The retreat will include dharma talks on the process of awakening, our resistances, how it unfolds, what changes in us in, and after, awakening.

We will also learn and practice meditations that invite and support awakening, including ample time for questions and comments in the thorough, yet warmly accessible, style of Stephen Snyder.
This retreat will focus on: What is awakening? How does awakening work? What is our true nature? What is a 1st awakening? What happens after a 1st awakening? What other realizations are a potential of the path? What are the similarities and differences in the Zen and Theravada Buddhist models of awakening? Which meditations and practices invite awakening?

Stephen is the author of Demystifying Awakening: a Buddhist Path of Realization, Embodiment, and Freedom (March 2022), Buddha’s Heart, and Stress Reduction for Lawyers. He is the co-author of Practicing the Jhanas.

Follow this link to hear Stephen and Rick Hanson in dialogue about Nibbana, the Unconditioned, Awakening, Identity and more.

Experience Prerequisite:   At least 2 silent, residential, Buddhist meditation retreats of a minimum of 7 days. Please include specifics of your retreat experience to verify that you meet these requirements on your registration form.

Partial attendance is not offered on this retreat. Additionally, please consider attending this retreat only if your current life circumstances allow you to engage in an important modern renunciation practice of staying offline and off phone/text during the entire course of the retreat (some exceptions related to pressing family situations may be granted.)