In this video, Alan Wallace guides us through the root text’s discussion of the third and fourth types of mindfulness, and offers commentary. Please feel free to follow along with the root text, starting from page 52.

In this lesson, Lama Alan Wallace guides us through the four stages of mindfulness covered in the root text. Describing each stage from a practical point of view, Lama Alan makes practicing through the stages of mindfulness directly relevant to the practice of shamatha.

In this video, Alan Wallace offers us practical instruction on the fourth stage of shamatha practice in relationship to the mindfulness of breathing. After watching, please practice along with the silent meditation below.

In this video Alan Wallace discusses the three doors of liberation, and the importance of realizing emptiness for the recognition of pristine awareness. After watching, please listen to the guided meditation below.

In this video, Alan Wallace offers us practical instruction for third stage of shamatha. After watching, please practice along with the silent meditation below.

In this video, Alan Wallace introduces the practice of discerning the known, knowing, and the knower, with respect to manifest appearances, from the perspective of Dzogchen. After watching the video, please follow along with the guided meditation below.

In this teaching, we learn about the second stage of shamatha and an important distinction between mindfulness of breathing and settling the mind in its natural state. Alan Wallace also introduces us to the method to be used during this silent meditation session, in which we’ll develop deeper relaxation without losing clarity. After watching the video, you may either use the silence of the audio track below to time your session, or practice independently for 24 minutes.

In this selection from Stilling the Mind, Alan Wallace offers  commentary on Düdjom Lingpa’s Vajra Essence, which provides explicit instructions through which to navigate the variety of experiences along the path of shamatha, and beyond.

Please refer to this document for notes regarding the stages of shamatha, from the second phase through the forth, and for supplemental quotations shared by Alan Wallace throughout the lesson.

In the following video Alan Wallace us commentary on the teachings of Manjushri from the from the root text, and discusses the meaning behind the diversity of skillful means. Referring to Sera Khandro’s commentary on the importance of respecting paths of other traditions, both Buddhist and not Buddhist, Alan discusses the possibility of understanding science as a path.