Winterhead Retreat House
A Facility for Personal Retreats in Mahayana Buddhism
Download the Winterhead Retreat House brochure (pdf 985kb).
Personal development through meditative practice in private retreats in relative solitude is a vital aspect of training in the Buddha Dharma especially for those with a well-established basic orientation acquired in group events. Dr John Crook, the first Western Dharma heir to Master Sheng-yen and the Teacher of the Western Chan Fellowship, has converted part of his farmhouse in the Mendip Hills to provide a facility for solitary retreats with an agreed individual programme under supervision. Those with a background in Chan, Zen or Tibetan Buddhism are invited to apply.
Winterhead Hill Farm lies on the western ridge of the Mendip Hills overlooking a gentle valley leading down to the Bristol Channel with distant views of the Welsh mountains. The location is surprisingly remote for this heavily populated area, tucked away together with two other properties at the end of a gated track and invisible from roads. The seclusion is perfect for a monastic setting. It is also quite beautiful with rolling pasture, bluebell woods and bare limestone hills providing excellent walking country. While the weather can be wet and stormy, there are many quiet and peaceful sunny days too. The retreat house comprises the south-western wing of the property and commands wide views.
Winterhead Retreat House is within half an hours drive from the cities of Bristol, Wells and Glastonbury and an hour from Bath. Access to M4 and M5 motorways is easy and Bristol Airport is twenty minutes away with access from the continent on KLM shuttle flights and from the USA with Aer Lingus via Dublin.
Practitioners who would welcome intensive meditational training on a personal basis through solitary retreats under supervision in a small community of retreatants are invited to apply for periods of seclusion varying from one to eight weeks. The retreat schedule will be negotiated with the Retreat Master who would be available periodically for consultation. Suitable methods of practice could be Chan mindfulness, Silent illumination, Koan work or Mahamudra/Dzogchen. In addition, for those interested, aspects of Tibetan yogin training could be taught.
Accommodation is available for up to three individuals. The retreat house consists of three bed-sitters with modern conveniences, a kitchen, lounge and conservatory, meditation space and a Buddha Chapel. Accommodation will be on a self-catering basis with self-provisioning. The contract will include a two-hour work period on the property per day. Retreatants may use the kitchen communally or on a rota as desired.
Programme. The practitioner would undertake to practice under occasional supervision and receive teachings in Mahayana meditation. Interviews will be available when the Director is in residence. The idea would be to develop a yogin's orientation to life as a basis for daily life practice and the teaching of Mahayana meditation.
Durations of stay may range from one to eight weeks, the eight weeks comprising a term after which the House closes for a period. In case of competition preference would be given to those registering for the longest period of time. Letters of recommendation with character reference may be requested.
Current cost: £15 per day the opening rate. Minimum stay - 7 days (£105).
Schedule. A simple monastic regime will be suggested with a morning and evening communal meditation, sometimes with liturgies. Apart from the daily Work period(s), the programmes will be individually negotiated with the Retreat Master so as to suit the particular requirements and endeavour of the retreatant. Except for an occasional supply run to local stores, retreatants will be expected to remain on the property with walks in the vicinity being part of the programme. Visitors and pets will not be allowed (One meditative cat is a possibility). The house will be 'silent' except for agreed periods and some simple monastic house rules will be followed.
The Director as Retreat Master will be in (private) residence most of the time but may be absent for periods. If there is more than one retreatant in residence, one will be appointed as Guestmaster during the Director's absence.
This project is supported by the Western Chan Fellowship.
Enquiries, exploratory applications with an account of personal training to date, are invited.
John Crook PhD DSc
(Teacher Chuan-deng Jing-di)
Winterhead Hill Farm,
Shipham,
Somerset
BS25 1RS
UK
teacher(at)westernchanfellowship.org
Tel/Fax +44 (0) 1934 842231
© Western Chan Fellowship, UK, 2003. May not be quoted for commercial purposes. Anyone wishing to quote for non-commercial purposes may seek permission from the WCF Secretary.