Samatha & Vipassana
For Entering the Spiritual Dimension
The gentle way leads to a closeness with our true self.
Abstract
Samatha is the entry and path to meditative stages and a gathering of quiet complete blissful experiences.
content retreat
Together we will discuss and investigate Samatha and Vipassana including the importance of attaining both for entering the spiritual dimension along the lines of Tarab Rinpoche’s Unity in Duality teaching.
Tarab Tulku Rinpoche built his training in meditation on the tradition deriving from Nalanda University in North India, outlined in the works of Kamalashila (c740-796) and further developed by Tibetan masters, for instance Tsongkhapa, originator of Gelug tradition (Dalai Lamas’ School). In this tradition, it is clearly stated that without the attainment of Samatha and Vipassana we have no gateway to enter spiritual development; and the union of Samatha and Vipassana is the basis for developing any of the meditation stages.
Establishing visualisation meditation, using the 6th mind eye of the 6th-mind body (similar to the dream-body) is a genius method for attaining Samatha, though not the only one. Samatha can also be attained through feeling mind, as in the Dzogchen tradition.
Samatha is of its nature a meditative absorption state (Samadhi) of which there are many levels, the process of which describes a row of unity states (Samadhi), giving rise to the increasingly deeper and stronger bodymind experience of bliss. Necessary stages for progressing on the spiritual path. In this process the conceptual- and image-realities decrease, to finally at the 3rd meditation stage leaving only ‘feeling mind’ union of subject-object; body-mind; at the energy (potential-field) end of the matter-energy continuum.
In the Kamalashila tradition, on the basis of one-pointed unity of body, mind and reality at different levels of existence, Vipassana can be described as the meditative means, utilising the refined conceptual capacity of Jnana (Tib. sherab), furthering the realisation, progressing towards ‘void-nature,’ ‘nature of mind and existence,’ ‘Rigpa nature’ or ‘unity nature.’ Samatha and Vipassana being the altering means on the path.
There are many different meditation practices leading towards attainment of Samatha. We will introduce some, for instance, using colours and element imagination/visualisation meditation, enhancing one’s subtle being, first of all to enhance semi-Samatha. We will also use ‘sound’ and ‘nature of mind’ meditations for entering into deeper uniting experiencing supporting this process. And finally, on this basis, we will be using the subtle intellect for training semi-Vipassana, deepening our insight and realisation of the interrelationship between ourselves and reality.