Clear Light of Bliss. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

until successful results arise. If we practise inner fire meditation too quickly, we may be able to generate bodily heat, but this will actually prove a hindrance to receiving the true fruits of inner fire. Therefore, we should abandon all expectations and practise slowly and thoroughly; then we will meet with success. Many great meditators of the past took four, five, or six years to perfect the meditation on inner fire. We can even spend an entire lifetime practising this yoga. As Longdol Lama said:

      Inner fire meditation is like a wishfulfilling cow, from which we can receive an inexhaustible supply of nourishment.

      CAUSING THE FIRE TO BLAZE

      The sixth stage of the meditation concerns the blazing of the inner fire. This is very similar to the fifth stage and is also done in conjunction with vase breathing. As always, the first step is to find the object of meditation – the short-AH on the moon cushion within the vacuole in the centre of the navel channel wheel inside the central channel. We remember that the short-AH is the size of a mustard seed, has the nature of fire, is very red, and sparkles with radiant light. We find this object and dissolve our mind into it.

      Now we practise vase breathing, keeping our concentration firmly focused on the object of meditation. As before, the winds dissolving into the short-AH while we are holding the vase breath causes the downward-voiding wind just below the navel channel wheel to move upwards, and this in turn causes the heat of the short-AH to increase powerfully. In the fifth stage, we visualized that the fine upper tip of the nada repeatedly burst into flame and then died down again, but at this stage we visualize that it blazes constantly without subsiding, just as coals in a fire, having been brought to life, blaze of their own accord.

      The flame at the tip of the nada gradually increases in length until it is the size of a sewing needle, having the same diameter and being extremely sharp at its upper end. Though the flame is very small, it is extremely powerful. We visualize this needle of flame in the exact centre of the central channel, standing very straight. We now visualize that the powerful heat generated by this needle of fire ascends through the central channel in the same way as heat rises from the tip of a candle flame. Warmed by this ascending heat, the HUM at the heart channel wheel, the OM at the throat channel wheel, and the HAM at the crown channel wheel heat up until they are on the verge of melting.

      At this point, our concentration should be focused primarily on the short-AH in the navel channel wheel, but one part of our mind should visualize the other letters within the upper channel wheels and feel that they are reaching melting point. This entire visualization is done while holding the vase breath. Just before it becomes uncomfortable to hold it any longer, we release the breath slowly and evenly through both nostrils. We should practise this meditation until we gain proficiency in it. As mentioned earlier, we can begin with vase breathing and then, when our concentration is well developed, continue the meditation with concentration alone.

      When the fire blazes within the central channel as described, we will be able to generate spontaneous great bliss as the white and red drops melt, but, because these melted drops will be flowing within the central channel, there will be no danger of our losing them through the sex organ.

      When we first start to practise inner fire meditation, we should emphasize the first stage and remain with it until we gain some experience. Then we should move to the second stage, train in that until we gain some experience, and then progress to the third stage, and so on, until we are proficient in all eight stages. When we are skilled in these, we can practise them all successively in one meditation session. Since the time normally available for meditation is limited, it may be difficult to devote enough time to each stage to gain the desired proficiency. In this case, for the sake of gaining familiarity with inner fire meditation, we may practise all eight stages in one sitting. This will not bring deep experience, but it will allow us to become familiar with all the technical methods of the eight stages, so that when we do have the time to practise thoroughly in retreat, we will be able to proceed with confidence.

      MERE BLAZING AND DRIPPING

      The seventh stage evolves from the previous stage and is also done in conjunction with vase breathing. Once again we find the object of meditation – the short-AH and its needle of flame – and let the flame gradually grow longer. It has the nature of very powerful fire, which ascends through the exact centre of the central channel. When it reaches the centre of the heart channel wheel, it coils clockwise once round the upside-down letter HUM, thereby bringing it closer to melting. The flame then gradually continues up the central channel until it reaches the centre of the throat channel wheel, where it coils clockwise once round the upright letter OM, bringing it closer to melting as well. The thread of flame then continues upwards until it reaches the centre of the crown channel wheel and touches the bottom of the upside-down letter HAM. As a result, a white drop drips from the letter, just as butter melts and drips when it is held above the tongue of an open fire. At this point, we visualize that the fire subsides, reducing back down to a needle of flame issuing from the short-AH. During this meditation, there is no need to visualize the moon cushions.

      The melted white drop drips from the HAM in a long, fine thread, as thin as the thread of a spider’s web. This is similar to the way in which honey drips in a long thread from a small hole punctured in a tin of honey. As it drips down, the drop dissolves into the OM at the throat, causing us to feel extremely blissful. Then it drips out of the OM and continues to descend until it reaches the heart channel wheel, where it dissolves into the HUM, causing us to experience even greater bliss than before. Finally the drop reaches the navel channel wheel and dissolves into the flame of the short-AH, causing it to become even hotter, just as butter dripping onto an open fire will cause the fire to burn more intensely. As the heat of the letter increases, so does our experience of bliss. If possible, this entire visualization should be done while holding a vase breath. If this is too difficult, we may do the vase breathing beforehand and then, while breathing normally, increase the length of the needle of flame and continue with the rest of this stage of the meditation.

      AN EXPLANATION OF EXTRAORDINARY BLAZING AND DRIPPING

      This eighth stage is similar to the preceding one and is also done in conjunction with vase breathing. The needle of flame ascends through the central channel like a red-hot electric wire. It coils around the HUM and OM as before and ascends to the centre of the crown channel wheel. Once the flame reaches the HAM, the practice begins to differ from the preceding stage. Instead of melting the white drop, the thread of fire coils clockwise once round the letter, bringing it almost to the point of melting, and then continues through the central channel, arching downwards until it reaches the point where the central channel terminates between the eyebrows.

      When the fire reaches the point between the eyebrows, its light shines forth from the opening there, reaching instantly to the ends of space, pervading all the environments and inhabitants of the desire realm, the form realm, and the formless realm. The light purifies the faults and defilements of all these worlds and their inhabitants, and causes them to melt into light, mix together completely, and become undifferentiated within a single small sphere of blue light. We visualize this sphere in front of us, the size of a light bulb.

      At this point, we visualize that all the Buddhas of the three times and the ten directions appear in the form of Heroes and Heroines in single-pointed embrace, filling the whole of space beyond the sphere of light. We visualize that rays of brilliant blue light emanate from the sphere and enter through the left nostril of each Father. This light dissolves into the indestructible drop in the heart channel wheels of the holy beings, causing them to experience uncontaminated spontaneous great bliss.