Dwelling in the Heart of Reality
D2S3 - Mental Afflictions, and Whether You Need a Guru
Lama Alan · Eva Natanya · 92 minutes · recorded January 1, 2020
In the vipashyana practice on the mind itself we count the breath to ten, then watch what disturbs the mind's equilibrium, asking whether any mental event is stable, satisfying or yours. Answering questions afterwards, Lama Alan repeats the Dalai Lama's answer on needing a guru: no, but it can save you a lot of time. Eva Natanya adds Gregory of Sinai's warning against practising without a spiritual father. Grief at a child's death, Lama Alan says, is a symptom and not a mental affliction.
Death and dying Grief and loss Tantra and Vajrayana Teacher and student The bodhisattva path Mindfulness of breathing Vipashyana (insight)