Turning Towards the Dao - Part II

Meditation Retreat

Led by Shi Jing

16 - 21 July 2010, 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.

The text we will be introducing on this retreat is the Nei ye, an early text of inner cultivation which arose about the same time as the Daode jing. It takes tranquil sitting as its main focus and gives us valuable guidance in this meditation, including posture, breath and absorbtion. Developing an intimacy with this text through our own cultivation can open up a fresh view of the practice and how it’s integrated into daily life.

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.

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 8th July

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