Calm Breath, Calm Mind

Geshe YongDong welcomes you to the course and introduces core concepts such as the difference between the dualistic mind (sem) and the original mind (rigpa) as well as the powerful link between your breath and your awareness. You’ll learn about the healing power of the breath and the three levels of breathing—upper, middle, and lower.

Geshe-la explains how to engage in the vitally important nine-breathing purification practice, vividly detailing how to visualize the three principal energy channels in relation to the five chakras. You’ll practice each step involved in this purification with three breaths dedicated to each of the three channels.

Geshe-la discusses how to integrate the recitation of mantras into your breathwork practice, helping you overcome inner conflict and open your heart to the world more fully. You’ll gain familiarity with two of these recitation practices and discover several other powerful methods for retaining concentration on your breathing, including counting or mentally noting each breath.

Geshe-la explores the process of meditating on the channels (tsa), energies (lung), and drops (thigle). He relates this important meditation to the final spiritual goal of enlightenment and describes how this sacred architecture represents the “secret” level of Buddhist refuge. You’ll practice tsa–lung–thigle meditation and be introduced to the first of five tsa lung trul khor exercises, the upward-moving wind exercise.

Geshe-la discusses the gross and subtle physical, psychological, and spiritual effects of anger as well as anger’s connection with the heart chakra and the lifeforce wind. You’ll learn how to engage in each step of the lifeforce wind exercise to loosen knots at the heart chakra and release yourself from lingering anger or resentment.

Geshe-la shifts focus to the third of the five powerful tsa lung exercises, introducing the fire-like wind practice, which is connected with the navel chakra. He explains how this important exercise helps not only address physical issues related to digestion but also combat the two principal types of ignorance. You’ll come to appreciate the importance of bodily awareness, breathwork, and remaining “present” while engaged in tsa lung practice.

Geshe-la concludes his explanation of how to effectively complete the tsa lung exercises, this time focusing on the final two among the five—the pervasive and downward-clearing practices. He enumerates the benefits of these important exercises, including how they dispel jealousy and attachment, respectively. You’ll discover the full story about how these extraordinary tsa lung practices can help enhance almost every facet of your life.

Geshe-la dives more deeply into the meaning of “meditation,” identifying its main types, objects, associated mental factors, optimal physical posture, and obstacles. You’ll receive step-by-step guidance on how to engage in both calm abiding and insight meditation.

Geshe-la thoughtfully unpacks the heart of practice and underlines the importance of an altruistic motivation for the yogas discussed throughout the course. You’ll learn how to use giving-and-taking (tonglen) practice to expand your sense of concern and progress toward an authentic motivation of great compassion (nyingje chenpo).

Geshe-la concludes the course journey by explaining and demonstrating recitation of the five powerful and protective warrior seed syllable mantras as propagated extensively by Yungdrung Bön founder Tönpa Shenrab. You’ll discover the main qualities of each syllable and how each syllable opens up and balances one of the five chakras or “power centers” integral to the flow of energy (lung) throughout the body.