Articles

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

Community as Part of Retreat Practice by Gil Fronsdal from the February 2014 IRC Newsletter In the West, residential group retreats are the most common form of meditation retreat. In these, community is important to the overall retreat practice, especially as much of the day is spent with others.  Meditation, listening to Dharma talks, meals,

Practice Discussions on Retreat by Gil Fronsdal Going on an insight meditation retreat is like traveling with a guide into unknown territory. On a retreat, the guides are the teachers, and the unknown territory is the depth of one’s own heart and mind.  The teachers provide guidance in a number of ways—through instruction, teachings, exemplifying

Practicing with the Retreat Schedule By Gil Fronsdal Most meditation retreats are structured around a schedule that includes the primary activities of each day.  Posted in prominent places, the schedule indicates times for meditation and when the wake-up bell is rung, the meals are served, and teachings offered.  As scheduled activities occur regularly throughout the

The Practice of Work Meditation by Gil Fronsdal At the Insight Retreat Center short work periods are integral to our meditation retreats. They help create the important balance between inner and outer mindfulness, between personal practice and practicing in community, and between stillness and activity. Learning how to include work within the path of practice

On Retreat Practice by Gil Fronsdal August 2012 In the years before he attained liberation, the Buddha devoted extended periods of time to meditation.  He considered mediation so valuable that later, even after his awakening, he still continued to practice it.  Though his daily life involved both time for meditation and for teaching, periodically, through