Guru Yoga

Guru Yoga is a fundamental practice in all Tibetan traditions.

If you have not already been taught a specific form of the practice, you can visualize all the enlightened beings and teachers to whom you are connected and pray to them.

Relax your body and open your heart. Generate feelings of devotion and gratitude. Make a sincere request for aid and support on the spiritual journey, and particularly for the practice you are about to do.

The central figure in the visualization can be a Buddha or your teacher. If you have received the appropriate initiation or transmission, you may use a male or female visionary deity.

Visualize a great wisdom fire coming from the heart of the Master, burning away your negative karmic traces and obstructions.

After the flame, imagine powerful wisdom winds rushing from the Master’s heart, blowing away the residue of the fire and any remaining obstructions.

Finally, visualize a torrent of pure water streaming from the heart of the Master, washing away any remaining negativities, leaving you completely purified—a pure vessel fit for the sacred teachings.

Now, receive initiation from the Master:

A beam of pure white light, originating in the chakra behind the Master’s brow, shines into your corresponding chakra situated between and behind the eyebrows. Through this you receive the initiation and empowerment of the body. Feel your entire body relax.

Then a pure red light radiates from the Master’s throat chakra into your throat chakra. Through this you receive the initiation and empowerment of the energy. Feel an even deeper relaxation.

After this, a pure blue light shines from the Master’s heart into your own. Through this you receive the initiation and empowerment of the mind. Feel a relaxation into the most subtle dimension of yourself.

Then imagine the Master and the surrounding enlightened beings transforming into light that enters your body through the crown chakra and then descends to rest in your heart.

Let all effort, visualization, and thought dissolve, and rest in clear presence.

If you have been introduced to the nature of mind, abide in that during the practice. If not, remain as present and aware as possible.