One Mind: The Intersection of Contemplative Christianity and Zen Buddhism

A conversation between Rev. William Redfield and Shinge Roshi Sherry Chayat at the Zen Center of Syracuse Carriage House Zendo

The Rev. William Redfield

Bill Redfield recently retired after nearly 20 years as rector of Trinity Church, Fayetteville, NY. In addition to his calling as an Episcopal priest, he is a licensed clinical social worker and has worked in private practice in Central New York and Maine. He has had a lifelong interest in the intersection of spirituality and the inner life. He is the creative force behind the birth of Wisdom House, Fayetteville, NY. Bill is a student of and a collaborator with Cynthia Bourgeault, the author of many books on Wisdom Christianity and contemplative spirituality.

He is the recipient of a private Vermont foundation grant that allows him to offer contemplative spirituality and Wisdom Christianity through workshops, retreats, and Wisdom schools.

Shinge Roshi Sherry Chayat

Shinge Roshi is abbot of the Zen Center of Syracuse, and is also abbot of the Zen Studies Society’s mountain monastery, Dai Bosatsu Zendo (DBZ), and New York City temple, New York Zendo. Shinge Roshi began formal Zen practice in 1967 at New York Zendo, trained at DBZ, and came to Syracuse in 1976. She is a lineage holder in the Rinzai Zen tradition.

A Creative Writing graduate of Vassar College, she also studied painting at the New York Studio School. She was art critic for the Syracuse Newspapers’ Stars Magazine for two decades, has written for many art and Buddhist journals, and is the author and editor of several books, including Subtle Sound: The Zen Teachings of Maurine Stuart; Endless Vow: The Zen Path of Soen Nakagawa; Eloquent Silence: Nyogen Senzaki’s Gateless Gate and Other Writings, and Life Lessons: The Art of Jerome Witkin.

She and Bill met through their work as Faith Leaders of InterFaith Works of Central New York.