Please note this retreat meets the requirements for participants in Jack Kornfield + Tara Brach’s Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification program through Sounds True. Please read the Criteria for MMTCP Retreat Attendance Requirements.
In this 6-night retreat, we will explore mindfulness practice based on the Four Establishments of Mindfulness with an emphasis on awareness and wisdom. In this style, we encourage practicing with a natural and relaxed attitude while developing continuity of awareness with present moment experience.
We will strengthen mindfulness by devoting much of each day to formal sitting and walking practice. Some retreatants may wish to dedicate themselves fully to home retreat during this week. Others may have responsibilities with work or family, while still retaining a core of many hours of formal practice. Because our aim is to cultivate more continuous mindfulness, attending in a relaxed manner to our ordinary daily activities can also support our practice.
This retreat is suitable for practitioners of all experience levels. Practicing with the Four Establishments of Mindfulness provides a clear an accessible entry into the world of meditation practice. These practices also deepen mental calm, refine understanding of how to relate to the body and mind, and foster the conditions for letting go into greater freedom.
Daily practice guidance will be provided through meditation instructions, Dhamma talks, Q&A sessions, and practice discussions with the teachers.
When we are aware, with the right attitude & right understanding, then the mind has wisdom & it becomes stronger. This is not because we are putting in a lot of energy; if we use too much energy the mind will become tired. If we have awareness with wisdom & continuity, then the mind becomes stronger & stronger. When the mind becomes stronger it can do its job.
-Sayadaw U Tejaniya
We have designed this retreat so that it can work well from the Pacific to the Eastern time zones.
Tentative Schedule (All Times in Pacific Time):
4:00-4:30pm Meet with manager on practical and technical matters
4:30–4:40 Stretch Break
4:40 – 6:00pm Opening Session
FULL DAY SCHEDULE
6:00 – 6:45am Sitting
6:45 – 8:30am Walking / Breakfast / Home practice
8:30 – 9:15am Sitting
9:15 – 9:45am Walking
9:45 – 10:45am Instructions and Guiding
10:45 – 11:45am Walking
11:45am – 12:15pm Sitting
12:15 – 1:45pm Lunch / Walking
1:45 – 2:30pm Sitting
2:30 – 4:00pm Walking / Home practice
4:00 – 5:00pm Dharma talk and Q&A
5:00 – 5:30pm Walking
5:30 – 6:00pm Sitting
6:00 – 7:15pm Dinner / Walking
7:15 – 8:00pm Sitting
8:00pm Rest or further practice
CLOSING DAY
6:00 – 6:45am Sitting
6:45 – 8:30am Walking / Breakfast / Home practice
8:30 – 10:45 Closing Ceremony
*All are strongly encouraged to attend as much of this retreat as your schedule allows with emphasis on the bolded sessions. Each retreatant will attend two group meetings in the week.
Upon registering, please be sure to read the auto-confirmation email for the Retreat Homepage including the Zoom link and helpful information for setting up your retreat space.
We kindly remind you to register by October 6th. If the number of registrants is insufficient by that date, we will regrettably have to cancel the course.