The Tibetan Yogas of Dream and Sleep: Practices for Awakening

by Tenzin Wangyal

"If we cannot carry our practice into sleep, if we lose ourselves every night, what chance do we have to be aware when death comes? Look to your experience in dreams to know how you will fare in death. Look to your experience of sleep to discover whether or not you are truly awake."—Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche

We spend a third of our life sleeping and it is common, in many spiritual traditions throughout the world, for the world of dream and sleep to be utilized on the path to awakening. Dream yoga in the Tibetan traditions of dream practice has been the primary support for the realization of many yogis and great Tibetan masters. Now, updated and presented with fresh insight born from years of teaching this practice to Westerners, Tenzin Wangyal clearly presents a powerful method for liberation. With clearly illustrated Tibetan syllables and the places they are to be visualized, this practical guide will be of use to both new and adept practitioners.

Genres: Buddhism, Spirituality, Audiobook, Meditation

262 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 30, 2022

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

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bedside table book to reference in the evenings before sleep. For me a sacred text for those who dream, meditate, and want to understand the dreaming world.

[Miss Patton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most precious 🖤

[Bruce Mendelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book to be cherished and studied. The ultimate goal of the teachings presented in this volume is for the practitioner to utilize dreams for personal insight and spiritual growth. There is a lot of training that must occur to get to that point. However, there are also a large number of practices outlined in this book that allow one to be more calm and focus more efficiently on tasks during the day.
For example, the section on "preparation for the night; nine purifications breathing" can be used as one prepares for sleep. But, this practice can also be used during the day to help one become more calm and more focused.
The volume is very well written. The practices are outlined clearly.
I have read through the book once. But, I plan to go back and review many of the sections repeatedly in order to improve my practice. I have incorporated a number of the practices and they have helped me clear my mind while preparing for sleep. These practices have allowed me to fall asleep more quickly and in a more relaxed state.
This volume has made a positive impact on my life and my spirituality. It is not easy reading. One has to concentrate to try to absorb the teachings. But, I believe any effort to follow these practices will impact your life in a positive manner.

[Joseph Wickland · Rating 2 out of 5]

In my opinion not very helpful when removed from its context of the generation stage. I don't think much can be done with this text. Spends a lot of time rambling about irrevelencies to ground the reader contextually. But in my opinion the one seeking out dream yoga texts probably shouldn't be a beginner.

[ImNobodyToo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dreamy, flowy, and oddly practical book for working with dreams, from a traditional Tibetan perspective