Concentration as the Foundation

This session reflects on the integration period following a 7-day concentration retreat centred on the Elephant Path. The conversation explores how structured concentration practice serves as a foundation for later stages of insight and view, particularly in preparation for the upcoming November retreat focused on emptiness. Participants share observations on how discipline, posture, and the settling of attention continue to shape their daily engagement with meditation. The importance of concentration as a stabilising force in the mind-stream is highlighted, especially as a counterpoint to distraction, conceptual drift, or over-reliance on unstructured presence. There is discussion about the relationship between attention and view, how effort can support spacious awareness, and the role of intention in sustaining momentum after retreat. The group also shares experiences of returning to daily life, re-encountering inner habits, and reapplying practice principles in more fluid environments. Teachings from ATRI Sessions Five and Six are echoed throughout the dialogue, especially in regard to the enduring value of cultivating concentration with and without form.

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Feb 19, 2025 | Appearances and Awareness in Dzogchen