Stilling the Mind: Shamatha Teachings from Dudjom Lingpa's Vajra Essence

A good comapnion for those who practise resting the mind in its natural state shamatha meditation. Helpful guidelines for knowing what to expect in terms of hinderances and obstacles when progressing with the meditation.

This is an excellent book on Shamatha. So interesting and at time a revelation . Thank you Alan

worth getting even if you have read lots of others as this brings a lot of key ideas together.

This book describes a special method to gain shamatha. The method is totally different from the usual ones (observing the breath, visualizing the buddha etc) This method uses the subconscious. In western psychology, the subconscious is a grudgingly accepted theory. This book says its a fact. It tells how you can reach it and weald it as a tool. Any freudian psychologist reading this book should faint from amazement. Their founders theory is being confirmed by an buddhist mystic who happens to be a farmer too.

Alan Wallace is a wonderfull Dharma teacher, a guide in the field of shamata practice, the path of concentration and wisdom , in the Tibetan tradition as well as in the Theravada tradition. Stilling the mind takes you directly to Dudjom Lingpa's teachings For those who are on Buddha's path and for those who have some doubts about the depth of the inner science of mind in Buddhism

I first stumbled upon Alan Wallace from a youtube video of a Dartmouth University debate series. This one on the nature of consciousness with theoretical physicist Sean Carroll. I assumed that Carroll would crush any silly metaphysical views. Wow. Was I wrong. Dr. Wallace opened a completely new world for me. Stilling the Mind was a difficult read but well worth the effort. I first read Fathoming the Mind, which I plan to re-read. The key is to meditate daily, think about your experiences, listen to Dharma talks, and keep referencing the key points Dr. Wallace makes in Stilling the Mind. On page 50, Dr. Wallace shares an important simile of the wish-fulfilling jewel as it relates to the path to enlightenment. Would one pick it up, then throw it away thinking that they will find another one in the future? No! Learning about how to find enlightenment in this lifetime is an invaluable gift. Karma has brought us this far, but samsara awaits us unless we figure out a way to break the cycle. The Vajra Essence is a path that can be tried by anyone. Alan Wallace explains the details for 21st Century people.

Alan Wallace is the most clear, practical, and accessible English teacher of Dudjom Lingpa texts and this, like his others, is a treasure. My copy is heavily highlighted and earmarked and I have taken to carrying it with me for quick reference. This would also be useful on a solely scholarly basis if that's your angle, but for those interested in applying the practice and moving through the stages, this is the most clear and practical manual for the practice of shamatha that I've encountered in English.

Easy to read and understand. Alan always links buddhist tenets to modern day science, providing the right balance of religion and scientific harmony.