Zen in a Paper Dixie Cup: A Conversation with Tim Colohan on Why Good and Evil Have No Self-nature

Tim Colohan

A  Zen student of the late Korean Zen Master Seung Sahn in the Kwan Um Zen tradition since 1985, Tim attended two 90-day winter kyol che - traditional intensive Zen retreats in silence - at Hwa Gae Sah Temple and Shin Won Sah Temple in S. Korea in 1995 and 1997. In 2022, he received inka, permission to teach from Zen Master Soeng Hyang Barbara Rhodes in the Kwan Um Zen tradition. He has been on the Teachers Council of Long Beach Meditation since 2015. Tim also practices with the “Silver Lake Meditation Group” and a Pasadena interfaith group. He is a retired set decorator, currently teaching set decoration at Chapman University. Tim lives in Los Angeles with his husband Bernie and they enjoy being grandparents. 

Tim Colohan, JDPSN (dharma master), practices and teaches at the Dharma Zen Center in Los Angeles, CA. He is also a teacher at Kwan Um Zen Online, the online community in the Kwan Um Zen tradition. 

To join retreats, practice, or to connect with Tim:

https://www.dharmazen.com/

https://kwanumzenonline.org

P.S. A timely NYT article reminded us how hard, and weirdly competitive, it can be to just be. Check out the “Space-Out Competition” in Seoul, where people try to win… by doing nothing. I had the opportunity to add the Zen take on 'doing nothing' for this article. Please check it out:  Read it here

#TimColohan #ZenArt #Mindfulness #MentalHealth #SparkYourBliss

Takeaways:

• Tim Colohan has been a devoted Zen practitioner since 1985 under the guidance of esteemed Zen masters, significantly shaping his spiritual journey.
• His experiences in the arts, particularly painting, played a pivotal role in his exploration and eventual embrace of Zen philosophy.
• Tim emphasizes the importance of authenticity and self-exploration in both art and Zen practice, advocating for a life aligned with one's true nature.
• The conversation highlights the interconnectedness of personal clarity and environmental stewardship, urging individuals to act compassionately in the face of global challenges.
• Tim reflects on the transformative power of community, suggesting that genuine human connections can foster understanding and acceptance within marginalized groups.
• He encourages newcomers to explore various spiritual traditions, asserting that sincerity in practice can illuminate one's unique path toward liberation.