Stillpoint came into being in the very early 1990’s when a handful of dedicated individuals began to sit together once a week in Mt. Washington; it was a lovely little space in a basement of the condominium home of one of the founding members. Soon the group also practiced on Sunday mornings in an attic of a small house in the Edgewood area. In time the group matured to the point where a dedicated space was needed. In the mid 1990’s, the community decided to rent space on the ground floor of an apartment building on Fairmount Street in the Friendship area, in the east end of Pittsburgh. Stillpoint practice flourished in this zendo with new members joining and the maintenance of regular schedules of Zazen (seated meditation), retreats and zazenkai (all day sittings). After losing its lease a few years later, the community relied once more on the hospitality of members; for a little over a year, we met in private homes in Squirrel Hill and Brentwood.

It soon became evident that a new permanent (well, not quite) location was needed and our small community took a big step, a leap of faith: a small house in the Lawrenceville neighborhood was purchased in January of 2002 and within six months the zendo was completed; in June 2002 the community began to sit together in this new beautiful space.

Years of backbreaking work on renovations would follow, until we fulfilled all city code requirements to receive our occupancy permit, eight whole years after receiving the keys to the modest run down building! We are very fortunate and grateful for the hard work of many and the skills and energy they brought to this effort which gave us all a new meaning to the term “work practice”.

During more than two decades of Stillpoint practice, many have found a home for their Zen practice here at Stillpoint. A few of old continue to practice here and many new have come, some to stay, some moved on. We are grateful that we have a beautiful practice place to share our simple Zazen practice with an open heart, welcoming all who are looking for a home where they can develop their Zazen practice.  Stillpoint is committed to making Zen practice truly accessible to the Pittsburgh community.  We offer introductions to Zazen, a morning and evening sitting schedule, Sunday service, monthly day-long sittings, and occasional special events, including sangha-led non-resident retreats and sesshins led by visiting teachers. We welcome you to sit with us at any of our regularly scheduled practice periods.

For an orientation to Zen practice at Stillpoint, or to join us for sitting, email info@stillpointzen.org. A $5-$10 orientation donation is requested to help support our practice.