Paths for Awakening
The Practice and Study of Insight Meditation
(Pictured at right are members of the Spirit Rock Teachers' Council.)
“Just as the great oceans have but one taste, the taste of salt, so do all the teachings of the Buddha have but one taste, the taste of liberation.” - the Buddha
At Spirit Rock, our mission is to offer a direct experience of the Buddha’s path of liberation through a variety of retreats, practices, teachings and trainings.
Liberation means freeing the heart and mind from our usual entanglements like greed, hatred, ignorance, fear, confusion,
and the false sense of self. Spirit Rock’s programs are designed to foster personal experiences of freedom for anyone with a willingness to develop their own practice, which we understand to be for the benefit of all beings.
Throughout the history of Buddhism, as well as in many other great spiritual traditions, liberation is described as both sudden and gradual. Spirit Rock honors both sudden awakening and gradual cultivation. This guide contains practice and study suggestions for both new and experienced meditators who seek a graduated path in their exploration of the Buddha’s teachings (called “the Dharma”) and the practice of Insight Meditation (Vipassana), and who are interested in an ongoing practice in our tradition.
We have divided the suggested areas of practice in to 4 levels of experience: Beginning Insight Meditation, Introduction to Buddhism, Exploring the Buddhist Path, and Deepening Practice and Wisdom. These are described in more detail below.
Each individual arrives at Spirit Rock with a unique blend of interests and spiritual practices. As a result, we continually offer a wide range of core teachings that we believe will be helpful to most practitioners.
You do not need to follow the steps in the exact order presented here. Attending any meditation retreat or program at Spirit Rock will support your practice.
How to Participate
This guide is designed for self-directed study and exploration of Buddhist practice. These suggestions are intended to enhance your integration and understanding of the Dharma. The components at each level provide the foundation for the teachings in subsequent levels.
Guidance from a teacher, community dharma leader, or a senior student recommended by a teacher can also be helpful in developing your path of practice. At some non-residential events, you can meet with a teacher or senior student to discuss your practice and study interests. Look for programs on the Spirit Rock website and in the quarterly Newsletter & Schedule of Events that offer this option.
Beginning Insight Meditation
You may have only recently begun to develop a connection with either Spirit Rock or perhaps a specific Spirit Rock teacher. You may have attended regular weekly programs such as our Monday night class for up to six months. Before this, it’s likely you will have practiced on your own or had only limited exposure to meditation or the Buddha’s teachings.
The core course in this stage is the Introduction to Insight Meditation multi-week class series. This class series provides a thorough introduction to the practice of Insight meditation and the basic teachings of the Buddha, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Three Characteristics and the Divine Abodes or Brahma Viharas (lovingkindness, compassion, appreciative joy and equanimity). Homework assignments and suggested daily practices are included. Completion of this class series is recommended before attending Introduction to Buddhism programs.
Daylong retreats entitled Introduction to Insight Meditation 101 or those with Jack Kornfield are particularly appropriate for new students as they always include basic meditation instructions and guidance in understanding the fundamental aspects of Buddhist practice. Many of these half-day, full-day and weekly programs are suitable for beginners.
Recommended books at this stage include:
• Seeking the Heart of Wisdom by Joseph Goldstein and Jack Kornfield
• A Path with Heart by Jack Kornfield
• It’s Easier Than You Think: The Buddhist Way to Happiness by Sylvia Boorstein
• Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn
Making a commitment to meditate will support and deepen your practice.
For a list of events designated at this level, click here.
Introduction to Buddhism
At this stage, you have attended a number of Spirit Rock programs, including half and full day events, over a period of six months or more. You are familiar with meditation and the basic principles of Buddhism. We recommend that you complete the class series Introduction to Insight Meditation or its equivalent led by a Spirit Rock teacher or affiliated sitting group before attending the programs at this level.
Central to this stage is Essential Dharma: Core Buddhist Teachings, a 3-part, multi-week class series. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the Buddha’s teachings.
Other recommended program and class topics include the Four Noble Truths, the Five Hindrances, the Three Characteristics, the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, and the Divine Abodes or Brahma Viharas.
During this time you should plan to attend a silent residential retreat. This experience will give you a new understanding of the power of sustained meditation practice. We also recommend that you attend the Essential Dharma Retreats. This is a pair of 5- and 7-night residential retreats which, when taken together, will give a thorough grounding in the central teachings of the Buddha and to the practice of Insight Meditation.
Recommended books at this stage include:
• The Experience of Insight and Insight Meditation by Joseph Goldstein
• Lovingkindness by Sharon Salzberg
• What the Buddha Taught by Walpola Rahula
• The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh
• Dancing With Life by Phillip Moffitt
Try to develop a regular sitting practice of at least 20 minutes per session. This will allow you to discover the benefits of mindfulness for yourself and help you to integrate the practice into your daily life.
For a list of events designated at this level, click here.
Exploring the Buddhist Path
By now you have attended many Spirit Rock programs over a period of a year or two, and you may feel connected to and supported by the teachings and practices. You have attended the Essential Dharma retreats, or at least two other silent, residential retreats at Spirit Rock.
The core program for this level is the Living Dharma retreat, a 7-night non-silent retreat that includes periods of study, group discussions and reflections. Prerequisite for attending a Living Dharma retreat is attendance at two 5-night or longer residential retreats.
You might also consider attending a Metta (lovingkindness) retreat or a retreat on mindfulness of the body. Metta retreats help us to develop an open and loving heart towards ourselves and others, as well as strengthening concentration, while body-based retreats support the deepening of mindfulness in our moment-to-moment experience. Look for programs marked with “Level Three” on the Spirit Rock web site and in the quarterly Newsletter & Schedule of Events.
You are encouraged to join a Dharma Friends/Kalyana Mitta group to participate in small group discussions and community (or sangha) support. For information on these groups, go to www.spiritrock.org and click on the Community tab.
Recommended books at this stage include:
• The Heart of Buddhist Meditation by Nyanaponika Thera
• Life of the Buddha by Bhikkhu Ñanamoli
* The Mind and the Way by Ajahn Sumedho
• Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind by Shunryu Suzuki Roshi
Make a commitment to a regular sitting practice. Try to bring mindfulness to your daily activities.
For a list of events designated at this level, click here.
Deepening Practice & Wisdom
By now you have attended many Spirit Rock programs and a number of retreats over a period of five years or more. At this stage, the teachings of the Buddha have become integral to your daily life.
Central to this level is the Dedicated Practitioners’ Program (DPP). This is a 2-year program that includes five non-silent, residential retreats, monthly homework and regular interviews with a teacher. The prerequisite for entry into DPP is five years of practice and 50 days of silent, residential Insight Meditation retreats. For more information on DPP, click here.
You are encouraged to attend retreats for senior students, such as the Concentration retreat, or to attend longer retreats like the annual one- and two-month retreats at Spirit Rock.
It may be appropriate for you to co-lead a Dharma Friends (Kalyana Mitta) group with another senior student.
There are many books suitable for students at this level. Some books of particular interest are:
• In the Buddha’s Words, edited and introduced by Bhikkhu Bodhi
• The Wise Heart by Jack Kornfield
• Heartwood of the Bodhi Tree by Ajahn Buddhadasa
• After the Ecstasy, the Laundry by Jack Kornfield
• I Am That by Nisargadatta Maharaj
Commitment to an on-going meditation practice is essential at this level. Dharma understanding starts to penetrate every aspect of your life.
For a list of events designated at this level, click here.
Generosity
Spirit Rock's intention is to make the teachings accessible to everyone. Fees for full and half-day programs, classes and special events are kept as low as possible. The fees charged are a major source of operating income for Spirit Rock. No one, however, will be turned away for lack of funds. Benefit events, some special events and residential retreats are an exception to this policy. Financial aid is available for residential retreats through the Spirit Rock Scholarship Fund. A flexible work exchange program is available for class, full-day and half-day programs.
Dana (pronounced "dah-na") is a Pali word meaning generosity. Dating back to the time of the Buddha, an interdependence has existed between those who offer the teachings and those who receive them. The teachings are given freely, since they are considered priceless. Registration fees for retreats cover food, rental, transportation, and other Spirit Rock expenses. None of this money goes directly to the teachers or residential retreat staff. Classes and daylongs are also held on a donation basis. To allow the teachers and residential retreat staff to continue their dharma work, support from the students is needed. There will be an opportunity to contribute at the end of each retreat, class and daylongs.
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