22 Mindfulness of feelings (4) - a podcast by B. Alan Wallace

Alan elaborates on settling the mind in its natural state. While developing the 3 qualities of shamatha, we are observing external appearances and the (relative) dharmadhatu dissolve into the substrate and our mind (subjective mental events) dissolve into substrate consciousness from the perspective of the substrate or our best approximation thereof. The substrate is the repository of our karma and travels from lifetime to lifetime. Shamatha is sufficient to give us access to the substrate. Meditation: mindfulness of feelings. Let your eyes be open, and rest your gaze vacantly in the space before you. Single-pointedly direct your mindfulness to the space of the mind, resting awareness without distraction and without grasping. If necessary, identify the space of the mind by giving yourself a target—e.g., a discursive thought or a mental image. Introspection checks for rumination, but rather than banishing thoughts, release grasping at the referent. Also, be aware of feelings, including neutral (e.g., feeling calm). Experiment by generating a pleasant feeling with a thought or an image. Is it static or changing? Q1. You’ve discussed the relationship between quantum physics and the number zero. Is there a relationship between the number zero and emptiness? ? Q2. Are buddhist philosophers like Nagarjuna akin to quantum physicists of the mind? How does the Dalai Lama debate with quantum physicists? Are there any areas of agreement?? Q3. Is observing sensations at the chest/heart a supplementary shamatha practice? It appears to calm the system just like watching the breath.? Q4. While I can understand teachings cognitively, I don’t appear to be able to translate this understanding into realization because the ego is too strong.? Q5. Is music running through my mind rumination? ? Q6. In settling the mind, nothing happens there, so what should I do? Meditation starts at: 21:09

Further episodes of Alan Wallace Fall 2012 Retreat Podcast: Vipashyana, Four Applications of Mindfulness

Further podcasts by B. Alan Wallace

Website of B. Alan Wallace