First 9-Day Retreat

General discussion of issues related to Theravada Meditation, e.g. meditation postures, developing a regular sitting practice, skillfully relating to difficulties and hindrances, etc.
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Guy
Posts: 762
Joined: Fri May 22, 2009 4:05 am
Location: Perth, Western Australia

First 9-Day Retreat

Post by Guy »

Hello All,

I will be going on my first 9-day retreat in April and I was interested to hear what advice people have, especially from those of you with much retreat experience.

Is there anything I can do in the months leading up to the retreat (other than get a lot of meditation practice) which will be beneficial come retreat time?

Some ideas I have before the retreat:
1) If I have the time available I will probably sleep a lot for 2 days prior to the retreat to help with sloth and torpor
2) I will try to avoid most forms of entertainment, especially as I come close to the retreat period
3) I will ask some of the Ajahns here questions about my meditation practice

During the retreat:
1) Be kind to my body and mind
2) Give it my best effort
3) No expectations

Feedback on these ideas would be appreciated as well as anything which you have found useful.

With Metta,

Guy
Four types of letting go:

1) Giving; expecting nothing back in return
2) Throwing things away
3) Contentment; wanting to be here, not wanting to be anywhere else
4) "Teflon Mind"; having a mind which doesn't accumulate things

- Ajahn Brahm
Slow Learner
Posts: 15
Joined: Thu Nov 12, 2009 4:40 pm

Re: First 9-Day Retreat

Post by Slow Learner »

Guy wrote:
During the retreat:
1) Be kind to my body and mind
2) Give it my best effort
3) No expectations

Feedback on these ideas would be appreciated as well as anything which you have found useful.

With Metta,

Guy
Hi Guy - here's a link to some retreat advice that I've found useful in the past and have shown to friends going on their first retreats:

http://www.interactivebuddha.com/retreats.shtml" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Best wishes for your preparation and retreat,

Tim
User avatar
Guy
Posts: 762
Joined: Fri May 22, 2009 4:05 am
Location: Perth, Western Australia

Re: First 9-Day Retreat

Post by Guy »

Thanks Tim, good practical advice!
Four types of letting go:

1) Giving; expecting nothing back in return
2) Throwing things away
3) Contentment; wanting to be here, not wanting to be anywhere else
4) "Teflon Mind"; having a mind which doesn't accumulate things

- Ajahn Brahm
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