A Profound Method

 For the beginning mahamudra practitioner, it is important to meditate in brief sessions. One way to do this is through singing Milarepa songs. One way to proceed is to sing a song and then rest briefly in the meditation. This is profound upaya for mahamudra practice, because what is pointed out in the songs is the view, meditation, conduct, and related areas, presented in the truly profound words of Milarepa. While singing, one is developing mindfulness of these, which then carries over into the meditation. And having rested for a brief time in meditation, one could then sing another song presenting view, meditation, conduct, and fruition from a somewhat different angle.

If you adopt this technique, your understanding of view, meditation, conduct, and fruition will develop and, not only that, these different aspects of the practice will develop together, in a simultaneous and integrated fashion. This is a profound method for practicing mahamudra in brief sessions.

Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, Enhancing the Practice of Mahamudra, Karmê Chöling, Summer 1994, pp. 180-181. Translated by Jim Scott.