Lama Alan Wallace: Śamatha and Vipaśyanā: Part 1 (#217)

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Oct 11, 2025

Lama Alan Wallace, a renowned Tibetan Buddhist teacher and founder of the Center for Contemplative Research, shares his profound insights on the anthology Śamatha and Vipaśyanā. He reflects on his early teachings from Geshe Ngawang Dhargyey and the transformative power of bodhicitta meditation. The discussion explores the balance between Western scientific advancements and Eastern contemplative practices, the concept of irreversible transformation, and how ethics serve as the bedrock for genuine mindfulness. He also emphasizes the need for supportive communities to foster contemplative inquiry.

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INSIGHT

Wisdom Makes Bodhicitta Irreversible

Irreversible bodhicitta needs wisdom as its protective support to prevent discouragement and ensure lifelong commitment.
Wisdom into personal and phenomenal lack of inherent identity makes bodhicitta irreversible and sustainable.

ADVICE

Use The Book As A Practical Curriculum

Study this anthology alongside recorded commentaries and meditate on the texts to access practical instructions for reaching the path.
Use the book plus linked oral teachings as a complete practical curriculum for irreversible transformation.

INSIGHT

Consciousness Persists Beyond Death

Consciousness likely continues beyond death and cannot be reduced to material annihilation, making post-death destiny critically important.
Contemplative traditions provide extensive empirical methods to investigate mind and post-death continuity.

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In this episode, previously recorded as a Wisdom Dharma Chat, host Daniel Aitken welcomes back Lama Alan Wallace to discuss the newest release, Śamatha and Vipaśyanā: An Anthology of Pith Instructions. Lama Alan trained for many years as a monk in Buddhist monasteries in India and Switzerland. He has taught Buddhist theory and practice in Europe and America since 1976 and has served as interpreter for numerous Tibetan scholars and contemplatives, including H. H. the Dalai Lama. He has edited, translated, authored, and contributed to more than forty books on Tibetan Buddhism, medicine, language, and culture, and the interface between science and religion. He is also the founder of the Center for Contemplative Research (CCR), which now has retreat center locations in Crestone, Colorado, and in Castellina Marittima, Italy. This conversation delves into Lama Alan’s journey in Tibetan Buddhism, the teachings he received from his gurus, and the path to achieving irreversible transformation through the cultivation of bodhicitta and śamatha meditation. They discuss the complementarity of Western science’s technological advances and Buddhist contemplative practices, highlighting the value of genuine mental cultivation in addressing modern challenges.

In this episode, Lama Alan and Daniel also discuss:

the significance of the recently released volume Śamatha and Vipaśyanā;
Lama Alan’s early inspirations and teachings with Geshe Ngawang Dhargyey;
Western and Eastern perspectives on the mind;
the need for a revolution in understanding the mind; and
much more!

This is part 1 of a two-part series on the release of this volume. Be sure to check out part two featuring fellow Eva Natanya, coming soon to The Wisdom Podcast.

Wisdom Podcast listeners are invited to save 20% off Śamatha and Vipaśyanā with code WPODSV through November 15.

The views and opinions expressed on this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Wisdom Publications or any entities they represent.

The post Lama Alan Wallace: Śamatha and Vipaśyanā: Part 1 (#217) appeared first on The Wisdom Experience.