Attention and Focus - Level 1 Meditation Retreat

For those interested in deepening their Meditation practice, Ratna Ling has designed three levels of retreats for folks at different stages of the path. Join George Wiegand for a fun, enlightening journey into your mind…

This Level 1 Retreat is designed for those who are curious about meditation and the benefits it might actually bring to their lives. Maybe youʻve heard about the positive results of meditation from teachers, gurus, or life coaches. Maybe youʻve tried it before, but you think itʻs a waste of time. Youʻre skeptical about what it can do for you. Maybe you try to meditate, but you donʻt really know if youʻre doing it right.  You might be able to sit for 1-12 minutes in silence with relative ease.

We invite you for a 4-day Retreat with George Wiegand to focus your awareness and build your concentration. In this phase of practice, we will keep bringing the mind back to the object of concentration, whether itʻs the breath, a sound, a smell, or a sight. We practice placing our awareness on a single thing.

We will learn about the 9 stages of shamatha (calm abiding meditation), as depicted in this painting of a monk, elephant and monkey on the path.

Using guided meditation, visualization, and sensory awareness, we will begin to notice that we are not our thoughts. You are not a victim of your emotional patterns. You have choice and agency.

You will learn what distraction means in training the mind. You will practice how to touch the present moment and feel alert and awake. You will improve by noticing and observing the mind instead of gripping or spiraling into stories and emotions. You will learn to not judge these mental events.

This weekend includes:

• • • • • • Silent Practice
          • Guided Meditation/Visualization
          • Readings and Discussion
          • Play and Exploration

Schedule (Subject to change):

FRIDAY

• 3pm Check in
• 4:30pm Meditation in Nature
• 5:30pm Dinner
• 7pm Opening Circle, Intro to the Nine Stages of Calm Abiding Meditation

SATURDAY

• 7am The Elephant: The Dullness of Mind
• 8am Breakfast
• 9-10:30am The Monkey: Distraction and Mental Agitation
• 11-12:15pm The Monk: Clarity and Mindful Recollection
• 12:15pm Lunch
• 1:15pm Temple Tour (optional)
• 3-4pm Meditation in Nature
• 4:30-5:30 Review and Meditation
• 5:30pm Dinner
• 7-8:30pm Practice: Placing the Mind

SUNDAY

• 8-9 am Breakfast
• 9-10:30am Letting the Monkey Rest
• 11-12:15am Meditation
• 12:15pm-1:30pm Lunch
• 1:30pm Walk to the beach (optional)
• 3-4pm Meditation in Nature
• 4:30-5:30pm Reenacting the Elephant, Monkey and Monk
• 5:30pm Dinner
• 7-8:30pm Review and Meditation

MONDAY

• 8-8:45am Review and Meditation
• 9-10am Closing Circle
• 10am Brunch

What people are saying about this retreat:

Amazing teachers, facilities, and overall atmosphere! I went there for my first ever meditation retreat and left feeling genuinely surprised at how different I felt (more focused, peaceful, and joyful). Overall, I highly recommend this place – it changed my life, and I do not say that lightly.  E.L.