Bridging Worlds: Zen teacher Ryushin Marchaj on Zen and Psychedelics

REGISTER ON OUR WEBSITE to attend this Zoom event: https://psychedelicadvocacy.org/event/zen-teacher-ryushin-marchaj-zen-and-psychedelics/
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Join us for a powerful online gathering with Zen teacher Ryushin Marchaj—a longtime Zen priest and contemplative physician who, after four decades immersed in Zen practice, turned his attention deeply toward the psychedelic plant world, notably Ayahuasca, and trained in ayahuasca ceremonies in Brazil with shamans.

In this intimate talk, Mr. Ryushin will share the arc of his spiritual journey—from his early years of Zen training and his time as abbot of Zen Mountain Monastery (October 2009–January 2015), through the challenges and insights of monastic life, to his later decision to deeply explore Ayahuasca and other sacred medicines.

He’ll reflect on why he made that shift, what he discovered along the way about mind, body, and awakening, and how both traditions — Zen and psychedelic work — can speak to our community’s mission of healing, consciousness exploration, and grounded practice.

Please join us in community to hear his story, ask questions, and deepen our shared understanding of what it means to weave contemplative discipline with psychedelic medicine in service of transformation.

Bio:
Rev. Konrad Ryushin Marchaj is a Zen priest in the tradition of Zen Buddhism and a dharma heir of the late John Daido Loori, Roshi. Formerly the abbot of Zen Mountain Monastery in the Catskill Mountains of New York,

Born in Warsaw, Poland, he immigrated to the United States in 1967. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Yale University in 1976 and a medical degree from Albany Medical College in 1980.

Ryushin began practicing Buddhism in 1983 and entered full-time residential training at Zen Mountain Monastery in 1992. During his tenure as abbot and director of operations, he also collaborated with liberal arts educators to integrate contemplative practices into higher education.

Since 2014, he has been deeply engaged in exploring ayahuasca ceremonies within diverse traditions, guided by several teachers. Integrating his medical and psychiatric background with decades of Buddhist training, Ryushin brings a compassionate, insightful, and down-to-earth approach to teaching.

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Disclaimer:
Our group exists to provide education and harm reduction and foster a supportive, heart-centered community. Our group does not offer medical advice, therapy, or psychedelic substances. Also, our events do not condone or facilitate the taking of illegal drugs.