Cynicism and Magic

Intelligence and Intuition on the Buddhist Path

By: Chogyam Trungpa, Opening the Dharma Treasury Editors Group - editor

Narrated by: Devendra Banhart

Length: 4 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

Based on a series of talks given by Chögyam Trungpa during the first session of what was to become Naropa University, Cynicism and Magic introduces key Tibetan Buddhist concepts, including karma, the structure of ego, the paramitas, and the bodhisattva. Employing a unique and intimate teaching style, Trungpa Rinpoche presents these concepts in a larger framework of questions we all have: What is authentic spirituality? Can I find enlightenment and freedom? How should I approach life, death, suffering, and boredom? How can I develop some discipline, patience, and sanity?

Whether you are new to Buddhism or returning to the fundamentals of your practice, this book will guide you toward experiencing a living dharma intelligently, with a sense of openness and wonder.

©2021 Diana J. Mukpo (P)2021 Shambhala Publications

Critic reviews

"The teachings in this magical book come from the same period I first met Trungpa Rinpoche, which marked the radical turning point in my life. Reading this brought me right back to those days when he pointed out to me the pitfalls of spiritual materialism and how I could discover my own basic sanity. I hope a new generation of readers can catch the spark from the wisdom they will find here from Trungpa Rinpoche in his truest essence." (Pema Chödrön, author of When Things Fall Apart)

"A book of deep wisdom that offers Trungpa’s signature profundity permeated with humor, Cynicism and Magic illuminates the path of the heart-warrior with crystal clear light. There’s a kind of music under these words - a treasure!" (Devendra Banhart)

"This book shows Trungpa Rinpoche’s genius, his superb talent in communicating traditional teachings of the Mahayana buddhadharma. He presents seminal topics in an elegant and easy-to-digest way, always full of humor and common sense. His ability remains unmatched among authors on the subject of buddhadharma. I am so glad that the addition of this book to the collected treasures of Trungpa Rinpoche’s teachings will inspire, educate, and move generations to come." (Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, author of Peaceful Heart)

Honest and demystifying.

Sit, just sit…!
(The app asked me for more words to publish this message but there are no more words to say).

What I needed right now

2022 has been a rough year for our family, and I started using Audible to cut through the depression by listening to a lot of Trungpa Rinpoche and Pema. I was struggling with what I thought was a disconnect between Chogyam's teachings and the Buddha's. This book made me say "Ah," which in my experience is the best way to learn something. Cynicism and Magic is a passing of the torch to younger Shambhala students who have been entrusted with the Ocean of Dharma and transcribing it from talks into a written record. I am pleased with their efforts as this is probably the most succinct "why" to practice in a particular order of teachings. My ego doesn't like taking things on faith, or is it just inquisitiveness? Very well done. My only complaint is in regards to the narration that felt disjointed and was distracting with improper inflection, which didn't fit with the tone of the material.

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and just let it play in the background on repeat and you will make connections that you didn't the first time or the third.

Well worth the Listen

Refreshing in it's directness. Writing more words in this because Audible requires 15 words minimum.

ruined by a sloppy reading

The soft put-on "spiritual" voice of the reader and the odd pronunciation of Chögyam Trungpa's name and easily researched words like "prajna" were annoying and distracting. Also the reader's difficulty articulating any word over 5 syllables is equally frustrating and irritating.

I'm not sure there is anything new here but it is always good to hear Trungpa Rinpoche teach and re-teach and re-frame the Dharma.

Excellent

Great audio book. Trungpa is an excellent teacher of spiritual materialism and it’s seductions to self.

Devendra Banhart nails it!

Devendra Banhart delivers one of the most pleasing narrations of Chogyam Trungpa teachings I’ve heard. In my opinion his voice, inflection, cadence, volume, spot on.
Thank you!

Fantastic Narrator!

Love Devendra Banhart’s music and his narration voice is so comforting, like being wrapped in a warm blanket.

Wonderful book read perfectly by Devendra

This is book is extraordinary. It requires all your attention. Study it. It’s simply the truth of being. You can also hear Devendra’s care and his own understanding of Trungpa and the Buddhist path. He is the perfect reader.

do it

is all there is to say but a review needs fif teen word s s