San Francisco Zen Center<\/a> collective. There are a number of reasons for this.<\/p>\nFor one they have a sophisticated range of training opportunities, from the City center in San Francisco itself, to the family oriented Green Gulch Farm Center in Marin county, to the traditional rural retreat intensive training opportunity of Tassajara. There appears to be a niche for everyone\u2026<\/p>\n
More important, to my mind, is that there are any number of teachers. You arrive, you meet with many, you find the right fit. And, perhaps even more important, if it doesn\u2019t work out, you simply transfer to a more appropriate teacher. While if you really want to belong to a cult it is possible there, I know of a couple of teachers who would be willing to accommodate you, most aren\u2019t interested. They\u2019re very healthy about what it means to be a Zen priest. I cannot say how important this fact about them is.<\/p>\n
Also, as koan introspection training is dear to my heart, critical to my life, that while they don\u2019t themselves offer koan curriculum Zen training they are not, in general, opposed to it. So, for instance, two unsui priests in their community do koan work with me, with the permission of their teachers, as does one of their transmitted priests.<\/p>\n
It is an open and welcoming community.<\/p>\n
(Now, one major caveat. SFZC can be a seductive place. I\u2019ve seen people stay way too long. Way too long. Go, get your training, then go somewhere where you\u2019ll be of some use\u2026) <\/p>\n
In any case, I suggest you investigate the community as closely as the teachers. And do it. Ask around. Get the dirt. Don\u2019t assume the dirt is completely true. Just get it. <\/p>\n
And don\u2019t just pick up and go. Visit. Sit sesshin. Sit a number of sesshin. That\u2019s going to be the biggest teacher. And you can start that without relocating.<\/p>\n
Then, once you\u2019ve done all this, go for it. Throw yourself full into the matter.<\/p>\n
Find who you are.<\/p>\n
And save the many beings\u2026<\/p>\n
And, good luck.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a long haul.<\/p>\n
The good news is it might even be worth all the trouble.<\/p>\n
Fond regards,<\/p>\n
Many bows,<\/p>\n
James<\/p>\n
James Ishmael Ford
Boundless Way Zen<\/p>\n
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