From 2016 Self Authoring and Zen Center of Los Angeles

4.1 Breakfasts with Roshi after dawn zazen 1972

Bob Walter at Big River Farm said instead of SFZC I should go to ZCLA. Close to home and a rare opportunity to get in on the ground floor with a major Japanese zen master still virtually unknown. I saw how right he was at the sweet little breakfasts we had around the low table in the sangha house living room after dawn zazen. The historical trans-cultural transmission was palpably present in front of all of us. Achingly sweet and poignant, fun, and very human.

4.2 Discussion with Roshi May 1974

The strongest ingredient in having a goal of a balanced life, rather than pursuing formal zen practice above all else, was the six years I simultaneously lived and practiced with Maezumi Roshi at ZCLA and was in therapy with Pat Sutton, 6/73-5/79, It was in that intense context that Roshi told me, “I don’t want you to sit this Ango (3-month intensive practice period). Your practice is to get a full time job as soon as you can and to keep it as long as you can. You need to be able to take care of yourself in this world”. That moment set the course for the rest of my life.

4.3 Meeting Mary 1977

I practiced for 4-1/2 years at ZCLA before meeting Mary, and for 24-1/3 years with her after we met.

4.4 My Shuso ango 1988

I sat dawn zazen, went to work at Avnet, came home, ate, and sat evening zazen. Can’t remember if I took off for all 3 sesshins. Certainly for the final one.

4.5 Roshi dies 5/24/95

After living and studying with him for 22 years and 8 months, he died unexpectedly at age 64. My goal of dharma transmission was left unfulfilled.

4.6. Dharma Holder February 1997

I was named the first Dharma Holder by William Nyogen Yeo, the first post-Maezumi Head Teacher at ZCLA.