In this lesson, Lama Alan Wallace guides us through the completion of the first phase of the root text, The Sharp Vajra of Conscious Awareness Tantra. In this rich commentary, Lama Alan enlivens and makes clear Düdjom Lingpa’s presentation of path, emphasizing the importance of the preliminaries, especially the motivation of bodhicitta, and guides us in meditations that allow us to integrate our understandings of the root text in practice.

In the following selection from Stilling the Mind, Alan Wallace offers practical advice to support our practice, and underscores the importance of stability in the context of shamatha as well as Vajrayana practice.

In the following video Alan Wallace guides us through the dying process, from the vantage point of shamatha practice, as a retreat from the ground of samsara, to the clear light of death. After watching, please follow along with the guided meditation below. 

In the following video, Alan Wallace offers instruction and advice pertaining to practice and experience in the seventh and eigth stage of shamatha. After watching, please follow along with the guided meditation below.

In the following video, Alan Wallace offers introduction to Lerab Lingpa’s instructions for resting in awareness, so that we can examine, and attempt to locate, that which stands between us, and the recognition of our own nature as pristine awareness: the mind. After watching, please follow along with the guided meditation below.

In this video Alan Wallace offers practical instruction on the distinctions between the fourth and fifth stages of shamatha, and the transition to the sixth stage of shamatha. After watching the video, please follow along with the guided meditation below. 

In the following video Alan Wallace provides commentary on the teachings of the Lake Born Vajra, and Ekajati to Düdjom Lingpa, offering further insight on Vajrayana practice from a Dzogchen point of view.

In this video Alan Wallace returns to the instructions from Manjushri in the root text, guiding us through an explanation for the final three kayas, the buddhafields, buddhas, and their consorts.

In this lesson, Lama Alan Wallace guides us from the fourth through the ninth stage of shamatha practice, and follows the root text closely, offering commentary on the teachings of Manjushri, as well as those of the Lake Born Vajra and Ekajati, to Düdjom Lingpa. Here, we are presented with Düdjom Lingpa’s profound understanding of the rich and diverse elements of the Vajrayana and how practices explored throughout the course might serve us at the time of death.

In this selection from the Heart of the Great Perfection, Pema Tashi presents Düdjom Lingpa’s commentary on The Sharp Vajra of Conscious Awareness Tantra. This reading includes material covered by Alan Wallace in lesson 3.