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Dharma Talks Access for Retreatants
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Concentration Retreat
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| Concentration (samadhi) defined as the collection and unification of the mind, was emphasized by the Buddha as one of the aspects of the Eightfold Path. It can bring joy to your practice and develop the skillful use of pleasure in the meditative process. Whatever your level of practice, you can improve your Insight Meditation (Vipassana) by strengthening your concentration skills. Your ability to concentrate will develop in response to the attention you give it.
This retreat offers a series of techniques for staying on the meditation object for extended periods of time. We will explore the factors of concentration that lead to the deep absorption states known as jhana. Teachers will also give instruction for utilizing concentration during insight practice. |
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2012-08-13 (9 days)
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
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2012-08-21
Gladdening the Heart, Training the Mind
54:39
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Sally Clough Armstrong
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| As we do the practice of samatha (tranquility) meditation, it is important not to strive towards any particular experience but rather to see the practice as a training of the mind that leads to well being and happiness here and now. |
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2012-08-18
How Intention and Energy Support Concentration
62:40
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Phillip Moffitt
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| Collecting and unifying the mind requires both the immediacy of intention and the energy for patience and persistence. Developing clarity of intention and utilizing the three kind of energy may deepen your experience of concentration. |
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2012-08-17
Letting Go of Disturbance, Finding Stillness
55:37
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Sally Clough Armstrong
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| To deepen in concentration, we need to be willing to recognize whatever disturbances or hindrances might be present, however subtle, and to work with them skillfully, ultimately to release them. This allows the mind to settle to the next level of stillness. This talk is based on practice as described in Majjhima Nikaya (2), the Cula-Sunnata Sutta, The Lesser Discourse on Emptiness. |
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