Dagmema), condensed next to Naropa and was as large as a house. Hevajra now Oh Diamond) with his partner No-Ego Nairatmya (Skt. At that time, a huge and bright form of the Buddha Kye Dorje (Skt.
This became known already since Marpa visited Naropa in India the second time, around 950 years ago. Guru Yoga, however, is the most important practice for us. The practice is, however, designed to be used as a “preliminary.” With this basis, one can better melt together with the Lama and accomplish his qualities.
They make you tough! Also, when practiced in the right way, the Ngondro may take one to the goal. Why is it, then, that we still need practices like the Ngondro, for example? After having taken refuge in the morning, such identifications are the best for building up energy and moments of insight during the day. Called “de-tong” in Tibetan, it is the heart of our Diamond Way and my own daily practice. Since not all Karmapas were monks, bliss and space are inseparable in his transmission. To quote the Great Yogi Chen, a highly accomplished teacher of Hannah and myself who did not leave his home in Kalimpong for 21 years, “When male and female essences are balanced in a lama, any meditation on him is Maha- Annuatara-Yoga-Tantra, the fourth and highest initiation level.” In this case, any practice identifying with the teacher may bring the highest level of accomplishment. Is it possible to reach enlightenment just by doing this very meditation? It worked! No Tibetan meditation is used as much in the West as this one. At that time, a lama from Bir in the Western Himalayas asked the 16th Karmapa several times to pass on something meaningful, powerful, and short for the new world. It was given after the 16th Karmapa’s escape from the Chinese in 1959. How and when did the meditation on the 16th Karmapa appear? Taking a closer look at its structure, however, one understands that this practice is more an instant initiation into the Lama than a meditation on him. Simply because he was so great and possessed limitless bliss at all times and places, this method is very effective. Through the great gift of his joyful powerfield, the 16th Karmapa consciously filled space with his enlightened mind-stream. People have more discussions and there is less of a down-home feeling that holds them together. But experience shows that everything there falls apart easier. Such practices employ the finest of spiritual science regarding the feedback of enlightened forms, colors, and vibrations on body, speech, and mind. There, people mainly meditate on buddha forms of energy and light, and sing invocations in Tibetan language. There are several Tibetan-style monasteries and groups in the West. Everything stays fresh, and one can feel the confidence and a stream of blessing that helps people mature quickly. Where this meditation is practiced, people stick together. That’s why Hannah and I are totally convinced that wherever this meditation is used, things will fit. Since 1972, I have done nothing but establish Diamond Way centers for lay people worldwide. Frequently, he repeated that meditation on the Lama is the fastest way of all. He often mentioned that this practice would be very good for our friends and that I should pass it on in such a way that it would always be relevant and useful to Westerners. They contained this very meditation, hand-printed in bold Tibetan letters. During the 12 years we were with him, most of the time when we had to leave he put two dark, coarse pieces of very strong Bhutanese paper into our hands. He first started giving this meditation to Hannah and me in 1970, during our first three years in the Himalayas. Karmapa wanted that from those who saw him as a buddha. Why? What is so special about this meditation? The meditation on the 16th Karmapa is the main meditation in all of our centers, and every new person coming to our centers first meditates on the 16th Karmapa.