Stillness.
And so we come to the final spoke of the Eightfold Path: Samadhi.
Often, Samadhi is translated as ‘concentration’, but as Ajahn Brahm suggests in the clip below, it might be translated better as ‘stillness’.
This clip is some of the best advice I’ve heard for the development of Samadhi. Please take a few minutes to enjoy Ajahn Brahm’s inimitable delivery:
Ajahn Brahm – Simile Of The Cup
Another great support to stillness is simplicity. Decluttering the conditions around and within you can be a tremendous support for stillness. This includes decluttering your space, your office, your calendar, your closet, etc.
For a several years now, I’ve been enamored with the ideals of theminimalist movement. Each time I successfully implement a suggestion, I notice the distinct pleasure of a burden relieved. By relinquishing the superfluous, the essential shines more clearly.
This is very similar to the healing relief we can experience in the simplicity of meditative stillness.
With all this in mind, my friend and dharma-sister, Terry Cockburn, and I have designed a weekend retreat experience that highlights these themes: movement (yoga), meditation and minimalism.
Please join Terry and me this September!
Living with Less ~ More of Life
September 5-7
Stannard, Vermont
with Josh Summers and Terry Cockburn
Most of us lead demanding lives that often feel overwhelming and cluttered with little space for calm and clarity. If the call of a simpler, more authentic life beckons you, please join us for an exploratory weekend nestled in the majesty of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom.
In this weekend retreat, Josh and Terry will guide you through essential practices from three inter-related domains: Movement (yoga), Meditation (mindfulness) and Minimalism (a conscious weaning of the extraneous towards a more simple and fulfilling life).
The weekend retreat will include:
-Morning and afternoon yoga sessions, with guided meditation.
-Facilitated discussions on the core concepts of minimalism as related to consumerism, material possessions, food, internet and commitments.
-Space. Space to reflect. Space to be. Space to listen.
-Optional Intermittent Fast: as one of many minimalist take-aways, there will be opportunity to practice a short 16-18hr fast.
-We’ll also give suggestions for what to bring and what to leave behind.
Rooms are single-sex dormitory-style, with 2-4 beds each, shared bathrooms. Retreat is limited to 16. All meals are vegetarian.
September 5-7
Sky Meadow Retreat Center
Stannard, Vermont
$350 early-bird pricing, $395 after 8/1
(limited to 16 retreatants)
Register: HERE
Originally published on May 20, 2014
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