Retreat Programme
Chinese Zen Meditation Retreats, and More
We lead intensive meditation retreats at Maenllwyd our main retreat centre in Wales, and also at other meditation centres in England and Scotland such as Hourne Farm near Crowborough in E. Sussex. We also have facilities for solitary retreats.
Some of our retreats follow closely the traditional methods of teaching and practice, and others such as our 'Western Zen Retreat' include adaptations to match the needs of Westerners. We also use some Tibetan Buddhist meditation practices such as Mahamudra. Most of our retreats are silent retreats - read the retreat descriptions for details.
We also hold other events such as conferences, local group day retreats, etc.
Retreat Calendar
(errors and omissions excepted)
Retreat Programme 2009 as a pdf file
The Application form is on the Booking Details page.
Five Day Chan Retreat
19th January to 24th January 2009
Leader: Fiona Nuttall
Venue: Maenllwyd
The five-day Chan Retreat is similar in format to the full Silent Illumination Retreat, based on the teachings of Master Sheng-yen, and the teachings of the Western Chan Fellowship. It is suitable for beginners, and for experienced practitioners who are unable to commit to the full seven days. There will be an emphasis on Silent Illumination practice, though you may prefer to work with the breath. Practice will be supported through meditation instruction, mindfulness in daily activity, community in silence, Dharma talks and personal interviews, together with all of the other features of a Maenllwyd Retreat.
Suitable for beginners
Western Zen Retreat
14th March to 19th March 2009
Leader: Simon Child
Venue: Maenllwyd
A simple monastic regime enables the mind to face the major paradox - Who am I? - in creative mutual questioning. People work in turns with each member of the group in exploring this fundamental Koan. The intensive focus drives each into a self-presentation that is difficult to experience in other ways. The outcome may be a profound sense of the unity of self and possibly a direct insight into the 'ground of being', in traditional Zen considered to be a glimpse of Enlightenment. Whether or not such an insight happens, participants share a rich experience in new self-knowledge and understanding others. Open equally to beginners and established trainees.
Suitable for beginners
Silent Illumination
18th April to 25th April 2009
Leader: John Crook
Venue: Maenllwyd
This traditional week-long retreat will allow the time and space for serious practitioners to learn, practice and cultivate the method of Silent Illumination. Simple yet difficult, within this space you may encounter an opening that allows you to come to rest and find freedom, peace and lucidity. This is not a place to opt out but enables effective engagement with daily life. Facilitated in a kindly and supportive manner we will present the teaching and methods of Master Sheng-yen, through practice, talks and individual interviews. The format will be that of a full Chan retreat, rising early, a rigorous schedule of meditation and exercise, with work periods for food preparation and keeping the Maenllwyd (Grey Mountain) log fires glowing. In the still heart of Wales, join us for this intensive Seven Day Chan Retreat.
Leaders Retreat
25th April to 28th April 2009
Leader: John Crook
Venue: Maenllwyd
A retreat for group leaders in the WCF providing instruction through practice and discussion on how to teach meditation and run small Dharma groups.
By Invitation Only.
Western Zen Retreat
6th June to 11th June 2009
Leader: Jake Lyne
Venue: Maenllwyd
A simple monastic regime enables the mind to face the major paradox - Who am I? - in creative mutual questioning. People work in turns with each member of the group in exploring this fundamental Koan. The intensive focus drives each into a self-presentation that is difficult to experience in other ways. The outcome may be a profound sense of the unity of self and possibly a direct insight into the 'ground of being', in traditional Zen considered to be a glimpse of Enlightenment. Whether or not such an insight happens, participants share a rich experience in new self-knowledge and understanding others. Open equally to beginners and established trainees.
Suitable for beginners
Relationship as Chan Practice
20th June to 26th June 2009
Leader: Ken Jones
Venue: Maenllwyd
Based each on our own experience, we shall examine how intimate relationship can become a major element in spiritual practice. Our enquiry will include sex, romantic love, co-dependency and related topics. Talks, interactive exercises, and interviews on a strong foundation of meditation.
Suitable for beginners
Western Zen Retreat
1st August to 6th August 2009
Leader: Hilary Richards
Venue: Maenllwyd
A simple monastic regime enables the mind to face the major paradox - Who am I? - in creative mutual questioning. People work in turns with each member of the group in exploring this fundamental Koan. The intensive focus drives each into a self-presentation that is difficult to experience in other ways. The outcome may be a profound sense of the unity of self and possibly a direct insight into the 'ground of being', in traditional Zen considered to be a glimpse of Enlightenment. Whether or not such an insight happens, participants share a rich experience in new self-knowledge and understanding others. Open equally to beginners and established trainees.
Suitable for beginners
Silent Illumination
29th August to 5th September 2009
Leader: Simon Child
Venue: Maenllwyd
This traditional week-long retreat will allow the time and space for serious practitioners to learn, practice and cultivate the method of Silent Illumination. Simple yet difficult, within this space you may encounter an opening that allows you to come to rest and find freedom, peace and lucidity. This is not a place to opt out but enables effective engagement with daily life. Facilitated in a kindly and supportive manner we will present the teaching and methods of Master Sheng-yen, through practice, talks and individual interviews. The format will be that of a full Chan retreat, rising early, a rigorous schedule of meditation and exercise, with work periods for food preparation and keeping the Maenllwyd (Grey Mountain) log fires glowing. In the still heart of Wales, join us for this intensive Seven Day Chan Retreat.
Koan Retreat
10th October to 17th October 2009
Leader: John Crook
Venue: Maenllwyd
This retreat focuses on traditional koans as a means of training. This retreat is designed for Westerners based in the writings of Linji, Hsu Yun, Hakuin, and Dogen, and incorporates both Chinese and Japanese approaches in a fresh format. Previous experience of either a Western Zen Retreat or Chan/Silent Illumination retreat is required.
Audio Talk on Koan Retreat
Audio files of a talk on the Koan Retreat, given by John Crook in New York in March 2006. Total length 100 minutes, divided into two files:
Lo res files 16kbit, faster to download, about 5.7Mb each, sound quality adequate but not quite as good:
Hi res files 100kbit vbr, slower to download, about 37Mb each, sound quality better:
Five Day Chan Retreat
24th October to 29th October 2009
Leader: Jake Lyne
Venue: Hourne Farm
In silent retreat the mind may calm and open, enabling the cultivation of wisdom and compassion. Whether you are already on the journey or are just beginning, a period of dedicated practice can give you a taste or a deepening of Chan insight. There will be teaching in Chan methods for newcomers, and ample practice opportunity for experienced practitioners. We shall rise early with a concentrated programme of sitting meditation and exercise sessions. Personal interviews will be available. Newcomers are particularly welcome.
Suitable for beginners
Mahamudra on the Tantric Path
7th November to 14th November 2009
Leader: John Crook
Venue: Maenllwyd
An opportunity for practitioners to deepen their insight through an introduction to a profound Tibetan meditation system that originated in India during the richest period of Mahayana evolution. Preliminary exercises create the motivation for receiving an empowerment to practice methods evoking compassion and wisdom with humility and self-understanding. The retreat provides the first steps in 'becoming a Buddha in one lifetime' through the mental yogas of the Mahamudra meditation system. Previous experience of either a Western Zen Retreat or Chan/Silent Illumination retreat is required.
Western Zen Retreat
28th November to 3rd December 2009
Leader: Simon Child
Venue: Maenllwyd
A simple monastic regime enables the mind to face the major paradox - Who am I? - in creative mutual questioning. People work in turns with each member of the group in exploring this fundamental Koan. The intensive focus drives each into a self-presentation that is difficult to experience in other ways. The outcome may be a profound sense of the unity of self and possibly a direct insight into the 'ground of being', in traditional Zen considered to be a glimpse of Enlightenment. Whether or not such an insight happens, participants share a rich experience in new self-knowledge and understanding others. Open equally to beginners and established trainees.
Suitable for beginners
© Western Chan Fellowship, UK, 2008. May not be quoted for commercial purposes. Anyone wishing to quote for non-commercial purposes may seek permission from the WCF Secretary.
