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September 23 - 30, 2027
Koan: The Path Begin In The Impasse
In-Person Retreat
Language: Dutch
Language: Dutch
Kōan: The Path Begins at the Impasse
What is a kōan? A kōan is not a question that can be answered through ordinary reasoning. A kōan helps the practitioner transcend discriminating thought and directly perceive the true nature of reality.
All knowledge leads to an impasse. This is precisely the way of Zen. If knowledge only leads to more knowledge, there is no room for creativity. The mind, in its ordinary sense, is a well-worn path. It continually pushes us in the same direction—the direction of habit and repetition. No-mind is not the negation of mind, but the cutting through of all the familiar patterns through which the mind ordinarily functions. The mind becomes lost. Completely stuck. And it is precisely from this point that something new emerges, like the sun rising in the darkness of the night.
The kōan is a unique method of training the mind, found only in Zen. Unlike any other system of thought, the kōan does not open the mind through knowledge or insight. It explains nothing, leads nowhere, and offers no escape. On the contrary, it carries the mind from one certainty to another, each certainty old, repetitive, and tasteless, until no path remains. The practitioner truly enters the way of the kōan only when the impasse has closed off every route of retreat. Then, at an unpredictable moment, the dense layer of ignorance suddenly breaks apart, and the light of wisdom appears.
A kōan is not a riddle. It is not a philosophical paradox to be analyzed. It is a living situation, transmitted directly from teacher to student, that compels the mind to confront its own limitations.
The kōan of this retreat is: “Where is life taking us?”
You are on a journey. That cannot be denied. Every breath, every step, every moment of this life is constant movement. But where to? The mind begins to search. It will find answers. Yet every answer, when looked at directly, dissolves like mist. When all answers have been exhausted, when the impasse is complete, then, at that very moment, that which is journeying reveals itself naturally.
Cuong Lu belongs to the authentic Linji Zen lineage and carries the profound methods of the Zen tradition. In this retreat, he introduces participants to the kōan—an ancient Zen practice that is now only rarely offered as a living path of training.
What is a kōan? A kōan is not a question that can be answered through ordinary reasoning. A kōan helps the practitioner transcend discriminating thought and directly perceive the true nature of reality.
All knowledge leads to an impasse. This is precisely the way of Zen. If knowledge only leads to more knowledge, there is no room for creativity. The mind, in its ordinary sense, is a well-worn path. It continually pushes us in the same direction—the direction of habit and repetition. No-mind is not the negation of mind, but the cutting through of all the familiar patterns through which the mind ordinarily functions. The mind becomes lost. Completely stuck. And it is precisely from this point that something new emerges, like the sun rising in the darkness of the night.
The kōan is a unique method of training the mind, found only in Zen. Unlike any other system of thought, the kōan does not open the mind through knowledge or insight. It explains nothing, leads nowhere, and offers no escape. On the contrary, it carries the mind from one certainty to another, each certainty old, repetitive, and tasteless, until no path remains. The practitioner truly enters the way of the kōan only when the impasse has closed off every route of retreat. Then, at an unpredictable moment, the dense layer of ignorance suddenly breaks apart, and the light of wisdom appears.
A kōan is not a riddle. It is not a philosophical paradox to be analyzed. It is a living situation, transmitted directly from teacher to student, that compels the mind to confront its own limitations.
The kōan of this retreat is: “Where is life taking us?”
You are on a journey. That cannot be denied. Every breath, every step, every moment of this life is constant movement. But where to? The mind begins to search. It will find answers. Yet every answer, when looked at directly, dissolves like mist. When all answers have been exhausted, when the impasse is complete, then, at that very moment, that which is journeying reveals itself naturally.
Cuong Lu belongs to the authentic Linji Zen lineage and carries the profound methods of the Zen tradition. In this retreat, he introduces participants to the kōan—an ancient Zen practice that is now only rarely offered as a living path of training.
DATE AND TIME DETAILS:
September 23 - 30, 2027
LOCATION:
2 Le Mont
87190 Magnac Laval. France
COSTS:
€1,295 – Shared twin room (VAT-exempt), including accommodation and all retreat-related expenses. €1,195 – Tent accommodation (VAT-exempt), including accommodation and all retreat-related expenses. Please note that the above fees do not include dāna (a voluntary offering) for the teacher.
REGISTRATION:
Register now
September 23 - 30, 2027
LOCATION:
2 Le Mont
87190 Magnac Laval. France
COSTS:
€1,295 – Shared twin room (VAT-exempt), including accommodation and all retreat-related expenses. €1,195 – Tent accommodation (VAT-exempt), including accommodation and all retreat-related expenses. Please note that the above fees do not include dāna (a voluntary offering) for the teacher.
REGISTRATION:
Register now
DATE AND TIME DETAILS:
September 23 -30, 2027
LOCATION:
2 Le Mont
87190 Magnac Laval - France
COSTS:
€1,295 – Shared twin room (VAT-exempt), including accommodation and all retreat-related expenses. €1,195 – Tent accommodation (VAT-exempt), including accommodation and all retreat-related expenses.Please note that the above fees do not include dāna (a voluntary offering) for the teacher.
REGISTRATION:
Register now
September 23 -30, 2027
LOCATION:
2 Le Mont
87190 Magnac Laval - France
COSTS:
€1,295 – Shared twin room (VAT-exempt), including accommodation and all retreat-related expenses. €1,195 – Tent accommodation (VAT-exempt), including accommodation and all retreat-related expenses.Please note that the above fees do not include dāna (a voluntary offering) for the teacher.
REGISTRATION:
Register now
Daily Schedule
5:30 AM – Wake-up bell
6:00 AM – Seated meditation
7:30 AM – Silent breakfast
10:00 AM – Dharma talk
11:00 AM – Walking meditation
12:00 PM – Silent lunch
2:00 PM – Afternoon practice/activity
4:00 PM – Work meditation
6:00 PM – Silent dinner
8:00 PM – Seated meditation
9:00 PM – Noble Silence begins
Retreat Fee
€1,295 – Shared twin room (VAT-exempt), including accommodation and all retreat-related expenses.
€1,195 – Tent accommodation (VAT-exempt), including accommodation and all retreat-related expenses.
Please note that the above fees do not include dāna (a voluntary offering) for the teacher.
Donation
The registration fee covers accommodation, meals, and all retreat-related expenses. It does not include dāna (a voluntary offering) for the teacher. In the Buddhist tradition, the teachings are offered freely, and support for the teacher is left to the discretion and generosity of each participant.
If you wish to make an offering, a suggested range is between 35% and 50% of the registration fee, according to your financial circumstances and appreciation for the teachings. However, any amount is welcome and deeply appreciated.
Your generosity helps support the continuation of the Dharma and makes it possible for others to benefit from these teachings in the future. Thank you for helping keep the Dharma alive and accessible to al.
Cancelation Policy
You may cancel your registration up to six months before the start of the retreat and receive a full refund, minus a €50 administrative fee.
If you cancel between three and six months before the start of the retreat, 50% of the registration fee will be refunded. If you cancel less than three months before the retreat begins, no refund will be provided.
If you leave the retreat after it has started, no refund will be given. If, for any reason, the retreat cannot take place, we will notify you as soon as possible and refund the full registration fee.
Word Zen’s liability for a cancelled retreat is limited to the refund of the registration fee. We cannot be held responsible for any additional expenses, including travel costs, airline tickets, visa fees, accommodation booked elsewhere, or other related expenses.
You can cancel up to 1 day before the start of the program. You then only owe $ 50 administration costs.
Language
This event will be in Dutch
5:30 AM – Wake-up bell
6:00 AM – Seated meditation
7:30 AM – Silent breakfast
10:00 AM – Dharma talk
11:00 AM – Walking meditation
12:00 PM – Silent lunch
2:00 PM – Afternoon practice/activity
4:00 PM – Work meditation
6:00 PM – Silent dinner
8:00 PM – Seated meditation
9:00 PM – Noble Silence begins
Retreat Fee
€1,295 – Shared twin room (VAT-exempt), including accommodation and all retreat-related expenses.
€1,195 – Tent accommodation (VAT-exempt), including accommodation and all retreat-related expenses.
Please note that the above fees do not include dāna (a voluntary offering) for the teacher.
Donation
The registration fee covers accommodation, meals, and all retreat-related expenses. It does not include dāna (a voluntary offering) for the teacher. In the Buddhist tradition, the teachings are offered freely, and support for the teacher is left to the discretion and generosity of each participant.
If you wish to make an offering, a suggested range is between 35% and 50% of the registration fee, according to your financial circumstances and appreciation for the teachings. However, any amount is welcome and deeply appreciated.
Your generosity helps support the continuation of the Dharma and makes it possible for others to benefit from these teachings in the future. Thank you for helping keep the Dharma alive and accessible to al.
Cancelation Policy
You may cancel your registration up to six months before the start of the retreat and receive a full refund, minus a €50 administrative fee.
If you cancel between three and six months before the start of the retreat, 50% of the registration fee will be refunded. If you cancel less than three months before the retreat begins, no refund will be provided.
If you leave the retreat after it has started, no refund will be given. If, for any reason, the retreat cannot take place, we will notify you as soon as possible and refund the full registration fee.
Word Zen’s liability for a cancelled retreat is limited to the refund of the registration fee. We cannot be held responsible for any additional expenses, including travel costs, airline tickets, visa fees, accommodation booked elsewhere, or other related expenses.
You can cancel up to 1 day before the start of the program. You then only owe $ 50 administration costs.
Language
This event will be in Dutch
Cuong Lu
“I look forward to meeting you and practicing the path of insight and compassion together. Let us do all that we can to build a world of peace.”
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Koan The Path Begins In The Impasse
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