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More about Our Yogis
These pioneering yogis have now adopted the radically
simplified life of contemplative monks and nuns, living in quiet solitude
and meditating 8 to 12 hours each day, in homemade huts, tents, and unused
cabins in rural areas from Washington state to Mexico.
They are the avant-garde of what may become a revolution
in our understanding of the mind, consciousness, and the path of spiritual
development, combining rigorous scientific research with ancient practices
aimed at creating and sustaining highly refined states of attentional
and emotional balance. The actual attainment of shamatha has never been
scientifically documented, and if it proves to have identifiable psycho-physiological
correlates, such attainment will surely catalyze further interest and
acceptance of such techniques by a much wider audience of scientists,
clinicians, and laypersons.
The Modest Needs of a Yogi
In traditional Asian cultures, there is a long history
of support for yogis, who are considered to practice for the benefit
of all sentient beings. It is our goal to establish such a culture of
support in the modern world. Our yogis need very modest financial support,
primarily to ease the distractions that are historically identified as
obstacles to meditative practice. Traditionally, a conducive environment
provides safety, sustenance, shelter, solitude, and a suitable teacher.
They now have a teacher: asking for no compensation, B. Alan Wallace
has offered to guide these yogis through regular contact by phone, email,
and video conferencing, which he has found to be adequate for this purpose.
Your financial donations will help provide the other essential elements
of a conducive environment for the achievement of shamatha and beyond.
While the Santa Barbara Institute for Consciousness
Studies has offered modest financial support to those unable to cover
their own expenses, the financial resources of the Santa Barbara Institute
are limited.
Please consider assisting these yogis in the pursuit of this worthy goal, for the benefit of all sentient beings.
How to Donate
Your fully tax-deductible donation can be made through
the Santa Barbara Institute for Consciousness Studies by clicking here: Donate to the Adopt-a-Yogi
Program. Warning: It is NOT advisable
to pursue shamatha or any other intensely focused meditative practice
without the guidance of a qualified teacher. Most shamatha yogis have
qualified for full-time retreat by attending several months of trainings
with B. Alan Wallace and by practicing in on-site retreat for 6 to
12 hours daily under constant supervision. The names of all yogis will
remain anonymous, consistent with ethical principles of Buddhism and
of scientific investigation with human subjects. When one or more of
the yogis attain shamatha, this state will be confirmed from the contemplative
perspective by B. Alan Wallace. Whether it can be confirmed from objective
measurements within the scientific perspective is to be seen. Publication
of the results of the initial Shamatha Project will be ongoing in scientific
journals, and will be announced through the Santa Barbara Institute
for Consciousness Studies and elsewhere.
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© 2005 Santa Barbara Institute for Consciousness Studies |
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