Chinese Zen Meditation Retreats, Silent Retreats

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.

Who am I? Thoroughly confronting this question can take us directly to the centre of our being. Over the course of this five-day retreat you will investigate the question "Who am I?" 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.

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.

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.

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.

This silent retreat is based on the Buddha's early teachings on mindfulness. It is suitable for beginner and experienced meditators alike. It will encourage you to develop your awareness through focussing on different aspects of mindfulness (including the body, feelings and mind).

Practising meditation may help to clarify and settle your habitual reactions. This leads to a more direct appreciation of the here and now and the possibility of experiencing greater freedom in everyday life.

Rising early each day the retreat will include teaching on Buddhist principles, meditation instruction, silent and guided meditation. There will also be mindful movement practice (from a qualified Tai Chi Movements for Wellbeing instructor), and individual meetings with the teachers for personal guidance.

Who am I? Thoroughly confronting this question can take us directly to the centre of our being. Over the course of this five-day retreat you will investigate the question "Who am I?" 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.

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.

Discover who you are through Chan meditation. Learn to cultivate clarity, wisdom and compassion through the practice of meditation according to the Chan (Chinese Zen) tradition.

This weekend retreat will offer teaching in Chan methods for newcomers, and ample practice opportunity for experienced meditators. The schedule will be less intensive than that of a full Chan retreat, but we shall rise early with a concentrated programme of sitting meditation and exercise sessions.

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.

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.

Who am I? Thoroughly confronting this question can take us directly to the centre of our being. Over the course of this five-day retreat you will investigate the question "Who am I?" 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.

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.