Spring 2012 Shamatha Retreat

Alan welcomes all participants and gives an overview of what the retreat will entail as well as some information on Thanyapura. After meditation Alan talks about motivations for the retreat and values of cultivating different kinds of intelligence. > Conative Intelligence is the ability to recognize which of our desires are meaningful. > Attentional Intelligence is choosing where to put our attention. > Cognitive Intelligence is the clarity of mind engaging with reality as it is. > Emotional Intelligence shows whether our emotional responses are balanced as compared to over-reactive. The practice of Shamatha enhances these four forms of intelligence and leads to a shift in our priorities. Note: Several sections concerning logistical issues have been removed from the recording. The meditation begins at 02:50