The Valley Heartland Zen Group is based in Modesto, about 100 miles southeast of San Francisco, in the Central Valley of California. The group serves residents from the wider Modesto community, including Merced, Stockton, Turlock, and Los Banos. The group meets weekly on Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at The Church of the Brethren, 2301 Woodland Ave in Modesto. The evening session includes two 30 minute periods of zazen (sitting meditation), a brief period of walking meditation, a Zen talk, and tea. In addition, the Valley Heartland Zen Group regularly holds half-day and one-day meditation retreats.
Andy Young is a founding member of the Valley Heartland Zen Group, serving in a variety of positions for the group. Andy began Zen training with Myoan Grace Schireson in 2001 and received Lay Ordination in March of 2004. He served as Shuso for the Central Valley Zen groups during the summer of 2005 and is now studying to become a Zen priest. He grew up in the Sierra Nevada mountains of Central California, studied Contemporary Continental philosophy as a graduate student, and is now a Professor of Philosophy at CSU, Stanislaus where he teaches a variety of courses including Eastern Philosophy. He is a father who enjoys hiking, writing, playing blues piano, and the challenge of bringing Zen practice into lay life.
