Shinmu is a Sotō Zen monastic priest ordained on November 12, 2023 by their teacher, Osho Zenju Earthlyn Manuel of the Suzuki Roshi lineage. Honoring the wisdom and compassion of all teachers and future generations, with the ancestors of their Black Japanese heritage, Shinmu highlights their mother – Akimi, and their lay dharma teacher – Monitsu Pamela Weiss.
They began formal meditation practice while living in Japan, joined by Early Buddhism, Theravada practice centering Vipassana and Thai Forest lineages. Shinmu is a graduate of the four-year Insight Meditation Society (IMS) – Insight Retreat Center (IRC) Dharma Teacher Training program. Certifications and embodiment studies in Yoga, Qigong, psychology and emergency medicines supplements the fluidity of this life and clarification of the ennobling truths.
