A wide range of insights emerge from attending to breathing using the Buddha’s original instructions. With care and curiosity, we inquire with these important mind-body processes associated with breathing. While some of these are familiar to the traditional language of vipassanā, such as impermanence, equanimity, and letting go, insight also ripens with the relaxing of body processes, with joy, and with the cultivation of more subtle qualities of mind.

This retreat will explore the 16 trainings often taught be the Buddha, which accomplish the 4 establishings of mindfulness, with special emphasis on how insight is facilitated each step of the way. Such clear seeing is accompanied by settling and calming (samatha). As attention gathers ever more skillfully (samādhi), contemplation strengthen and deepens. Through this natural process, the 7 factors of awakening (bojjhaṅga) are facilitated and developed.

Daily guided meditations will foster well-rounded exploration of ānāpānasati’s potential. Explanations of them will unpack the insight opportunities of ānāpānasati. Dhamma talks will reflect on the core principles of the Buddha-Dhamma that shape our practice and liberate from being stuck in affliction and suffering. Qigong and chanting will provide ānāpānasati with movement and healing energy throughout body-mind.

The safe, friendly, and beautiful space that Cloud Mountain provides for retreat also contributes to mindful comprehension and clear seeing. We will enjoy wholesome living, healthy food, noble silence, and community of practice. Jason will offer question and answer sessions and will be available for one-on-one practice interviews.

Experience Requirement: One residential, silent, Buddhist meditation retreat of at least 5 days.

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.)