Student: A few years ago, I asked one of my gurus to check what deity I had a karmic connection with and he said Vajrayogini. My question is that when I get up and throughout the day (when I remember), natural awareness habitually comes with Yamantaka, probably because I do most of the practice from Guru Puja with protectors based on Yamantaka. I find it difficult to generate with Vajrayogini. Does Rinpoche have any suggestions?

Rinpoche’s reply:

My dear Bob,
If your guru has given this advice about your deity then you can’t change it.

My suggestion is you do both: Visualize half of yourself as Vajrayogini and the other half as Yamantaka. This will be something that no one has practiced before, it will be a new tradition that you are starting. I’m joking, of course.

But it is difficult. Once you have asked your guru, you can’t really change. What you can try is this: Visualize all deities as one and this is the Guru. Outside you can visualize yourself as Yamantaka, but remember this is also Vajrayogini. Integrate what you feel and what your guru has said.

Much love and prayer...