Meditate Like a Buddha — Going Deeper: Exploring Dhyana

Meditate Like a Buddha — Going Deeper: Exploring Dhyana; April 12, 10-4

This day retreat is ideal for meditators who are familiar with the mindfulness of breathing and/or metta bhavana (loving-kindness) meditation practices and who want to go deeper in their practice. You might also consider attending the day workshop on transforming the hindrances in March.

Dhyana (jhana in pali) or meditative absorption is accessible to anyone who meditates regularly! You may be more familiar with the sanskrit word dhyana as it is spoken in Japanese: Zen. Dhyana is characterized by total integration, bliss and equanimity, and  “burns up” the mental defilements that are the source of unhappiness and suffering.

Once the five hindrances to meditation have begun to fade or even disappear, we may begin to notice the arising of ‘access concentration’ and the dhyana factors. Once we recognize these, our confidence and contentment deepens and we have an opportunity to experience our consciousness in a different way. 

On this day retreat we will —

• Learn about the dhyana factors and how to work with them
• Learn how to recognize access concentration
• Work with balancing effort and navigating the subtle hindrances
• Learn about the “bridges” from the hindrances to the dhyana factors
• Become familiar with the water imagery that is used to describe the mind
• Explore simple techniques to create the conditions for effective practice
• Discuss the impact of our lifestyle and ethics on our meditation practice
• Explore the relationship between body and mind
   

Through a balanced program of presentation, discussion and meditation, we will all become more familiar with our minds and how to more effectively meditate! 
 

Experience Level — Intermediate: For those with some experience/practice of meditation and Buddhist teachings. Intermediate level events assume that attendees have had some beginner level training in meditation or Buddhist teachings either at Aryaloka or elsewhere. Not appropriate for beginners but may be of interest to experienced practitioners.

Led by Suddhayu and Team

Image detail: Shakyamuni Buddha, 18th century Tibet
 

This workshop includes a vegetarian lunch. You can access helpful information about attending workshops at Aryaloka here.
 

As of May 1st, 2025 we are no longer requiring covid testing to attend overnight events at Aryaloka. You may consider testing on your own initiative but we will not be asking to see a negative test. We will continue to run air purifiers in common spaces during all events at Aryaloka. We will be maintaining a few health related requests as follows:

• If you know you have been exposed to Covid-19 or if you have had Covid-19 within a five day period of the event’s start-time, we ask that you not attend in-person.
• If you have cold or flu symptoms, we ask that you do not attend in-person.

Zoom options are available for some events. Transfer of fees or refunds are also available for illness or illness-preventative related absence. Please email info@aryaloka.org if you have any questions, or health related concerns.
 

At Aryaloka, we strive to make our programs available to everyone regardless of their financial circumstances. Our fee structure allows you to pay according to your means. 

The Event Rate is our actual fee for the event. It is for people paying their rent or mortgage, and who can afford occasional or regular leisure expenses such as dining out. Any payment above the advertised fee is a tax-deductible donation. 

The Mid-Level Reduced Rate is for those who are paying their mortgage or rent, though experience a consistent tightness in budget that makes extras like leisure activities or unexpected expenses difficult or impossible. 

The Base-Level Reduced Rate is for those without an income or with an income low enough that making ends meet is a challenge. 

Those whose circumstances are not included above can email the office to make other arrangements including reduced rates, payment schedules, volunteer opportunities and scholarships. info@aryaloka.org