The Healing Encounter

April 21, 2017 By Judy Lief

7th Annual PROFOUND TREASURY RETREAT

June 14-23 at Ferry Beach Conference Center, Saco, Maine

Sharpening the Sword of Prajna: The Awakening of Insight

“Prajna is of absolute, utmost importance in Buddhism. As you are progressing on the path, even if you are not yet enlightened, there are always glimpses of prajna. Prajna discriminates between entities very clearly. It distinguishes between what is and what is not, but it does not promote or reject anything.”

The focus of this year’s retreat will be on vipashyana and the awakening of prajna or knowing. Prajna “best knowing” extends from simple intellectual understanding to direct intuitive insight. On the path of dharma, the ability to think clearly, to develop curiosity, to question and engage with the teachings is essential.

Shamatha, or mindfulness, practice provides a foundation. With that grounding, vipashyana or insight practice, brings clarity and brightness. Vipashyana gives rise to prajna; in turn, prajna gives birth to the realization of egolessness and the open expanse of shunyata.

Vipashyana awareness extends the meditative experience into all the activities of daily life. As meditation in action, it cuts through dullness and disconnection and awakens a more sharp, fresh, and tender approach to life.

Topics include:

– The dawning of vipashyana from the ground of shamatha

– Engaging with the dharma

– The connection between shamatha, vipashyana, prajna, and egolesssness

– The crucial role of inquisitiveness

– Gentleness as the mark of learning