**Most of us were never taught how to concentrate. We were taught how to stay busy.** This is a one day retreat about the opposite skill. Gathering the attention, and letting it settle. **Concentration is not forcing yourself to focus. It is letting the mind get quiet enough that focus happens on its own.** It is a slow skill, more craft than trick. In a world that pulls at your attention all day, that is rare, and worth practicing. The day has a simple rhythm that repeats. A short teaching. A stretch of guided practice. Then time to rest and ask questions. A little steadier each round. A steady mind is the ground for everything else, including the deeper work on awareness and the self. But that comes later. Today we keep it simple, and just practice. **THE SHAPE OF THE DAY** Morning, we settle and build a base. Afternoon, we deepen it and learn to rest there. We close by looking at what a steady mind makes possible. **10:00 to 12:00,** morning practice **12:00 to 1:00,** lunch (bring your own) **1:00 to 3:00,** afternoon practice **3:00 to 3:15,** break **3:15 to 4:00,** closing **WHO IT IS FOR** Anyone. New sitters welcome. Longtime sitters who have lived in the breath for years and were never shown how to truly steady the mind, especially welcome. **WHAT TO BRING** Please bring a meditation cushion or a firm pillow to sit on. This one is required. Also bring comfortable clothes, a water bottle, and your own lunch. **WHERE** Gracie Barra North Austin, 8868 Research Blvd #608, Austin, TX 78758. Come in through the main entrance and we will be set up in the mat room. **ON GIVING, AND SHOWING UP** This day is offered as a gift. Generosity is the first practice, so we begin by giving it away freely. There is nothing to pay to reserve your place and nothing due at the door. If the day serves you, you are welcome to give at the end. **A suggested offering is:** 50 to 150, though any amount is welcome. Donations support our nonprofit and keep the door open for the next person. **We give freely, and we ask for one thing in return:** honesty. If you sign up, come. If your plans change, please mark yourself as not attending so we know. We prepare the space for the number we expect, and a true headcount lets us hold the room well. **Make a contribution for the day here:** https://account.venmo.com/u/meditationcommunity OR **Directly impact our nonprofit causes here:** https://givebutter.com/meditationcommunity Six hours, one steady mind. Come find out what your attention can do when you stop scattering it.
