Re: Ups and Downs of Ngondro Practice

Here is a straight on question for someone with some knowledge. This summer I started using The Nectar of a Simple Yogi thinking I would likely do the shorter ngondro. However, as I have gotten into it, I have extended my practice time, and seen the value of the process, so want to do the longer ngondro. I have pretty much been following the suggested guidelines for contemplation and am in the middle of “the fourth thought”, though I have now accumulated more than 10000 prostrations. I have seen no real instructions for the long form beyond Rinpoche’s DVDs, so should I change liturgies? And, if so, when? Is the structure of contemplation the same…..focusing more time on one area, or should the contemplation be done within the context of the liturgical repetition? Also, when doing prostrations I have been using the short version of refuge, does one do that with the long version or do you use the full refuge as written in the liturgy? Currently, I am on a month-long practice retreat with Tsoknyi Rinpoche, and will continue to do what I have been doing until such time as get more information. Thanks, carole