Introduction
- There are two types of meditation:
- Formal meditation
- Informal meditation
- There are three types of retreat:
- Outer retreat - Environment
- Inner retreat - Body and speech
- Secret retreat - Mind
- There are three main benefits to retreat:
- You can fully dedicate your time to meditation
- Unbroken continuation of the practice
- You are automatically separated from the objects of negative emotions and negative behaviour
- There are three causes of negative emotions:
- The object is nearby
- The negative tendency in your mind
- Wrong motivation
- There are two ways to check if you are ready to do longer retreat:
- The waterfall experience has lessened in your daily practice
- Weekend and weeklong retreats are not overwhelming (step-by-step approach)
Example: Making a Fire
When the fire begins to burn, if you do not protect it from wind, etc., the fire will not get the chance to grow or it will take a long time for it to do so. Similarly, if you do not “protect” your practice by doing retreat, it will take much longer for your meditation to develop.
The Importance of Retreat
- Retreat is an extension of formal/daily meditation practice.
- Daily practice versus retreat is similar to having a part-time job or full-time job.
- In the beginning, it is important to develop a steady daily practice.
- After more time in retreat, your retreat experience will begin to merge with your day-to-day life.
- The length of retreat is less important than its quality.
- Even a short period of quality retreat time can change your life.
- First focus on your daily practice, then do short retreats, and then do longer retreats.
- The most important point is to develop some experience of meditation before doing retreat.
- Even without doing retreat you can achieve direct realization.
The Unique Benefits of Retreat
- If you want to become buddha within one life, retreat is necessary.
- If you cannot find time for daily formal practice, doing retreat is very important.
- Doing one weekend retreat every month is very beneficial.
- Group retreat is very beneficial in the beginning.
- Once you have more experience of meditation, solitary retreat is better.
- Solitary retreat is more beneficial for intermediate and advanced meditators.
- Once you have some experience, doing long retreats is really good.
- Long retreats can really transform your mind and the subtle body.
- There are many different ways of practicing depending on your level and personality.
- Listening to your heart and following your personality is also important.