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Tallahassee Chan Center Courses/Silent Illumination
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  • $140 or 4 monthly payments of $35

Silent Illumination

  • Course
  • 22 Lessons

Silent illumination refers to natural awakening, the realization that we are already free. This six-week/12-hour video course, recorded in 2021 by Guo Gu, explores silent illumination through embodied experiencing of progressive relaxation, somatic integration of breath, direct contemplation of seeing and hearing, and realization in daily life.
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Contents

Syllabus
Preview

Class 1: Learning progressive relaxation

To do
Class 1: Progressive Relaxation
Guided Sitting Meditation, Guo Gu
Demonstration of Post-Meditation Self-Massage, Guo Gu
Readings for this class

Class 2: What is the role of body/mind in Awakening? What is somatic alienation?

Class 2: What is the role of body/mind in Awakening?
Embodied Experiencing, Guo Gu
Meditate daily
Readings for this class

Class 3: Two approaches to Silent Illumination

Class 3: Two approaches to Silent Illumination
The Practice of Direct Contemplation, Guo Gu
Meditate daily
Readings for this class

Class 4: Contemplation of Sound and Space as Silent Illumination

Class 4: Contemplation of Sound and Space as Silent Illumination
Guo Gu on Obstacles to Meditation #1 (Wandering Thoughts)
Guo Gu on Obstacles to Meditation #2 (Drowsiness)
Readings for this class

Class 5: Twelfth-century Chan Buddhist writings on Silent Illumination

Class 5: Twelfth-century Chan Buddhist writings on Silent Illumination
Readings for this class

Class 6: Integrating Silent Illumination into Daily Activities

Class 6: Integrating Silent Illumination into Daily Activities
Readings for this class

Teacher

Guo Gu means the result of being a valley. It comes from the Chinese proverb, “To be humble as a valley.” A valley is humble because it is empty, resting at the lowest part of earth. Yet it is able to support and nourish all life forms. Guo Gu is the founder of the Tallahassee Chan Center, the founder of the socially engaged intra-denominational Buddhist organization, Dharma Relief. He has been a close disciple of the late Master Sheng Yen (1931-2009) for more than 30 years; nine of which as a monastic.

He is the author of The Essence of Chan (2012), Passing Through the Gateless Barrier (2016), and Silent Illumination (2021). He is also an Associate Professor of Chinese Buddhism and Religions in the Department of Religion, Florida State University, USA. 

Frequently asked questions

How do I access the courses?

To access course materials, you must create an account on this course website using your e-mail address. The easiest way to do this is when you are purchasing a course. Your account allows you to access courses you have purchased and engage in discussion in our online community.

If you are interested in further opportunities to deepen your practice, please consider opting in to our "marketing e-mails" when you create your account. The Tallahassee Chan Center is not a commercial entity, and will not send you marketing e-mails. We will only use e-mail correspondence to alert you to new and upcoming opportunities for practice in-person and online.

What do I receive upon purchasing a course?

Upon purchase, you will receive unlimited access to the course material, video/audio file for each lecture, and access to the Tallahassee Chan Center online community to ask questions on practice.

Do you offer discounts? Are these courses free?

Money should not be a barrier to studying the buddhadharma. The Tallahassee Chan Center offers a range of discounts for those with limited resources, up to free of charge. (Monastics receive free access to courses upon request.)

Please email tallahassee.chan@gmail.com with the email subject "Course Discount" and include the course(s) you're interested in. 

For those who have the means, payment is a means of engaging in the practice of generosity (dāna). Donation revenue will support the Center's teachings, helping more people to improve their lives and ease suffering.