Tozan Hannya Paco Verin

Pennsylvania  

Tozan was first introduced to meditation at the age of 8 and informally explored various methods in to adulthood. He was also deeply influenced by Native American cultures, which developed his reverence for nature as manifest divine consciousness, rather than a “renewable resource.” In 1999, he partook in the MKP’s New Warrior Training Adventure, beginning his four-year training in emotional consciousness within the MKP community. Via MKP, he learned of Hollow Bones, and at his first retreat in May, 2002, he took lay precepts in the order. In 2004 he took Jukai, and in 2011 he was ordained as a priest. His dharma names translates as Cave Mountain Wisdom, which he spelunks and climbs in deep inquiry.

What Tozan values most about Hollow Bones and Mondo Zen is the direct and clear integration of ecological stewardship, philosophical clarity, psychological maturity, physical consciousness, and genuine insight, and the use of these training elements as mirrors of one’s degree of authenticity. Tozan earns his living as an earth-friendly landscaper while he builds sangha in southeastern PA, and is exploring fresh ways to help people integrate community-based sacred stewardship of Earth with spiritual practice.