A 3-day silent meditation retreat, following the Chan Buddhism tradition, best for sincere, dedicated and experienced meditation practitioners.

Join this retreat to explore the foundational practices of meditation. You’ll learn essential techniques for sitting meditation, including proper postures using a cushion, bench, or chair, as well as basic concentration methods and key principles to deepen your understanding of Chan meditation. The retreat also includes guided exercises to help you enter meditation through physical relaxation and emerge mindfully with self-massage.

Discover how to integrate meditation into your daily life by exploring various forms of practice, such as walking meditation, eating meditation, working meditation, and even sleeping meditation. These practices will reveal new ways to experience the world with greater presence and awareness.

With the guidance of an experienced teacher, you’ll learn how to avoid common pitfalls, refine your technique, and make meaningful progress on your meditation journey. This retreat will be held in noble silence, meaning, participants will refrain from speaking and social interactions throughout the retreat to support their practice. However, designated discussion sessions will provide opportunities to ask the teacher questions and receive guidance.

This retreat is ideal for beginners looking to establish a solid meditation practice and for those seeking to integrate mindfulness into all aspects of daily life.

Practitioners are expected to attend all days of the retreat.  Vegetarian meals will be provided throughout the retreat. 

In addition to the dharma talks, and morning and evening services, the daily practice consists of a series of 30 to 45 minute sittings, walking meditation and eight-form moving meditation. In between, there will be light physical exercises and simple stretching yoga. Individual interviews with the teacher for guidance related to the practice during the retreat are available when needed.

Retreat Teacher: Ven. Guo Yuan, Abbot of Dharma Drum Retreat Center.  Dharma talks will be delivered in English; Ven. Guo Yuan speaks English, Mandarin and Cantonese.

Fee:  $500  (retreat fee sponsorship available upon request)