What should I expect in terms of format—is this a panel discussion, a lecture, or a dialogue?

While specific format details aren't confirmed, Upaya's contemplative ethos and the presence of three teachers alongside Pollan suggests this will likely be an interactive dialogue or panel rather than a one-way presentation, allowing space for the Buddhist perspective on ethics and humanity to shape the conversation in real time.

Will this event touch on Pollan's work on psychedelics and consciousness, or stay focused on food?

Based on the event title and lineup emphasizing Buddhist teachers and ethics, the focus will almost certainly be on food systems, agriculture, and our relationship with nature rather than his later psychedelics research. However, the underlying theme of consciousness and our moral relationship with the living world may create philosophical resonance across his different bodies of work.

THE MEASURE OF OUR HUMANITY: with Roshi Joan Halifax, Sensei Dainin Lau and Sensei Kodo Roen at Upaya

Name: THE MEASURE OF OUR HUMANITY: with Roshi Joan Halifax, Sensei Dainin Lau and Sensei Kodo Roen at Upaya
Start: 2026-12-13T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Venue TBA

About This Event

Description

Join renowned Zen teachers Roshi Joan Halifax, Sensei Dainin Lau, and Sensei Kodo Roen for an intimate spiritual workshop exploring what it means to be human in our modern world. Held at Upaya Zen Center in Santa Fe on Sunday, December 13, 2026, this local spiritual workshop event brings together contemplative wisdom traditions to examine compassion, mortality, and our deepest values. This is a rare opportunity to study directly with some of the most respected voices in contemporary Zen Buddhism, in a setting designed for genuine transformation and collective inquiry.

The gathering creates space for both formal teaching and direct dialogue with these experienced spiritual teachers. Whether you're a longtime meditation practitioner or exploring Buddhist philosophy for the first time, this spiritual workshop offers accessible yet profound insights into what the Buddhist tradition calls our "basic goodness"—the innate humanity we all share. The day's explorations will touch on ethics, interdependence, and how we show up for each other and the world during uncertain times.

What to Expect

Arrive early to settle into Upaya's serene grounds, where you'll find quiet walking paths, meditation halls, and a palpable sense of intentional calm. The morning opens with silent meditation, allowing your mind and body to arrive fully before the teachings begin. You'll experience a fluid progression of sitting practice, interactive teachings, and moments for reflection—designed to move you beyond intellectual understanding into direct experience.

Throughout the day, Roshi Joan Halifax, Sensei Dainin Lau, and Sensei Kodo Roen will offer teachings that weave personal stories, philosophical inquiry, and practical wisdom. Expect interactive segments where you can ask questions and explore how these ancient teachings apply to your daily life. The afternoon includes time for walking meditation in nature and a closing circle where the community shares insights from the day.

Bring comfortable clothes and a cushion if you prefer sitting on the floor during meditation. The space is warm and welcoming, with both cushioned seats and chairs available. A light lunch is typically provided—confirm details when you register for this local spiritual workshop event.

About the Artists

Roshi Joan Halifax is a pioneering Zen teacher, anthropologist, and author who founded Upaya Zen Center nearly 40 years ago. Her work integrating contemplative practice with social engagement and hospice care has influenced thousands of practitioners worldwide. She brings scholarly rigor and heartfelt compassion to her exploration of what it means to live and die with dignity.

Sensei Dainin Lau is a respected Zen priest and teacher whose presence embodies years of dedicated practice and transmission in the Soto Zen lineage. His teaching style balances traditional Zen directness with warmth and accessibility, making ancient wisdom feel relevant to contemporary life.

Sensei Kodo Roen brings deep experience in contemplative training and a gift for helping practitioners understand how spiritual practice transforms ordinary moments into occasions for awakening. His contributions to this spiritual workshop event emphasize the interconnection between personal practice and collective responsibility.

Venue & Location

Upaya Zen Center sits on the high desert of northern New Mexico, surrounded by piñon forests and stunning views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The center's thoughtfully designed meditation halls and outdoor spaces create an environment naturally conducive to contemplation and community. Located in Santa Fe, Upaya is easily accessible by car, with ample parking available on the grounds.

The retreat center welcomes visitors into a landscape that itself becomes a teacher—where the vastness of sky and earth naturally quiet the mind. Whether you're a local attending a nearby spiritual workshop or traveling to this sacred destination, the setting supports deep engagement with the teachings and with fellow practitioners.

FAQs

Pollan's live presentations shift from the investigative narrative of his books to direct dialogue about the philosophical and spiritual dimensions of our food choices. At a contemplative space like Upaya, expect less lecture and more exploration of how industrial agriculture shapes our consciousness and disconnects us from nature—themes that align naturally with the event's focus on 'the measure of our humanity' through Buddhist teachers like Roshi Joan Halifax.

Given the event's framing around humanity and ethics alongside Buddhist teachers, this will likely draw from Pollan's full body of work—particularly how "The Omnivore's Dilemma" and "In Defense of Food" reveal the ethical and existential costs of how we eat. The presence of Zen senseis suggests an emphasis on mindfulness, intention, and our moral relationship with food systems rather than agricultural policy alone.

Pollan's work is fundamentally about reconnection—to soil, seasons, animals, and our own bodies—which mirrors Buddhist ethics around interconnection and non-harm. His rigorous investigation into industrial agriculture's hidden costs complements contemplative practice by revealing how unconscious consumption perpetuates suffering, making this a natural philosophical pairing rather than a mismatch.

You don't need to have read his work beforehand, though familiarity with "The Omnivore's Dilemma" or "In Defense of Food" will deepen your engagement. The event's framing by Roshi Joan Halifax and the senseis suggests it's designed as an accessible exploration of food ethics and human responsibility, not a literary deep-dive for existing fans.

THE MEASURE OF OUR HUMANITY: with Roshi Joan Halifax, Sensei Dainin Lau and Sensei Kodo Roen at Upaya

Description

What to Expect

About the Artists

Venue & Location

Speakers

FAQs

Comments

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THE MEASURE OF OUR HUMANITY: with Roshi Joan Halifax, Sensei Dainin Lau and Sensei Kodo Roen at Upaya

Description

What to Expect

About the Artists

Venue & Location

Speakers

FAQs

Comments

There's more where this came from.

Discover More Artists

Find More Events

List Your Own Event