Preliminary Practices

What we have discussed up to now concerning the complete stage has been in its first section: the basis situation. Next, the path to follow is divided into two:  The preliminary physical exercises, together with meditation on the body as an empty fenced-in pen The stages of...

Tantra Is an Advanced Practice For our last session together, let’s speak a little bit about tantra. We also need to bring tantra down to earth. Often, Western people, when approaching the tantric teachings in Tibetan Buddhism, fall into one of two extremes. One extreme is to...

Review Tantra practice is a full practice that entails putting together a tremendous number of things and is something that we approach slowly and gradually. We can’t expect at the beginning to be able to do it in a full way; obviously not. Therefore, whether we are practicing...

Verses 26 through 31 Now, we are going to continue talking about the six perfections, or the six far-reaching attitudes. You might have notice that they go in the order of generosity, ethical self-discipline, and then patience. This is because the focus of our practice should...

Introduction to tantra, a system of practice that allows advanced practitioners to efficiently attain the state of Buddhahood for the benefit of all.

Doing the seven-limb practice before listening to or reading about the Dharma, or before contemplating or meditating on the Dharma helps us to establish a properly receptive state of mind.

Alan Turner, Serkong Rinpoche’s “Westerner Yogi’s,” recollections of his relation with his teacher.

The six preparatory practices derive from Atisha. They are preparation for any meditation session or session of ngondro preliminary practice.

The primary connotation of “ngondro” is preparation. These practices are absolutely essential preparation for undertaking and sustaining our “spiritual journey.”

This practice derives from Shantideva’s “Engaging in Bodhisattva Behavior.” Doing these preliminaries before daily meditation or Dharma study helps to establish a properly receptive state of mind.