Five-Day Silent Chan Retreat Led by Guo Gu

Chan meditation emphasizes direct seeing into the nature of mind without reliance on conceptual understanding. Silent illumination—sitting without an explicit anchor or method—is one of two major Chan approaches; the other uses critical phrases (gongan-like inquiries) to catalyze insight. This retreat structures both: periods of open sitting and periods investigating a specific phrase or question with the teacher.

Guo Gu is a Chan teacher in the Linji lineage, known for making traditional practice accessible to Western students. Daily Dharma talks will ground the sitting in teaching; dokusan (private consultation) gives you direct feedback on your practice. The schedule includes kinhin (walking meditation), stretching, mindful eating, and work practice—standard for residential Chan sesshins, all part of continuous practice rather than breaks from it.

Great Vow is a residential monastery in rural Oregon. If you're commuting, confirm details with the center. Bring warm layers (June in the Pacific Northwest); the schedule runs early mornings and full days of sitting. This retreat assumes some prior meditation experience but welcomes practitioners at different levels of familiarity with Chan methods.