Have you ever thought about the ultimate true reality of life? The Sixth Patriarch Hui-Neng said that our self-nature is intrinsically self-sufficient, non-arising and non-perishing, and able to manifest all things. Why is this not apparent to us? We address the realization of this true reality when we investigate Chan. We use one of two approaches for Chan investigation. The first is called Huatou Chan, while the second is called Silent Illumination Chan. With these methods we may experience the mind as it is before thoughts arise. In these retreats, a Master’s help may be used to enhance the progress of Chan inquiry. These 10-day Chan (Zen) retreats are an inward investigative journey, a quest to know more about ourselves in order to discover our “true self” and manifest our inherent “wisdom and compassion.”
This year we will be hosting two 10-day retreats with the option to do continual practice for the whole period:
- First Retreat: July 4-14
- At home self-directed practice: July 14-August 22
- Second Retreat: August 22-31
Note that the start date of the second retreat has been adjusted from the 21st to the 22nd.
We are creating an opportunity for you to really deepen your practice with an initial 10 day silent meditation retreat, followed by over a month of regular practice in daily life at your home, followed by another 10 days of silent meditation.
One can commit to attending a single 10 day retreat or both retreats. We have limited space so please confirm by contacting us early.
It’s an intensive commitment and not everyone will be ready for such a deep dive but we feel it might be what is needed to help those who are ready. Our collective journey into stillness seems to be essential to changing this world for the better.
Dana to cover food costs is appreciated. If you feel like giving more, one can pay ahead for others. Meals will be vegetarian. Accommodation will be preferably tenting on the premises to minimize external distractions as much as possible. A few extra tents will be made available if you don’t have one. If you would prefer to bring your own or a rented trailer type accomodation there is some room on the property. We are happy to try and accommodate in whatever way we can.
Daily practice will include sitting meditation, mindful exercise, direct contemplation in the garden or at the ocean, forest or beach walking meditation and daily kitchen/garden/cleaning working meditation. Guohan will again be offering Dharma talks and will be available for one-on-one discussions to help you on your journey.
These are silent retreats, so we do ask participants to refrain from talking.
- The Leader: Beishi Guohan
- Dates: July 4-14 and August 22-31, 2025
- Place: Courtenay, B.C., Canada
- Registration: sealbaymeditation@gmail.com
