Training this Precious Human Mind

The actual practice of Tummo is about training the mind. The Tummo practices and trainings build up slowly one after another. There are a lot of visualizations. But we will learn them and practice them step by step. It is very difficult to visualize clearly and properly. Do not be overwhelmed but remember we are learning. We are going slowly, slowly, step by step. Don’t worry about perfection. If you fixate on trying to do it perfectly there will be a lot of conceptual thoughts and ruminations about the practice. Whatever our practice is, it’s okay. Wherever we are on the path, it’s okay. We are in samsara, so we should not have expectations about perfection. Here in samsara we need to take care of ourselves. To put ourselves on the right path. We need to keep our mind trained on what we need to focus on, what we need to practice. We are very fortunate to have a mind that can do so much. Materials and minerals have no mind. But we have a mind. This is why we are giving training to our mind. This mind that we have may be very poorly trained. This mind may have a lot of suffering. Not only suffering from this life but past lives too. Having lived through so many bodily forms in the past such as animals, birds, and hungry ghosts, here today we have a precious human body and mind. Now we need to train our mind. This is the only way. Other sentient beings may not have this good fortune. They may not have the chance to train the mind. Or their mind may not be suitable for training. But this precious human body has a mind. A mind capable of training and transformation that can lead us to understanding our own true nature.

Three Connections to the Blessing of Tummo:

Try to practice the best you can, as often as you can. When you have a good connection with the blessing of tummo you will receive the real results of tummo. A good connection with the blessing of tummo is threefold. 

First to have a karmic connection within the teachings of Tonpa Shenrab (the founder of Bon), Shardza Rinpoche (the author of the tummo text), and the teacher teaching you these teachings. The fact you are receiving and studying these teachings, which is shared happily and proudly to you shows you already have a karmic connection. But you need to keep this connection sustained throughout your life through trust. Feel that connection, trust in that connection. Keep that connection alive through trust and confidence. 

The second way to connect to the blessing of tummo is through understanding and practice. First you need to understand how to practice then you need to actually practice. In the teachings of tummo this is primarily through visualization practice. To do this, first feel “I have engaged in this type of practice.” There are billions of humans in this world. But feel how rare it is to receive these teachings. Feel how fortunate it is to receive these teachings, and let it energize you with happiness and be proud to engage in these practices. 

There will certainly be many obstacles to practice, such as all you take in through your senses. But don’t follow them. The important thing is your mind. Try to focus your mind on the practice little by little as best you can. Don’t judge your practice. Don’t say today the practice was bad. You don’t know. Don’t expect any results. Just practice, that is enough. Without making any excuses, do the best you can and learn about yourself along the way.

The third way to connect to the blessings of tummo is to give gratitude to yourself for engaging diligently in the practice. Thank yourself for devoting time to practice. Thank your family, your spouse, your children, your family members for giving you the time to practice and support you along the way. Thank all the benefactors who have guided and supported you along the path so that you may train your mind and practice so diligently.