3rd Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche (1954-1992)
“The physical posture is most important for one’s meditation to go well. There are seven points to take into consideration, called the sevenfold posture of Vairocana. He is the central Buddha in the Mandala of all Buddhas. The seven points of Vairocana are:
Lama Ole Nydahl meditating
(1) The legs rest in the full lotus posture; (2) the hands rest in equipoise below the navel or on the lap; (3) the back needs to be held as straight as the shaft of an arrow; (4) the shoulders are raised and held back and are even like the wings of a vulture; (5) the neck is slightly bent like a hook; (6) the lips are relaxed and slightly opened to the size of a rice corn; the tongue is relaxed and touches the upper palate; and (7) the eyes gaze at a point beyond the tip of the nose without moving. Some texts say that the eyes should gaze at a point four finger-lengths beyond the tip of one’s nose, others recommend eight finger-lengths, others speak of sixteen. In general, a meditator looks downwards and keeps his eyes slightly opened. Beginners may meditate with closed yes, yet it is necessary to keep them open when one proceeds to more advanced practices.
Many subtle energies (rlung in Tibetan) flow within the body. Now, the subtle energies in the body are formed at birth in dependence upon one’s karma. The perfect meditation posture brings the karmic energies within the channels (nadis in Sanskrit), that are arranged throughout the body, to flow into the central or main channel, which is located in front of the spine. If the energy-winds are brought to properly flow into the central nadi, the mind becomes focused, even, and calm. Furthermore, the karmic energies then transform into wisdom energy.”
From the 3rd Jamgon Kongtrul‘s instructions based on “Pointing Out the Dharmakaya” composed by the Ninth Karmapa, Wangchuk Dorje. Full text here.
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