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, September 13 · 10:30 am · then October 11 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, September 15 · then October 13 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, October 11 · online only See full schedule →A long-running Sunday morning gathering of meditation and dharma talk, welcoming LGBTQ+ practitioners and friends. Roshi David joins as a guest teacher.
Gay Buddhist Fellowship · Online via Zoom With Roshi David: Sunday, October 4 · 10:30 am – 12:00 pm Details & Zoom link →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, September 29 · 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, October 6 · then November 3 and 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.
Refuge is the ground of practice; the five precepts are the path. A multi-day online retreat exploring what each precept asks of us in the middle of the lives we are already living — sitting and walking meditation, dharma talks, private practice interviews, and discussion. Roshi David is among the teachers offering talks and one-on-one meetings.
Thursday–Sunday, October 8–11, 2026 · Opens Thursday 6:30 PM, closes Sunday 10:00 AM
Join for the full retreat or drop in as your schedule allows. Early bird rates through September 24 — full retreat $170, members $145; drop-in $85, members $70. Rates rise after that date. No one is turned away for lack of funds.
Long Beach Meditation · Online via Zoom Details & registration →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 Registration opens in September →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 12:00 PM
Private room $1,250 · Shared room $775 — accommodations and meals included.
Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center · Carefree, Arizona View flyer → Inquire →Additional retreats are in development. To hear about new dates as they are set, subscribe to the monthly letter or get in touch.