An Intensive Concentration and Insight Retreat

THIS RETREAT HAS FILLED. REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED. 

In 2018 we will offer two retreats in California: April 5-15, and September 27 – October 4. Information will be posted soon to this website for advanced registration. 

with Shaila Catherine and Ann Dillon
June 15 – 25, 2017

Thursday, June 15, 2017 – Sunday, June 25, 2017.

The retreat begins with registration at 1:00 pm on June 15; it ends at 11:30 am on June 25. Early arrivals can be arranged for Wednesday evening June 14.

Partial attendance can be arranged, but it must begin on the first day of the retreat.

The teachings on this retreat will be structured to support the development of concentration, mindfulness, and insight. The daily group instruction sessions will introduce mindfulness with breathing as a concentration practice, and will systematically develop the skills that lead to the deep absorption states of jhana. This retreat is an ideal opportunity to train in concentration and jhana practices with personal guidance from Shaila Catherine. It is the one retreat each year that Shaila emphasizes concentration and jhana, and systematically guides students through this powerful training method. Students who wish to embark on this training in concentration and jhana should read her book, Focused and Fearless, prior to the retreat. Click on our Concentration and Jhana FAQ page for more information about studying jhana and concentration with Shaila.

Jhana instructions will be offered, but this retreat is not limited to the training in concentration and jhana; students who want to practice mindfulness or metta without an emphasis on concentration are most welcome. Teachings will explore a range of subjects to support the growth of wisdom and cultivate conditions conducive for insight.

With single rooms for everyone, the facilities can support a range of practice approaches. The approach to teaching is flexible enough to nurture a broad development of practices that are appropriate to the individual meditator. Guided by group and individual meetings with the teachers, students may work with a variety of meditative approaches to progress in a manner and pace appropriate to their individual needs. Students who are not inclined toward concentration or jhana may choose to emphasize mindfulness, insight, and loving kindness practices. As the retreat progresses, some students may practice mindfulness of the body to enhance calm and presence; some students may intensify concentration to unify consciousness through the deep absorptions called jhana; some students may cultivate loving kindness and open the heart to the precious fragility of life; and other students may nurture insight into the functioning of perception and the nature of mind.

This silent retreat is structured with alternating periods of sitting and walking meditation, dhamma teachings, question and answer sessions, and teacher consultations.

Register early! Space is limited.
We keep this retreat small (approximately 35 participants and 2 teachers) to enable in-depth one-to-one guidance. It is a powerful and intimate environment for deep meditation practice—very suitable for dedicated practitioners and an ideal introduction to jhana practices.

TO REGISTER: Download and complete the AC2017 registration and waiver forms, enclose a non-refundable deposit of $250 (payable to Bodhi-Retreats), and return via email and/or postal mail to:

Katrina Bergbauer
225 Second Avenue
Decatur, GA 30030

retreats

• Form-Fillable PDF Registration Form – AC2017
• Standard Printable Registration Form – AC2017
• Waiver of Liability – AC2017

The 10-day retreat is designed for experienced students. Previous retreat experience in the insight meditation tradition is required, with a minimum of at least one week-long silent residential retreat. If you have less than one week-long silent retreat experience, your attendance requires approval from the teacher(s).

The retreat facility is handicapped accessible. Accommodations are all single rooms.

COST: 10 nights with single accommodation is $2000 – $990 sliding scale, plus a donation to the teachers at the end of retreat. The estimated actual per-person cost for this retreat (if we used a fixed rate) is $1500. By selecting an amount above $1500, your generosity supports those who need to select a lower rate to attend the retreat. This sliding scale will allow scholarship needs to be handled by self-selecting an amount lower than $1500.

Partial retreat option registration fees are below. Priority will be given to students who are registering for the full 10-days course.

• 3 nights (Thursday–Sunday) is $900 – $500 sliding scale
• 4 nights (Thursday–Monday) is $1000 – $600 sliding scale
• 5 nights (Thursday–Tuesday) is $1100 – $700 sliding scale
• 6 nights (Thursday–Wednesday) is $1200 – $800 sliding scale
• 7-10 nights (Thursday–Thursday, Friday, or Saturday) is the sliding scale of $2000 – $990

In addition, two or three people may register for a work-study retreat. These service roles have a registration fee of $675 and involve 3-4 hours of work per day (mostly kitchen work, grocery shopping in advance of the retreat, managing yogi jobs).

DANA: Compensation for the teacher is not included in the registration price. There will be an opportunity to offer donations to the teachers at the end of the retreat.

Co-Sponsored by Bodhi-Retreats and Insight Meditation South Bay