There are six main steps of Tibetan Buddhist Meditation called the ordinary preliminaries. These can then provide the basis for the extraordinary preliminaries (ngondro) and the last two stages of tantra.

 

The first preliminary purifies space and time. A quiet, clean space is ideal for regular meditation. Clarifying your intention can insure that meditation is not mindless.

 

The second preliminary involves making offerings. Making the space pleasing to the senses and making it sacred by setting up an alter can show gratitude. Transforming the space with candles, incense, and pictures not only physically but also mentally transforms the space.

 

The third preliminary focuses on preparing your body and mind for meditation. A confortable position (as pictured below) paired with a soft gaze helps induce a relaxed atmosphere. Preparing your mind for meditation includes four main thoughts: the preciousness of life and freedom, the certainty of death, karma, and samsara. Samsara is the dissatisfaction associated with a compulsive existence. Additionally, before meditation it is important to acknowledge suffering and subsequently seek refuge in Buddha, Dharma (teachings that lead to enlightenment), and Sangha (the community of like-minded practitioners). Bodhicitta represents the altruistic intention to help others and calls meditators to remember the plight of their fellow sentient beings that remain in doubt and fear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The fourth preliminary evokes a mentor-merit field. This includes identifying your sense of self and letting the fabricated aspect of yourself dissolve until only the clear light nature of your mind is left. Then, invoking your mentor can create positive energy and virtue.

 

The fifth preliminary purifies negatives and accumulates virtue. This includes admiring the positive characteristics of your mentor, making offerings to your mentor, acknowledging limits or failures, asking for guidance, and celebrating your accomplishments.

 

Other advanced techniques can be inserted here between the fifth and sixth preliminaries. Examples include:

• Objectless shamata – resting in the mind’s natural state

• Mindfulness

• Compassion practice

  • Giving and Taking

  • Seven Fold Cause and Effect

• Analytic meditation

 

The final and sixth preliminary includes offers to the mandala and requests of blessings. Meditators place their hands on the mandala in a gesture called mudra and imagine giving away the mandala (pictured below). This is accompanied by recitations of the mandala mantra: IDAM GURU RATNA MANDALAKAM NIRYATAYAMI.