April 3-10, with pre-retreat Zoom check-in April 2nd 4:00 PM PST

 

Prerequisite:  Four or more week-long (or longer) residential retreats, which includes at least one week-long retreat practicing in the style of Sayadaw U Tejaniya. 

During this 8-day online retreat for experienced students, we will explore the mindfulness practice taught by Sayadaw U Tejaniya, which is based on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness with an emphasis on awareness of the qualities of mind. The practice encourages relaxation of body and mind while paying close attention to present moment experience, and the quality of the mind that meditates. The practice unfolds through continuity of awareness in all activities.

The retreat will begin on the morning of Saturday, April 3rd, and go through to the afternoon of  Saturday April 10th.  Each day will include two full group sessions: a morning instruction and an afternoon Dhamma offering.  Each person will also be assigned to a smaller practice discussion group, which will meet every third day, so each retreatant will have two practice meetings during the retreat

We expect that many of you will still be staying home or sheltering-in-place with families, and that you might have needs and responsibilities in addition to the retreat.  The retreat will speak to our practice in the midst of that experience.  The teachings offered apply to our daily lives, as well as formal meditation.

However, we request that if you decide to participate in the retreat, you agree to commit to attend the teaching sessions each day.  There may be some scheduled, optional, peer-led sittings each day, to offer support for the practice community, but largely you will be encouraged to practice in your own rhythms.

Daily practice guidance will be provided through morning instructions, Dhamma talks, Q&A sessions, and small group discussions, at the following times each day.  (All times given in Pacific Time)

8:30 -9:30am            Instruction/Morning Reflection/Q&A
10:30am                   Practice Group Meetings
4:00-5:00pm            Dhamma Offering (Reflection/Q&A)

On the opening morning, Saturday April 3rd, the first session will start at the usual time, but will last two hours, to give us time to have an opening circle and to discuss retreat logistics before the retreat formally begins.  This first morning session will include a break.  This first day will not include practice discussions.