Teaching of Rinzai and his famous KATSU shout
About the Event
Teaching of Rinzai and his famous KATSU shout
Join Mark Kuren Westmoquette and Jo Barclay for this Zen retreat day exploring the dynamic, direct teachings of the 9th-century Chinese Zen master Rinzai (Linji), through the lens and living legacy of our late teacher Shinzan Roshi.
At the heart, we’ll be exploring Rinzai’s ‘Jeweled Sword of the Diamond King’ – his signature teaching device: the katsu shout (pronouced “KAA!”). Rinzai originated the use of this fierce shout as a means of pointing (sometimes blasting!) a student into the place of direct, non-conceptual oneness. During the day, we’ll explore the use of the katsu from a historical perspective and through experiential practice. Along the way, we’ll delve into some of the key koans from the Rinzai Roku (the teaching record of master Rinzai), and touch on Rinzai’s teaching of the “One True Person of No Rank” whilst sitting in the presence of Shinzan Roshi’s beautiful calligraphy of this phrase.
Our main aim, however, will be to experience the katsu shout first-hand. Through guided practices, we’ll discover what it means to let it arise from the body, breath and whole being. Voice work will be led by trainee Zen teacher and voice specialist, Jo Barclay. We will also draw inspiration from recorded examples of the extraordinary power and immediacy of Shinzan Roshi’s own voice to find new ways of expressing ourselves.
This is an invitation to meet your voice as a vehicle of awakening, to cut through habit and hesitation, and to discover what is revealed when sound is freed from self-consciousness. Come prepared to explore your voice in ways you may never have done before and to discover your own lion’s roar.
The retreat will also include periods of silent meditation and an opportunity for sanzen with Mark. Available to join both in-person and online.
Joining in-person
Please register using the form below. Suggested donation: £55 for non-members, £35 for members
Please bring a cold, vegetarian lunch to share.
Joining online
Please register using the form below. Suggested donation: £45 for non-members, £25 for members
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We do not charge a fixed amount for these retreats, and instead would suggest a donation as detailed in the event description, depending on your means.