John H:
I've put this in the stream entry category as that's what I'll be gunning for next weekend when I plan to do a mini home retreat. I was wondering if it's worthwhile including concentration sits when doing a retreat? Or just noting non-stop?
Depends on how you view "stream entry" and what is included in the realization of that process.
Noting, alone, doesn't necessarily involve arriving at any realization whatsoever. Noting, from my understanding of its practice, is meant to enhance mindfulness. If it is used for that endeavor, it can be a useful tool to help people increase
sati / mindfulness.
Concentration, on the other hand, directly involves the process of realization (of whatever phenomenon is being contemplated). It is not necessary to burden oneself with the idea that they must be able to practice jhana (fixed concentration or absorption in a given object) in order to arrive at a realization. Being able to focus the mind and attention on those aspects of the Dhamma which bring about unconditional confidence in the Dhamma (lessening, or even removing, all doubt about what the Buddha taught) is all that is really required. And this doesn't necessarily need to be realized during meditation/contemplation (although, of course, it may be). One can arrive at a stream entry realization during normal everyday consciousness, in other words. So, don't limit your resources in this endeavor.
