Meditation retreats at the DSMC with Ven. Bhante Vimalaramsi and Sister Khema are designed to help meditators develop a new kind of awareness and observation skill. From the beginning, training is presented as a tool to be incorporated into daily living.

Retreat time is the quiet time to listen to the Dhamma, ask lots of questions, and develop a clearer understanding. The meditator develops longer comfortable sitting and walking times. We do this under the guidance of experienced supervision. The meditator learns to see HOW mind’s attention moves between object and arising thoughts/sensation/sankharas. They discover the process the Buddha taught in the texts that leads to relief of suffering, anxiety, fear, dread, guilt, depression, and dissatisfaction.

As calmness increases during practice, the meditator sees clearly what craving and clinging and precisely how to let them go. In these discourses we see that the Buddha really did leave a clear set of instructions for us. The meditator sees for themselves the interconnected teachings provide a support structure for the meditation to operate correctly. As these teachings unfold more clearly we begin to see that the mediation is the vehicle that takes us to the point of liberation of mind.

Through persistence of practice, the meditator experiences for themselves how this path can lead to total freedom and peace of mind. A precious doorway to peace is revealed for them and it becomes clear that knowledge and vision means knowing by seeing and that the truth uncovered is what sets us free.

This practice was not meant to be isolated from life. It is an All the Time awareness skill and instead of the retreat setting being one frame of mind and daily life being another frame of mind, these are woven together from the beginning offering us a new perspective that essentially makes life in general much easier.

During the retreat noble silence is observed, as described in the texts, in both sitting and walking meditation. Meditators continue to practice during daily work periods. While noticing the movements of mind’s attention, they continue this practice all the time in everything they do. It is in this way they incorporate the new wholesome habitual tendencies into life. These new tendencies are carried back after the retreat and kept going! This is how the practice becomes life.

In fact, this practice turns out to be the best tool in life’s little tool box that each of us build as we go along.

We invite you to come and try this approach, discovering for yourself what the Buddha uncovered. Sit with us and give ear to the Dhamma is a way you have never done before. Meditators do check-in interviews daily with the teacher about their progress and listen to Dhamma talks each night. There is good access to the teachers. Whoever is attending the center share in the daily work of living and all of us build this center together as we go.

Together we investigate the direct connection between what the Buddha taught and our actual practice of meditation in life.

Come and see.

 

All levels of experience can practice and grow together in this type of atmosphere and are invited to join in these retreats unless otherwise stated  in a retreat description.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Text last edited 18-Jan-10