This silent retreat will explore training in the meditative absorptions and how they support deepening insights into emptiness. The meditative absorptions (Jhanas) are taught from the lineage of Ayya Khema. Teachings and awareness practices which support maturing insight into emptiness (Mahasati) are taught from the Thai Forest tradition, with complementary perspectives from the suttas and the Mahayaya teachings. This retreat will emphasize both the embodied & energetic aspects of the teachings & practices as well as the intellectual aspects.

This retreat will consist of alternating periods of sitting and walking meditation, plus occasional qi gong & simple energy practices. Instructions for the Jhanas (meditatitive absorptions) and MahaSati (how mindfulness matures into emptiness and release) will be offered, along with daily Metta (lovingkindness) practice.

To support deepening practice, participants will check in individually with a teacher every three days for almost 30 minutes.

It will support your retreat if you engage in a daily sitting meditation practice of at least 45 minutes in the month before attending the retreat.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT RETREAT CENTER PREREQUISITES:
We are setting a high bar for retreats for advanced students. In the past, the definition of an experienced or advanced student has generally been characterized by the amount of formal retreat time in which one has engaged. While time logged on the cushion can be an important aspect of experience, we do not find this measure alone to be a meaningful gauge of the quality of a student’s practice.

We see an advanced student as someone who has developed a balanced practice, with sincere and diligent attention to practicing sila (ethical/moral conduct) and dana (generosity), in addition to bhavana (cultivation of mind). Sometimes yogis engage in unwholesome behaviors indicative of a need for additional development.

Some of these behaviors include

• Arriving late or leaving a retreat early without prior permission (except in the case of an emergency)
• Lying or manipulating to secure a single room or other personal preferences.
• Not fulfilling yogi job commitments.
• Not offering dana to the teacher or staff (of money, volunteer energy, or another expression of generosity/gratitude).
• Making demands expressive of entitlement.

All of these behaviors create hardship and have a corrosive effect on our collective ability to keep the Dhamma alive, available and accessible.

It is our belief as a Dhamma organization that those who aspire to take their wisdom practice to deeper levels should not neglect the vital foundational practices of dana and sila. All practitioners are welcome on any of our open retreats. However, in order to be considered a suitable candidate for an experienced/ advanced student retreat, these new criteria are in place to create the most fertile field of practice for all who attend and to provide adequate support for the teachers and retreat center who are gifting these practice opportunities to the world.