Fall 2011 Shamatha Retreat

In this session Alan reminds us that shamatha is designed to dispel the 5 obscurations and as the imbalances are built-in, the remedies are also built-in. In the same way, among the 4 Immeasurables one naturally arises as the remedy for the near enemy of another one. For Loving Kindness' facsimile which is self centered attachment, the remedy is Equanimity For Compassion's facsimile which is depression, grief, despair, the remedy is Empathetic Joy For Empathetic Joy's facsimile which is frivolous joy or hedonic fixation, the remedy is Loving Kindness For Equanimity's facsimile, which is aloof indifference, the remedy is Compassion Silent meditation starts at 4:08 Questions (29:10): • How do the 4 immeasurables transform into bodhichitta and into the stages of a bodhisattva. Is there any text you would recommend? • What happens when one realizes emptiness? Does it happen in meditation? Do your senses go dormant or the opposite? Can you lose it? • If a being in the bardo chooses parents not only out of