The Still Point
Center For Zen Practice
ORIENTATION INFORMATION
Who We Are:
We are a training center for the Zen practice of Awareness. By learning to bring our attention to the spacious compassion of our true nature, we are able to let go of the resistance, clinging, fear, aversion, and desire that cause so much suffering in our lives and in the life of society as a whole. As our closing recitation at the conclusion of our meditation states: “We are here to end suffering.”
What We Do:
We meditate. Meditation is our primary practice. We teach meditation in the Zen tradition – sitting silently and gently letting our attention return over and over again to the awareness of our breath. This focus on the breath is a practice of bringing ourselves to the present moment – a place where there is nothing to fix, nothing to correct, nothing to do. As we train ourselves in this awareness, we become more and more able to live from a spacious centered place. Our actions and thoughts become more in accord with our true nature.
What We Teach:
We use the basic teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, the teacher called the Buddha, and the teachings of the Taoist sage, Lao-tzu. The Buddha’s teachings blended with those of Lao-tzu when Buddhist teachings arrived in China early in the first millennium. This blend became what is now called Zen.
We focus on the basic teachings of this tradition as applied to modern western living. We make extensive use of books by Zen teacher Cheri Huber and Taoist/Zen teacher William Martin.
We teach no doctrine or belief system. We ask that those who practice with us be willing to look at all of the conditioning that has formed what might be called the “ego-identity” over the years and see how it causes suffering through the stories, assumptions, and beliefs that take us away from the direct experience of life.
How We Practice:
We observe what is called a “privileged environment.” From the time we arrive at the center until we drive away we remain silent and willing to look at our inner processes. We give others the gift of the opportunity to do the same. We leave our shoes in the entryway and enter the center quietly.
We bow at the opening to the meditation hall and proceed in a counter-clockwise manner around the outside of the hall until we come to where we are going to sit. (Cushions, benches, and chairs are provided) We then bow to our place, turn and bow to the room, then sit down and face the wall for the meditation period. A large bell will ring to start the session. At that time we say a short opening recitation. Then a smaller bell sounds and we sit in silence. At the end of the period the small bell will ring, then we say a closing recitation and the large bell will ring ending the meditation. We then make sure our feet and legs are awake, stand up and bow to our place, then turn and face the room. When everyone is ready we bow together. We then exit the hall in the counterclockwise direction, turning to bow to the hall as we leave. The person immediately behind us in line will return the bow. We maintain the privileged silence as we gather our belongings and leave.
If there is a class following the meditation we will all turn and face the facilitator after the meditation and go into the class discussion. Class discussions are also part of the privileged environment. We refrain from talking to one another and keep our comments directed to the facilitator. We don’t “piggy back” on someone else’s comments but remain with our own thoughts and insights, allowing others the same privilege. When class is over we leave in meditative silence, continuing to allow each other the courtesy of silence.
Several of the people who practice here have allergic/asthmatic reactions to the scents of colognes and perfumes. We ask that you refrain from wearing strong scents in order to make our meditation hall a welcome place for all. Thank you.
If you come to our week-day morning meditations you will notice that our opening recitation is much longer than at other times. This recitation outlines some basic concepts of practice in the Zen tradition. It is not a creed or belief statement, but merely a reminder of some of the principles that may be helpful to practice. You are free to read along or just sit quietly. Copies are on the counter.
Guidance
Our Resident Guides are available for personal discussion on an appointment basis. The Guide is not a “Zen Master” but is someone who has been walking this path for a while and knows some of the detours and traps along the way. He or she is someone willing to sit with us and bring to us his or her full attention and offer suggestions for our consideration.
Reading
We recommend that anyone who wants to begin to practice at The Still Point read three basic books: There Is Nothing Wrong With You and Nothing Happens Next by Cheri Huber; and A Path and a Practice by William Martin.
Support
We are supported entirely by the contributions of our members. Some make monthly or yearly pledges. Others give as they are able. If you decide to practice here we ask that you let your giving reflect your financial ability, your gratitude, and your generosity. You may leave your gifts is the “dana” bowl on the counter. We are a tax-exempt charitable organization and your gifts are tax deductible.