The Kwan Um School of Zen in Europe runs meditation retreats of every type almost continuously. There is rarely a week when a meditation retreat is not taking place somewhere in Europe, Russia or Israel, and often there are two or three overlapping, in different parts of the continent. We run all the types of zen retreat practiced in the Kwan Um tradition, including introductory programs suitable for beginners.
our events
Zen days to three-month Kyol Che
The traditional form of Korean intensive meditation is known as Yong Maeng Jong Jin (YMJJ), often translated as Sitting like a Tiger about to Leap (Korean, lit. strong intense sitting practice). YMJJ can be from two days up to a week or more in length.
Kyol Che is a traditional Korean Zen retreat held in temples and monasteries for ninety days in summer and winter. The name means “tight dharma” or “coming together.” In Korea, it is the winter and summer periods when monks and nuns do intensive sitting practice in the mountain temples.
Zen Retreats are a traditional Korean Zen meditation retreat held in temples and monasteries. The Summer retreat program is help in various centers and templates across the continent.
Some groups and centers within the Kwan Um School of Zen Europe run one-day meditation retreats, or Zen Days, which vary in form but often run from about 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and include the same practices as other retreats.
Kyol Che, SRP , Transmission & Ink Ceremonies, Maha-Sangha, WWSF and more
Kido is a special form of chanting retreat, often lasting one day, or occasionally overnight. We usually chant Kwan Seum Bosal, the Korean name for the bodhisattva of compassion, while sitting, standing and walking.
Kyolche can vary depending on a person and throughout years of my practice it has been all. In the beginning it used to be a challenge for body and mind showing that I am capable of going beyond my own limitations and not moving (not leaving!) regardless of the mind weather – no matter if my leg hurt, my roommates were snoring or being hurtful, the schedule was harsh, my own feelings leaned towards worthlessness, envy nor even bliss. Then it changed into deeply transformative experiences of finding energy in stillness and presence of something eternal in simple things. And lately it’s been mostly a peaceful, bright, space-like, somehow transparent experience of easing into every day life filled with sitting, eating, sleeping, drinking tea, working in the kitchen, looking at friends. Who knows what comes next?
It is hard to describe what happens when you sit a week long retreat. I can see my mind at work and I see good things and bad things appear, which may not always be pleasant. At the end of the week something has shifted and my mind has become a bit clearer. It is a subtle change, but it has a positive impact on how I respond to everyone around me and to daily life. This is the reason why I will be back to sit another week of Kyolche when I have a chance and I wish that more people will share this experience with me.
Sound in the morning. The bell and moktak right after. Going down from the attic in the morning requires at least a bit of non sleep. Cold water touching face in the bathroom helps to wake up even more without thinking what awakening is. Everything is not to think. I have read “Confessions of a buddhist atheist”. These couple of days showed me what one feels, when the letters forming words in the book become the experience beyond any wording. It has been three days since I left the retreat, but I don’t know, I don’t know how to understand as soon as I look at it more clearly. But I’m still there. It’s like a dose of stillness applied straight into the blood. Moktak. Bowing, sitting, chanting, meals, work, kitchen, forest walk. In the evening you feel every inch of your body, you close your eyes and it’s already dawn. I know for sure I want more. But I can’t say anything more for now.
Winter Kyol Che & Winter retreats
8 cOUNTRIES ACROSS eUROPE
