I have to offer what I think is an appropriate reflection of the teachings as I understand them and as they were handed to me from my teachers. I have no investment in anyone following me or even believing me. I am not selling anything. I am honoured when people listen deeply to what I have to offer and find something worthwhile.
Flint Sparks
Our Guiding Teacher - Flint Sparks
Flint Sparks is a Zen teacher and former psychologist dedicated to assisting people in the unending path of waking up and growing up. He is an experienced therapist and a master teacher who assists people in the skilful removal of blocks to love, both inside and outside. Flint is a clear and caring resource on the path of freedom from unnecessary suffering.
Flint’s background represents a unique combination of training streams. His academic training includes graduate degrees in both biology and psychology, as well as extensive postdoctoral training in mindfulness-based psychotherapies. In his psychotherapy practice, in response to witnessing the difficult struggles of people dealing with chronic illness and death, Flint began to search for spiritual practices that would support and deepen his psychological work. This led him to an ever-deepening commitment to Buddhist teachings and practices.
Flint received Zen training at The San Francisco Zen Centre, and in Japan, in the nineteen nineties. He was ordained as a Zen priest, and received Lay Teacher Entrustment, in the Suzuki Roshi lineage of Soto Zen from his teacher Zenkei Blanche Hartman.
Following his training he founded The Austin Zen Centre in Texas before becoming a Senior Teacher with Peg Syverson at Appamada, a centre for Zen practice and Inquiry in Austin. He has led Zen and Inquiry retreats throughout North America and Europe. He now lives on Molokai in Hawaii.
Since 2010 Flint has been the guiding teacher for the emerging zen practice groups in Sheffield, Lancaster and Leyland and he has supported their unfolding as a community unified around the expression of Just This.
Flint offers support and guidance to Nothing Special, Nothing Missing and Nothing Extra and to the Just This Umbrella Group which is responsible for organising events and supporting practice in the UK.
Flint has offered retreats in the UK since 2008. Most recently, due to Covid 19, he has offered online retreats. He supports our thriving Precepts groups and offers a precepts ceremony during retreats every year. Flint meets individually with sangha members on request.
You can listen to the talks Flint has offered in Europe through Soundcloud. His website can be found at www.flintsparks.org.