"Meditation Teachings Book 4, 20-day Retreat Selections" is a collection of selected teachings taken from the second 10 days of Rosemary & Steve's 20-day meditation retreats, which were taught at Wat Kow Tahm International Meditation Center, Koh Pah-ngan Island, Thailand. The 20-day retreats were prepared as deeper teachings for our "old" students, those who have already done at least two of our retreats.
Steve and Rosemary teach a practice that centers around developing an awareness, mindfulness, that is guided by a compassionate intention. A compassionate awareness seeks to avoid harm for ourselves and others by becoming keenly aware of how our actions, speech and thoughts affect both ourselves and others.
By becoming more compassionately mindful, we cultivate an insight and compassionate understanding that helps increase beneficial qualities such as patience, compassion, lovingkindness, acceptance and forgiveness. As well, it also enables us to let go of qualities that disturb our own inner well being and the well being of others, such as anger, jealousy, fear, etc.
Many different techniques, based on the compassionate and wise teachings of the Buddha found in Theravada Buddhism, are introduced in order to develop a balance practice. Each different method has it's own importance in helping to develop a practice that can be applied to any moment of the day and not just when practicing formal meditation.
Although many of the selections in this book can be beneficial for any sincere spiritual practitioner, familiarity with the style, emphasis and methods that we use in the basic practice serves as strong foundation for understanding more advanced teachings on a deeper level. For those who have not done a retreat with us, it is beneficial to read our other books which cover the regular retreat: "...with Compassionate Understanding", a basic collection of the retreat talks; and/or "Meditation Teachings Book 3, 10-day Retreat Selections", a collection of selected teachings from the regular retreat.
Selections from our 20-day retreat are compiled in easy-to read format. Sometimes excerpts are just a few words, others are a paragraph or two. There are poems and stories. Any of them can be a wonderful source of inspiration. Opening the book to any page, reading a little and contemplating can stimulate the mind to deeper levels. Or reading from page one to the end can be motivational and rewarding.
It is our sincere wish that this book will be of much benefit for you, and that you will be able to share this benefit with others. May we all grow in peace, compassion, love, understanding, joy and equanimity.