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Vajra Vitality Through Mastering Breath
AI Suggested Keywords:
The talk explores advanced breathing techniques within the context of Vajrayana practices, especially focusing on the mastery of breath as a vehicle to achieve Vajra vitality and lengthening life through techniques like the vase retention practice. The discussion emphasizes the importance of balancing the breath between nostrils for effective Vajra recitation, the significance of binding vital airs within the central channel, and the implications of these meditations for setting a foundation for non-conceptual mind states. Specific methods from various traditions are detailed for clearing and circulating breath, as well as techniques for meditating upon and manipulating the subtle body channels.
Referenced Works and Teachings:
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Kala Chakra Tantra: The foundational text outlines practices aiming at the cessation of airs in the peripheral channels, allowing them to flow exclusively through the central channel, thus empowering practitioners with control over their life energies.
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Vimalaprabha (The Immaculate Light Commentary): Serves as a detailed guide on the vase retention practice, emphasizing its significance in binding the life-energies and achieving immortality.
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The Creation of the Eye of Primordial Wisdom: This text is referenced for techniques to apprehend the clear light within the central channel and recognize the nature of the vajrakaya (vajra body), essential for advanced meditation stages.
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The Six Branch Yoga by Mahasiddha Yumowa: Offers specific practices focusing on Vajra recitation and base retention, underscored within the context of the Dro transmission lineage for cohesive integration with base retention practice.
These materials provide comprehensive frameworks for practitioners seeking to deepen their understanding and mastery of breath control in pursuit of spiritual progression and vitality within the Vajrayana tradition.
AI Suggested Title: Vajra Vitality Through Mastering Breath
left middle finger, that is you switch over, block the left nostril, and then turn the face to the right and blow out the air strongly through the right nostril. Then again you do the same thing, that is blocking the right nostril and breathing in through the left nostril, just as described, doing this repeatedly over and over. And in this way, There again are various different positions of the feet, extending and contracting of the feet and so forth, but it's not necessary to do these. At this point you can remain in the posture as described before, sitting in the Vajra posture. But this is basically for the purpose of making the breath circulate through both nostrils. So if it's The case that the opposite is happening, that is, if the breath is circulating through the right nostril instead of through the left nostril, then you just reverse everything that was just said.
[01:08]
That is, you use the left hand under the right, or did the right finger blocking the left nostril and so forth. You just reverse it to move the airs to circulate through the other nostril. And you can do this back and forth until the point where... the air is circulating evenly through both nostrils. That's what's preferred in this tradition for the practice of the Vajra recitation. This is the best if it's passing through both nostrils. And so these techniques are used for clearing the nostril which is blocked and making it possible to breathe through both. And there are also various different practices which are used when the airs are circulating through both nostrils. That is, yoga's inhalation, the vase retention yoga, and so forth, which are best to do when one is breathing through both nostrils.
[02:09]
And so also it's best to begin this practice, which is being described now, when one can breathe through both nostrils. And also it's said to be extremely powerful for increasing one's lifespan for longevity. Now the third, from among the six Vajra phrases, now the third one is that of binding the vitalizing airs within the central channel. This is done through the base retention, practice, which is a more intense or strong practice in regard to the errors.
[03:21]
I think it's important to think about it. I think it's important to think about it. It's important to think about it. ... [...] When I was born, I was born.
[04:30]
I was born. [...] So we're going to take a look at that. Thank you.
[05:41]
Now, for this practice, first of all, it's best to do it when, as was mentioned, when the air, when the breath is circulating through both nostrils. This is the best practice. If it's only circulating through one nostril, then you use the techniques as just explained for balancing the breath, that is to clear out one nostril. And also, again, there are different explanations of different positions that one can sit in, but one should simply use the vajra position as described before, the feet in the vajra position. And so, first of all, again, you clear out all the stale errors. That is, as explained before, in the threefold sense, except for you triple this. You do three times out of each nostril and three out of both. just as from Jay's plane before, just doing that whole process three times.
[06:48]
The first time, do it very gently and slowly. The second time, you do it more intensely. And the last time, very forcefully, very intensely. In this way, you're clearing out the airs nine times. And the purpose of this meditation now, in general, is to gain control over, to draw in the downward clearing airs. And so first of all, you draw in the downward clearing airs, then you draw in the upper airs a little bit quick. That is, the inhalation should be sort of fast. And then as you inhale... You also let some saliva go down your throat, that is a slight swallowing at the same time, simultaneous with the inhalation. This is, in many different tantras, this is taught because this helps to place both the attention and draw the airs down towards the navel, and then you hold the breath at the navel.
[07:56]
In this way, you feel that you're drawing the downward clearing airs through all three channels. and hold it as much as you can at the navel in the base retention, what's called a base retention practice. Now, when you are not able to hold it anymore, instead of just letting it out, first you take three quick breaths through the nostrils. That is just to be going just quickly further in, And then if you're not able to hold it, then you let it out very slowly and very gently. Because as many teachers, one of Rinpoche's teachers among them emphasized a few, let the breath out very fast after doing such. If you just all of a sudden gasp and let it out, then this can cause different problems. The rising of some of the airs in the upper portions of the physical body and so forth.
[08:58]
And it can cause different illnesses, respiratory problems and so forth. So you should let it out very gently. Then when you're doing this holding of the breath in this manner, the vase retention practice, as well, there is, as Rinpoche illustrated, there's a technique for measuring the time in which you are doing this. So you should, using, you can hold your mala, or you can hold beads in the left hand, use the right hand and touch, like the right knee, the left knee, forehead, and then snap the fingers one, just like Rinpoche is illustrating, and then count. in this matter. One round like that, snapping the fingers is one. Again, around two, like that. It can count the time. It's said to be inferior if one can count 36. Mediocre, 72. And excellent, 108.
[10:00]
It's meaning one second, really. Everybody's talking about it instant, because you can do this quickly. So it's just to time it. And in other practices, they say a different number for inferior, mediocre and best. But here, it mentions just this was 36, 72, 108. I think it's time to see what's going on.
[11:03]
It's time to see what's going on. [...] Now, there's a special point to be made in this specific practice of vase retention. This is a very important practice because this is what enables the mind to rest in a non-conceptual state. And so it's very important, the vase retention of the breath. If you're a person who has mastered the mental stability branch, the previous branch, and gained... control over the signs of clear light, then you can draw these signs within your own body, that is, perceive them within the body. And for instance, if they do arise within the body, then you should focus upon empty form or sign of clear light within the navel, and there focus the mind.
[12:17]
And then focusing the mind upon the sign of clear light or the empty form within the navel, one holds the breath with the base retention practice and counts the time, as was mentioned, with snapping the fingers and the circling of the hand. And however, if one is not able to do that, if you can't hold the visualization within the body, then wherever it may be that one is focusing upon the... signs of their light or empty form, then one does the practice in the same way, focusing on that point. But otherwise, if they're not appearing within the body, you don't create, you don't make any visualization within the body in their place, but instead you simply can focus the mind itself at the navel, in the center of the navel, and then do the space retention practice. It was a very difficult time.
[13:20]
It was a very difficult time. It was a [...] difficult time. My baby, my baby, [...] my baby. Next is the tradition that finishes the explanation of that.
[14:41]
stage of meditation according to the Pandita Shakyasri. Next is the tradition of the Mahapandita Somanatha. And this is the instructions known within the Dro transmission. And here there are five different teachings. First of all, again, Vajra recitation. Then that for attracting or drawing in. Then for filling. Then for stiffening or tensing. And then there's a fifth practice, which is a technique for enhancement of the meditation. It was not included at this point because it will be mentioned later in the context of the variations of enhancing of the practice. So first of all, there are four different teachings given. The first of which is Vajra recitation. This is very similar to the previous tradition, except for that one doesn't visualize any passage having to do with the two side channels on the right and the left.
[15:45]
We don't use that. That is when the breath is specifically moving through one or the other. This is instead, and it can be done whenever. Sorry, I get that confused. There's no visualization of the two channels, that is of the right and left channel. But it may be done whenever the breath is moving through the right nostril, through the left nostril, or through both nostrils. It doesn't matter which. And whenever the breath passes out, you visualize it red when it comes in, white, and resting within as black. You meditate upon it as red, white, and black in sequence. And then also we don't need to do the two first two stages of the Vajra recitation, according to the previous tradition. This focuses only upon the colors, as just mentioned.
[16:49]
But the meaning is the same, the significance of it is the same, and this teaching is presented very clearly in a text by the Mahasiddha Yumowa, the text which he wrote on the practice of the six branch yoga in three different contexts. And it's also maintained specifically within this tradition of the drone transmission and considered to be very important because they use this in conjunction with the base retention practice. When I was born in Israel, I was born in Israel. [...]
[17:51]
I was born in Israel. [...] The second one, second section, that of the attracting or drawing in. This is practice for when the breath is passing through the right nostril. And when this is the case, then you turn the face slightly to the right. That is, you're gazing... the right and you draw in the air very gently inhale very gently and then hold it as much as one is able to in the groin that is in the genital region and then when one is not able to then you let it out very briefly or very
[19:05]
Just a little at a time, just in stages. A little at a time, letting it out until finally it's all out. So in little stages. Yeah, like that. Let it out, breathing out. in little catches, stages like that, a series like that. Then the next, the third is that of filling, and this is when one is breathing to the left nostril, and you turn the face and the gaze a little bit to the left, and you inhale somewhat rapidly, quickly inhale, and as the airs fill you, then you let the stomach pooch out, stick out, come distant, Otherwise then letting it out is the same as the one before.
[20:17]
Then the fourth practice is that of It's called stiffening or tensing or making rigid, but what it's referring to is the base retention practice within this tradition, and it means the base retention done with gentle inhalation and exhalation. Like in some of the others, it was explained you draw in very rapidly or to intensely and hold it, but here now it's done very gently and slowly.
[21:30]
So first of all now, when the errors are passing through the left nostril then you begin with clearing the airs the stale airs out as described before then when it's passing through the left nostril you turn the face and the gaze to the right and you constrict the anus and then breathe in gently through the right nostril then And then you hold the breath in the genital region, that is in the groin.
[22:47]
And then finally let it out, that is exhale through the right nostril. If the airs are passing normally through the right nostril, if you're breathing through the right nostril, then you face to the left. and you breathe in gently from the left and again tightening the anus then you also hold the the stomach very tightly holding the airs in the stomach and then again breathe out to the left and so you can do this back and forth one one to the right one to the left back and forth and if you're breathing through both nostrils then you look straight ahead and breathe in quickly a rapid inhalation and hold it uh hold the airs at the navel in the vase retention
[23:54]
very strongly with the stomach a little bit tightened in, drawn in towards the spine. And then when you let it out, let it out. Exhale very gently. This tradition is one which includes all of the instructions connected with the vase retention, or rather connected with the activating of vitality. And it's a tradition which is maintained by the great master Chole Namgyong and Bhutan, and others who said that it was from the, also maintained within the tradition of the great Siddha Manlomba. Then the next set of teachings is from the Master Samanta Sri, that is the oral instructions known within the Ra tradition.
[25:14]
First of all, there are the techniques for... drawing in the actual vitalizing airs. And for this, to begin with, the basic practice is the same, that is, one is sitting in the same posture and so forth as described for the other practices. You begin by, first of all, blocking the right nostril with the index finger, and then blowing out the airs and then breathing them in through the left nostril, for instance. and then using the base retention practice and holding the airs, the lower airs. Then also you can do the other, just the opposite, that is blocking the left nostril, blowing out through the right nostril, then inhaling through the right nostril and holding the base retention practice
[26:20]
at the navel. So you can, again, this practice as well, you alternate one to the other. That is, blocking one nostril, blowing out, drawing in, holding it, blocking the other nostril, blowing out, drawing in, holding it. But now we're all together. We're together together. We're together [...] ... ... ...
[27:51]
When I was born, I was born. [...] ... ... ... ... That's what I'm saying.
[28:57]
And then, I'm saying, you know what I'm saying? I'm saying, you know what I'm saying? You know what I'm saying? There was a lot of people in the world, and there [...] was a lot of people in the world. Now then there are some extra practices that are just mentioned here which are not really explained because it's specifically stated that they're not
[30:18]
usable by beginners and that they are practices for binding the different errors and they would assume that one has already perfected all of the prior practices and gained complete control over the errors and signs of clear light and so forth. Then there are variations in which one can specifically bind the different errors within such as the downward clearing errors and the equally abiding errors and the upward-moving errors, the all-pervading errors, and so forth through different tensions applied within the fingers, the toes, different joints, and the use of the different syllables, imagining the sounds of different syllables of different... points within the chakras and so forth, but they're not explained in great detail here, and just there's sort of a quick listing in that manner and saying that those are something which are not necessary for beginners.
[31:19]
But there is a practice which is given, which is from the tradition of the master named Menlumba, and in conjunction with the Sixth Branch Yoga, It's a teaching of the Sixth Parents Yoga in conjunction with the Namasangita, the text called the Namasangita, chanting the names of Manjushri. And for this practice then one would breathe in very gently and slowly while mentally reciting the syllable Om, hearing the syllable Om. And as you hold the the breath and the base retention practice, then you imagine the sound hum. And as you let it out very slowly and gently to where it's not even obvious that one is exhaling, one imagines the sound ah.
[32:22]
So within the tradition of the dro teachers, this was also maintained. And it said that It's a very excellent practice because within this there is the practice of the Vajra recitation and also that of the base retention done together as one. And so it has these double qualities to it. And in addition to that, there were many, many different transmissions of oral instructions which came into Tibet during the different transmissions of the Kala Chapa Tantra. And so there are many different minor instructions that are associated with the different translators at that time, such as Kijo and Dromlo and Tami and Galo, all of these being Lotalas, or translators, and oral instructions that they received for inhalation, exhalation, vase retention, and so forth. But those aren't explained here because they can be found in other specific instruction texts.
[33:28]
When I was born, I was born and born and born. I was born and born and born. My father told me that my father was born. He [...] was born. When I was born, I was born and born.
[34:39]
I was born and born. I was born and born. I was born and born and born. It was a very difficult time to do it. It was a very difficult time to do it. It was a difficult time to do it. It was a difficult time to do it. It was a difficult time to do it. So I had to go back and see what happened. So I had to go back and see what happened.
[35:47]
I had to go back and see what happened. ... [...] I was like, oh, my God, [...] my God.
[36:56]
I was going to say that. I was going to say that [...] I was going to say that. This is the first time I was born. [...] Now, within this type of teaching, as you see, to begin with, there's a lot of different explanation which is given, which is just speaking about the techniques and explaining how they may be done.
[38:15]
So basically, the basic techniques have now been completed. And what is next, that is the essential points of practice have all been mentioned. Next is the second section of variations and enhancements for the practice. And in this, there are, first of all, the section for variation and enhancements, and then second, the techniques for removing different impediments or problems by means of the techniques for activating vitality. So first of all, are the explanations on techniques for enhancing this meditation. So this now corresponds to the fourth of those six Vajra praises which came from the Pandita Shakyasri. This says that if then the errors have not been drawn within the central channel nor bound within, then one uses intense techniques for blocking
[39:23]
the passage of the sun and moon. And so these are what are referred to as the variant techniques. First of all, then, these are according to the tradition of the Mahapandita Shakyasri. Now, again, the basic physical posture is the same before, including the gaze, same as explained before. You also clear out the errors in the same way. as I explained before, and then breathe naturally after that. It says if your channels are very good, or the veins are very strong within, then you can use one hand, and use the thumb and the forefinger, and press upon veins in the neck, or you can use both hands, if the veins are not so good, that is using the forefinger and thumb of both hands, and one is pressing upon the vein within the neck.
[40:33]
You're not trying to stop the passage of blood in the arteries, but instead there are channels through which the air circulate on the right and left side of the body. And as was explained, these are the channels within, like the energy channels within which the conceptions of subject and object circulate. And that if you stop subject and object dichotomy, then there is the awakening of primordial wisdom. There is instead the movement of the heirs within the central channel and transformation into the Rahu heirs, or the heirs of primordial wisdom. So that's what this technique is for. It's the same as a technique found within the Lamdre, or the path and the fruit. instructions, and so it's exactly the same thing. You use the thumbs and the four fingers and pressing upon the veins there. First of all, if it's the proper time and proper situation to be doing this, then the best that will happen is that one will experience great bliss and emptiness.
[41:41]
That is, there will be an extraordinary experience of clear light which can arise from this if you cause the cessation of the passage of subject and object errors. In a mediocre sense, one may at least stop conceptualization, that is, the arising of the thoughts, and there may be a slight new appearance of the signs of clear light. that is the empty forms. And even an inferior experience would be the slight sensation of concepts or the arising of thoughts. Now you do this carefully beginning first of all with only slight pressure. You don't start with putting strong pressure because you can cause problems to yourself in that way. You do it very gently to begin with and then slowly increasing the pressure as you become familiar with the technique and as the experience becomes better if you have success doing that type of practice for enhancing the meditation and removing different problems.
[42:52]
Then there is also, so this is in regard to the veins within, or the channels within the neck. and blocking these for the awakening of what is referred to as the symbolic primordial wisdom, which gives an indication of the nature of the real wisdom. Then there is also another technique which comes from the DRO tradition, an oral instruction, which has to do with the veins in the groin or in the genitals. And again, it's for the same purpose, and that is the awakening of the symbolic wisdom. And you should sit, you alter now the position of the feet. You sit with the left heel at the anus, that is blocking the anus, and then either apply pressure to the genitals between the right thigh and the left calf,
[43:55]
or one can also draw up the left foot and use the left heel to put pressure on the genitals in that manner. You put the right hand against, put the left hand down and put the right hand against the vein as described before in the right neck. Sorry, on the right side of the neck. And in this way, then you hold the breath that is drawing in all of breath as described before. And then... Yeah, we can do the practice in this fashion. And then also later on within this teaching, when we come to the explanations of techniques of POA, transference of consciousness, then that will also be explained in the context of this position and this practice at one time.
[44:59]
So this practice as well, this one for, this one in regard to the genitals, also corresponds to one which is in the Landry teachings or the path, and the Prud teachings are two of them actually, one which is called the waves of bliss or waves of joy, and the other which is that of secret union or private pressure. These all have the same purposes within the tantrums. So you do this very carefully. That is the pressure to the neck. As all lamas in the past also have emphasized, you do very gently and very carefully when you start this because otherwise it can be dangerous.
[46:02]
You don't put too much pressure in your neck area because you're not trying to stop circulation of the blood. You don't want to interfere with circulation in the arteries. Instead, one is trying to find the spot where the circulation of the airs occur and then stopping those, then there will be an experience which will arise and then you can use that as symbolic and indicative of the nature of primordial wisdom. They have to be very careful with the practice. These two practices correspond precisely to two practices in the
[47:15]
the lamdre or the path from the fruit. That is the first ones where you're putting pressure on the channels within the neck corresponds to the waves of enjoyment or waves of bliss techniques within the lamdre which again are for the same purpose of awakening the symbolic wisdom and then the second one that of pressure to the channel within the genitals Again, it corresponds exactly to one which is called secret union or private pressure in the Lamjri teaching of the path and the fruit, again, for the same purpose. These have exactly the same intention. When I was born, I was born. I was born.
[48:19]
I was born. [...] Thank you. Then there are also techniques for enhancement. These first ones were the variations. Then techniques for enhancement are based upon the text which is called The Creation of the Eye of Primordial Wisdom. And there are two oral instructions which are based upon this. First of all, there is a quote from this which says that one apprehends the clear light within the awaduti, that is within the central channel, and
[49:31]
recognizes the nature of mind as non-conceptual, sees the nature of the vajrakaya, the vajra body, and becomes expert in all of the dharmas of secret mantra. So the instructions on the basis of this quote are that you use the vase retention practice in conjunction with the meditation upon empty forms or the signs of clear light. And you do this repeatedly, becoming accustomed to this, to where the signs of clear light or empty forms appear within the body. And that through continuing this practice and becoming accustomed to it, you become able to cause the arising of the empty forms anywhere that you wish within the body. And when one has gained that, facility, then you have the arising of an empty form within the navel, that is within the nirmana chakra at the navel, and you focus the mind intently upon that.
[50:42]
And through this intent focusing upon that in the navel, there arises warmth and heat which begins to blaze forth within the navel chakra. And if this arises, then this is the point of the practice. That's exactly it. If the warmth does not arise, or if one is not able to maintain the appearance of empty forms clearly, then we're not working properly. And one should again then... review or work on meditating upon the channels within the body, having the layout of the channels very clear in the meditation, and so forth. And then meditate upon, then again meditate upon empty forms within, as just described. So you go back to that again before doing this. And in this way, there are various different experiences which will occur.
[51:46]
That is, one will actually gain experience through seeing the channels, the central channel, the side channels, the chakras, and so forth, will actually behold these. And likewise, then, one will also be able to meditate upon all of the other different aspects of the subtle body, that is, the channels and the different places within the heart, the chakras, and so forth. And in this way, there will arise as experience all of the aspects that make up the channel network of the body. If you continue this type of meditation and sustain it, then one will actually come to directly behold the nature of all of the channels, the airs, drops, elements, and so forth within.
[52:47]
When I was born, I was born. [...] So when I was in the middle of the night, I was in the middle of the night. [...] I don't know.
[53:50]
I don't know. [...] So, I'm going to talk to you later. [...] When I was born, I was born. I was born.
[54:53]
I was born. [...] When I was born, I was born. [...] Yes. Yes.
[56:10]
And the second of the techniques for are, again, based upon the text is called the Creation of the Wisdom Eye. And this, first of all, there's a quote from this which says that one will hold the clear light at the entrance of the heirs and recognize the nature of the passage of the heirs. And in this way, see the colors of the five heirs and gain control over the peaceful and expansive and prosperous and so forth types of enlightened activities. So this means that first of all, one is focusing upon empty form which is perceived about 16 finger widths out in space in front of you from the nostrils, 16 finger widths from the nostrils.
[57:19]
You focus at that point on the empty form or sign of clear light. And if this is stable, then gradually one draws this closer and closer until finally it's within the nostrils, right at the nostrils, and then focuses the mind upon it there. And in that way, one is meditating upon this, blending together with the different airs as they are drawn in and exhaled. And you apply this to the meditations upon the five, like the different airs that are within. That is, first of all, the space air, then that of earth and so forth, the different elemental airs. And through practicing in this way, it will come to be that one will... perceive the empty forms arising in this way right at the tip of the nostrils and be able to hold the attention there.
[58:22]
And you correspond this with the breathing to where... Then also there are further different instructions on clearing away different obstacles. And the next one of these corresponds to, or is in connection with fifth of the six Vajra praises of the Pandita Shakyasri. And for this then, first of all, one has to constrict the lower orifice, that is the anus, very tightly.
[59:33]
And then one gains liberation through the upper practice associated with the upper airs. This is what the phrase says. And so this means that through these type of practices, there may be different obstacles or experiences which occur, such as feeling of pressure in the head, thinking that the head is going to burst, or pain in the head or at the heart, pains at the navel. or feeling like there is a needle being stuck in the top of the head, or that there is something, a tree growing within your body, or a wheel of light beginning to spin within you very violently. These are various different obstacles, signs of obstacles, which can arise as experiences. So one needs to use different techniques for the purpose of clearing these away.
[60:35]
So for the time being, then one relaxes the effort that one has been making in the meditation upon activating vitality. And then instead, for a while, you do activities such as eat very nutritious and good food, have massage, if one knows the techniques. There are different types of... physical exercises also that one can do. We also concentrate on clearing out all the errors which are within. That is a lot of exhalation to clear the errors out from inside. But in general, one has to apply the different techniques for clearing away. problems, and to do this in proportion to what the problem is. That is, you don't apply a major technique to a minor problem, and so forth. Otherwise, it will not have so much success in it. It should be a gentle application to a small problem, middling to middling, and very intense application to a great problem.
[61:39]
And it's important to proceed in this way. And this is... just a general, it's like general advice for all these techniques for clearing away different problems. So there's been a lot of explanation today on the different techniques for the meditation. Rinpoche says that as much page-wise within the Tibetan text as much as was in the entire teaching yesterday. But now I come to the second major section of Activating Vitality, that is the explaining of the meaning or significance of the meditation, establishing this. And this again is in the same six points or six sections as before. ...
[62:40]
And I said, oh, my dear, [...] So these very extensive explanations which are just given are because of the the great erudition of the author of this text, Janang Taranata.
[63:40]
And he, having extreme knowledge with all of this, he presented many, many different varied techniques for people of different abilities and different inclinations. And so, again, it's something which, if the Lama is one who is expert in many, many areas like this, he can present many different techniques, and if the disciples are extremely diligent and energetic in their practice, then they can practice various different techniques like this. But otherwise, it's just a matter of reading out the text and hearing it. It depends on whether you're going to activate diligence and really practice it or not. This is really the important thing. It's easy enough just to explain a lot of things. That's what I wanted to do.
[64:58]
So it is important, however, that these type of explanations are all given, because if you actually do meditation upon the errors, that is doing these type of breathing meditations, then there will be problems which arise, so therefore you need to know the variant techniques and enhancements, ways to deal with different problems that arise. If you don't practice, of course, you don't need the techniques for resolving problems. It's very important to know all of it in this way. And so then when you're practicing and some problem occurs, then one's able to open the book, to review notes or whatever, and see how to deal with different problems which might arise. So this, in that way, there's been an extensive explanation of all of these points. But the next section now is to really explain the significance or the meaning of this meditation.
[66:00]
It's been a long time for a long time. So within this section, just like before, there are six different points, that of definition of the term activating vitality, the timing of the meditation, the branches of how to meditate, the authentic signs of the meditation, distinguishing between what is to be purified and the process of the purification, and finally the results to come from such meditation. So first of all is definition of the term. First of all, the term itself in Sanskrit, the first part of the compound is prana, which means vitality or life.
[67:22]
And the second part of the compound is ayama. which means to stop or to activate or to prolong or elongate. And so through the samdi or through the grammar, the compound becomes pranayama, which means the activation of vitality or it means the stopping of vitality. It's like opposites both. When I was born, I was born. [...]
[68:25]
When I was born, I was born and [...] When I went to the school, I went to the school. [...] So in this context, the term vitality means the errors.
[69:43]
It's a name for the errors, that is prana. And the cessation or activation means the joining with that or applying to that. Then second is the timing of the meditation. That is for the actual real meditation upon the branch of activating vitality, this should be done when one has experienced the arising of all of the five branches of mental stability within one's mental continuum. That is, as explained yesterday, that First of all, there is the use of the technique of placing the sign of clear light upon an object, causing the dissolving of the ordinary object, perception of clear light. And through this type of practice, then transformation of all phenomena into perception of clear light. That is, everything becomes empty forms in clear light. And so at that point, then one... would practice this in the actual or the real sense.
[70:46]
But in the corresponding sense, it's appropriate for beginners also to do this meditation. And as such, we can also engage in this, which is considered very excellent. And you can do this as soon as certain, some of the experiences, a little bit of the experience has been gained on the basis of practice of individual withdrawal and mental stability. Then the third topic is that of the branches of the meditation. How to meditate. I see. I see. And the third topic then is the branches of meditation within which there are five
[72:12]
categories. The first category is the object in relation to which one does practice of activating vitality. In general, the object is everything within the Vajra body, that is the channels, the airs, and the drops. But especially it is the channels, the three channels which are above the navel, that is the central channel and the rasana and lalana, and then below the navel, the three channels, which are the passageways for feces, urine, and semen. And so altogether six channels, and in addition to that specifically, two of the errors, that of vitalizing errors and downward clearing errors. All right, yes. ... [...]
[73:41]
It was a very difficult time for us. We had [...] a very difficult time for us. ... ... [...] Then the second of these five points within this section is the necessity.
[75:07]
meditating upon activating vitality. This is made clear within the oral instructions of Kala Chakrapada, where he states that in order to cause the arising of immutable bliss, one must meditate upon the branch of activating vitality. So it is this, first of all, it's the immutable bliss which must be experienced and there are various causes. for this experience. And first of all, the first cause is that of the empty form Mahamudra, that is the signs of clear light as explained during individual withdrawal and meditative, sorry, mental stability. And so one has already achieved that during the practice of those branches. Another of the causes is mastery over the errors or the prana And so one has to have both of these as the causes for the arising of the immutable bliss.
[76:13]
And so through the binding of the airs within the central channel, one brings about the purification of the Vajra body. And as such, one attains immortality and one gains... power or control over the elements, the tikve, or the element within the body. And for that purpose, one has to do this meditation of activating vitality. So that's the necessity. The third section within this part is the duration of the meditation.
[77:19]
That is, for how long should one meditate upon activating vitality. This should be done by a practitioner until the point at which all of the errors flow within the central channel alone? And through that, that is the drawing of all of the, or causing of the errors to only pass within the central channel, one gains complete control over the course bodhicitta and gains the ability for retention and reversal of that.
[78:22]
And it's stated within the Tantra itself that an individual with the highest abilities can achieve this within six months. that is the achieving of the drawing of all of the errors within the central channel and control over the element, over the course bodhicitta. When I was a kid, I was a kid. [...]
[79:23]
I was a kid. I was a kid. I was a kid. The fourth... within this section is the nature of activating vitality. And for this, again, there's a quote from the Tantra itself, which explains that it is the cessation of the airs in the right and left channels, that is in the Rasana and the Lalana, cessation of them within the central channel, and as such, causing the
[80:31]
downward clearing airs and the vitalizing airs to circulate only within the central channel. That is within what is called the conch bearing channel, which is, that is, let me start over with that, causing the air switcher within the channels below the navel the side channels, which are the pathways of urine and feces, causing these airs to circulate, that is to go within the central channel, which below the navel is known as the conch-bearing channel, and to circulate only there, and likewise above the navel for the vitalizing airs to circulate only within the central channel. That is, there's two different names used for the central channel, above and below the navel. The two errors, the upper vitalizing error, the lower downward clearing errors, circulate only within the central channel.
[81:37]
That is, circulation has stopped in the side channels. When I was born, I was born. [...] ... ... ... ...
[82:54]
I'm going to ask you a question. [...] When I was born, I was born. I was [...] born. There was a lot of people in the city.
[83:58]
There was a lot of people in the city. There was a lot of people in the city. There was a lot of people in the city. When I was born, I was born and [...] I was born. He said, you know, [...] you know.
[85:11]
Now the fifth section, that is the fifth part within this section, is the method... for meditating. What is given within this section in the text are a series of quotes from the Kala Chakra Tantra itself which mention each of the major branches of this practice. That is, first of all, a quote which mentions the Vajra recitation and just makes reference to the moon, the sun, mentioning different syllables such as ah and ka, that is these being associated with the right and the left channels. The three aspects, that is inhalation, exhalation, abiding between, and so forth.
[86:14]
All it does is just mention it in the quote. Then the second category of practice was that of the gentle inhalation and exhalation. and the movement of the breath from one nostril to the other. And so again, referring to the practices which were explained, there's a quote from the Tantra itself, which mentions the technique of placing the right hand in the left armpit, the blocking of one nostril, breathing through it, and so forth, reversing that technique, using it the other way, and saying that within half a month of doing this, a yogi can remove all signs of death, or all inauspicious signs, and so forth. And the next technique was that of filling, and then that of the vase retention practice, again within
[87:15]
The Tantra itself, there's a quote given from the Tantra itself which says that one closes the mouth, breathes through both nostrils, breathing in all airs which are outside, and that then in this way one experiences the binding of the downward clearing and the vitalizing airs. And so again, just mentions it very briefly. But it also mentions within the tantra some of the benefits to come from this practice that is specifically from that of the vase retention practice. Whereas for instance, for example, one becomes free of hunger and thirst in relation to eating food, consuming food for the physical body. And one also actually gains the state of deathlessness or immortality. And the techniques themselves are also specifically enumerated within the Vimalaprabha, or the Immaculate Light Commentary Upon the Tantra, where it mentions inhalation, exhalation, the base retention practices should always be done.
[88:31]
The quote briefly is given in that fashion. And so this applies, that is... It's indicating that the techniques themselves are shown within the tantra and the commentaries. Now the main emphasis here is upon the vase retention practice. That is the primary and most important practice from all of these. And that's the one that you have to certainly do. If you're going to practice this, you must practice the vase retention practice. All of the others were extra practices which you would use whenever it was appropriate to use. but the main one is that of the age retention practice. So that completes the five sections of the third part of these explanations.
[89:36]
He said, I'm not going to do anything. [...] When I was born, I was born and I was born and [...] I was born I'm going to take a break.
[90:42]
I'm going to take a break. I'm going to take a break.
[90:55]
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