Building a personal spiritual practice [Part I] with Michael McCord (President of SF Zen Center)

​​This event is open to the public with a suggested donation of $10-15.

​A spiritual practice is anything we engage with that rejuvenates our spirit and connects us to something larger than ourselves, whether it is a tradition, a group, or a way of living. There are a seemingly infinite number of paths to take: some seem more like personal improvement while others are more formalized and lean toward the ethereal. What they have in common is an engagement in something not currently known or realized that can lead to a positive transformation. 

​In this first part of a four part series, we will look at how to choose a spiritual path and how to begin to set practices that can take root in our lives.

​Agenda:

• ​6-6:15pm: arrive & check in

• ​6:15pm: talk begin

• ​7PM: Q&A

​About Michael

​Sozan Michael McCord has been a resident practitioner at San Francisco Zen Center since 2009, and served as Ino (Head of Meditation Hall) and Tenzo (Head Cook) at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center. He was ordained as a Zen priest by Ryushin Paul Haller in the lineage of Shunryu Suzuki in 2014.

​Michael holds a BA in Theology from Ambassador University and worked as a volunteer for their non-profit Ambassador Foundation in Amman, Jordan, doing vocational training for mentally challenged individuals. He had careers in the technology and financial sectors before coming to Zen practice. He was the Director of City Center/Beginner's Mind Temple from 2019 – 2021 and the CFO of San Francisco Zen Center until 2024. He currently serves as the President of SFZC.

​The Commons

​We'll meet in 550 Laguna (the corner of Hayes & Laguna). ​​Once you arrive, go down the stairs to the basement level to enter space, check in, and please take your shoes off at the door.