Chinese Zen Meditation Retreats, Silent Retreats
Retreat fees reduced
We continue to review our retreat fees to make them more affordable. Our fees for the second half of 2025 are lower than in the first half of 2025. We plan to continue these lower fees in 2026.
We offer supported retreat places (concessions) for those who need financial help to attend retreats. There is no means-testing. Simply select the lower fee when booking.
Try out a meditation retreat
Try one of our retreats to develop your mindfulness and take the next steps to investigate the self. We welcome beginners to meditation and retreat as well as experienced practitioners.
Our events are open equally to both Buddhists and non-Buddhists aged 18 and over. We offer several different retreat formats from half-day or single-day up to 9-10 nights residential. We use various venues in England and Wales, and also sometimes in Scotland.

Personal instruction in meditation during retreat
As well as group instruction we also provide a individual instruction through personal interviews with participants. An 'interview' is a private one-to-one conversation about your meditation practice, and any difficulties you are experiencing with it, with one of our experienced retreat leaders.
Typically each participant will be offered at least one interview opportunity during each shorter retreat of 3-4 days, and two or three interviews during a retreat of 5 days or longer. This enables you to get the most out of your retreat by helping you to meditate more effectively, taking account of your individual experience and circumstances.
Coronavirus/COVID-19
We continue to take some precautions to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19 infection at group events with shared accommodation, such as retreats.
Here is a copy of our Covid retreat plan (subject to amendment) which applies to our current programme of events.
Event Calendar

Spiritual Faculties, Spiritual Powers
Day Retreat
Saturday 25 October 2025
Venue: Leusdon Memorial Hall
10:00 - 16:30 (doors open at 9:45)
An exploration of the Five Faculties as expounded by the Buddha, their transformation into Five Powers, and their relevance to Chan Practice.
Led by Jeremy and Jeanine Woodward who are the co-leaders of the South Devon Chan Group, and experienced day retreat leaders. The retreat is likely to be quite a lively one! 'Experiential' is a word that applies...
The five faculties to be considered are: Faith, Energy, Mindfulness, Concentration/Calm and Wisdom.
We start promptly at 10:00 am (arrive at around 9:45) and finish the formal part of the day at 4:30pm followed by tea, cake and chat.
Please bring vegetarian lunch to share; payment is by donation.
If you would like to come, please email southdevonchan@westernchanfellowship.org to let us know; it helps plan the numbers and kit.
We do have plentiful mats, cushions, benches and chairs; if you have your own preferred cushion or bench, do bring it along. If not, that's not a problem. We also have several warm blankets available but please feel free to bring your own.
Go to details and booking for Event 486

Silent Illumination Retreat
7 night Residential Retreat
Saturday 15 November to Saturday 22 November 2025
Leader: Fiona Nuttall
Venue: Shawbottom Farm
Silent Illumination is a profound meditation practice which leads to a mind of great calmness and insight. We use ancient Chinese Zen methods which are just as applicable in the modern West. It is the source of the Japanese Soto Zen practice of Shikantaza but is approached somewhat differently. Full instruction will be given.
This seven night silent retreat is an opportunity to learn and deepen this practice through intensive meditation. You will be supported by 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. Serious beginners may also be accepted.
Read retreat reports by past participants of silent illumination retreats.
Go to details and booking for Event 478

Western Zen Retreat
5 night Residential Retreat
Saturday 29 November to Thursday 4 December 2025
Leader: Simon Child
Venue: Shawbottom Farm
Who am I? Thoroughly confronting this question can take us directly to the centre of our being. Over the course of this five night retreat you will investigate the question "Who am I?". This is done 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.
Open equally to beginners and established meditators.
Go to details and booking for Event 479

Kent Chan Day Retreat
Day Retreat
Sunday 7 December 2025
Venue: St Benedict's Centre, West Malling, Kent
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.
Go to details and booking for Event 484

Introduction to Meditation, Buddhism and Chan (online)
Free Course of 4 evenings (online)
Wednesday 11 February to Wednesday 4 March 2026
Presenters: Sian Thomas and Stuart McLeod
Venue: Online
This free course, consisting of four weekly online 75 minute sessions, is an opportunity to become familiar with a meditation practice and to learn about Buddhism and Chan. The course covers core teachings of the Buddha as well as the roots of Chan Buddhism and practices, namely Silent Illumination and Koans. Both were transmitted to Japan centuries ago where they became Zen.
You are encouraged to practice between the weekly sessions and will be able to reflect on your experience in an online group setting.
Particularly if you are not familiar with the Western Chan Fellowship, the course will help you to establish a meditation practice, to know more about Western Chan and to decide if you might want to go to a residential retreat to deepen your meditation experience.
Dates and times
Wednesday evenings at 7:30pm from 11th February 2026
- Wednesday 11th Feb 2026, 7:30pm – 8:45pm online
- Wednesday 18th Feb 2026, 7:30pm – 8:45pm online
- Wednesday 25th Feb 2026, 7:30pm - 8.45pm online
- Wednesday 4th Mar 2026, 7:30pm – 8:45pm online
Go to details and booking for Event 494

Western Zen Retreat
5 night Residential Retreat
Saturday 14 February to Thursday 19 February 2026
Leader: Jake Lyne
Venue: Shawbottom Farm
Who am I? Thoroughly confronting this question can take us directly to the centre of our being. Over the course of this five night retreat you will investigate the question "Who am I?". This is done 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.
Open equally to beginners and established meditators.
Go to details and booking for Event 487

Silent Illumination Retreat
7 night Residential Retreat
Saturday 28 March to Saturday 4 April 2026
Leader: Simon Child
Venue: Shawbottom Farm
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.
Read retreat reports by past participants of silent illumination retreats.
Go to details and booking for Event 488

Investigating Koans Retreat
7 night Residential Retreat
Saturday 25 April to Saturday 2 May 2026
Leader: Fiona Nuttall
Venue: Shawbottom Farm
The ancient Chinese Zen practices of investigating Huatou and Gongan (Koan) are best practised in a supportive environment. As one becomes deeply absorbed in the practice in intensive silent retreat, mental constructions drop away. 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'. Great doubt may 'shatter', with a direct insight into reality which may be what is known as an Enlightenment experience.
To progress in these methods requires a sustained focus. Therefore this retreat is recommended particularly for those with previous experience of intensive retreat. Prior attendance at a Western Zen Retreat is advisable. Serious beginners may also be accepted.
Go to details and booking for Event 490


Everyday Zen Silent Meditation Retreat
5 night Residential Retreat
Saturday 23 May to Thursday 28 May 2026
Leader: Alysun Jones , Co-Leader: Juliet Hackney
Venue: Shawbottom Farm
This 5 night silent meditation retreat applies the early teachings of the Buddha, which give guidance on how to live our lives in a completely fulfilling way. The retreat is suitable for newcomers and experienced practitioners alike.
Practising meditation, including guided meditations, may help to raise your awareness of and settle your habitual reactions. This can increase the potential for a more direct appreciation of the here and now, leading to the possibility of experiencing greater clarity and freedom in everyday life.
Go to details and booking for Event 491

Silent Illumination Retreat
7 night Residential Retreat
Saturday 4 July to Saturday 11 July 2026
Leader: Rebecca Li
Venue: Shawbottom Farm
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. Serious beginners may also be accepted.
Read retreat reports by past participants of silent illumination retreats.
Go to details and booking for Event 492

Western Zen Retreat
5 night Residential Retreat
Saturday 1 August to Thursday 6 August 2026
Leader: Simon Child
Venue: Shawbottom Farm
Who am I? Thoroughly confronting this question can take us directly to the centre of our being. Over the course of this five night retreat you will investigate the question "Who am I?". This is done 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.
Open equally to beginners and established meditators.
Go to details and booking for Event 493
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