Spring 2012 Shamatha Retreat

The instructions for settling the mind in its natural state are simple: sustain the flow of mindfulness of the space of the mind and whatever arises in it without labeling or grasping. Though it does…

We expand on the techniques for settling the mind in its natural state, and introduce a second type of mindfulness: manifest mindfulness. We learn that feelings and emotions are not intrinsic to the …

Alan guides us in a 24-minute meditation to cultivate compassion for ourselves and others, furthering this aspiration to recognize a deeper dimension of suffering — the suffering of change. This typ…

Today we proceed deeper into the practice of settling the mind in its natural state. We are given the second of five benchmarks as described in the Sharp Vajra Tantra by Dudjom Lingpa : the ability …

As we emerge from the Mind Centre and come out to the world, you come out poised to attend to the reality of others suffering and to be aroused to act. "Be of service to alleviate suffering", that is…

This afternoon we proceed again to awareness of the breath at the apertures of the nostrils. We review the significance of using subtle objects to develop vividness in awareness of breathing and sett…

Metta Bhavana allowing the mind rove as it will from person to person and aspiring for each that they find happiness and the causes of happiness.

Meditation starts 5:25
Closing remarks start 29:50

We return to mindfulness of breathing with a focus on finding continuity and stability. Alan invokes the Buddha's teachings which begin: "While breathing in long, he knows 'I am breathing in long.'"

Metta Bhavana, a classic approach for breaking down the barriers.
Beginning with oneself and the extending out to loved ones, casual friends, neutral and so on.
Buddhaghosa regards the immediate ca…

Beginning the Second Cycle.
While keeping the emphasis on relaxation, Alan suggested balancing three groups of practice as you would with the three food groups. First, shamatha for cultivating attent…

A vision quest guided meditation which focuses on the causes and conditions of one's own happiness, achieving this happiness and then sharing this happiness with others.

Alan discusses setting moti…

Shamatha and the Four Immeasurables

Alan talks about the fundamental impulse of caring. The barriers of the I-it relationship. The achievement of shamatha and how this is the base for achieving bodh…

With this session we have come to the end of the cycle related to the four immeasurables. Alan points out the 'I-it-relationship', as proposed by the German Philosopher Martin Buber. Alan further exp…

Text to follow

Meditations starts at 51:45

Introduction to the fourth of the four immeasurables: Equanimity - sometimes also referred to as Even-mindedness or Even-heartedness.

Alan is asking the question, if we can develop equanimity with r…

We are used to rumination, to our thoughts going on and on. The mind is unsettled because of attachment. Alan discusses the difference between desire and attachment. The meditation includes inverting…

Empathetic joy counteracts depression and low self-esteem, and balances the mind.

Meditation starts at 11:11

Shamatha always implies a withdrawal. In shamatha without a sign we are not interested in the 5 sensory field not even in the mind, it is the ultimate retreat, just resting in the very nature of awar…