Meditation And Discipline

There are many forms of meditation retreats. Some are strict when it comes to casual conversation and meals while other retreats feature meditation lectures and private interviews with the teacher. In addition, some retreats promote a moral discipline that includes refraining from killing even an attacking mosquito.

The discipline is there to support your meditation practice, not to make your life difficult. By not engaging in unnecessary conversation the mind becomes calm and centered. The two meals a day is a challenge for most novice retreatants, but a way to develop determination and awareness round hunger.

Find a retreat that feels right for you, then I strongly recommend that you occasionally try new forms of practice not to get stuck in habits that may have negative affects on your progress. 

 Short And Long Retreats

Another key variable is how long you're in retreat. The average meditation retreat spans over 5-10 days, however, there are shorter retreats and some meditators choose to spend 30-90 days in retreat. It's important to adjust to one's experience and not to do a retreat that's too strict or too long, which could suck all the joy out of your meditation practice.

Intensive meditation practice is the heart of a retreat. This form of practice makes for rapid progress and is superior to going to a meditation center 2-3 times a week. What makes the meditation retreat so effective are the many hours of meditation, little stress, limited conversation and a mindful approach to everything you do such as eating, walking, showering etc.

I deeply recommend that you vary your meditation practice to a certain degree. Meditate alone at home, with friends, at meditation centers, in temples and do various forms of meditation retreats. The one-sided approach to practice generally features a shallower learning curve.

For one, meditators who only meditate in peaceful forest monasteries would find it extremely difficult to meditate at a meditation center in a busy city. Don't limit yourself by getting cemented in habits, rather learn as much as possible by varying your meditation practice...

Best of luck!

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