I was born the 6th child in a family that would eventually grow to 10 children. My parents were devout Catholics. We were raised in the City of Detroit during an explosive period of extreme violence, murders, and major riot that flaired up on almost a weekly basis for over 8 years. It is often spoke of as the most violent time in the most violent city in the US.

Open Gate Zen Collective's Anti-Racism Statement ~with credit to the work of Zoketsu Norman Fischer and the Everyday Zen Sangha, who originated this document~ The bodhisattva vow commits us to caring for everyone’s short term and long term physical and spiritual benefit. Having done our best to cultivate this vow, and to continue to practice to strengthen and extend it, we feel deeply connected to the dramatic events now taking place in the streets of our cities.

Teach me what I cannot learn alone.Let us share what we know, and whatwe cannot fathom. Speak to me ofmysteries, and let us never lieto one another.May our fierce and tender longingfuel the fire in our souls. When westand side by side, let us dare to focusour desire on the truth.

The first time I sat in meditation with Sensei Shinzan, I felt like a baby being held in my mother’s arms. I could not imagine more fondness and safer space.

I had been to one sesshin before so I based a lot of my expectations for Upaya on that past experience which was wonderful, magical in fact. That past experience at the Garrison Institute in New York is what made me decide to further pursue the practice of Zen Buddhism, and it is also the first time I met Sensei Shinzan!

I learned years ago, since my initial experiences, not to build expectations on the verge of sesshin. Nonetheless, people’s voices change when they speak of Upaya. Along with the sounds of reverence and respect, there emerges isolated hints of concern - oryoki is one of them. And for someone who struggles to touch ground with forehead, well, we would soon find out.

Shinzan would say “do you want decaf coffee or do you want the real thing, it’s up to you”. Joko would say, please remember, I’m not your teacher, your life is your teacher. Sesshin, (Zen Intensive practice) in a way, is like drinking the real thing and learning how to experience life, this very moment, as your teacher.

Winter foreshadows the new year. It's incredible to think we are nearing the end of 2019, let alone a decade. Time swiftly passes ...Our last weekend retreat has come and gone. What an opportunity it was to practice. …

I am a Zen Buddhist monk. I have a shaved head. I wear a lot of black, and I have a habit of talking about how awesome meditation is. Basically, I’m Mr. Miyagi—that’s what the deli guys downstairs from our Zen Center call me, anyway.

To me, some of the best practice lies within service. That’s ironic for me to say because I use to believe that service was for lower rank practitioners. That is false because ultimately there are no ranks. Moreover, being of service has allowed me to deepen my practice in ways I could not have fathomed.