Dzogchen Essentials: The Path that Clarifies Confusion by Padmasambhava, Translated by Marcia Binder Schmidt

Both Tibetan Buddhism and Bon consider Dzogchen the natural, primordial state of unconditioned wakefulness. Practiced by both schools of thought, Dzogchen is seen as the most direct path to enlightenment. While there is some source text contained in Dzogchen Essentials, it is primarily a collection of treatises and essays by monks and scholars about their interpretation of the Dzogchen teachings. Regardless of it's lack of source material, Dzogchen Essentials offers the western mind a rare glimpse inside of an ancient school of enlightened beings. If you've never heard of Dzogchen, or have heard of it and find it fascinating, this book will surely leave you in a better place than before you read it.