Retreat Reports: Western Zen Retreat
We publish selections from retreat reports written following Western Chan Fellowship retreats, to illustrate the range of experiences people go through as they investigate themselves in silent meditation. This page features reports written following attendance at one of our Western Zen retreats. These reports are printed anonymously and may be lightly edited.
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Chan Brushwork Retreat 2019
Anonymous |Read more of: Chan Brushwork Retreat 2019The image that comes to mind when I try to sum up the retreat is of a triple: a three-legged stool, a tripod, a triptych. This represents what were for me the three components of the retreat: the huatou, the brushwork, and the sitting. Each locked into the other.
I can’t remember the exact words of the huatou but in essence Joshu asks Nansen how to pursue The Way. Nansen tells him that making…
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Western Zen Retreat April 2019, a participant reports
Anonymous |Read more of: Western Zen Retreat April 2019, a participant reportsI arrived not knowing what the retreat was going to be like. I knew we would investigate the question “who am I?” but preferred to find out how once I got there to avoid expectations or anxiety. I was very much looking forward to the luxury of having everything organised for me. I would not have to make any decisions, just follow instructions and bells. This time, I didn't even wear a watch and it…
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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.
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