The classifications of Mahamudra have been done according to the teachings of Lord Gampopa`s lineage. The three classifications of Mahamudra are Sutra Mahamudra, Mantra Mahamudra and Essence Mahamudra. Sutra Mahamudra is associated with the sutra teachings while Mantra Mahamudra is related to the mantra teachings.

Sutra Mahamudra
The teachings of Mahamudra were derived by Lord Buddha and his followers. These were based in the Prajnaparamita Sutras. These sutras preach about `the great emptiness.` The shortest of the Prajnaparamita sutras is the Heart Sutra. These educate about the unity of form and emptiness.

The teachings on buddha nature are the other basis for Sutra Mahamudra. The Buddha nature teachings point out that the nature of our mind, emotions and thoughts is complete wakefulness. That wakefulness is what we call buddhahood or enlightenment. Furthermore, that enlightenment is the nature of all sentient beings. This essence of enlightenment is what we call `buddha nature` or tathagatagarbha.

These two streams of teachings form the basis for the sutra aspect of Mahamudra. The practice of Sutra Mahamudra involves the study of different sutras which also involves meditation. This process helps one to discover the heart of enlightenment.

The meditation of Sutra Mahamudra essentially consists of resting one`s mind, free of mental activity, in the state of nonconceptual wisdom. The Sutra Mahamudra relates to the mind resting in the state in which it experiences the dharmadhatu, which is the expanse or nature of all things. This resting is essentially "a nonconceptual wisdom beyond all elaboration" or "the unity of clarity and emptiness."

The object of one`s meditation is luminosity free of any projections; the perceiving subject is the lack of mental engagement; and one meditates without mental engagement. There are many extensive explanations on meditating without mental engagement, found primarily in the teachings of Maitripa and Sahajavajra. The Sutrayana approach to Mahamudra is seen as a very profound method because it does not require any of the sophisticated and complex tantric rituals, deity yoga practices, or samayas. This particular approach is also known as "a secret passage." The direct and profound methods of Sutrayana Mahamudra are found right within the sutra approach, right within the ordinary and simple path of spiritual practice.

Mantra Mahamudra
Mantra Mahamudra is the second aspect of the Mahamudra tradition. This section deals with philosophical approaches that include working with creation and completing the stage deity practices. It also includes detailed instructions on working with nadi, prana and bindu. The main presentation of Vajrayana Mahamudra is found in the anuttarayoga tantras.

The tantras are transmitted through the four principal abhishekas or empowerments. When Mahamudra is introduced as the naked, natural state through the use of Vajrayana methods, this is called Mantra Mahamudra. Vajrayana path has a variety of methods that helps in realizing the state of mind. Mantra Mahamudra comprises of various means of pointing out mind`s nature like the process of the four abhishekas.

When we go through the initiation process of an abhisheka, we are empowered to practice the mandala of a particular deity, which symbolizes the nature of mind. This is the traditional way of introducing us to the nature of mind. The images of the deities that we see represented in paintings and sculptures are actually reflections, mirror images, of the nature of our own minds.

Even the pure and impure aspects of mind are depicted in these symbolic images of a deity. Thus Vajrayana Mahamudra gets reflected through the deity yoga practice. The Vajrayana Mahamudra deity practice is very popular. One often misunderstands the images that they see and to misinterpret the deity as an entity external to ourselves. The source of understanding the Vajrayana path is the instructions of the lineage and the Vajrayana tantras. It is through this clear understanding that we are able to relate to Vajrayana deity practice.

Essence Mahamudra
Essence Mahamudra leads to the sudden realization of the true nature of mind, which is known as thamal gyi shepa or in other words ordinary mind. Essence Mahamudra is practiced when an extremely realized guru bestows his blessing also known as adhishthana to his devoted and competent student. This is known as the vajra wisdom`.

Essence Mahamudra empowerment is regarded as the descent of the actual realization of the root and lineage gurus upon a student. Through this descent of the blessings of this vajra wisdom, thamal gyi shepa suddenly awakens in that student`s heart and is fully recognized on the spot. As a result, the student experiences what is called "simultaneous realization and liberation."

The Essence Mahamudra path is completely formless. This path does not require practise of any elaborate methods of Mantra Mahamudra or the gradual training of Sutra Mahamudra. The transmission happens instantly. In the Essence Mahamudra tradition, all conceptual clinging, such as clinging to ideas of `sacred and profane` or `virtuous and non-virtuous,` is cut through and executed directly with the experience of mind and its nature.