This day of practice will be held in silence, with alternating periods of zazen (seated meditation, usually 30-minute periods) and kinhin (walking meditation, usually 10 minutes), and a work period each afternoon. A Dharma talk will be given in the morning and participants will have the opportunity to speak with a teacher (dokusan).

We will be sitting from 7 am to 5 pm and ask that you plan on attending the entire day. If you do need to leave for part of the day, please receive permission before registering (info@stonecreekzen.org).

This practice day will include breakfast and lunch as well as morning tea and afternoon snacks. During meals, we will be practicing with oryoki – the ancient tradition of eating with the three nested bowls wrapped in cloth. Oryoki sets will be available to borrow if you do not have one, and instruction will be given for those who are new to the practice.

The day will begin with a short orientation. Please plan on arriving by 6:45 am and on being in your seat ready to start by 6:55 am.

For participants in the Stone Creek ango (practice period), the one-day sittings on February 21 and March 13 are included in your ango registration, but please do sign up here.

REGISTER HERE

We look forward to practicing together!

This day of practice will be held in silence, with alternating periods of zazen (seated meditation, usually 30-minute periods) and kinhin (walking meditation, usually 10 minutes), and a work period each afternoon. A Dharma talk will be given in the morning and participants will have the opportunity to speak with a teacher (dokusan).

We will be sitting from 7 am to 5 pm and ask that you plan on attending the entire day. If you do need to leave for part of the day, please receive permission before registering (info@stonecreekzen.org).

This practice day will include breakfast and lunch as well as morning tea and afternoon snacks. During meals, we will be practicing with oryoki – the ancient tradition of eating with the three nested bowls wrapped in cloth. Oryoki sets will be available to borrow if you do not have one, and instruction will be given for those who are new to the practice.

The day will begin with a short orientation. Please plan on arriving by 6:45 am and on being in your seat ready to start by 6:55 am.

For participants in the Stone Creek ango (practice period), the one-day sittings on February 21 and March 13 are included in your ango registration, but please do sign up here.

REGISTER HERE

We look forward to practicing together!

ANGO 2026 – TRUST IN MIND

Led by Myogen Kathryn Stark, Jisho Warner,  and JoE’ Annette Lille.

Shuso: Jesse Brunette

Ango, or practice period, is a time of deepening and intensifying our commitment to practice, through zazen, study, and sharing the Dharma together. Each year at Stone Creek, we gather during this time for weekly evening groups, two full practice days, Sunday morning programs, and a Dharma Inquiry Ceremony for the shuso. There also are opportunities to meet one-on-one with a teacher and have tea with the shuso.

REGISTER FOR ANGO HERE

In Zen, “ango” means “peaceful dwelling” and refers to a traditional period of intensive, concentrated practice that dates back to early Buddhism. Participants commit to deeper practice through a structured schedule of increased meditation (zazen), study and other activities, to awaken wisdom and compassion.

Ango Theme

For this ango we will focus on and study the Xinxin Ming (or Hsin Hsin Ming), meaning “Inscription on Faith/Trust in Mind,” a foundational Zen (Chán) text attributed to the Third Chinese Patriarch, Jianzhi Sengcan (6th century), emphasizing non-duality, letting go of preferences, and direct experience to realize the One Mind.

“The Great Way is not difficult
for those who have no preferences.
When love and hate are both absent
everything becomes clear and undisguised.
Make the smallest distinction, however,
and heaven and earth are set infinitely apart.”

Ango Events

The heart of ango practice is the Wednesday Evening Ango Groups. Everyone who is participating in ango in person should try to be present for all of the Wednesday evening meetings and as many of the Sunday talks as possible and attend one or both of the one-day sittings.

Ango also includes two one-day sittings (included in your registration), one-on-one meetings with a teacher, tea with the shuso, daily zazen, and study.

All events will be held in person at Stone Creek. Sunday Dharma talks will be available via Zoom and recorded as usual.

5 Wednesday evening meetings: February 18, 22, March 4, 11, 18 – 6:30 – 8pm

The weekday evening groups provide an opportunity for participants to learn from one another and to make an offering to the group of how they understand and are working with the practice and teachings.

Daily Zazen

Everyone participating in ango is asked to commit to regular zazen practice (joining the early weekday morning zazen offering online or in person, or on your own, five days a week).

Dokusan and tea with the shuso

Everyone participating in ango also is asked to meet for dokusan (practice discussion) with one of the teachers, and if possible for tea with the shuso.

Sunday Dharma talks: February 15, 22, March 1, 8, 15 (Dharma Inquiry Ceremony)

The Sunday program includes the whole sangha, and the talks will be on the ango theme. They will be held both in person and online.

One-Day Sittings:

–  Sat, February 21, 7 am – 5 pm – REGISTER FOR FEB 21 HERE
–  Fri, March 13, 7 am – 5 pm – REGISTER FOR MAR 13 HERE

**Registration for the one-day sittings is included in the ango fee, but you will need to register separately to confirm that you are attending.**

The one-day sittings are also open to the whole sangha.

If you have any questions, please reach out to info@stonecreekzen.org.

We look forward to entering this time of dedicated practice together!