This 10-day virtual retreat is an opportunity for participants of Bhikkhu Anālayo’s Path program in Early Buddhist Meditation to continue practicing together. It is open to all who have completed Path I, II and III. Our virtual meditation hall, the heart of the retreat, will be open 24/7, inviting and welcoming all who wish to sit together in self-paced practice as personal schedules permit.
No new teachings will be presented, and there will be no live zoom sessions. Bhikkhu Anālayo, who will be in year-long silent retreat, will be sitting with us in the Meditation Hall, but will not have an active role in the retreat.
Silent practice will be supported (optionally) by topical resources organized in Canvas modules. Each of the three Canvas modules will include: an optional Discussion forum for practice questions that may have arisen since the last retreat, and/or that may come up during this retreat; archived Discussion forums from the previous retreats I, II, and III for reference; and Bhikkhu Anālayo’s previous Guided Meditation audio recordings for convenient access. Bhikkhunī Dhammadinnā will moderate the (optional) Discussion forums.
Retreat Structure:
The structure of Canvas support will be as follows: The first module on Satipaṭṭhāna meditation will be available on Day 1. On Day 4, the Mindfulness of Breathing module will be released, followed by release of the Brahmavihāras and Emptiness module on Day 7. It is up to each meditator to decide if and when to draw upon support, which resource/s to engage in for support with strengthening and deepening personal practice and understanding, and when to remain in silent practice.
Although the Canvas modules (including Discussion forums) will release on a set schedule, retreatants are also welcome to determine their own flow and pacing of practice. For example, some may wish to devote the entire retreat to just one or two of the practices, at their own pace. It is up to each meditator to determine how best to use this time together in silent practice with optional supports and resources available.
