Curious questions folks sometimes have about retreat
I just want to hang out in a meditative environment:
Ok, that’s certainly what you’ll get. Meditators make good company. Particularly if they are not restricted to any particular belief system, but are open to reality.
Never meditated before?
Not sure how to meditate? Don’t worry, the easiest way to meditate is with others. Somehow, we fall into meditation, when everyone else is too. Let Mataji or Danni know if you are a real beginner… we’ll be gentle!
Not sure what sort of meditation this retreat will do?
Well, principally stillness of mind. Why? Because consciousness is bigger than thinking, and it is very easy to plunge into it. However, if requested, we might lead another method from time to time.
I don’t want any spiritual hocus pocus
Ok…what about being ok with reality? That’s the highest spirituality. But as a poet (TS Eliot) once said “mankind cannot bear very much reality”. Supposing you decided to set your sights on reality? And here is an abundance of nature to contemplate if you tire of talking.
I do want spirituality:
Same deal. How much reality can you bear? The highest spirituality is reality. And the highest reality is not distorted by someone’s point of view.
I want mindfulness rather than meditation?
Mindfulness is meditation while active. We eat mindfully, walk mindfully. and we can practice mindfulness as a form of meditation, starting with deep non-critical sensory awareness. It is good to sit in real stillness as well, though. Mindfulness is an outcome of meditation, rather than vice versa.
I’m a meditation teacher, what’s in this meditation retreat for me?
It’s great if you are a meditation teacher. There is a difference between still-mind meditation, and all the many other varieties. We can explore that.
