Cultivating Concentration, Mettā, and the Jhana Factors
A 10-day meditation retreat with Shaila Catherine
October 8 – 18, 2025
at Calvin Center, 13550 Woolsey Road, Hampton, GA 30228
(near Atlanta, GA)
The retreat begins with registration from 2:30 – 4:00 pm on Oct 8. The retreat ends around noon, before lunch on Oct 18.
Partial attendance may be possible, but it must begin on the first day of the retreat and priority will be given to those registering for the full retreat.
This ten-day residential retreat will provide instructions in loving-kindness (metta) to cultivate concentration. The instructions will emphasize developing five factors that intensify focused attention and characterize the blissful states of meditative absorption known as jhana.
The five factors are applied attention, sustained attention, joy, happiness, and one-pointedness of mind. Although these are called the Five Jhana Factors, they are not exclusive to jhana states. The teachings on this retreat will provide practical instructions for developing and balancing these factors; distinguishing between the jhana factors and the states of jhana absorption; and examining the powerful role that concentration plays on the path of awakening.
Daily group instructions will emphasize loving-kindness (metta), however, some students may practice mindfulness with breathing or satipatthana practices if they prefer and have recently attended a retreat with Shaila on those techniques. Group and one-to-one guidance will tailor the practices to meet the needs and interests of individual students.
This silent retreat is structured with alternating periods of sitting and walking meditation, dhamma teachings, and teacher consultations. It will provide an ideal occasion for nurturing serenity and calmness, and introducing the basic conditions that support jhana practice. No previous jhana experience is required, however, this retreat is intended for meditators who already have an established mindfulness based practice, and have previously attended at least one multi-day silent residential retreat.
SITE FEATURES: This retreat will be held at the Calvin Center in Georgia. It is a lovely and quiet retreat center in the country side that boasts a small lake and opportunities for canoeing when weather permits. It is conveniently situated about 45-minutes from Atlanta’s airport. You will enjoy the benefits of natural beauty, a spacious meditation hall, comfortable accommodations, delicious meals, access to walking trails, and the chance for mindful canoeing.
COVID PRECAUTIONS: Participants will be required to take a rapid-antigen test prior to arriving, and depart if symptoms of illness arise.
Register now! Space is limited.
Participants who are traveling from afar might need to check flight times carefully, and if necessary arrange to stay in a hotel the night before the retreat. Early-arrival accommodations are not available at this retreat center, and we must depart shortly after noon on the closing day.
TO REGISTER: Please use the online form at the link below to submit your registration and waiver forms.
- Registration Form: Form will be added soon!
This form will take approximately 20 minutes to fill out. Upon completion of the form you will receive an email with details for completing your payment. You have the option of paying the non-refundable deposit of $250 or the full retreat payment either by mailing a check to the registrar or by making a Zelle bank transfer. The address and account information for making this payment will be included in the registration confirmation email.
Details of our cancellation policy are on the registration form.
The retreat facility is somewhat handicapped accessible. Accommodations include comfortable hotel-style rooms with ensuite baths, and dorm-style cabins and lodges. See the application form for accommodation details.
COST: 10 nights (includes accommodation and meals), plus a donation to the teachers at the end of retreat.
- Full retreat for single occupancy: 10 nights is $3,200 – $2,550 sliding scale (estimated actual cost for single is $2750)
- Double occupancy sliding scale: $2700 – $2300 (estimated actual cost for double occupancy is $2500)
Fee covers only accommodations, food, and basic administrative expenses. There will be an opportunity at the end of the retreat to make a donation to the teacher.
The estimated actual per-person cost if we had used a fixed rate is $2750 for a single room, and $2500 for a shared room. By selecting an amount above the estimated actual cost, your generosity supports those who need to select a lower rate to attend the retreat. Selecting an amount below the estimated actual cost is equivalent to receiving a partial scholarship.
The sliding scale will allow most scholarship needs to be self-managed. If you need additional scholarship support to attend, consider applying for a scholarship through https://opendharmafoundation.org, or contact our registrar for assistance through IMSB/Bodhi-Retreats.
PARTIAL ATTENDANCE may be arranged for a stay of at least 3 nights, but must begin on the first day of retreat, and priority is given to full retreat participants. We strongly encourage attendance at the full retreat. Applicants for partial attendance will be placed on a wait list which will be reviewed approximately 2 months prior to the retreat. We cannot guarantee single rooms for partial attendees. You may contact the registrar to determine if single rooms for partial attendance are available approximately two months prior to the retreat.
The rates for partial attendance below are listed as single occupancy. The mid-point on each sliding scale is our estimated actual cost. Take 15% off any point on the sliding scale for double accommodations.
- 3 nights (Tuesday–Friday) is $1275
- 4 nights (Tuesday–Saturday) is $1,600
- 5 nights (Tuesday–Sunday) is $1925
- 6 nights (Tuesday–Monday) is $2250
- 7-9 nights is same as full retreat: single $3200 – $2550 sliding scale
DANA: Compensation for the teacher is not included in the registration price. There will be an opportunity to offer donations to the teacher at the end of the retreat.
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Co-Sponsored by Bodhi Retreats and Insight Meditation South Bay