Tag Archives: spirituality

Sara Jisho Siebert

Zen Fields, Ames, Iowa –  Sara Jisho Siebert is a Soto Zen priest who teaches at Zen Fields in Ames, Iowa. Her back story is striking. “When I was fourteen, a number of people in my life experienced sexual violence and talked to me about it. My mom is a great listener, and I guessContinue reading “Sara Jisho Siebert”

Thomas Hand

Abridged from Catholicism and Zen – In addition to the Soto missions established for the benefit of the immigrant populations on the West Coast, and the Asian-trained teachers who sought to introduce a new spiritual tradition to the West, there was a third route by which Zen came to North America: Catholic missionaries who returnedContinue reading “Thomas Hand”

Sheng Yen

Conversations with Rebecca Li Rebecca Li is a second-generation Dharma heir of Chan Master Sheng Yen, whose Dharma Drum Foundation now has affiliate centers in fourteen countries. “The first time I met Master Shen Yen in person,” she tells me, “was when I was in grad school, and he visited Los Angeles. It was veryContinue reading “Sheng Yen”

Nelson Foster

Ring of Bone Zendo and East Rock Sangha Nelson Foster begins our conversation by telling me, bluntly: “As I’ve said to you before – fair warning – I really think this is a story of Zen communities and organizations, sanghas. Teachers come and go, but the Dharma stays with the Sangha. I see a focusContinue reading “Nelson Foster”

Nona Strong

Empty Cloud Zen, California – Nona Strong of the Empty Cloud Zen Sangha in Northern California grew up in Oklahoma City. “Both my parents were from smaller towns in Oklahoma. And after World War II, they moved to Oklahoma City and bought a house. They were both educators – teachers – and they had me.Continue reading “Nona Strong”