Seijaku Roshi 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." - Michael Shunryu Ginder, BS Palmyra, NJ   "Seijaku Roshi is an absolutely unique man, spiritual leader and friend." - William R. Forstchen, Ph.D. New York Times Best Selling Author of Pearl Harbor and Days of Infamy The Pine Wind Zen Center and the resident teacher Seijaku Roshi are an invaluable resource to me on my spiritual journey. From the first time I heard the Roshi, his teaching resonated with me on a very deep level. I have found his teaching to be authentic and very relevant to my life. The training provided at the Zen Center has helped me be more open to life as it really is and to reconnect with who I am truly meant to be. Since that first teaching over five years ago I have continued to be involved with the Pine Wind Zen Center and feel I have found a spiritual home.  - Dianne Malley I've described Roshi as a compassionate drill sergeant. He has helped me to know more about the real me, to tell myself fewer stories, and with continued practice to be content in any situation. Meditation is an invaluable technique of discovery of both the self and others. The daily practice of meditation and participation in the Sangha have helped me to know myself better and to be of service to others. To paraphrase Mahatma Gandhi, the study of Zen with Seijaku Roshi helps me to be the change I want to see in the world. - David Chikyo Sides   After digesting your reflections on Zen beyond Buddhism, an interpretation and translation of ancient wisdom, I have been awakened to my true self; an unveiling of my own internal and eternal beauty and grace. Your masterly book, has reconnected me with my own gentleness, kindness, and peace that I sought without for. It has given me the strength, courage, and motivation to be still and quiet and to cease the endless searching and endless desiring. I am being peaceful as life scurries around me; regressions are part of the process. Our self inflected suffering arrives with its own solutions and purposes. I am realizing the causes of my suffering and eliminating their grip upon me, as you suggested. They were stifling my journey and damaging my soul. Zen’s lessons are teaching me to mindfully watch and study my egoistic mind. My work lays ahead of me, but I know realize, after reading and hearing ( Zen Chat nights ) your eloquent and consistent words, that freedom, enlightenment, and liberation can no longer evade me. The lessons and directions I found deep within your book and Zen center are numerous. You have laid a path before me which consist of committing to my mediation practice and that excuses no longer serve me; “it is the practice of truthfulness. Stop giving excuses.” I know understand that I must gather with and support like minded individuals, to nurture the sangha, “one of the three jewels” and always go forth with loving-kindness. Acknowledge life’s impermanence and to act accordingly. Most importantly, to move beyond my thoughts, feelings, and desires. To muster the strength to have a purpose bigger than myself. “When your life stops being about you, you will know freedom. . .living life as a benefit to other beings." Thank you Roshi. - Penny Busichio			"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   The Roshi has been a guiding force in my daily activities. I now feel very balanced .  I have learned "that the only way to change your life is to Change your life". - Joy Sklaver Marlton, NJ     I can honestly say that I have found a home and a new family at the Pine Wind Zen Center. Seijaku Roshi is a leader who challenges us to fulfill our true nature. We are charged to be a light in a world that is pathologically dark.  But even more, we are charged not to be like a lighthouse lantern, shining brightly but from a safe distance. Instead we are to let our examples shine in whatever circles we travel and to truly live a life of example.  Seijaku Roshi challenges us to live an authentic spiritual practice but at the same time understands that we live in the world and not on an isolated mountaintop.  His teachings are based in this modern world in which we live without allowing us to use that world as an excuse for anything less than our best effort.  He is like a father who is stern when necessary, but you never forget he has a warm heart, sincere care for his community, and a disarming sense of humor to keep you on your toes.  I am ever grateful for the fact that he is my guide on this journey.   - Chris Fudo Willman     I have been a student of Seijaku Roshi for 19 Years and his teachings, guidance and example have become the tools I live my life by because they work. Roshi speaks to your heart and if you truly hear him you can't deny what he says is truth. Roshi is the real thing! He truly walks the walk. I was given a gift the day he came into my life. In deepest Gassho,    - Rev. Mary Mutsumiko Schlembach     Roshi, you have been a great source of inspiration to us for the past six years that we have known you. Your teachings and insights into life and it’s aspects of happiness and sorrow have done a great deal to help me tune my approach to life and self-awareness in these intense and turbulent times. I am proud to have you as a teacher and friend and will always be grateful to have you in my life.   - Arnold Barnett     As an individual and a couple I find Seijaku Roshi’s teachings to be very valuable. Roshi is an excellent teacher and coach. His warmth, wisdom and humanity is always evident. The way he imparts his understandings and knowledge is interesting and informative- always suggestive and non judgmental. Don’t miss out on spending valuable time with this exceptional teacher. I admire him.   - Ellen Barnett       I can honestly say that I have found a home and a new family at the Pine Wind Zen Center. Seijaku Roshi is a leader who challenges us to fulfill our true nature. We are charged to be a light in a world that is pathologically dark. But even more, we are charged not to be like a lighthouse lantern, shining brightly but from a safe distance. Instead we are to let our examples shine in whatever circles we travel and to truly live a life of example. Seijaku Roshi challenges us to live an authentic spiritual practice but at the same time understands that we live in the world and not on an isolated mountaintop. His teachings are based in this modern world in which we live without allowing us to use that world as an excuse for anything less than our best effort. He is like a father who is stern when necessary, but you never forget he has a warm heart, sincere care for his community, and a disarming sense of humor to keep you on your toes. I am ever grateful for the fact that he is my guide on this journey.   - Chris Fudo Willman   .         .			"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   The Roshi has been a guiding force in my daily activities. I now feel very balanced . I have learned "that the only way to change your life is to Change your life". - Joy Sklaver

Home | About Us | Being Here | Calendar | Meditation | Sangha News | Zen Chat | Membership | Donations | Contact Us