82 Vipashyana

05/27/11 • 112 min

Spring 2011 Shamatha Retreat

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 vipashyana technique. The opening talk lasts 55 minutes, and the following unguided vipashyana meditation is included.

After the unguided meditation [1:23:05], Alan continues to elaborate on the value of contemplative introspection and observation. He concludes with a special message for podcast listeners, which begins at 1:42:00.

Previous Episode

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 awareness, how can I most effectively release medium excitation other than relaxing more?

2. In settling the mind in its natural state, during the period of "in the seen, let there be just the seen," I'm still aware of my breath as well as thoughts arising. What to do?

3. In settling the mind in its natural state, there are now longer and longer intervals between thoughts. What should I be doing in these gaps? Think? Let it be?

Next Episode

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 question:

1. In awareness of awareness, I find it difficult to relax, although I am quite concentrated. I notice tension keeps creeping in. Is this common?