Embodied Awakening of Silent Illumination

with Guo Gu

Over the centuries, Chan Buddhism has developed a distinct approach and language of awakening that is free from the shackles of gradual stages of practice, proliferations of theories, and the very limits of words and language, demonstrating the autonomy of Chan from the rest of the Buddhist tradition. Chan abandoned the complex descriptive terminology of Indian Buddhism in favor of embodied approaches to practice that was at once transformative and sudden.

One such approach is silent illumination, a body and experience-centered approach to awakening. In this retreat, students will explore in depth the writings of Chan master Hongzhi Zhengjue (1091-1157), and deepen their appreciation of the workings of mind, its subtle undercurrent feeling tones, the direct perceptions of sight and sound, and the nature of “experiencing.”

Much like a zazen intensive, practitioners in this silent retreat will wake up before dawn, engage in sitting, moving and walking meditation, along with silent meals, caretaking practice, and liturgy.

Registration for this event is now full. Please visit the link to join the waitlist.