Five Methods of Practicing Guru Yoga - Inner (2/5)

Unless the sun of devotion shines,

Upon the snow peak of the master’s four kayas,

The stream of blessings will never fall.

So strive to arouse devotion in your mind!

What is guru yoga in Vajrayana Buddhism?

Guru yoga literally means uniting with the guru. It is the practice in which we try to merge our pure mind and consciousness with the guru's pure mind. Philosophically, our pure mind is the Buddha's mind, and so is everyone's and every living being's pure mind, including the gurus.

What is the purpose of Guru Yoga?

In Vajrayana, guru yoga is a tantric devotional practice in which the practitioner unites their mindstream with the mindstream of the body, speech, and mind of their guru.

What is the meaning of a yoga guru?

As you might know, the word guru comes from two Sanskrit words, Gu, meaning darkness, and Ru, meaning dispeller or remover. Therefore, the literal meaning of the word guru is „the one who dispels darkness“Beautiful, isn't it? In yoga, when you come to asana practice or meditation, the Yoga Guru is your teacher.

What does Guru mean in Vajrayana Buddhism?

There are four kinds of Lama (Guru), or spiritual teachers, in Tibetan Buddhism:

1) Gangzak Gyüpe Lama is a teacher who is the holder of the lineage.

2) Gyalwa Ka Yi Lama is the teacher, which is the word of the Buddha. 

What is the importance of a yoga guru?

The yoga guru will teach you about yoga philosophy. Also, yoga instructors should be familiar with the ancient Hindu language (Sanskrit) terminology used in their chosen form of practice, the purpose and benefits of the practice, and how to alter postures and techniques to suit the practitioner.

What is the difference between a yoga teacher and a yoga guru?

A guru is one or something that takes one from darkness to light in a spiritual sense. A guru does not need to do or know yoga. A yoga teacher teaches yoga.

What is the benefit of a guru?

The four benefits of having a Guru: wisdom, progress, achievement, and liberation.

Guru yoga, in the Buddhist philosophy of yoga, is the practice of devotion to a guru in which an individual links their own personal Buddha-nature and mind to that of his or her guru. The result of this practice is unity with one's spiritual master and receiving the blessing and inspiration of spiritual wisdom.

In Vajrayana, guru yoga is a tantric devotional practice in which the practitioner unites their mindstream with the mindstream of the body, speech, and mind of their guru. Guru yoga is akin to deity yoga since the guru (who can be a Buddha, a historical figure like Padmasambhava, or a living person) is visualised in the same manner as with a meditational deity. 

The process of guru yoga may entail the visualisation of a refuge tree as an invocation of the lineage, with the 'root guru' channelling the blessings of the entire lineage to the practitioner. The guru may be visualized as above the meditator, in front of them, or in their heart. Guru yoga may also include a liturgy, prayer, or mantra, such as the "Seven Line Prayer" of Padmasambhava.

As in other Buddhist traditions, an attitude of reverence for the teacher, or guru, is highly prized. A guru, or lama, is seen as an essential guide during tantric practice. Without the guru's example, blessings, and guidance, genuine progress in tantra is held to be impossible for all but the most keen and gifted. One particular feature of the Tantric view of the teacher-student relationship is that in Tibetan Buddhist tantra, one is instructed to regard one's guru as an awakened Buddha. 

*Five Ways of Practicing Guru Yoga

2) Inner Guru Yoga: Recitation and receiving the four empowerments.

Inner guru yoga is mantra recitation for the guru, so if the guru is Guru Rinpoche, then we recite the Vajra Guru mantra and visualize receiving the four empowerments from the Guru visualized in space before us. 

First, from the white OM in the guru’s forehead, white light-rays radiate out and strike our own foreheads so that we attain the blessings of an enlightened body. Then, from the guru’s throat, from a red AH, red light-rays radiate out and strike our throat so that we attain the blessings of enlightened speech.

Then, from the blue letter HUNG in the guru’s heart centre, blue light-rays radiate out and strike out the heart centre so that we attain the blessings of an enlightened mind. Then, for the fourth empowerment, there are two different traditions: one is to visualise yellow light-rays radiating out from the letter HRIH in the guru’s navel, and another is to visualise white, red, and blue light-rays radiating out simultaneously from all three syllables (OM, AH, and HUNG). With these light rays striking you, you imagine that primordial wisdom has been born within your stream of being. You have then received the four empowerments, blessing you with an enlightened body, speech, mind, and primordial wisdom. 

*Footnote

For those who have received the empowerment of this Tantric practise, you are reminded not to intentionally or unintentionally disclose the mantra to the public or anyone who may not have the empowerment or permission to practise, and disclosing the mantra intentionally or unintentionally is a form of breaking your Tantric Samaya vows to the lineage masters and Dharma protectors.

Please consult your Guru or a qualified lineage master for Vajrayana practise! Should a devotee even want to start studying and contemplating the Vajrayana practise, then it is truly necessary to first have completed the preliminaries and to be certain that Bodhicitta has arisen and developed in one’s mind.
 
Vajrayana features countless skillful and powerful methods that, if practised in the proper way, can make the process of accumulation and purification incredibly swift and direct. It is absolutely necessary to have pure motivation and to know that Vajrayana practise is not carried out to increase one’s own ego, power, or self-interest.  

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Aspiration For Bodhichitta

For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen

May it arise and not decrease.

But increase further and further.

 

Dedication of Merit

By this merit, may we then obtain omniscience then.

Having defeated the enemies wrongdoings

May we liberate migratory from the ocean of existence.

With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness, and death.

 

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