58 The Pure Illusory Body

Alan guides a meditation on the empty fluctuation of appearances arising in open space.

In the commentary that follows, he muses about the instant that the breath ceases in the fourth dhyana as being--from the perspective of that meditator--the last trace of having a body. Similarly, the daytime dreaming practice of the impure illusory body leads to an emptying of the body and mind until only awareness and space remain.

At that point one is prepared for the practice of the pure illusory body, which begins with perceiving the empty nature your own guru as Vajrasattva. You then perceive the entire world of illusory appearances as being empty of inherent nature and primordially pure, which is good preparation for liberation in the bardo that follows death.

To conclude, Alan answers questions about merging mind and space and the role of humor in dharma practice.

Meditation starts at 0:40