GWV retreat center

[bodhimind]

Thank-you, bodhimind, for all of the recommendations.  From experience I seem to only have success working with people who have already stumbled upon deep meditation, so I have no plans to write a how-to, or beginner level meditation book.  I will just keep it as it is, and let it sell on face value.

As for adding captured images instead of charts, and fonts, etc. remember Kindle format is text only.  That means no charts, no images, no fonts.

Hmm, I understand that. Perhaps the book could be targeted towards people already with deep experiences. Now that I think about it, a beginner level book would not be the ideal.

Kindle does support images, as I've published some books like health recipes with images through a doc file. Perhaps that could work out?

[Jhanananda]

Hmm, I understand that. Perhaps the book could be targeted towards people already with deep experiences. Now that I think about it, a beginner level book would not be the ideal.

Yes, the problem is it appears that there are very few people who meditate deeply, so the market may not justify putting ink on paper.

Kindle does support images, as I've published some books like health recipes with images through a doc file. Perhaps that could work out?

This must be new since I ePublsihed my book of poetry.  I will have to look into the subject again.

[jay.validus]

Gary Bencivenga, a very famous copywriter, or salesperson, said that there were four elements to persuasion (this link is excellent):

1. Urgent Problem (eg. "getting nowhere in meditation", "don't know how to meditate", "lost in the conflicting interpretations of Buddhism", etc)
2. Unique Promise (eg. a different approach, I don't think this is a problem either, GWV is quite unique)
3. Unquestionable Proof (eg. credentials and "why must I trust you", which isn't a problem)
4. User-Friendly Proposition (eg. ease of getting it)

It seems like there is absolutely no problem in these factors, so there is no problem in convincing a person that the book is good and high-quality. These things, while obvious, just need to be stated. The only problem is how the message is delivered, such that they feel they are getting their money's worth. I find that it is straightforward because it is just a rearrangement to make it more appealing to the masses.

An instructor of mine has a great story from his mentor.  Everyone would always come to him with these great ideas.  He would turn to them and say, "That's a great idea, get on that".  He who thinks it, does it. 

[Alexander]

I don't think it's wise to seek publicity when you're the real deal. Most people are not interested in liberation: so, they will either respond with hostility, or at best misunderstand you.

Jesus answered them, "The mysteries of the kingdom of heaven have been given to you, but to them it has not been given. For whoever has, more shall be given to him, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away."

[Frederick]

I love this idea. If I were wealthy, I'd buy the property.

I just finished a great book called _The Righteous Mind_ that did a survey of communities, and the vast majority of the ones which were successful were religious and had a form of self-sacrifice.

I guess in this case, most people would be more interested in how well the community helps each other meditate rather than the "success" of the community as a whole.

In many ways, our community will always be fairly small, and I don't think that's a bad thing.

That being said, the dream of having us all living and meditating in the same geographic location, at least for part of the year, fills me with joy.

[Jhanananda]

Thank-you, follinge, for posting your kind support of the GWV.  This is all I believe we need, is a supportive community of contemplatives, and we will be able to do miracles from combined effort.

[Jhanananda]

Thanks to Tad for reviving interest in the subject of wilderness retreat, and a possible retreat center. I currently live half the year on a wildlife preserve. The forest service locks a gate on the access road during the cold half of the year, so I and anyone interested in living out there would have to be mobile. My health is better migrating, because I don't seem to do well in the cold.

The owners of the land have given me permission to move all of my stuff out there, and plant a garden, which I have done.  They have also given me permission to allow others to move out there who are interested in leading a contemplative life. So, a grass-roots contemplative community could emerge there. But, everyone would have to be self-reliant, and mobile, because there is nothing but trees and wildlife out there.  There is a spring, but the animals bathe in it, so drinking the water is not an option.

I expect to die out there, and I have permission to do that, and be buried out there, so it could become a pilgramage site one day. There is 167 acres of old growth forest, which I am responsible for preserving, but there are plenty of trees out there that could be harvested and milled into lumber and used to build cabins. Trailers and motor homes could be brought out there as well. Occasionally I am offered a travel trailer, which is too old a decrepit to sell, but could be restored and inhabited, so I plan to move a few out there to be used as guest cottages.

[Alexander]

so it could become a pilgramage site one day.

The saint of Sedona

[Jhanananda]

so it could become a pilgramage site one day.

The saint of Sedona

Thanks, yes, Sedona is close enough for the association, but I am about 25 miles from Sedona. But, if people actually develop an interest in pilgrimage to my final resting place it will be a long time from now, and surely Sedona will capitalize on it, being a new age theme park for the wealthy and famous.

[Tad]

I hope an opportunity will arise for me to visit Jhananda one day.  But if not, it would be great to visit the places where Jhananda meditated. I am big fan of AZ so I will always be looking for reasons to go there.

[Jhanananda]

Thank you, Tad. In an effort to find air clean enough for me to breathe without getting sick, I traveled all over the western half of the USA, so I camped in the remotest spots I could find for long periods of meditation.  These places were often close to hot springs to treat my reactive arthritis. So, there are lots of places to find solitude in the western wildernesses, and I probably camped and meditated there.

[Alexander]

Thanks, yes, Sedona is close enough for the association, but I am about 25 miles from Sedona. But, if people actually develop an interest in pilgrimage to my final resting place it will be a long time from now, and surely Sedona will capitalize on it, being a new age theme park for the wealthy and famous.

The master speaks the truth as usual 😂