Online Meetings and Meditation Sessions
COVID-19 caused a halt in our in-person events but triggered a growth in our online events. Some of our previously 'local' groups continue to meet online and are able and pleased to welcome participation by people who are not local to the group.
The following events are open for your participation as detailed below. In most cases you should contact the organiser in advance of your first attendance.
Courses
Introduction to Meditation, Buddhism and Chan (online)
Western Chan Fellowship is rerunning the free online course, ‘Introduction to Meditation, Buddhism and Chan’. This consists of four weekly online 90-minute sessions led by two experienced Western Chan Fellowship group leaders, David Valentine-Hagart and Guy Roberts. It is geared towards newcomers to the WCF, but those already engaged with the WCF and interested in finding out more about the meditation practises and retreats of the WCF would also benefit.
This free course, consisting of four weekly online 90-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. David and Guy will present the sessions.
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 8pm in January/February 2024
- Wednesday 15th Jan 2025, 8pm - 9.30pm online
- Wednesday 22rd Jan 2025, 8pm - 9.30pm online
- Wednesday 29th Jan 2025, 8pm - 9.30pm online
- Wednesday 5th Feb 2025, 8pm - 9:30pm online
Presenters
David Valentine-Hagart
David has practised Chan with WCF since 2008, attending many retreats both as a participant and a Guestmaster. David leads the Nottingham group for WCF alongside meditation groups for NHS Wellbeing.
Guy Roberts
Guy has been practising Chan meditation with the Western Chan Fellowship for seven years and has attended multiple silent retreats during that time. He helps run a local meditation group and has taught meditation at his workplace.
- Publication date: 2024-10-03
- Modified date: 2024-10-31
- Categories: 2024 WCF News
- Western Chan Fellowship CIO
- Link to this page
Regular events
Mondays
- Time: 19:30-21:30
- Description: We meet both in person and online via Zoom on the 1st and 3rd Monday evenings of the month. We welcome all levels of interest and invite you to arrive from 19.15 for a 19.30 start.
- Online meeting link: Contact to request
- Contact: Jos Hadfield, thelizardchan@westernchanfellowship.org, 07889 218814
- Hosted by: The Lizard Chan Group
Tuesdays
Option 1
- Time: 19:30-21:30
- Description: We meet weekly online. You can join us for the full session at 7.30pm which starts and ends with a short liturgy, or for the discussion and a final sit at 8.10pm. The topic for discussion is sent during the week by email, and is often based on a Buddhist book, looking at our everyday experiences from a 'Buddhistic' perspective. We also hold occasional in-person half day extended meditation sessions at our spacious venue in central Newbury.
- Online meeting link: Contact to request
- Contact: Susan Millington newburychan@westernchanfellowship.org
- Hosted by: Newbury Chan Group
Option 2
- Time: 19:30-20:30
- Description: Meditations sessions, alternate Tuesdays from 8th December
- Online meeting link: Contact to request
- Contact: David Valentine-Hagart nottinghamchan@westernchanfellowship.org
- Hosted by: Nottingham Chan Group
Wednesdays
- Time: 19:30-21:30
- Description: Meet at 7.30pm for 7.40pm start. Two periods of meditation 30 minutes each separated by 10 minutes of exercises and a short comfort break. We end with a short time for discussion, finishing by 9.30pm.
- Online meeting link: Contact to request
- Contact: Juliet Hackney derbyshiredaleschan@westernchanfellowship.org
- Hosted by: Derbyshire Dales Chan Group
Thursdays
- Time: 19:30-21:30
- Description: The regular format for our meetings is two 25-30 minute periods of sitting meditation with mindful movement practice (walking or qigong) in between, and we give instructions about how we do those practices. We then have tea, and in the remaining time share a talk or reading on a Buddhist/Chan theme which we follow with a group discussion. We operate on a drop-in basis, so there's no expectation of people joining every week. Newcomers and beginners are particularly welcome. For one of our meetings each month, we have an 'extended practice evening' with more of a focus on meditation practice.
- Online meeting link:https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86119847385
- Contact: Stuart McLeod kentchan@westernchanfellowship.org, 07913 858612
- Hosted by: Kent Chan Group
Sundays
- Time: 9:00-12:00 Sunday morning meditation every 6 weeks. Please contact for dates
- Description: Three meditation periods, separated by exercises and comfort break. Meditation includes one period of compassion practice. Finish morning with Chan morning service liturgy and well-being dedication. All welcome.
- Online meeting link: Contact to request
- Hosted by: Juliet Hackney derbyshiredaleschan@westernchanfellowship.org
