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The
word Satori originates in Japan and describe that moment of illumination
that can only be describe as a direct experience of profound truth that
accompanied certain Zen practices.
"Satori" as we are discussing it here refers to a retreat of six days duration that has been carefully designed to support individuals open to experiencing truth. It has evolved from techniques of the East combined with Western methods to support each person to have the maximum opportunity to have a Satori experience. Each participant is given a Zen Koan to answer. A Zen Koan is a question that is designed not to have an intellectual answer, yet opens the person to directly experience the answer beyond the words, thoughts and dualities. On your quest to the answer you experience 'you'. This is not an intellectual exercise. It is totally experiential and involves your whole being. It does not depend on any belief, thought, feeling or context. The result is that whatever it is that you experience within these days is entirely and absolutely yours. Exactly what is experienced and how it effects the individual concerned is unique to that person. As a common theme many people ultimately seem to experience a sense of peace and relief, a quiet certainty - the experience of a solid foundation within yourself from which to live life. It matters not if you have any knowledge of Zen as the entire structure is simple and fully explained. The main process is simply you being with you, using a question as a key (the first question being *who am I*) to unlock your essential self and to directly experience this. I can quite honestly and truthfully say that you will find something *there * as you uncover yourself. And if there are tears, laughter, tears and emotions - these are allowed space in the safe environment and you are guided and cared for. While the focus of the Satori retreat is to allow a peak experience the communication process involved provides a microcosmic look at your basic attitudes towards life. The space is created for you to see for yourself your behaviors, the way you think, what you think, how your mind works - many of the aspects to which you may have been previously blind to. Within the Satori retreat you can directly experience the simplicity of your own humanness and the humanity of other people. The structure truly offers the space to be real, unprotected and honest - with yourself and with others. Throughout the Satori retreat detailed instruction is given on how to contemplate and best utilise the structure. A variety of methods are used to address the questions, e.g. communication exercises, meditation talks and private sessions with the facilitator. Throughout the six-day segment there will be time for personal guidance and to meet with the facilitator individually to ask questions and to communicate your answer. The meals are light, vegetarian and delicious - without dairy or sugar. "This Satori process can assist you to see more about yourself in the shortest period of time than anything I have come across. It is not what this techniqueless technique does but what you are able to do for yourself through the technique." Paul Lowe |
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