We are delighted to offer the 2025 Summer Chan Residency Program, led by Guo Gu. Designed for English speakers with prior meditation retreat experience, this program enriches Chan understanding and practice in the West. Even if you’re new to Chan, the program fosters resilience, clarity, and a deepened sense of purpose. The structured environment allows for personal transformation, as one of our summer residents from 2024, notes: “This has been a most worthwhile experience. An utterly fabulous opportunity to receive such teachings and individual attention by a master meditation teacher. Precious. Not reproducible elsewhere.”
The program offers three participation options:
- Full-Month Program: May 8 – June 5, includes a 3-day and 7-day retreat.
- Study-Focused: May 8 – May 22, includes a 3-day retreat.
- Practice-Focused: May 23 – June 5, includes a 7-day retreat.
For schedules, please see our updated weekly calendar and the daily schedule.
“The residency program felt like an extraordinary experience of togetherness. The trust and community were so strong. (Summer Resident from 2024)”
Program Details
- On-site residency required at the Tallahassee Chan Center. Vegetarian meals provided.
- Classes by Guo Gu on Chan teachings; text will be announced before the start.
- Noble silence is observed during retreats.
- Restricted phone usage for a focused environment.
Applications Close on January 10th, 2025
We ask that applicants have prior experience participating in a 7-day intensive Chan (or Zen) meditation retreat. However, we encourage young adults (ages 18-35) to apply even if they have not attended a retreat before. Applications will be reviewed after the deadline on January 10th, 2025, and acceptance notifications will be sent out by mid-February.
“I didn’t apply at first because I thought I wasn’t experienced enough. I’m so glad I took the leap; it was life-changing! (Summer Resident from 2024)”
Please be prepared to provide two non-relative character references in the application.
Application Process
You will receive a link to the application after making the deposit payment, below.
Scholarship Request
For those requesting a scholarship: If you cannot make a deposit at this time, please email us at tccresidenceprogram@gmail.com with information on your situation and we will send you the application link.
Program Pricing and Tiers
| Program Duration & Tier | Supported | Regular | Sustainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Month | $500 | $700 | $1,000 |
| Two-Week Program: Study | $250 | $350 | $450 |
| Two-Week Program: Practice | $550 | $650 | $750 |
Payment Details and Options
If accepted to the program, your deposit will go towards the fee for each tier. Payment plans will be available for the supported, regular, and sustainer tiers.
Additional Costs and Considerations
The supported tier covers the basic participation cost, the regular tier includes additional teaching and maintenance costs, and the sustainer tier comprehensively supports the center and other participants. Please be aware that the requested additional payment for the two-week study and practice periods incorporates the cost of the seven-day intensive retreat included in the program. The pricing for the two-week programs is set at a higher rate per day compared to the monthly option, as our preference is for participants to enroll for the full month.
Scholarship Opportunities and Eligibility
“The scholarship allowed me to participate, and I’m so grateful for the chance to join this transformative program. (Summer Resident from 2024)”
Different types of financial assistance are available. In the application, there will be a question about your need for a scholarship. If you are a young adult (18-35), a woman, a person of color, LGBTQ+ or economically disadvantaged, we welcome and especially encourage you to apply.
“The dorms are great and cozy. We have all we need, and any issues were taken care of immediately. (Summer Resident from 2024)”
Accommodations are simple and shared, with two separate dormitory buildings with bunk beds available on a first-come, first-served basis. Bathrooms are also shared, and comfort is basic but sufficient for a retreat setting. There is also an option to camp on-site.
Please click here for the weekly schedule. Click here for the daily schedule.
The program features over 3 hours of daily study and discussion. Residents will be asked to secure their own copy of the texts themselves. For those who require financial assistance, we will provide the PDFs. Guo Gu will share the list of texts with accepted participants by Spring 2025.