Led by Myozen Barton Stone

You are invited to join this half-day sitting suited both for beginning and experienced meditator from 8:00am-12:00pm. There will be alternating periods of zazen (seated meditation, usually thirty-minute periods) and kinhin (walking meditation, usually ten minutes).

Please sign up ahead of time if you can, but it’s also ok to just come.

If you have questions, please email info@stonecreekzen.org.

Sliding scale, no one turned away for lack of funds.

SIGN UP

Myozen Barton Stone discovered Buddhism and poetry during his college years, which led him to the vibrant cultural scene of San Francisco. In 1960, he participated in the first sesshin at Sokoji temple under the guidance of Suzuki Roshi. His commitment to peace and social justice prompted a remarkable journey in 1962, walking from San Francisco to Moscow to protest nuclear weapons and war. Settling in south Chicago, Barton worked in a steel mill and car assembly line, mobilizing workers against war and racism. Later, he lived with his family at Green Gulch Farm Zen Center for four years, deepening his Zen practice. His passion for craftsmanship led him to collaborate with architect Paul Discoe on Japanese wood joinery. Throughout his life, Barton has embraced goddess religion and cultivated a deep awareness of interspecies life, enriching his spiritual journey and activism. He received Dharma transmission from Jisho Warner Roshi.

This summer offers a wonderful opportunity to join together for a four-night, five-day sesshin at the scenic San Damiano Retreat Center, nestled in the hills above Danville. The tranquil setting provides the perfect environment for deepening our practice and connecting with the natural beauty surrounding us. Each participant will enjoy a private room and bath, ensuring comfort and space for personal reflection.

Throughout the retreat, we will spend our days in silence, engaging in sitting zazen and walking meditation. The program includes outdoor walking on the beautiful grounds and hiking paths, offering a chance to experience mindful movement in nature. Oryoki meals will be shared, fostering a sense of community and mindfulness around eating. Dharma talks will be offered, providing guidance and inspiration for our practice.

SIGN UP

4 Wednesdays, 6:30-8pm June 10, 17, 24 and July 8, 2026

• Empathy is the capacity to share the feelings of others.  We can feel happy when we share joy, but sharing someone’s suffering can be painful. Excessive empathy can lead to burn out. Compassion is a feeling of warmth and concern for others accompanied by an active wish to relieve their suffering.  Compassion is a pleasant experience contributing to good health.
• While feelings of compassion are innate, we can refine and strengthen our compassion skills. In this compassion training we explore the difference in empathy and compassion and the importance of self-compassion.  We practice techniques to switch from empathy to compassion, thereby feeling energized and inspired instead of depleted or overwhelmed
• Compassion is based on wisdom; therefore, it is essential to integrate meditation practice into compassion skills training. But this class is open to anyone: practitioners of other Buddhist tradition and people with no prior meditation experience are welcome.
• Each class includes a short presentation followed by a discussion, an opportunity for sharing experiences in a small group, and includes a 20-minute guided meditation.

Myoju Edmée Danan has been practicing Zen since 1981. Her first teacher was Robert Aitken Roshi of the Diamond Sangha on Maui, HI. After moving to California, she continued practicing with Jakusho Kwong Roshi at Sonoma Mountain Zen Center. She began studying with Jisho Warner Roshi in 1995, who authorized her to teach in April 2023. As a psychiatrist and psychotherapist, she is interested in determining when it is helpful to consider therapy to support Zen practice. She teaches meditation to both patients and health care professionals.

SIGN UP