ONLINE: Samatha Meditation to Develop Concentration and Serenity for a Chaotic World

Program Start/End Date & Time: November 15, 2025‎‎ ‎|‎ ‎10:00 am – 3:00 pm MT

In Samatha / Focused Attention Meditation, we are cultivating both concentration and serenity. We do this by returning awareness to one object of meditation to the exclusion of everything else, unifying the mind stream and counteracting the neurologically overstimulating world of today. Practicing concentration meditation collects the mind stream and “builds the muscle” of concentration, enabling us to turn away from the constant pull of our smartphones, computer screens, games, and entertainment, allowing us to settle into the serenity of our deeper nature. The practice also reveals with heightened clarity our habitual patterns that cause us to suffer both on and off the cushion, a process referred to as “purification of mind.”

As we build the capacity to turn away from these patterns, we develop a laser-like awareness that can lead to profound stillness and deep joy, as well as the possibility of the deep meditative absorptions known as the jhanas. This daylong provides an overview of anapanasati (mindfulness of breathing) concentration meditation as taught in the lineage of Ven. Pa Auk Sayadaw of Burma, considered by many to be the leading living teacher of samatha practice and the jhanas. This retreat is open to all, and is suitable for beginners as well as experienced meditators. There will be instructions and meditation, silence, and periods of teaching and questions. Click here for a 4-minute YouTube with Tina talking about “The Four Benefits of the Samatha Practice.”

Testimonials

“I’ve deepened my practice more than ever, due to the clarity of the teaching.”

“My faith in Buddhism has been deepened to a degree previously unimaginable, but is tempered by a profound sobriety of mind and wisdom. Every word of the dharma talks penetrated the core of my being and accelerated my practice.”

“I have seen more changes in myself from two years of Samatha practice than in the previous 20 years of various meditation practices.”

“I feel more confident in my approach to the Anapanasati / Samatha practice, and how to navigate the varied terrain as well.”

Program Schedule

Morning

• Sitting Meditation 1
• Welcome 
• The four categories being studied in neuroscience and corresponding Buddhist meditations
• What is compelling about the Samatha / Focused Attention practice?
• Other reasons to do this practice
• What is Samatha meditation?
• What is concentration?
• Q&A
• Silent break
• Sitting Meditation 2

Lunch, roughly 12:30-1:00

• Moving meditation / lunch

Afternoon

• Differences between samatha and vipassana
• A useful way of thinking of hindrances
• What is purification of mind?
• Neuroscience research
• Access Concentration factors
• Q&A
• Silent break
• Sitting Meditation 3
• Concentration as a daily practice
• Q&A 
• Closing