Sensei Janet Jiryu Abels, founder of Still Mind Zendo, has been a teacher in the Soto- Rinzai tradition of Taizan Maezumi Roshi and the White Plum Asanga since 2000 when she was recognized as a Sensei by her teacher, Roshi Robert Jinsen Kennedy. Prior to becoming a Zen teacher, she was in private practice as a spiritual director from 1988 on and, before that, worked for many years as a community organizer and peace activist. She is married to Sensei Gregory Abels.

About Sensei Gregory Hosho Abels

Sensei Gregory Hosho Abels is dharma successor of Roshi Robert Jinsen Kennedy in the lineage of the White Plum Asanga. As well as being a Zen teacher, he has enjoyed a 45 year career as an actor, theatre director and Master Teacher of Acting and is also a poet, his writing being informed by his Zen practice.

Both teachers have assimilated elements of both Soto and Rinzai forms of Zen teaching and offer the Zen practice of just sitting as well as koan work.