About Us...

Rooted in the ancient mountains of western North Carolina near Asheville, Windhorse Zen Community is a group of people who come together to practice Zen, to wake up to the deepest truth of the Buddha’s teaching and to embody it in their daily lives.

The teachers at Windhorse, Sunya Kjolhede and Lawson Sachter, were ordained and sanctioned by Roshi Philip Kapleau. The training at Windhorse blends the strengths of both Rinzai and Soto practice, using breath, open awareness and koan-based zazen meditation. We also work with unconscious forces that deep practice may bring to the surface – both those that are creative and inspiring, as well as those that stir up painful mindstates that may undermine one’s Dharma work.

We live simply, growing our own food, heating with wood collected from our woods, and trying to live in harmony with the earth and each other. Recognizing the vital role of authentic relationship, we set a high value on Sangha as the living expression of Zen teaching and practice. Along with daily meditation and regular retreats, we offer residential training that makes it possible to be immersed in the practice here at Windhorse for longer or shorter periods of time.