Naikan or Nei Quan is a practice of reflection originally developed in Japan. Many people are born, live and die without ever taking the opportunity to reflect deeply on how they are living their lives, although it is not uncommon that a significant number of us might face such an experience following the diagnosis of a terminal illness or as we approach death.
Many of us find ourselves saying that “life is too busy” and that we find it hard to identify time for serious, quiet reflection. But to fail to look closely at the reality that is available to us is to ignore some of the most profound truths that life can show us.
This retreat, which is one of the five core retreats of the Amida School, is an opportunity to consider such questions through a period of intense contemplation and practice.
Naikan was originally developed by Ishin Yoshimoto, a devout Jodo Shin shu follower. The basic structure he created involves reflecting on our relationship with others using the following three questions:
What have I received?
What have I given in return?
What troubles and difficulties have I caused?
These provide the basic foundation for examining our lives, including reflecting in a structured way on our primary relationships as well as more broadly on our encounters with others, with the universe itself, that one way or another, near or far, support our very existence.
Thus it is not only an exercise in examining our self-attitudes but rather one in which we begin to see how deeply dependent we are. Being in touch with this reality will often lead to a profound sense of gratitude which may in turn have direct and concrete consequences for the nature of our relationships and how we relate to the world.
The retreat is lead by Dharmavidya David Brazier, one of the leading European Dharma teachers of his generation, head of the Amida Order, and president of the International Institute for Zen Therapy. Dharmavidya is the author of a number of books, monographs and articles on Buddhism, psychology and spiritual life. His most recent book is “Buddhism is a Religion, You Can Believe It” published by Woodsmoke Press.
Cost: €200 residential, inclusive of meals (5 Days)
Additional days €25-€35 per night (depending on accommodation.
Please email Jnanamati to book: info@zentherapyinternational.com
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