Mahayana Vipassana Levels

These 10 day retreats were organized after many years of study and retreat by myself in the Tibetan Buddhist system. I also attended 2 ten day Vipassana retreats during those years, one lead by Goenka himself in the early ’70’s and another in Canada by one of his students in 2000. I was always impressed by the direct nature of experience that the Goenka retreats generated. Keep in mind at the time of the second vipassana retreat I had done more than 7 years of solitary retreat and some of those retreats in excellent conditions of complete isolation. I fully appreciated the experiences I generated but on a basic level I found the vipassana more helpful for beginners. I generally found the Tibetan system intellectual and that when those students moved to tantra they tended to again be out of touch with their bodies, thus causing much lung (anxiety) and other imbalances. In doing the vipassana retreats I discovered a great improvement in my meditations in tantra and although the Vajrasattva meditations should have accomplished this, they often again became more a visualization and mental observation than actually getting in touch with the body and its energies and feelings. Therefore out of frustration as a westerner to deepen my practice I decided to mix these two worlds and so produced this above process. It completely relies on the teachings of our great Guru Lord Buddha and his 2nd emanation Je Tsong Khapa but incorporates the two systems in a manner more suitable for western practitioners in my humble opinion.

To elaborate I have included a progression I utilize in Mexico called Shamata I, II and III.

1. Level I

Meditation sessions will be a total of 9 hours each day, 6 sessions of 1.5 hours each. The structure is based on Mahayana principles and the motivation of Love and Compassion. The initial technique is an introduction to basic sitting and awareness of breathing. The first 3 days allow the students to become familiar with quietude meditation, Shamata. This is an excellent foundation for all meditation practices. Lord Buddha emphasized in the Sutras that awareness of the breath is the best technique to subdue the uncontrolled mind. This level includes instruction on how to deal with distractions such as scattering and sinking. The second 3 days are focused on scanning the body and being aware of physical sensation, Vipassana. The subjects of the Gradual Path to Enlightenment are introduced at this time with a focus on impermanence and the law of cause and effect. The final 4 days are an introduction to Sutra Mahamudra. The sessions focus on observing the mind alone and investigating the nature of reality.

2. Level II

Detailed instruction is given for 3 days on Shamata meditation with an emphasis on how to deal with distractions. The second 3 days are a more detailed description of the body and its structure which is integrated with the Vipassana scanning technique. The final 4 days are detailed instruction on Mahamudra and investigating the nature of the mind. The text “The Ganges Mahamudra”, used in the Gelukpa and Kagyu lineages will be taught at that time.

3. Level III

This retreat requires all students to have received an initiation in the highest class of tantra from a qualified teacher. The initial 3 days are Shamata meditation as in level I and II with the addition of deity yoga. The second 3 days are an introduction to tantric meditations scanning the body with an emphasis on the 3 main nerves of the body. The final 4 days are an introduction to Tantric Mahamudra.

These courses have been developed to help Western Buddhists enter into meditation and finally tantric practice in a well structured program. This ensures the student will practice tantra in the correct manner that benefits themselves and others.

Tantra Deity Practice

Upon the basis of Shamata I and II plus attendance in a regular meditation center with courses such as Discovering Buddhism at Home or Buddhist Basics then these are my suggestions for tantric practice. His Holiness the Dalai Lama 20 years ago gave me permission to teach tantra and give initiations. I am not boastful of this and have maintained a good reputation over the 22 years that I have given various levels of initiation and commentary according to lineages I held. I also do not adulterate the teachings given me by my Root Guru Kyabje Ling Rinpoche and other great teachers such as Lama Yeshe, Geshe Rabten and Geshe Dhargye. I had the privilege of being Kyabje Ling Rinpoche’s private student for 10 years and received many commentaries and initiations privately from him. He also lead my 5 years of retreat: 2 years at Tushita doing preliminary practices, 2 years in a hut beside the great meditators such as Gen Lamrimpa and Geshe Yeshe Togten, and finally 1.5 years just below Triund in complete isolation.

1. Level I

These practices are available to mature students only. It is best if one has completed at least Level I of the Shamata if not also Level II. Yamantaka is the wrathful manifestation of Manjurshri, the Buddha of Wisdom. Yamantaka is an extremely strong practice to remove interferences to the initial stages of tantric practice. Yamantaka has 5 special qualities: he is more powerful in degenerate times, he helps individuals who have strong negative karma, he helps practitioners to not break their commitments and finally has the special techniques of illusory body of Guhyasamaja (Father Tantra) and the clear light practices of Heruka Chakrasambhava (Mother Tantra).

The retreat includes the 2 day initiation of Yamantaka if necessary and then daily instruction on the basics of the sadhana (meditation practice). The basis of the daily meditations is the shortest sadhana of Yamantaka. The retreat introduces tantric principles of meditation and emphasizes familiarity with the visualization of self as deity. Meditation sessions will be a total of 9 hours each day, 6 sessions of 1.5 hours each. Two sessions each day will be instruction. A full commentary of the Yamantaka tantra will be supplied. This is not a mantra counting retreat. It focuses on the 3 Principles of the Path and the 9 Mixings used in Highest Yoga Tantra. This is according to the commentary of Ngulchu Dharmabadra.
Commitment: 6 session Guru Yoga.

2. Level II

The retreat will use the middle length sadhana of Yamantaka. The focus for Level II is meditation experience with visualization and mantra. Detailed instruction will be given on self identification, mudras and ritual. Meditation sessions will be a total of 9 hours each day, 6 sessions of 1.5 hours each. One session each day will be instruction.
Commitment: 6 session Guru Yoga.

3. Level III

The retreat will present the completion stage practices of the Yamantaka Tantra. Individuals attending this retreat must have completed Level I and II of both Shamata and Yamataka retreats.

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