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Winds Channels and Drops by Kyabje Garchen Rinpoche

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phantom59
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Winds Channels and Drops by Kyabje Garchen Rinpoche

 Fri Jul 06, 2012 5:17 pm

Now when it comes to the practice of the winds, channels and drops, there is the condensed,the concise and the
mediocre and extensive practice. The extensive practice would be the SixYogas of Naropa. First, one meets with a guide,
a teacher who has experiences in thosepractices. If one doesn't have the experience of meeting with those teachers, and
just goesahead with the practice, then great faults can arise from that. Through these practices, greatqualities can arise,
but also great faults will arise, and for that reason those practices are secretpractices. The practices of the winds,
channels and drops are secret practices. In the sixpractices of Naropa, in the extensive version, one practices them for
about thirteen years. Andthen if one practices, one can accomplish the siddhis within one lifetime, just like Milarepa did

In a mediocre case, one practices them for five or seven years. Or one can practice for threeyears. When one practices for
three years, one gets an approximate understanding of how thepractice works. There are actually these days people who
are doing those practices. You can askmany masters like Traga Rinpoche who are doing those practices who have
acquired great gifts and details. Those great masters have put those practices into practice. One could invite, andask for
guidance.So what is it I will introduce to you today? It is a practice you can practice on a daily basis,continuously those
practices of the winds and channels; and it is a small practice, but withgreat results.So first and foremost, one needs to
understand approximately the way of the channels and thewinds, of how the channels go through the body. There are
many scriptures, medical scriptureson the body, where they explain the way of being of the channels. There is an exact
number of how many channels there are, and how they are located and so forth. And probably when weare practicing, it is
not quite exactly like they say in those medical scriptures, for example.When we are practicing, we are going in stages.
But first, when we start out with the practice,the number of channels are probably similar. For example, we need to purify,
make thechannels even. For example, in America, if there were no roads, then nobody could go on thoseroads. So first
one needs to even out those roads so vehicles can travel on those roads. In thesame way, one needs to purify those
channels so the winds can travel in the channels, just likepreparing them as a road.So first there are three main channels,
and there are four chakras. Regarding the channels,there is a pure state and an impure state. Just like the mind, the pure
state is a mind thatwishes to benefit others, a mind filled with bodhicitta; and in its impure state, it is a mind filledwith
self-clinging. It is those two that determine whether a mind is pure or impure -that is, amind filled with negative emotions.
So the first thing is to dispel those faults, and one needs toacquire those qualities; and for that, there are various
visualizations

So first there are the three channels: the central channel extends from the secret place up tothe crown. It is erected like a
pillar. It is the channel of wisdom. And then there is the left andthe right channels. And all three channels -the left, right
and middle -meet below the navel. Andthen the left and right channel separate at the navel and extend upwards. [Editor's
note: In aprevious earlier teaching, Rinpoche stated: "Long ago, humans only had the central channel.But due to wrong
influences, the two side channels were created (duality?) These channels arenot created by our imagination, but actually
do already exist in the subtle body, the body youexperience in deeper meditation.]And then there are the four chakras For
instance, America has many different districts; so we are dividing the fourchakras, the four wheels. We first have the
crown chakra, which is a wheel on the crown, thewheel of great bliss. Then we have the throat chakra, which is the
enjoyment wheel. Then wehave the heart chakra, which is the wheel of dharma and then we have the navel chakra,
whichis the emanation chakra. And then we have the secret chakra, but when we are making thevisualization, we only use
the first four: the crown, the throat, the heart and the navel chakras
http://www.facebook.com/DDCVT" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

phantom59


Drikung Dzogchen Translation Project

 Fri Jul 06, 2012 6:18 pm

We are posting more and more free texts translated by the Drikung Dzogchen Translation Project which Lho Ontul
Rinpoche founded in 2001. We are also working on a multi Media archive to make available online all of the teachings
that have taken place at the DDCV over the last ten years. If you have skills in Web Design, Databases or general advice or
suggestions we would love to hear from you. Financial support is also happily accepted. It is a massive project and we
need your help to bring this project to fruition. We know many of you are scatted across many countries and do not have
access to all the teachings that you need to support you in your practice. We hope the DDCV multimedia archive which
will include audio, video, text translations, commentary texts on practices, images, visualization guides etc. will be able to
support you in your practice wherever you located. We are also exploring ways that we can have different levels of the
archive that are restricted to those who have received the appropriate empowerment etc. so that we can maintain the
samaya of these precious teachings. Up to this point it has often been difficult for practitioners who wish to practice the
Yangzab or the Treasure teachings of Nuden Dorje or the other Tertons of the Drikung lineage such as Osel Dorje to find
the support materials they have needed to be able to engage in these practices and we hope to change this and to
support all practitioners regardless of their financial means. But to make this happen we will need your help. If you have
the technical skills to bring help us bring this vision to fruition online please contact us. If you have financial resources
and feel this is a project that you would like to support please contact us.

Our hope is to have this multimedia archive online before the end of 2012 and to begin the process of making all of these
teachings and support materials available. Even if all you are able to do is make prayers for this vision to become a reality
that would be a great help. Above all practice the precious teachings that you have been given. Help us strengthen and
increase these profound lineages. The Yangzab Dzogchen Treasure Teachings as well well as the teachings of Lho
Nuden Dorje are profound and vast and contain every practice needed to benefit others. We also wish to translate and
make available many of the other recious teaching of the Drikung Kagyu such as the profound Dharma of the Drikung
Kagyu Lineage Founder Kyoba Jigten Sumgon and also other great Lineage masters. Other texts and teachings outside
of the Drikung Kagyu lineage will also be made available. Lastly I would like to thank Lho Ontul Rinpoche who founded the
DDTP forseeing the need for these practices in these difficult times and also wishing to help preserve and further these
teachings. Also the tireless supoort ofH.H. Drikung Kyobpa Chetsang Rinpoche and Lamchen Gyalpo Rinpoche and other
Drikung Lamas has kept this project going. We also want to thank the tireless translation work of Mike Dickman, Malcom
Smith, Eric Fry-Miller, and many other translators

http://www.facebook.com/DrikungDzogchen ... ionProject" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Konchog1


Re: Winds Channels and Drops by Kyabje Garchen Rinpoche

 Sat Jul 07, 2012 12:36 am

http://www.scribd.com/doc/44633382/H-E- ... -and-Drops" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Can someone with a facebook or scribd account please download this and upload it on mediafire or similar please.

Equanimity is the ground. Love is the moisture. Compassion is the seed. Bodhicitta is the result.

-Paraphrase of Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Tsephel citing the Guhyasamaja Tantra

"All memories and thoughts are the union of emptiness and knowing, the Mind.
Without attachment, self-liberating, like a snake in a knot.
Through the qualities of meditating in that way,
Mental obscurations are purified and the dharmakaya is attained."
-Ra Lotsawa, All-pervading Melodious Drumbeats

Arnoud


Re: Winds Channels and Drops by Kyabje Garchen Rinpoche

 Sat Jul 07, 2012 9:04 am

WINDS, CHANNELS AND DROPS

By His Eminence Garchen Triptul Rinpoche
His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche: "So today, my dharma friends, I will give an introduction intothe channels and winds.
And it is the mode of being, our body in connection with the mind. Andif one understands the meaning of secret mantra,
then one understands that one's own body islike the mandala of the Victorious Ones. It is the abode of the
deities.Milarepa has taught that this precious human incarnation is the vehicle that will bring us to thepure state of
Buddhahood. And depending on the virtues we are practicing, we can use thathuman body to go up, because the virtues
we are practicing in the human body are verypowerful. But also the non-virtuous actions we are practicing, they will send
us down. Thosegoing up and going down depends on the human body. Therefore, this precious humanincarnation is like
the chungchur (ladder) between going up and going down.There are many methods to apply on the path of practice. But
all of those practices, they areleading us to the state of enlightenment. Having realized the Buddha nature, their innate
stateof mind, that will lead us to the state of Buddhahood. So all those practices are one method tolead us to
Buddhahood.Initially, one goes for refuge in the outer source of refuge, which are the three jewels. Theninwardly, one
practices the three roots, which are the guru, the lama, the yidam deity and thedakini. Having gone to refuge, one applies
oneself in the practice of the three roots. That is,innerly, outerly, and secretly. It is the way of being with our body, which is
the channels, thewinds and the drops. Having internalized those into practice, the results are that one willachieve the
kayas, the three Buddha bodies. All those qualities are contained withineverybody's body.Now when it comes to the
practice of the winds, channels and drops, there is the condensed,the concise and the mediocre and extensive practice.
The extensive practice would be the SixYogas of Naropa. First, one meets with a guide, a teacher who has experiences in
thosepractices. If one doesn't have the experience of meeting with those teachers, and just goesahead with the practice,
then great faults can arise from that. Through these practices, greatqualities can arise, but also great faults will arise, and
for that reason those practices are secretpractices. The practices of the winds, channels and drops are secret practices.
In the sixpractices of Naropa, in the extensive version, one practices them for about thirteen years. Andthen if one
practices, one can accomplish the siddhis within one lifetime, just like Milarepa did.In a mediocre case, one practices
them for five or seven years. Or one can practice for threeyears. When one practices for three years, one gets an
approximate understanding of how thepractice works. There are actually these days people who are doing those
practices. You can askmany masters like Traga Rinpoche who are doing those practices who have acquired great gifts
and details.

Those great masters have put those practices into practice. One could invite, andask for guidance.So what is it I will
introduce to you today? It is a practice you can practice on a daily basis,continuously those practices of the winds and
channels; and it is a small practice, but withgreat results.So first and foremost, one needs to understand approximately
the way of the channels and thewinds, of how the channels go through the body. There are many scriptures, medical
scriptureson the body, where they explain the way of being of the channels. There is an exact number of how many
channels there are, and how they are located and so forth. And probably when weare practicing, it is not quite exactly like
they say in those medical scriptures, for example.When we are practicing, we are going in stages. But first, when we start
out with the practice,the number of channels are probably similar. For example, we need to purify, make thechannels
even. For example, in America, if there were no roads, then nobody could go on thoseroads. So first one needs to even out
those roads so vehicles can travel on those roads. In thesame way, one needs to purify those channels so the winds can
travel in the channels, just likepreparing them as a road.So first there are three main channels, and there are four chakras.
Regarding the channels,there is a pure state and an impure state. Just like the mind, the pure state is a mind thatwishes
to benefit others, a mind filled with bodhicitta; and in its impure state, it is a mind filledwith self-clinging. It is those two
that determine whether a mind is pure or impure -that is, amind filled with negative emotions. So the first thing is to dispel
those faults, and one needs toacquire those qualities; and for that, there are various visualizations.So first there are the
three channels: the central channel extends from the secret place up tothe crown. It is erected like a pillar. It is the
channel of wisdom. And then there is the left andthe right channels. And all three channels -the left, right and middle -
meet below the navel. Andthen the left and right channel separate at the navel and extend upwards. [Editor's note: In
aprevious earlier teaching, Rinpoche stated: "Long ago, humans only had the central channel.But due to wrong influences,
the two side channels were created (duality?) These channels arenot created by our imagination, but actually do already
exist in the subtle body, the body youexperience in deeper meditation.]And then there are the four chakras. So we divide
all those pieces up, so that we canunderstand this. For instance, America has many different districts; so we are dividing
the fourchakras, the four wheels. We first have the crown chakra, which is a wheel on the crown, thewheel of great bliss.
Then we have the throat chakra, which is the enjoyment wheel. Then wehave the heart chakra, which is the wheel of
dharma and then we have the navel chakra, whichis the emanation chakra.

And then we have the secret chakra, but when we are making thevisualization, we only use the first four: the crown, the
throat, the heart and the navel chakras. When Rinpoche is giving those instructions on the visualization, please meditate
on them whilehe is giving it; and visualize the central channel as the trunk of a tree going in the center andmany branches,
channels, spring from it. First you can think that from each center, from eachwheel, eight branch channels are going in the
four cardinal directions, and in the fourintermediate directions. And they separate up even more and more, and multiply
even more.You can first visualize eight channels for each of the chakras.Generally, on one's crown chakra, separated from
the wheel, are eight branch channels that aregoing to multiply more and more. It separates into thirty-two; in one's throat
chakra, itseparates into sixteen; in one's heart chakra, it separates into eight; and in one's navel chakra,it separates into
sixty-four.But you can start out with visualizing them separating into eight, but then being aware thatthere are countless
channels that are separating, branching off even more. Each pore of thebody is connected to a separate channel. So this
is how you can visualize it.As for the visualization at the crown chakra you start out first visualizing all the chakras
eightbranch channels springing from them. So first you start out like that. At the crown chakra aswell, you have eight
channels coming from the crown chakra. From each of those, another twochannels are merging. In the end, one has 32
channels emerging from the crown. They multiplyand from each of those another channel is merging from them. And in
the end you can now saywe have thirty-two, but they separate more and more, and there is no measure as to how
manychannels there really are. In each pore there is a channel; but for the crown now, you canvisualize thirty-two.Then at
your throat chakra, the chakra of enjoyment, ultimately there are sixteen channelsspringing from them. First you again
visualize eight channels. Then they separate into two, andthen you have sixteen channels. But still being aware that
countless channels are pervadingthat whole space from each pore.Then from the heart chakra, the dharma wheel, there
are coming from the heart chakra, thereare eight channels in total and yet they multiply into fine subtle channels, which
are all-pervasive.At the navel chakra, the emanation chakra, first visualize the eight channels coming from thatchakra
then they become separated into the sixty-four channels. Then into two and two, butthey are so many and subtle, they
pervade the whole navel area. Visualize all those channelscoming from the central channel.Visualize this over and over
again. Then regarding the' winds traveling down the channels:Visualize them. traveling down the left and the right
channels and they meet at'below thenavel, at the navel chakra. Hold these winds there for some time. Closed off and held
closely.Hold them for some time at the navel chakra and hold your attention for some time. Practicecalm abiding and
shamata. This is the purification of the channels.

When you hold the wind visualize all the channels are pervaded by those winds, and filled up by the winds. You can onlydo
it for a short time; in the beginning, as you are training, one has a very brief visualization. Soyou keep the energy in your
navel. The navel chakra is the royal seat for the energies. You keepthat for some time,. As you breathe out, visualize that
everything becomes empty of self nature. You empty the channels and that is the way you are training in the purifying of
thechannels, and purify the channels. It is like making a road.So what is the purpose of holding the winds? It is a method
to be able to abide ... a method topurify concepts arising. The practices of mahamudra and dzog chen are to make the
mindabide. When one doesn't understand about the winds and channels, one's mind goes all over.One first needs to
practice and habituate one's mind in mindful awareness and hold the windsand mind together. Condense them and hold
them. That is the way and method to make themind abide.Jigten Sumgon has said that it is a method to be able to abide
with one's mind '-these practicesof the winds. So first, when we are visualizing, we are visualizing our winds merging in
the navelchakra and it abides there for some time. In the beginning it will not abide there for a very longtime: At the navel
chakra, you can visualize a flame to be just like a batter lamp at the navelpoint where the three channels, the central, and
where the left 'and right channels meet. Thenyou visualize as you breathe in, that winds are going down and with the
syllable ohm you thinkohm and they meet at the navel chakra. They merge with the navel chakra with the flame,where
there is the syllable ab. As they merge with the AH syllable, the flame starts breakingbecause the wind is meeting with the
flame. And when the wind meets with the flame, then theflame is getting stronger and it starts crackling. Visualize it
merging with the fire, the syllable ah,and hold that for some time. As you breathe out, think the syllable hung. You
visualize andrecite ohm, ah, hung. As you breathe in, hold it and breathe out. And at some point of practice,you will feel
heat arise. You will actually feel heat arising. At that time, the wind is merging withthe fire, that the winds and mind are
connecting and merging. And so the mind doesn't get lost.The mind does not get lost, does not get distracted and does
not go all over, but the mind isfocused together with the winds. And at some point, heat will arise.That is the
visua1jzation. As you breathe in, and you can also think as the hung is merging withthe AH, you receive the blessings of
the Buddha.In the beginning, try to hold the air inside the navel chakra for some time, but you will not beable in the
beginning to hold it for a very long time. So you just stay for a short time and thenbreathe out with the syllable HUNG
again.These are all practices, methods. to make the mindahi.de .single-pointedly. All the practices of dzog chen, shamata
and mahamudra are for that. So when you do these practices with thewinds with channels, you combine the wind and
your mind and, therefore, you will be able toabide and not be distracted.

So, first; when we-are training in the practice of the-winds, it is important that our physicalposture is correct, that our
spine is straight. Generally, we are sitting in the seven-foldVairochana posture, where we also need to sit in the full lotus
position. In the Six Yogas of Naropa, one actually should sit in the seven-fold Vairochana posture; but now for us it is
mostimportant for us to sit with a straight spine. Only then will the winds be able to travel properlyin the channels; and
ultimately in the central channel. But first we need to train the travel of the winds and purify the channels. For that we
need to train in stages.First you visualize only the crown chakra, the crown wheel of great bliss. You visualize the
windsgathering there and filling up all the channels at the crown chakra. So first you only have thatvisualization. And then
you go on to the next one, to the throat, and you visualize that all thechannels in the throat are filled up with the energy of
the air. And you visualize each by each.And then you visualize the heart, and visualize all the channels coming from the
heart are filledup by the winds.If you do not visualize practice in stages, it will be difficult for us to have a proper
visualization.So first we need to train like that in stages. And that is how we are purifying; so, approximately,according to
those instructions, visualize, but have the visualization very clear.When it comes to the visualization, it is to be visualized
very clearly, very fine --just like whenyou have a needle and a thread, and you want to put that thread through the hole in
theneedle. It takes very much a certain subtle, fine clarity. So, clarity is very important. In thebeginning, when one hasn't
had much experience in the practice, one needs to visualize thechakras, wheels and channels in stages, over and over
again, until finally all the channels arefilled up with the energy, with the winds. But in the beginning, that will not happen in
onevisualization. But we need to go in stages, so practice those visualizations gradually.First we visualize the crown; then
we visualize the throat and ultimately we feel the winds fillingup each and every one of our pores. So, we need to visualize
it over and over again, over andover again, and purify each one by one, and every one; because for the beginners, it is
difficultto have them all visualized together, at the same time.First focus on the visualization of the channels. Then, when
that has become clear, thenvisualize the winds. Hold the winds. Then the winds are filling up all the channels. Then
thirdly,comes the OHM AH HUNG meditation. And fourth, you visualize the flame at the navel.So we go from step one,
step two, step three and step four. And only when the first onebecomes clear, do you go to the next step. And sometimes
it takes a whole month for only onestep. That depends on the mental capacity of the individual. Somebody today will
practice thevisualization of the channels and then it becomes clear. And tomorrow, one will practicevisualization on the
winds and so forth. But until the channels become clear, one shouldmeditate on that over and over again. Whether it
takes a day, or a week, or a month and soforth.

And then you go on to the winds visualization, one by one until you come to the OHM AHHUNG. And then you come to the
flame.For somebody whose visualization does not become very clear, something that would help is tovisualize a flower,
the stem of a flower meeting with one's central channel at the crown of one's head. And then you can visualize a very
large Vajrasattva on top of that, and then youvisualize that the stem acts like a pipe that is making the nectar in the water
flow through yourbody. And as the water is flowing through the body, you imagine all the channels are beingpurified. So
when you practice that over and over again, then your channels will be purified, butalso your obscurations will be purified.
So in order to purify channels, we can also use theVajrasattva practice, something we create mentally on our head, and
with the flower stock onour crown chakra; and then the water entering our crown chakra and central channel andextends
throughout all the fine chakras, until our pores are completely purified.So you visualize with the winds together, as you are
purifying your body. The wind is exiting,emerging from your body, even through your nails; together with the water is
coming out fromyour body, and you visualize that over and over again, and your body will become very pliant.So after
some time, immediately after you visualize Vajrasattva, the winds will emerge fromyour body out. Now as for the practice
of the OHM AH HUNG breathing: In the beginning, youcannot hold it for a very long time; and also, you should not hold it
too forcefully. There is astrong force in your body, but you're holding the winds there with your mind. So you visualizethem
flowing down and you hold them for some time; not too long, and then you have themcome back out again. In the
beginning hold the winds for shorter times, a little bit, but morefrequently.Then the third step is the ohm ah hung
meditation. You can always visualize the ohm ah hungbreathing wherever you are, at all times. When you are walking
around inside, or wherever youare outside. You should never forget the OHM AH HUNG breathing. Even if you have
othercommitments of deity mantras, they all are contained in the OHM AH HUNG mantra. So as youare walking, you can
practice it. You don't have to say OHM AH HUNG, just think the sound.When you go to sleep, as you fall asleep you think
OHM AH HUNG. Then after some time,even in your dreams, you will be able to remind yourself of OHM AH HUNG. When
you wake upin the morning, you should do this practice at dawn, just before the sun rises, before it becomeslight. You
should do this practice every day, but in fact at all times afterwards, after themorning, you should always do the OHM AH
HUNG breathing practice.And at your navel chakra, you visualize a small flame. It is the abode of the lama and the
yidamdeity, who dwell there at all times.When you are visualizing the flame at your navel chakra and you hold your winds
there, you canbe aware that the lama and the yidam are always abiding there. Generally, there are many lifeenergies,
winds, that are going through the body; but if one condenses them all, there are fivemain winds that go through the body.
And the principle one is the one that creates the heat,the warmth, and that dwells at the navel chakra. Also the deity
Vajrayogini dwells in the navelchakra.

In a pure state or an impure state, whether we are purified like buddhas, or impure likesentient beings, Vajrayogini always
dwells there, whether we recognize it or not. If werecognize it, we will receive the blessings of the deity. If we do not
recognize it, we will beoverpowered by afflictive emotions. Then, even though the deity is there, because we haveself-
clinging, we transform it into a fault. But generally, we all have Vajrayogini abiding at ournavel chakra in the form and
nature of that heat.So visualize that flame over and over again, and train your mind in it. Immediately heat will notarise;
but later, when you have habituated your mind to the practice, then even if you don'tpractice, just naturally that heat will
arise. When you do this practice in combination withhaving received empowerment instruction with the Vajrayogini
meditation, it will become evenmore powerful.So generally, in that visualization, one needs to recognize that one's outer
five elements whichconstitute the body are, in their purified form, the five consorts; and the inner five afflictiveemotions
which are impure, are in their purified form, the five dyana buddhas.If one realizes their purity, then actually one knows the
root of it is bodhicitta. If one practicesthe channels and the winds without bodhicitta, then great faults can arise from
that. It is said if one practices the winds and channels without bodhicitta, one can have the karma of beingreborn as a
fish.In regard to the generation stage yoga practice of deity visualization, if one does not practicewith the mind of
bodhicitta, then the outcome of one's generation yoga stage practice can bethat one becomes, after one has died, in the
bardo state, one becomes a demon. For example,if one practices wrathful generational yoga deities but with self-clinging
attitude, without anybodhicitta (loving kindness) for others, one will establish that form one has visualized in thepractice,
after one has died. But if one has no bodhicitta, then one has self-clinging, and thenature of self-clinging is suffering. As it
also says in the "Thirty-seven Practices of theBodhisattva": "The nature of self-clinging is suffering." And then we will be
established as ademon, and only cause harm for other sentient beings wherever we go. So the differencebetween a god
and a demon is that a god has bodhicitta, and a demon has self-clinging andafflictive emotions. And when one practices
with self-clinging, one will not go to the purerealms as a result of one's generational stage yoga practice. Instead, if one
has self-clinging, onewill be in an intermediate stage in a demonic body. One will go about motivated by anger and
jealousy, and will only cause harm. The difference that is important to understand is that thedeity is somebody with an
altruistic mind, with bodhicitta; and a demon is someone with self-clinging. That is why we said yesterday in the
empowerment, that in order to benefit allsentient beings, bestow the blessings of the speech and the blessings of the
body and so forth:We beseech the buddhas to dispel our self-clinging.So there are various profound oral instructions of
Jigten Sumgon and also the Six Yogas of Naropa, but I'm not practicing them at the present moment.

So I can tell you that whatever I practice now, I'm always practicing the flame at the navel. There have been many
visualizationsfor that. For example, the outer body, if it is afflicted by illness, and the inner mind if afflictedwith negative
emotions, then the visualization of the flame is a method to defeat thoseafflictions.So first you visualize the flame
continuously at all times, until real heat and warmth is arisingfrom that flame; and you need to practice that until the heat
is arising most important tobreathe in the hung, most important keeping the ah at the navel and breathing out with
theHUNG.Visualize that AH, that flame at the navel, over and over again. Always keep your mind and thewinds together at
the navel chakra. This is not a secret practice; it can be practiced by anybody,but must be practiced only with bodhicitta
(compassionate motivation for all sentient beings tobe enlightened). Only then is one allowed to do this practice. So this
practice of the breathingwith the ohm, ah, hung is a method to make the winds and the mind collect and stay togetherin
the navel.And then that heat is also appearing and arising, and is beneficial and helpful in removing innerand outer
physical illnesses. Through the strength of the flame, one's whole body becomes likebig masses of heat and flames, and
the body becomes like a butter lamp. When one visualizesthat over and over again, it will decrease self-clinging. That
conception, that my body is me,that is my body, will decrease. And it is beneficial against self-clinging and against
outerillnesses of the body.Before we start our session, our practice, in the beginning, we should supplicate the
previousKagyu masters, especially Milarepa; Jigten Sumgon and the practice of guru yoga is veryimportant. When
afflictive emotions arise, immediately visualize the flame and the emotionslike a big heap of dry grass, and the concepts,
when it meets with flame, it will burn off theafflictive emotions. The afflictive emotion is compared to wood, to firewood.
Visualize greatmasses of fire. The nature of wisdom is fire. So it is a blazing wisdom fire, like we often seeburning behind
and surround the deities. Sometime~ it is depicted as a sword, as withManjushri. But generally the nature of wisdom is
fire. And the nature of fire is wisdom. So thatfire of Mindful awareness is just like an illuminated fire that is always lit. So
at all times,visualize, that, to be there.Especially when we visualize the flame, it is very beneficial for illnesses like cold
illnesses thatcome from freezing; and so when one is not distracted from that mindful awareness, it isimportant that that
heat is always being there. That heat is very beneficial.When one's body is in a weakened condition, and to prolong life in
taking the essence, onemeditates and habituates one's mind to this practice. The body, the form, is made of the
fiveelements: It's very essence, if one condenses them down, the essence is the five winds. The fiveafflictive emotions are
formed into the five wisdoms. So we have the five wisdoms, we have thefive winds, and we have the five elements.
They go in pairs of fives. When one condenses them to their essence, we have the five winds. When one condenses the
five wisdoms to their essence, we have the five winds; and they natur3ny pervade and are omnipresent, abiding like a
rainbow. In dzog chen terms, we speak about a space that is pervaded by the light rays, theappearance of rainbow light.
In the same way, the winds, that very essence, are all pervasivethrough all space. In its pure form for all the buddhas, all
of them are condensed into the fiveconsorts and the five dyani buddhas. They are the enlightened body, the enlightened
speech,the enlightened mind, the enlightened qualities, and the enlightened activities of the Buddhas.And the five dyani
buddhas, which are the five father aspects, they represent all the buddhasthemselves. So these five are the very essence
of all the buddhas. Now, it is something which isour true nature, and we need to realize it's true being. We need to realize
something that isreally existing, to be existing, the way it really exists. So when one realizes something being as itreally is,
then one knows that the blessings of the buddhas and that very essence, the winds,they are pervasive throughout all of
space.So even though our body and our mind are established by these pure substances, which are thetrue nature, still our
life and our merit can decline. And what makes it decline? It is our self-clinging and the five afflictive emotions. Those let
the five elements and all, the essencesdecline. Depending on the five afflictive emotions, the elements decline and
suffering will arisefrom that.So therefore, in order to restore that, based on bodhicitta, we apply ourselves to
transformingthem into the five wisdoms and the practice of extracting the essence.Transforming the five poisons into the
five wisdoms, the five poisons are like wood, and the fivewisdoms are like fire. When you are visualizing transforming
those into wisdom, you arepracticing taking the essence of the winds. So you visualize that outside there are those
windsthat are appearing like swirling rainbow colors and we have the five colors of the rainbow, inthe form of five threads.
Then you visualize that as they are swirling, you draw those threads inand they are entering your nose; and you visualize
them going down the channels, and theymerge with the fire at the navel; then you visualize that rainbow wind energy is
filling up all thechannels, and they are filling up the central channel, and your whole body is filled up withrainbow wind
energy. When you visualize it merging with the navel chakra, where the flame islocated, it makes the flame stronger, even
more powerful. This is the practice of taking theessence of the wind energy.For another visualization for the winds, one
can practice it together with the wish of benefitingothers: The practice of taking on the suffering and giving happiness
through the ohm ah hungbreathing. When you are breathing in, you could visualize that you are taking in all the self-
clinging of all sentient beings throughout all the six worlds, all afflictive emotions together withour own afflictive
emotions and self-clinging, which are the same in nature to other sentientbeings.So visualize all those self-clinging and
afflictive emotions entering your nose in the form of ablack oil, and it goes down your channels and merges with the
flame at the navel.

And when oil meets with fire, then it makes the fire bum very strongly; visualize that black oil is meeting withthe fire, and
the fire is blazing very strongly. And think that all the self-clinging and afflictingemotions of all sentient beings in the six
realms is burned up by that black oil. So keep thatvisualization for some moments, and keep the winds at that place.
Then, as you breathe out,visualize you are breathing out all your love and you are sending it out to all sentient beings;and
the warmth of that love is melting the ice block of self-clinging into water of all sentientbeings.The principle aspect of this
practice is that one's mind and one's energies and one's winds aregathered together as a method to be not distracted; a
practice of non-distraction. That is themain aspect of the ohm ah hung breathing. Then even in our dreams, we will be
able to focusour mind on that. When we remember at all times, before we go to sleep, visualize the ohm ahhung
breathing. Then we will also be able to remember it in our dreams at some point. At alltimes, when we are speaking, or
doing other things, we should always collect the windstogether with our minds, have it focused together; there are great
qualities in that. There aremany different visualizations regarding that, but the principle is to understand that we need
to'collect together our winds and mind as method of non-distraction.Especially since we have a strong clinging to our
body, we think our body is ourself, me. Weneed to practice the channels and winds over and over again, to really train
oneself, to freeoneself from that: it is beneficial to decrease that clinging to our body. It is just like a littlecotton cloth,
when you look through it; it has no essence and is full of holes inside. So there isno real essence. The inner and the outer
merge. So through that practice, we realize it hasbecome one and the inner mind and the outer space, the sky, they are
essentially one, just likea cloud appearing in the sky, having no essence or reality to it. In the same way, one's bodydoesn't
have any reality, or essence to it. On the basis of one's practice, it benefits one's ownlife and purifies one's obscurations.
And depending on that, one can practice extracting theessence, purify obscurations and heat will arise in one's body. It is
the basis of the life-sustaining wind energy in the body. But that only happens depending on the heat, the warmthenergy. I,
myself, practice only this; and therefore, I tell this to all my disciples: I mostly practiceonly this. I teach this mostly to all
my disciples. When we are sweating, then it shows us howmany channels we have. From each of the pores, every
channel is meeting with each pore. Andfrom each of the pores, sweat is coming out. One does not realize that, unless one
is practicing,training in the channels and winds. But if one keeps one's channels and winds together, if onetrains, then
wherever the wind is going, one's mind will be going. So that is the reason whyMilarepa, for example, was able to fly in the
sky.So there are really great qualities to acquire in this practice of the channels. At some point thewind will enter the
central channels, and that will bring great qualities, great benefits. Whenone is doing those practices, naturally one's
 concepts and afflictive emotions will decrease, andgreat qualities will arise. So always keeping the winds at the navel
chakra, so that they reallywill enter the central channel at some point, and that really gives rise to inconceivable benefits.

So one can merge one's channels, winds and mind in this practice, then that is very beneficialfor both physical illnesses
and concepts, or afflictive emotions. Through this practice, they willdecrease more and more. One gains some-
independence over them. All the impurities and soforth, will be purified, cleansed through the training of the channels and
winds. But to do thatlittle meditation already is very beneficial. And also, it is like when we have a need for sleep,this is a
very profound instruction, a cure for insomnia.If you are interested in learning the practice -especially when one is young,
of the winds andchannels, they are part of the Six Yogas of Naropa then ask Traga Rinpoche for help; he hasmastered
those practices. He always does those practices; I don't do them anymore. I justmostly do this practice ofthe winds, and
channels -what I have just shared with you.May this teaching benefit all sentient beingsTranslated by Ina Bieler.
Transcribed & edited by Rosemary Vail

for otherteachings by His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche)This teaching was given in February of 2007 at the Tibetan
Buddhist Center in Albuquerque,New Mexico. They are Rinpoche's words.

Konchog1


Re: Winds Channels and Drops by Kyabje Garchen Rinpoche

 Sat Jul 07, 2012 9:49 pm

Thanks Clarence

Equanimity is the ground. Love is the moisture. Compassion is the seed. Bodhicitta is the result.

-Paraphrase of Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Tsephel citing the Guhyasamaja Tantra

"All memories and thoughts are the union of emptiness and knowing, the Mind.
Without attachment, self-liberating, like a snake in a knot.
Through the qualities of meditating in that way,
Mental obscurations are purified and the dharmakaya is attained."

-Ra Lotsawa, All-pervading Melodious Drumbeats

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