Join us for a day of meditation and teachings to renew your energy, clarity, and commitment on the path. Iris Wang will offer commentary and insights on a twofold approach to practice, as well as commentary on Master Sheng Yen’s video lectures.
Practice is essentially the cultivation of awareness — becoming aware of the deeply rooted arrogance and self-centeredness within ourselves. By the time these tendencies have already manifested through our words and actions in daily life, it is often too late. What is more important is being able to recognize them while they are still forming internally, before they are expressed outwardly through speech or behavior, and to stop them at that stage. This is the function of upholding the precepts through awareness — whether the Ten Wholesome Deeds or the Bodhisattva Precepts. If one can maintain this awareness continually, one may already be considered someone who truly knows how to practice.
And the cultivation of this awareness comes from the practice of śamatha and vipaśyanā — calming and insight. The practice of calming and insight, does not have to be limited to sitting cross-legged in meditation. It can be cultivated within the four postures of daily life: walking, standing, sitting, and lying down. Among the Four Samādhis described by ZhiYi in the Mohe Zhiguan (Great Calming and Contemplation), the last is called the “Neither-Walking-Nor-Sitting Samādhi,” also known as the “Samādhi of Following One’s Own Mind.” It means not being confined to any fixed posture, but practicing calming and insight, amidst all situations and circumstances. The important thing is to practice it regularly and continuously.
For those who are hesitant about sitting for long periods, I sincerely invite you to join our One-Day Chan Retreat. We can use the course of a single day to first calm and settle the mind (śamatha / calming), and then cultivate the wisdom of non-self (vipaśyanā / insight). I will explain more beginner-friendly methods of practicing in all postures, and there will be no requirement for prolonged sitting. The time schedule is designed to fit both the seasoned sitters as well as the practice in different postures.
Practice has no final endpoint, and it is never too late to begin.
While attending in person is recommended, we understand if you prefer to join virtually. For those interested in participating remotely, here’s the Zoom link.
About the teacher:
Ms. Iris Wang has been a Chan meditation practitioner since 1992 when she began her practice with Chan Master Sheng Yen. She has participated in many intensive meditation retreats with Master Sheng Yen at the Dharma Drum Retreat Center in New York and several Dharma retreats at the Bodhi Monastery in New Jersey. Iris became certified as a meditation teacher in 2003 and has been teaching Chan Buddhist meditation since then. Iris leads Sunday morning meditations, teaches classes for beginners, and lectures on the Dharma at Chan Hall in Wheeling, Illinois, the home or center of the Chicago Chapter of Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association (DDMBA).
Registration:
Click here to register for this free event.
The registration includes a vegetarian lunch. If you are vegan please inform Iris. Also, please note, we will not be able to provide lunch to walk-in participants unless we receive a prior notice so that we can plan accordingly.
Check-in:
Check-in on Sunday begins at 8:20 am.
Etiquette:
Shoes are not allowed inside of the Chan Hall (but can remain in the lobby, of course). For your comfort, we recommend loose, comfortable clothing and clean socks. We advise no jewelry (wedding bands are fine) or constricting stockings. You may remove your socks during the meditation sessions; meditations are traditionally done barefoot.
Please be mindful that the retreat is a scent-free event and avoid the use of perfume and/or cologne the day of retreat.
If you have any questions, please email Iris Wang: iwang123@yahoo.com.