Spring 2011 Shamatha Retreat

94 Finishing with Loving-kindness

In this final session, Alan brings us back to the first immeasurable of loving-kindness with a guided meditation which focuses on loving-kindness first for oneself, and t

93 Integrating Into the Outside World

Editor's Note: Due to multiple recording errors, this afternoon's podcast is an optimized recording from an iPhone. Because of this, it is difficult to hear clearly. My v

92 Easy Comings and Goings

This morning, Alan first speaks about Dharma practice during periods of transition. This is followed by an unguided meditation, which is not included.

91 Final Afternoon Session: The History and Development of Buddhism

Although there are two more days of retreat, this is our last afternoon session. Alan begins by jumping right in to a guided meditation in which he "puts us through the p

90 Morning Q&A #3

This morning we begin with an unguided meditation (not included in this recording) and then Alan answers the following questions from the group: 1. Could you clarify the

89 Integrated Vipashyana

This afternoon Alan leads a guided meditation [6:25] that integrates the three different methods of vipashyana as taught by Padmasambhava. After the guided meditation [3

88 Evaluating Practice

This morning, Alan speaks about skillful means for evaluating our practice and determining whether our aspirations are being fulfilled or not. The following unguided medi

87 Vipashyana: Identifying Rigpa

In this afternoon session, (today's morning session did not include any guidance or teachings and was not recorded) Alan Wallace continues to teach on vipashyana. We begi

86 Vipashyana: Continuing the Search

This afternoon, we review the teachings from Saturday afternoon (#84) and practice in the same way. The unguided meditation is not included. There is no question and answ

85 Releasing the "Shoulds" and Relaxing

This morning, Alan reminds us to continue to "downshift" and loosen up if we find we are unsatisfied with the quality of our meditation. This brief introduction is follow

84 Vipashyana: Searching for the Mind

This afternoon Alan continues with a second method of vipashyana, "Engaging in the Search for the Mind," again from Padmasambhava's "Natural Liberation," with reference a

83 Morning Q&A #2

We will continue to go right into unguided meditation sessions in the morning (not included in the recording), followed by brief Q&A. This morning Alan answers one questi

82 Vipashyana

This afternoon, Alan ventures into the realm of vipashyana with an introductory teaching. He draws from Padmasambhava's "Natural Liberation" and instructs us on a basic v

81 Morning Q&A

This morning's session is an unguided open practice, followed by brief Q&A. The meditation period is not included. Alan answers these questions: 1. In awareness of awar

80 Equanimity and Rigpa

Alan begins this afternoon session with a profoundly wise and skillful dharma talk on the deepest kind of equanimity: that which is viewed from the perspective of rigpa.

79 Spatial Awareness of Awareness

This morning we return to the final phase of the awareness of awareness practice: exploring this awareness spatially. Alan first reviews the technique for the practice. T

78 Equanimity and Imperturbability

This afternoon, Alan Wallace sets up a meditation on equanimity, or uppekha, in two parts. First, bringing to mind situations in our lives that arouse aversion and cravin

77 Breaking Through: Awareness of Awareness

This morning we continue with the practice of awareness of awareness. Alan first gives an introduction, then brief final remarks after the unguided meditation. The unguid

76 Virtue and Mudita

This afternoon Alan Wallace again sets up an unguided meditation on mudita, or empathetic joy. He first gives a 40 minute dharma talk about skillfully attending to one's

75 Shamatha Without a Sign

This morning Alan Wallace again introduces the practice of shamatha without a sign, or awareness of awareness, as taught by Padmasambhava. We are instructed to look right