Courses / Fall 2015 Stage of Generation, Shamatha, Vipashyana and Mahamudra /

73 Taking Joy in the Past, Present and Future (Mudita)

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Fall 2015 Stage of Generation

B. Alan Wallace
30 Jul 2015 – 24 Sep 2015
Araluen Retreat Center, Queensland, Australia

This eight-week retreat will focus on stage of generation, shamatha, vipashyana and mahamudra.

Participants in this retreat should have a sound understanding of the Sutrayana teachings of Mahayana Buddhism, and have experience in the practices of shamatha, the four applications of mindfulness, and the four immeasurables.

Please read the text, A Spacious Path to Freedom: Practical Instructions on the Union of Mahamudra and Atiyoga, by the great 17th-century master Karma Chagmé (from the chapter “The Stage of Generation” up through “Mahamudra”). The book can be purchased from SBI here.

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B. Alan Wallace, 11 Sep 2015

That which has ceased, exists as a causally effective entity; the past continues to produce effects. Likewise the future is also causally effective; possibilities can affect the present. We can change our past by making a different measurement, by selectively attending to aspects of our past. In Vajrayana, we take the fruition as the path and change our perspective. From Rigpa, past, present and future all exist at the same time yet this does not imply predetermination. Let your past influence you in a way that gives you happiness. Anticipate and take joy in your own future as you envision it. Meditate on the kindness of everyone including those who present difficulties. To be a dharma practitioner, assimilate everything. What reality dishes up is not a choice, how we respond to it is a choice.

The meditation flows from the above as we remember the kindnesses in our past that brought us to this point. We recognize the kindness of those around us now and envision the future that brings us joy.

The meditation starts at 30:01

Course notes, other episodes and resources for this retreat are available here The text for this retreat can be purchased via the SBI Store. Finally, Please contribute to help us afford the audio equipment we rent to make these, and future podcasts freely available.

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