Chinese Zen Meditation Retreats, Silent Retreats

This free course, consisting of four weekly online 75 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.

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 7:30pm from 11th February 2026

• Wednesday 11th Feb 2026, 7:30pm – 8:45pm online
• Wednesday 18th Feb 2026, 7:30pm – 8:45pm online
• Wednesday 25th Feb 2026, 7:30pm - 8.45pm online
• Wednesday 4th Mar 2026, 7:30pm – 8:45pm online

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

An exploration of the Five Faculties as expounded by the Buddha, their transformation into Five Powers, and their relevance to Chan Practice.

Led by Jeremy and Jeanine Woodward who are the co-leaders of the South Devon Chan Group, and experienced day retreat leaders. The retreat is likely to be quite a lively one! 'Experiential' is a word that applies...

The five faculties to be considered are: Faith, Energy, Mindfulness, Concentration/Calm and Wisdom.

We start promptly at 10:00 am (arrive at around 9:45) and finish the formal part of the day at 4:30pm followed by tea, cake and chat.

Please bring vegetarian lunch to share; payment is by donation.

If you would like to come, please email southdevonchan@westernchanfellowship.org to let us know; it helps plan the numbers and kit.

We do have plentiful mats, cushions, benches and chairs; if you have your own preferred cushion or bench, do bring it along. If not, that's not a problem. We also have several warm blankets available but please feel free to bring your own.

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.

Read retreat reports by past participants of silent illumination retreats.

The ancient Chinese Zen practices of investigating Huatou and Gongan (Koan) are best practised in a supportive environment. As one becomes deeply absorbed in the practice in intensive silent retreat, mental constructions drop away. 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'. Great doubt may 'shatter', with a direct insight into reality which may be what is known as an Enlightenment experience.

To progress in these methods requires a sustained focus. Therefore this retreat is recommended particularly for those with previous experience of intensive retreat. Prior attendance at a Western Zen Retreat is advisable. Serious beginners may also be accepted.

Read retreat reports by past participants of koan retreats.

This 5 night silent meditation retreat applies the early teachings of the Buddha, which give guidance on how to live our lives in a completely fulfilling way. The retreat is suitable for newcomers and experienced practitioners alike.

Practising meditation, including guided meditations, may help to raise your awareness of and settle your habitual reactions. This can increase the potential for a more direct appreciation of the here and now, leading to the possibility of experiencing greater clarity and freedom in everyday life.

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. Serious beginners may also be accepted.

Read retreat reports by past participants of silent illumination retreats.

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