Myoan Grace Schireson is the founder and head teacher of Empty Nest, Valley Heartland, and Fresno River Zen Groups . Grace is a Dharma Heir in the Suzuki Roshi lineage who has practiced Zen meditation for more than 35 years. She has trained in Soto Zen in America under Sojun Mel Weitsman Roshi of Berkeley Zen Center, from whom she received Dharma Transmission in 2005, and in Rinzai Zen in Japan under Keido Fukushima Roshi of Tofuku-ji Monastery in Kyoto. She has taught Zen classes throughout the United States. She is also trained as a clinical psychologist and is dedicated to teaching Asian methods of quieting the mind using techniques suitable for Westerners.
Grace Schireson
In addition to Grace's role as founder and head teacher, Central Valley Zen groups also benefit from the participation of other teachers and senior students. Peter Schireson is currently Practice Leader at Empty Nest Zendo. He was ordained as a Lay Teacher by Sojun Mel Weitsman of Berkeley Zen Center in 2003. Peter was originally introduced to Zen meditation at UCLA by Joshu Sasaki Roshi in 1964 and has practiced since then primarily in the Suzuki Roshi lineage in California as well as with Keido Fukushima Roshi of Tofukuji Monastery in Kyoto, Japan. He is the husband of Myoan Grace Schireson and is especially interested in Zen practice as it arises and enlivens every day life in the world. Peter is also a partner in a market research company, a grandfather, and a student of classical guitar.
Peter Schireson
Ken Jackson began practicing Zen meditation in 1972, and lived and practiced in at Hiroshima Zen Center Japan from 1977 to 1979. Later he studied Vipassana meditation with Jack Kornfield and other Spirit Rock teachers in the Bay Area. He began practicing at Empty Nest Zendo in 1995, and took his vows as a lay practitioner there with Sojun Mel Weitsman-roshi as preceptor in March 2000. He was Shuso (head student) under Myoan Grace Schireson for the summer practice period at Empty Nest in 2006. Ken is married, with 4 children and one grandchild, and considers family life the perfect container for maturing practice.
Ken Jackson
Andy Young is a founding member of the Valley Heartland Zen Group, serving in a variety of positions for the group. Andy began Zen training with Myoan Grace Schireson in 2001 and received Lay Ordination in March of 2004. He served as Shuso for the Central Valley Zen groups during the summer of 2005 and is now studying to become a Zen priest. He grew up in the Sierra Nevada mountains of Central California, studied Contemporary Continental philosophy as a graduate student, and is now a Professor of Philosophy at CSU, Stanislaus where he teaches a variety of courses including Eastern Philosophy. He is a father who enjoys hiking, writing, playing blues piano, and the challenge of bringing Zen practice into lay life.
Andy Young