Cultivating Concentration and the Jhanas

A 10-day meditation retreat with Shaila Catherine

October 1 – 11, 2026
at Calvin Center, 13550 Woolsey Road, Hampton, GA 30228
(near Atlanta, GA)

The retreat begins with registration from 2:30 – 4:00 pm on Oct 1. The retreat ends around noon, before lunch on Oct 11.

Partial attendance may be possible, but it must begin on the first day of the retreat and priority will be given to those registering for the full retreat.

This retreat will follow the approach to deepening concentration and attaining the absorption states of jhāna as described in Shaila Catherine’s book, The Jhanas, (previously published as Focused and Fearless). Instructions will use the breath as the primary meditation object and will encourage the development of meditative skills that lead to deep concentration (samādhi) and clear insight (vipassanā). Daily group instructions will guide participants to efficiently overcome hindrances, cultivate the jhāna factors, develop skill in the meditation object, apply balanced effort, and learn how to enter, emerge, and master the jhāna attainments.

This retreat offers a special opportunity to train in concentration and jhāna practices with personal guidance from Shaila Catherine. It is one of the very few retreats each year in which Shaila systematically guides students to establish the four jhānas. See our Concentration and Jhana FAQ page for more information about developing concentration and the absorption states of jhāna.

Prior to the retreat, please read the first half of The Jhanas (or Focused and Fearless) by Shaila Catherine.

This silent retreat is structured with alternating periods of sitting and walking meditation, dhamma teachings, and teacher consultations. It will provide an ideal occasion for nurturing serenity and calmness, and introducing the methods for developing jhana practice. No previous jhana experience is required, however, this retreat is intended for meditators who already have an established mindfulness based practice, and have previously attended at least two multi-day silent residential retreats.

SITE FEATURES: This retreat will be held at the Calvin Center in Georgia. It is a lovely and quiet retreat center in the country side that boasts a small lake and opportunities for canoeing when weather permits. It is conveniently situated about 45-minutes from Atlanta’s airport. You will enjoy the benefits of natural beauty, a spacious meditation hall, comfortable accommodations, delicious meals, access to walking trails, and the chance for mindful canoeing.

COVID PRECAUTIONS: Participants are asked to help us prevent illness from entering the retreat or spreading if symptoms occur during the retreat. Please read our guidelines here, and do not attend this retreat if you anticipate resisting our efforts to mitigate the risks of spreading illness. In a nutshell, at this retreat participants are asked to not attend the retreat if they are ill, bring self-test kits and masks to use in case symptoms arise, communicate honestly with the teacher about health conditions, and follow the instructions of the teacher or retreat staff.  

Register now! Space is limited.

Participants who are traveling from afar might need to check flight times carefully, and if necessary arrange to stay in a hotel the night before the retreat. Early-arrival accommodations are not available at this retreat center, and we must depart shortly after noon on the closing day.

TO REGISTER: Please use the online form at the link below to submit your registration and waiver forms.

• Registration Form: https://www.imsb.org/form-calvin2026/

This form will take approximately 20 minutes to fill out. Upon completion of the form you will receive an email with details for completing your payment. You have the option of paying the non-refundable deposit of $250 or the full retreat payment either by mailing a check to the registrar or by making a Zelle bank transfer. The address and account information for making this payment will be included in the registration confirmation email.

The retreat facility is somewhat handicapped accessible. Accommodations include comfortable hotel-style rooms with ensuite baths, and dorm-style cabins and lodges. See the application form for accommodation details.

COST: 10 nights (registration fee includes accommodation and meals). You will also be invited to make a donation to the teacher(s) at the end of retreat.

• Full retreat for single occupancy: 10 nights is $3700 – $3200 sliding scale (estimated actual cost for single is $3400)
• Double occupancy sliding scale: $3000 – $2600 (estimated actual cost for double occupancy is $2800)

Fee covers only accommodations, food, and basic administrative expenses. There will be an opportunity at the end of the retreat to make a donation to the teacher.

The estimated actual per-person cost if we had used a fixed rate is $3400 for a single room, $2800 for a shared room. By selecting an amount above the estimated actual cost, your generosity supports those who need to select a lower rate to attend the retreat. Selecting an amount below the estimated actual cost is equivalent to receiving a partial scholarship. The sliding scale will allow most scholarship needs to be self-managed. If you need additional scholarship support to attend, consider applying for a scholarship through https://opendharmafoundation.org, or contact our registrar for assistance through IMSB/Bodhi-Retreats.

PARTIAL ATTENDANCE may be arranged for a stay of 5 nights or more, but must begin on the first day of retreat, and priority is given to full retreat participants. We strongly encourage attendance at the full retreat. Applicants for partial attendance will be placed on a wait list which will be reviewed approximately 2 months prior to the retreat. Partial attendees will likely be housed in double occupancy rooms unless single rooms remain available 1 month prior to the retreat. You may contact the registrar to determine if single rooms for partial attendance are available.

The sliding scale rates for partial attendance below are listed as single occupancy. Take 15% off the single rate for double accommodations.

• 5 nights (Tuesday–Sunday) is $2500 – $2000 sliding scale
• 6 nights (Tuesday–Monday) is $2900 – $2400 sliding scale
• 7–9 nights sliding scale rate is same as full retreat

DANA: Compensation for the teacher is not included in the registration price. There will be an opportunity to offer donations to the teacher at the end of the retreat.

RESEARCH ON MEDITATION: Shaila Catherine is working with a research team connected with McGill University (Jonas Mago, Joshua Brahinsky, Michael Lifshitz) to study how intensive meditation shapes the mind and body. Data was gathered at a 10-day retreat in Georgia in 2025 developing concentration with metta. In October 2026 we hope to gather data on the experience of developing concentration through mindfulness with breathing. We are inviting all attendees of this retreat to participate—we need the participation of both novice and experienced practitioners to move forward with this research. Shaila and the research team are designing the data collection methods to protect your silence and minimize potential interference in the development of your concentration. More information and the option of opting in or opting out of the research study will be provided to registered retreat participants.

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Co-Sponsored by Bodhi Retreats and Insight Meditation South Bay