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9-Day Intensive Silent Illumination Chan Retreat
"Silently and serenely, forgetting all words, clearly and vividly, it appears before you."
| Teacher: | Gilbert Gutierrez |
| Begins: | Saturday, December 26th, 2009 check-in 10am -12noon |
| Ends: | Sunday, January 3rd, 2010 11 am |
| Fee: | $520 |
The above verse comes from "The Inscription on Silent Illumination," a poem composed by Master Hongzhi Zhengjue of the 12th century Caodong (Soto) lineage of the Chan school. It describes the state of mind of someone who, having left behind all attachment to conceptualization, clearly knows the nature of things through the direct experience of enlightenment.
Master Hongzhi wrote many beautiful verses describing his deep insight, and today, these verses encourage and inspire us along the path of spiritual cultivation. Yet this verse is also a guideline for a method of practice, which he called "Silent Illumination." In this method one develops and maintains relaxation, clarity, and openness of mind-by identifying wandering thoughts and letting them go. Eventually, as the mind settles and clears, it regains its natural clarity, that which is likened to "an autumn pool." With the settling of wandering thoughts, there is "silence"; with the emergence of clarity, there is "illumination."
This method is essentially the most direct and simple way to practice Chan, as all it requires one to do is to let go of attachment to thoughts-even the thought of the self who is letting go-and directly return to the original clarity and vastness of mind. In this sense, practice itself is enlightenment. However, most of us are not able to immediately let go, as our emotional and conceptual attachments are very deep. We need the preparation of prior practice, by first recognizing our burdensome thoughts, stabilizing the mind, and developing a sense of clarity. We also need to establish confidence that our minds originally are identical with the Buddha's mind-silent, yet illuminating.
This 9-Day Silent Illumination retreat will be led by Gilbert Gutierrez, one of Chan Master Sheng-Yen's Dharma heirs. Drawing on teachings of the Master, Gilbert will lead us in understanding the concepts and applying the method of Silent Illumination. He will also give personal interviews to provide additional guidance.
Retreat Program
The Silent Illumination method will be taught in the context of daily life activities, such as sitting, standing, walking, sleeping, working, and eating. Chanting and gentle yoga exercises further harmonize the body, breath, and mind. The retreat also includes daily lectures, meditation instruction, guided meditation, and personal interview.
Note: This is an advanced retreat; only participants with previous intensive retreat experience will be accepted. Please see the DDRC website for further details.
Gilbert Gutierrez
Gilbert Gutierrez has over thirty-nine years of meditation experience, which includes his study of various martial arts as well as Chi Gong. In 2002, he received Dharma Transmission from Master Sheng Yen, making him the only western lineage holder currently residing in the United States. He conducts retreats and lectures throughout North America. His home base is in Southern California and he lectures regularly at the Los Angeles DDMBA chapter and with his own group in Riverside, California. Gilbert teaches in a classical Chan style which inspires his students to investigate Chan through diligent practice.
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