Cloud Water Zen Centre

A Buddhist community

Retreat Centre Project

Hundreds of flowers in spring, the moon in autumn,
a cool breeze in the summer and snow in winter.
If your mind is not clouded with unnecessary things,
no season is too much for you.

What are we trying to do?

We aim to create an accessible, affordable retreat centre near Glasgow, offering opportunities for people to recharge and gain fresh perspectives. Zen practice will be at the heart of the project, but the space will become a not-for-profit space available to a wide range of people, activities and organisations.

What will the retreat centre offer?

1. A space where Zen Centre members can participate in a range of Zen Centre activities, including short-term stays, periods of residential training and more intensive retreats.

2. A space where like-minded organisations who are interested in using an affordable, not-for-profit space can organise activities aimed at the general public, for example yoga, tai chi, mindfulness meditation etc.

What has happened so far?

Following some great fundraising efforts, we are now past our initial target and can begin the search for a property which could work for us. We are also working towards practical legal and financial steps needed to acquire a suitable property.

How you can help?

Financially: fundraising for the project is ongoing. If you’re able to do so, one off donations are a great way of helping us to raise the funds needed to purchase a property. Alternatively, you might be willing and able to offer some kind of long-term loan which could strengthen our ability to acquire a mortgage on a suitable property.

Fundraising activities and events: Do you have an idea or activity you’d like to suggest which can support our fundraising efforts? If so, we’d love to hear it!

If you have any questions or would like to get involved in any way don’t hesitate to contact us at: info.cloudwaterzen@gmail.com

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Testimonials from our intensive Zen retreats

A reset for mind and body

After sesshin, I tend to find I return to life a little bit clearer about my motivations.  Spending time practicing intensively always brings surprises! It’s not always comfortable to notice my habits of mind, but it’s always beneficial. The chance to practice surrounded by nature was wonderful, a reset for mind and body. I can’t really express my gratitude.

I would do it again in a heartbeat

I attended a week long sesshin at Ardfern in June 2022. It turned out to be a profound and beautiful experience. It’s hard to convey in words exactly how, but I would do it again and again in a heartbeat. The experienced members of the Cloud Water Zen Centre provided a safe, supportive environment that enabled me to just sit and open up. Thank you for a week that will live long in the memory.

A unique experience

I’d been on weekend retreats with another group, but my eight days at Ardfern were in a totally separate category. It felt as though I made more progress than in the eight years leading up to that point. The zendo leaders remove all reasons to worry about anything other than your practice, and then Sensei motivates you to focus very hard. A few solid days of that is a unique experience.