Highest Yoga Tantra Resources
“Death, intermediate state and rebirth underpin samsara, the condition of repeated rebirth impelled by previous action and delusion. But they are also the three ‘basic bodies’ of Highest Yoga Tantra practice, forming the bases for altruistic transformation into the truth, enjoyment and emanation bodies of a buddha. This transformation is brought about by means of simulating in meditation the stages of the death process that result in manifestation of the clear light mind.
Highest Yoga Tantra generation stage practice utilises the imagination as a means to cultivate the pure form and environment of a buddha. Completion stage follows, during which the practitioner gains increased mastery of the subtle vital energies, culminating in the ability to manifest the powerful clear light mind – the optimum mind for realization of emptiness – and ultimately the union of the clear light mind and the illusory body.” [Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition]
IMPORTANT: These are very advanced practices which should only be studied and practiced by those who have a strong and stable grounding in the Lam Rim, particularly in the three principle aspects of the path (bodhichitta, renunciation and emptiness), have taken refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha and ideally have studied and practiced other levels of tantra.
We believe in helping people access these teachings so they can be of as much benefit as possible. However, we are trusting you to only read/watch/listen to the resources on particular practices such as commentaries, sadhanas and retreat recordings if you have received the initiation/empowerment for that practice.
Videos
Introduction to Tantra: Part One with Lama Yeshe, made available by Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive
The Three Principle Aspects of the Path: Part 1 with Lama Yeshe, made available by Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive
Introductory talk to Naropa and the Six Yogas with Lama Yeshe, made available by Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive
Question & Answers on Mahamudra, the Great Seal with Lama Yeshe made available by Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive
Six Yogas of Naropa Exercises with Paula Chichester. Made available by Brave View
Books
Here you will find a selection of books explaining various aspects of Highest Yoga Tantra practice. Some are a general explanation while others are commentaries on specific practices.
General Explanations
Death, Intermediate State, and Rebirth in Tibetan Buddhism by Lati Rinpoche
Highest Yoga Tantra by Daniel Cozort
Principles of Buddhist Tantra by Kirti Tsenshap Rinpoche
Great Treasury of Mahamudra by Geshe Acharya Thubten Loden
Great Treasure of the Six Yogas of Naropa by Geshe Acharya Thubten Loden
Bliss of Inner Fire: Heart Practices of the Six Yogas of Naropa by Lama Yeshe
Commentaries
Please only read these books if you have been initiated into the practice they are commenting on.
The Ecstatic Dance of Chakrasamvara translated by David Gonsalez
The Roar of Thunder Yamantaka Practice and Commentary translated by David Gonsalez
The Extremely Secret Dakini of Naoropa (Vajrayogini) translated by David Gonsalez
Secret Revelations of Chittamani Tara translated by David Gonsalez
Source of Supreme Bliss Heruka Chakrasamvara Five Deity Practice translated by David Gonsalez
Ocean of Indivisible Method and Wisdom (Yamantaka) by Geshe Acharya Thubten Loden
Path of the Union of Clear Light and Illusory Body by Geshe Acharya Thubten Loden
Commentary on the Vajrayogini Tantra by Lama Yeshe
Chittamani Tara Commentary by Lama Yeshe
A Teaching on Heruka by Lama Zopa Rinpoche
A Teaching on Yamantaka by Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Vajrayogini
“The Vajrayogini yoga method is extremely powerful. It is just what we need in these degenerate times, with our delusions running rampant and our minds grasping at concretized sense pleasures. Therefore, a method such as this, which has the wisdom to transform delusions, is of the utmost need, especially as it has the profound property of becoming more powerful as delusions becomes stronger.” –Lama Thubten Yeshe
Who is Vajrayogini? She is the ultimate flowering of the female energy that lies within all of us, a fully enlightened buddha, the essence of totality- beyond duality, beyond ego, and fully controlled. Emphasising wisdom, the yoga method of Vajrayogini trains us to identify with her divine qualities and leads us on the quickest path to enlightenment. [fpmt.org]
Below you can find a selection of resources including commentaries that explain the practice and sadhanas for you to use when practicing.
Vajrayogini Short Sadhana – Lama Zopa Rinpoche Practice Series
A Short Daily Practice of Venerable Vajrayogini Naro Khechari – Short Vajrayogini Sadhana composed by Phabongkha Dechen Nyingpo
A Clear Arrangement of the Abbreviated Way to Meditate on the Quick Path to Great Bliss – Middle Length Vajrayogini Sadhana composed by Phabongkha Dechen Nyingpo
Initial Practices of Vajrayogini
The Quick Path to Great Bliss – Long Vajrayogini Sadhana composed by Phabongkha Dechen Nyingpo and is the foundational text for any Vajrayogini retreat.
Vajrayogini Hand Offering: The Method of Hand Offering, Essence of the Banquet of Kechara PDF (English only)
A Compilation of Tsog Offerings to Vajrayogini all authored by Phabongkha Dechen Nyingpo. It also includes an extremely abbreviated tsog offering authored by Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
An Abbreviated Vajrayogini Self-Initiation: Quick Path to Khechara composed by Rongpo Choje Tulku Lozang Trinle Gyatso
Vajrayogini Tea Offering
Vajrayogini Long Sadhana – Tunes in Tibetan – MP3 Download chanted by Lobsang Chonjor
Vajrayogini Self Initiation Tunes in Tibetan chanted by Ven. Lobsang Chonjor.
A teaching on Vajrayogini by Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Benefits of Vajrayogini Practice, Vajrayogini Lineage by Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Commentary on the Vajrayogini Tantra by Lama Thubten Yeshe
English Chanting by Paula Chichester
Paula Chichester shares: Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche said that chanting is an important element in Tibetan Buddhist rituals because it allows us to reflect on the meaning; it brings bliss to the senses and thereby develops clarity and stability in the experience; it also helps us memorize the words—memorized practice is so much deeper than practice that is read from a text, there is no comparison between the two.
The text has to be condensed in order to fit the 9 or 7 syllable format of Tibetan verse. The sadhanas include Tibetan phonetics, literal translation and chanting verses. People really enjoy chanting in a language they understand, it opens the heart. [www.braveview.org]
Below is a small selection of the English Chanting Paula has so kindly recorded and made available. PLEASE ONLY LISTEN TO THEM IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED A VAJRAYOGINI INITIATION. To hear more please visit Paula’s website by clicking here
Heruka
“There are 160 million mother tantras, and of these the one that has the greatest and swiftest blessing in this degenerate era is this very tantra of the Glorious Heruka Chakrasamvara.” – Ngulchu Dharmabhadra
Below you can find a selection of resources including commentaries that explain the practice and sadhanas for you to use when practicing.
Heruka, Five Deities Practice translated by Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Heruka Body Mandala Long Sadhana according to the Tradition of the Mahasiddha Ghantapada,translated by Rob Preece
Heruka – The Yoga of the Three Purifications of Shri Chakrasamvara an FPMT publication
Heruka Retreat Instructions from Lama Zopa Rinpoche
White Heruka Sadhana composed by Kyabje Pabongkha Rinpoche and translated by Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche.
A Teaching on Heruka by Lama Zopa Rinpoche (commentary)
Source of Supreme Bliss Heruka Chakrasamvara Five Deity Practice by Ngulchu Dharmabhadra & the First Panchen Lama Losang Chokyi Gyaltsen translated by David Gonsalez (commentary)
Other Highest Yoga Tantra Practices
Yamantaka Short Sadhana composed by Pabonghka Tulku
Yamantaka Self-Initiation composed by Khangsar Thubten Chökyi Wangchuk
Most Secret Hayagriva Long Sadhana
Hayagriva – Short Practice with Lamrim by Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Most Secret Hayagriva Daily Commitment, compiled according to instructions given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Vajrapani Hayagriva Garuda an FPMT publication
Gyalwa Gyatso – Long Sadhana by Kalsang Gyatso, the Seventh Dalai Lama
Six Session Guru Yoga, arranged by Phabongkha Dechen Nyingpo, translated by Joona Repo
A Daily Self-initiation Practice compiled and translated by Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Chittamani Tara Retreat Sadhana translated by Lama Thubten Yeshe
Retreats at Land of Joy
Please click on the button below to learn more about our Highest Yoga Tantra group retreats and book your place.
Land of Joy’s Retreat Recordings
