Spring 2011 Shamatha Retreat

In this morning session, Alan Wallace gives a 24-minute guided meditation on the third stage of mindfulness of breathing. He also describes the preliminary signs of progressing along the path of shamatha.

In this afternoon session, Alan Wallace teaches a guided meditation of loving-kindness, beginning first with one's self, then moving outwards to others. He reminds us that loving-kindness is not an emotion, but rather the aspiration for others to have happiness and the causes of happiness. This is followed by question and answer. Alan answers the questions, "From a Buddhist perspective, what is the effect of the use of hallucinogenic drugs during the teenage years, can it harm the mind, and can meditation help heal the mind, and if so, how?" and, "How does one cultivate joyful effort, especially during mundane tasks?"

In this morning session, Alan Wallace gives a guided meditation of mindfulness of breathing, the second stage, focusing on the balance of relaxation and stability.

This afternoon session is a 24-minute guided meditation on the practice of loving-kindness, followed by question and answer with the group.

In this morning session, Alan Wallace leads a guided meditation and introduction to the practice of shamatha; the first stage of mindfulness of breathing. He teaches the cultivation of a deepening sense of relaxation.