 |
| Meditation: Letting body and mind fall away. Not thinking. Experiencing the here and now directly without labelling, describing, judging, without a sense of self or separation from others. This is Zen Buddhist meditation, Zazen (za “sitting”, and zen “meditative absorption”). |
|
Meditation and Movement Retreats
with Kathrin Cooper
21-28 June and 5-12 July 2008
£400
|
The retreat
During this retreat you will be sitting meditating twice a day, first thing in the morning and again before dinner. This routine will give you a taste of what daily meditation is like and it will give you a good foundation for continuing a regular meditation routine either in a group or alone at home. Special emphasis is placed on breathing and on correct and comfortable posture – ideally you will sit on a meditation cushion on the floor but if this is not possible a chair can be used instead. Each one hour sitting is broken up by a short walking meditation and rounded off by chanting. There is a minimum of ritual, which serves to focus the mind.
|
 |
|
Movement
Simple yoga, qi gong and tai ji exercises will be used to help improve the meditation posture, if necessary, and if participants are interested a daily class can be arranged for the practice of any of these disciplines. More importantly, though, participants are encouraged to go hiking around the peninsula and enjoy the wilderness and stillness of Scoraig.
|
Breakfast and dinner will be prepared communally and lunch will be help yourself or packed to take away. Evenings can be spent discussing meditation and, if participants are interested, aspects of Buddhism. The programme is flexible and relaxed and suitable for both beginners and people with meditation experience.
|
|
|
Kathrin has been involved in Zen meditation groups for two decades, mainly of the Soto Zen tradition introduced to Europe by Taisen Deshimaru. She is a third-generation Buddhist, her grandfather having played an active role in introducing Buddhism to Switzerland. She has travelled widely, especially in India and Nepal, where she worked with tribal people holding animist beliefs. In recent years she has been pursuing her interest in parapsychology and has visited mediums in Europe and Nepal.
|
