The Power of Concentration - Level 2 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 2 Retreat is designed for those who have an easy time focusing on the breath. You are confident about the benefits of meditation. You practice with enthusiasm because you know it will bring you peace. Youʻre willing to give up thoughts, emotions and distractions at least for the period of your meditation because you see the benefits of doing so. Focusing your attention has become a reasonable thing to do. You might be able to sit for 12-24 minutes in silence with relative ease.

We invite you for a 4-day Retreat with George Wiegand to sustain 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 how to neither grasp at thoughts/feelings/emotions/labels/identities--nor push them away. You will learn how to touch the present moment and feel alert and awake. You will learn to be comfortable with noticing and observing, instead of gripping or spiraling into stories and feelings.

This weekend includes:

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

Schedule (Subject to change):

THURSDAY

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

FRIDAY

7am Morning Meditation
8am Breakfast
9-10:30am The Stages of Meditation
11-12:15pm  Practice
12:15pm Lunch + Quiet Time
3-4pm Meditation in nature
4:30-5:30 Practice
5:30pm Dinner
7-8:30pm Practice

SATURDAY

7am Morning Meditation
8am Breakfast
9-10:30am  Dharma Talk
11-12:15pm  Practice
12:15pm Lunch
1:15pm Temple Tour (optional)
3-4pm Meditation in nature
4:30-5:30 Practice
5:30pm Dinner
7-8:30pm Practice

SUNDAY

8-845am  Practice
9-10am  Closing Circle
10am   Brunch