A huatou is referred to in Chan/Zen circles as a "critical phrase," in the form of a paradox or an unanswerable question, that points to the fundamental existential question of our life. This question cannot be answered through rational thinking or reasoning. The point of huatou is not to find the “answer” nor to hide behind silence, but to engage with it, attune to it, question it, and embody the feeling of not knowing yet wanting to know. This feeling is called the practice of wonderment–a unique approach to freeing ourselves from the self. Guo Gu will ground his teaching in a twelfth-century Chan text and will give dharma talks on the genesis, development, and theory of huatou practice. This workshop-retreat will explore this method of practice to foster a new approach to the Buddhist practice of wisdom and compassion.
Program Format: This workshop-retreat will include meditation, dharma talks, and opportunities for questions and reflection.