RETREAT INFORMATION

Teachers

Style of Practice
• The Eight Precepts

Location
• Accommodations & Meals

Costs
• How to Apply
• Dana

Daily Retreat Schedule

Getting to Burma
• Applying for a Meditation Visa
• Arrival Information
• Hotel & Misc.
• Expenses & Changing Money

Health
• Pre-departure
• First-Aid kit
• Staying Healthy
• Illness & Emergencies
• Health Guidelines

Planning Your Trip
• Climate
• Electricity
• Dress
• What to Bring

Emergency Contact in Burma

STYLE OF PRACTICE
The retreat will be taught in the Buddhist tradition of Satipatthana Vipassana (Insight) Meditation using the Mahasi method. This practice emphasizes a continuity of mental alertness through noting of mental and physical objects as they arise on a moment to moment basis throughout the entire day. In other words, meticulously noting: seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, touching and thinking continuously all day long as they occur.

Instruction and guidance for all students will include discourses every day and individual meetings with the teachers three or more times per week. In this method, yogis are expected to practice continuous mindfulness throughout the day. This includes all daily activities and meals as well as fourteen hours of alternating sitting and walking meditation according to schedule.

The Eight Precepts
All participants in these retreats will be expected to observe the traditional Eight precepts. They are as follows:

1. To refrain from killing any living beings
2. To refrain from taking what is not offered.
3. To refrain from sexual intercourse.
4. To refrain from false speech.
5. To refrain from drinks and drugs which befuddle the
    mind and reduce mindfulness.
6. To refrain from taking food at improper times (after 12 noon).
7. To refrain from dancing, singing, music shows; from
    the use of garlands, perfumes, cosmetics, adornments
    and ornaments.
8. To refrain from using high and Luxurious seats (or) beds.

Please Note:
These retreats require that meditators practice with high levels of energy, attention and fervor. The teachers ask that yogis who attend these retreats come with a willingness to put their faith fully into the Sayadaws and the Mahasi method for the time period they are practicing at this center.