Seijaku Spiritual Teacher and Founder of The Zen Society
“Seijaku Roshi is one of the most compelling speakers I’ve ever seen. He imparts universal wisdom with magnetic and wry humor, and never ceases to impart fascinating knowledge. Every lecture leaves me more energized and contemplative than the last. At home I play the discs of his talks repeatedly, yet they never become repetitive. His intellect, discipline and experience are rare…someday I aspire to fully fathom his teachings.” -Greg Nelson Philadelphia, PA “My time spent with Seijaku Roshi has been a life changing experience. He is wonderful!” -Janice McDonald Oaklyn, NJ   Seijaku is a charismatic teacher who moves seamlessly among the world's great spiritual traditions to make Zen accessible to anyone with an open mind.   Howard Enfiejian, PhD Mt. Laurel, NJ   "Things change, we all know that.  But what causes the change?  In my case it was Seijaku Roshi.  My life was altered from the day I met him.  He showed me the meaning of life.  I found the peace and happiness I had been searching for in service to others.  Seijaku taught me this and so much more that words cannot explain." - Shunryu Michael Ginder, BS Executive Director Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge. Shamong, NJ   "From the very first time I came to The Zen Society and met Seijaku, I was determined to study with him.  I was struck by his presence not because he performed any feats of magic, or because he spoke of strange mystical, cosmic experiences, but rather because he was so very human.  In fact, for the first time in my life I knew I was in the presence of someone who really knew himself, I knew I was in the presence of a Buddha." -Ninshin Rachel McCormick Shika Shamong, NJ			"I returned to hear Seijaku Roshi speak because I found his lectures and points of view to be candid, inspiring, humorous, direct and encouraging. His manner of delivery is clear and concise. The veil of mystery with regard to spiritual awakening gently pulled away so that I can look into the mirror and find the point of origin to begin my own reawakening. I look forward to the challenge of redirecting my views and thoughts from their current spinning wheels of stress and anxiety to a more relaxed and purposeful way of daily living and have every confidence that Roshi can guide me toward that end if I have the courage to accept the charge.” -Joseph Maryanski, Jr Voorhees, NJ   "Seijaku Roshi Embodies the Dharma in his teachings and in his life.  He teaches with a clarity that is both profound and simple.  Most of all his messages reflects a commitment to the essence of the way - to awakening to the experience of being human and to creating true intimacy in your life. Seijaku is simply the 'practice' in motion.  It is always inspiring to witness this Master model the practice for the Sangha - for me - not because he is a Master, but more so because he is all too human and he shares that with us shamelessly.  I have gradually become more compassionate towards myself and others due to the precious gift of Seijaku Roshi's unconditional acceptance of me and his absolute conviction of my unlimited potential."  - Michael Berman, Psy.D East Windsor, NJ			"Seijaku Roshi has the innate ability to speak directly to a person’s heart. Each word is deliberate. I have had the privilege of being with many spiritual leaders, Seijaku has a unique style because he is grounded and precise so that a person can transform themselves using the information he presents. He is also a combination of a real human being with a tremendous sense of humor and self.” -Laura Jacobs Philadelphia, PA    Imagine, if you will, that one day you are walking, after a fresh spring rain, in the midst of South Jersey's Pine Barrens. Droplets falling upon last winters leaves, the soundscape is a soothing rap, the blue sky peaking through needles of pine and the scent of a kindling fire in the near distance. And in the midst of this fine mist, smoke and forest, the breath of a teacher emerges. Seijaku Roshi, speaker, teacher, master, friend.... Should I say that he changed my life? Truly my life has changed, but he would be the first to say that I did the work. Although I must say with all honestly that my work has been clearer and more focused because of his guidance, mainly because of what I have learned from his various lectures and Zen Chats. My readiness is present, but I have been ready for so long and for me readiness was not enough. It took the fortuitous timing of the teacher to show the way to make my work, work. I don’t know how else to put this but years of good intention still left me floundering. Call it apprenticeship, internship ... but if one wants to be good at something, you need to turn to the masters, be it in painting, cooking, musicianship, and woodworking. So, why should matters of the spirit and of life itself be any different? There is nothing, nothing, more valuable and I was in need of guidance from someone who not only walked the walk, but is willing to take the walk with you, if necessary. For me it’s like being surrounded by a majestic mountain range, with the message that Roshi so compassionately and earnestly brings, echoing and reverberating long after his talks end. His guidance and kindness takes you gently by the hand and points you in the right direction. You need only to take the steps. Even if you did not understand a word of English, I guarantee that the tone of his voice alone will leave you soothed. It is that simple, it is that beneficial. No matter what your religious persuasion, the richness of his message has something for anyone. It is appropriate I think, that my authentic understanding of Zen should begin at the end of the many books I have read; And my books, a multitude of them on the subject of Zen, and various Self Help for the soul, are scattered around me, strewn and torn, falling from the sky even; impossible to catch the hundreds, thousands of pages and then it clicks, with the power of hearing one speak. Seijaku Roshi is a superb orator. His gift is both the message and his untiring willingness to show the way. Common sense meets compassion and love. And just as single decisions don’t have single purposes; deciding to attend one talk will have many blessings. -Suzanne Gili Post Delran, NJ

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