Greetings and deep bows to all,
My name is Seiun Kushin Jim Parker, and I am a STO Novice Priest. I received ordination by Zenku Jerry Smyers (Mission Mountain Zen) in July of 2023. I have lived in Missoula, Montana for over thirty years. I first met Jerry Smyers (Zenku-sensei) in the fall of 2013 and started sitting Zazen with him. I formally committed to this practice with a Jukai ceremony. Then, equally enthusiastically I traveled to Japan with 6 other ‘pilgrims’ including Hojo-sensei and Zenku-sensei to trace and video the early steps of our founder Soyu Matsuoka Roshi for three weeks. I became a Disciple, under Zenku-sensei’s watchful, caring guidance, in March 2017. I am gratified to sit on the STO Board and other committees. My day job for the past 30 years has been running a Communications, Campaign Management, and Creative Design firm. I have also volunteered for Hospice and grief recovery work with kids and adults for over 25 years.
In Peace, Kushin
