Articles

Wise Perspectives for Retreat Practice by Gil Fronsdal A surprisingly high percentage of our happiness and woe is dependent on the viewpoints through which we interpret our experience, views which are often not only unexamined, but also unrecognized.  Operating invisibly, they become the source of further interpretations, conclusions and judgments we make about our experience, our […]

Dharma Service on Retreat by Gil Fronsdal Many people are first motivated to participate in meditation retreats in order to deepen their own meditation practice or to address their personal suffering. At some point, this motivation can transform into a growing interest in supporting others to similarly deepen their practice and overcome their suffering. At

Mindfulness of Breathing on Retreat by Gil Fronsdal “When mindfulness of breathing is developed and cultivated, it is of great fruit and great benefit. When mindfulness of breathing is developed and cultivated, it fulfills the four foundations of mindfulness. When the four foundations of mindfulness are developed and cultivated, they fulfill the seven factors of

Listening to Dharma Talks on Retreat by Gil Fronsdal The daily Dharma talk is an important part of insight meditation retreats, especially if one listens with mindfulness, focus, and a clear idea of one’s purpose for listening. It’s possible to listen to a talk with the same dedication given to sitting and walking meditation. This

Preparing for a Retreat by Gil Fronsdal Being well-prepared for a meditation retreat supports a good beginning to your retreat. It facilitates an easeful settling into the practice and a more immediate immersion into the focused mindfulness of your direct experience. With adequate preparation you can begin the retreat with fewer and less compelling preoccupations,

The Practice of Leaving a Retreat by Gil Fronsdal The end of a meditation retreat is as important as any other part, and approaching it as a significant period of practice can lead to many benefits. The final stage of a retreat and the period following provide significant opportunities for insight and self-understanding. Instead of

Practicing with Pain on Retreat by Gil Fronsdal If mindfulness is to be relevant and liberating in all areas of our life it needs to include discomfort. To be free only when we are comfortable is not the freedom that Buddhism advocates: real freedom is found when we have inner peace and equanimity in times

Mindfulness of Meals During Retreats by Gil Fronsdal On retreat, “mealtime is meditation time.” This little slogan speaks to the great value of practicing mindfulness during meals. The emotional and psychological nourishment of food is enhanced with mindfulness, and eating can be a significant activity for developing further mindfulness. Mindfulness of our desires, beliefs, and reactions before, during

Mindful Postures When walking, one knows one is walking; When standing one knows one is standing; When sitting one knows one is sitting; When lying down, one knows one is lying down.                                              

Practicing with Sleep During Retreats by Gil Fronsdal from the Fall 2014 IRC Newsletter Meditation retreats are wonderful opportunities to bring mindfulness to all aspects of our daily routines. As a large part of every 24 hours is spent sleeping, retreat practice includes being mindful and intentional about our sleep. This is particularly relevant because people’s sleep