Fall 2011 Shamatha Retreat

In this session we continue with the practice of loving-kindness. Alan starts by talking on the meaning of having a day off from a contemplative perspective. He then discusses the possibility that practicing loving kindness can have an effect on the other person Also, how the faults of others are a reflection of our own propensities, as referred to in the lo jong literature. Meditation starts at 34:20 Questions (59:21): 1) Advice on compulsive thoughts, with relation to the prerequisites for achieving shamatha 2) What does it mean to truly do nothing in meditation? 3) What is the dualistic mind? 4) Why haven't we been covering stage of generation and stage of completion?