Member Profile

Tell me a little about you, your family, where you went to school or received training, your work, hobbies. 

I live in a small city in southeastern Virginia where I grew up, now with my wife and daughter. I attended West Point after high school. The military wasn’t for me, so I came home and transferred to the University of Virginia, earning a B.A. in environmental science in 2008. I bounced around a couple of jobs and ended up at a law firm in Richmond for about seven years. I got my Master of Divinity at Union Presbyterian Seminary in 2020 and worked in a local church for three years. I currently work as a chaplain endorsed by the Order of Universal Interfaith at the Veterans Affairs medical center in Richmond, VA. I have worked in hospice, spinal cord injury, polytrauma, and general medical units. Right now, I work in intensive care and with veterans in a substance use disorder program. I enjoy spending time with my family, playing my guitar, and being outdoors. I love music and enjoy re-reading a Steinbeck novel when I get the chance.

What brought you to ZLMC?

When I stumbled onto zazen, I was immediately drawn to the practice. Thich Nhat Hanh and Alan Watts helped me to recognize the beauty of Zen as a spiritual path grounded in experience I visited a local sangha, but it was hard for me to participate regularly given the commute, and being the parent of a toddler. By that time, my sitting practice was important to me, and I wanted to be part of a sangha. A work colleague introduced me to ZLMC and a few other centers. Every Zen center has its own flavor. I found that I like the flavor of Zen at ZLMC. I appreciate the vision, mission, and core values. I appreciate the integration of neuroscience and psychology into the teachings. I appreciate the virtual options. They make the sangha accessible for me. Perhaps most importantly, the people are kind. I see a sincere desire to live with compassion, integrity, and a good sense of humor.

What is your spiritual practice?

I like to sit for about thirty minutes a day, but it varies. Generosity, mindfulness, and non-attachment are some things I try to incorporate into my practice. I like the tenets of not-knowing, bearing witness, and compassionate action as a framework for practice, too. 

Anything else you’d like to add?

I am grateful to be part of this sangha, and to have this option while living on the East Coast.