Girls Gone Zen

Why Zen?

Zen is a practice. Life is practice. There's no rush, yet there is all the rush to start practicing, right now in this moment. Zen is not the only path- but it's working out fabulously for us! Parties, volunteering, and even working is funner after we decided to just sit and stare at a wall every week.

What is the purpose of Girls Gone Zen?

We couldn't get Wild, so we've gone Zen. Really, this could be the Greatest Journey of our lives, and what better way to experience it than to tell the whole wide world. We have no shame. You're reading the journal of our path. And if anything makes a smidgeon of impact, it is well worth it.

I'm Christian/Muslim/Jewish/Hindi/Too Rational for Religion...

Zen is a Way of Life, and it's true - it can fit with your existing faith or conscious choice to not follow any particular religious faith, if that is the path you have taken. The Dalai Lama separates Buddhism into 3 realms - Buddhist Science, Buddhist Philosophy, and Buddhist Spirituality. As a secularly raised girl, I find it easier to start with Buddhist Science, and then taking in Philosophy and Spirituality in small digestable chunks! The study of Zen is very pragmatic in that it teaches a way of understanding yourself and the world.

Of course, everybody is different - what works for us might not work for you. Some lucky people don't need to make such a conscious effort, or they have already found a spiritual path elsewhere. Well, all paths are leading to the same place, so we'll see ya there.

How did you start practicing Zen Buddhism?

We decided to check out San Francisco Zen Center after attending a 3-day retreat in April, 2005 at Land of Medicine Buddha led by Ven. Robina Courtin. The place, the experience - it was nothing short of life-changing. At the retreat, we heard about Tassajara and SF Zen Center through other participants, and decided to check out the free Zazen Meditation Instruction one springy Saturday morning.

Who are you?

We are two girls who were roommates-turned-kindred-spirits in college. Since 2005, Sandy has moved to New York and Anny to LA.