The Illusory Body and Mind

His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche begins the course by sharing his personal experiences of retreat and discussing how a Vajrayana practitioner should overcome samsaric fixation and awaken a subtler level of awareness through reliance on a range of daily practices. You’ll learn about how to engage in tong-len (giving-and-taking), deity yoga, and the preliminary practices in the context of purifying negativity and accumulating virtue.

Rinpoche embarks on a wide-ranging exploration of faith in the context of Vajrayana practice, giving particular attention to the relationship with the vajra master. He explains how such a relationship can—in conjunction with continual awareness—ensure that the teachings leave a profound impact on your character. You’ll gain a more thorough understanding of the proper motivation, view, devotion, conduct, and approach with respect to one’s guru.

Rinpoche comments on the previous Kalu Rinpoche’s Good Path Traveled by the Fortunate, outlining how to strive toward realizing the nature of mind, from the stage of renunciation of samsaric fixation to that of dwelling naturally in the mind’s clarity and purity. You’ll gain an understanding of the three-stage process of recognizing the nature of mind, maintaining that recognition, and completing one’s realization.

Rinpoche gives line-by-line commentary on three key meditation manuals attributed to Shangpa Kagyü lineage lamas Niguma, Rahulagupta, and Sukhasiddhi. You’ll learn how to adopt the proper meditation posture, visualize the merit field and subtle bodily channels, form correct hand mudras, and rest in the space-like nature of mind.

Rinpoche reads through and provides thoughtful reflections on “vajra songs” attributed to the famed mahāsiddha Rahulagupta. You’ll receive practical and impactful guidance on retreat and everyday practice as well as greater insight into meditating on the nature of mind.

Rinpoche situates the six yogas of Niguma within the broader Five Jewels system, providing line-by-line commentary on Thangtong Gyalpo’s Collection of Essentials to clarify the first category of preliminary practices (i.e., refuge, bodhicitta, and purification). You’ll learn about the deeper meaning of the four empowerments and the finer details of the visualization associated with this stage of the practice.

Commenting on passages from Thangtong Gyalpo and Tāranātha’s works, Rinpoche covers the second category of preliminaries, which comprises the visualization, purification, and ascertainment of signs relating to the “empty AH” practice. He goes on to describe the initial stages of the actual illusory body and mind meditation. You’ll receive clear and essential advice on how to maintain the appropriate view and approach to the practice.

Rinpoche follows a concise yet essential text composed by Jamgon Kongtrul Lodroe Thaye on how to practically conduct an entire meditation session on the illusory body and mind. He gives particular attention to foundational topics such as gratitude, diligence, and karma. You’ll refine your understanding of the visualizations and how to pursue these meditations in the context of your daily practice.

Rinpoche focuses on Jamgon Kongtrul’s root stanzas on the six yogas of Niguma that describe how practitioners of each of the three levels of faculties—higher, middling, and lesser—should pursue the preliminary practice and primary practice sessions of illusory body and mind training. You’ll learn how to faultlessly engage in the eight categories of visualization presented.

Rinpoche returns to Thangtong Gyalpo’s Collection of Essentials, supplementing with passages from a Jamgon Kongtrul work to provide thorough instructions on how to engage in the bardo or intermediate state practice. He also shares personal experiences with retreat as well as his teacher entering the state of thuk-dam. You’ll discover the importance of dream yoga and learn how to prepare for one of three scenarios awaiting us in the bardo.