In this major text on mahamudra, the Ninth Karmapa presents, step by step, this advanced, sophisticated system of meditation on the nature of the mind. The first part presents the common and uncommon preliminary practices to prepare ourselves for these meditations. The second and third parts present in detail a series of topics to meditate on for gaining first a stilled and settled state of shamatha focused on the conventional nature of the mind and then an exceptionally perceptive state of vipashyana focused on the deepest nature of the mind. These topics include examining the mind when it is perceiving sensory objects, when it is moving with thoughts and when it is still, and the relation between the mind, appearances and thoughts. The final section presents methods for enhancing the effectiveness of these practices and the progressive advanced stages attained on the path to enlightenment.