outside the central channel will only detract from the heat that could be generated within. As a result, the drops will not melt and flow within the central channel, and the meditation will not bring any completion stage realizations. If Mahamudra meditation is not successful, it will not be possible to perceive the clear light. On the other hand, when the inner fire ignites and blazes within the central channel, the winds enter, abide, and dissolve therein. Then there is nothing to prevent us from generating spontaneous great bliss, the main purpose of inner fire meditation.
To ignite the inner fire by means of the vase breath, we visualize that as a result of dissolving the upper and lower winds, the downward-voiding wind flows upwards and blows against the short-AH. It should be noted that whereas before the lower winds of the body were merely visualized as ascending through the central channel to form the lower half of the sphere surrounding the short-AH, now the downward-voiding wind below the navel channel wheel actually does flow upwards to blow against the letter. Just as red coals grow hotter when blown upon by bellows, so the short-AH now burns more intensely as it is fanned by the downward-voiding wind. We imagine that the letter becomes so hot that it could consume anything. We visualize that it becomes hotter and hotter, all the time glowing more brightly, until the fine upper tip of the nada of the short-AH finally bursts into flame for a moment and then dies down again. The nada continues to flare up and subside in this way as it is fanned by the upward movement of the downward-voiding wind, just as hot coals flare up and subside as they are blown on by bellows. This is the fifth stage of the meditation, which is called ‘igniting the inner fire’. We should continue training in this practice until we have actual experience of this ignition.
According to Je Tsongkhapa’s tradition, each stage of meditation on inner fire should be practised methodically and thoroughly 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
