WINTER RETREAT
Kyol Che: Tight Dharma
March 23 to April 6 (2 weeks, minimum participation 1 week).
Deep in the mountains, the great bell is struck.
(Zen Master Seung Sahn)
Meditation is like a wind that blows all clouds of thinking away and mind becomes clear. Clear mind is our original mind.
Join us for a 2 weeks meditation retreat in the mountains. Bori Sa is located amidst the magnificent scenery of Alta Garrotxa Natural Park. We’ll practice sitting, bowing, chanting, working and eating together in complete silence.
There will be Dharma talks and kong-an interviews with the teacher.
Week 1 – March 23: Barbara Pardo JDPSN
Week 2 – March 30: Zen Master Bon Shim (Online)
IN-PERSON
Kyol Che (“coming together”) is a longer, intensive meditation retreat held in the winter and summer at Borisa. Is modeled after the traditional winter and summer retreats in the mountain Zen temples in Korea. Kyol Che is a time to investigate your life closely. From this experience can arise a clearer, more compassionate direction, and more harmonious relationships with all aspect of life.
Conducted in silence, the daily schedule includes sitting, chanting, walking, and bowing meditations, as well as work practice. Meals are eaten in silence in traditional temple style. There is Dharma talks and Kong-an interviews.
(You can book our apartment during the retreat. Follow this link to check the prices and availability.)
Accounts Accounts Price 1 Week: 300€ Includes accommodation and food. Transportation cost not included. Kwan Um School of Zen members 1 Week: 250€ Includes accommodation and food. Transportation cost not included.
Practical Information (download) Borisa is very isolated on the mountain. It is important to bring everything in the list and what you might need, there’s no shops were to find what you don’t bring.
Accommodation is in simple, shared rooms, sleeping on the floor with mattresses. All meals are vegetarian (it is not possible to meet all the special dietary needs of each participant, if you have any intolerance inform us when making your registration for the retreat). In Borisa there is no telephone or Wifi, and mobile signal is not guaranteed. Cell phones, personal computers, tablets and any other personal devices are not permitted during retreats. One of the charms of the Zen Center is the freedom that allows from the cell phone, email and Internet access. In case of emergency, Zen Center can be contact (only WhatsApp or sms) on the phone +34 655 033 018 Everyone participates fully in the schedule. If you are sick or have an emergency that prevents you from attending any part of the schedule, please notify the Head Dharma Teacher.
The retreat ends the last day after lunch. All participants are expected to follow the following rules and maintain the harmony of the community during the time of retreat. 1. The retreat is done in silence. Zen Master Seung Sahn said: “Silence is better than holiness.” Bodhidharma sat silently in Sorim for nine years. Silence deepens our practice, and it benefits us and others. If your work does not require you to speak, keeping silence will help. 2. Arrive on time for all practice sessions, Dharma talks and meals. Always go to the Dharma room on time when you hear the five-minute moktak. Do not enter or leave the Dharma room during meditation or singing, except to go to or return from an interview. 3. Walking meditation is the continuation of sitting meditation. You can leave the Dharma room during walking meditation when necessary. When you reenter the Dharma room, do it quietly in your proper place on the line. 4. Everyone should attend all practice sessions, including meals and the work period. If you are ill and unable to attend, please notify the Head Dharma Teacher (HDT) before the practice session you are about to miss. 5. Please do not move during meditation. If you are sleepy or your legs hurt, please make a small bow and stand behind your cushion. 6. Mobile phones, personal computers or any communication equipment may not be used during the retreat. All outside communications are suspended for the duration of the retreat and there will be no wifi service in the Zen Center. In case of an emergency, notify the HDT. 7. The HDT will control the opening and closing of the windows and the lights of the Dharma room. If you have a problem or request, tell the HDT. 8. Do not wear brightly colored clothing during the retreat. Do not wear hats in the Dharma room. 9. Smoking is not allowed in the Zen Center, please go to the designated area for it. 10. Please do not read personal books during the retreat, only the books and magazines provided by the Zen Center library. Read them during breaks and put them back on the shelf. 11. Everyone will have a task to do every day during the work period, especially clean the temple and work in the kitchen. The work period is part of the formal practice. Please do the assigned work with mindfulness. 12. If you have any health problems or special dietary needs, please notify the HDT in advance. 13. If any participant breaks any of the above rules, they will be asked to leave the retreat. To formalize your registration, please make the payment using one of the following options:
Remember to include your name in the concept of the transfer and refer to the retreat, for example: June retreat Mery Johanson. Once the transfer has been made, remember to send an email to boricentrozen@hotmail.com with proof of payment.
Transport (download) Bori Sa (Alta Garrotxa, Girona) is 160 km from Barcelona (2.5 hours by car) and 22 km from the nearest town, Tortellà (45 minutes by car).
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