Shamatha Practice 10 with Glen

Glen Svensson, 05 May 2020

Session 10: Observing Space of the Mind

1. Review
2. The actual practice
3. Meditation - observing space of the mind
4. Space of the mind
5. Process of delusion in samsara
6. Q&A

Today’s practice centers on observing the space of the mind, with an emphasis on the clarity that remains in the intervals between thoughts. Glen also introduces an element of inquiry into this meditation.

Meditation starts at 11:23

There are three levels of consciousness: coarse consciousness, substrate consciousness, and primordial consciousness. The relative domain of phenomena (the relative dharmadatu), is what obscures our substrate consciousness (alayavijyana). This is our ordinary space of mind. The substrate (alaya) is then what obscures our primordial consciousness, and we cut through to primordial consciousness through vipashana.

The substrate is the basis for all appearances that arise. The substrate is of the nature of space, and all appearances arise and dissolve into the substrate. Due to the movement of karmic energies and grasping, the luminosity of the substrate arises as the substrate consciousness. The consciousness that grasps at a self (klishtamanas) is then aroused. We then grasp to the sense consciousnesses and their appearances, and thus samsara arises. Finally, coarse grasping is to firmly believe that these appearances truly exist, continuing the process of delusion of samsara.

Q & A: Glen speaks about the differences between the terms mind and awareness, and how they can be mean different things depending on their context.

Download (MP3 / 13 MB)

Transcript

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