Teaching Team
Jisho Lisa Beth Hoffman
Jisho Lisa Beth Hoffman was ordained as a Zen priest by the late Surei Darlene Cohen at San Francisco Zen Center, and received Dharma Transmission from Meiji Tony Patchell in August 2013 at the Russian River Zendo. Lisa’s passion is bringing the Buddhist teachings, meditation and mindfulness into the world in a way that’s easy and useful for people to integrate into their everyday lives. She does this as a priest and as a nonprofit coach and consultant. Lisa works with individual students, as well as giving dharma talks and leading retreats and mindfulness workshops. As a speaker, she specializes in introducing Buddhism and mindfulness to new audiences. Lisa’s educational background includes studies through the Shogaku Zen Institute, and training through the Russian River Zendo and San Francisco Zen Center. Find out more about Lisa, and her writing at www.lisahoffman.net or contact her directly: lisa(at)lisahoffman.net.
Paul Iriving
Paul Irving has practiced in Eastern and Western contemplative traditions for over 40 years. Having completed Spirit Rock’s Community Dharma Leader Program in 2012, he holds Spirit Rock Meditation Center’s certification to teach in the community. Much of his teaching has been at San Francisco Insight, where he has also served as SFI’s board president. Additionally, Paul is one the facilitators for the Transforming Depression and Anxiety Practice Class that meets weekly at City Center. He currently is the practice manager of four allied medical clinics at UCSF and is engaged in moment-to-moment family practice with a husband, a teenager, and a rambunctious dog. Lisa works with individual students, as well as giving dharma talks and leading retreats and mindfulness workshops. As a speaker, she specializes in introducing Buddhism and mindfulness to new audiences. Lisa’s educational background includes studies through the Shogaku Zen Institute, and training through the Russian River Zendo and San Francisco Zen Center. Find out more about Lisa, and her writing at www.lisahoffman.net or contact her directly: lisa(at)lisahoffman.net.Tenzen David Zimmerman
City Center Abiding Abbot Rev. Tenzen David Zimmerman has been practicing Soto Zen since the early 90s, and has lived and practiced at San Francisco Zen Center since 2000. He was ordained as a Zen priest in the lineage of Shunryu Suzuki Roshi by Teah Strozer in 2006 and received Dharma Transmission from her in 2018. David spent eight years at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, where he held a number of positions, including monastery director. Prior to his current role as the Abiding Abbot of City Center, David also served as the Tanto (Head of Practice), programs director and corporate secretary. David has a Certificate of Zen Ministry through the Shogaku Zen Institute/Zen Priest Training Seminary, serves on the SFZC Promoting Inclusivity & Equity Committee, and is a co-facilitator of Queer Dharma. He regularly leads retreats, workshops, and classes at SFZC and other dharma centers, particularly on transforming depression and anxiety.