Past Events

Nov. 11-16, 2022, Meditation to Develop Concentration and Serenity for a Chaotic World 5-Day Retreat, held at Cloud Mountain Retreat Center, Castle Rock, WA, USA.

August 12-25, 2022, Luminous Mind 14-day Retreat, held at  Cloud Mountain Retreat Center in Castle Rock, Washington, USA.

April 3-16, 2022, Luminous Mind 14-day Retreat, held in-person at the Lotus Reteat Center in Croatia.

March 11-17, 2022, What is Awakening? 7-Day Retreat  Held at Cloud Mountain Retreat Center, Castle Rock, WA, USA.

Feb. 5-6, 2021, What is Awakening? Weekend Retreat, Sponsored by White Heron Sangha, held via zoom.

Oct. 22, 2021, via Zoom:  Meditation to Develop Concentration and Serenity for a Chaotic World Daylong, Sponsored by Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Woodacre, CA, USA.

Oct. 8-13, 2021:  Meditation to Develop Concentration and Serenity for a Chaotic World 5-Day Retreat, Held at Cloud Mountain Retreat Center, Castle Rock, WA, USA.

August 13-26, 2021:  Luminous Mind 14-day Retreat, Held at  Cloud Mountain Retreat Center in Castle Rock, Washington, USA.

April 23- 28, 2021:  Meditation to Develop Concentration and Serenity for a Chaotic World 5-Day Retreat, Held at Cloud Mountain Retreat Center, Castle Rock, WA, USA.

April 13, May 11, June 8, July 13, Aug. 10, Sept. 14, Oct. 12, Nov. 9, Dec. 14: “Second Tuesdays” Drop-in Q&A Session, on the Innercraft Platform

April 19, May 24, June 28, July 26, Aug. 23, Sept. 27, Oct. 25, Nov. 22, Dec. 27:  “Fourth Mondays” Drop-in Dharma Talk, on the Innercraft Platform

Wed., March 17 and Wed. March 24, 6:00-7:30pm Pacific Time:  Guest teaching at Dr. Rick Hanson’s Wed. Night Group.

March 18, April 15, May 20, June 17, July 15, Aug. 19, Sept. 16, Oct. 21, Nov. 18, Dec. 16:  “Third Thursdays” Drop-in Dharma Talk and Sitting Group, Co-sponsored by Luminous Mind Sangha and Insight Meditation Tucson, Arizona, USA.

Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021:  Meditation to Develop Concentration and Serenity for a Chaotic World, Daylong, via Zoom, Sponsored by Insight Meditation Tucson, Arizona, USA.

Oct. 15, Nov. 12, Dec. 17, Jan. 14 and Feb. 11:  Samatha Drop-in Practice Group and Dharma Talk via Zoom, sponsored by Insight Meditation Tucson, Arizona, USA.

Oct. 10, Nov. 14, Dec. 5, Jan. 9: What is Awakening? 4-Part Series, Saturdays via Zoom sponsored by Insight Meditation Tucson, Arizona, USA.

Oct. 2-11, 2020:  NeuroDharma Retreat (cancelled) at the Garrison Institute, New York, USA.

August 28–Sept. 2, 2020:  Meditation to Develop Concentration and Serenity for a Chaotic World, 5-day Retreat (cancelled) at Cloud Mountain Retreat Center in Castle Rock, Washington, USA.

Aug. 27, 2020:  Dharma Talk via Zoom, sponsored by Still Point PDX, Portland, Oregon,

Aug. 22, 2020:  Introduction to Concentration Meditation Daylong via Zoom, sponsored by Seattle Insight Meditation Society, Seattle, Washington, USA.

Aug. 21, 2020:  Dharma Talk via Zoom, sponsored by Seattle Insight Meditation Society, Seattle, Washington, USA.

August 15-16, 2020:  What is Awakening? Weekend Non-residential Retreat (cancelled) at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA, USA

July 24-28, 2020:   What is Awakening? 5-Day Retreat (cancelled) at Shambhala Mountain Center in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado, USA

May 19-June 1, 2020:  Luminous Mind 14-day Samatha Retreat (cancelled) at Seminario de Marola near Reggio Emilia, (near Bologna and Milan) Italy

April 18, 2020:  Orienting Spiritually to the Coronavirus Pandemic, via Zoom, sponsored by SF Dharma Collective, San Francisco, CA, USA.

March 21, 2020: How Spiritual Practitioners Can Orient to the Coronavirus Pandemic, via Zoom, sponsored by www.Guruviking.com.

January 24, 2020: Focused Attention Stress Reduction Daylong (FASR); Meditation for Developing Concentration and Serenity for a Chaotic World, in person at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA, USA.

Dec. 7-8, 2019:  Meditation to Develop Concentration and Serenity for a Chaotic World, 2-day non-residential Retreat at Insight Meditation Tucson, in Tucson, AZ, USA. (Tina)

Sept. 20-29. 2019:  Neurodharma Retreat at the Shambhala Mountain Center, in the Colorado Rockies, USA. (Tina, with Rick Hanson)

Aug. 10-16, 2019:  Luminous Mind 7-day Samatha Retreat in Essex near London, England. (Tina)

July 10, 2019:  Understanding Awakening Dharma Talk at SF Dharma Collective in San Francisco, CA, USA (Tina)

July 6-7, 2019:  Concentration Meditation Weekend Non-residential Retreat at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA, USA (Tina)

June 8, 2019:  Introduction to Concentration Meditation Daylong at Seattle Insight Meditation Society, Seattle, Washington, USA. (Tina and Stephen)

March 30-31, 2019:  Understanding Awakening Weekend Non-residential Retreat at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA, USA (Tina)

Feb. 23, 2019:  Tina interviewed by Buddha at the Gas Pump, live streamed and recorded for viewing after.

Jan. 26, 2019:  Meditation to Develop Concentration and Serenity for a Chaotic World Daylong at Still Point PDX, Portland, Oregon, USA. (Stephen and Tina)

Jan. 25, 2019: Dharma Talk at Still Point PDX, Portland, Oregon, USA. Taught by (Tina and Stephen)

Jan. 18-23, 2019:  Meditation to Develop Concentration and Serenity for a Chaotic World, 5-day Retreat at Cloud Mountain Retreat Center in Castle Rock, Washington, USA. (Stephen and Tina)

Jan. 11, 2019:  Focused Attention Stress Reduction Daylong (FASR) at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA, USA (Tina)

Oct. 28, 2018: Traditional Buddhist Tools to Support a Modern Non-Dual Path at the Science and Non Duality Conference, San Jose, CA, USA. (Tina)

Oct 19, 2018:  Focused Attention Stress Reduction Daylong (FASR) at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA, (Tina)

July 22, 2018:  Introduction to Concentration Meditation Daylong: at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA, USA. (Tina)

March 17, 2018:  Introduction to Concentration Meditation Daylong: at The Concord Institute in London, England, UK. (Tina & Stephen)

March 3-6, 2018:  Luminous Mind 14-day Awakening Retreat at Seminario de Marola near Reggio Emilia, Italy (Stephen & Tina)

Jan 19-Feb 1, 2018:  Luminous Mind 14-day Awakening Retreat at Cloud Mountain in Castle Rock, Washington, USA (Tina & Stephen)

 July 22, 2017:  Introduction to Concentration Meditation Daylong at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA, USA.

May 31 – December 31, 2017:  NEW Concentration Meditation, Purification of Mind Self-paced Online Course through Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Woodacre, CA, USA.

Jan. 28 & 29, 2017:  Introduction to Concentration Meditation Weekend Retreat at the White Heron Sangha in Morrow Bay, CA, USA.

Jan. 7, 2017:  NEW Focused Attention Daylong (FASR)–Meditation for Developing Concentration and Serenity at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA, USA.

Oct 18, 25, Nov. 1 and 8, 2016:  Introduction to Concentration Meditation 4-week Series at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA, USA.

Sept. 23-Oct. 4, 2016:  Purification of Mind 11-day Retreat at Cloud Mountain Retreat Center in Castle Rock, Washington, USA.

April 8-13, 2016:  Introduction to Concentration Meditation 5-day Retreat at Cloud Mountain Retreat Center in Castle Rock, Washington, USA.

Jan. 22-Sunday, Jan 24, 2016:  Introduction to Concentration Meditation 3-day Retreat at the Angela Center in the San Francisco Bay Area, CA, USA. We co-taught this retreat with Richard Shankman, author of “The Experience of Samadhi: An In-Depth Investigation of Buddhist Meditation.”

January 16, 2016: Concentration Meditation:  Purification of Mind Daylong at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA, USA

Oct. 23 – Nov. 5, 2015:  Purification of Mind 14-day Retreat at Cloud Mountain Retreat Center in Castle Rock, Washington, USA.

August 1-7, 2015: Bologna, Italy, Introduction to Concentration Meditation 5-day Retreat in Tossaignano, Italy.

Feb. 13-19, 2015:  Bramaviharas 7-day Retreat at Cloud Mountain Retreat Center in Castle Rock, Washington, USA.

Jan. 31, 2015:  Introduction to Concentration Meditation Daylong at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, USA.

Jan. 17, 2015: Introduction to Concentration Meditation Daylong at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA, USA.

Sept. 6 – Oct. 3, 2014: Purification of Mind 27-day Retreat at Cloud Mountain Retreat Center in Castle Rock, Washington, USA.

2011-2014:  Spokane Concentration Meditation Group (taught bi-weekly by Brian Gavin) in Spokane, Washington, USA.

July 26, 2014:  Introduction to Concentration Meditation Daylong (taught by Brian Gavin) at the Vista Hermosa Retreat Center, Prescott, Washington, USA.

July 19 & 20, 2014: Introduction to Concentration Meditation Weekend Retreat at the White Heron Sanga in San Luis Obispo, CA, USA.

June 14, 2014:  Introduction to Concentration Meditation Daylong (taught by Brian Gavin) in Portland, Oregon, USA.

April 13, 2014:  Introduction to Concentration Meditation Dharma Talk (taught by Brian Gavin) at the White Heron Sanga in San Luis Obispo, CA, USA.

Feb. 22, 2014: Introduction to Concentration Meditation Daylong at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA, USA.

Feb. 8, 2014: Introduction to Concentration Meditation Daylong, at Richard Shankman’s year-long Samatha Practice Group in Oakland, CA.

Jan. 23-27, 2014: Introduction to Concentration Meditation 4-day Retreat at Cloud Mountain Retreat Center in Castle Rock, Washington, USA.

Oct 2013:  6-day Brama Viharas Retreat at Bellingham Insight Meditation Society, Samish Island, WA, USA.

Sept 2013:  8-day Purification of Mind Retreat at the Lama Tsong Khapa Institute in Tuscany, Italy.

July 2013: Introduction to Concentration Meditation Daylong (taught by Tina and Brian) in Spokane, WA, USA.

March 2013:  13-day Purification of Mind 13-day Retreat at Cloud Mountain in Castle Rock, Washington, USA.

April 2013:  Introduction to Concentration Meditation Daylong at Yale University Chapel in New Haven, CT, USA.

Feb 2013:  Introduction to Concentration Meditation Daylong at Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Woodacre, CA, USA.

Sept 2012:  13-day Purificaion of Mind Retreat at Cloud Mountain in Castle Rock, Washington, USA.

March 2012: 3-day Brama Viharas Retreat, Cloud Mountain, WA

March 2012: Mountain Stream Sangha Dharma Talk, Auburn, CA; Dharma talk at the Auburn sangha of John Travis, teacher at Spirit Rock and IMS.

Jan 2012: Spirit Rock Concentration Meditation Daylong, Woodacre, CAWe will now be offerring daylongs at Spirit Rock on an annual basis. (See description above.)

Aug 2011: 12-day Purification of Mind Retreat, Cloud Mountain, WA
Our first long retreat not held during winter, the yogis were able to practice without sneezing and coughing! It was a beautiful time full of radince inside and out.

July 2011: Evening Dharma Talk at the Marin Sangha of Phillip Moffit, San Rafael, CA
Dharma talk at the sangha of Phillip Moffit, co-guiding teacher at Spirit Rock Medication Center.

Jan 2011: Spirit Rock Concentration Meditation Daylong, Woodacre, CA
This was our first daylong at Spirit Rock. We were pleased to find that 120 people attended. (See description above.)

Dec. 2010-Jan. 2011: 13-day Purification of Mind Retreat, Cloud Mountain, WA
This retreat was described by some of the yogis as the “team jhana” retreat, because of the sense of community and rigorous practice that everyone engaged.

Nov 2010: Concentration Meditation Dana-only Daylong, Tiburon, CA (This event was offerred on a dana (donation) basis; see description above.)

Sept 2010: Intro to Concentration Meditation Dharma Talk: Sacramento Buddhist Meditation Group, Sacramento, CA
We gave a talk at the invitation of this self-led, multi-lineage sitting group founded in 1991. See sbmg.org/teachers.htm for details an audio recording that can be downloaded for free.

July-August 2009: 3-Day Retreat–Introduction to Concentration, Cloud Mountain, WA
This retreat was a wonderful experience for us, with a wide range of yogis from people who attended as their first retreat to 30 year veterans. We provided a solid overview of the practice in it’s daily aspect as well as it’s loftiest potential as purification of mind. People had a chance to experience the differences between this and other practices, and settle into the deep stillness that concentration practice can cultivate.

June 2011: Rick Hanson’s Weekly Sitting Group, San Rafael, CA
Our friend Rick Hanson (neuropsychologist and author of the book, Buddha’s Brain) invited us to fill in for three weeks while he was away.

Dec 2009-Jan 2010: 14-day Purification of Mind Retreat at Cloud Mountain, WA
This 2-week retreat focused on Purificaion of Mind, which is the true purpose of concentration practice. Some yogis described the retreat as “Jedi warrior training” which captured both the intensity and the transformative potential of our time together. We were delighted to have 30 people from three continents in attendance, and were both impressed and touched by everyone’s wholehearted dedication to practice. People who had never meditated more than 1 hour in the past, were both eager and very able to sit for 3 hours at a time–and even enjoy it!

Nov 2009: Samatha Overview, Theravada Dhamma Society, Daly City, CA
Ven. Pa Auk Sayadaw asked us to present an overview of the Samatha and Jhanas practice to the Burmese Buddhist community near San Francisco, with the Sayadaw in attendance. This was part of a 21 day teaching the Sayadaw gave to this community. We were honored to be asked, and were greeted by about 150 attendees plus 50 more who were listening to live audio and video streaming online. (See photo above.)

July-Aug 2009 3-Day Retreat: Introduction to Concentration, Cloud Mountain, WA (See description above).

March 2009: 1-Day Intensive: The Relationship Between Anatta (no-self) and Jhanas (meditative absorptions). San Rafael, CA
In this day-long, we explored a rarely discussed aspect of concentration practice: how the meditative absorptions both cultivate and are a result of the experience of no-self. Once relegated to a practice that cultivated bliss states, or could lead to psychic powers, the jhanas potentially possess a much deeper and more worthwhile aspect: what we call the “thinning of the me.”

Nov 2008: 1-Day Intensive: From First Sit to First Jhana–Navigating the Proccess of Purification of Mind through the Use of Wise Effort, San Rafael, CA
This daylong focused on the phase of practice starting with your first sit, and culminating with the potential fruition of the arising of the first jhana. The eight landmarks of this phase–which some find to be the most challenging segment of the path–is outlined in the new version of our book.

August 2008: Theravada Buddhist Society of America, Half Moon Bay, CA
We were delighted to be invited by the Theravada Buddhist Society of America to teach at their week-long Buddhist Camp for children. Both of us gave an evening talk to about 80 children and 10 adults, and Stephen taught the jr. high and high school kids for two days during the week. It was a wonderful experience for us, sharing the dharma not only with children, but with children of Burmese heritage. Thanks to the Sayadaw Ashin Osadha and Roland Winn for inviting us.

July 2008: Forest Refuge Retreat, Barre, Mass.
We were invited by the Ven. Pa Auk Sayadaw to join him in teaching the first week of the 4-month retreat at the Forest Refuge in Barre, Mass. The Sayadaw gave the talk the first night, and we gave the talks the following four nights with the Sayadaw and two other senior monks in attendance. We also held interviews with the yogis for the days that we were there, with Ven. Pa Auk Sayadaw and Ven. U Jagara (another experienced monk who is teaching with the Sayadaw) observing the interviews.

January – June 2008: Monthly Jhana Practice Group, San Rafael, CA
The Monthly Jhana Practice Group sessions were recorded, and are available for free MP3 download on the Talks page. This group was designed both for experienced meditators interested in deepening their concentration practice, and for new meditators beginning concentration practice.

Tina has been invited to guest teach at the weekly sitting group of her friend and colleague, Dr. Rick Hanson’s Wed. Night Group. Rick is the author of “Buddha’s Brain” and “NeuroDharma,” and Tina is on the teaching team for his annual NeuroDharma retreat. Rick has told Tina that 400 people often attend, so come and join in! Tina will be focusing on the Samatha Practice for these two talks, at Rick’s request. Pre-registration is required at Rick’s website, at https://www.rickhanson.net/teaching/wednesday-meditations-with-dr-rick-hanson/.

March 18, April 15, May 20, June 17, July 15, Aug. 19, Sept. 16, Oct. 21, Nov. 18, Dec. 16:  “Third Thursdays” Drop-in Dharma Talk and Sitting Group, Co-sponsored by Luminous Mind Sangha and Insight Meditation Tucson, Arizona, USA.

Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021:  Meditation to Develop Concentration and Serenity for a Chaotic World, Daylong, via Zoom, Sponsored by Insight Meditation Tucson, Arizona, USA.

Oct. 15, Nov. 12, Dec. 17, Jan. 14 and Feb. 11:  Samatha Drop-in Practice Group and Dharma Talk via Zoom, sponsored by Insight Meditation Tucson, Arizona, USA.

Oct. 10, Nov. 14, Dec. 5, Jan. 9: What is Awakening? 4-Part Series, Saturdays via Zoom sponsored by Insight Meditation Tucson, Arizona, USA.

Oct. 2-11, 2020:  NeuroDharma Retreat (cancelled) at the Garrison Institute, New York, USA.

August 28–Sept. 2, 2020:  Meditation to Develop Concentration and Serenity for a Chaotic World, 5-day Retreat (cancelled) at Cloud Mountain Retreat Center in Castle Rock, Washington, USA.

Aug. 27, 2020:  Dharma Talk via Zoom, sponsored by Still Point PDX, Portland, Oregon,

Aug. 22, 2020:  Introduction to Concentration Meditation Daylong via Zoom, sponsored by Seattle Insight Meditation Society, Seattle, Washington, USA.

Aug. 21, 2020:  Dharma Talk via Zoom, sponsored by Seattle Insight Meditation Society, Seattle, Washington, USA.

August 15-16, 2020:  What is Awakening? Weekend Non-residential Retreat (cancelled) at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA, USA

July 24-28, 2020:   What is Awakening? 5-Day Retreat (cancelled) at Shambhala Mountain Center in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado, USA

May 19-June 1, 2020:  Luminous Mind 14-day Samatha Retreat (cancelled) at Seminario de Marola near Reggio Emilia, (near Bologna and Milan) Italy

April 18, 2020:  Orienting Spiritually to the Coronavirus Pandemic, via Zoom, sponsored by SF Dharma Collective, San Francisco, CA, USA.

March 21, 2020: How Spiritual Practitioners Can Orient to the Coronavirus Pandemic, via Zoom, sponsored by www.Guruviking.com.

January 24, 2020: Focused Attention Stress Reduction Daylong (FASR); Meditation for Developing Concentration and Serenity for a Chaotic World, in person at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA, USA.

Dec. 7-8, 2019:  Meditation to Develop Concentration and Serenity for a Chaotic World, 2-day non-residential Retreat at Insight Meditation Tucson, in Tucson, AZ, USA. (Tina)

Sept. 20-29. 2019:  Neurodharma Retreat at the Shambhala Mountain Center, in the Colorado Rockies, USA. (Tina, with Rick Hanson)

Aug. 10-16, 2019:  Luminous Mind 7-day Samatha Retreat in Essex near London, England. (Tina)

July 10, 2019:  Understanding Awakening Dharma Talk at SF Dharma Collective in San Francisco, CA, USA (Tina)

July 6-7, 2019:  Concentration Meditation Weekend Non-residential Retreat at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA, USA (Tina)

June 8, 2019:  Introduction to Concentration Meditation Daylong at Seattle Insight Meditation Society, Seattle, Washington, USA. (Tina and Stephen)

March 30-31, 2019:  Understanding Awakening Weekend Non-residential Retreat at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA, USA (Tina)

Feb. 23, 2019:  Tina interviewed by Buddha at the Gas Pump, live streamed and recorded for viewing after.

Jan. 26, 2019:  Meditation to Develop Concentration and Serenity for a Chaotic World Daylong at Still Point PDX, Portland, Oregon, USA. (Stephen and Tina)

Jan. 25, 2019: Dharma Talk at Still Point PDX, Portland, Oregon, USA. Taught by (Tina and Stephen)

Jan. 18-23, 2019:  Meditation to Develop Concentration and Serenity for a Chaotic World, 5-day Retreat at Cloud Mountain Retreat Center in Castle Rock, Washington, USA. (Stephen and Tina)

Jan. 11, 2019:  Focused Attention Stress Reduction Daylong (FASR) at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA, USA (Tina)

Oct. 28, 2018: Traditional Buddhist Tools to Support a Modern Non-Dual Path at the Science and Non Duality Conference, San Jose, CA, USA. (Tina)

Oct 19, 2018:  Focused Attention Stress Reduction Daylong (FASR) at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA, (Tina)

July 22, 2018:  Introduction to Concentration Meditation Daylong: at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA, USA. (Tina)

March 17, 2018:  Introduction to Concentration Meditation Daylong: at The Concord Institute in London, England, UK. (Tina & Stephen)

March 3-6, 2018:  Luminous Mind 14-day Awakening Retreat at Seminario de Marola near Reggio Emilia, Italy (Stephen & Tina)

Jan 19-Feb 1, 2018:  Luminous Mind 14-day Awakening Retreat at Cloud Mountain in Castle Rock, Washington, USA (Tina & Stephen)

 July 22, 2017:  Introduction to Concentration Meditation Daylong at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA, USA.

May 31 – December 31, 2017:  NEW Concentration Meditation, Purification of Mind Self-paced Online Course through Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Woodacre, CA, USA.

Jan. 28 & 29, 2017:  Introduction to Concentration Meditation Weekend Retreat at the White Heron Sangha in Morrow Bay, CA, USA.

Jan. 7, 2017:  NEW Focused Attention Daylong (FASR)–Meditation for Developing Concentration and Serenity at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA, USA.

Oct 18, 25, Nov. 1 and 8, 2016:  Introduction to Concentration Meditation 4-week Series at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA, USA.

Sept. 23-Oct. 4, 2016:  Purification of Mind 11-day Retreat at Cloud Mountain Retreat Center in Castle Rock, Washington, USA.

April 8-13, 2016:  Introduction to Concentration Meditation 5-day Retreat at Cloud Mountain Retreat Center in Castle Rock, Washington, USA.

Jan. 22-Sunday, Jan 24, 2016:  Introduction to Concentration Meditation 3-day Retreat at the Angela Center in the San Francisco Bay Area, CA, USA. We co-taught this retreat with Richard Shankman, author of “The Experience of Samadhi: An In-Depth Investigation of Buddhist Meditation.”

January 16, 2016: Concentration Meditation:  Purification of Mind Daylong at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA, USA

Oct. 23 – Nov. 5, 2015:  Purification of Mind 14-day Retreat at Cloud Mountain Retreat Center in Castle Rock, Washington, USA.

August 1-7, 2015: Bologna, Italy, Introduction to Concentration Meditation 5-day Retreat in Tossaignano, Italy.

Feb. 13-19, 2015:  Bramaviharas 7-day Retreat at Cloud Mountain Retreat Center in Castle Rock, Washington, USA.

Jan. 31, 2015:  Introduction to Concentration Meditation Daylong at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, USA.

Jan. 17, 2015: Introduction to Concentration Meditation Daylong at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA, USA.

Sept. 6 – Oct. 3, 2014: Purification of Mind 27-day Retreat at Cloud Mountain Retreat Center in Castle Rock, Washington, USA.

2011-2014:  Spokane Concentration Meditation Group (taught bi-weekly by Brian Gavin) in Spokane, Washington, USA.

July 26, 2014:  Introduction to Concentration Meditation Daylong (taught by Brian Gavin) at the Vista Hermosa Retreat Center, Prescott, Washington, USA.

July 19 & 20, 2014: Introduction to Concentration Meditation Weekend Retreat at the White Heron Sanga in San Luis Obispo, CA, USA.

June 14, 2014:  Introduction to Concentration Meditation Daylong (taught by Brian Gavin) in Portland, Oregon, USA.

April 13, 2014:  Introduction to Concentration Meditation Dharma Talk (taught by Brian Gavin) at the White Heron Sanga in San Luis Obispo, CA, USA.

Feb. 22, 2014: Introduction to Concentration Meditation Daylong at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA, USA.

Feb. 8, 2014: Introduction to Concentration Meditation Daylong, at Richard Shankman’s year-long Samatha Practice Group in Oakland, CA.

Jan. 23-27, 2014: Introduction to Concentration Meditation 4-day Retreat at Cloud Mountain Retreat Center in Castle Rock, Washington, USA.

Oct 2013:  6-day Brama Viharas Retreat at Bellingham Insight Meditation Society, Samish Island, WA, USA.

Sept 2013:  8-day Purification of Mind Retreat at the Lama Tsong Khapa Institute in Tuscany, Italy.

July 2013: Introduction to Concentration Meditation Daylong (taught by Tina and Brian) in Spokane, WA, USA.

March 2013:  13-day Purification of Mind 13-day Retreat at Cloud Mountain in Castle Rock, Washington, USA.

April 2013:  Introduction to Concentration Meditation Daylong at Yale University Chapel in New Haven, CT, USA.

Feb 2013:  Introduction to Concentration Meditation Daylong at Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Woodacre, CA, USA.

Sept 2012:  13-day Purificaion of Mind Retreat at Cloud Mountain in Castle Rock, Washington, USA.

March 2012: 3-day Brama Viharas Retreat, Cloud Mountain, WA

March 2012: Mountain Stream Sangha Dharma Talk, Auburn, CA; Dharma talk at the Auburn sangha of John Travis, teacher at Spirit Rock and IMS.

Jan 2012: Spirit Rock Concentration Meditation Daylong, Woodacre, CAWe will now be offerring daylongs at Spirit Rock on an annual basis. (See description above.)

Aug 2011: 12-day Purification of Mind Retreat, Cloud Mountain, WA
Our first long retreat not held during winter, the yogis were able to practice without sneezing and coughing! It was a beautiful time full of radince inside and out.

July 2011: Evening Dharma Talk at the Marin Sangha of Phillip Moffit, San Rafael, CA
Dharma talk at the sangha of Phillip Moffit, co-guiding teacher at Spirit Rock Medication Center.

Jan 2011: Spirit Rock Concentration Meditation Daylong, Woodacre, CA
This was our first daylong at Spirit Rock. We were pleased to find that 120 people attended. (See description above.)

Dec. 2010-Jan. 2011: 13-day Purification of Mind Retreat, Cloud Mountain, WA
This retreat was described by some of the yogis as the “team jhana” retreat, because of the sense of community and rigorous practice that everyone engaged.

Nov 2010: Concentration Meditation Dana-only Daylong, Tiburon, CA (This event was offerred on a dana (donation) basis; see description above.)

Sept 2010: Intro to Concentration Meditation Dharma Talk: Sacramento Buddhist Meditation Group, Sacramento, CA
We gave a talk at the invitation of this self-led, multi-lineage sitting group founded in 1991. See sbmg.org/teachers.htm for details an audio recording that can be downloaded for free.

July-August 2009: 3-Day Retreat–Introduction to Concentration, Cloud Mountain, WA
This retreat was a wonderful experience for us, with a wide range of yogis from people who attended as their first retreat to 30 year veterans. We provided a solid overview of the practice in it’s daily aspect as well as it’s loftiest potential as purification of mind. People had a chance to experience the differences between this and other practices, and settle into the deep stillness that concentration practice can cultivate.

June 2011: Rick Hanson’s Weekly Sitting Group, San Rafael, CA
Our friend Rick Hanson (neuropsychologist and author of the book, Buddha’s Brain) invited us to fill in for three weeks while he was away.

Dec 2009-Jan 2010: 14-day Purification of Mind Retreat at Cloud Mountain, WA
This 2-week retreat focused on Purificaion of Mind, which is the true purpose of concentration practice. Some yogis described the retreat as “Jedi warrior training” which captured both the intensity and the transformative potential of our time together. We were delighted to have 30 people from three continents in attendance, and were both impressed and touched by everyone’s wholehearted dedication to practice. People who had never meditated more than 1 hour in the past, were both eager and very able to sit for 3 hours at a time–and even enjoy it!

Nov 2009: Samatha Overview, Theravada Dhamma Society, Daly City, CA
Ven. Pa Auk Sayadaw asked us to present an overview of the Samatha and Jhanas practice to the Burmese Buddhist community near San Francisco, with the Sayadaw in attendance. This was part of a 21 day teaching the Sayadaw gave to this community. We were honored to be asked, and were greeted by about 150 attendees plus 50 more who were listening to live audio and video streaming online. (See photo above.)

July-Aug 2009 3-Day Retreat: Introduction to Concentration, Cloud Mountain, WA (See description above).

March 2009: 1-Day Intensive: The Relationship Between Anatta (no-self) and Jhanas (meditative absorptions). San Rafael, CA
In this day-long, we explored a rarely discussed aspect of concentration practice: how the meditative absorptions both cultivate and are a result of the experience of no-self. Once relegated to a practice that cultivated bliss states, or could lead to psychic powers, the jhanas potentially possess a much deeper and more worthwhile aspect: what we call the “thinning of the me.”

Nov 2008: 1-Day Intensive: From First Sit to First Jhana–Navigating the Proccess of Purification of Mind through the Use of Wise Effort, San Rafael, CA
This daylong focused on the phase of practice starting with your first sit, and culminating with the potential fruition of the arising of the first jhana. The eight landmarks of this phase–which some find to be the most challenging segment of the path–is outlined in the new version of our book.

August 2008: Theravada Buddhist Society of America, Half Moon Bay, CA
We were delighted to be invited by the Theravada Buddhist Society of America to teach at their week-long Buddhist Camp for children. Both of us gave an evening talk to about 80 children and 10 adults, and Stephen taught the jr. high and high school kids for two days during the week. It was a wonderful experience for us, sharing the dharma not only with children, but with children of Burmese heritage. Thanks to the Sayadaw Ashin Osadha and Roland Winn for inviting us.

July 2008: Forest Refuge Retreat, Barre, Mass.
We were invited by the Ven. Pa Auk Sayadaw to join him in teaching the first week of the 4-month retreat at the Forest Refuge in Barre, Mass. The Sayadaw gave the talk the first night, and we gave the talks the following four nights with the Sayadaw and two other senior monks in attendance. We also held interviews with the yogis for the days that we were there, with Ven. Pa Auk Sayadaw and Ven. U Jagara (another experienced monk who is teaching with the Sayadaw) observing the interviews.

January – June 2008: Monthly Jhana Practice Group, San Rafael, CA
The Monthly Jhana Practice Group sessions were recorded, and are available for free MP3 download on the Talks page. This group was designed both for experienced meditators interested in deepening their concentration practice, and for new meditators beginning concentration practice.