Experiencing Stream Entry

A Day-long Online Retreat

This daylong will focus on the awakeness of stream entry and how to develop, cultivate, and live from these qualities of awakeness.  This will be practices from Mugen’s new book “Living Awakeness”.

At the core of the Absolute is a process, a potential unifying experience that we call Cessation in Buddhism. It is the ending of all materiality and mentality. Let yourself imagine what the lack of all materiality—meaning all physicality—and the lack of all mentality—meaning all mental functioning, including thoughts and concepts to define or categorize our world and experience—would be like. As well, the experience of Cessation includes a silencing of the sense of self we all carry.

Cessation is experienced by orienting toward rooted peace, deep-seated Absence, and the profound stillness of the unmanifest Absolute. When peace and stillness combine with Absence, these qualities have the capacity and function of unrestrained, thoroughgoing acceptance. This means when the meditator approaches Cessation, thoughts slow and stop; all markers of identity, of a me, disappear.

As the markers of our identity start to fade, the final two psychological functions that we experience are awareness and consciousness. As consciousness and awareness move deeper into Cessation, consciousness quiets and stops. We then are functioning as and with pure awareness. Pure awareness means awareness without reflective conceptual capability. We cannot compare what is in perception with any memory or prior experience. It is new and fresh. Pure awareness softens as it meets the deep, unending peace and embracing, inclusive stillness, until it too ceases.

And then there is nothing. In deep Cessation there is no awareness, no perception of nothingness. It is like a dreamless, deep sleep. The body relaxes deeply in its place. The mind is silent. Identity is nowhere.

— Stephen Mugen Snyder, Roshi, Living Awakeness

This daylong will include Dharma talks, guided meditations, 15-minute breaks, and ample time for questions or comments among the group.

Suitable for beginning meditators, as well as those in the intermediate and advanced groups.

This event will be recorded. If you are unable to attend live, signing up will give you access to the recording afterwards.

Stephen Mugen Snyder, Roshi is a senior meditation teacher in the Buddhist Theravada and Zen traditions.  He is the author of Demystifying Awakening, Buddha’s Heart, Liberating the Self, and co-author of Practicing the Jhanas. He works with students worldwide as well as leading online and in-person retreats in the U.S., the U.K., and Europe.

Investment: Dāna (donation)

Please review the Cancellation Policy.