Welcome to Original Witness • Visalia Zen Center

Aug 13

2 min read

I would like to let you know that I am moving all of my writings and offerings into one unified home: Original Witness · Visalia Zen Center.

As you may have noticed, my presentation and focus have evolved a bit over this time. But the heart of my overall message stays unchanged no matter the language or dialect of spiritual practice.

Like for so many others, the Covid pandemic was a jarring and catalytic moment in our recent history.

Over the years since the pandemic, I ordained as a Rabbi with the Pluralistic Rabbinical Seminary, opened a private practice of psychology in Central California and online across the State, continued my meditation practice and formal Zen training, ordained as a novice Zen Buddhist priest under Berry Crawford, served as Shuso (head student) during Simplicity Zen's inaugural Winter 2026 practice period, and was recently empowered by Berry as a Dharma Holder (apprentice Zen teacher) and Assistant Koan teacher.

With the weight of this responsibility on my heart and mind, I decided to start Original Witness · Visalia Zen Center as a hybrid in-person and online Zen sangha welcoming individuals from all backgrounds, traditions, and walks of life.

We all need somewhere to set our "bundle" down, right?!

My personal vow and sangha commitment are similar. As a community and practice sanctuary, our purpose is grounded in a simple truth: Our very being, who we really are, all of this is about vulnerability, intimacy, and love. This is our vow! This is our life! Everything and everyone matters! From this place, we ask, “How may I help you?"

The new website is live now, and we can meet each other here: https://www.originalwitness.com.

Our next online silent meditation (zazen) sitting is coming up on Tuesday, August 25th.

We are also offering an online Fall 2026 Interfaith Zazenkai (daylong Zen retreat) on Saturday, September 5, 2026.

Registration forms are active on the schedule page right now. If you would like to join us, please head over to the site to RSVP, and the system will email you the secure link for all practice events.

Thank you for your practice, patience, and support through all of these years. I look forward to learning from and with you and meeting you soon!

Warmly 🙏🙂🙏,

Adam Tōshikō Fogel

Original Witness · Visalia Zen Center

Upcoming Events

I warmly invite you to join us for our upcoming practice events at Original Witness · Visalia Zen Center. No prior experience is necessary! Come as you are!

Fall 2026 Interfaith Zazenkai (online) - Sep 5

A silent online retreat exploring "Firewood, Ash, and Atonement: Dōgen Zenji's Genjōkōan and the Jewish High Holidays". Explore new beginnings and the power of atonement during this intensive spiritual practice day.