Fall 2013 Shamatha and the Bodhisattva Way of Life

Follwing the silent meditation, Alan gets to a few remaining questions, including one about his experience with Shambala and Kalachakra. A fascinating discussion and series of stories follows.

Meditation starts at: 0:05

Before the silent meditation, Alan mentions a few points about Bodichitta.

Meditation starts at: 03:21 (silent, not recorded)

Before the session's meditation, Alan raises the issue of retreat and expedition for after the retreat is over.

Meditation starts at: 22:48 (silent, not recorded)

Meditation front loading: The porousness of the mind. It is possible that influences can go both into and out from the mind. Like when praying to your guru and getting a response. Does the response come from the guru or from a deeper aspect of your own mind? All that matters is that the advice is taking you further along the path. So in practice of tong len, using the power of the mind, it is possible that we are providing genuine relief from suffering.

Meditation starts at: 11:30 (silent, not recorded)

Silent session, followed by one question regarding the origin of people within a lucid dream. They all stem from the substrate consciousness. Even when lucid, they are not puppets on your string. As the relative dharmadhatu has no clear boundaries, it is porous so it is possible for a visitation to occur. There are accounts of people having visions of tara, padmasambhava etc. It is hard to say if these are actually tara or some figment of your imagination. But if a teaching leads to enlightenment, who else but a buddha could have taught them. The Theravada believe in metaphysical realism, the world is really out there, the self does not exist, but the world does. This is rejected by the mind only and middle way schools, there is no real world existing out there. So what was occurring on vulture's peak was pure perception. Just as you might walk right through Shambhala and not see it unless your body and mind are purified. So if the perfection of wisdom teachings are true, if teachings like the Kalachakra designed to lead to buddhahood in one life time, if they work, who else but a Buddha could have taught them.

Meditation starts at: (silent, not recorded)

This practice is a variation for shamatha without a sign.

The method this morning being balancing earth with sky: shamatha with support, with quasi support and without support.

Alan taught more on what rigpa is (and what it is not) and on the analogies with dream yoga.

Meditation starts at: 13:18 (silent, not recorded)

From the seventh point of Atisha's mind training: 'Adopt the three principle causes'

These causes are:

2. Devoting ourselves to all stages of the practice

3. Cultivate the outer and inner conditions for fruitful practice.

Meditation started immediately with no 'front loading'

This practice is a variation for shamatha without a sign.

The method this morning being balancing earth with sky: shamatha with support, with quasi support and without support.

Alan taught more on what rigpa is (and what it is not) and on the analogies with dream yoga.

Meditation starts at: 13:18 (silent, not recorded)

Alan begins with two quotes from William James regarding aspiration.

The guided meditation is on developing your personal aspirations and the causes to fulfill them.

Alan continues with the 7th point of the Seven Point mind training.

Meditation starts at: 9:23

As you merge the mind with space, maintain a flow of knowing of the sheer absence of thought. It is a knowing of emptiness that can lead to an open expanse.

Meditation starts at: 6:40 (silent, not recorded)