Weekend Meditation Workshop led by Gilbert Gutierrez

What to expect:

• The daily practice consists of a series of moving, walking and sitting meditation. Each sitting lasts for about 30 minutes. Some sittings may extend up to 1 hour, with an optional break at around the 30-minute mark. Short tea breaks are available between sessions. Timetable can be found HERE.
• Each daily session can be attended independently. However, you are warmly encouraged to join both days to make the most of Gilbert’s visit.
• This meditation workshop is suitable for those who with a basic understanding and practice of meditation (e.g., familiarity with proper meditation postures, methods and attitude). If you would like to learn meditation from scratch or refresh the basics, please check out our Beginner's Meditation Workshop.
• While not mandatory, we encourage you to observe noble silence whenever possible, except during sharing and Q&A sessions. Noble silence means refraining from speaking, reading, or using mobile phones and other digital devices.
• Meditation mats, cushions and blankets will be provided. However, you are welcome to bring your own if you prefer. Chair is also available on request.
• A vegetarian lunch will be provided. Please bring your own water bottle to keep hydrated.
• The workshop will be conducted in English.

Guiding Teacher

Gilbert Gutierrez is one of the five lay Dharma heirs of Chan Master Sheng Yen. He has over fifty years of experience in meditation, which began with training in martial arts and Qi Gong. A practicing attorney, Gilbert’s home base is in Southern California. He lectures regularly at the Los Angeles Dharma Drum chapter and with his own Riverside Chan Meditation Group (www.riversidechan.org). He also leads retreats in the US, Canada, Europe and Taiwan. With his online platform, Mind Work Forum, Gilbert offers an opportunity for the traditional Chan teacher-student dialogue in a modern venue.
Gilbert teaches in a classical Chan style which inspires his students to investigate Mind through diligent practice and Right View. Gilbert’s sincerity and patience in delivering others before himself is unflagging. He teaches in a way that is simultaneously casual, humorous, accessible and deep, by drawing on every-day life situations as well as the works of great masters. He encourages students to practice sincerely so that wisdom and compassion will arise, and the nature of Mind will be revealed.

Simple rules

You are expected to follow some simple rules throughout the workshop. The rules are here to ensure we don't disturb others, and also as a means to break our everyday routine and allow us to be aware of our habits and tendencies. Teacher and timekeeper reserve the right to ask anyone to leave the workshop if he/she causes disturbance to others and/or is not following the rules.

• Keep food and drink outside Buddha hall (Chan hall).
• Set your mobile phone(s) in silent or airplane mode. We encourage you to stay away from your mobile phone(s) during the workshop.
• Approach and leave your seat via the central aisle, and avoid walking in front of others while they are meditating.
• Refrain from speaking or making noise in the Buddha hall (Chan hall) while others are meditating. The Buddha hall (Chan hall) is designated for practice.

Suggested Donations

Your donations help cover the costs of the vegetarian lunch and others costs related to facilitating this workshop. Any excess funds will be evenly distributed between Qing Liang Buddhist Association and Riverside Chan Meditation Group founded by Gilbert Gutierrez.We offer three tiers of donations as outlined below. Please let us know if you are experiencing any financial difficulties. We strive to ensure that finances are not a barrier to participation in our activities.

• Base: £35 for both days (£20 for one day)
• Sustainer: £45 for both days (£25 for one day)
• Sponsor: £65 for both days (£35 for one day)

Please do not make payment before receiving a confirmation email from us to confirm your place.

Cancellation Policy

- Cancellation on and before 28th February 2025: full refund.
- Cancellation between 1st March and 15th March 2025: 50% refund.
- Cancellation between 16th March and 28th March 2024: 10% refund.In practice, we will issue a full refund if we are able to find someone to replace you.

Please submit an application by clicking the link below, if you wish to join the session. The ticket from Eventbrite does not count as an application.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Qing Liang Buddhist Association (ex-church building), 111 Consort Road, London, United Kingdom