Spring 2012 Shamatha Retreat

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.