The practitioners of the spiritual path of Karma Kagyu usually begin by practicing the outer and inner preliminary practices, called ngöndro in Tibetan. They consist of e series of contemplative exercises that help draw the mind away from the mundane thoughts of one’s present life and toward the attainment of liberation from suffering and ultimate enlightenment. The most common form these contemplations take are the “four thoughts that change the mind”: 1) the preciousness of human life, 2) death and impermanence, 3) the suffering of samsara, and 4) the principle of karma. These contemplations comprise the outer preliminary practices. The practice of Karma Kagyu involves a variety of disciplines and activities that are intended to help practitioners progress along the spiritual path and attain enlightenment. Here is a list of some key practices:

• Meditation: Meditation is an important practice in Karma Kagyu and is seen as a way to cultivate spiritual awareness and realization. Practitioners may engage in various forms of meditation, such as calm-abiding meditation or insight meditation.
• Chanting and prayer: Chanting and prayer may be used as a way to cultivate devotion and connect with the divine.
• Study: Practitioners may study the teachings of the tradition, such as the Tibetan scriptures, in order to deepen their understanding of the spiritual path.
• Cultivation of virtues and qualities: Karma Kagyu emphasizes the importance of cultivating certain virtues and qualities, such as compassion and wisdom, in order to progress along the spiritual path.
• Service to others: Karma Kagyu practitioners may engage in activities that are intended to benefit others, such as volunteering or donating to charitable causes.

Overall, the practice of Karma Kagyu involves a combination of inner practices and outer disciplines that are intended to help practitioners progress along the spiritual path and attain enlightenment.

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The Karma Kagyu tradition has a long and illustrious history and has produced many prominent teachers and spiritual leaders over the centuries. Here are a few examples:

• Marpa: Marpa is considered the founder of the Kagyu lineage and is known for his role in transmitting the teachings of the tradition to his own disciples, including the famous Tibetan yogi Milarepa.
• Milarepa: Milarepa is one of the most famous figures in the Karma Kagyu tradition and is known for his teachings on the spiritual path and his poems and songs that express his experiences and insights.
• Gampopa: Gampopa was a student of Milarepa and is considered a key figure in the development of the Karma Kagyu tradition. He wrote many teachings on the spiritual path and established monasteries and centers for the practice of the tradition.
• The Karmapas: The Karmapas are a line of spiritual leaders who are considered the head of the Karma Kagyu tradition. The current Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, is the 17th in this line and is a prominent teacher and spiritual leader within the tradition.

There are many other prominent teachers and spiritual leaders within the Karma Kagyu tradition, and the tradition has a rich and diverse teaching lineage that continues to the present day. Overall, the Karma Kagyu tradition is known for its emphasis on the guru-student relationship and the importance of transmission and lineage in the spiritual process.