Lin Jensen was born to a working class family and grew up on a turkey farm in Southern California. He was drafted into the army as a young man, and upon his return, enrolled in college. He later attended at Stanford University where he graduated with a master's degree in American Literature and went on to teach college literature and writing courses for 30 years.
He is the founding teacher and senior teacher emeritus of the Chico Zen Sangha. He is also the founder of River Willow Refuge, a prison outreach program, and was a Buddhist chaplain at High Desert State Prison. He has contributed to Turning Wheel, Shambhala Sun, and Tricycle magazines.
He currently lives in Chico, California, and has retired from teaching Zen practice. He is doing well; he walks in the park and enjoys cooking. A friend from the Chico Serene Meditation Group describes him as "still bright-eyed, though getting up in age. Still practicing Zen."
Read for:
- A keen sensitivity revealed in everyday spirituality practices
- Stories from his life that abound with joy, hope, and beauty
- Insights on what it means to be a practitioner of nonviolence
