I had rather see the portrait of a dog I know than all the allegories you can show me. Dr Johnson, In the Nature of Existence and other seminars, Sangharakshita said that Buddhist practice was about a deepening engagement with what is in front of us, rather than being going 'somewhere else'. During the retreat, we will explore samatha and vipassana through study, meditation, and contemplation. We will use seminar materials, poems and an exploration of the concept of 'imagination' to deepen our understanding of this theme, and our Buddhist practice.