About Zen

"Who Am I?    What is Life all about?    What is God?"

Have you ever wondered, "What's it all about?" Asked yourself, or others, the "Great Questions" of life like the ones above? Where can one go, to whom can one turn for the answers, real answers, that make sense and feel right, that give true meaning and direction to life? There's no place that you can go and no one whom you can ask that will provide those answers. But there ARE answers. They lie deep within you yourself. That is what the path of Zen is all about.

The practice of Zen meditation gradually opens the mind to inner wisdom, eventually answering these questions by penetrating to the core of existence. It is a direct, personal realization, being fully and vibrantly alive in this moment.

What IS Zen?

Understanding Zen through words is like going to a restaurant and eating the menu instead of the meal. Words provide only a shadow of its true meaning.

Technically, Zen is one of the many sects of Buddhism, emphasizing seated meditation (J. "zazen"; K. "chamson") and other meditative techniques to cut through illusory perceptions, thoughts and feelings and ultimately lead to that quantum leap of insight termed "enlightenment."

Dharma Teacher Ordination Ceremony October 2000

Far from being an escape from the so-called "real world," Zen allows one to master life rather than be at the mercy of seemingly uncontrollable thoughts, feelings and events. Regular zazen practice quiets the incessant negative chatter of the mind. Dispersed energies are collected, refined, and focused. The emotional traps of fear, anger, ignorance and greed are transcended. One lives and acts "in this moment," with clarity and skill, transforming ordinary life into an extraordinary adventure.

Zen also creates a strong sense of community. The Sangha, or "family" of Zen students, provides a context of mutual commitment and support to one's practice and nurtures a sense of identity with and compassion for all sentient beings and all creation.

White Forest Zen Monastery - Catskill Zendo Catskill Zendo, situated on 180 acres of mountain property in the White Forest Zen Buddhist Monastery (Bak Lim Sa) in Summitville, Sullivan County, New York. Personal instruction in meditation and Buddhist Teachings, and guidance in establishing a home practice schedule, are given by the Dharma teachers in English.

While Zen is a path of rigor and commitment, it is also a Path of Great Compassion, Great Peace and Great Fulfillment. If you feel drawn to such a path, I invite you to see for yourself if the path of Zen is the path you have been seeking.

I have been practicing Zen meditation since 1985, and have been studying meditation and Buddhism at the Catskill Zen Center in Summitville, New York since 1989. In October of 2000, I was ordained as a Dharma Teacher (K. "Bup-Sa") by my teacher, He Seong, Sunim, the Abbot of the Catskill Zen Center. I have taught there during our regularly scheduled meditation services.  Upon relocating to South Florida in the summer of 2006, I have begun practicing and teaching with the South Florida Zen Group, located at Bo Hyun Sa temple (A Korean Buddhist temple) near Fort Lauderdale.  I am available for private meditation instruction, consultations, and spiritual guidance and direction.

Contact me for more information.