Simplicity Zen Podcast (Simplicity Zen)

Please enjoy this Simplicity Zen Podcast where we talk to Corey Hess about his experience training with Rinzai Zen. This is our first episode the “Zen Lamp” podcast series. Corey leads the Internal Process with Corey Hess Facebook community and specializes in internal process work, including QiGong, Zhan Zhuang, Non-Directed Body Movement, and meditation. He lived in Japan Sogenji which is a traditional Rinzai Zen under renowned Zen master Harada Roshi. 

For more about SimplictyZen:

• https://simplicityzen.com/

For more about Corey: 

• http://coreyhessbodytherapy.com/
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/21610…
• https://zenembodiment.com/

Kokyo was ordained as a Zen priest in 1994 by Tenshin Anderson Roshi and received Dharma Transmission from him in 2010. Kokyo was a teacher at Santa Cruz Zen Center for a decade. Kokyo has also been practicing with a Tibetan Dzogchen Teacher Tsoknyi Rinpoche Rinpoche since and now lives at his center in Colorado.

For more information about Kokyo:

https://kokyohenkel.weebly.com/

For more information About Simplicity Zen:

https://simplicityzen.com/

 Bob has been practicing Zen since 1972 but it was not until 1989 that he found his root teacher, Sojun Mel Weitsman, at Berkeley Zen Center. Bob received lay entrustment in Soto Zen from Sojun in 2010, and founded a Zen group in the Sierra foothills shortly afterwards. Bob is one of the founding members of the Lay Zen Teachers Association. At the invitation of Karen Terzano he has been a visiting teacher at the Ordinary Mind Zen sangha in Finland. In 2019 Bob received denkai from Karen to offer precepts as a teacher within Ordinary Mind Zen. Bob is currently working to develop and Ordinary Mind Zen practice community in Sacramento, California. Bob's dharma name is Meikyo Onza - "Clear Mirror, Calm Sitting." 

Bob began learning Dayan Qigong from Master Hui Liu in 1990 and was in the first group of teachers authorized by Master Hui Liu. Bob then brought Dayan Qigong to Kaiser Permanente Medical Center's Health Education program, where it has flourished. At the request of Master Liu Bob taught Dayan Qigong at the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in San Francisco. He now carries on Master Liu's legacy as a senior teacher at the Wen Wu School and offering annual workshops a Kripalu Yoga Center (in Massachusetts) and to his ongoing students in Melbourne, Australia and Lammi, Finland. 

For more on Robert:

- https://www.zenqigong.com/ 
- https://smile.amazon.com/Walking-Way-Zen-Encounters-Ching/dp/1614290253 
- https://smile.amazon.com/That-Not-Your-Mind-Reflections/dp/1645470792

 For more on Simplicity Zen: 

- https://simplicityzen.com/ 

Jyozen Anjyu is a Zen priest in the lineage of Dogen Zenji and Matsuoka Roshi.  He is head priest at  Kanzeonji temple in Los Angeles.   His root teacher is Kaizan Wajo and his dharma transmitting teacher is Ryugen Osho.

For more about Kanzeonji: 

https://www.facebook.com/Kanzeonji-Nanka-207144837802

For more about Simplicity Zen:

https://simplicityzen.com/

Seth Dennis a working emergency room chaplain and Zen priest in the Dogen Zenji and Matsuoka Roshi Zen lineage.  He was a student of and received Dharma Transmission from John Shoji Sorensen.

Seth is best reached via is Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/seth.dennis.35

For more about Simplicity Zen, please visit:

https://simplicityzen.com/

 Meido Roshi began Zen practice in 1988 and trained under three teachers in the line of the great 20th century Rinzai master Omori Sogen Roshi: the late Tenzan Toyoda Rokoji, in whose training hall he resided for seven years while also enduring a severe training in traditional martial arts; Dogen Hosokawa Roshi (Omori Roshi’s main dharma heir), with whom he trained for fifteen years; and So'zan Miller Roshi, with whom he trained for three years. He has completed the koan curriculum of this lineage, and in 2008 received inka shomei. 

Renshin is a Soto Zen Priest and retired professional chaplin.  She met her teacher Myogen Steve Stücky in January of 1994. She took jukai with Myogen at Dharma Eye Zen Center in October of 1996; was priest ordained by Zenkei Blanche Hartman at San Francisco Zen Center on January 3, 2003; served as shuso (head student) with Myogen at Tassajara in the fall of 2008, and received dharma transmission from him at Tassajara in April of 2013. She began training as a chaplain at the Sati Center’s Buddhist Chaplaincy Training in Redwood City in 2007. A one year hospital residency in Clinical Pastoral Education followed. She moved out of Zen Center in 2008 and began work as a hospice chaplain since 2010.

 More about Renshin:

- https://www.renshinbunce.com/

More about Simplicity Zen:

- https://simplicityzen.com/ 

 Jundo Cohen is a Zen teacher and founder of the Treeleaf Zendo, a Sōtō Zen community using visual media to link Zen practitioners around the world. Treeleaf serves those who cannot easily commute to a Zen center due to health concerns; age or disability; living in remote areas; or work, childcare, or family needs; and provides zazen sittings, retreats, discussion, interaction with a teacher, and all other activities of a Zen Buddhist sangha, all fully online without thought of location or distance. Jundo was born and raised in the United States but has lived in Japan for more than half his life. He was ordained and subsequently received Dharma transmission from Master Gudo Wafu Nishijima.

More about Jundo:

- https://www.treeleaf.org/

More about Simplicity Zen: -

- https://simplicityzen.com/ 

 Henry Shukman is the Spiritual Director of the Mountain Cloud Zen Center. Henry has been trained by Zen several teachers, particularly the roshi’s Joan Rieck, John Gaynor, Ruben Habito and Yamada Ryoun Roshi, as well as by teachers and mentors in other traditions. He currently guides a wide range of students from all walks of life. He has received dharma transmission (inka shomei) from Yamada Ryoun Roshi, the abbot of Sanbo Zen, and is a Zen Master of the Sanbo Zen lineage of Kamakura, Japan. He is also a mindfulness teacher and is the Spiritual Director of Mountain Cloud Zen Center. Previously he had a career as an award-winning author and poet. His struggles as a youth, combined with a spontaneous awakening experience at 19, paved the way for Henry to develop a well-rounded approach to spirituality and meditation, under the guidance of his teachers – one that includes both compassionate concern for the sufferings of the world and the great liberative power of awakening as its foundations.

More about Henry and Mountain Cloud:

- https://www.mountaincloud.org/

More about Simplicity Zen:

- https://simplicityzen.com/ 

 Rev. Joshua Paszkiewicz, D.Min., (aka Sunyananda) has been studying and teaching Buddhism full time as a Zen Priest since 2010, and has been practicing formally since his childhood. Sunyananda holds a B.A. in Liberal Studies, an M.A. in Religion, a Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Psychotherapy, and board certification as both a Pastoral Counselor and a Clinical Chaplain. Sunyananda has served as an official delegate to many major Buddhist events both nationally and internationally, including the first White House Buddhist Leader’s Conference, and the United Nation’s World Day of Vesak. Sunyananda is a fully authorized teacher in Vietnamese and Korean Zen schools, and was made an Assistant Teacher (as a student of Fusho Roshi) in Open Mind Zen in 2019.

More about Sunyananda here:

http://www.drjrp.com/

More about Simplicity Zen here:

https://simplicityzen.com/

Kijo Sensei has practiced primarily in Zen for over thirty years, being first ordained as a Zen priest in the Maezumi Roshi White Plum Soto Zen tradition in 1991 and then was ordained in the Order of Clear Mind Zen by Shoji Roshi in 2017. Kijo Sensei was Transmitted as a Zen teacher and a full priest, by Shoji Roshi in early 2021. He is also a member of Zen Peacemakers International and has guest lectured at the American University in London and at Heythrop College, the then theological college of London University. He leads the Smiling Buddha Zen Center in Colorado.

More information about Kijo and Smiling Buddha Zen Center:

- https://www.smilingbuddhazen.com/

More information about Simplicity Zen:

- https://simplicityzen.com/

 Kokan (古観) Genjo (玄成 )Marinello is a Rinzai priest and abbot of Chobo-ji in Seattle. He began his Zen training in 1975 after befriending Rev. Daizen Brian Victoria at UCLA and began practicing zazen under the instruction of Thích Thiên-Ân. Genjo did his first sesshin in the summer of 1977 under the instruction of Soto Zen Priest Hirano Osho-san. Genjo was ordained an unsui (priest in training) in 1980 in Seattle. For parts of 1981 and 1982 he trained for one winter period at Ryutaku-Ji (龍澤寺) in Japan, under Sochu Suzuki Roshi and retired Soen Nakagawa Roshi. For a time both Genjo and Genki trained with Joshu Sasaki. After Genki Takabayashi retired, Genjo trained with the late Eido Shimano, former abbot of DaiBosatsu Monastery in New York, who affirmed Genjo as Dharma Heir on May 21st, 2008. In addition to being our Abbot, Genjo is a psychotherapist in private practice.

More about Genjo:
- https://choboji.org/

More about Simplicity Zen:
- https://simplicityzen.com/ 

Al Fusho Rapaport, Roshi has practiced and taught Zen for almost 50 years. He studied with Kozan Roshi, Maezumi Roshi, and Genpo Roshi until receiving Dharma Transmission from Shuzen Roshi in 2008. As President of Open Mind Productions, Al produced the first Yoga Journal Conferences as well as the Buddhism in America Conferences from 1996 until 2001. He is author of Open Mind Zen: A Guide to Meditation, and currently serves as  Director of Open Mind Zen International and MBSR Florida in Melbourne, Florida. Roshi is a member of the White Plum Asangha, the American Zen Teachers Association and Secretary/Treasurer of the Lay Zen Teachers Association.

More from Al Fusho Rapaport, Roshi:

- https://openmindzen.com/

More about Simplicity Zen:

- https://simplicityzen.com/

Barbara O'brien has been practicing Zen Buddhism since the 1980s. She works as a journalist, reporting primarily on religion in America. She is the author of The Circle of the Way: A Concise History of Zen from the Buddha to the Modern World, Rethinking Religion: Finding a Place for Religion in a Modern, Tolerant, Progressive, Peaceful and Science-affirming World and has written about Buddhism for many outlets including About.com, The Guardian, Tricycle, and Lion’s Roar. She blogs about whatever is on her mind at her personal blog, The Mahablog (mahablog.com).

For more information on Simplicity Zen:

- https://simplicityzen.com/

Robert Koho Epstein, Sensei has practiced meditation and a wide range of spiritual practices over the past 40 years. This includes Zen and mindfulness meditation, Yang style T’ai Chi, Iyengar Yoga, and Advaita Vedanta. Robert taught Iyengar Yoga and practiced deep tissue massage for 15 years in New York and was ordained by the New Seminary as an Interfaith Minister. He also started his acting studio and began training actors in Meisner Technique, a moment-to-moment acting method that he still teaches today. Robert received Dharma Transmission from Fusho Roshi in 2022.

For more about Robert and Open Mind Zen:

-  https://openmindzen.com/

Fore more about Simplicity Zen:

- https://simplicityzen.com/

Robert  Mutoku Scheafer is a Rinzai Zen priest ordained Rinzan Pechovnik Osho of No Rank Zendo in 2022.   After years of following many spiritual paths, Robert began studying Zen under Rick Kendo Hart in the Mt Baldy Zen Center lineage.  Next he began Zen studies with Konrad Ryushin Marchaj at Zen Mountain Monastery and remained his student for many years.  For the last several years he has been practicing with the Rinzai Zen koan curriculum at No Rank Zendo where he frequently attends sesshin.

For more in No Rank Zendo:
- https://www.norankzendo.org/

More more on Simplicity Zen Buddhist Podcast:
- https://simplicityzen.com/

Teresa Regan Hess practiced for five years under the renowned Rinzai Zen Master Shodo Harada Rōshi at Sogen-ji monastery in Japan.  There she received the Jukai precepts before leaving to raise a family in Washington state.

For more information about Simplicity Zen Buddhist Podcast:
- https://simplicityzen.com/

 Brad Warner was born in Ohio in 1964. In 1983 he met Zen teacher Tim McCarthy and began his study of Zen while he was still the bass player of the hardcore punk band Zero Defex, whose big hit was the eighteen-second masterpiece "Drop the A-Bomb on Me!" In the 1980s he released five albums of psychedelic rock under the band name Dimentia 13 (that's the way he spelled it), though Dimentia 13 was often a one-man band with Brad playing all the instruments. In 1993 he moved to Japan, where he landed a job with Tsuburaya Productions, the company founded by Eiji Tsuburaya, the man who created Godzilla. The following year Brad met Gudo Nishijima Roshi, who ordained him as a Zen monk and made him his dharma heir in 2000. He has written several books and just released a new one titled "The Other Side of Nothing: The Zen Ethics of Time, Space, and Being ".

Brad's new book:
- https://www.amazon.com/Other-Side-Nothing-Ethics-Space/dp/1608688046

For more on the Simplicity Zen Podcast:
- https://simplicityzen.com/ 

 Geoff started to study Zen at the Zen Center of Denver in March of 1991. In November of 1996, he received the rakusu during Jukai--his ordained name is Strongvow. He studied with Danan Henry Roshi until Danan retired in 2009, when he continued he study with one of his heirs, Kenneth Morgareidge, Roshi. Geoff finished formal koan training in 2014 in the Diamond Sangha tradition of the Harada-Yasutani-Aitken-Henry lineage--The Sanbo Kyodan. Geoff continues to work with Ken Roshi on various Dogen fascicles from the Shobogenzo as well as the 300-koans of The True Dharma Eye, and these continue to work on him. in January 2022, Geoff started to give dharma talks and conduct daisan. On May 22, 2022, he will be formally recognized as an assistant teacher at the Zen Center of Denver.

For more information about the Simplicity Zen Podcast: https://simplicityzen.com/ 

 Ben Connelly is a Senior Zen Teacher at Minnesota Zen Meditation Center. Ben began Zen practice at the Minnesota Zen Meditation Center in 2001, was ordained in 2009, and received dharma transmission in 2015. He is currently serving as Program Administrator. He started teaching Introduction to Meditation in 2005, and since then has taught regularly at the Minnesota Zen Meditation Center and more recently, at Zen centers across the US. He teaches secular mindfulness in a variety of contexts such as police training, addiction recovery groups, and wellness groups. Ben is also a musician by profession: a singer and songwriter, guitar teacher, film composer and multi-instrumentalist. His first book, Inside the Grass Hut, Living Shitou's Classic Zen Poem (Wisdom Publications) was published in 2014, and his second Inside Vasubandhu's Yogacara: A Practitioner's Guide, was published by Wisdom in 2016. His latest book, Mindfulness and Intimacy, came out in February 2019 (Wisdom Publications).

For more on Ben:
 https://wisdomexperience.org/content-author/ben-connelly/

For more on the Simplicity Zen Podcast:
https://simplicityzen.com/ 

 Shozan Jack Haubner is an ordained Rinzai Zen priest and was a student of Kyozan Joshu Sasaki. He has written two memoirs (Zen Confidential,Single White Monk) about his experiences studying with Sasaki and is currently working on a third book.

For more about Shozan:
- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt9Q74t3o7AUCJ_bKTc5CgA

For more about the Simplicity Zen Podcast:
- https://simplicityzen.com/ 

 Daniel Terragno, a native of Chile, is a teacher in the koan tradition of the Diamond Sangha, which was founded by Robert Aitken Roshi. Daniel is the dharma heir of John Tarrant Roshi of the Pacific Zen Institute. Daniel started his spiritual practice in 1967 studying the Gurdjieff Work with W.A. Nyland before taking up Zen. Daniel received authorization to teach Zen in 1995, and in 2001 received dharma transmission from Tarrant Roshi. Daniel also teaches and leads sesshin in Ohio with Yellow Springs Dharma Center and Zen on High in Columbus, Ohio; with Grupo Zen Viento del Sur (Southern Wind) in Argentina, based in Buenos Aires, and also in Santiago, Chile.

For more about Daniel:
- https://rocksandcloudszendo.org/

For more about the Simplicity Zen Podcast:
- https://simplicityzen.com/ 

 Rev. Myō Lahey is a Dharma heir of Tenshin Reb Anderson and is the Abbot at Issan-ji as well as Guiding Teacher at Valley Streams Zen Sangha in Sacramento, California. He has previously served as the Practice Leader at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center and has served leadership roles in the Soto Zen Buddhist Association of North America .

For more on Issan-ji:
- https://hszc.org/

For more on Simplicity Zen Podcast:
- https://simplicityzen.com/ 

 Kellie Shojaku Garza M.A., LMHC, CST., is a licensed mental health counselor and has been practicing psychotherapy since 2004. A large part of her practice and focus has been on working with trauma survivors. Kellie received Dharma Transmission from Fusho Roshi in 2021. She enjoys integrating psychology with her Zen practice and teaching.

For more about Kellie and Open Mind Zen:
- https://openmindzen.com/our-teachers/

For more about the Simplicity Zen Podcast:
- https://simplicityzen.com/ 

James Ishmael Ford is a Zen teacher and semi-retired Unitarian Universalist minister.  He has dharma transmission from Houn Jiyu Kennett and Inka Shomei from John Nanryu Ji'un-ken Tarrant.  He is the guiding teacher of the Empty Moon Sangha.

For more about James:
- http://www.jamesishmaelford.com/

For more about the Simplicity Zen Podcast:
https://simplicityzen.com/

Susan Moon is a writer, editor, and lay teacher in the Soto Zen tradition.  She is the author of a number of books about Buddhism, including the humor book "The Life and Letters of Tofu Roshi" and "This Is Getting Old: Zen Thoughts on Aging with Humor and Dignity". For many years she was the editor of Turning Wheel, the journal of socially engaged Buddhism.  Her most recent book is "Alive Until You're Dead: Notes on the Home Stretch"

For more about Susan:
- https://susanmoon.wordpress.com/

For more about Simplicity Zen Podcast:
- https://simplicityzen.com/

Buddhist meditation is thousands of years old and has profoundly changed the lives of countless practitioners, but it is only very recently (in the last 4 years or so) have neuroscientists reached a point of understanding why humans experience so much discontentment with life and why and how meditation is the solution to this problem.  We explore this topic from the perspective of Zen Buddhist practice.

For more on the Science of Zen, Mindfulness and Meditation:
- https://scienceofzen.org/

For more about Simplicity Zen Podcast:
- https://simplicityzen.com/

Rinzan Pechovnik is a Rinzai Zen priest and is the teacher at No Rank Zendo in Portland Oregon.  Rinzan began his training with the Zen Community of Oregon in 2003, studying under Hogan and Chozen Bays.  He began training under Genjo Marinello in 2012, ordained under him in 2013, and was named a Dharma Heir (Inka) in 2019.   He works professionally as a trained psychotherapist.

More about Rinzan:
- https://www.norankzendo.org/portlandzenbuddhism

More about Simplicity Zen Podcast:
- https://simplicityzen.com/

Laurie Senauke started formal Zen practice in 1980 at San Francisco Zen Center; she worked at Greens Restaurant back in the day and lived at Tassajara for three years. In 1989 she married Hozan Alan Senauke, moved to Berkeley Zen Center, and raised their two children with him there. She served as head student (shuso) at BZC in 2003 and is a Practice Leader there. In April 2018, she received priest ordination from Daito Steven Weintraub as Kosei Nyokai – Radiant Vow, Suchness Ocean. In Fall 2018, she served as shuso at Tassajara. She received Dharma Transmission from Steve in 2021.

For more on Simplicity Zen Podcast:
- https://simplicityzen.com/

Berkeley Zen Center:
- https://berkeleyzencenter.org/

Jamie Howell is a lay Zen Teacher in the Suzuki Roshi Soto Tradition. After many years of practice he received the precepts in a jukai ceremony in 2000. He was chairman of the board of San Francisco Zen Center in 2004 and 2005, and was shuso at City Center in 2006. In 2011, Jamie received lay Dharma Entrustment from Dairyu Michael Wenger.

More about Simplicity Zen Podcast:
- https://simplicityzen.com/

So-on Jim Hare serves as Tanto, or head of practice at Valley Streams Zen Sangha in Sacramento. He lived in the San Francisco Zen Center community from 1980 to 1984, was lay ordained by Tenshin Reb Anderson in 1985, and priest ordained by Myo Lahey in 2016. He served as Head Student at Green Gulch Farm during the spring 2002 practice period.

For more on Simplicity Zen Podcast:
- https://simplicityzen.com/

 Kyosho Valorie Beer has practiced Zen Buddhism since 1991. She was ordained as a Zen priest in 2005 and received Dharma Transmission in 2013 from her teacher, Edward Brown. She lived at Green Gulch Farm from 2003 to 2012, when she moved to City Center. After serving as the San Francisco Zen Center corporate secretary, she was the City Center Ino (Head of Meditation Hall), and is now supporting the Branching Streams sanghas as a visiting teacher and also a teacher of sewing Buddha's robe.

 For more on Simplicity Zen Podcast: 
- https://simplicityzen.com/ 

Genryo Jones Osho is the instructor of Iron City Rinzai in Pittsburg, PA.  He is a senior student and Osho under Meido Moore Roshi, abbot of Korinji in Wisconsin.  He studied Zen under legendary Zen master Shodo Harada Roshi a the Sogenji monastery in Japan as well as several centers in the United States.

More about the Simplicity Zen Podcast:
-  https://simplicityzen.com/

More about Iron City Rinzai:
- https://ironcityrinzai.org/

 Barbara Baccei is a senior Zen student under Soto Zen priest Valorie Beer. She is currently in preparation for Lay Dharma Entrustment and is a teacher of sewing the Buddha's robe. For more about the Simplicity Zen Podcast : https://simplicityzen.com/ 

Dan Myoen Birnbaum is the teacher of the Bay Zen Center in Oakland, CA. He is a lay teacher who received Dharma Transmission from Diane Eshin Rizzetto in 2019. He is a member of the Ordinary Mind Zen School, White Plum Asanga, American Zen Teacher’s Association and Lay Zen Teacher’s Association. Dan is a retired pediatric neurologist and was  the Director of the Division of Neurology at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in Oakland, CA.

For more about Dan:
- https://www.bayzen.org/

For More about the Simplicity Zen Podcast:
- https://simplicityzen.com/

Rev. Daiho Matt Wagner Osho leads the Madison Rinzai Community in Wisconsin. After many years of both monastic and householder practice, in 2022 he was made an Osho by his teacher Meido Roshi Roshi of Korinji Rinzai Monastery.

More about Simplicity Zen Podcast:
- https://simplicityzen.com/

More about Madison Rinzai Community:
- https://www.korinji.org/practice-groups

Barry Magid, M.D. is a psychiatrist, psychoanalyst and Zen Teacher practicing and teaching in New York City.  He is a dharma heir of Charlotte Joko Beck and the founding teacher of the The Ordinary Mind Zendo.  He is the President of the Lay Zen Teachers Association.

More about Barry Magid:
- https://www.ordinarymind.com/barry-magid

More about the Simplicity Zen Podcast:
- https://simplicityzen.com/

This is a recording of a guided meditation from an outdoor practice event at the historic Wakamatsu farm in El Dorado County, CA.   This includes guided instructions for both classic Zen and loving kindness meditation.  It could be helpful for those just starting out with meditation, those who are dealing with anxiety or stress or even experienced meditators who might want to try a new approach.

For more information about the Simplicity Zen Podcast:
-  https://simplicityzen.com/

Dosho Port teaches with the Vine of Obstacles: Online support for Zen Training. He began practicing Zen in 1977 and has received Soto Zen transmission from Dainin Katagiri Roshi and Harada-Yasutani koan lineage inka shomei from James Myoun Ford Roshi. Dosho is the author of Keep Me in Your Heart a While: The Haunting Zen of Dainin Katagiri and the recently released, Record of Empty Hall: One Hundred Classic Koans.

For more on Dosho:
- https://www.vineobstacleszen.com/

For more on the Simplicity Zen Podcast:
- https://simplicityzen.com/

Valerie Forstman is an Associate Zen Master of the Sanbo Zen lineage and Guiding Teacher at Mountain Cloud Zen Center. Her first teacher, with whom she continues to work, was Ruben Habito Roshi. Since 2003, she has also trained under the guidance of Yamada Ryoun Roshi, current abbot of Sanbo Zen.

For more about Valerie:
- https://www.mountaincloud.org/

For more about Simplicity Zen Podcast:
- https://simplicityzen.com/

Satya Vayu is a Zen monk originally ordained by Kobun Chino Roshi. He has practiced at the Tassajara and No Abode monasteries in California.  He also has extensive practice experience at various Asian monasteries including Bukkoku-ji in Japan where he trained with the legendary Harada Tangen Roshi. He leads a residential pratice center in Portland Oregon called Touching Earth.

More about Touching Earth:
- https://touchingearth.cloudaccess.host/

More about Simplicity Zen Podcast:
- https://simplicityzen.com/

David Chadwick began his Zen study under Shunryu Suzuki Roshi in 1966. Ordained as a Zen priest in 1971, he later wrote Suzuki's biography, “Crooked Cucumber”, as well as “Thank You and OK!: An American Zen Failure in Japan”. With a great deal of help, Chadwick is poo-bah of Cuke Archives (http://cuke.com/), preserving the legacy of Shunryu Suzuki and those whose paths crossed his—and anything else that comes to mind. See cuke.com and shunryusuzuki.com for more vital info.  David host a regular podcast that can be found at http://cuke.com/TOC-podcast.htm. Highly recommended is the Audio version of Crooked Cucumber which is now on Audible with Thank you and OK! Soon to follow.  David is also a musician with music available at http://defusermusic.com/.

More about Simplicity Zen Podcast:
- https://simplicityzen.com/

Scott Thorton is a long time Zen practitioner in the Sanbo Zen tradition where he is an assistant teacher.  He has been as student of Ruben Habito Roshi at Maria Kannon Zen Center in Dallas Texas for 22 years and now is a member of Mountain Cloud Zen Center in Santa Fe New Mexico where he lead to residency program.  He is a musician and a professional psychologist.

More about Mountain Cloud:
- https://www.mountaincloud.org/

More about Simplicity Zen Podcast:
- https://simplicityzen.com/

Taiun Michael Elliston began practicing Zen in 1966 With Matsuoka-Roshi at the Chicago Zen Buddhist Temple.  He was ordained as a Zen priest in 1970 by Matsuoka-Roshi and in 1983 received full Dharma transmission.  Has also studied with Sayrin Barbara Kohn of the Austin Zen Center and Shohaku Okumura of the Sanshin Zen Community.  He is the founder and current about of Atlanta Soto Zen Center.

More about Atlanta Zen Center:
- https://www.aszc.org/

More about Simplicity Zen Podcast:
- https://simplicityzen.com/

Shaku Kojyu is the abbot of the Daishu-in West Rinzai Zen temple in rural Northern California.  He came to Daishu-in West in 2007 and was ordained in Kyoto the following spring.  He practiced traditional Rinzai Zen at the training halls in Daitoku-ji and Kosho-ji for ten years before returning to America.

More about Shaku:
- https://daishuinwest.org/

More about the Simplicity Zen Podcast:
- https://simplicityzen.com/

Deborah Eden Tull is the founder of Mindful Living Revolution.  She is a Zen meditation and engaged dharma teacher, public speaker, author, and sustainability educator.  She trained for seven and a half years as a Buddhist monk at a silent Zen monastery and has taught engaged dharma for over 20 years.   She is an author of multiple books with her most recent being “Luminous Darkness: An Engaged Buddhist Approach to Embracing the Unknown”

https://www.deborahedentull.com/

Simplicity Zen Podcast:
https://simplicityzen.com/

Guogu is a Chan teacher, author, and Buddhist scholar. He is the founder and teacher of the Tallahassee Chan Center.  He is a professor of Religion at Florida State Univeristy.  He received inka from legendary Chan teacher Sheng yen.

More on Guogu and the Tallahassee Chan Center:

- https://tallahasseechan.org/
- https://guogulaoshi.com/

More on Simplicity Zen Podcast:

- https://simplicityzen.com/

Yujiro Seki is the director, cinematographer and editor of the upcoming documentary titled “Carving the Divine - Buddhist Sculptors of Japan” which explores the ancient practice of wood carving Buddhist statues in Japan called Busshi. Today Yujiro is launching a crowdfunding campaign to fund the release of this film to the general public.  I was able to watch a early viewing of this documentary and was very impressed.  It shows a side of traditional Japanese apprenticeship training that is disappearing even in Japan itself.  I warmly encourage you to join me in donating to this campaign. 

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/carving-the-divine-documentary-distribution

Here is the same Guogu Interview but with the audio fixed.  The volumes between me and Guogu have been normalized by a software transform.  If you tried listening before but the volume changes were too distracting, please give this a try.

Mary Mocine is the founder of and head priest at Clear Water Zendo in Vallejo California.  She was priest ordained by Sojun Mel Weitsman in 1994, was Shuso (or head student) at Tassajara monastery in 1998 and received Dharma Transmission in 2005.  She practiced professionally as a lawyer and has offered mindfulness retreats at Tassajara and at Spirit Rock for attorneys. She has also led a dharma support group for lawyers for many years.

More about Mary:
- https://clearwaterzen.org/

About the Simplicity Zen Podcast:
- https://simplicityzen.com/

Tim Ryuko Langdell is a board-certified hospice chaplain and is both the head priest and guiding teacher at the StillCenter Zen Center in Pasadena, California.His dharma name, Ryuko, means “Dragon Tiger.”  He holds an Master of Divinity from Claremont School of Theology and a Ph.D. in Psychology from University College London.  He is an author of several books, including “Beginner’s Mind: An Introduction to Zen Buddhism,” and “Christ Way, Buddha Way: Jesus as Wisdom Teacher and a Zen Perspective on His Teachings.” He has transmission to teach Zen multiple lineages including Clear Mind Zen (which is part of Japanese Soto lineage),  Korean Zen and Vietnamese Zen traditions.  Additionally, he was recently made an Assistant Zen teacher in the Open Mind Zen school which is in the White Plum tradition.

https://www.timlangdell.com/

Simplicity Zen Podcast:
https://simplicityzen.com/

Note:  Sorry about Jiryu's sound being a bit muddy.  I have improved it as much as I can.

Jiryu Rutschman-Byler is a Soto Zen Buddhist priest and teacher in the lineage of Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, with dharma transmission from Sojun Mel Weitsman.   He lives and teaches at Green Gulch Farm Zen Center, where he served as Tanto (Head of Practice) and is slated to become abbot of the temple next year.  He also has led sanghas in Columbia and San Quinton State Prison.

Jiryu has trained in Zen temples in the US and Japan since 1996. He also holds a master's degree in Asian Studies from UC Berkeley.   His thesis research focused on Nishiari Bokusan and the development of Soto Zen in Japan during the Meiji Period (1868-1912).  

He is the author of the book Two Shores of Zen, about his experiences in 2002 to 2004 practicing in Japan.

Simplicity Zen Podcast:
https://simplicityzen.com/

Mark Doyu Albin was a longtime student of the legendary Rinzai Zen Master Shodo Harada Roshi in Japan.  After a long period of monastic Zen practice he is now practicing as a shiatsu therapist, meditation guide, mentor, and translator. Mark lives in Southern Germany.

https://www.markalbin.com/en/

https://simplicityzen.com/

Heather Shoren Iarusso is currently the director and head of practice for San Francisco Zen Center’s online practice center.  She moved to Tassajara in 2008 where she lived for a total of seven years while completing twelve, 90-day practice periods.  At Tassajara she served such roles as Ino (head of the meditation hall), Tenzo (Head Cook), Shika (Guest Manager), and the Shuso (Head Student). Heather was ordained as a Zen Priest in October 2015 by Teah Strozer, who served as the guiding teacher for Brooklyn Zen Center (BZC) for many years. Heather worked at BZC for two years as the Ino (Head of Meditation Hall), program director, communications coordinator, and the interim executive director.  Heather received dharma transmission in September 2022.

Spark Zen:
https://sparkzen.substack.com/

Simplicity Zen Pocast:
https://simplicityzen.com/

An interview discussion that explores the science of Zen.

Neil Schmitzer-Torbert is a Professor of  Psychology at Wabash College in Crawfordsville, IN where he teaches courses and conducts research on memory and learning.  He is a Zen practitioner and runs a website called the "Neural Buddhist" which explores the intersection of Zen and neuroscience.

https://neuralbuddhist.com/

https://scienceofzen.org/

Zen Podcast:
https://simplicityzen.com/

Rafe Jnan Martin began Zen practice in 1970 and is a lay transmitted koan teacher who received Inka from Danan Henry Roshi in 2012.  In 2016 Rafe received Full Dharma Transmission as an independent teacher and Dharma Heir of Danan Henry Roshi. He has been a student of various teachers in the Harada/Yasutani line including  Danan Henry Roshi, Philip Kapleau Roshi and Robert Aitken Roshi. Rafe is the founder and head teacher of the Endless Path Zendo in Rochester New York. Rafe also has a master’s degree in English literature and literary criticism and is an award-winning author and storyteller.

https://www.endlesspathzendo.org/index.html
https://sumeru-books.com/products/a-zen-life-of-buddha

Simplicity Zen Podcast:
https://simplicityzen.com/

An interview with Rinzai priest and Zen teacher Sozui Schubert.

Sozui Schubert is the teacher at Hidden Valley Zen Center in San Marcos California.  She was ordained by legendary Zen Mater Shodo Harada Roshi and studied with him for decades at Sogen-ji, his monastery in Okayama, Japan.  At the instructions of of her teacher, she has helped establish practice communities Hungary, Germany, Latvia, Italy, and Russia.  She will be among the first to officially inherit Harada Roshi lineage in early 2024.


Hidden Valley Zen Center:
https://staging.hvzc.org/

Simplicity Zen Podcast:
https://simplicityzen.com/

Tony Wallin-Sato is a Zen practitioner, author, poet, program director for Project Rebound (a program to help formally incarcerated individuals succeed in the CSU system) and a board member of the Boundless Freedom Project (an organization that brings Dharma and mindfulness to incarcerated individuals).  Tony generously shares his inspirational story of overcoming drug addiction and imprisonment and how Buddhist practice contributed to that journey.

https://www.boundlessfreedom.org/

Zen Podcast:
https://simplicityzen.com/

Gregory Wonderwheel is a prolific translator of Buddhist scriptures and an apprentice Zen teacher under Daniel Terragno at the Rocks and Clouds Zendo in Sebastopol, California. 

https://wonderwheels.blogspot.com/

Simplicity Zen Podcast:
https://simplicityzen.com/

Doug Kraft is a Buddhist teacher, Counselor, author and ordained Unitarian Universalist minister. He has a Masters in Divinity from Starr King School for the Ministry in Berkeley. His most recent book is "Resting in the Waves". In this podcast episode we discuss  his practice journey and explore  various topics pertaining to what science tells us about Buddhist practice.   

More about Doug:
https://easingawake.com

More about Simplicity Zen Podcast:
https://simplicityzen.com/

Corey Hess is a longtime Rinzai Zen practitioner who studied with renowned Zen master Shodo Harada Roshi in Japan.  He maintains the Zen Embodiment website, The Energy Collective practice group and the Internal Process with Corey Hess Facegroup.  Corey joins us for a second time and this episode we discuss non-directed body movement, Qigong, energy work and internal processes. We look at them individually and their relationship to traditional Zen practice.

https://zenembodiment.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/216103826122795

Simplicity Zen Podcast:
https://simplicityzen.com/

Dr. Jud Brewer, a practicing Buddhist, is the director of mindfulness research as well as a professor at Brown University.  Additionally, he is the executive medical director of behavioral health at a digital healthcare company called Sharecare.  He has published numerous scientific studies as well as two books.  Those books are the Craving Mind and Unwinding Anxiety.  In this episode, we explore various topics relating to the relationship between Buddhist practice and neuroscience.

More about Jud and his Work:
https://drjud.com/

More about the Simplicity Zen Podcast:
https://simplicityzen.com/

Ruben Habito Roshi is the founding teacher of the Maria Kan-non Zen Center. He is a former Jesuit priest and now a Zen teacher practicing in the Sanbo Zen lineage which was founded by Yaustani Roshi in Japan.   He received Dharma transmission from Yamada Koun in 1988. He is a faculty member at Southern Methodists University Perkins School of Theology where he teaches World Religions and Spirituality, and directs the Spiritual Formation Program.

More about Ruben and Maria Kannon Zen Center
https://www.mkzc.org/

More about Simplicity Zen Podcast:
https://simplicityzen.com/

Zen, Martial Arts, Budo and Shugyo - An interview with Rinzai Zen Practitioner Jim Tabor

Jim Tabor is longtime Rinzai Zen practitioner and a founding board member of the Korinji Rinzai Zen monastery Foundation. He is one of the moderators of the Rinzai Zen Discussion group on Facebook.  In addition to Zen training, Jim has been a practitioner of classical Japanese martial arts for the past 30 years including Aikido and Iaido.  He currently holds the rank of Sandan (3rd degree black belt) in Aikido.  Currently Jim is the manager of Crestwood Aikido, a dojo in the south suburbs of Chicago.  As a part of his Zen and budo training, he became a certified Zentherapy practitioner under founder Dub Leigh in 1997.

 More about Jim:
- https://www.crestwoodaikido.com/
- https://www.korinji.org/

More about the Simplicity Zen Podcast:
- https://simplicityzen.com/ 

Marc Lesser is a Soto Zen priest and head teacher of Mill Valley Zen in Marin County California. He was a resident of the San Francisco Zen Center for 10 years including director of Tassajara Zen Mountain Center.   He received dharma transmission in the Shunryū Suzuki lineage by Dairyu Michael Wenger. Marc is a speaker, facilitator, workshop leader, and executive coach. He is the author of four books, including "Seven Practices of a Mindful Leader: Lessons from Google". His newest book that will soon be released is "Finding Clarity: How Compassionate Accountability Builds Vibrant Relationships, Thriving Workplaces, and Meaningful Lives".  He is CEO of ZBA Associates, an executive development and leadership consulting company.

More about Marc:
- https://marclesser.net/

More about Simplicity Zen Podcast:
- https://simplicityzen.com/

A high-level look at how and why the brain creates a sense of self-identity and how this relates to the Buddhist concept of the five aggregates.  We also explore why having a self-identity can lead to pervasive human discontentment.

For more on the Simplicity Zen Podcast:
- https://simplicityzen.com/

David Jitsusan Vititoe has been practicing Zen since 2005 and received Dharma Transmission from Fusho Roshi in 2019. Dave is a Lay Monk in the Open Mind Zen school and is a current member of the Lay Zen Teacher’s Association.   He currently lives in Melbourne, Florida.

More about David and Open Mind Zen:
- https://openmindzenmelbourne.com/

More about the Simplicity Zen Podcast:
- https://simplicityzen.com/

Shana Smith is an assistant Zen teacher under Valerie Forstman in the Sanbo Zen tradition and a long time Yoga teacher.  She is the facilitator of Florida Sanbo Zen and she continues her studies under Henry Shukman, Valerie Forstman and Ruben Habito.  She is additionally an author and singer songwriter. 

More about Shana Smith:
- https://oaktreeinthegarden.com/
- https://www.facebook.com/events/2836011783210449/2897603463717947

More about the Simplicity Zen Podcast:
- https://simplicityzen.com/

Taylor Guthrie is Doctoral Student and teacher in the Department of Psychology at the University of Oregon. He runs the The Cellular Republic Youtube channel that makes neuroscience accessible without being dumbed down. In this podcast episode we explore the "Social Self" and its relationship to Buddhism and suffering.

Talor's Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/ @thecellularrepublic9844 

Simplicity Zen Podcast:
https://simplicityzen.com/

Science of Zen:
https://scienceofzen.org/

 Rev. Edward Keido Sanshin Oberholtzer is a Soto Zen priest and a Dharma heir of James Myuon Ford, Roshi. Edward is a member of Empty Moon Zen, and has practiced Zen for the past twenty years. He is the head teacher of the Joseph Priestley Zen Community.

More About Edward:
- https://www.josephpriestleyzen.com/
- https://www.emptymoonzen.org/

More About Simplicity Zen Podcast:

- https://simplicityzen.com/ 

Seiso Paul Cooper is the guiding the guiding teacher for the Two Rivers Zen Community and also for the Realizational Practice Studies Project.  He was ordained as a priest and received dharma transmission from Soto priest Sojun Diane Martin.  Seiso is also a practicing psychoanalyst and is the author of numerous books including his most recent: "Psychoanalysis and Zen Buddhism" which was published March 1st of this year.

- https://tworiverszen.org/teachers/
- https://realizationalstudies.com/

More About the Simplicity Zen Podcast:

- https://simplicityzen.com/

Rev. Jay Rinsen Weik Roshi is the Abbot of the Buddhist Temple of Toledo.  He received Dharma Transmission from Rev. James Myoun Ford Roshi in 2014.  He begain his practice in 1987 with John Daido Loori Roshi at the Zen Mountain Monastery in New York and received jukai from him in 1998. He later studied with  Daido Loori's dharma heir Bonnie Myotai Treace. He is also a professional Jazz Musician and Aikido teacher.

More About Jay:

- https://www.buddhisttempleoftoledo.org/

More about the Simplicity Zen Podcast:

- https://simplicityzen.com/

Hozan Alan Senauke is a Soto Zen priest, Zen teacher, folk musician and poet residing at the Berkeley Zen Center, where he currently serves as Abbot. He is a former Executive Director of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship (BPF), holding that position from 1991 to 2001.  Senauke received Dharma transmission from his teacher Sojun Mel Weitsman in 1998 during a ceremony at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center.  He is founder of the Clear View Project which provides Buddhist-based resources for relief and social change, promotes dialogue on issues of socially engaged Buddhism, and supports communities in need, internationally and within the United States.

More about Alan:

- https://www.clearviewproject.org/
- https://berkeleyzencenter.org/

More about the Simplicity Zen Podcast:

- https://simplicityzen.com/

Tatsudo Nicole Baden is a Dharma Successor of Zentatsu Baker Roshi in the Dharma Sangha Soto Zen Lineage. She has been practicing Zen since 2001 and received Dharma Transmission in 2017. She graduated as a psychologist from the University of Oldenburg in 2008. She also trained at the ‘School for Body Mind Centering’ for four years. Since 2009 she has been living and practicing either at the Crestone Mountain Zen Center or at the Zen Buddhist Center Schwarzwald (ZBZS) in Germany. At present, she is Director and a resident teacher at the ZBZS.

More about Tatsudo Nicole Baden:

- https://www.dharmasangha.org/
- https://www.dharma-sangha.de/

More about the Simplicity Zen Podcast:

- https://simplicityzen.com/

An Interview with Soto Zen Priest David Isurushin Shapiro.

David Shapiro is a Zen priest in the Clear Mind Zen lineage which flows through pioneering Soto Zen priest Sōyū Matsuoka Roshi.  He received Dharma Transmission from John Shoji Sorensen Roshi and lives and practices in Reno, Nevada.  He is a retired rehabilitation specialist and has worked with many vulnerable populations including disabled veterans and disadvantaged teens.

More about Simplicity Zen Podcast:
- https://simplicityzen.com/

An Interview with Soto Zen Priest, Zen Teacher and Author Tim Burkett

Tim Burkett is Zen priest, Zen teacher and retired licensed Ph.D. psychologist.  Tim was the Guiding Teacher of Minnesota Zen Meditation Center from 2002-2019 and the retired CEO of one of Minnesota's largest non-profit mental health agencies, People Incorporated.  He was among Suzuki Roshi's and Katagiri Roshi's first students and received dharma transmission from Sekijun Karen Sunna in the Katagiri lineage in 2000.  He is the author of "Enlightenment Is an Accident: Ancient Wisdom and Simple Practices to Make You Accident Prone" published by Shambhala in 2023.

More about Tim's new Book:

- https://www.shambhala.com/enlightenment-is-an-accident.html

More about the Simplicity Zen Podcast:

- https://simplicityzen.com/

An Interview with Soto Zen Priest and Teacher Shinko Andreas Hagn

Shinko Andreas Hagn is the founder and teacher of Daijihi, a Soto Zen sangha in Viena Austria.  He received jukai by Ryuten Rosenblum Roshi, a successor of Baker Roshi in 2011 and was ordained as a priest in 2019.  His ordination teacher was Hoko Karnegis, who is in the senior teacher in Sanshinji lineage of Okumura Roshi.  He has worked as a chaplain to prison inmates and the homeless population.

More about Shinko:

- https://dogeninstitute.wordpress.com/publications/

More about Simplicity Zen Podcast:

- https://simplicityzen.com/

Korin Charlie Pokorny is a Soto Zen priest and was ordained by Tenshin Reb Anderson in 1999 and then received dharma transmission from him in 2018.  He studied koans with Daniel Terragno under whom he completed Harada/Yasutani koan curriculum. He has a Masters degree from Stanford University in Religious Studies.  He currently is a Dharma teacher at the Brooklyn Zen Center and is a member of the teaching faculties at the Institute of Buddhist Studies in California and the Union Theological Seminary in New York.

https://brooklynzen.org/

Simplicity Zen Podcast Website:

https://simplicityzen.com/

Helen Hobart is an ordained Vietnamese Zen practitioner and community leader.  In 2010 she was ordained at Plum Village into Order of Interbeing where she was given the dharma name "True Sacred Clouds".  She is a board certified chaplain and works professionally in that field.  She has been the on the board of directors for both the Sacramento Dharma Center and the Sacramento Buddhist Meditation Group (SBMG).  At SMBG she has been board president, serves on the scheduling committee and has lead core teaching and mentoring programs there.

Simplicity Zen Podcast:  https://simplicityzen.com/

Kogen Czarnik is a full Soto Zen priest (Osho) in the lineage of Tangen Harada Roshi. He began Zen practiice in 2003 in Poland, and soon after graduating from college he went to Japan to practice Dharma in a traditional monastic context. Since then, he has been practicing at monasteries such as Bukkoku-ji, Sogen-ji, Tosho-ji (where he did his priest training in temple's monk hall or sodo).   Additionally, he practiced in monasteries in South Korea. He is currently serving at Enso House, a Zen hospice on Whidbey Island, WA, by Tahoma Zen Monastery.  He is the editor of the just-published book "Throw Yourself into the House of Buddha: The Life and Zen Teachings of Tangen Harada Roshi"

About his new book:

- https://www.shambhala.com/throw-yourself-into-house-of-buddha.html

About the Simplicity Zen Podcast:

- https://simplicityzen.com/

An Interview with Mushim Patricia Ikeda

Mushim Patricia Ikeda is a Buddhist teacher ordained in the Korean Sŏn (Zen) tradition. She is also an author, poet, mentor, and community activist.  She teaches meditation retreats for people of color, women, and social justice activists nationally and is a meditation teacher at the East Bay Meditation Center in downtown Oakland.  She was a board member of the San Francisco Zen Center.  In September 2015 she received an honorary Doctor of Sacred Theology degree from the Starr King School for the Ministry.  As an author, her writing has been published in Lion's Roar, Tricycle, Buddhadharma and various anthologies. Mushim is also a consultant to justice-centered organizations requesting mindfulness training for stress reduction and is often asked to give trainings on disability and access-informed mindfulness.

More on Mushim:

- http://www.mushimikeda.com/

More on Simplicity Zen Podcast:

- https://simplicityzen.com/

Rev. Keiryū Liên Shutt (she/they) is a recognized leader in the movement that breaks through the wall of American white-centered convert Buddhism to welcome people of all backgrounds into a contemporary, engaged Buddhism. As an ordained Soto Zen priest, licensed social worker, and longtime educator/teacher of Buddhism, Shutt represents new leadership at the nexus of spirituality and social justice, offering a special warm welcome to Asian Americans, all BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, immigrants, and those seeking a “home” in the midst of North American society’s reckoning around racism, sexism, homophobia, and xenophobia. Shutt is a co-founder of Buddhists of Color (1998) and founder of Access to Zen (2014). As the creator, producer, and host, she launched a podcast series, “Opening Dharma Access: Listening to BIPOC Teachers,” in 2021 with Lama Karma Yeshe Chödrön, Sister Peace and Dalila Bothwell. You can learn more about her work at AccessToZen.org. She has just released her first book, "Home is Here: Practicing Antiracism with the Engaged Eightfold Path".

In person and virtual Book Tour Info:

- https://simplicityzen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HomeisHere_Flyer2.pdf
- https://capitalbooksonk.com/event/rev-lien-shutt

About Access to Zen:

- https://accesstozen.org/

About the Simplicity Zen Podcast:

- https://simplicityzen.com/

Sensei Koshin Paley Ellison is an author, Zen teacher, Jungian psychotherapist, and ACPE Certified Chaplaincy Educator. After working more than a decade as a chaplain and psychotherapist, Koshin co-founded the New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care.   Koshin began his formal Zen training in 1987, and he is a recognized Soto Zen Teacher by the American Zen Teachers Association, White Plum Asanga, and Soto Zen Buddhist Association. He serves on the Board of Directors at the Soto Zen Buddhist Association, New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care and Barre Center for Buddhist Studies.  Koshin began his Zen training with John Daido Loori, received jukai from Pat Enkyo O’Hara,  and dharma transmission from Dorothy Dai En Friedman.

More about the New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care:

https://zencare.org/

More about Simplicity Zen Podcast:

https://simplicityzen.com/

Bobby Chowa Werner is a dharma holder, or assistant teacher, in the White Plum Zen tradition.  He has been a student of Roshi Anne Seisen Saunders since 2005 at the Sweetwater Zen Center in the San Diego California area. Chowa’s livelihood is in the music industry, composing and producing music for various projects and touring with an acappella doo wop quartet, The Alley Cats. Chowa is also on the management team for Duwara Consciousness Foundation, which provides services for San Diegans experiencing houselessness.

More about Sweetwater Zen Center:

https://swzc.org/

More about Simplicity Zen Podcast:

https://simplicityzen.com/

An Interview with Zen practitioner and Music/Chanting Scholar Stephen Slottow

Stephen Slottow is a long time Zen koan practitioner and a professor of music theory at he University of North Texas.  He was a professional fiddler and banjo player and an author of a book on the Americanization of Zen Chanting which we will discuss today.

More about Stephen:

https://music.unt.edu/faculty-and-staff/stephen-slottow

More about Simplicity Zen:

https://simplicityzen.com/

An Interview with Rabbi and Zen Teacher Adam Fogel

Adam Fogel is a practicing Jewish Rabbi and long time Zen practitioner with authorization from his guiding Zen teacher, Ruben Habito Roshi, to offer Zen training within the context of Jewish high holiday retreats.   He is also a licensed and practicing psychologist in the State of California.

More from Adam:

https://mindfuljudaism.com/

More about Simplicity Zen Podcast:

https://simplicityzen.com/

An Interview with Zen Teacher Dr Sono Andrew Tootell

Dr Sono Andrew Tootell is an Australian Zen teacher in the Ordinary Mind Zen School.  He is the dharma heir of Barry Magid and is an accredited mental health social worker and maintains a private psychotherapy practice.  He is the teacher for the OzZen sangha.

More about Andrew:

https://ordinarymind.com.au/

More about Simplicity Zen Podcast:

https://simplicityzen.com/

An Interview with Zen Teacher and Priest Teshin Matthew Sweger

Teshin Matthew Sweger is the teacher and resident priest at the North Carolina Zen Center.  He was ordained as a Buddhist priest in 2004 by Lawson Sachter Roshi, a Dharma successor to Philip Kapelau Roshi. After completing the Harada-Yasutani koan curriculum, Teshin received Dharma transmission from Sevan Ross, a Dharma successor to James Myoun Ford Roshi.   Teshin recently received Inka from James Myoun Ford Roshi, completing his formal Zen training.  He is a member of the American Zen Teachers Association.  Teshin also served as the Buddhist Chaplain for the University of Rochester for 5 years.  Along with his work at the NCZC, Teshin works as a psychotherapist and is trained in Intensive Short-term Dynamic Psychotherapy as well as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

More about Teshin:

https://nczencenter.org/

More about the Simplicity Zen Podcast:

https://simplicityzen.com/

Katherine Daiki Senshin Griffith is the Head Teacher at the Zen Center of Los Angelos. She started studying Zen in the Rinzai tradition at New York Zendo Shobo-Ji in Manhattan in 1987. At Dai Bosatsu Zendo, she received Jukai in 1994 from Eido Shimano Roshi, with whom she studied until 2000, when she moved to Los Angeles. She became a member of ZCLA in 2001 and began her studies with Roshi Egyoku.  She joined ZCLA’s staff as Program Steward in 2010 and the Teacher’s Circle in 2016.  Sensei Senshin was empowered as Dharma Holder in 2018 and was empowered as an independent Zen teacher and Preceptor in 2019.  She is a member of the Lay Zen Teachers Association (LZTA), the American Zen Teachers Association (AZTA), the White Plum Asanga (WPA) and the Zen Peacemaker’s Order of Disorder. Currently, she is a professional actor, comedic performer and writer.

More about Katherine and ZCLA:

https://zcla.org/

More about the Simplicity Zen Podcast:

https://simplicityzen.com/

An Interview with Zen Teacher Eihei Peter Levitt

Eihei Peter Levitt is the founder and guiding teacher of the Salt Spring Zen Circle on Salt Spring Island in British Columbia, where he resides with his wife, poet Shirley Graham. He was authorized as a Zen teacher in the lineage of Shunryu Suzuki Roshi by Zoketsu Norman Fischer, founder of the Everyday Zen Foundation, and received Preceptor Transmission in the White Plum Lineage from Roshi Egyoku Nakao.

Salt Springs Zen Circle:

https://saltspringzencircle.org/

Simplicity Zen Podcast:

https://simplicityzen.com/

Berry Crawford first started practicing Zen meditation in 1992. He lived at the Sonoma Mountain Zen Center and practiced as a resident in the mid 1990s. Afterwards, he practiced with Diane “Eshin” Rizzetto in the Ordinary Mind Zen School started by Joko Beck. Later, Berry became a student of John “Shoji” Sorenson and in 2022 was authorized to independently teach Zen. He is a koan student of Russell “Kyofu Seikyo” Mitchell in the Open Mind Zen School and was authorized by him as an Assistant Teacher in June 2023.

Simplicity Zen Podcast:

https://simplicityzen.com/