Chinese Zen Meditation Retreats, Silent Retreats

Silent Illumination is a profound meditation practice which leads to a mind of great calmness and insight, using ancient Chinese Zen methods which are just as applicable to the modern West. It is the origin of the Japanese Soto Zen practice of Shikantaza but is approached somewhat differently and full instruction will be given.

This seven-night silent retreat is an opportunity to learn and deepen this practice through intensive meditation, with instruction and personal guidance by individual interviews with an experienced teacher. Whether or not a breakthrough to Enlightenment may occur, establishing a practice gives a firm basis for subsequent ongoing mindfulness and compassion in everyday life.

Retreats offer a wonderful opportunity for extended practice in supportive conditions, helping us to deepen our appreciation of meditation and Buddhist teachings.

The programme for our day of practice will include sitting meditation, walking meditation, mindful movement (qigong) and a Dharma talk.

To support us in our practice, our day together will be in silence, and is best suited for those with previous experience of meditation.

The ancient Chinese Zen practices of investigating Huatou and Gongan (Koan) are best practised in a supportive environment such as this intensive silent retreat. As one becomes deeply absorbed in the practice, mental constructions drop away and one is confronted by a realisation that one does not know the nature of existence and one's fundamental assumptions of life are groundless. Staying with and cultivating this 'doubt', it can become all-consuming 'Great doubt' which may 'shatter', giving a direct insight into reality which may be what is known as an Enlightenment experience.

South Devon Chan Group will be holding a day retreat on Saturday 29th June 2024, led by WCF teacher Jake Lyne, at Leusdon Memorial Hall, Poundsgate, Newton Abbot TQ13 7PE.

Day retreats are ideal for beginners and also our regular attendees. Jake will give a thought-provoking talk during the day on the theme of Liberation and Moral Responsibility. Personal interviews may be available.

Who am I? Thoroughly confronting this question can take us directly to the centre of our being. Over the course of this five-day retreat you will investigate the question "Who am I?" within a standard retreat framework, using silent meditation in conjunction with a unique method of verbal inquiry. This format allows you to use words to go beyond words and thereby enter the main gate of Chan.

The intensive nature of this process of inquiry drives each practitioner into a self-presentation that is difficult to experience in other ways. To guide and support you, personal interviews with the teachers are offered regularly throughout the retreat. With whole-hearted engagement this retreat may lead to the acceptance of self, the experience of "self at ease," and may even provide an opportunity for direct insight into the ground of being.

Read retreat reports by past participants in the Western Zen Retreat.

Silent Illumination is a profound meditation practice which leads to a mind of great calmness and insight, using ancient Chinese Zen methods which are just as applicable to the modern West. It is the origin of the Japanese Soto Zen practice of Shikantaza but is approached somewhat differently and full instruction will be given.

This seven-night silent retreat is an opportunity to learn and deepen this practice through intensive meditation, with instruction and personal guidance by individual interviews with an experienced teacher. Whether or not a breakthrough to Enlightenment may occur, establishing a practice gives a firm basis for subsequent ongoing mindfulness and compassion in everyday life.

Retreats offer a wonderful opportunity for extended practice in supportive conditions, helping us to deepen our appreciation of meditation and Buddhist teachings.

The programme for our day of practice will include sitting meditation, walking meditation, mindful movement (qigong) and a Dharma talk.

To support us in our practice, our day together will be in silence, and is best suited for those with previous experience of meditation.

This retreat will help participants to enter into the reality of daily experience, exploring and reducing the separation that is commonly felt between mind and body, and between individual and environment. Practice will help to bring habitual reactions into awareness and allow participants to gently release them resulting in greater appreciation of life in the here and now.

There will be meditation, working with the body and emotional awareness, connecting with the environment and nature.

The ancient Chinese Zen practices of investigating Huatou and Gongan (Koan) are best practised in a supportive environment such as this intensive silent retreat. As one becomes deeply absorbed in the practice, mental constructions drop away and one is confronted by a realisation that one does not know the nature of existence and one's fundamental assumptions of life are groundless. Staying with and cultivating this 'doubt', it can become all-consuming 'Great doubt' which may 'shatter', giving a direct insight into reality which may be what is known as an Enlightenment experience.

Who am I? Thoroughly confronting this question can take us directly to the centre of our being. Over the course of this five-day retreat you will investigate the question "Who am I?" within a standard retreat framework, using silent meditation in conjunction with a unique method of verbal inquiry. This format allows you to use words to go beyond words and thereby enter the main gate of Chan.

The intensive nature of this process of inquiry drives each practitioner into a self-presentation that is difficult to experience in other ways. To guide and support you, personal interviews with the teachers are offered regularly throughout the retreat. With whole-hearted engagement this retreat may lead to the acceptance of self, the experience of "self at ease," and may even provide an opportunity for direct insight into the ground of being.

Read retreat reports by past participants in the Western Zen Retreat.

Retreats offer a wonderful opportunity for extended practice in supportive conditions, helping us to deepen our appreciation of meditation and Buddhist teachings.

The programme for our day of practice will include sitting meditation, walking meditation, mindful movement (qigong) and a Dharma talk.

To support us in our practice, our day together will be in silence, and is best suited for those with previous experience of meditation.

Silent Illumination is a profound meditation practice which leads to a mind of great calmness and insight, using ancient Chinese Zen methods which are just as applicable to the modern West. It is the origin of the Japanese Soto Zen practice of Shikantaza but is approached somewhat differently and full instruction will be given.

This seven-night silent retreat is an opportunity to learn and deepen this practice through intensive meditation, with instruction and personal guidance by individual interviews with an experienced teacher. Whether or not a breakthrough to Enlightenment may occur, establishing a practice gives a firm basis for subsequent ongoing mindfulness and compassion in everyday life.

Previous experience of a residential retreat is recommended but serious beginners are also accepted.