a nice manual. That is what I’d originally had in mind. But because of his genuine enthusiasm for the material (despite not being a Buddhist at the start) and his skills, his questions and comments inspired the rest of this book, which was actually in there somewhere. He always gave generously, and with good humor. Actually a hysterical sense of humor! He was the patron saint of my writing for many years, and a good friend. I will miss him.

For the beautiful layout and design, applause to Kate Basart, who is not only skillful and talented but a pleasure to work with. Thanks to Kristyn Asse for her care and skill in proofreading, and to Colleen Kane and Ellen Burke from Namchak Publishing, for holding the many threads that wove together for the final product. Many thanks to Merry Sun for her excellent editing with a Millennial take; I would have no idea!

Much gratitude to the entire Namchak team, who contributed to the many aspects of putting a book together and sending it o into the world. I’m especially thinking of Keegan in IT, for wrestling Word to the ground repeatedly, and to Mitch, for jumping in as needed. Much gratitude to Jessica Larson, director of Education and Outreach, for her many key

roles in bringing this out into the world. Marissa Fornaro, at Namchak, did a masterful job at expanding our reach into the foreign-to-me world of social media. Thanks also, to the team at BerlinRosen for their expert advertising work, which they wove into our e orts.

Many thanks to Janna Glasser, not only for her excellent tracking down of the shocking number of permissions for this book, but for the various legal agreements as well. But beyond that she is one of our more ardent supporters. Gratitude to JoAnn Hogan for managing the countless details necessary for the success of this project.

Dr. Richard Davidson, one of the neuroscientists in the Mind and Life Institute working with His Holiness the Dalai Lama xiv, and head of the Center for Healthy Minds and of the Waisman Center at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, took precious time from his busy schedule to talk to me and review my neuroscience pieces.

I feel these acknowledgments must include—and highlight—the masters of the Namchak Lineage, our particular branch of the larger Nyingma Lineage, beginning with Guru Rinpoche and Nup Sangye Yeshe, who hid the teachings, then Tsasum Lingpa, who later revealed those teachings, continuing in an unbroken thread of wisdom, down to the present world lineage holder, Tulku Sangak Rinpoche, to whom this book is dedicated. He is my Root Lama. And my deep gratitude to Namchak Khen Rinpoche, Tulku Sangak Rinpoche’s brother, who has also taught me much profound Dharma. Perhaps his greatest teaching is his living evidence of its e cacy.

The most recent revealer of the teachings of our lineage was Pedgyal Lingpa, who passed them directly to Tulku Sangak Rinpoche. Without every one of the lineage lamas passing the wisdom down from one to the next with utmost capability and care, I would not have received the gems that I talk about in this book. A lineage of teachings that is revealed and passed down in this way is referred to as a treasure. And that’s actually an understatement.

I wouldn’t want to receive all that Rinpoche and those who came before have o ered me and not transmit what I can. Whenever I felt my lack of readiness too keenly, I also had this thought: if I had come upon this book when I was much younger, I know that I would have been delighted to use it for foundational learning. If this book turns out to be of benefit to you, then my purpose for writing it will have been fulfilled.

This book is the third in a series.

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