Chinese Zen Meditation Retreats, Silent Retreats

Use the ups and downs of your daily life to work towards a profound easefulness with self and others. We shall focus on relationships, sickness, work and other life experiences. To turn muck into gold we shall use talks, meditation, small group work, interviews and liturgy in a warm-hearted and supportive atmosphere. For this "Everyday Buddhism" please visit www.kenjoneszen.com.

Suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners.

Manchester Chan Group day retreats ("zazenkai") are led by Simon Child Chuan-fa Jing-hong who is a Dharma heir of Chan Master Sheng-yen. Personal interviews are usually available for those who wish to discuss their Dharma practice with Simon. The main purpose for a day retreat is to provide an extended period of practice, spending the day in silence and doing several sessions of Buddhist meditation.There may be a Dharma talk or practice instruction.

Discover who you are with Chan (Chinese Zen) meditation. The weekend will include meditation, teaching, walks and exercise. Suitable both for beginners and those with experience. Bala Brook is in a beautiful location on the edge of Dartmoor.

This retreat designed for Westerners enables the mind to face the major paradox - Who am I? The question is investigated within a framework of silent sitting meditation, alternating with a tested 'Communication Exercise' in which people work in turns with each member of the group to explore this fundamental Koan.

The intensive focus drives each practitioner into a self-presentation that is difficult to experience in other ways. Practitioners are supported through this process by regular personal interviews with the teachers, interviews being offered most days. This method makes use of words to go beyond words and thereby enter the main gate of Chan. The outcome may be a profound journey through the unity of self, and the acceptance of self, to "self at ease". This may possibly lead further to a direct insight into the ground of being. Participants share a rich experience in new self-knowledge, understanding others and the human condition.

Open equally to beginners and established meditators.

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. Silent Illumination is the origin of the Japanese Soto practice of Shikantaza but is approached somewhat differently and full instruction will be given.

This seven-day 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.

Manchester Chan Group day retreats ("zazenkai") are led by Simon Child Chuan-fa Jing-hong who is a Dharma heir of Chan Master Sheng-yen. Personal interviews are usually available for those who wish to discuss their Dharma practice with Simon. The main purpose for a day retreat is to provide an extended period of practice, spending the day in silence and doing several sessions of Buddhist meditation.There may be a Dharma talk or practice instruction.

The ancient Chinese Zen practices of investigating Huatou and Gongan (Koan) are best practised in a supportive environment such as this intensive 9-day 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.

This retreat designed for Westerners enables the mind to face the major paradox - Who am I? The question is investigated within a framework of silent sitting meditation, alternating with a tested 'Communication Exercise' in which people work in turns with each member of the group to explore this fundamental Koan.

The intensive focus drives each practitioner into a self-presentation that is difficult to experience in other ways. Practitioners are supported through this process by regular personal interviews with the teachers, interviews being offered most days. This method makes use of words to go beyond words and thereby enter the main gate of Chan. The outcome may be a profound journey through the unity of self, and the acceptance of self, to "self at ease". This may possibly lead further to a direct insight into the ground of being. Participants share a rich experience in new self-knowledge, understanding others and the human condition.

Open equally to beginners and established meditators.

This retreat offers you opportunity to explore how you are really living in the different areas of your life, why this is so, and the way forward for you. Talks, meditation, group work, liturgy, interviews, and outdoor experience. To prepare yourself for this retreat you are invited to view the How to do Everyday Buddhism section of www.kenjoneszen.com

Open equally to beginners and established meditators.

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. Silent Illumination is the origin of the Japanese Soto practice of Shikantaza but is approached somewhat differently and full instruction will be given.

This seven-day 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.