"One thing Lee Brasington and my friend emphasized to us about the jhanas is that reaching them requires time. They both mentioned that a week may not be enough depending on the person and that typically jhana retreats/training lasts at months sometimes. They also mentioned that a minimum samatha practice should be at least an hour a day."Jhana4 wrote:A friend of mine from my sutta study group has been on a number of jhana retreats in Asia ( some lasting several months ). She knows Lee and invited him to speak to and sit with our group. He is a very talented speaker, very easy to talk to, grounded in science and he has read the entire Pali Canon.
One thing Lee Brasington and my friend emphasized to us about the jhanas is that reaching them requires time. They both mentioned that a week may not be enough depending on the person and that typically jhana retreats/training lasts at months sometimes. They also mentioned that a minimum samatha practice should be at least an hour a day.
Based on having met him that night, I would say that if you can go to his retreat, do it, it will be worth it, but manage your expectations.
HTH
I suppose I am just a suspicious person, but when I see a statement like this it always seems to me like the thirty five pages of fine print on an Apple EULA1--all of which boils down to a legalism that says "your mileage might vary!"
Also, I have been practicing rather religiously fir forty five minutes per day for about two years and have yet to experience a definite jhana. Of course, he did say an hour a day!