Comments on: Personal Practice Questions…

By: Georjina

Georjina — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:55:37 +0000

Well, let’s see…I’ve been pretty much just ‘putting your butt on the cushion’ for an hour a day and following my breath:) Koans weren’t working, I kept having internal dialogue about the koan and getting more frustrated, gave up. But ‘just sitting’ seems to work for me, as does being mindful of my steps and breathing. Guess that means Vipassana or Zen or Tibetan?

From my understanding, a silent retreat is 90% you and your cushion, no talking or trying to explain or justify. I have read of retreats with one on one meetings with an abbot who helps by asking the right questions and in understanding the teachings, that would work too.

I know I’m on information and people overload, which has me spinning off (Pema Chodron taught me that one).

Hope that makes sense.

By: Vince Horn

Vince Horn — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:25:14 +0000

Hi Georjina,

In order to offer up any suggestions my self, I’d probably need to know what practices you are currently doing? In other words, what kind of silent retreat are you looking to do, and in what tradition?

As far as the teacher goes, I agree with you–a teacher comes when it’s time. Finding guidance happens when one gets committed and goes for it.

By: Georjina

Georjina — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 20:21:59 +0000

I am at the beginning. Meditated off and on for years but now I feel the need to get serious. What I mean by this is aware of allowing ’smoke and mirrors’ pulling me into ways of thinking not mine.

Bottom line, I want to go on a 2 week silent retreat, and what I’m finding for women is ’spa quasi therapy disguised as girls night out’. I’m ready, and the first thing I’ve noticed is everyone saying find a teacher…no one says how or where to start that search.

Can you point me in a direction for the retreat, I figure the teacher will come when it’s time:)

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:22:45 +0000

Vince, thanks for this extended response – this is most helpful!