SOSHIN MARY LAHEEN
Soshin Mary Laheen Roshi is our resident teacher at Earth+Sky Zen. She is an authorised Zen teacher in the Maezumi lineage and member of the White Plum Asanga. She received dharma transmission from her teacher Jinsen Robert Kennedy Roshi in 2019 at a ceremony in Dublin, to teach and transmit the Dharma of the Buddha. In 2025 she was made a Roshi by Jinsen.
Mary began practicing zen in the mid 1990s with Alain Tainan Liebmann, a zen teacher in the Deshimaru lineage, who came to Ireland in 1991. She took Jukai in 1998 and received Shukke Tokudo ordination from Alain in 2003. From that time she was the person responsible for the Dublin Dojo, which was founded by Alain in 1996.
She lived at Gotanjoji temple in Takefu, Fukui, Japan in the Autumn of 2008 and received Tokudo in the Sotoshu tradition from Kōshū Itabashi Zenji there in September of that year.
News - Upcoming Events
Autumnal Equinox Zazen Day September 20
02 Sep 2026The Zazen day is an opportunity for the practice of equilibrium and balance, both physical and mental. It will be a day of sitting meditation, walking meditation, and some samu/meitheal around the preparation and serving of breakfast and lunch. There will be a dharma talk and discussion. All are welcome. Participants may come for part of the day, if the full day is not feasible for you. The suggested donation is €35, but no one should stay for lack of funds. Please register by email before Sept. 15th.
Autumnal Equinox Zazen Day - Sunday, Sept. 20th
01 Sep 2026Celebrating the Autumnal Equinox, the Zazen Day will begin at 6:30am at Earth+Sky Zen Dublin Dojo, and will end at 6:30pm. It is a time to practice equilibrium and balance, in all the aspects of our lives including our sitting practice and walking meditation. Participants may join for some of the day if the early start is not possible. Just let us know in advance by email. The suggested donation is €35.
Autumn Schedule at Earth+Sky Zen begins on Sunday September 6th
30 Aug 2026We will open for Sunday evening zazen on September 6th at 6:15pm. There will be a introduction for newcomers at 5:30pm.
The times for evening zazen on Wednesdays and Sundays remains the same, at 6:15pm, morning zazen will now be a dawn sitting, and the times will change as the year progresses towards Winter Solstice.
The in-person dawn sitting from Sept. 7th to Sept. 11th will be from 6am - 6:40am followed by the morning ceremony, which will also be offered online: Meeting ID 835 5345 4120 Passcode watermoon
No morning zazen on Wednesday, Sept 9th that week.
Zhineng Qigong at Earth+Sky Zen Dublin Dojo
29 Aug 2026We are offering a six-week course in Zhineng Qigong at the Dublin Dojo on Sundays from Sept. 27th to Nov. 1st, after evening zazen, 7pm - 8:15pm.
Qi gong (pronounced ‘chee gong’) is an ancient Chinese practice which helps to develop and balance the life energy (qi). Practiced regularly, it makes joints more supple, strengthens the muscles, improves balance and coordination and calms the mind. It is a suitable complimentary practice to zazen - sitting meditation -.
In this introductory course, you will learn the first Zhineng form which is called ‘Lift Qi Up Pour Qi Down’. It is a moving meditation which will enhance the flow of qi into and throughout the body. You will also learn some simple but powerful movements designed to clear energy blockages, la qi (how to open and close your energy), and a standing meditation.
The course will be led by Brian Lynch, who completed teacher training in 2019 with Master Zhu Cong Hua. He has been practicing Zhineng Qigong since 2014 and has trained with several Chinese teachers. Brian has also trained in Aikido, Tai Chi and Zen Meditation and these disciplines have influenced his approach to qi gong.
Cost for 6 classes: €72.
Please register by sending us an email before Sept. 20th
Summer Arrangements at Earth+Sky Zen
21 Jul 2026Thursday morning zazen at 7:30am on July 23rd will be the last zazen at Earth+Sky before the Lúnasa Sesshin on the Aran Islands. We will then close for the month of August opening again on the first Sunday in September for evening zazen at 6:15pm.