The Yuthok Nyingthig Practice
(Tib. gYu Thog sNying Thig bLa sGrub sDug bsNgal Mun Sel)

Yuthok Nyingthig is a very important spiritual practice for Traditional Tibetan Medicine doctors and healing practitioners. Yuthok Nyingthig means “The Innermost Essence of the Teachingof Yuthok”. The practice was composed with the intention of leading practitioners to experience the union of medicine and spiritual practice. This perception is realised through the harmonious integration of body, mind and energy in the subtlest form of the five elements.

This series of teachings is based on the  Yuthok Nyingthig Root Text and Commentary.

Historical Background

It is said that Yuthok Yonten Gonpo The Younger (1126-1202) created ‘Two Jewels’, namely the Four Tantras (rGyud bZhi) and Yuthok Nyingthig (gYu Thog sNying Thig). He gave the teachings and transmission for both of these Two Jewels to his heart-disciple – Sumtong Yeshe Zung (Tib. Sum sTon Yeshes gZhugs), who then maintained and perpetuated this tandem Lineage of the Four Tantras and Yuthok Nyingthig.
This unbroken lineage has been transmitted by Khenpo Troru Tsenam to Dr Nida Chenagtsang; permission to transmit this teaching further has been given by the most respected lineage-holder of Yuthok Nyingthig and Tibetan Medicine in Tibet, Micho Khedrub Gyatso Rinpoche.

Yuthok Nyingthig Root Text
The Yuthok Nyingthig Root Text is an expose of Yuthok’s spiritual teachings. Yuthok considered spiritual practices, yoga, and meditation to be an integral part of every physician’s training.
The Yuthog Nyingthig Root Text presents:

  • Ngondro practice – preliminary practice
  • Four forms of Guru Yuga with Yuthok
  • A major chapter on  Tibetan Medical Yantra Yoga (physcial exercise)
  • Fifteen chapters on the study of Physical Medicine and Pathology (including disturbances of the Three Humors, Infectious diseases, Pain, Trauma, Poisons)
  • A complete set of Vajrayana practices:
    • Khyed Rim - Development / Creation practice (practice of three roots)
    • Dzog Rim – Completion practice,  Information on the Six Yogas (including gTummo practice, Gyulu practice, Bardo practice, Phowa practice, Dream practice)
    • Dzog chen – The Self-Liberation of Samsara-Nirvana
  • Mendrub (sMan sGrub) practice, healing and protection mantras
  • Practices for the medical protectors
  • Instructions for a special form of pulse diagnosis where the practitioner must engage in spiritual retreat and specific practices for a month as preparation prior to reading the patient’s pulse
  • The Yuthok Nyingthig practice itself is associated with the development of special powers of omniscience and clairvoyance which then help the physician to become a greater healer

There are explanations given for of all of these practices, as well as information on how to integrate all of this with the practice of medicine.

The Teachings

For the first time, the full teachings of the Yuthok Nyingthig are made available to students in the West.
The teachings will be presented in a total of eighteen levels, beginning with the Ngondro – the preliminary practice. Each Level of the course is presented in a residential setting, over eight days. Traditional observances, such as a vegetarian diet will be maintained throughout. The course will be fully catered. Chanting will be in Tibetan phonetics.

THIS SERIES OF TEACHINGS IS OPEN TO STUDENTS WHO HAVE SHOWN A SERIOUS COMMITMENT TO THE STUDY AND PRACTICE OF TIBETAN HEALING ARTS.

 

    

 
© IATTM 2007