AJRA RECITATION of OM AH HUNG

Notes from instructions by

H.E. Garchen Rinpoche
Abiding in the ultimate meaning is abiding in true nature, buddha nature.
However, discursive mind follows after thoughts, wind energies in body follow after karmic winds,
so mind and winds separate. In the body there are five principal winds (the navel being like the
“royal seat” of them all) and three principal subtle channels: left, right, central (the central channel
is the principal one). Drawing wind and mind energies into the central channel at the navel is the
practice method for “merging mind and wind energies into one point.”
A particular method for focusing on the energies at the navel is the Vajra Recitation: mentally
reciting the syllables OM AH HUNG, together with focusing on the subtle wind energies. Bringing
together the OM AH HUNG recitation with the in-and-out breath allows wind and mind to mingle,
freeing us from obstacles that arise from the distraction of winds going where they will while
consciousness wanders where it will.
Instructions
Sitting with spine erect, visualize in the central channel, at the level of the navel, a ball of fire the
size of a lentil. Breathing in through both nostrils together, mentally recite the syllable OM. The
wind energies descend the right and left channels, entering the central channel just below the
navel chakra. At this time, hold the breath briefly, mentally reciting the syllable AH. Imagine or
visualize the winds lightly fanning the flame that sits at the navel so it burns hotter and brighter,
as you rest in equipoise for a few moments. Then breathe out through both nostrils together,
mentally reciting the syllable HUNG.
“Within this practice, look at the empty nature of mind itself,” says Rinpoche; this will help stabilize
the practice of mahamudra.
We are concentrating on the fire of awareness at the navel, not following the in-and-out breath
with our minds. Again and again we return to the flame, liberating all mental, physical, emotional
arisings through awareness.
With this practice, no need whatsoever to consider the gross physical body. The three channels
are visualized, but it is unnecessary to be concerned with their exact locations since they are
immaterial, cannot be found in the physical form. Eventually we can focus our attention
completely on the central channel, from which the right and left channels arise. Other than this,
no additional visualization is required.
As to holding the breath slightly with the syllable AH: we are holding the breath mixed with the
wind energies at the level of the navel, fanning the flame. Hold the breath gently by binding the
lower orifices, drawing the lower winds up while pressing the upper winds down. This is known as
the “vase breath.” This is not a forceful training but a gentle one. (Do not distend the belly while
holding the breath.)
With the wind energies abiding at the navel and the mind left in its natural, unfabricated state,
warmth will arise at the navel. When habituated, there will be no need to hold the breath again
and again, because the warmth will allow awareness to abide naturally at the navel.
Results will depend on effort. Best time to train in this practice is at daybreak. The experience of
warmth may arise in a week, a month, six months, etc. Eventually the experience will require no
meditation but will naturally abide as mind abides, and the cycle of OM AH HUNG will become
continuous, pervading our awareness.
This method of causing the mind to abide on the basis of warmth and bliss is extremely
beneficial. When it is stabilized mind will abide in stillness without effort, warmth will be stable in
the body, awareness will be clear, afflictive emotions will be burnt by the fire, cold-based illnesses
will disperse, and so forth.
The experience of bliss is empty in its nature; it is a mental arising, no need to fixate on it.
The actual practice of the OM AH HUNG Vajra Recitation:
 As a formal meditation session it is best to do this practice in the morning at dawn, but you
should actually do it throughout the day. You can do this practice whenever you breathe, and you
always breathe, don't you? When you inhale the air think "OM." You do not have to visualize it or
say it out loud; just think "OM." When the wind reaches the navel think "AH," and when you
exhale the wind think "HUNG." The main focus is on the AH at the navel. AH has the nature of
fire and is heat. When you inhale the wind think that the wind dissolves into the AH at the navel.
The quintessence of the wind is kept, and the stale air is always exhaled. In formal meditation
sessions, as you inhale think that you are pressing down the upper winds and simultaneously
draw up the lower winds by gently contracting the anus. This "union of the upper and lower
winds" forms an egg-shaped sphere at the navel center. Hold your breath for a short time and
observe the nature of mind.

Do not retain the wind too long, only as much as is comfortable. Again exhale and think "HUNG."
In your daily activities there is no need to hold the breath; you can just breathe naturally and think
"OM AH HUNG." The main focus is always on the fire at the navel, and eventually warmth will
arise. This warmth in fact is already there, but ordinary beings do not recognize it. This practice is
an excellent method to sustain mindfulness; it is a method to unite the mind with the winds. If we
lack mindfulness the winds and mind go separate ways. and we become deluded.

--Garchen Rinpoche, translated by Ina Bieler

OM (white) AH (red) HUNG (blue)