Online Retreat Details

Preparation

If you’re new to TWIM method, at minimum please read through the supporting materials below.

A guide to TWIM

Brief Loving Kindness Instructions

Instructions for Metta Meditation and 6R’s by Syl (YouTube)

A comprehensive set of supporting materials can be found here: https://www.dhammasukha.org/support-page-for-online-retreats.html.

Daily Schedule

The online retreat can be done alongside your normal daily living. However, it is totally up to you on how deeply you want to take the practice over the next 10 days. We will provide a theme for daily reflection which will require you to read the suttas, supporting notes and dhamma talk on the topic. We recommend you to set aside at least 4 hours each day for this retreat. You will be required to keep the 5 precepts (some prefer to take 8 precepts, but this is not required).

Every Morning:

https://www.suttavada.foundation/morning-routine/

Meditate

All meditations should be a minimum of 30 min. Remember to keep smiling throughout the day!

Morning/ Afternoon:

  1. Daily Theme: Reading a Sutta, Explanation Notes and Dhamma Talk on the topic (the materials will be mailed to you every day so you can focus and reflect on each day’s topic.)
  2. Meditate (if possible)
  3. interview with teacher or group Zoom Q&A session

Evening:

  1.  
  2. Meditate before you go to bed, unless you are too tired

Retreat Daily Themes and Dhamma Talks

This retreat is centered on the 6R’s, using the Brahmaviharas as your object of meditation, with a sutta-based reflection on the fundamentals of the Dhamma that guide you to Nibbana, namely –

  • The Four Foundations of Mindfulness
  • The Five Aggregates
  • The Three Characteristics
  • The Four Noble Truths
  • The Seven Factors of Awakening
  • The Eightfold Path of the Noble Ones
  • The Twelve Links of Dependent Origination
  • Kamma, Consciousness and Rebirth

The suttas and themes that will be explored for each Dhamma talk are as follows – details will be shared one day prior to the start of the retreat

Day 1 – Effective Choice and Effective Application

Day 2 – Effective Observation

Day 3 – Effective Collectedness

Day 4 – Effective Vision

Day 5 – The Five Aggregates

Day 6 – Consciousness and Rebirth

Day 7 – Kamma and Cessation

Day 8 – Eightfold Path of the Noble Ones

Day 9 – The Arahant

General Do’s and Dont’s:

  • Please keep the 5 precepts (taking virtues) strictly while you are on retreat. We recommend you recite them daily in the morning.
  • We recommend no ‘general interest’ readings while you’re on the retreat, other than the retreat daily reflection materials.
  • Avoid listening to music and other entertainment.
  • We recommend you to not talk unless it is a necessary communication.
  • Sit comfortably but alert while meditating. Chairs are usually better for long sits. There is no “magic” in the floor.
  • Do not use a timer, unless you have an appointment later. If your sitting is going well, sit longer. You can open your eyes to check the clock occasionally.
  • Please follow TWIM instructions and don’t mix practices. This confuses the mind and slows down your progress.
  • Always sit for at least 30 min and walk 15 minutes to 45 min at most -longer walking periods will tire you out.
  • Do not discuss your meditation with other meditators- just with the teacher at interviews.
  • Always give honest answers in your interviews so that the teacher can properly assess your progress and offer you the best advice.
  • Please let us know whether you are maintaining a Bodhisattva vow as it may affect your meditation. Video here.