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Dharma Library

A large collection of articles, from past issues of New Chan Forum and more besides.

  • Search by keywords, using the search box
  • Or select articles by various categories such as for newcomers / highlighted, topic or author - click on the buttons found below the listed articles.

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  • Person sitting on stone block overlooking landscape

    Seeing the Wonder

    Anonymous | 15-04-2006

    The context for attending this retreat feels important. It was the first retreat I had sat as a participant for 2 years - I had acted as Guestmaster on a couple of retreats since then, the last occasion being six months previously on a Western Zen Retreat, when I had sat in on some interviews with the retreat leader. I had really enjoyed this, but I continue to feel it is a privilege to be asked…

    Read more of: Seeing the Wonder
  • Person sitting cross-legged overlookinglandscape

    Surrounded by Silence and Care

    Anonymous | 18-09-2005

    Solitary Retreat at Maenllwyd: Sept. 6 - 13th 2005

    On arrival, I felt overjoyed to be at the Maenllwyd and tears flowed on seeing the garden's bright flowers. The sign, "Free" on the outside toilet summed up my hopes and expectations for the week. Before unpacking the car I rang the mule bells, then went up to the Buddha room and lay down on the cook's bed in the alcove where I had planned to…

    Read more of: Surrounded by Silence and Care
  • Person sitting on stone block overlooking landscape

    Fixing the Separator

    Anonymous | 01-07-2004

    Before setting off on my journey to the retreat I was looking forward to the train journey and to a few hours walking before arriving at the Maenllwyd and I was excited at the prospect of coming on another retreat. However as I walked from Caersws the beautiful scenery only occasionally managed to break through my mental meanderings and I felt rather grumpy at the prospect of more communication…

    Read more of: Fixing the Separator
  • Person sitting cross-legged overlookinglandscape

    Finding the Fullness of Myself

    Anonymous | 01-07-2004

    I arrived at Maenllwyd with a willingness to open to the fullness of my experience, and to be present with that which I regarded as difficult or challenging. I had already been deeply touched by my travelling companions generosity and thoughtfulness regarding our travel arrangements, and my heart was warm and open as we drove through the gates that lead us along the track towards Maenllwyd.

    Upon…

    Read more of: Finding the Fullness of Myself
  • Person sitting on stone block overlooking landscape

    What's This?

    Anonymous | 01-07-2004

    Since attending the WZR at Pinebush (2004) I have been listening to tapes of John's talks frequently while driving. Earlier today, driving along and listening, John's question: "Are you that question?" in one of his talk segments about "Tell me who you are." triggered something which caused me to exclaim: "That's it!". It is difficult to explain the shift in my definition of "I" and certain…

    Read more of: What's This?
  • Person sitting cross-legged overlookinglandscape

    Not So Silly After All

    Anonymous | 01-12-2002

    A few miles from the Maenllwyd I telephone home. I squirm like a little girl as I sign off with my partner who reassures me that I'll be OK. Going up the track I pass a departing taxi driver who clearly feels a kindly amusement at my foolishness. I pull into the yard and draw up my handbrake as I look at the seated men in my rear view mirror promising myself that I am not going to get out. With my…

    Read more of: Not So Silly After All
  • Person sitting on stone block overlooking landscape

    Seven Years Later!

    Anonymous | 31-12-2000

    It was the first time in seven years that I had been back to Maenllwyd. I had not seen the new Chan hall and was very impressed with the conversion. Sleeping arrangements had improved vastly though the slightly hillbilly, unkempt hay barn look had sadly disappeared.

    As to the retreat. Sitting was not bad at all. Slightly more formal than in the old upstairs room. But plenty of zafus. Not much…

    Read more of: Seven Years Later!
  • Person sitting on stone block overlooking landscape

    On Trying to Say "I'm Me"!

    Anonymous | 30-04-2000

    In the yard, after the rain, every step makes mud. Why do I hate the squelching?

    Mixed-up youth, far-out experiences. I first read about Zen, as a 15-year-old in 1966, in Alan Watts' "The Way of Zen". I was immediately attracted by the sense of the Zen masters knowing something that was wonderful yet ordinary in that it was always present. From that time, for perhaps 7 years, I read much about…

    Read more of: On Trying to Say "I'm Me"!
  • Person sitting on stone block overlooking landscape

    So Much More Fun

    Anonymous | 30-06-1999

    Twenty-four of us talked about ourselves, why we had come and our hopes for the coming week. 'Coming home' was a theme for many. My struggles on three previous Shifu-led retreats made it feel more like school camp. My hopes were to learn more about off-cushion practice and the second stage of Silent Illumination, to avoid my usual frustration and despair ... and to lose some weight.

    My first sit…

    Read more of: So Much More Fun
  • Person sitting on stone block overlooking landscape

    Why are you Here?

    Anonymous | 31-03-1999

    I felt an immense sense of fear and trepidation when I sent my cheque in for my first WZR. Previous to this my record at sitting was about 12 minutes, during which I would usually get terribly restless and my ankles would hurt due to the amount of sport I have played. On the other side I had spent years devouring books on Buddhism and quite a few other ‘isms’ too. My father had always been…

    Read more of: Why are you Here?
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©Western Chan Fellowship CIO 2025. May not be quoted for commercial purposes. Anyone wishing to quote for non-commercial purposes may seek permission from the WCF Secretary.

The articles on this website have been submitted by various authors and the views expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the Western Chan Fellowship.

Permalink: https://w-c-f.org/Q358

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