What is ZBC?

Zen Buddhism and being Real in Counceling

“Let go, or be dragged.” Zen Proverb

I’ve been captivated by the phenomena of human consciousness for much of my life. As a typical “latch-let kid” of the 7o’s I was left to my own devices waiting for my Mother to finish her shift managing the local McDonalds. I read everything I could get my hands on—Freud, Jung, and many other seminal psychologists where my favorites. My BA thesis in Philosophy from Northeastern University was on John Searle’s *Rediscovery of the Mind*, and I briefly studied Mind, Ethics, and Epistemology at the University of Edinburgh. I’ve also recently completed a certificate course in Neuropsychiatry from Harvard Medical School.

My journey with Buddhist meditation has been just as long, starting when I was just 17. I draw my primary inspiration from existential humanist and Zen Buddhist philosophies.There are countless quotes about Zen, enough to fill encyclopedias, and far too many books claim a tenuous link to Zen and Buddhism—none of which interest me. After nearly thirty years of practicing Zen, I have no desire to contribute to the word salad. As one quote succinctly says, Zen is ordinary. It is everything experienced right now, unshaken by therapy, hallucinogens, or prayer. Zen simply *is*, until it is not. Zen Buddhist counseling is about accessing openness and ease of acceptance. Nothing more. If we can learn to accept our ordinary, everyday lives—with all the suffering that often accompanies them—we’ll be okay. I’d usually say “hang in there,” but what I really mean is “let go.” Stop wishing for a different life, partner, body, car, home, or health. Accept what you have and work with it. Let go.

I am lay-ordained in the Myōshinji lineage of Rinzai Zen Buddhism started by Kyōzan Jōshū Sasaki, a Japanese Zen master who came to the United States in 1962. My teacher is Chigan-kutsu Kyō-On Dokurō Rōshi, the abbot and lineage holder of Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-ji monastery in upstate NY. Since 2023, this ordination has facilitated my ability to roster in Vermont as a “non-licensed, non-certified psychotherapist” while I complete my master's level psychology training, including a clinical internship and supervision according to the rules for attaining full licensure. Currently, I accept Medicaid and self-pay clients through my supervisor, Christian Dymond, LMFT.

Please refer to the suggested reading page for more on Zen and the influences I value.