Watch Crazy Wisdom: The Life and Times of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche

Crazy Wisdom: The Life and Times of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche is a documentary film about the fascinating life of one of the most influential Tibetan Buddhist teachers in the Western world, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. Directed by Johanna Demetrakas, the documentary features interviews with many of Rinpoche's closest students including Allen Ginsberg, Robert Thurman, Ram Das, and Pema Chodron.

The film chronicles Rinpoche's life from his birth in Tibet to his death in Canada in 1987. Rinpoche's family was influential in Tibetan government and he was recognized as an important reincarnate lama at a young age. At 19, he fled Tibet during the Chinese invasion and eventually arrived in India. From there he went to England and America to study comparative religion and fine arts. It was during his time in America that he developed a unique style of teaching that blended Western culture with Tibetan spiritual traditions.

Throughout the film, we see how Rinpoche's unconventional methods challenged and inspired his students. His teachings included meditation, contemplation, and artistic expression. He also encouraged his students to engage in activities that were typically thought of as taboo in the Buddhist community such as drinking and having sexual relationships. Many of his students struggled with these teachings, but they found them to be transformative and life-changing.

The documentary also explores Rinpoche's personal life. He had numerous relationships with women and was known for his charismatic and flirtatious personality. Although some of his actions were controversial, Rinpoche's students explain that he was a complex and multifaceted individual who defied easy categorization. He was both a spiritual teacher and a human being with flaws and imperfections.

As the film progresses, we see how Rinpoche's teachings spread throughout the Western world. He founded the Shambhala Buddhist community, which now has centers all over the globe. His approach to meditation, which emphasized a non-judgmental awareness of the present moment, influenced many Western mindfulness practices. He also founded Naropa University, which became a hub for the study of contemplative education.

Overall, Crazy Wisdom: The Life and Times of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche is an engaging and thought-provoking documentary. It provides a nuanced portrait of a remarkable individual who had a profound impact on the way that Buddhism is practiced in the West. The film is both a celebration of Rinpoche's unique legacy and an honest examination of his flaws and contradictions. If you are interested in Buddhism or in the intersection of spirituality and modern culture, this film is definitely worth watching.

Crazy Wisdom: The Life and Times of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche is a 2011 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes.