Western students often think of ngondro as preliminary. As if the real practice is later. This is a mistake. The 100,000 prostrations are the practice. The mandala offerings are the practice. The Vajrasattva is the practice. If you wait for the real practice to begin, you will wait your whole life. It begins on the first prostration.
A Western student told me recently that he was looking for the right teacher. I told him: be careful what you ask for. The right teacher will not flatter you. The right teacher will not protect your self-image. The right teacher will dismantle you. If you want to be made comfortable, find a coach. If you want liberation, find a teacher.
A Western student wept in interview today. He said: "I do not feel ready." I said: "Good. You are ready." He laughed through the tears. The path begins where readiness ends.