In the Vajrayana, there are six yogas that transform worldly activities into Dharma practice: Waking Yoga, Bathing Yoga, Eating Yoga, Walking Yoga, Dream Yoga, and the Yoga of Union. The topic of this teaching is waking yoga, which is practiced upon waking in the early morning. The text used in the Shangpa Kagyu and Karma Kagyu lineages is composed of different texts from Guru Rinpoche’s treasure recovered by Chokling Rinpoche and arranged by Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, along with the with pith instructions of the Wise Accomplished Mahapandit Kyungpo Naljor.
Rinpoche will teach using this text as well as demonstrating the breathing exercise, “Vase Breathing to clear the dead winds”. Usually, when we wake up as most beings do, we do so with an afflicted mind that is filled with confusion, fear, and expectations; these many emotions continually bind us to samsaric activity and suffering. But, we can alter this situation with the practice of Waking Yoga, which can transform this ordinary illusion into pure vision. When practicing this yoga according to the instructions, this will make every moment more meaningful and more effective that day.
This method has been used by male and female yogis for many centuries to multiply one’s practice and transform it to be more powerful. Lama Lodu Rinpoche will explain this practice to the best of his ability. And though all lineages do this practice, they have different techniques; this is specifically the tradition of Shangpa Kagyu and Karma Kagyu.
Practice Text: kdk.org/images/WakingYogaPecha.pdf