Jhāna Retreat

Join me for 8 days of immersion cultivating continuous samadhi with intent to enter and progress through the jhanas.

I’ll be teaching them as I learned from Leigh Brasington, though other approaches are welcome. I suggest you read Leigh’s excellent manual, Right Concentration, before attending. Though the focus of the retreat is the jhanas, and you may spend the entirety of the retreat engaging them, I will also teach vipassana on the three marks: anicca, dukkha, anatta, and an introduction to practice resting in the recognition of non-dual awareness-itself.

While no prior retreat experience is strictly necessary, it is recommended, and the expectation is that everyone attending will practice 6-10+ hours a day in stillness. Apart from necessary communication, talks, interviews, and Q&A, this is a silent retreat. All activities listed in the schedule are mandatory unless otherwise stated. Meditation cushions, blankets, vegan meals, coffee, and tea will be provided for - though if you have any special cushions/benches etc. you are welcome to bring them with you.

Syllabus

Saturday: Welcome, Retreat Orientation, Sīla (conduct, ethics)

Sunday: Access Concentration: Breath, Metta, et cetera

Monday: First Four Jhanas

Tuesday: Q&A

Wednesday: Formless Jhanas

Thursday: Vipassana: Anicca, Dukkha, Anatta, and Cessation

Friday: Awareness-Itself, Non-Dual, Non-Doing Practice

Saturday: Q&A

Sunday: Departure

Schedule

Saturday, September 20th please arrive between 15:00 and 17:00.

• 15:00: Welcome & Registration Begins (tea and snacks available)

• Free Time

• 19:00: Opening Talk

• 20:00: First Sit (together)

• 21:00: Sleep or Continue Practice

The retreat structure mirrors a light monastic retreat schedule on full days (Sunday-Saturday):

• 4:30: Wake Up

• 5:15: First Sit (together)

• 6:00: Solo Practice

• 7:00: Self-served Breakfast (optional)

• 8:00: Solo Practice

• 11:00: Main meal

• 12:00: Solo Practice

• 1:1 Interviews (optional except on the first and last full days)

• 17:00: Tea & Snacks (optional)

• 19:00: Talk/Q&A

• 20:15: Solo Practice

• 21:00: Sleep or Continue Practice

Sunday, September 28th:

• 4:30: Wake Up

• 5:15: Final Sit (together)

• 6:00: Closing Talk, Sharing

• 7:00: Final Breakfast, Silence Ended

• Free Time, Sharing (optional)

• 12:00: Departure by noon

Venue Description

The venue is a large family house built in a quirky castle style. The house has eight bedrooms, five bathrooms, a large kitchen with mezzanine, a beautiful large lounge with stained glass windows, a large back room which is being used as the meditation hall, and an extensive basement. It features wooden floors, wood-paneled rooms, and stained-glass windows.

The house is located in Irvington, New York, near the Hudson river. You can reach Irvington via the Metro North line just a few stops up from Grand Central Station. The house is located a very short drive or a twenty minute walk from the station in town.

The large garden and grounds have mature trees and parkland all around as does the entire area surrounding the property. The grounds can be used for walking and outdoors sitting meditation, and an abundance of wildlife can be seen in the garden, from chipmunks to wild deer. Nearby to the house there is a large and very beautiful lake and woodland with a circular gravel path suitable for walking meditation.

Unfortunately the house has many steps, both inside and outside, and is unsuitable for those with mobility issues.

LodginG

• most rooms are shared

• all bathrooms are shared with 3-4 people

All rooms have:

• access to a bathroom, either ensuite or next door to the room

• beds, pillows, blankets and bedding provided

• towels and toiletries are not provided, however, please bring your own

Pricing

The following flat fees minimally cover running this retreat. This includes venue cost, provision of food, wages for our chef and support staff, etc. I invite you also to contribute dāna - according to your financial means - for Wystan so that service of this and future retreats is made possible. $200-500 is a suggested range, though any amount is appreciated. No one will be turned away for lack of ability to donate in addition to the base fee.

(1) 4-person room = $600 (reserved)

(2) 3-person room  = $700 (reserved)

(1) 2-person room = $900 (reserved)

(2) Small private room = $1100 (reserved)

(1) Large private room = $1300 (reserved)

We have capacity for 15 participants. The retreat is fully booked for residential attendees, but you can still apply to be waitlisted in case of dropouts.

If you would like to attend, please fill out the form below and I’ll be in touch. Include why you’d like to come on the retreat and what your practice background is, including prior retreats and experience of residential training, if any. Also include rank-order room preferences. Rooms are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis upon request, and confirmed upon receipt of payment. I request that you not apply or join if you are in the midst of a significant life or mental health crisis, or have a history of unmanaged bipolar, mania, or psychosis, all of which we are unable to support during the retreat. Likewise if you are ill at the time the retreat begins I ask that you not come to avoid transmission to others, though you will be welcome to join remotely via Zoom.

If for whatever reason you will be unable to attend, refunds will be available up to 3 weeks prior to the retreat beginning.