Investigating Koans
7-night Residential Retreat
7:00pm Saturday 24th May to
10:30am Saturday 31st May 2025
Leader: Fiona Nuttall
Venue: Shawbottom Farm, UK
Booking: Book now
The ancient Chinese Zen practices of investigating Huatou and Gongan (Koan) are best practised in a supportive environment such as this intensive silent retreat. As one becomes deeply absorbed in the practice, mental constructions drop away and 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' which may 'shatter', giving a direct insight into reality which may be what is known as an Enlightenment experience.
To progress in these methods requires a sustained focus and so this retreat is recommended particularly for those with previous experience of intensive retreat, and prior attendance at a Western Zen Retreat is advisable, 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.
Read retreat reports by past participants in the Koan Retreat.
Fees
Standard Fee: This meets our costs in providing your retreat place.
Supported Fee: A number of half-price concessionary places are available on each retreat, supported by our support fund. Select that option when making your booking.
- 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: 2:
Essential Reading
- Pre-booking information and advice on retreats
- Booking and Cancellation advice, fees and supported places, terms and conditions
- Preparing to attend a retreat
- Covid precautions for Retreats
Leader: Fiona Nuttall
Fiona Nuttall, Zhijing Fahong, is the first Dharma Heir of Simon Child. Fiona trained with John Crook and Simon Child from the 1990's. She has been leading retreats for WCF since 2007.
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.
Wildlife
There is a wildlife blog, and live streaming barn owl nest box cameras.
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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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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