| | You could probably have very good results whichever path you decided to work on -- concentration or insight. In the end, working on one will help you with the other anyway. In the Dhammapada, it says "There is no wisdom for him that has no jhana, and there is no jhana for him that has no wisdom. He that has both wisdom and jhana goes beyond." Or something like that. I can't remember what word in Pali was translated as "wisdom," so it might not be the best choice of words.
The decision depends on what's most important to you: insight as soon as possible, or insight with minimal bleed-through of the dark night. If getting large chunks of constant practice (like retreat time or several hours of meditation a day in your everyday life) is problematic to you, it might be wise to really strengthen your concentration now so that when you start doing regular insight practice, you have enough of the Five Faculties (mindfulness, concentration, wisdom, energy, trust/confidence) that your insight practice will be able to progress well. In other words, if you are limited in your resources of time for meditation, you'll want to use your time most efficiently when you start insight work. The qualities strengthened by correct, powerful jhana practice will help you use insight meditation hours more effectively.
On the other hand, you definitely have enough concentration now that you could start practicing insight meditation now so that by the time you get to the weekend, you have the hang of how insight is done. Then you could use the weekend to make lots of progress with insight. People have done stream entry without even having access concentration, so you're already capable of starting insight any time you want to. How much more you want to prepare is up to you -- just as long as you do see concentration practice as a preparation and aid to insight, and not as something to cultivate on its own. It seems like you already get that, so maybe I'm just rambling.
My basic point is this: check out what I've said, and what other more experienced people here say, then make a strong, firm decision about what you want to do. If you're going to use that weekend for insight practice, it's best to start getting ready before the weekend arrives. If you want to do concentration, then gather resources and find out what goals you want to set for your progress.
Whatever you decide to do, I hope it reduces your suffering and gives you peace! |