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 The Practice of the Six Yogas of Naropa   Book Excerpt

compiled, translated, and edited by Glenn H. Mullin

Important texts and commentaries on the six yogas-inner heat, illusory body, clear light, consciousness transference, forceful projection, and bardo yoga-comprise The Practice of the Six Yogas of Naropa. The accompanying excerpt from this valuable compendium of potent esoteric practices is taken from a discourse by Jey Sherab Gyatso. Translator Glenn Mullin is the author of The Six Yogas of Naropa and many other books.


It is very important that the mantric syllables at the chakras are seen as being inside the central channel. Many early Tibetan lamas overlooked this crucial principle. The smaller the syllables are visualized, the more easy it becomes to draw the energies into the central channel. The syllables should be seen as blazing with light, as this will eliminate the danger of mental dullness obstructing the meditation.

Of the five fundamental energies that are to be drawn into the central channel at the navel chakra, it is said that the all-pervading energy generally does not flow. The upward-rising and downward-expelling energies respectively have the nature of fire and water, and flow forcefully to the right and left. The life-sustaining and equalizing energies flow simultaneously and are of equal strength.


Glenn Mullin outside Ganden Monastery, Ulan Bataar, Mongolia

The vase breathing technique is used in the process of bringing these energies into the navel chakra. Generally one first draws in the airs from above, and then draws them up from below. An exception occurs after the energies have entered into the navel chakra and dissolved. At that time the lower energies are drawn in first. The vase breathing exercise is also said to be a supreme method for increasing health and longevity. It is best to practice it at the navel chakra. To do so at the heart or throat chakras is dangerous.

Tsongkhapa quotes a verse from The Arising of Samvara Tantra,

The energies that course above and below
Through the mind are brought to a kiss.

Here the expression "kiss" refers to the vital energies being dissolved into the nada above the mantric AH-stroke syllable at the navel chakra. Accomplishment in the inner heat yoga brings about great spiritual power. Once when the yogi Paljor Rabten was drinking beer I asked him, "O great mahasiddha, what are you meditating upon?" He replied, "On the AH-stroke mantra of the Six Yogas of Naropa."

I asked him, "And what benefits have you gotten out of it?"

"I achieved limitless, immeasurable realizations," he replied. "When I was in retreat on the Six Yogas at Lodrak Drowolung I received many visions of the five buddhas as well as many bodhisattvas. Then when I made retreat on the energy practices and inner heat yogas at Samyey Chimpu I received visions of the buddhas of the ten directions, and many more."

I once asked another yogi friend what he was meditating upon.

He replied, "On the inner heat yoga."

"Well then, you must be able to levitate," I said. "I haven't dedicated myself to the meditation for doing that; but if I were to do so, no doubt I could," he replied. In fact, it was well known that he had achieved the power of levitation and flight.

Although I did not test the validity of their claims, meditating on the inner heat yogas definitely does bring about such experiences and abilities. For example, the yogi Milarepa was seen levitating through the air on numerous occasions.

On another occasion I met a seventy-year-old hermit at Palkor Chodey Monastery. I asked him, "O mahasiddha, what are you doing?"

He replied honestly, "If one takes up meditation early in life, there is no doubt that great realization can be achieved. But what can you expect from an old man like me? I am a disciple of Jetsun Lobzang Yeshey of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. But I broke my vows and now live here in retreat."

His point was well taken. It is important to take up practice before old age has weakened one's body and mind, and also important to keep whatever spiritual precepts one has taken. Then realization is easily accomplished.

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More about the author . . .

Glenn Mullin is an internationally renowned Tibetologist, author, and expert on Buddhist meditation. Glenn lived in Dharamsala, India, the home of the Dalai Lama, for many years where he studied Tibetan language, literature, yoga, and meditation under twenty-five of the greatest masters of Tibet.

He is author of over 15 books on Buddhist topics, and has lectured and conducted workshops throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and the Far East. He has worked as a field specialist on several Tibet-related films and has co-produced five audio recordings of Tibetan sacred music.

Glenn was instrumental in organizing the first performance tours of Tibetan monks in the US and the world as well as the Mystical Arts of Tibet exhibit that has been touring the United States in the past few years. He has led many successful pilgrimages to Nepal and Tibet in the last five years. He now divides his time among writing, lecturing and leading pilgrimages to the power places of Central Asia.

Visit www.snowlionpub.com/pages/mullin.html to read more about Glenn Mullin, or visit www.glennmullin.com.

Books by Glenn Mullin: