During this 6-day retreat you will be supported to develop and/or deepen your mindfulness practice in a natural and sustainable way. The phrase “When Awareness Becomes Natural,” the title of Sayadaw U Tejaniya’s most recent book, highlights the possibility of cultivating mindfulness so that it becomes part of the way we live, rather than something we do for a period of time.

Post-retreat, many meditators find it difficult to sustain the peace and calm that was achieved in the protective silence of a retreat container. If we are dependent on knowing only peaceful experiences or attaining peaceful states of mind, this can be a frustrating and even painful process as we return to the overwhelming demands of our modern lives.

During this retreat we will explore the Four Foundations of Mindfulness with an emphasis on understanding “how to practice” as taught by Sayadaw U Tejaniya. Particular attention will be given to Right View and Right Attitude, qualities of mind that are integral to supporting a relaxed continuity of awareness during all activities. It is through this relaxed, yet steadying awareness, that we come to understand the way things are.

The retreat schedule will include formal periods of sitting and walking as well as periods of self-directed practice. This gives retreatants an opportunity to follow their own rhythm of being aware during the day, learning to trust their capacity to be interested in awareness in any activity. Retreatants will be supported in their practice through instructions, group check-ins, talks, Q&A sessions and will be given a copy of Dhamma Everywhere to read mindfully as needed.

This retreat will offer a particular style of practice. We ask that you are open to exploring the teachings as they are being offered on this retreat. The retreat is suitable for beginners as well as experienced meditators.

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 will be granted.)