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Before we begin, I want to preface that these teachings in the first division of the channels, winds, and sphere/drops are a copious amount of information. Don’t be overwhelmed! If you have ever studied medicine or anatomy, you might know just how much information there is to learn about how the body works. As well as all the years it takes to learn about anatomy and how the body works down to its tiniest parts. What is presented here is directly from the root text in its totality, and it’s an introduction to all the many parts of the body. Imagine it like an introduction to a group of people in a house. It’s important to learn each person’s name and function; likewise it’s important to learn each of the names and functions of the channels, winds, and spheres making up the temple of the Buddha, our body. So don’t feel like you need to memorize or learn all the details, but just be relaxed, open, curious, and allow yourself to be introduced to all the many wonderful parts that make up your body, mind, and what you call “you.” This introduction will lay the foundation or base that we will then build our meditative practice upon in part two.
When we learn all the many channels, winds, and spheres that make up our body, we should view it like we are looking at a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, with all the ornaments, lights, and ribbons. There is so much to take in. So many lights, sparkles, colors and shapes. But we don’t have to count, label, and figure them all out. We can just appreciate the full spectrum, the full array of the wonder that makes up a Christmas tree, or our own body and mind. So we can allow our imagination to play with all of these elements.
3: Presentation of the Spheres / Tigle
What is a Sphere/Tigle?
A: A sphere is the energy of the essence of phenomena. In the division of Tsa, Lung, and Tigle, spheres in this context mean the energy of the positive mind (or consciousness) or we can say energy of wisdom.
When we say “energy” what does that mean?
A: Energy means “mind function” or mind functioning. An example is the eye consciousness functioning to connect with the object (shape or color).
When the eye consciousness connects with the form or color, how does it connect with this object?
A: There is a power in this connection that we can call energy or sphere (tigle).
But the general definition of “tigle” is essence. Tigle’s literal definition means “zero.” Every number comes from or begins from zero. If there is no zero, then there are no numbers. This is why everything comes from the essence.
Thus the main or ultimate tigle is the essence of the natural state of mind. This is why it’s called a Single Sphere. Because this is the single base in which everything appears.
The presentation of the spheres has six parts.
The 45 spheres of accomplishing the body. This means there are 45 spheres of the body.
The 45 spheres of external appearance.
The two above are related with the tummo practice.
The 45 spheres of internal intrinsic awareness.
The 45 spheres of the eternal secret.
The 45 spheres of the truth of reality.
The 45 spheres of the wisdom deities of the mother tantra.
These four are related with the mother tantra practice.
Total 270 spheres.
Wherever the spheres of accomplishing the body are are where the primordial wisdom abides. That is the place of the body. Where the primordial wisdom abides is the place of the body.
Where the body abides is the place of the channels. Where the channels abide is the place of blood. Where the blood abides is the place of fat. Where the fat abides is the place of the sphere. Where the sphere abides is the place of contaminated bliss. Where the bliss abides is the place of khandro. Where the khandro abides is the place of primordial wisdom. Where the primordial wisdom abides is the place of Great Bliss Body.
1: The 45 Spheres of Accomplishing the Body
Four spheres are located in the crown of the head chakra.
Eight spheres are located in the throat chakra.
Four spheres are located in the heart chakra.
Twenty-one spheres are located in the naval chakra.
Eight spheres are located in the secret chakra.
45 spheres total.
Four spheres of the Great Bliss chakra at the crown of the head.
Sphere of the right white channel. This sphere generates clarity.
Sphere of the left red channel. This sphere generates bliss.
Sphere of the brain. This sphere generates equanimity.
Sphere of the central blue channel. This sphere generates bodhichitta (the enlightened mind.)
Eight spheres at the chakra of enjoyment at the throat.
Sphere of life-force that holds/connects life.
Sphere of clear lamp that makes the eye vision clear.
Sphere of magical victorious sound (the sphere of the sound) that makes the ears hear clear sound.
Sphere of turquoise wind. This makes clear the nostrils' ability to smell.
Sphere of display of nectar (amrita) of the tongue/taste. This gives the tongue more energy to taste.
Sphere of great blessing of the body (the sphere of the body). This generates energy and power for the body.
Sphere of the magical hand. This generates accomplished activities. (writing, driving, fighting, feeding, whatever the two hands can do)
Sphere of head of liberation. This unlocks the door of the path (the crown of the head.)
Four spheres at the reality chakra at the heart.
Sphere of uncontaminated primordial wisdom sphere. This sphere stabilizes the nature of mind.
Sphere of clear cuckoo bird. Why the cuckoo bird? When the cuckoo bird sings, it makes all the nomads very happy. A sign of the spring coming, and thus life. This sphere generates the happiness of the mind.
Sphere of the mighty king. This sphere makes the mind strong & powerful.
Sphere of the heat of primordial wisdom. This sphere produces primordial wisdom from the mind. This heat has the same meaning as Tummo heat, which is primordial wisdom heat not physical heat element.
The qualities of the spheres of the heart chakra are uncontaminated stability, clarity, powerful/energetic, and heat (of wisdom).
Twenty-one spheres that are located in the naval chakra (emanation chakra)
Sphere of the spleen of the earth element. This sphere stabilizes the body.
Sphere of the lung of the wind element. This sphere generates the light and movement.
Sphere of the liver of the fire element. This clarifies the five senses.
Sphere of the kidneys of the water element. This gives the body strength.
Sphere of the flesh of the earth element. This sphere allows the body to grow.
Sphere of the breath of the wind element. This generates the power of the breath.
Sphere of the heat. This generates the heat of bliss.
Sphere of the blood of the water element. This sphere increases the radiance of the body.
Sphere of the skin of the earth element. This increases the radiance or color of the skin.
Sphere of the water element. This increases the luster of the eyes.
Sphere of the heat or fire element. This generates the warmth of the body.
Sphere of the space element. This generates compassion.
Sphere of the drawl of the center. This connects and assembles all parts of the body.
Sphere of the skin. This generates physical strength.
Sphere of the fat. This gives the body flexible movement.
Sphere of the skeleton/bones. This makes the body solid and strong.
Sphere of the channels. This open the door of the path (of wisdom or afflictive emotions)
Sphere of the flesh that blocks the door of the wounds/disease.
Sphere of the marrow. This generates the body’s structures.
Sphere of the vital essence. This nourishes the interior body.
Sphere of the blazing up, dropping down, spreading, and collecting. This sphere matures the body. (Maturation of the physical body.)
Eight spheres at the chakra of skillful means and wisdom in the secret place
Sphere of the seminal vesicle that holds the sperm.
Sphere of the intestines that produce & remove feces and farts.
Sphere of the bile that makes menstrual blood.
Sphere of the gallbladder that holds the urine.
Sphere of the stomach that increases the power of the flesh.
Sphere of the legs that generates the energy of the legs.
Sphere of the beautiful adornment. This grows the body hair.
Sphere of the dregs (bowels). This clears the path of the remaining (wastes and feces.)
These are the 45 spheres that abide at the five chakras of the body. They are at this time, at the state of contamination. When the stage of the practice is complete, they become the nature of the dakinis.
2: The 45 Spheres of External Appearances
These 45 spheres arise from the main practice of Thogal and Clear Light. When we practice Thogal and Clear Light properly and reach the full capacity of the practice then the appearance of external spheres will arise.
Five sizes of the spheres.
Five colors of the spheres.
Five shapes of the spheres.
Five ways the spheres arise.
Five types of light rays of the spheres.
Five meanings/essence of the spheres.
Five ways of being deluded.
Five faults of delusion.
Five fruition of the spheres.
1: Five sizes of the spheres
First, the sphere is the size of a mustard seed.
Second, the sphere is the size of an eyeball.
Third, the sphere is the size of a small bowl.
Fourth, the sphere is the size of the head or cowboy hat.
Fifth, some spheres will be the size of the interior of a house.
2: Five colors of the spheres
White
Yellow
Red
Green
Black or dark-blue
Some spheres have all five colors.
3: Five shapes of the spheres
Round
Square
Crescent/half-moon
Triangular
Oval
4: Five ways the spheres arise
The spheres are slightly moved. (Going up and down)
The spheres move and vibrate even more.
The spheres go up and down without remaining in one place.
The spheres flying like a hawk gliding.
The spheres remain stable without moving or vibrating.
5. Five types of light rays of the spheres
Light rays are gathered together.
Light rays are spreading forward.
Light rays heaped together.
Light rays surrounding the spheres.
Light rays unfolding like a silk brocade.
6. Five meanings/essence of the spheres (Five Wisdoms)
Emptiness Primordial Wisdom
Mirror-like Primordial Wisdom
All-Accomplishment Primordial Wisdom
Individual Discerning Primordial Wisdom
Equality Primordial Wisdom
7. Five ways of being deluded (Five Poisons)
Hatred
Ignorance
Desire
Envy
Pride
8. Five faults of delusion (Five Realms)
Hell-beings
Animals
Hungry Ghosts
Humans
Gods and Demi-gods
9. Five fruition of the spheres (Five Buddha Families)
East, yungdrung family
South, jewel family
West, lotus family
North, wheel family
Center, suchness family
Special for the Tummo practice, by realizing that one’s own perceptions and appearances are one’s own perception, one will eventually obtain the five supreme secret deities of the mother tantra.
What are the fire supreme secret deities of the mother tantra?
In the central palace of the Pure Realm of Sangchok Gyalpo, are Father Sangchok Tharkthuk Gyalpo & Mother Kyema Otso.
In the East in the center of the Yungdrung Family Pure Realm are Father Sangchok Rigpé Khuchung and Mother Thugjé Tshemé Karmo. (Mother immeasurable compassion)
In the North in the center of the Wheel Family Pure Realm are Father Sangchok Sangwé Gyalpo and Mother Chamma Tshemé Sermo. ( Mother immeasurable kindness or love)
In the West in the center of the Lotus Family Pure Realm are the Father Sangchok Sangwé Yeshe and Mother Gawa Marmo. (mother Immeasurable joy )
In the South in the center of the Precious Jewel Family are the Father Sangchok Sangwé Yungdrung and Mother Tang Nyom Tshemé Ngӧnmo. (mother Immeasurable equanimity)
The remaining four sets of 45 spheres are not mentioned in the root text. Shardza Rinpoche mentions that he elaborated on these in the teachings on Thogal found in the previous chapters of “Self-Arising Three-Fold Embodiment of Bon Great Completion Meditation.” However, Geshe did briefly touch on a few key aspects of them which are noted below.
3: The 45 spheres of internal self-awareness or rigpa
There are five stages which each have their own 45 spheres. Briefly, they are:
The 45 spheres of the mode of increasing and arising of primordial wisdom.
Then after the body has increased there are the 45 spheres of the period of primordial wisdom decreasing.
The 45 spheres of the time of sensation of the close appearance of primordial wisdom.
When the practitioner is meditating on the path of practice (Thogal practice) by opening the channels there are 45 spheres on the stage of realizing the meaning of the natural state. When you realize the natural state of mind, through different stages, these 45 spheres arise.
The 45 spheres in the bardo of becoming.
4: The 45 spheres of the secret swastika (eternal secret)
This is 45 spheres of the ultimate wisdom of realization. No additional elaboration is given.
5: The 45 spheres of the truth of reality
No additional elaboration is given.
6: The 45 spheres of the wisdom deities of the mother tantra
No additional elaboration is given. Chaphur Rinpoche notes that there are 45 peaceful deities in the mother tantra and that these relate to the 45 peaceful feelings we hold in the heart. There are also 80 wrathful deities (or feelings) that abide in our crown chakra. But here we are only looking at the 45 peaceful feelings. These are not external deities, but internal feelings.
This completes the section on the Spheres. And completes the full teachings on the Channels, Winds, and Spheres.
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