THE CHANNELS OF THE HUMAN BODY
In the crown chakra of great bliss
There are three hundred and sixty channel petals;
In the throat chakra of gathering taste
There are sixteen channel petals;
In the heart-centre, the dharma chakra
There are eight channel petals;
In the navel chakra of emanation;
There are sixty-four channel petals;
In the secret centre, the chakra of preserving bliss53
There are twenty-eight channel petals.
The entire body contains twenty-one thousand channel petals.
The three principal channels are:
The uma, roma, and kyangma.54
Their inner space is erect like pillars.
Their upper ends appear like the horns of the bamen [‘wild ox’];
Their lower ends are curved like the Tibetan letter cha.
Uma, the channel of the wisdom flow,
Has three different names:
Outwardly it is known as Uma [the ‘central’], inwardly as Kundarma [the ‘all-encompassing’],
And secretly as Shel Bugchen, [the ‘great crystalline tube’].
It is empty and transparent and free of blood and fluids. Along its length are four principal channel wheels [[[cakra]]] through which the Awareness Wisdom (rig pa’i ye she)57 flows unimpeded. Primordial Awareness (rig pa) is supported, in turn, by a luminous energetic sphere [located at the heart cakra]. The twenty-one thousand channel petals [of the subtle body] connect to twenty-one thousand internal winds that differentiate the pure and impure essences (thig le) of the body.
This completes the section on the subtle channels (rtsa) of the physical body.
Samaya. Sealed! Sealed! Sealed!
IGNITING BLISS AND HEAT TO ENHANCE REALISATION
Expel the stale airs three times [from each nostril] and inhale in an instant the essence of the wisdom prāṇa from the tip of the nose and swallow the saliva. Pull up the lower winds [by gently contracting the pelvic floor] and [while pressing down with the upper winds] hold the energy at the navel centre [by applying the ‘Vase Breath’ (bum can, Skt: kumbhaka)]. Then gradually perform the ’khrul ’khor [the 23 yogic movements].
[Again] expel the stale winds three times [from the side channels]. Then gently unite the lower and upper winds [at a point four finger widths below the navel] by applying ’ jam rlung [exhaling and inhaling softly and completely with a gentle breath retention]. Next, visualise the central channel (rtsa dbu ma) as ascending from the secret centre [genitals] to the crown [of the head], empty and unimpeded, the size of a bamboo arrow, bluish white and free of blood, lymph, or any fluids.59
At the navel chakra, within the central channel, is a red four-petalled lotus. In its centre is the syllable Yam and, on top of it, a red Ram.60 Wind stirs from the Yam and strikes the Ram, igniting a fire that rises [within the central channel]. When the flame touches the white [inverted] Ham at the crown chakra, it causes the red and white essences (thig le) to descend. When they reach the Ram at the navel chakra the inner fire blazes and incinerates all habitual [and limiting] tendencies [of the mind]. While meditating on the expanding bliss, imagine that you are receiving the third empowerment61 that [activates the channels and winds and] awakens the innate heat and wisdom [of the umbilical centre].
This completes the third section of meditating on Gnostic Fire (gtum mo) in the evening.62
Samaya. Sealed! Sealed! Sealed!
ENTERING CONSCIOUSNESS INTO THE VASE AT NIGHT
[For the practice of sleep] lie on your right side and meditate that the central channel (dbu ma) is the size of an arrow and empty and transparent and free of blood and fluids. Primordial Awareness (rig pa) abides as a white Hum64 at the navel chakra, in the centre of a four-petalled lotus. The Hum is unmoving, clear, and brilliant. Contemplate that all the coarse and subtle thoughts that ride on the vehicle of the breath dissolve into the upward-facing Hum. When thoughts arise, concentrate on the Hum at the navel chakra.
Following this, at the point of sleep, imagine your Primordial Awareness as a radiant white Hum blossoming in your heart chakra at the centre of a four-petalled lotus. Meditate that all thoughts [and sensations] dissolve into this luminous Hum. Join the lower and upper winds at your heart chakra. The Hum shines within the heart like a lamp inside a vase. Meditate on clarity and emptiness free of grasping and your sleep will naturally arise as unobstructed Luminosity. Meditate in this way again and again and the movement of outer and inner thoughts will dissolve into [all-pervasive] Clear Light. This completes the fourth section of entering the objects of consciousness into the vase.
Samaya. Sealed! Sealed! Sealed!
LEAVING AWARENESS IN ITS NATURAL STATE IN THE EARLY MORNING
At the moment of waking, sit in the ṛṣi posture65 and expel the stale winds three times [from both nostrils]. Then, release the two winds [that were joined] at your heart-centre and [while shouting Ha into the sky] project the Hum through the crown of your head to a bow’s length above and in front. Focus your Awareness and internal energy (rlung, Skt: prāṇa) on the Hum [in the sky above you] while holding a gentle ‘vase breath’.66 Meditate undistractedly in a state of naturalness, giving rise to non-conceptual wisdom. Allow the Hum to naturally dissolve [into infinite space] and remain free of all conceptual activity.
When the sun shines focus [your attention] on [the naturally arising visions of ] thod rgal.67
Spend your days and nights in contemplation of ultimate reality.
An instruction of this type cannot be found in Tibet or India.
This sacred heart blood of me, Pema [[[Padmasambhava]]], may it meet with my destined heart son [[[Pema Lingpa]]].
Samaya, Sealed! Sealed! Sealed!
The light rays of Orgyen Pema’s [[[Padmasambhava’s]]] compassion
Opened the lotus heart of me, Pema [Lingpa and revealed]
The supreme path to accomplish the stainless Buddha [[[Nature]]].
For the benefit of suitable practitioners
The light rays of the white conch scrolls shone forth,
And were written down from the yellow parchment [shog gser].
May the teachings spread throughout the world.
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