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Retreat Dharma Talks

Concentration Retreat

Concentration (samadhi), the collection and unification of the mind, was emphasized by the Buddha as one of the aspects of the Eightfold Path. It can bring joy to your practice and lead to the skillful use of pleasure in the meditative process. Whatever your level of practice, you can improve your Insight Meditation (Vipassana) by strengthening your concentration skills. Your ability to concentrate will develop in response to the attention you give it. This retreat offers a series of techniques for staying on the meditation object for extended periods of time. We will explore the factors of concentration that lead to the deep absorption states known as jhana. Teachers will also give instruction for utilizing concentration during insight practice.

2017-08-14 (11 days) Spirit Rock Meditation Center

  
2017-08-15 The development of concentration (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 55:06
Sally Armstrong
This talk explores various supportive factors for the development of a calm and collected mind.
2017-08-17 Mindfulness of Breath: Energy, Effort, Discovery (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 52:12
Eugene Cash
Various ways to practice Right Concentration focusing on the lived experience of knowing, experiencing, feeling, sensing, discovering, becoming intimate with the breath.
2017-08-18 From Directed Attention to Absorption (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 64:56
Phillip Moffitt
The path from aiming and abstaining to deepest absorption.
2017-08-19 Skillful development of pleasure in practice and life (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 58:07
Sally Armstrong
Though the teachings on dukkha (suffering) are an important part of the Buddhist path, a skillful relationship to sukha (pleasure) actually played a significant part in the Buddha's awakening. This talk explores the wise use of pleasure and the cultivation of beautiful qualities of mind, especially in concentration practice.
2017-08-21 Buddha Breathed Himself to Awakening (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 53:34
Eugene Cash
The function of samadhi, (concentration) in the service of awakening.
2017-08-23 Concentration and the Development of the Path (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 54:27
Sally Armstrong
TBD
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