Programs

Path of Liberation

The Path of Liberation builds on the foundational teachings of the Joy of Living, presenting a series of meditation techniques designed to strip away the causes of suffering and uncover the radiant awareness that underlies all experience. This course of practice and study, based on the ancient Buddhist teachings of Tibet, addresses the fundamental confusion that lies at the root of all suffering.

The Path of Liberation contains four levels:

• The Essence of the Buddhist Path - The Nature of Mind and Preliminary Practices (part I)
• Basic Goodness - Advanced Teachings on the Nature of Mind and the Preliminary Practices (part II)
• The Art of Visualization - Preparing for Sadhana Practice
• Divine World - The Sadhana of Vajrayogini

Level I: The Essence of the Buddhist Path
In the first level of the Path of Liberation, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche teaches the first two preliminary practices, refuge and Vajrasattva, along with the so-called “pointing-out instructions” that allow one to experience the mind’s pure and luminous nature.

Homework:

• 180 hours of formal practice and two weekend retreats
• Recommended daily practice: 30 minutes per day

Level II: Basic Goodness
The second level of the Path of Liberation presents advanced teachings on the nature of mind, along with instructions on the last two preliminary practices, mandala offering and guru yoga.

Homework:

• 250 hours of formal practice and three weekend retreats
• Recommended daily practice: 45 minutes per day

Level III: The Art of Visualization
In this level, one develops the ability to visualize, using the form of the Buddha as a support for meditation.

Homework:

• 300 hours of formal practice and three weekend retreats
• Recommended daily practice: 60 minutes per day

Level IV: The Sadhana of Vajrayogini
In the fourth Path of Liberation level, one is introduced to the sadhana of Vajrayogini, in which one uses visualization and mantra recitation to disrupt the processes of ordinary perception.

Homework:

• 250 hours of formal practice and three weekend retreats
• Recommended daily practice: 45 minutes per day

Advanced Practice

For those who have completed the Path of Liberation, there are two tracks of advanced practice available. Students may choose to focus on either track, depending on their personal preference.

Track I: Enlightened Form and the Subtle Body
The first track is designed for those who are drawn to visualization and activity. This approach entails:

• Completing the traditional preliminary practices, which involves a fourfold accumulation of 100,000 repetitions
• Completion of the full-length Vajrayogini Sadhana
• Practicing the Six Yogas of Naropa: yogic heat, illusory body, luminosity, dream yoga, intermediate state practice, and transference*

Track II: Exploring the Nature of Mind**
Designed for those who are drawn to a simpler form of meditation, this track focuses on the profound paths of Mahamudra and the Great Perfection. This approach includes:

• Mahamudra immersion: A multi-year course of training in the practices of awareness and insight (shamatha and vipashyana), with a special emphasis on exploring the nature of mind, based on the writings of the ninth Karmapa, Wangchuk Dorje
• Great Perfection immersion: Advanced teachings based on Garap Dorje’s Three Statements that Strike the Vital Point

*Teachings on the Six Yogas of Naropa are restricted to those who have completed the full 100,000 x 4 preliminary practices.
**Track II teachings are available to anyone who has completed the Path of Liberation practice requirements.