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Greetings

Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2013 5:03 pm
by Seeker00
Greetings.

I'm a long time meditator. I am now practicing Mindfulness Meditation as taught by Thich Nhat Hanh. Through the years I have practiced TM, Kundalini Yogic meditations, and Mindfulness of breathing.

Presently, my focus is on Shamatha practices. I'm also working with visualizations from Tsongkhapa's the Six Yogas of Naropa; specifically the Inner Fire section.

I would love to compare notes on meditative experiences.

Peace,

Re: Greetings

Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2013 5:07 pm
by Grigoris
Welcome seeker! I didn't know Tsongkhapa had written a commentary on the Six Yogas of Naropa. In the Kagyu tradition these are practiced almost solely within traditional three year retreats. I was wondering: who's your teacher?
:namaste:

Re: Greetings

Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2013 4:52 pm
by Ayu
Welcome, Seeker00.
I had a similar way through different meditation systems over the years. :smile:
gregkavarnos wrote:... I didn't know Tsongkhapa had written a commentary on the Six Yogas of Naropa.
http://atlantic-council.ca/wp-content/d ... 19914.html
:tongue:

Re: Greetings

Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2013 8:43 pm
by lobster
:hi:

hi

Re: Greetings

Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2013 12:43 pm
by Seeker00
gregkavarnos wrote:Welcome seeker! I didn't know Tsongkhapa had written a commentary on the Six Yogas of Naropa. In the Kagyu tradition these are practiced almost solely within traditional three year retreats. I was wondering: who's your teacher?
:namaste:
There are no teachers in my region. I'm using Lama Yeshe's book 'Inner Fire'. Using Mindfulness/Shamatha as a base, I've been working through the visualizations (slowly) one at a time.

The results have been dynamic and delightful.

Re: Greetings

Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2013 12:46 pm
by Seeker00
gregkavarnos wrote:Welcome seeker! I didn't know Tsongkhapa had written a commentary on the Six Yogas of Naropa. In the Kagyu tradition these are practiced almost solely within traditional three year retreats. I was wondering: who's your teacher?
:namaste:
The translation of Tsongkhapa's work is written by Glenn Mullin. Clear and concise. I'm focusing on the inner fire section.

Re: Greetings

Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2013 2:35 pm
by Motova
Welcome to Dharmawheel!

:popcorn:

Re: Greetings

Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2013 2:49 pm
by Seeker00
Thanks!

Re: Greetings

Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 2:34 am
by DNS
Welcome to Dharma Wheel!

:meditate:

Re: Greetings

Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 3:41 am
by Seeker00
Thanks

Re: Greetings

Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 5:54 pm
by DGA
Hi, Welcome to DharmaWheel!

Does the Glenn Mullin translation you are using make any mention of the role of the teacher in the "inner fire" practice? I've not read it yet, hence my question. Thanks.

Re: Greetings

Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2013 2:21 pm
by Seeker00
Jikan wrote:Hi, Welcome to DharmaWheel!

Does the Glenn Mullin translation you are using make any mention of the role of the teacher in the "inner fire" practice? I've not read it yet, hence my question. Thanks.
Yes. However, I've been unsuccessful at finding someone.

I have had great success working through the exercises slowly.

Re: Greetings

Posted: Wed Aug 07, 2013 12:05 am
by conebeckham
Greetings, Seeker-

I just want to say that you can't really practice Tummo merely by reading a book.

I mean no disrespect, and don't mean to antagonize anyone.

I've read Mullin's translation of the Tsong Khapa Six Yogas commentary, as well as Mullin's other writings on Naropa's six yogas. I own them, actually.

In my Kagyu lineage, these practices aren't publically discussed, frankly. They are advanced practices, done in retreat, and only after a considerable amount of "preliminary" practice of various sorts. Even talking of a "session" of Tummo practice, Guru Yoga is essential. I'm pretty sure Mullin writes this, as well. And I also want to point out that these practices are completion stage practices of Highest Yoga Tantra, so one would need at least one Higher Yoga Tantra empowerment from a qualified teacher in order to really practice Six Yogas.

That's not to say whatever you're doing is "bad." It may, in fact, be good and useful. But it's not truly "Tummo" practice.

Re: Greetings

Posted: Wed Aug 07, 2013 1:28 pm
by DGA
Seeker00 wrote: I've been unsuccessful at finding someone.
Keep searching. You will likely need to travel and make serious sacrifices.

I wish you all the best in your practice.

Re: Greetings

Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2013 1:15 am
by Motova
conebeckham wrote:Greetings, Seeker-

I just want to say that you can't really practice Tummo merely by reading a book.

I mean no disrespect, and don't mean to antagonize anyone.

I've read Mullin's translation of the Tsong Khapa Six Yogas commentary, as well as Mullin's other writings on Naropa's six yogas. I own them, actually.

In my Kagyu lineage, these practices aren't publically discussed, frankly. They are advanced practices, done in retreat, and only after a considerable amount of "preliminary" practice of various sorts. Even talking of a "session" of Tummo practice, Guru Yoga is essential. I'm pretty sure Mullin writes this, as well. And I also want to point out that these practices are completion stage practices of Highest Yoga Tantra, so one would need at least one Higher Yoga Tantra empowerment from a qualified teacher in order to really practice Six Yogas.

That's not to say whatever you're doing is "bad." It may, in fact, be good and useful. But it's not truly "Tummo" practice.
I thought it was hazardous and useless (at least in gaining realizations) to do/attempt Tummo (it's visualizations) without a guru. What would be the benefits? What are the risks of doing the visualizations without a guru?
:namaste: