Background

In the tumultuous era of the sixties, Sensei Michael, raised in southern Illinois, found himself drawn into an unexpected journey that intertwined the worlds of academia, jazz, and Zen. After pursuing a college education in design at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, he delved into teaching at both the University of Illinois and the School of the Art Institute. Amidst a failed first marriage and the burgeoning psychedelic culture of the time, he stumbled into Zen through a chance conversation with a jazz musician friend.

This encounter led Senei Michael to the temple on Halsted Street, where he met Matsuoka Roshi, a Zen teacher who would become a significant influence in his life. Despite initial expectations, Matsuoka Roshi’s warm and humble demeanor resonated with Sensie Michael, providing stability during the turbulence of his personal life. However, his newfound Zen practice strained his first marriage, ultimately leading to separation and divorce.

In the seventies, Sensei Michael transitioned to Atlanta, marking a shift from academia to a design and development company. Despite facing ups and downs, his Zen practice remained a constant, anchoring him through life’s uncertainties. Matsuoka Roshi’s relocation to Long Beach maintained their connection, and they continued their teacher-student relationship over three decades, even meeting in Tokyo in 1989.

After Matsuoka Roshi’s passing in 1997, Sensie Michael faced challenges in formalizing his Zen credentials. With the support of influential figures like Okamura Roshi, Barbara Cohn, and Akiba Roshi, he navigated the process, ultimately joining the Zen Buddhist Association. The lineage of Matsuoka Roshi became a focal point of preservation, with efforts to document his teachings, publish collected talks, and explore his biography.

Reflecting on his Zen journey, Sensie Michael emphasized the importance of Zen as a do-it-yourself practice, resonating with the American mindset. Drawing parallels between Zen and his background in design, he highlighted the immersive nature of both practices in the exploration of consciousness.

In his later years, Sensei Michael delved into visual arts, particularly watercolor and sumi ink painting. Embracing a fluid and spontaneous approach, he likened the process to a dance with the elements, creating artworks that surprise both himself and viewers. Through these creative endeavors and his continued commitment to Zen, Sensie Michael remains dedicated to preserving and extending the legacy of Matsuoka Roshi, believing that Zen’s rebirth may find its roots in the American spirit of self-reliance and exploration.