Spiritual Practice in a Confused and Troubled World

Hello! My name is David. This website is my offering to a confused and troubled world. When I was twenty-nine, I entered a Zen Buddhist monastery in California. I wished to end the angst and sorrow that robbed me of a happy life. I hoped to rediscover the peace, perhaps even the joy, that I had once known but had somehow lost. I lived and trained at the monastery for the next eighteen years. During that time, I learned how to love myself and others, how to let go of the suffering that imprisoned me, how to follow the guidance of Life, and other essentials of a happy adventure on this earth. I learned how to truly live—a gift for which I am profoundly grateful.

A New Chapter in Life and Practice

In September 2014, I left the monastery to take the next step forward in my life and spiritual practice. Over time, it had become clear that I needed new challenges and opportunities to continue growing as a human being.

I did not know what awaited me beyond the monastery gates, but I hoped I might be useful. I expected to live a quiet and humble life, as I still do, and I longed to do a bit of good. I have found that, in general, people are not happy in the world. This was not a surprise, but it has moved me to see what suffering means in the context of people’s everyday lives. Some suffer overtly and terribly, but most do not. Much of our suffering remains invisible, both to others and even to ourselves. I have seen that people often suffer because they simply do not know how to be happy. They may not recognize how their own suffering arises or the simple but profound choices that become available once they begin to understand its causes.

Practicing Happiness in Everyday Life

I do not claim to have any special insight or extraordinary clarity—far from it. I am an ordinary human being with typical human challenges. I struggle just like everyone else, and I expect to continue learning throughout my life. What I have gained through years of spiritual practice is an understanding of how to look within, recognize how I contribute to my own suffering, and learn to let that suffering go. I have learned how to hold myself in unconditional love through life’s inevitable pain, and how to practice happiness even in a troubled world.

What You’ll Find at The One Open Door

I offer this website in the hope that my experiences and what I have learned will reach those who may benefit from them. Here you will find my blog, where I share observations and lessons from applying spiritual practice to everyday life. You will also find information about my book, The One Open Door: Adventures of a Zen Buddhist Monk, which tells the story of my eighteen years at the monastery, the teachings I received, and the experiences that shaped my journey. I also offer opportunities for others who are practicing in the world, including:

• Workshops and retreats
• One-on-one counseling or coaching
• Virtual meditation and discussion groups
• Online classes

My hope is that these resources will support you in discovering greater awareness, compassion, and peace in your own life.