Wise Concentration: Steadying the Mind

Registration for this retreat is closed

Closed
Registration is closed for this retreat.
December 18 - December 23, 2012 (Tuesday to Sunday)


One space currently available!

All scholarship funds have been awarded


As we cultivate concentration, we develop purification, tranquility and equanimity of mind and heart. These qualities prepare the ground for a penetrating insight into the nature of existence. This course will offer an introduction to and support for the practice of concentration (samatha in Pali), as taught by Burmese meditation master Pa Auk Sayadaw.

Open to both new and experienced meditators, the retreat will consist of alternate periods of silent sitting and walking meditation, daily dharma talks, and small group practice interviews.

Read an interview with the teachers here

An optional daily period of yoga will be offered by Éowyn Ahlstrom.

A Message from IMS's Guiding Teachers
Inevitably, there is construction and machinery noise as IMS's project to build a new dormitory and to renovate the Catskills continues. The noise, however, will not be sustained and will mostly take place during regular construction hours (usually Monday - Friday, 7:00am-4:00pm.)

The new air circulation and conditioning system in the Retreat Center meditation hall will allow fresh air to move around without opening the windows. This will help to minimize the impact of the noise. In addition, the project work will be primarily indoors from December, 2012 through to completion, currently scheduled for late August, 2013.

The teachers at IMS decided to continue offering retreats throughout this building period, knowing that conditions for practice are rarely perfect. We trust that these particular conditions can be met with the equanimity and grace with which we meet a range of conditions in our lives.

All of us at IMS look forward to supporting you on retreat.

Teachers