Shamatha: the power of a focused mind
Public talk
Friday 23 March 6.30-9.00pm
Domain Lodge Hall, 1 Boyle Crescent, Grafton, Auckland
$20, tickets at door

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.

Shamatha: three methods for achieving meditative stability
Teaching
Saturday 24 March 9.30am-5.00pm
Domain Lodge Hall, 1 Boyle Crescent, Grafton, Auckland
$70

Alan Wallace will introduce three different methods for accomplishing shamatha: mindfulness of breathing, settling the mind in its natural state and awareness of awareness. These are drawn from authentic teachings from the Theravadan, Mahamudra and Dzogchen lineages of practice, respectively. Each of these methods unfolds with increasing subtlety and can take a practitioner all the way to the accomplishment of shamatha. Most people find they have a natural affinity for one of these methods.

As well as explaining the theory, Alan Wallace will lead guided meditations in each of these methods. There will also be an opportunity for your questions about these practices.

The Friday evening talk serves as an introduction to the teaching on Saturday. We strongly encourage people attending on Saturday to also come to the Friday evening session.


Logistics
[Map] Free parking is available onsite both days. The venue is also on bus routes; please visit MAXX to plan your journey by public transport.

Seating is provided. There may be room for you to sit on the floor if you prefer, depending on the number of participants. Bring your own mat and cushion if you wish (and/or a yoga mat or blanket if you'd like explore meditating lying down); we will also have some available.

BYO lunch can be enjoyed in the nearby Auckland Domain or at the venue. There are also cafes nearby, on Park Road, in Newmarket and within the Auckland Domain. There will be a 90 minute break from 12.30-2.00 pm and participants are invited to meditate in the Domain Lodge Hall after their lunch. Tea and coffee will be offered.

Accommodation is available at Domain Lodge for those coming from out of town. We suggest you book early; by choosing to stay at Domain Lodge you will be supporting the valuable work of the Cancer Society.

A note on costs
We have sought to keep the teachings as affordable as possible but a number of expenses are inevitably incurred in bringing teachers from overseas. All organising is being done by volunteers and we are budgeting to break even. If a profit does arise, we will make a more generous offering to Alan; and direct money toward the costs of running the residential retreat in October. Please contact the organisers if genuine financial hardship would prevent you from attending the teachings.

Download these teachings
Audio files (in various formats) are available for free download.