Chakung Jigme Wangdrak

CHAKUNG JIGME WANGDRAK RINPOCHE was born in eastern Tibet as the fourth descendant of the nineteenth-century Buddhist master Dudjom Lingpa. He studied Buddhist philosophy with remarkable twentieth-century teachers, including Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche and Dakini Kunzang Wangmo. He lives and teaches in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he is the spiritual director of the Abhaya Fellowship.

Anam Thubten

Anam Thubten grew up in Tibet and at an early age began to practice in the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Among his many teachers, his most formative guides were Lama Tsurlo, Khenpo Chopel, and Lama Garwang. One of his main projects is to preserve the lineage of Dudjom Lingpa in the modern world.

He is the founder and spiritual advisor of both Dharmata Foundation and Kailash Fellowship. He is the author of several articles and books in both Tibetan and English.

His published books in English include: Voice of the Primordial Buddha; Choosing Compassion; No Self, No Problem; Into the Haunted Ground; and The Citadel of Awareness.

Anam Thubten teaches widely in the United States and abroad.

"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." —Publisher's 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