44 Breaking Barriers with Loving-Kindness

In this guided meditation, we follow in the footsteps of
Buddhaghosa, expressing loving-kindness sequentially, from
ourselves, to a very dear loved one, a more casual loved one, and
then out and out until all barriers are broken down and our wish
for others' well being is equally distributed. Alan also reminds
us that the use of visualization during this meditation is not
fundamentally required.


The guided meditation begins at 12:05 in the recording.


Alan then speaks freely for a short time about the skill of lucid
dreaming, following up on his brief introduction on lucid
dreaming that was given at the very end of yesterday evening's
teaching (#42).


Alan then answers these questions from the group:


1. You spoke of the "eyes of wisdom" during this guided
meditation. I find that I'm not sure I'm using the eyes of wisdom
when examining others - especially neutral people - because I
find it is easier to see some endearing qualities than others,
and I imagine the eyes of wisdom are equanimous. Can you
elaborate on the expression of the eyes of wisdom?


2. In the awareness of awareness practice, we are focusing on the
awareness that moves with the breath. If we are aware of this
awareness that is moving with the breath, sometimes I have an
experience of something sucking the awareness…


3. In the phases of mindfulness of breathing, you encourage a
balance of relaxation, stability and vividness. I find I'm able
to maintain this balance fairly well. If I want to apply this
balance to the practice of settling the mind, how would I do
that?


4. When meditating in the supine position, I feel like the ground
is shaking under me - like there is an earthquake - quite often.
What is this?