Vuthy Ou:
Hi Piers,
Thanks for that advice. Yes, I've been in contact with Linda and they are looking for a new meditation master at the moment, and I have no firm plans. The reasons I wanted to hit MBMC is that I'll be in Asia at the time and funds are very limited. The dollar goes a lot further there and I can be generous. Also because it was highly recommended by Daniel.
I will check out the Tathagata in more depth.
Also, I've been only doing this as an adult for about 4 months now - 1-1.5 hrs daily, no teacher outside of books, Goenka retreat 15+ years ago, IMS retreat scheduled in July - is the attempt at a 30-day too aggressive in your opinion? I want to hit stream entry as soon as possible while keeping the rest of my life thriving.
Thanks and love!
Vuthy
"is the attempt at a 30-day too aggressive in your opinion?"
Vuthy, I couldn't possibly know the answer to this question. There are so many factors at play here.
For some, 30 days wouldn't be enough. For others it would be way too much to handle. For others still it might be just about right. Further, depending on where you go and what technique you're using, this could also alter how much time you would be willing to spend intensively practicing.
For the very lucky few, they can gain very deep insight without even going on retreat at all. However, those people are rare.
There seems to be a majority view (on this site at least I've read it a few times) that most people need retreat time in order to make any serious progress.
How long in your case is really down to you. Only you know the answer to your own question based on your own temperament and particular proclivities.
Whatever, time frame you decide to commit to, I would suggest you stick to it through thick and thin.
A chap called Tarin Greco wrote a pretty good article a few years ago giving advice about the "right approach" for hitting a retreat.
It's been placed on this site and you can read it
here. It is titled "A Reformed Slackers Guide To Stream Entry".
If MBMC does not have a teacher in place at the time you're in Asia, there are plenty of other places you could go to in Thailand or Burma.
Check out:
Meditation in Southeast Asia One or two places the info is a bit out of date, but still I think it gives some could suggestions.
I've heard (though not been) that Wat Chom Tong has a good reputation. A sister place with a similar teaching is Wat Ram Poeng. I reviewed it in this thread
stream entry in thailand~Piers