Guiding Teacher

Sensei Brian Joshin Byrnes is a Zen priest and teacher in the White Plum Lineage and Zen Peacemakers. He founded Bread Loaf Mountain Zen Community in 2017. His teachings and approach are deeply rooted in social action, emphasizing the needs and challenges faced by economically marginalized communities.

In addition to teaching at Bread Loaf Mountain Zen Community, Joshin coordinates Gather, a Zen-Peacemaker drop in center/community living room, responding to the epidemic of loneliness in our community. Joshin also leads Street Retreats throughout the year in various cities across the United States. These “plunges” offer participants an opportunity to engage directly with life on the streets, fostering a deeper understanding of the web of life and the connection between spiritual practice and compassionate action.

To learn more about Joshin’s  journey and teachings, you’re invited to listen to his interview with meditation teacher and author Sharon Salzberg. In this conversation, Joshin shares his experiences, inspirations, and the ways in which Zen practice can shape our engagement with the world at the intersection of spirituality, social action, contemplative practice, and compassion.