Module 2: Foundations of Buddhist Meditation I: Shamatha · The Buddha’s Path
Introduction, the Pursuit of Happiness, and Settling Body, Speech & Mind in Their Natural States
David Oromith · 83 minutes · recorded January 9, 2024
The opening session of this shamatha module begins with a short intention setting and a full guided meditation on settling body, speech and mind in their natural states, in which we use the out breath to release thought and tension. David introduces shamatha itself and its Buddhist and pre-Buddhist roots, then draws on the Dalai Lama and Einstein to separate hedonic pleasure from genuine, cultivated well-being. Questions cover sleepiness during practice and an unusual shaky, cold sensation one student noticed.
I encourage you to engage in the Settling Body, Speech & Mind in Their Natural States practice once a day for the next week. You can do this as an entire meditation in itself (guided if you wish using the above video or the 15-minute practice from the podcast) or, it can be done as a quicker preparatory exercise before your usual meditation practice. It's an opportunity to experiment with it and see what (if any) difference this practice makes. The Samadhi Podcast - Settling Body, Speech and Mind in their Natural States (15 minutes)
Anxiety and fear Attachment and craving Buddhist psychology Sleep and rest Shamatha (calm abiding)