Fathoming the Mind extends the commentary of Stilling the Mind. This companion volume also stems from an oral commentary Dudjom Lingpa gave to the next section of the Vajra Essence, the vipashyana section, in which he shares the teachings revealed to him in a pure vision of Padmasambhava, elucidating the cultivation of contemplative insight, or vipassana, into the nature of existence as a whole. The revelation appears in the form of a fascinating dialogue occurring within Dudjom Lingpa's own mind. Various aspects of his mind pose questions to his own primordial consciousness, and the pithy and provocative replies elucidate what could today be called depth psychology that taps into the very ground of being. The ensuing dialogue explores every stage of the path to buddhahood in this lifetime, from the very beginning to the unexcelled result of the rainbow body, signifying enlightenment. Everything you need to know to attain buddhahood is complete in this text.

As Wallace continued to reflect on Dudjom Lingpa's writings and their relevance to the modern world, he was inspired to elaborate extensively on his original commentary and to add introductory essays and an afterword, which contextualize the root text and commentary and reveal their contribution to the contemplative revolution triggered by the discoveries of Galileo, Darwin, and Einstein that have brought about an irreversible change in the outlook on reality of those who have fathomed their authenticity and implications. This book brilliantly contextualizes Buddhist teachings on the Great Perfection as a revolutionary challenge, rationally and experientally, to modern beliefs.