Ways to Practice
Formal Zen Student Training
A collaborative, structured framework to help you begin or deepen your ongoing Zen practice. Together, we listen for your unique call to practice and hear what is most meaningful to you. Through experiencing the breath in zazen and just this moment, we bring awareness and intention into your life.
The Zen Bodhisattva Precepts (Jukai)
For those wishing to anchor their ordinary lives in this intention, we offer a collaborative, open pathway to explore the study of the Zen Bodhisattva Precepts. This path culminates in an initiation ceremony where you receive a Dharma name and rakusu—marking a lifelong commitment to wear your vows with your entire heart-mind no matter how easy or difficult the territory.
Koan & Shikantaza Study
As our foundational training unfolds, you are welcome to further clarify your spiritual journey and deepen the study of the self. Both the quiet, silent illumination of shikantaza practice and traditional koan study are offered. No matter what, we meet heart to heart, mind to mind, eyebrow to eyebrow.
Practice Discussion
Focused 15-30 minute one-on-one Zen practice discussions to explore your sitting practice and help you apply it directly to your life. Please know there is no cost for practice discussion. The "teachings" are freely given and freely received. In this way, everyone and everything is our teacher.
Private Contemplative Text Study
Personalized 50–60 minute one-on-one study sessions focusing on the weekly Torah portion, Buddhist sutras, classical Jewish texts, Dōgen Zenji’s Shōbōgenzō fascicles, Mussar, or whatever piques your interest from a multi-faith perspective or your unique lens to uncover timeless wisdom for modern living.
Conversion Mentorship
In partnership with Darshan Yeshiva, I offer a flexible 10-month virtual conversion program. Through 1-on-1 mentoring, I am dedicated to helping you create a contemplative, deeply meaningful Judaism and relationship with the Divine.
Spiritual Direction
Ongoing 50-60 minute conversational sessions to explore your spiritual life and notice the Divine or Truth in your ordinary, day-to-day life just as you are.
Lifecycle & Officiating
Tailored, contemplative lifecycle ceremonies—including weddings, baby namings, bar/bat mitzvahs, and Jukai (Zen precept ceremonies)—uniquely crafted to honor and celebrate interfaith, multi-traditional, and multi-heritage families.
Retreats & Workshops
Invitations are graciously welcome for Scholar-in-Residence positions (synagogues), guest teaching (Zen centers), mindfulness groups, and mental health organizations and professional association groups.