Michael Gelfond, also known as Kai-Gen Myo-Gyo, Ocean Source/Inconceivable Practice, began his Zen path at SFZC in 1973. Over the next decade, he practiced at City Center, Green Gulch Farm, and Tassajara, building a deep foundation in Zen training before turning to medicine.
He went on to study medicine and spent 30 years practicing Emergency Medicine at Oakland Kaiser Hospital, bringing the same steadiness and care to his professional life. In 2018, he received priest ordination from Daito Steve Weintraub, and in 2021 he trained as Shuso, or Head Student, at Green Gulch Farm.
Today, Michael practices with and helps lead Steve W’s Presidio Hill Zen Group, and also practices with Everyday Zen, led by Norman Fischer. As a husband, father, and grandfather, he continues to live Suzuki Roshi’s teaching that Zen practice is not separate from ordinary human life.