Yungdrung Bon wish-fulfilling practice—a powerful spiritual tradition that promises more than just material gains.
The Yungdrung Bon wish-fulfilling practice is more than just an ancient tradition; it’s a pathway to aligning your deepest desires with your spiritual growth. Rooted in centuries-old wisdom, this practice offers a unique blend of meditation, visualization, and ritual that opens the door to personal fulfillment and inner clarity.
What is Yungdrung Bon Tradition?
The term “Yungdrung” translates to “eternal” or “immortal,” symbolized by the swastika, an ancient symbol of eternity and well-being. “Bon,” on the other hand, can be interpreted as “truth” or “reality.”
Together, Yungdrung Bon represents the timeless, unchanging truth of existence.
In bon tradition – wish-fulfilling practice, the teachings are believed to have been brought into the world by Tonpa Shenrab Miwoche, the founder of Bon.
He is considered a fully enlightened being who, through his compassion, shared the Bon teachings to help sentient beings transcend suffering and achieve spiritual liberation.
Key Teachings and Practices of Yungdrung Bon
The core teachings of Yungdrung Bon involve a deep understanding of the nature of the mind, life, death, and existence itself. The tradition contains elements of shamanism, ritual practices, meditation techniques, and philosophical discourses.
One major aspect of bon tradition – wish-fulfilling practice is Dzogchen (The Great Perfection), which focuses on recognizing the true nature of the mind. It’s said that through this practice, you can directly experience the clear, luminous awareness that underlies all thoughts and emotions.
1. Rituals and Shamanic Practices
Yungdrung Bon incorporates elaborate rituals, including offerings, prayers, and visualizations, aimed at connecting the practitioner with divine forces.
Many of these rituals involve invoking deities and spiritual protectors to clear obstacles and gain blessings. Some rituals are highly elaborate and are thought to bring transformation not only in the individual but also in the environment.
2. Cosmology and Spiritual Evolution
According to Yungdrung Bon, the universe is composed of various realms of existence, including gods, demons, and humans, all interconnected.
The spiritual path in Bon focuses on evolving beyond these realms through the accumulation of merit, understanding, and realization of the ultimate truth.
Yungdrung Bon Wish-Fulfilling Practice
Bon tradition – wish-fulfilling practice is not about fulfilling superficial desires like wealth or power but about aligning your desires with the broader goal of spiritual growth.
The practice includes mantras, visualizations, and offerings, designed to help you manifest genuine needs that aid in your spiritual journey.
This is often associated with deities like Yeshe Walmo and Sipe Gyalmo, powerful protector deities who are invoked for blessings, guidance, and the removal of obstacles.
When you engage in this practice, you’re not merely wishing for something; instead, you are entering into a meditative state where your desires are purified and transformed into something that supports your enlightenment.
How to Perform Yungdrung Bon Wish-Fulfilling Practice?
To perform the wish-fulfilling practice within the Yungdrung Bon tradition, it’s essential to follow a mindful and structured approach. This spiritual practice is about aligning your personal wishes with your spiritual growth, invoking higher powers, and cultivating a deeper sense of purpose.
1. Preparation and Setting
You begin by creating a sacred space for your practice. This space should be peaceful, free from distractions, and set with offerings like water bowls, candles, or incense. These symbolize purity, light, and clarity.
Example: Imagine you’re preparing for a big life decision, like switching careers. You might dedicate a corner of your room to this practice, lighting a candle and placing a small offering bowl of water.
As you sit quietly, this space helps you center your thoughts, clearing your mind from the external chaos of daily responsibilities. The peaceful setting becomes a haven for self-reflection.
Psychologically, this step fosters mindfulness and prepares the brain to enter a relaxed state. Dr. Andrew Huberman, a neuroscientist, emphasizes that creating a specific space for reflection “activates parts of the brain associated with calmness and focus,” which is critical indecision-making processes.
2. Setting Intention
Clearly set your intention. In the bon tradition – wish-fulfilling practice, it’s essential that your desire aligns with compassion, wisdom, and spiritual growth.
Ego-driven desires or those stemming from attachment can counteract the purpose of this practice.
Example: If you’re hoping for a promotion, instead of focusing purely on the material gain or title, you might set the intention to become a better leader, helping your team grow.
You shift your desire from self-centered to one rooted in the growth and well-being of others.
3. Invocation of Deities
Bon tradition – wish-fulfilling practice often involves invoking specific deities or spiritual protectors. During the bon tradition – wish-fulfilling practice, you may visualize these deities and recite mantras or prayers to seek their guidance and protection.
The mantra “Om Ma Tri Mu Ye Sa Le Du” is commonly recited to invoke blessings and remove obstacles.
Example: Let’s say you’re struggling with health issues. You may visualize a deity associated with healing, like Yeshe Walmo, as a source of protection and guidance. As you recite the mantra, you imagine her light surrounding you, dissolving any mental or physical barriers.
4. Visualization
In the visualization phase, you see the deity or protector seated in front of you or above your head. Their energy flows into you, purifying negative karma or doubts.
The blessings merge with your being, filling you with light, wisdom, and compassion.
Example: Imagine you’re about to face a challenging conversation with a colleague. You visualize a protector, feeling their wisdom flowing into you, calming your nerves, and guiding you to approach the discussion with clarity and compassion rather than defensiveness.
5. Offering and Generosity
Mentally offer whatever is valuable to you—whether that’s material items, experiences, or emotions. This symbolic offering reflects your willingness to remove attachments and cultivate selflessness.
It’s not just about giving; it’s about expanding your capacity to act for others’ well-being.
Example: Think of a situation where you’ve been holding on to personal grudges. Through this practice, you mentally offer forgiveness and peace to those involved, symbolizing your desire to let go of negative emotions and instead focus on mutual growth.
6. Reciting Prayers and Affirmations
During this stage, you recite specific prayers or affirmations that align with your intention. These prayers serve as reminders of your focus on compassion, clarity, and wisdom.
Example: Before a major life transition, such as moving to a new city, you might recite affirmations like “I trust in the wisdom guiding me through this change” to reinforce your sense of purpose and calmness.
Affirmations are powerful tools in rewiring the brain. According to Dr. Ethan Kross, an expert in self-talk, “positive affirmations create new neural pathways, helping individuals better navigate stress and uncertainty.”
7. Dedication
At the end of the practice, dedicate the merit of your actions not just for yourself but for all beings. This is a critical step in the yungdrung bon wish-fulfilling practice as it expands the intention beyond personal gain, increasing the spiritual potency of the practice.
Example: After completing the ritual, you mentally dedicate the benefits of your practice to a loved one going through hardship, hoping that the positive energy you’ve cultivated will also touch their life.
Dedication shifts the focus away from personal concerns. Dr. Kristin Neff, a researcher on self-compassion, emphasizes that “practices of compassion and dedication toward others lead to enhanced well-being and a sense of interconnectedness.”
8. Conclusion and Meditation
Once you’ve completed the prayers and rituals, sit quietly in meditation. Focus on the feelings of peace and fulfillment that the practice has generated.
Let go of any attachment to specific outcomes, trusting that the process will unfold in its own time.
Example: After performing the wish-fulfilling practice, you simply sit in stillness. You don’t dwell on when or how your wish will be fulfilled; instead, you focus on the inner peace you’ve created. This helps you remain centered as you go about your day.
Teacher Guidance: While the steps outlined here offer a general guide to the bon tradition – wish-fulfilling practice, it’s highly recommended that you seek guidance from a qualified Bon teacher. They will provide you with deeper insights, ensuring that the practice is correctly aligned with your spiritual growth.
Regularly performing the yungdrung bon wish-fulfilling practice not only strengthens your connection with the divine energies but also increases your mental clarity and emotional resilience over time.
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