Podcasts about immeasurables

How can we make the Four Immeasurables (aka the Brahmavihārās or divine abodes) more present in our daily lives? In this talk, Jennifer Berezan explores these four virtues—loving-kindness, compassion, empathetic joy, and equanimity—integral aspects of Buddhist practice. She emphasizes their universal relevance, encouraging us to cultivate these qualities to foster deeper connections and inner peace.Jennifer enriches her discussion with musical interludes, using songs to embody each of the Four Immeasurables:Loving-kindness (Metta): Wishing happiness for all beings.Compassion (Karuna): Desiring freedom from suffering for everyone.Empathetic Joy (Mudita): Celebrating others' happiness.Equanimity (Upekkha): Maintaining calm and impartiality amidst life's ups and downs.Through her music, Jennifer offers a heartfelt and accessible approach to these profound teachings, inviting listeners to integrate them into daily life.______________Jennifer Berezan is a unique blend of singer/songwriter, producer, and activist. Over the course of ten albums, she has developed and explored recurring themes with a rare wisdom. Her lifelong involvement in environmental, women's, and other justice movements as well as an interest in Buddhism and earth-based spirituality are at the heart of her writing.Find her at https://jenniferberezan.com/ ______________ To support our efforts to share these talks with LGBTQIA audiences worldwide, please visit https://gaybuddhist.org/There you can: Donate Learn how to participate live Find our schedule of upcoming speakers Join our mailing list or discussion forum Enjoy many hundreds of these recorded talks dating back to 1996 CREDITSAudio Engineer: George HubbardProducer: Tom BrueinMusic/Logo/Artwork: Derek Lassiter

Wie können wir entspannter werden, gelassener – kurz: wie können wir Gleichmut kultivieren? In Zeiten, in denen sich alle immer und ständig über alle aufregen, ein Shitstorm dem nächsten folgt und wir vor lauter Empörung gar nicht mehr wissen, wohin mit uns, brauchen wir alle mehr Gleichmut. Aber was genau ist das und was heißt "Gleichmut kultivieren"?**********An dieser Stelle findet ihr die Übung:00:31:29 - Geleitete Meditation, um sich selbst Wünsche für Gleichmut zu schenken und andere weiter zu geben**********Quellen aus der Folge:Heidenreich, T., Graser, J., Nguyen, M. H., & Michalak, J. (2024). Meditation in der Psychotherapie. Die Psychotherapie, 1-12. Lv, J., Liu, Q., Zeng, X., Oei, T. P., Liu, Y., Xu, K., ... & Liu, J. (2020). The effect of four Immeasurables meditations on depressive symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 76, 101814. Anālayo. (2015). Compassion and emptiness in early Buddhist meditation. Windhorse Publications Limited. **********Mehr zum Thema bei Deutschlandfunk Nova:Achtsamkeitszentrierte Körperpsychotherapie: Hakomi – Gefühle körperlich erfahrbar machenAchtsamkeit: Gewaltfreie Kommunikation - so funktioniert esWohlbefinden: Wie wir es achtsam kultivieren**********Den Artikel zum Stück findet ihr hier.**********Ihr könnt uns auch auf diesen Kanälen folgen: Tiktok und Instagram.**********Ihr habt Anregungen, Ideen, Themenwünsche? Dann schreibt uns gern unter achtsam@deutschlandfunknova.de

Bienvenidos... Welcome back all, it's a pleasure to be back hosting Immeasurables. For this Episode Zero, I talk about what this new season will entail... in two languages. Keep up with all things in the Immeasurables Community: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/immeasurables/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/immeasurables_ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@immeasurables **JOIN OUR DISCORD FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT: https://discord.gg/zgptT5ubXP Hasta la proxima, Reina Gabrielle

Love, compassion, rejoicing, and equanimity. This is an extended reading from “The Power of the Mind” by Khentrul Lodro Thaye --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/daniel-scharpenburg/support

365 days later here, we are. New things are coming very soon. Stay tuned. Keep up with all things in the Immeasurables Community: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/immeasurables/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/immeasurables_ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@immeasurables... **JOIN OUR DISCORD FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT: https://discord.gg/zgptT5ubXP

Welcome back to another season of Immeasurables. I'm back with a collaboration season with one of my best friends joining me as a guest this time! Here I talk about what Out of Style is and what you will be expecting in this season to come. I hope you all enjoy, See you soon. -Reina Gabrielle

Thankful for this year of Immeasurables. Cheers for more years of being unique and immeasurable. Happy New Year. Keep up with all things in the Immeasurables Community: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/immeasurables/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/immeasurables_ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@immeasurables... **JOIN OUR DISCORD FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT: https://discord.gg/zgptT5ubXP Lets be innovative and Immeasurable, Until next time. xoxo, Reina Gabrielle

Another season, another Immeasurables, welcome back everyone. In this Episode Zero, I talk about the future of Immeasurables with my new "rebranding". Tune into this season for big surprises and big changes to Immeasurables. Keep up with all things in the Immeasurables Community: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/immeasurables/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/immeasurables_ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@immeasurables?lang=en **JOIN OUR DISCORD FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT: https://discord.gg/zgptT5ubXP Cheers & thanks for your support as this new season begins, xoxo, Reina Gabrielle

What's to come next? A wrap-up on Season One + what is to come next for Immeasurables! Tune into Immeasurables.com for the Podcast companion to find some things I didn't mention in the podcast. For more follow me on my journey in making the modeling industry a more inclusive place: immeasurables.com Instagram: @immeasurables Tiktok: @immeasurables Twitter: @immeasurables_ Thanks again for watching, xoxo, Reina

My modeling journey and tips on how to start your modeling career! Tune into Immeasurables.com for the Podcast companion to find some things I didn't mention in the podcast. For more follow me on my journey in making the modeling industry a more inclusive place: immeasurables.com Instagram: @immeasurables Tiktok: @immeasurables Twitter: @immeasurables_ Thanks again for watching, xoxo, Reina

How do you go to a competition or prepare for an event and feel great about it?  SET GOALS.  WORK ON GOALS.  I will elaborate on those ideas.This episode is based on the blog from September 13, 2013.This book is worth the money.  It is Dance to Your Maximum by Maximiliaan Winkelhuis. For a picture of my excellent instructor and I at Holiday Classic in possibly 2003, click over here.I'm on Apple Podcasts now!Support the show

My (an aspiring petite model's) perspective on David Cunningham's message on Instagram. Let's just say, it's all good things... Tune into Immeasurables.com for the Podcast companion to find some things I didn't mention in the podcast. For more follow me on my journey in making the modeling industry a more inclusive place: immeasurables.com Instagram: @immeasurables Tiktok: @immeasurables Twitter: @immeasurables_ Thanks again for watching, xoxo, Reina

Mostly unpopular opinions and my take on trends of the fashion industry. May or may not be controversial... Tune into Immeasurables.com for the Podcast companion to find some things I didn't mention in the podcast. For more follow me on my journey in making the modeling industry a more inclusive place: immeasurables.com Instagram: @immeasurables Tiktok: @immeasurables Twitter: @immeasurables_ Thanks again for watching, xoxo, Reina

This will be a recurring series on my channel. Here is ‘An Open Letter to the Fashion Industry'. Tune into Immeasurables.com for the Podcast companion to find some things I didn't mention in the podcast. For more follow me on my journey in making the modeling industry a more inclusive place: immeasurables.com Instagram: @immeasurables Tiktok: @immeasurables Twitter: @immeasurables_ Thanks again for watching, xoxo, Reina

Highlighting agencies, brands, and models breaking the mold and shining through. Tune into Immeasurables.com for the Podcast companion to find some things I didn't mention in the podcast. For more follow me on my journey in making the modeling industry a more inclusive place: immeasurables.com Instagram: @immeasurables Tiktok: @immeasurables Twitter: @immeasurables_ Thanks again for watching, xoxo, Reina

How can “the standard” be changed? What can be done to break this toxic cycle? Tune into Immeasurables.com for the Podcast companion to find some things I didn't mention in the podcast. For more follow me on my journey in making the modeling industry a more inclusive place: immeasurables.com Instagram: @immeasurables Tiktok: @immeasurables Twitter: @immeasurables_ Thanks again for watching, xoxo, Reina

What is the Standard? How was it created? Why is the standard in existence? Tune into Immeasurables.com for the Podcast companion to find some things I didn't mention in the podcast. For more follow me on my journey in making the modeling industry a more inclusive place: immeasurables.com Instagram: @immeasurables Tiktok: @immeasurables Twitter: @immeasurables_ Thanks again for watching, xoxo, Reina

Welcome to the official first episode of Immeasurables! In this episode I will be going through what Immeasurables is, the backstory and a bit about me as well. Tune into Immeasurables.com for the Podcast companion to find some things I didn't mention in the podcast. For more follow me on my journey: immeasurables.com Instagram: @immeasurables Tiktok: @immeasurables Twitter: @immeasurables_ Thanks again for watching, xoxo, Reina

Welcome to Immeasurables. My name is Reina Gabrielle and I'd like to change how we view petite models in this modeling industry. For more follow me on my journey: immeasurables.com Instagram: @immeasurables Tiktok: @immeasurables Twitter: @immeasurables_

Lilapa talks openly about how the Brahma Viharas inspired and challenged him as a father. Parenting can be very hard, a connection with the Brahma Viharas, also known as The Immeasurables, can support infinitely expansive and positive states of mind. Excerpted from the talk entitled Parenting and the Brahma Viharas, part of the series Talks from Adhisthana's Weekend Retreat for Parents, given at Adhisthana, 2018. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast - a full Dharma talk every week! Follow our blog for news and new Dharma FBA on Twitter FBA on Facebook FBA on Soundcloud

Equanimity is loving detachment. This powerful, peaceful practice is one of the Four Immeasurables, Buddhist principles for healthy boundaries and happy relationships. The other three "Immeasurables" are loving-kindness, compassion and joy. These attitudes work as a unit and teach us how to show up in with our best intentions and let go of the results. With equanimity as our guide, we learn that having good boundaries is about knowing what is our responsibility and what is the responsibility of others to manage. If you like this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.  Support Spiritual Psychology of Patreon. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/spiritualpsychology/message

The Buddha advised us to choose our companions well because they affect us greatly, for better or ill. If we want a peaceful life, then we must surround ourselves with people and conditions that are conducive to peace. No omniscient, holy being, looking down on all the world, would want two beings to suffer together when one could go the way alone and heal. That leaves us with a choice about an unhealthy relationship: heal the relationship or remove ourselves from it. This is advice for every type of relationship, from a romantic partner or relative to a friend or colleague. The method outlined in this episode to heal a relationship is the practice of the “Four Immeasurables”:      - Love      - Compassion      - Appreciative Joy      - Equanimity  Why are they called “The Four Immeasurables”?   The Four Immeasurables are qualities or attitudes we develop toward others. First, they are called the “Immeasurables” because, ultimately, we want to direct these attitudes toward all living beings--who are immeasurable in number. Second, we want our feelings of love, compassion and so forth to become immeasurable or unconditional, Thirdly, they are called immeasurable because the good karma we create by practicing them is immeasurable. By cultivating the attitudes of loving-kindness, compassion, appreciative joy and equanimity, we can gradually remove ill will, cruelty, jealousy, and bias from our mind and discover an unwavering peace. This episode introduces the Four Immeasurables with the intention that we begin to develop them toward everyone we meet or think about. In the meditation and daily practice of the week ahead, we apply the Four Immeasurables to a relationship we want to begin to heal. Practicing the Four Immeasurables: LOVE. Love is the wish that another be happy. Love counters ill will or resentment. Love is an attitude that wishes the concerned person enjoy happiness and the intention that we will work toward their happiness. If we hope to heal a relationship, we must think of love as a verb. We determine to love the other person by doing things and acting in ways that are conducive to their happiness. We set about to counter our own selfish tendencies toward them. Immeasurable love is the wish that all sentient beings, without any exception, be happy. In our daily life, we can try to extend love to those we only slightly know or do not know at all. This means we care about their happiness. Out of that wish, we might let the stranger go before us, give to a charity or offer a smile, We can try to extend our love to all sentient beings in all the realms of existence, animals, insects etc. When trying to heal a relationship with someone, we have to ask ourselves:     What makes this person happy?     What can I do that would make them happy? If you spend a lot of time with a person, you have to act out of love A LOT.  If, for example, you are trying to heal a romantic relationship, you must try to act out of love every day, multiple times a day. You can know what will make them happy if you look deeply and listen deeply. You probably already know. Perhaps they have even complained and voiced their pain. They might need demonstrations of love like holding their hand, taking out the trash, complimenting them or telling them you love them. These actions reveal the intention of love. When we don’t act out of love, but instead act out of selfish intention, it damages the relationship. Conversely, every time we act out of love it builds or restores the health of a relationship. A truly healthy relationship is possible, but it does require both people cherish each other with acts of love every day. Start with yourself, and, most likely, they will be eventually be motivated to cherish you too. If they are unable to cherish you, perhaps this is when it becomes evident that this relationship cannot be healed.   COMPASSION. Compassion is the wish for others not to suffer. When trying to heal a relationship with someone, we have to ask ourselves:      What causes them pain?      What do I do that causes them suffering or pain?      What can I do (or stop doing) that will lessen the pain that they often feel? Compassion is what deeply heals a relationship. We have to plant the seeds of love and uproot the weeds of pain for the garden of the heart to truly blossom between two people. An important aspect of the practice of compassion is to realize what we are doing that causes another pain. If the relationship is unhealthy, we can almost be sure that there are things we can start doing to lessen the pain we cause them. When people are in pain, they react with anger, cruelty, coldness. This is their mistaken way of trying to stop the pain, only it makes it worse. Like a garden choked by weeds, a relationship can not endure too much pain, too many arguments, ill will or resentment.   APPRECIATIVE JOY. “Appreciative Joy” is rejoicing in the happiness being experienced by another or in their good qualities. It is the joy a mother feels when her child has some success. Appreciative joy is the remedy for jealousy. It also makes us less self-centered. Jealousy is very detrimental in a relationship, because the pain a person feels when they are jealous is intense, like poison through the body. The lashing out, ill will, or reaction to try to control the situation is strong and equally dangerous to that relationship. With appreciative joy, we try to find happiness in what makes the other person happy. With strangers, we rejoice in anything that would bring them happiness. We can share that appreciative joy in another’s good qualities and complement them. Whenever we admire or rejoice in another’s good qualities, it creates the karma for us to have those good qualities in the future. For a person trying to develop spiritually, the practice of appreciative joy is so important.   EQUANIMITY Equanimity is the attitude of regarding all beings as equals, regardless of their relationship to us. If we are serious about generating equanimity, we become determined to remove the bias from our mind, in which we feel aversion to some and clinging to others. Thich Nhat Hanh  once said, “You must love in such a way that the person you love feels free.” Equanimity is the mind that a mother feels when she regards all her children as equally precious. Equanimity is the mind the mother generates when her child leaves home to live on their own. It is warm and open-hearted but does not cling. It treats everyone as important. “If, while on your way, You meet no one your equal or better, Steadily continue on your way alone. There is no fellowship with fools.” --Buddha, The Dhammapada, verse 60  References: The Dhammapada, by Buddha. Translated by Gil Fronsdale. Shambala, Boston and London, 2011, pp. 16 Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment, by Je Tsongkhapa, Volume 1. Pagesare 167, 184. Translated by the Lamrim Chenmo Translation Committee. Joshua Cutler, Editor-in-Chief, and Guy Newlan, Editor Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment, by Je Tsongkhapa, Volume 3. Page 1263. Translated by the Lamrim Chenmo Translation Committee. Joshua Cutler, Editor-in-Chief, and Guy Newlan, Editor

In this episode we look at how to develop immeasurable equanimity, which is an even-minded love for all living beings. The mind of equanimity is free from attachment to some and aversion to others. It is said that on the ground of equanimity, we pour the waters of love, sow the seeds of compassion, and we will reap a bountiful harvest of enlightenment.   "Neither father nor mother, Nor any relative can do One as much good, As one’s own well-directed mind."             --Buddha (The Dhammapada, Verse 43) References: The Dhammapada, by Buddha. Translated by Gil Fronsdale. Shambala, Boston and London, 2011, pp. 9. Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment, by Je Tsongkhapa, Volume 1. Pages 281-282. Translated by the Lamrim Chenmo Translation Committee. Joshua Cutler, Editor-in-Chief, and Guy Newlan, Editor. Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment, by Je Tsongkhapa, Volume 3. Pages 35-37.. Translated by the Lamrim Chenmo Translation Committee. Joshua Cutler, Editor-in-Chief, and Guy Newlan, Editor.

This week on the 13th Floor... 1. 2:22 - Welcome back TI 2. 4:45 - Prom Season 3.15:20 - Ali Immeasurables 4. 22:05 - Core values 5. 26:10 - Resiliency of Madiba 6. 33:38 - Principles and Jay-Z 7. 42:00 - P7D/Closing

Wil talks about doing things where the results are tough to measure - but feel right and are enjoyable and good for our brand.

Our co-host, Jennifer, talks today about dealing with chronic back pain and how it affects her outlook and ability to be either proactive or reactive to life’s events. (Her situation takes an interesting twist which will be revealed in a future podcast.) The four Immeasurables are reviewed along with the power of humility. She shares […]

Equanimity is a natural state of mind that is free from likes and dislikes. It describes a mind that doesn't get distracted by every fleeting situation or circumstances. It's perfectly normal to have desires and preferences, but when they start to rule us we can get thrown off course and end up at the mercy of external events. Ven. Lawrence Do'an Grecco talks about what the importance of maintaining an equanimous state of mind. For more information please visit www.OpenSkyZen.com

Aspiring for genuine happiness. Unguided meditation not included. Q&A What do i have to do to achieve stage 4 outside of retreat? What does full enlightenment mean?

We are encouraged to practice the four immeasurables in a spirit of looking back on our retreat and broader past. Then we receive advice around the question, "How do we prepare for death when we have months, days, hours, seconds?" (27:19)

We proceed directly into meditation with loving kindness for ourself, then spend the remaining time with Q&A. Q&A (at 24:51) * Subtlety of subjectivity in lucid dreams. * Achieving shamatha while dreaming. * Sleep paralysis and false awakenings. * What is deja vu? * Relevance of learning the Tibetan language today. * Unpacking the terms "reality-based" and "let reality rise up to meet you."

How to help people ? What aspects of dharma speak of developing these abilities and is there a first aid guide for specific ailments ?

Enter your practice in the spirit of loving-kindness, particularly when the mind is prone to rumination. Consider the analogy of the horse saved from a burning barn, scared and frantic—never would you be hard on such a horse, it needs only gentle kindness. Only this brief but essential advice tonight, before we practice and open the floor to questions. Q&A * As an aid in settling the mind in its natural state, which types of mental events can be generated to find the space of the mind? * Recommended dzogchen reading. * When expanding awareness in the four directions, must it be returned to center? * Nyam, flashbacks, and the placebo effect.

Our shamatha practice can help keep us cognitively tuned while back in the big world, even if we can only practice briefly during the day. In times when we are fatigued from stress, full-body awareness in the shavasana pose is the most healing; on brimful days when the mind is agitated, mindfulness of breathing can bring the best benefit; when we're more relaxed and grounded, settling the mind in its natural state or awareness of awareness can be the tonic that enriches our lives. Alan gives us 'le grande tour' of the paths available in dharma; how buddhahood can be attained by various combinations of realizing emptiness and rigpa, cultivating bodhicitta, samadhi, and different options and complements of the practices. Silent meditation 45:38 Q&A 01:10:40 * Techniques to calm the pranas in preparation for meditation. * Distinction between attachment and commitment. * Drug use for spiritual gain.

Alan explains why the four immeasurables build a perfect system by each backing up one of the others. Silent meditation

We expand upon the two methods given by Panchen Lama Rinpoche of managing incoming thoughts: in the first, after flicking an arrow of thought, what remains in its place is awareness—a knowing devoid of thought. It's as if you get your own built-in dzogchen master. Phet! In the second method, letting thoughts arise and evaporate, you begin to perceive all thoughts, your body, and awareness itself as empty and identityless. It is said, while in between sessions, one should act as an illusory being. Though we dismiss thoughts as unwanted, we must be thankful for they provide the whetstone with which we sharpen the stability and vividness of our awareness. When people and events of the outer world come and go just as thoughts, we can be grateful too for their contribution to our practice. Silent meditation at 30:20 Q&A at 55:41 * Distinguishing between awareness of awareness and settling the mind in its natural state. * Introspection in awareness of awareness. * When the distracting thought is a mantra. * Defining locality in awareness of awareness. * Resting without thoughts and a subtle thought stream. * Awareness (vidya) vs. consciousness (jñana, vijñana) vs. mind (citta). * Subject and object in awareness.

Alan gives the remaining two of Buddhaghosa's fourfold analyses of the four immeasurables, those of empathetic joy and of equanimity. The analyses consist of the false facsimile, the diametric opposite, the immediate catalyst, and the sign of success of each quality. Silent meditation not included.

When performed in the method described by Panchen Lama Rinpoche of letting thoughts emerge and dissolve on their own like a raven on a ship, awareness of awareness qualifies as a practice of shamatha, vipassana, and dzogchen. The latter two require a supplementation of theory and view, but the practice is pertinent to all three and in its polyvalence can contribute to the deep shift in perspective yielded by each. Confidence of correct practice is essential, strengthened by realizations asserted by the experience of a diminishing of the five obscurations. Doing practice that produces pragmatic benefits which linger for weeks or years gives this perfect confidence. Silent Meditation starts at 45:00 Part 2 starts at 01:09:56 No Q&A session tonight.

Alan elaborates the four modes of enlightened activities: 1. Pacifying color white 2. Enriching color gold 3. Power color red 4. Ferocity color blue Silent Meditation

The stillness experienced in awareness of awareness is due to the absence of grasping. In sustaining this awareness we are observing nothing other than the substrate consciousness itself, though veiled by the course mind. Compare this to the possibility of observing rigpa while practicing dzogchen's open presence meditation. We may then know reality is not like a dream, but is a dream; nothing existing from its own side, objectively or subjectively. Q&A * Advice on effectively helping self absorbed complainers. * Comparing Hinayana with Theravada and Mahayana. * The feasibility of doing a one-year shamatha retreat. * Practicing gratefulness. * Which variety of awareness of awareness to practice in a personal retreat. * Does one realize any emptiness by achieving the first jhana?

While attending to sentient beings always think... It's because of you're kindness that i have the opportunity to achieve enlightenment.

In settling the mind in its natural state we seek to emulate viewing the substrate from the perspective of the substrate consciousness as a cognizant, luminous and unmediated experience of mental phenomenon. On this path we'll notice thoughts and images carry our attention away less often when they do not have an emotional counterpart; feelings and emotions have a strong draw to cognitive fusion. If we keep a spaciousness in our awareness larger than the emotions and feelings that arise, entanglement can be avoided. Whether the emotion is hostility, anger, anxiety, craving or bliss and pleasure, they can be allowed to arise and experienced without grasping or reification. This practice trains us to recognize emotions in our daily interactions, and allows us the space to respond wisely. After the meditation Alan recontextualizes his comments about dzogchen's open presence meditation from a previous podcast, lest it be mistaken that it is only for the advanced practitioner; we learn how to begin planting the seeds of dzogchen practice even as beginners. Silent meditation starts at 32:49 - 57:50 Q&A * Comparing the substrate with Jung's subconscious. * Rumination cockroaches come out after the lights go out.

Silent meditation

As if we've become disciples in the 17th century, this evening we listen to the 4th Panchen Lama Rinpoche's teachings on awareness of awareness. Alan reads this translation to exemplify the uniformity through the ages of these acultural teachings. Silent Meditation at 40:14 Q&A (1:06:32) * Evaluating one's authentic motivation. * How rigpa relates to karma's influence of substrate consciousness. * How hell realms exist. * Practices for redeeming transgressions.

May we be a light that inspires others to draw on their own inner resources! Silent meditation not included.

Silent Meditation Not Included

In settling the mind in its natural state, by observing mental events without taking interest in their contents we develop a familiarity with their essential nature. By this we receive the benefit of gaining a nonconceptual certainty that nothing in the mind can inflict harm on us, and if strong emotions arise they do not elicit a refractory period. It has also said knowing the essential nature of mental events is the basis for all samadhis. Before the meditation Alan also gives an introduction to the technique of gentle vase breathing. Q&A * How to analyze the nature of mind. * Insights in settling the mind in its natural state. * The mind is not a polygon. * Maintaining cognizance of awareness in settling the mind in its natural state. * Having preferences in settling the mind in its natural state. * Finding the origins of somatic correlates.

We begin tonight by reading an excerpt by Düdjom Lingpa describing the dzogchen practice of open presence and discussing its similitude to settling the mind in its natural state. The illusions of a lucid dream are analogous to the empty appearances of mental phenomena when settling the mind which in turn is a microcosm of the immeasurably deeper open presence practice and recognizing pristine awareness in the emptiness of all phenomenon. Silent meditation from 40:02 - 1:04:40, then Q&A. Q&A * The fast-track helicopter method of entering into meditation. * Om mani padme hum and Newt Gingrich. * Judging nonsectarian bare attention mindfulness meditation.

Alan reviews the nature of mental suffering and the strategies for dealing with it in each of the three methods of Shamatha. Silent meditation 23:17 — 48:30. Also, a talk about the ease of retrieving Shamatha-related skills, though they may seem to deteriorate; the "best friends" of the four immeasurables; and our capacities for discursive meditations, including the "hired guns" of intelligence, imagination, creativity, and concentration.

Like an old friend, mindfulness of the sensations of the breath at the apertures of the nostrils, with its gentle undulations, makes us feel at home and flush with well-being. It is a marvelous compliment to the more stirring effects of settling the mind and awareness of awareness. Little is said about the practice before we begin. Q&A * In a beginningless universe, shouldn't all beings be enlightened? * Settling the mind in its natural state and multiple lucid dreamers. * Classic yidam practices, balancing with shamatha, and three-year retreats. * Maintaining shamatha. * A reality where Padmasambhava is born from a lotus.