Among the treasures we have received from Tibetan Buddhism are what are known as the Tantras. These are profound methods we can use to accomplish our purpose, and bring benefit to ourselves and to others…

Varjayana methods make use of visualization, which is something we are all familiar with, to some extent. We use this faculty all the time – when we are thinking ahead, imagining, recalling, planning or rehearsing a situation.

When we visualize as part of a meditation practice however, two things are different about it. The first is that it is done consciously, and second, any visualization we do as part of a spiritual practice is based on our world view – how we see ourselves and each other, and the world we live in. Vajrayana practice is based on Sacred Outlook, or Pure Perception. For those who may be unfamiliar with this, I have included a summary called the Tenets of Pure Perception to begin this collection.

For more information on this subject, and for encouragement, I’ve also gathered a few writings that I will include here as an appendix.

This collection focusses on Healing Buddha practice. These methods of visualization can be used with any method, however. For those with an affinity with Tara, for example, here is a set of teachings on her practice. This is from a larger work called A Collection of Buddhist Methods for Healing.

Here are audio recordings of mantras.

One more note: When practicing for another, there are various ways we can visualize. We can see them with us, receiving the benefit of this practice alongside us, or we can see them in our heart in our meditations. In fact, we have this expression when we want to say we have a deep connection with someone. Surely we feel and share our lives with one another in this way.

May the teachings on visualization,
prayer, and mantra recitation,
bring benefit just as our teachers,
the Noble Buddhas and Bodhisattvas have intended.

Jason Espada,
August 17th, 2023

From Instructions on Visualization