PRACTICE OF THE LEVEL II RETREAT
1) Withdrawal of attention from perceptual images
2) Withdrawal of attention from memory images
3) Focusing attention on the body
a) Relaxing the body
b) Calming the breathing
c) Attainment of stillness of mind – Ecstasy (Jhana)
In the Beginner’s Retreat, Level-I, we focused on the Harmonious Perspective and the Harmonious Orientation, which results in Harmonious Speech, Action and Lifestyle. At this Intermediate Retreat, Level-II, we focus on the next step in the Sublime Eightfold Way, which is the Harmonious Exercise, which leads to the Harmonious Mental Equilibrium. This mental equilibrium achieved at this retreat, however, is temporary, because it can be lost if the mind gets polluted again, due to negligence or a lack of maintenance.
The equilibrium will remain undisturbed only when Nibbāna is reached, through the practice of the Seven Steps to Awakening (satta bojjhanga). This practice will be done, however, only at the Level-III Retreat. When Nirvāna is attained, one gains the tranquillity that can never be disturbed. This is why Nirvana is called the Imperturbable Serenity of Mind (akuppā-ceto-vimutti). This is also called “Equilibrium without a break” (samâdhim-ânantarika-aññamâhu).
At the beginner’s retreat Level-I, meditation was seen as an effort to purify the mind, and we called our practice Selective Thinking. At this intermediate retreat, Level-II, meditation should be seen as an effort to calm the mind, and we call our practice, Cultivating Tranquility Of Mind. The cultivation of tranquillity is properly achieved through the Harmonious Exercise. This practice achieves two things: mental calmness and physical relaxation.
The aim of this intermediate retreat therefore is to learn to purify and quieten the mind. To purifying the mind, is to quieten the mind. The pure and quiet mind is a happy mind that also brings happiness to others. The aim of this retreat is therefore to BE A HAPPY PERSON who also BRINGS HAPPINESS TO THE WORLD.