Events
Roshi David teaches weekly and seasonally with practice communities in Southern California, Arizona, and online. All are welcome, whether you're sitting for the first time or continuing a practice of many years.
Ongoing Practice
Sitting meditation followed by a dharma talk, with time for questions and conversation. Roshi David teaches here monthly, in rotation with other teachers. Open to everyone.
Insight Community of the Desert · Palm Springs Next with Roshi David: Sunday, November 15 · 10:30 am · then November 29 and December 27 See full schedule →A weekly invitation to explore meditation as a support for spiritual development, focusing on realizing our innate capacity for care, compassion, and mutual respect. Roshi David teaches monthly, in rotation with other teachers. Open to everyone.
Insight Community of the Desert · Online · Tuesdays 6:30–8pm PT Next with Roshi David: Tuesday, November 17 · then December 8 and January 12 See full schedule →Regular sitting practice, dharma talks, and community practice in an eclectic, welcoming environment drawing from multiple Buddhist traditions. Roshi David teaches monthly, in rotation with other teachers.
Long Beach Meditation · Long Beach · Sundays 3–4:30pm Next with Roshi David: Sunday, November 22 · then December 6, January 3 and February 28 See full schedule →Evening sessions of zazen, walking meditation, one-on-one interviews, and dharma talks — accessible from anywhere via Zoom.
Long Beach Meditation · Online via Zoom Next with Roshi David: Tuesday, November 10 · 6:00 pm — the last of 2026. Dates for 2027 to be announced. Register →A monthly gathering with Roshi David for open conversation about the dharma — questions, doubts, and discoveries all welcome, in an informal setting.
Long Beach Meditation · First Tuesdays 6:30–7:30pm Next: Tuesday, November 3 · then December 1 Register →Retreats & Sesshin
Intensive practice periods offering sustained zazen, private interviews, and the transformative container of group retreat. Offered periodically throughout the year.
Gain and loss, fame and obscurity, praise and blame, pleasure and pain — the weather of a human life. A two-day, non-residential retreat on standing in that weather without being blown over, with dharma talks, sitting and walking meditation, and movement. Suitable for experienced practitioners and for those new to retreat. Come for both days or for either one.
Friday–Saturday, October 30–31, 2026 · 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM each day
With Roshi David, Valerie Cusson, Mary Stancavage, and Ian Challis.
Sliding scale $40 / $75 / $108 — the same rate whether you come for one day or both. No one is turned away for lack of funds.
Mizell Center · 480 S Sunrise, Palm Springs Details & registration →A residential Zen retreat in the foothills of the High Sonoran Desert — zazen, dharma talks, mindful meals, and private interviews with the teacher. All levels of experience are welcome.
January 14–18, 2027 · Arrive Thursday 3:00 PM, depart Monday 10:00 AM
Private room $1,250 · Shared room $775 — accommodations and meals included.
Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center · Carefree, Arizona Full details → Printable flyer →A residential silent retreat in the mountains at Big Bear, returning after this year's gathering. A reminder of the simplicity of the teachings that offer freedom from greed, aversion, and ignorance, with sitting and walking meditation, dharma talks, vegetarian meals, and time for rest, all held in silence. Suitable for new and experienced practitioners.
March 31 – April 4, 2027
An Insight Community of the Desert retreat, with Roshi David, Valerie Cusson, Mary Stancavage, and Ian Challis.
Registration will be through Big Bear Retreat Center, with accommodations and meals included. Rates and times to be announced.
Big Bear Retreat Center · Big Bear City, California Hear when registration opens →Saturday, February 27, 2027 · 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
An Insight Community of the Desert half-day with Roshi David.
Mizell Center · Auditorium · 480 S Sunrise, Palm Springs See ICD calendar →Additional retreats are in development. To hear about new dates as they are set, subscribe to the monthly letter or get in touch.