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

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.

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

Advice for Retreat

If you are planning to complete a highest yoga tantra retreat you may find the following resources helpful.

How to Make Tormas

Coming soon…