In the Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, the Four Extraordinary Foundations (Ngöndro) are the practical, active steps used to clear away negative patterns and prepare the mind for deep meditation. We use our body, speech, and mind together across four distinct stages. The journey starts with prostrations and refuge to build humility and commitment, moves through the deep cleansing of the Vajrasattva mantra, builds positive spiritual energy through mandala offerings, and finishes with guru yoga to connect our mind directly to the wisdom of the lineage.

Before studying the Four Extraordinary Foundations, the student should have studied the Four Preliminary Foundations and taken Refuge.