Creative
Visualizations



From the book

"A Body of Truth"

by

Namgyal Rinpoche


















Whatever arises, [in the exercises] view it without attachment or aversion...
This is the direct, universal path to liberation.








Practising with a group of friends who share the same aspirations is usually more beneficial than trying to work alone, and often conducive to quicker progress, yet private individual practice should be cultivated as well, for balance. Most of these exercises can be done on one's own or as a group. If you have doubts about some of them, some caution may be advised. They do require depth-awareness. Treat them and yourself with respect and an open mind and, to the best of your ability, keep to the exercise instructions, and practise the following guidelines.


Preparation
1. Do five minutes of brisk, physical exercise or movement . . .

2. Choose a comfortable but alert posture . . .

3. Take three or four deep breaths, fully exhaling the air each time. Then with the awareness held at the nostrils, watch the breath, feeling the body as one inhales and exhales. . . imagine the body is hollow, like a balloon, and empty the mind of all concerns or distractions. . .

4. Mentally state your aspiration and intent . . .

5. Focus on the selected exercise for the remainder of the session.

Conclusion
6. Allow the visulation and any arisings to dissolve into empty space. Then do a brief review.

7. Re-state your aspiration. This may have changed. Or in a positive state simply raise the question, What must I do to unfold?

8. Re-establish a balanced alert posture. Then take several deep breaths.

9. Share the benefits of doing the exercise with others. . .

10. Stretch and move.

Whatever arises, [in the exercises] view it without attachment or aversion. Experience all physical, emotional, and mental manifestations openly with calm, non-clinging awareness. This is the direct, universal path to liberation.


1. THE BUBBLING SPRING
Imagine a spring of absolutely pure, fresh water bubbling out of the ground. Visualize a landscape around it too. The clear water flows towards you, then branches and divides. Contact the water; drink it or wash in it, etc. Visualize the stream feeding into a lake, pure and clean, large or small. A tree is standing in the centre of the lake, on an island or growing directly out of the water.

2. THE UNDERWATER CAVE
Before you is a body of very clear water. You are going to go diving. What equipment do you take? Going down through the water you see many different kinds of fish -- some friendly and some not so friendly, but they don't bother you. You see some sort of natural opening or underwater cave -- a dark entrance. You make sure it is safe, then enter it. Inside it is a treasure house. From all the riches you find there, choose one crafted and one natural treasure. What are they?




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