With more than two decades of devoted practice at San Francisco Zen Center, Jokai Carolyn Cavanagh brings a grounded, deeply lived presence to her teaching. Since 2000, she has served as a residential practitioner, while her earlier work as an environmental geologist and artist continues to shape her intimate relationship with the natural world.
Ordained as a Zen priest in 2007, she later served as Shuso, or Head Student, at Tassajara in 2010 with Tenshin Reb Anderson. Her path has long been rooted in attentive work with the land, including roles as Garden Manager at both Tassajara and Green Gulch Farm. More recently, she served as Director at Tassajara and now works as Land Advocate at Green Gulch Farm.
Her background offers a thoughtful blend of Zen practice, stewardship, and creative sensitivity, inviting others into a quiet, grounded approach to mindfulness and connection with place.