Training on the Path of the Channels

Coarse Training Using Seed Syllables

Three parts:

1. Essential point of the body posture

2. Essential point of the visualization

3. The way to train the channel pathways (how to train the channel pathways)

1: Essential point of the body posture

The essential point of the body posture is the seven-point body posture. This has already been explained earlier, but to summarize the are legs crossed, hand in equipoise, backbone straight, stomach pressed in, neck bent, tongue joining the upper plate, and shoulders lifted back. 

2: Essential point of the visualization

The essential point of the visualization is to remember the explanation of the hollow interior of the Sambhogakaya and the Nirmanakaya visualizations taught previously.  (Dharmakaya Hollow Interior Practice is not used here.)

3: The way to train the channel pathways 

The way to train the channel pathways is that within the visualization of being khandro Thugje Kundrol with the three channels, five chakras, and five root winds we purify and train the channel path as follows.  

First, “the way of training the right channel” imagine that in front of you at the distance of sixteen finger-width from your right nostril, are a floating white seed syllable A and red MA. The white A is on top of the MA.

Second, pressing the base of your left ring finger with your left thumb, press the left nostril with the left ring finger - closing the left nostril. Slowly inhale through the right nostril. At the same time, imagine that when wind enters through the right nostril, the red MA followed by the white A follow the breath in through the right nostril one by one. 

Both the red MA followed by the white A travel down the right channel to the junction of the three channels. When they both arrive at the junction of the three channels, open the left nostril, dropping the left hand, and using the right hand, right ring finger, close the right nostril. Then the MA and A now come up the left channel as you breathe out slowly through the left nostril. The red MA comes out first, followed by the white A until they are floating in front of you sixteen finger-widths from your left nostril - the red MA is out a bit farther than the chasing white A that followed it.

The second part, “the way of training the left channel”, is the same process but in reverse. Keeping the right nostril closed with the right ring finger, inhale through the left nostril the white A followed by the red MA (the order is flipped). The A and MA follow down the left channel to the junction of the three channels. Then open the right nostril, keeping both nostrils open. Then imagine the A followed by the MA come up through the central channel and come out the central channel at the crown of the head. A first, followed by the MA they rise into space sixteen finger-widths above your head. The A above the MA.

The third part, “the way of training the center channel” is the MA comes back down the central channel followed by the A. When the MA and A arrive at the junction of the three channels, then pressing the left ring finger on the left nostril the MA and A go up the right channel and out the right nostril sixteen finger-widths from your right nostril in space.

The summary of the path the syllable takes in all three parts is:

1st: Right to left. The way of training the right channel.

2nd: Left to center. The way of training the left channel.

3rd: Center to right. The way of training the center channel.

All three of these together make a single cycle. In the morning, we should do seven or twenty-one cycles (all three) during a single meditation session. One day we can work up to doing four or six meditation sessions a day. But in this busy life, we should aim for what we can  even if it’s just one, two, or three practice sessions a day. We should make an effort to practice like this for three days.

At the end of a practice session (after seven or twenty-one cycles), visualize a white A sixteen finger-widths from your right nostril floating in space and a red MA sixteen finger-widths from your left nostril floating in space. MA floating on the left, A floating on the right. Then inhale through both nostrils breathing in both syllables. The A comes in through the right nostril, the MA comes in through the left nostril at the same time. Both syllables goes down through the left and right channel down to the junction of the three channels and comes up the central channel. Gently hold the breath as you imagine this. Both syllables come up the central channel and exit the crown of the head. When it exits the crown of the head, then exhale. When you exhale, imagine that both A and MA naturally dissolve into space. Rest in the empty space that is without reference point for as long as you can

. 

Summary: 

These three trainings of the syllables, spheres, and winds are like making irrigation channels for water to enter the farmer’s fields before it is watered. That is why these trainings are important. 

The benefit of these three trainings are that all gross and subtle level conceptual thoughts are stopped and the mind functions properly without diffusion. The mind does not move away from its object of visualization. This is why Tummo practice is more important than understanding how to practice. You need to train in this way, and when you become an expert in this practice the main practice of Tummo can be practiced properly. These are the secret methods of practice to reduce our suffering and realize happiness. It is not easy to understand. Nor do we need to fully understand it before we practice. But through practice we can come to understand. If you wait for understanding to practice, you might be waiting a very long time.