Turning Towards the Dao - Part II
Meditation Retreat
Led by Shi Jing
11 - 16 July 2008, Hourne Farm
5 day retreat: Friday - Wednesday
The intention of this longer retreat is to provide a space where
students can go deeper into the practices of tranquil sitting (jing
zuo) and dao yin (guiding the qi and extending the limbs). To enhance
the experience of cultivation we will rise at 5am to be nourished
by the early morning qi which we absorb through the natural movement
of the breath.
Throughout the retreat we will learn to find the presence of awareness
in the three modes of being: walking, sitting and lying. To support
this we will enter into three days of silence which will help us
become more sensitive to the practices and observe the effect they
have on us. Alongside group practice, personal guidance will be
given by Shi Jing taking into account the capacity of each student.
There will be an introduction to Laozi’s view of cultivation
based on the Daode jing. In these teachings, cultivation embraces
the totality of our being where nothing is rejected or suppressed.
Tranquil sitting meditation is seen as a natural unfolding of our
true nature that dissolves the false sense of an abiding self and
reveals the harmonious unity of all things.
Food will play an important part in this retreat to support us
in yangsheng, nourishing life. Our meals will be simple, light and
easy to absorb, consisting mainly of rice and vegetables.
Shi Jing has been following the path
of Daoism since mid-1970s. In 1995 he was ordained as 31st generation
Daoist priest (dao shi) in the Longmen (Dragon Gate) branch of Quanzhen
(Complete Reality) School. In 1996 he co-founded the British Taoist
Association and became its chairman shortly after its inception.
As the BTA’s main teacher, he has been leading retreats and
teaching Daoist cultivation in UK, Europe and USA.
He was introduced to Daoist cultivation by Gia Fu Feng, well known
for his translations of the “Tao Te Ching” and the “Chuang
Tsu”, which first appeared in the early 1970s. At that time
Gia Fu Feng was one of the very few teachers whose cultivation was
rooted in sitting meditation, which is the foundation of the Quanzhen
tradition. He also taught Shi Jing the practices of dao yin and
tai chi as a way to become sensitive to the circulation of qi. Shi
Jing remained a student of Gia Fu Feng’s until his death in
1985. Gia Fu Feng instilled in Shi Jing a deep trust in his own
intuitive expression of the Dao. He has remained a major influence
on Shi Jing’s life.
This retreat will only be open to people who have already attended
one of our “dao yin & meditation retreats”.
Numbers will be limited.
Cost: £295 (BTA members) £315 (non
members)
Bookings should be received by 26th June
To book a place on this retreat, please print and complete the
booking
form and return it to: British Taoist Association, PO Box 2274,
buckhurst Hill, IG9 5YQ
If you have any further enquiries please contact: retreats@taoists.co.uk
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