New Chan Forum 30

Thirty Years Of Meditation In Wales

It seems incredible that thirty years have passed since I began to offer meditation retreats at the Maenllwyd. We began with Enlightenment Intensives held in a ruin of a cottage remote from the world. One of them was led by Jeff Love who taught me how to master this process. This was all part of the programme of the Bristol Encounter Centre which I had created earlier with psychotherapeutic friends following my return from California. Gradually we moved to presenting Soto Zen meditation and eventually Shifu came over to support my endeavours and the Western Chan Fellowship was formed.

So much history, so many feelings and states of mind embedded in those well juiced walls! It's odd to remember holding full retreats in the Buddha Room which seems so small today. Old hands have much to remember and be grateful.

This issue is a celebration of these thirty years. It looks ahead with accounts of the training of Guestmasters, important book reviews concerning Buddhism and both therapy and social engagement, and a response to our recent articles on Buddhism and science. Shifu returns us to our roots with an account of the foundation teachings of the great Master Linji. Enjoy!