Shamatha Meditation: the Power of a Focused Mind

Buddhist scholar and teacher B. Alan Wallace will visit New Zealand in March 2012, to give teachings in Auckland on the practice of shamatha, or 'calm abiding'. This meditation practice develops vivid stability of attention and has been extensively described in all Buddhist traditions for many hundreds of years.

Join Alan Wallace for an inspiring and thought-provoking evening, touching on the following topics:
The benefits of increasing attentional skills and how anyone can improve these (and learn about 'OCDD', which you'll immediately recognise!);
What shamatha is and why it is worth cultivating;
How the importance of shamatha is emphasised in the traditional teachings of all Buddhist schools (even if not in contemporary practice);
The relationship between shamatha and the practice of vipashyana (insight);
What shamatha isn't — contemporary redefinitions that stray from the sources;
How the conditions and causes to accomplish shamatha are not impossible and can be brought together in our times;
The Shamatha Project and the progress of Alan's students in long term retreat.

This presentation will be relevant to Buddhist practitioners of any lineage, but the practice of shamatha is not exclusive to the Buddhist path. These ideas and methods are applicable and valuable to anyone interested in developing a more focused, clear mind and greater relaxation and concentration. All are welcome.

Friday night's talk is followed by a full day teaching on Saturday 24 March -- please see separate listing.

Event listed by rar0

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