Kalu Rinpoche on Shamatha Practice and the Nature of Mind

Kalu Rinpoche, the lineage holder of the Shangpa Kagyu tradition, gave a series of special online teachings for Sukhasiddhi Foundation. As a millennial, Kalu Rinpoche understands the pressures and experiences of modern life. He’s down to earth and able to relate to practitioners from around the world. This session is an opportunity to receive a deep teaching from this highly realized teacher

Shamatha Practice and the Nature of Mind

A teaching on Shamatha (calm abiding), the practice of bringing the mind to stillness by resting in non-distraction.

Habitually, we follow our thoughts and stories as they continuously arise and this prevents us from directly experiencing ourselves, our loved ones, and all of our human experience. On a deeper level, we are unable to access subtle levels of awareness. When we are not distracted by the movement of mind and rest the mind naturally, the cause of suffering can become clear; wisdom, compassion and all the qualities of a bodhisattva can spring forth; and we can access the wisdom that recognizes the nature of mind. Using a text from Taranata, usually only taught in three-year retreat, Kalu Rinpoche teaches on the important aspects of shamatha meditation and leads a shamatha and vipassana practice.