A PATH THAT BRIDGES TWO SPIRITUAL TRADITIONS

The East-West Meditation program at Mercy Center Burlingame was founded in 1984 by Father Thomas Hand, S.J. For nearly 30 years, Fr. Hand lived in Japan, where he led retreats, taught haiku poetry, and studied Zen meditation with Yamada Koun Roshi. Yamada Roshi, a teacher in the Sanbo Kyodan Zen lineage, encouraged Western students to learn Zen as a way of deepening their Judeo-Christian faith. Mercy Center Burlingame's approach to East-West Meditation practice honors Christian contemplation and Zen meditation. Practicing meditation together leads us to a whole new way of seeing Reality, and to a richer life.

Following Fr. Hand's passing, the community welcomed a new resident teacher, Fr. Gregory Mayers. Father Greg, a Redemptorist priest, is a Zen Teacher (Zen-kyôshi) of the Sanbô-Kyôdan Religious Foundation in Kamakura, Japan. He was given the teaching name of Ryûun-ken (Flowing Cloud) by Yamada Ryôun Roshi, the 4th Abbot of Sanbô-Kyôdan. He is also a Zen Teacher of the Empty Cloud Zen Lineage in Benediktushof Holzkirken, Germany, and the School of Contemplation, both founded by Willigis Jäger, OSB, Kôun-ken, who is Father Greg’s primary teacher. Father Greg is the award-winning author of Listen to the Desert: The Secrets of Spiritual Maturity in the Desert Fathers and Mothers. He directs the East-West Meditation Program at Mercy Center and is its resident teacher.

MEDITATION PROGRAM

On Wednesday evenings from 7:00–9:00 p.m., and during his retreats and sesshins, Fr. Greg leads the community in dialogue on the experience of meditation, offering new visitors and long-time meditators a welcoming space in which to explore the spiritual path.

In addition to our Wednesday evening sittings, we gather for Center Day, four hours of sitting and walking meditation, interviews with Fr. Greg, Eucharist and lunch, and the Four Seasons Haiku Kai, a group for people interested in learning about and sharing haiku poetry.

2010 EAST-WEST RETREATS

Register for Summer Silent Retreat August 15-20, 2010
Register for Fall Silent Zen Sesshin November 7-12, 2010
New Year's Silent Retreat December 27-Jan 1 (registration TBA)

AUDIO, VIDEO AND ARTICLES

Fr. Gregory Mayers
Listen to MP3s of Fr. Greg's spiritual talks
Read an article by Fr. Greg: What is Kensho?
Watch a video of a spiritual talk by Fr. Greg

Fr. Thomas Hand
Watch a video about Fr. Thomas Hand
Read the book "Crossing Over Together"

PROGRAM SCHEDULES

East-West Programs and Retreats
2010 Center Day Schedule (meetings resume September 5)
Four Seasons Haiku Kai Poetry Page