Bio

I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, and as a late teen was immersed in the counter-culture of the late 1960’s. Later, I studied, performed, and taught classical, folk, and rock guitar, attended the experimental Goddard College in Vermont, and ended up - much to my surprise - in seminary, in Berkeley.

After ordination, I served for 30 years as priest and Rector of an Episcopal congregation in New Mexico. During those years I also led retreats and published, and received an honorary doctorate from the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley for contributions to the field of spirituality.

Since 1991, I have studied and practiced with a variety of Zen Buddhist teachers and groups in San Diego, Albuquerque, and Chicago. In 2016 I formally received the bodhisattva precepts (i.e. the taking of Buddhist vows, also called lay ordination) with my teacher Taigen Dan Leighton at Ancient Dragon Zen Gate, Chicago.

I have always played music and loved woodworking and home improvement projects. Most importantly, I am a husband, father, and grandfather.