Counsels from My Heart

I’ll admit: I approached *Counsels from My Heart* skeptical of yet another ‘timeless wisdom’ audiobook, expecting either dry dogma or New Age dilution. Instead, I got a gut-punch of clarity. Dudjom Rinpoche’s teachings here are *alive*—less like scripture and more like a seasoned mentor grabbing your shoulder mid-crisis. His instructions on ‘resting in rigpa’ (pure awareness) aren’t theoretical; they’re *practical*, laced with dark humor and a refusal to coddle. One moment he’s dismantling ego with surgical precision; the next, he’s describing devotion so fiercely it feels like a love letter. It’s this rawness that makes the audiobook unforgettable. Simon Callow’s narration is the secret weapon. He resists the temptation to dramatize, opting instead for a measured, almost conversational tone that makes Rinpoche’s words feel intimate. His pacing is deliberate—sometimes *too* deliberate. A few sections (like the dense explanations of Dzogchen view) could use a touch more rhythmic variety; the monotony risks losing listeners unfamiliar with the terminology. And while the brevity is a strength, I wished for more pauses between chapters to digest the heavier passages. Still, the production’s minimalism serves the material: no distracting soundscapes, just the weight of the words. If you’ve ever rolled your eyes at spiritual bypassing, this audiobook will restore your faith in the genre. It’s not for dabblers—it’s for those ready to be *changed*.