What’s the big deal about the Sixteen Stages of Insight?

Have you noticed how life is repetitious?  How we do many things over and over again, in the same habitual way? How we may have stopped paying attention after the first few times? The path of insight meditation can give us leverage, training us in how we can keep looking again and again, and this is the literal meaning of the word ‘vipassana‘- to look again.

Scientists look again and again to analyse data of an external experiment in order to see the specific principles at work in that situation. In insight meditation, we look again and again at what arises within the mind so that we can uncover patterns within which we may have no idea are in operation.

These patterns are often called karma. They are the result of cause and effect. By seeing clearly the unconscious nature of  patterns, we can quickly free ourselves from neurotic habitual repetition. We clear the way for Buddha karma – becoming a manifestation of compassion, loving kindness, empathetic joy, and equanimity in our lives.

Why do we use the Foundations of Mindfulness

By mastering the sixteen stages of insight through the practice of the foundations of mindfulness (satipatthana sutta- a key text in Buddhism), we can establish a strong foundation of mindfulness upon which these stages of insight can rest.

What’s Expected of Me if I Join This Retreat?

• As an intensive meditation retreat, with many hours of practice per day, some experience, especially with insight meditation, is recommended but not mandatory.
• An open mind and heart,plus a spirit of adventure are all excellent things to bring!
• It’s human to have apprehensions about doing something new, meeting new people, or going to a new place. Particularly when all three of these things happen together. We try to make this as supportive as possible and ask you to be willing to give it your best.
• Silence. This retreat is held in silence. In order to deepen our meditation, we ask that participants refrain from reading, using the internet or phone, or listening to music for the duration of this retreat.
• Lastly, our teaching and Clear Sky have chosen to operate based on the ancient tradition of dāna or generosity.  We ask all participants to learn more about this profound practice before registering.