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Rating: 
Summary: It does what it says on the tin
Review: A no-nonsense, firm, but gentle warning note to those of us committed to the so-called path of self-development. Trungpa patiently brings into fresh air the dangerous and destructive method by which we typically approach the notion of spirituality: i.e. as something to be developed, learnt through discipline or otherwise achieved much as we seek to aquire the prizes in our everyday material life. Trungpa's message was ideally suited to that aspect of ourselves - the Eastern mind as much as the Western - which is constantly looking for something external through which we hope to secure our sense of self and make us happy. Exposing this tendency with great skill and clarity, he outlines a more open, direct and yet infinitely more challenging way to experience Mind beyond the self through correct meditation. Even amongst Buddhist literature this is wonderfully refreshing and at once destroys all hope of bettering oneself and yet points to a far brighter fact: that true liberation inevitably involves letting go of the self rather than working to improve it. The often rather painful process of spiritual awakening is made sense of in this book if we begin to see that our emotions and thoughts cloud our direct experience of reality. An apt message befitting an enlightened being who wore his suits 2 sizes too small as a constant reminder of the irritation and dissatisfaction of the samsaric world.
Rating:
Summary: A clear and eloquent transmission of how the mind works
Review: Chogyam Trungpa, often referred to as one of the few oriental, Buddhist lamas who truly understood the Western mind, here transcends East and West by addressing simply and eloquently, the processes of the mind and ego. Trungpa illuminates how some of these processes can undermine an otherwise wholesome relationship to ourselves and our basic goodness (buddha nature) and our relationship with others. These processes can cause our suffering and the suffering of others and disrupt our efforts to be decent and skillful. The non-theistic text, transmitted by this extraordinarily gifted meditation master, is presented freely without prostelytizing and is offered clearly without judgment, blame, guilt, hope or fear. Cutting Through is an important stepping-stone towards developing self-awareness, fearlessness, friendship and loving kindness. A 'must-read' for any diver or warrior of heart and courage. Also recommended are Trungpa's: Shambhala, Path of the Warrior and/or Meditation in Action.
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Summary: Good Book From a Controversial Teacher
Review: Don't worry about where or how other minds meditate, then you already understand "not too loose, not too tight" my friend in Wyckoff, NJ. It simply indicates non clinging and non preference. Nothing special. Chogyam Trungpa had often been referred to as a womanizer and a drunk, yet in this book his mind appears to be completely clear. Like many things in our lives, often we look for things to acquire or possess; in Buddhism, it's some sort of attainment. Always searching and looking, buying and obtaining while all too often not seeing the truth of the Buddha that is us. We hear this teaching, say we understand this teaching, and then our minds still wander away in search of the "right teacher and right attainment." Never satisfied, not often that is, with life as it is. There is nothing wrong with aspiration in practice, but if we aspire with a notion of self then we will never aspire and attain anything; it is just not the way of the Buddha. Some have criticized Trungpa over the years for using the Guru/ Truth thing as a mind control technique over his students, and actually it's a somewhat sounds argument. He was known to ask followers to strip naked before him, a humiliating experience for many; all while he said it was to cut through their hiding and closed mindedness. One woman was stripped against her will. I don't say this to discredit Chogyam Trungpa and his followers, for people like Pema Chodron are very compassionate and clear teachers. I just think that like all of us, sometimes what he said and what he did were two different things. Nothing too out of the ordinary. The Guru (Truth) is a human being, and it's a wakeup call, a dose of reality. All in all this was a good book, and although I have disagreed with Trungpa's often grandiose lifestyle and teachings, I nevertheless give this work a great review. It's full of good and sound advice. Enjoy it!
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