Koan of Cessation

A Two-Day Online Retreat

The Koan of Cessation will be an exploration of what Cessation is, how its viewed in Theravada Buddhism, and guided meditations towards the direct experience of Cessation.

The sweeping experience and impact of Cessation can only be recognized after Cessation fades, as perception, consciousness, and awareness return. There is a felt sense of alive, unencumbered freshness—a newness of perception, awareness, knowingness, consciousness itself. When conceptual functioning is reactivated, the confident experiential knowing reveals that Cessation was present. Typically, along with the knowing confirmation comes the fruit of this undivided union with Cessation. By “fruit” I mean how awareness and consciousness were altered, changed, or refreshed by complete merging with the unconditioned source of all creation, mentality, and materiality.

One fruit of sustained, repeated merging with Cessation is that the self-identity ceases. It may be replaced with the Absence quality of the Absolute realm. It is the Absence of any conceptual manner of knowing who and what you are. It is direct, filled with every possibility, and made entirely of complete, embracing, welcoming love. In this ceasing of self-identity, absent are the ways you knew you were this person, with these qualities, thoughts, memories, and emotions. The Absolute realm itself fills the vacancy left by our customary self-identity. Our reaction is not a perception of loss or frustration; it is a satisfied whole-body sigh of relief. The Absolute replaces the self-identity. Should there be a turn toward our interiority, rather than landing in the typical sense of self, we find the Absence quality of no-source as what is being referenced. Life then becomes a functioning of all that is unconditioned. The issue of life and death change, too. There is a warmhearted neutrality in knowing the Absence qualities of the Absolute realm will remerge when this particular form of life concludes and is extinguished. In other words, at death this is one possibility where our consciousness will land.

— Stephen Mugen Snyder, Roshi, Demystifying Awakening

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

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.

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