Awakening the Sacred Body

by Tenzin Wangyal, Marcy Vaughn (Editor)

Awakening the Sacred Body brings the ancient art of Tibetan breathing practices to the mainstream. Teacher Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche outlines the theory and process of two powerful meditations—the Nine Breathings of Purification and the Tsa Lung movements—that can help you change the way you think, feel, and experience the world.

The simple methods presented in Awakening the Sacred Body and on the accompanying DVD focus on clearing and opening your energetic centers to allow the natural human qualities of love, compassion, joy, and equanimity to bloom. These practices, which bring the mind and breath together with specific body movements, can help you connect to your inner wisdom and achieve a relaxed yet aware state of mind.

Genres: Spirituality, Buddhism, Nonfiction, Health, Meditation

148 pages

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche (བསྟན་འཛིན་དབང་རྒྱལ་ bstan 'dzin dbang rgyal) is a teacher (lama) of the Bön Tibetan religious tradition. He is presently based in the United States of America, where he founded the Ligmincha Institute in 1992 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, in order "to preserve the ancient teachings, transmissions and practices of the Bön Buddhist tradition."

The degree of "Geshe" is the highest academic achievement of traditional Tibetan culture, roughly equivalent to a Doctorate in Divinity; it's use in names is similar to that of the Western "Doctor." Similarly, "Rinpoche" is an honorific, meaning "Precious one," frequently bestowed on respected teachers.

Reviews

[Oyster · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book describes and provides a context for practices I learned in a workshop with a senior student of Tenzin Wangyal, Marcy Vaughn. My experience has been that these practices (called tsa lung) are both very simple and very powerful. The DVD that accompanies the book shows Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche himself performing the exercises. Although I did not take up these practices for my physical health, to my amazement, a remarkable improvement in my asthma was among the benefits.

[Twilah Hiari · Rating 3 out of 5]

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[Sebastiano Alessandro Celebrimbor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been life changing for me. This was the first introduction I had to Tantra and authentic yoga practice.

Practising Tsa Lung and the 9 breathings of purification are a fantastic way to really get in touch with ones emotions and get over emotional hurdles of any sort.

These practises (Tantric yoga) are not for everyone, and just because it works for the writer or me, doesn't mean it will work for you, when it comes to this sort of thing it takes a lot of experimentation to see what works best for you.

Also note that this is not a quick fix or casual thing to practice, it takes a lot of time, study and patience, and to get benefit from this you really need to put in the time.

[Mar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I spent a large part of my life questioning the chakra system. I went to Rimpoche’s workshop at Esalen and we’d practice the tsa lung daily. Despite me feeling incredible after a very rough and dark period in my life I brushed it off due to the fact that I was at Esalen which was by nature a healing and calming space. Flashforward several months later I developed debilitating back pain due to a herniated disc as well as some other issues. I couldn’t walk or pick up my child. I couldn’t sit or stand. After 5 months I got a bit better but not really…out of desperation I picked this book back up and practiced. Surprisingly after every practice I got better. There does seem to be a powerful shift in both awareness, presence and energy after each practice. I recommend you give it a go and see for yourself.

[Taylor Ellwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, the author shares the Tsa Lung and 9 purification breaths techniques and explains how to work with them. The book also comes with a DVD, so that you can actually see how to do the exercises. I found the writing to be clear and explicit and it made it easy to learn the exercises. Doing these exercises in conjunction with other Dzogchen techniques can help you quite a bit with internal work you are doing around issues, as well as learning how to experience yourself and the world from a place of stillness. I highly recommend this book if you want to learn more about Dzogchen or learn some alternative approaches to meditation.

[Mary]

Excellent book complete with dvd on the Tibetan Tsa lung practices, which I tearh and practice. I highly recommend.

[Justin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not get very useful information

[MISS K HODKINSON]

Life changing

This book was.life.changing for me. I feel it's the missing piece in self discovery. A way of life. A must-read for everyone

[Jess Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

In depth information

I didn’t know Tibetan yogas of breath movement existed before getting this book. The author goes through all the movements in depth. It comes across really clearly that the author is someone who is very familiar with this form of yogas of breath movement. They make it clear this is not to be taken lightly. If you watch videos of these movements online you’ll see there is a lot of focusing your mind. There are only a few minutes, but if you follow the instructions here you’ll find it quite relaxing. These yogas of breath movement work are really good.

[Jules]

ANF 299.5

[Isaac Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple. Clear. Direct. Short. Profound. Inspiring. What more could you want from a book?

[Kimberly Holman]

This is a fabulous book with wonderful practices that use the body as a gateway into one's true nature. I totally recommend it to anyone who is looking for real transformation in their life.