Illuminating the Mind
7-night Residential Retreat
7:00pm Saturday 12th April to
10:30am Saturday 19th April 2025
Leader: Simon Child
Venue: Shawbottom Farm, UK
Booking: Book now
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.
Covid precautions for retreat
Please read our Covid plan which will apply to this retreat (unless we update it in the meantime). It requires some commitments from you, and some actions by you before the retreat, so please read and consider it before making your retreat booking.
Fees
- Standard Fee: £525
- Login to view availability of Supported Places
Booking
Before you can book you will need to register and then login and return to this page.
If you are already registered, click the "Book online" link below. That will take you to login, then redirect you to the booking page to make the booking.
Places available: 4 or more:
Essential Reading
- General Information on Retreats
- Booking and Cancellation conditions
- Retreat Centres
- Daily Schedule
- Preparing for Retreats
- Covid precautions for Retreats
Leader: Simon Child
Chan Master Simon Child, Jing-hong Chuan-fa, Guiding Teacher of the Western Chan Fellowship, is the third Dharma Heir of the late Chan Master Sheng Yen. Simon trained for over thirty years with both Dr John Crook and Master Sheng Yen, and was the Secretary of the Western Chan Fellowship from its founding until his appointment as Guiding Teacher in 2011.
Simon is married with two adult sons. His main career was as a GP, and he also worked part-time as a Clinical Informatics Advisor for the National Health Service.
Shawbottom Farm
Shawbottom is a 23 acre (9 hectare) farm property nestled within a wildlife corridor connecting two nature reserves in the Peak District National Park. The buildings have been modernised and converted to provide group accommodation and it is an ideal property for isolated rural meditation retreats.
It is secluded, being accessed via a private track which does not lead to any other properties.
It is not open to casual visitors, only for pre-arranged visits.
Accommodation
Upstairs there are four large bedrooms, which are used as small dormitories. There are also three bathrooms, providing three toilets and three showers.
On the ground floor there is a bedroom designated as an accessible bedroom but which can also be used as an ordinary bedroom for two people. There is an accessible wetroom, and two more toilets and one more shower.
Also on the ground floor there is a large kitchen-diner which can accommodate 25 people though we will usually accept fewer than this for residential retreats.
All of the bedrooms offer long views across the surrounding countryside.
The building has been fully renovated and modernised with insulation exceeding current standards, and with underfloor heating.
Location Map and Directions
Please visit the directions page on the Shawbottom website, which also has a photo gallery
Electric Vehicle Charging
There is a Zappi v2 EV charger, with a tethered Type 2 cable, which (subject to availability and operating condition) you may use to top-up your electric vehicle. If your car is older and needs a Type 1 connector you will need to bring a Type2->Type1 adaptor with you.
Charging is currently at standard daytime tariff rates. Terms and conditions for use of the charger are subject to change without notice.
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