The Nine Round Buddha Breath Exercise
At the beginning of the Nine Round Buddha Breath Exercise', does one need to repeat the visualization of a cloudless, sunny sky, ocean, moon disc, seed syllable, and the appearance of the Personal Deity? No, it is not necessary because, during the preceding visualization of the Empowerment of the Three Lights, the Personal Deity has already manifested from the Siddhi and Buddha Nature embodied by the seed syllable. At this point one only needs to close the eyes and visualize the Personal Deity.
There are several breathing methods, of which one needs to take note, which are involved in the Nine Round Buddha Breath Exercise. I have taught you, haven't I, to inhale a white light which travels through the right channel and is exhaled through the left channel ? Next the white light enters through the left channel and exits out the right channel. Then there is The Nine Round Buddha Breath Exercise is as follows:
1. Visualize white light enter the right nostril. Here it becomes red light and descends the right channel to enter the left channel at the dan-tien [four finger widths below the navel]; then, still as red light, it ascends the left channel to exit the left nostril as dark smoky light.
2. Visualize white light enter the left nostril. Here it becomes red light and descends the left channel to enter the right channel at the dan-tien; then, still as red light, it ascends the right channel to exit the right nostril as dark smoky light.
3. Visualize white light simultaneously enter both nostrils, transform intored light, descend down both side channels and enter the central channel at the dan-tien, ascend to the top, then return to dan-den to enter both side channels, exiting as dark smoky light at both nostrils. Note: The central channel at the throat opens into the top of the head like a trumpet.
4. Breathe in through left nostril and out at the right (as in 2).
5. Breathe in through right nostril and out at the left (as in 1).
6. Breathe in and out through both nostrils (as in 3).
7. Breathe in and out through both nostrils (as in 3).
8. Breathe in through right nostril and out at the left (as in 1).
9. Breathe in through left nostril and out at the right (as in 2).
the entering of white light through both the right and left channels, its moving up the middle channel until it reaches the top, coming down again, and finally exiting through the channels on both sides. These three different methods of breathing are the three basic rounds. By permuting these three methods — the first three rounds begin with inhalation through the right channel, the second three rounds begin with inhalation through the left channel, and the third three rounds begin with inhalation through both channels — one will have completed the Nine Round Buddha Breath Exercise.
As I have explained before, the white light transforms into a swirling red light after entering into the body and then exits as a black vapor when leaving the body. This indicates that the pure white light of wisdom energy enters into one's body through the right nostril and moves around once to purge the karmic traces [subtle energy distortions] through the left nostril. Next the white light goes in the left nostril and out the right nostril. This is followed by inhalation of white light through both nostrils. This sequence constitutes the first three rounds. In the next three rounds, one performs the inhalation through the left nostril first, followed by the right channel, then both channels. For the final three round sequence, inhalation through both channels simultaneously is performed first, followed by the right channel, then the left channel.
I have previously described the visualization of the three subtle energy channels: middle, left, and right, and that they converge at a spot that is four finger-widths below the navel. The right channel extends all the way to the right nostril, while the left channel extends all the way to the left nostril. The middle channel extends all the way up to the throat chakra, then opens up to the skull which is sealed at the crown.
What is the inner significance of the Nine Round Buddha Breath Exercise? It helps the mind achieve true concentration. During visualization or meditation, one's mind is often complicated and confused by all kinds of extraneous thoughts. In order to eliminate these disruptive thoughts, Tantrayana teaches the method of using "a single thought stopping other thoughts." The Nine Round Buddha Breath Exercise directs the mind to cut through conceptual elaboration. This is a Tantric technique which is also known as visualization — the mind is engaged in pure thoughts in order to transcend irrelevant and disruptive mental projections. If one is already quite skillful and is able to immediately enter Samadhi just by sitting down, then one does not have to do the Nine Round Breath Exercise.
However, most people are not able to enter into Samadhi right away! As soon as one sits down, one is deluged by these thoughts, such as, "Ah! My mother is coming to visit me! [audience laughter] My father is sick! My daughter wants money from me! What kind of car should I buy? To whom do I owe this debt?
Who still owes me money and how much does he owe me?" One's mind starts wandering around. In such a frame of mind, even if one could sit still for ten days straight, one would not have accomplished anything, as one's imagination has run away! In such a case, one might as well go and take a nap — at least one feels refreshed afterwards! [laughter]
Therefore, in general, the worst thing that can happen during Samadhi is that one enters into a state of an endless succession of disruptive thoughts. Many people have written to me describing how they were not able to stop their distracted thoughts. My answer to them is to practice the Nine Round Buddha Breath Exercise! One needs to employ visualization to stop other thoughts! One needs to use "thoughts on breathing" to completely eliminate other distracted thoughts. This is a technique to bring the mind into focus! When one is doing the Nine Round Buddha Breath Exercise, one is alternating the order of breathing through one's right nostril, left nostril, and both nostrils, in three separate groupings. What is the purpose for these seemingly tedious procedures? The purpose is to regulate and coordinate both the breath and consciousness, and this is what develops inner focus and stability! This principle [of synchronizing breath and mind] is quite simple. However, if one just sits there and does not do the exercise then, as soon as one begins, one will be overwhelmed by all kinds of distracted thoughts, such as, "Oh! My mother is coming! My father is coming!
What does my daughter want from me! Who owes me money? To whom do I owe money? With whom did I have an altercation today? I argued with my boss today!" While mulling over these distractions, half a day is gone, and one can't even remember why one is sitting there! [audience laughter] One is supposed to have entered into Samadhi!
Therefore, at the beginning, one needs to put some honest effort into the practice of the Nine Round Buddha Breath Exercise to regulate the mind. At least during the period of time when one is doing the Nine Round Buddha Breath Exercise, there will be no distracted thoughts, for one will be concentrating on how the breath travels, how it reaches the top of the skull, and how it is reflected back to travel down again, exiting the nostrils after ascending through the two side channels.
Basics [23]. More to come.....
Readers can write to purekarmaservices@gmail.com for a .pdf or .doc copy of this book.
Om Guru Lian Sheng Siddhi Hom
Lama Lotuschef
At the beginning of the Nine Round Buddha Breath Exercise', does one need to repeat the visualization of a cloudless, sunny sky, ocean, moon disc, seed syllable, and the appearance of the Personal Deity? No, it is not necessary because, during the preceding visualization of the Empowerment of the Three Lights, the Personal Deity has already manifested from the Siddhi and Buddha Nature embodied by the seed syllable. At this point one only needs to close the eyes and visualize the Personal Deity.
There are several breathing methods, of which one needs to take note, which are involved in the Nine Round Buddha Breath Exercise. I have taught you, haven't I, to inhale a white light which travels through the right channel and is exhaled through the left channel ? Next the white light enters through the left channel and exits out the right channel. Then there is The Nine Round Buddha Breath Exercise is as follows:
1. Visualize white light enter the right nostril. Here it becomes red light and descends the right channel to enter the left channel at the dan-tien [four finger widths below the navel]; then, still as red light, it ascends the left channel to exit the left nostril as dark smoky light.
2. Visualize white light enter the left nostril. Here it becomes red light and descends the left channel to enter the right channel at the dan-tien; then, still as red light, it ascends the right channel to exit the right nostril as dark smoky light.
3. Visualize white light simultaneously enter both nostrils, transform intored light, descend down both side channels and enter the central channel at the dan-tien, ascend to the top, then return to dan-den to enter both side channels, exiting as dark smoky light at both nostrils. Note: The central channel at the throat opens into the top of the head like a trumpet.
4. Breathe in through left nostril and out at the right (as in 2).
5. Breathe in through right nostril and out at the left (as in 1).
6. Breathe in and out through both nostrils (as in 3).
7. Breathe in and out through both nostrils (as in 3).
8. Breathe in through right nostril and out at the left (as in 1).
9. Breathe in through left nostril and out at the right (as in 2).
the entering of white light through both the right and left channels, its moving up the middle channel until it reaches the top, coming down again, and finally exiting through the channels on both sides. These three different methods of breathing are the three basic rounds. By permuting these three methods — the first three rounds begin with inhalation through the right channel, the second three rounds begin with inhalation through the left channel, and the third three rounds begin with inhalation through both channels — one will have completed the Nine Round Buddha Breath Exercise.
As I have explained before, the white light transforms into a swirling red light after entering into the body and then exits as a black vapor when leaving the body. This indicates that the pure white light of wisdom energy enters into one's body through the right nostril and moves around once to purge the karmic traces [subtle energy distortions] through the left nostril. Next the white light goes in the left nostril and out the right nostril. This is followed by inhalation of white light through both nostrils. This sequence constitutes the first three rounds. In the next three rounds, one performs the inhalation through the left nostril first, followed by the right channel, then both channels. For the final three round sequence, inhalation through both channels simultaneously is performed first, followed by the right channel, then the left channel.
I have previously described the visualization of the three subtle energy channels: middle, left, and right, and that they converge at a spot that is four finger-widths below the navel. The right channel extends all the way to the right nostril, while the left channel extends all the way to the left nostril. The middle channel extends all the way up to the throat chakra, then opens up to the skull which is sealed at the crown.
What is the inner significance of the Nine Round Buddha Breath Exercise? It helps the mind achieve true concentration. During visualization or meditation, one's mind is often complicated and confused by all kinds of extraneous thoughts. In order to eliminate these disruptive thoughts, Tantrayana teaches the method of using "a single thought stopping other thoughts." The Nine Round Buddha Breath Exercise directs the mind to cut through conceptual elaboration. This is a Tantric technique which is also known as visualization — the mind is engaged in pure thoughts in order to transcend irrelevant and disruptive mental projections. If one is already quite skillful and is able to immediately enter Samadhi just by sitting down, then one does not have to do the Nine Round Breath Exercise.
However, most people are not able to enter into Samadhi right away! As soon as one sits down, one is deluged by these thoughts, such as, "Ah! My mother is coming to visit me! [audience laughter] My father is sick! My daughter wants money from me! What kind of car should I buy? To whom do I owe this debt?
Who still owes me money and how much does he owe me?" One's mind starts wandering around. In such a frame of mind, even if one could sit still for ten days straight, one would not have accomplished anything, as one's imagination has run away! In such a case, one might as well go and take a nap — at least one feels refreshed afterwards! [laughter]
Therefore, in general, the worst thing that can happen during Samadhi is that one enters into a state of an endless succession of disruptive thoughts. Many people have written to me describing how they were not able to stop their distracted thoughts. My answer to them is to practice the Nine Round Buddha Breath Exercise! One needs to employ visualization to stop other thoughts! One needs to use "thoughts on breathing" to completely eliminate other distracted thoughts. This is a technique to bring the mind into focus! When one is doing the Nine Round Buddha Breath Exercise, one is alternating the order of breathing through one's right nostril, left nostril, and both nostrils, in three separate groupings. What is the purpose for these seemingly tedious procedures? The purpose is to regulate and coordinate both the breath and consciousness, and this is what develops inner focus and stability! This principle [of synchronizing breath and mind] is quite simple. However, if one just sits there and does not do the exercise then, as soon as one begins, one will be overwhelmed by all kinds of distracted thoughts, such as, "Oh! My mother is coming! My father is coming!
What does my daughter want from me! Who owes me money? To whom do I owe money? With whom did I have an altercation today? I argued with my boss today!" While mulling over these distractions, half a day is gone, and one can't even remember why one is sitting there! [audience laughter] One is supposed to have entered into Samadhi!
Therefore, at the beginning, one needs to put some honest effort into the practice of the Nine Round Buddha Breath Exercise to regulate the mind. At least during the period of time when one is doing the Nine Round Buddha Breath Exercise, there will be no distracted thoughts, for one will be concentrating on how the breath travels, how it reaches the top of the skull, and how it is reflected back to travel down again, exiting the nostrils after ascending through the two side channels.
Basics [23]. More to come.....
Readers can write to purekarmaservices@gmail.com for a .pdf or .doc copy of this book.
Om Guru Lian Sheng Siddhi Hom
Lama Lotuschef
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