Silent Illumination
Join us for a 3-day Chan meditation retreat where Chan teacher Guo Gu will introduce us to the Chan method of Silent Illumination.
📅 Schedule:
Fri 6 PM – 9 PM: Orientation, Dharma Talk
Sat 9 AM – 9 PM: Silent Illumination, Day 1
Sun 9 AM – 5 PM: Silent Illumination, Day 2
🫛 Free vegetarian lunch will be served on Saturday and Sunday from 12:30–1:30 PM.
About Guo Gu:
Guo Gu (Dr. Jimmy Yu) is the founder of the Tallahassee Chan Center, the founder of the socially engaged intra-denominational Buddhist organization, Dharma Relief, and a professor of Buddhism and East Asian religions at Florida State University. He studied under the late Master Sheng Yen for over 30 years, nine of which as his attendant monk and most senior and closest disciple. Guo Gu is the author of: The Essence of Chan (2012), Passing Through the Gateless Barrier (2016), and Silent Illumination (2021).
Registration (In-Person)
The retreat has now reached full capacity, and we are moving to a waitlist.
If you would like to be added to the waitlist, please fill out the form below. We will contact you as soon as a spot becomes available:
👉 Click here to join the waitlist
Registration (Zoom-Only)
Registration to attend the retreat online via Zoom is still open (see below).
⚠️ Please note: Our internet connection can occasionally be unstable.
If you’d like to attend online, please complete the registration form here:
👉 Click here to register for Zoom attendance
💛 Donations are appreciated to help support the retreat.
Suggested donation:
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$100 for the full retreat (regardless of how many days you attend in person).
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Free for Friday-only attendance. However, priority will be given to those registered for the full retreat.
Check-in:
Check-in on Friday begins at 5:30pm. Check-in on Saturday and Sunday begins at 8:30 am.
If you have any questions, please email Alan Myers: alanm1145@gmail.com.
Accommodation:
Please note that at this time we do not offer accommodation at our facility.
If you are coming from out of town and need accommodation here’s a nearby hotel we recommend:
Affordable:
Mid-range:
- MainStay Suites (Northbrook) in Wheeling (nearest)
More comfortable:
- Staybridge Suites Chicago — Glenview:
2600 Lehigh Avenue Glenview, Illinois 60026 United States Get Directions
Private Housing & Car-Pooling:
If you are a college student and wish to stay with a member of our local sangha, AND/OR need a ride OR can offer a ride to fellow students please fill out the following Accommodation Request and Car-Pooling form. Thank you!
Recommended Readings:
Master Sheng Yen: The Method of No Method
Guo Gu: Silent Illumination
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.