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 motivation for the day and dedicating merit at the end of the day.

Alan also talks about balancing earth and wind and earth and sky.

Meditation starts 10.59.

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 bodhicitta and extending that caring. Described the final practice of shamatha as described by Padmasambhava in his text Natural Liberation. In this practice we begin by stretching the space of the mind in all directions and then getting into the flow by just sustaining a clear cognoscente of being aware. He also explained how the Four Immeasurables are the foundation for the practice of bodhicitta.

Meditation starts 28.37

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 explains, why the practice of Equanimity is also a matter of humanizing our relationship with other humans by looking for common ground.

Meditation starts at 10:58

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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 respect to ourselves.

Mediation starts at 20:40

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 and release awareness. When there is low self-esteem, identifying with your mental afflictions is the root of the problem. Recognize what behavior is wholesome and unwholesome. Santideva and the preliminaries are discussed, as well as the achievement of shamatha.

Meditation starts at 20:30

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 awareness. The knowing of knowing is the most undoubtable knowledge we have. This practice is a bit difficult because we’re addicted to ‘doing’. Alan also talked about the Janas and why the bliss of Samadhi is not to be feared.

Meditation starts at 15:36

Introduction of the third of the four immeasurables: Empathetic Joy

Meditation starts at 07:27

In this practice, also known as ‘Taking the Impure Mind as the Path,’ we experientially distinguish between stillness and movement. Alan explains the various progressive stages according to the Sharp Vajra Tantra by Dudjom Lingpa. He also talks about how to balance compassion and wisdom, and the importance of setting aside any notion of progress during the sessions.

Meditation starts at 08:10