The Buddha taught directed and undirected practice as twin aspects of satipatthana, establishing mindfulness. In directed practice we aim mind at an object and hold it there. In undirected practice we pull back, so mind is neither aimed nor held. When this happens, the Buddha says the practitioner is happy and their mind is unconstricted, freed (SN 47.10 The bhikkhunis’ quarters). In this retreat we will explore both directed and undirected practice, as essential aspects of the craft of meditation.
