Ekai Yakuso

Joel Kreisberg Roshi

Spiritual Director

Ekai Joel Kreisberg Roshi has been teaching the healing arts and meditation for over 30 years. Taking jukai with Jun Po Denis Kelly Roshi with Hollow Bones Zen, Joel was given the name Ekai, meaning “Ocean of Generosity.” Ekai was ordained by Jun Po in 2018 at Dai Bosatsu, the root monastery for Hollow Bones. Yakuso means “Healing Source.” He received transmission from Fugen Roshi in October 2025.

Jun Po Roshi asked him to be the first Executive Director of Hollow Bones Zen in 2019. During his three years of leadership, he facilitated Hollow Bones Zen during the challenging period of the loss of their founding abbot.

Jun Po Roshi also asked Ekai Roshi to develop the Mondo Zen Facilitator Program, which established Certified Mondo Zen Facilitators. With the help of Fugen Roshi, they established the one-year training program in Mondo Zen Facilitation. They each continue to train and support the growth and development of Jun Po Roshi’s core teaching, Mondo Zen.

Dr. Kreisberg was trained as a Chiropractor and Homeopath before becoming an Integral Master Coach. He has published extensively in the integrative medicine literature. He is the lead author for the book “Coaching and Healing, Transcending the Illness Narrative.”

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SBLMS Clergy

  • Ekai Yakuso Joel Kreisberg Roshi

  • Chigan Heisoku Maik Bain

  • Koto Washi Dallas Chief Eagle

  • Daijo Zenkon Scott Duffer

  • Jozen Engi Jonathon Fielder

  • Engo Dohi Michael Jackson

  • Hosho Don Koehler

  • Nanda Aishi Nina Lynch

  • Ming Po Larry Matthews

  • Emyo Seien Darlene Tataryn

  • Kenshin Cian Whalley

Board of Directors

  • Nanda Nina Lynch

    Board Chair

  • Engo Michael Jackson

    Board Secretary

  • Mingpo Larry Matthews

    Board Treasurer

  • Koto Washi Dallas Chief Eagle

  • Joryu Patric Schretlen

  • Kishin Sarah Saleemi

Mission Statement

Our mission is to foster a diverse, inclusive community, dedicated to awakening through Buddhist teachings promoting personal and interpersonal healing with ethical, compassionate and loving action.

Staff

  • Kaishin Eric Russell

    Associate Director

    An ordained soryo/priest in the Tendai Buddhist tradition, Kaishin puts his experience in the tech industry to use assisting with operations for Shining Bright Lotus. He appreciates interfaith activities and diverse approaches to Buddhist teachings.

  • Ensō Alberto Mendez

    Communications Manager

    Ensō has cultivated a deep spiritual practice through his work as a Mondo Zen Facilitator, member of the Juggalos in Recovery board and with the Man Kind Project. He received Jukai from Hollow Bones Zen in 2024, and trained in Lima Lama martial arts for 20 years. He handles communications and co-leads our bi-monthly Qi Gong classes.

  • Zen Ko Ryan Harriott

    Shuso

    Zen Ko/Ryan has been on his holistic journey of healing and awareness for more than 40 years. He studied Massage Therapy, Shiatsu, Energy Work and Mindfulness at the Bhakti Academy. As part of the Mankind Project, Zen Ko has an intuitive gift helping others and a unique perspective in holding space and honoring personal healing and growth. He recently relocated to the Dunedin, Florida area and enjoys trekking wild trails, fighting the occasional windmill with his bare hands, connecting with nature and making gumbo. 

Annual Reports

For more information about what we have been up to, read our Annual Report.

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Land Acknowledgement

The Muh-he-con-ne-ok

People of the Waters that Are Never Still

With gratitude and humility, we acknowledge that our primary operations and annual retreats are on the ancestral homelands of the Muhheconneok, currently known as the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans. Being forcibly removed by settler colonialism, they now reside in Wisconsin. We honor them as well as their ancestors and future generations.

Membership

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