the kagyu lineage divides the mahāmudrā teachings into three types, "sutra mahāmudrā," "tantra mahāmudrā," and "essence mahāmudrā," in a formulation that appears to originate with jamgon kongtrul. sutra mahāmudrā, as the name suggests, draws its philosophical view and meditation techniques from the sutrayana tradition. tantric mahāmudrā employs such tantric techniques as tummo, dream yoga, and ösel, three of the six yogas of naropa. essence mahāmudrā is based on the direct instruction of a qualified lama, known as pointing-out instruction.