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Camelford (North Cornwall) Ch’an Retreat Week 13 – 20 December 2014

Sheep bleating in the distance – John Coltrane chants ‘aum’…
Sunset on the horizon – emptiness in the heart.
It is not that nothing exists
But that which does exist has no substantiality…
(Shi Da Dao 13.12.14)

Cold passing through the body – emptiness passing through thought…

There is freedom in stillness – and enslavement in movement.

Sitting correctly cuts through inner and outer disturbances…

When the mind is straight- the head uncovers itself!

(Shi Da Dao 13.12.14)
Many arrive – but few will leave.

 All night meditation is our tradition…

Sleep knocks on the perceptual door – but the summons is ignored.

Xu Yun seldom slept and he is our inspiration!

(Upasika Yukyern 13.12.14)







Time to settle-down and be amongst the klesa…

This is not a problem – but is the sustenance of a great doubting mind!

As each bead passes through the fingers – perceiver and perceived disappear…

Standing-up, or sitting down – what does it matter?

(Shi Da Dao 13.12.14)








Who has the courage to enter this Dharma Gate?

Bring us your fear and it will turn to loving compassion…

Bring us your wisdom – we will evolve together…

Each breath is are last and herein lies the eternal beauty…

(Upasika Yukyern 14.12.14)








What does the terrain look like when looking within?

Perhaps it is bright – perhaps it is dark…

No matter – look with a fierce intention,

But be sure not to make any undue effort…

(Upasika Yukyern 14.12.14)







The Dharma-gate opens and shuts….

Timing must be precise if entrance is successful.

Knowledge of the Dao opens the gate –

Whilst Ignorance of the Dao closes it firmly!

(Upasika Yukyern 15.12.14)
Sitting in the rain – the dry ground has expired!
This is because emptiness permeates all things,
And the rain washes away dirt.
If it was this simple, no stone would be dry anywhere!
(Shi Da Dao 15.12.14)








Holding up the roof

Holding down the earth

When I look around

All is equal

(Upasika Mei-An 15.12.14)










The Ch’an method flattens out the mind.

Klesa is crushed under its weight.

The ten directions become clear,

As limitation fades…

(Upasika Charlotte 15.12.14)
Light shines amongst the wooden beams…
Prajna manifests from within klesa…
Looking and seeing obscures the view…
And the space between things brings them together…
(Shi Da Dao 15.12.14)


Spirits float from the mind…

And return to the empty essence…

After-all, spirits are unaware

Of their temporary status.

(Shi Da Dao 15.12.14)








Bodmin Gaol created suffering as punishment.

The Disabled, Mentally Ill, the Poor and the Destitute –

All met their deaths at the end of a rope…

Meditate and the rope will be cut!

(Shi Da Dao 17.12.14)


The structure and beauty…

Melts into the void…

What is ‘beauty’?

What is ‘void’?

(Upasika Yukyern 17.12.14)
My favourite area shelters from the elements.

And yet and wind and rain penetrate easily.

Such is a mind

That is not controlled.

(Upasika Mei-An 17.12.14)








Ancient rocks bathed in mist…

Infinite mind bathed in unending loving kindness…

The clouds lift revealing sunlight…

After-all, loving kindness equals the light of wisdom!

(Upasika Yukyern 18.12.14)
A week of meditation

Rain and clouds lift.

Suddenly the sun emerges,

All is illuminated!

(Shi Da Dao 19.12.14)