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I found this on Stephen Batchelor's website and it really speaks to me. Any comments, feedback are welcome. Ten Days or Else Recently someone at a weekend non-residential retreat asked me if it was true that one needed to do a residential retreat of 10 days to achieve anything in meditation.  Possibly it might be necessary in those systems that advocate 10 day intensive retreats. However it seems to me that it depends on what one wants to achieve and the time one has.  Moreover what is the measure of success?  Deep meditative states or living a creative, wise and compassionate life?  To live a creative, wise and compassionate life you do not necessarily need deep meditative states.  You only need to apply the creative awareness you develop through cultivating concentration and enquiry in meditation in your daily life.  How do you speak, hear, act, relate?  Can you creatively engage with the diverse circumstances of your life?

Hi Li-Anne - can you post the SN references for the retreat teachings please? And maybe a link to a good place to find them... Such a lovely retreat. Having decompressed back into daily existence, it is interesting to observe the before and after states. Certainly different - nourishing, strengthening and softening, all at the same time. :) Metta

I received a question from someone about the difference between contentment and resignation. Do you see a difference in the two? Please share your reflections and experiences on the differences and similarities.