Great news! The Chan (Zen) workshops are being offered again at Courtenay, BC. The workshops are Silent Illumination method (on May 8, 2010 at 10am to 5pm) and Huatou method (on May 9, 2010 at 10am to 5pm), taught by William Tsao (an accredited Chan teacher). They are held at Courtenay Recereation Filberg Center in the Evergreen Lounge (Front Entrance), 411 Anderton Avenue.
Both workshops are free and donations are appreciated. We welcome everyone, but please register with Adrian (at 250-898-8201) as the room size is limited to 20 people.
Below is a brief description of each workshop to give you a sense of what they are about.
Silent Illumination Method
It is famous in the Caodong (Soto) lineage of the Chan (Zen) School. In the method one develops and maintains relaxation, clarity, and openness of mind – by identifying wandering thoughts, and letting them go. Eventually the mind settles, clears and it regains its natural clarity.
Huatuo Method
It has been used widely since the 12th century as it was made popular by the Linji (Rinzai) Sect of Chan School. Huatou, when translated literally, means ‘the origin of words’ or that which comes before words and language. This refers to the state of mind before any words or conceptualization has arisen.
