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Cheri Huber

United States·Sōtō School of Zen Buddhism·Female·20th century

Cheri Huber is an American meditation teacher within the Sōtō School of Zen Buddhism tradition. She is known for founding Zen Monastery Peace Center in Murphys, California, and the nonprofit organization Living Compassion. Despite some questions raised within traditional Zen communities about her authorization to teach, Huber considers herself a "student" dedicated to helping others cultivate "conscious, compassionate awareness."

Key Facts

  • Founder and guiding teacher of Zen Monastery Peace Center in Murphys, California.
  • Founded the nonprofit organization Living Compassion in 1997.
  • Authored or co-authored numerous books on Zen awareness practice, relationships, and self-discovery.
  • Has offered interactive email courses and a weekly podcast based on her teachings.
  • Her teachings focus on conscious, compassionate awareness and self-acceptance.
  • Has faced questions regarding her formal authorization to teach Zen from some traditional practitioners.

Important Relationships

  • Zen Monastery Peace Center
  • Living Compassion
  • Palo Alto Zen Center
Full Name
Cheri Huber
Birth Year
1944
Notable Works
  • How You Do Anything Is How You Do Everything: A Workbook
  • That Which You Are Seeking Is Causing You To Seek
  • the Fear Book: Facing Fear Once and For All
  • Nothing Happens Next: Responses To Questions About Meditation
  • Trying To Try: Zen Talks From Cheri Huber
  • Being Present In the Darkness
  • Be the Person You Want To Find: Relationship and Self-Discovery
  • Good Life: A Zen Precepts Retreat With Cheri Huber
  • the Key: and the Name of the Key Is Willingness
  • Sex and Money: Are Dirty, Aren'T They?
  • Buddha Facing the Wall: Interviews With American Zen Monks
  • How To Get From Where You Are To Where You Want To Be
  • Sweet Zen: Dharma Talks From Cheri Huber
  • There Is Nothing Wrong With You For Teens
  • There Is Nothing Wrong With You: Going Beyond Self-Hate
  • Suffering Is Optional: Three Keys To Freedom and Joy
  • When You'Re Falling, Dive: Acceptance, Freedom and Possibility
  • the Zen Monastery Cookbook: Stories and Recipes From A Zen Kitchen
  • the Depression Book: Depression As An Opportunity For Spiritual Growth
  • Transform Your Life: A Year of Awareness Practice
  • Making A Change For Good : A Guide To Compassionate Self-Discipline
  • What You Practice Is What You Have : A Guide To Having the Life You Want
  • I Don'T Want To, I Don'T Feel Like It: How Resistance Controls Your Life and What To Do About It
  • Don'T Suffer, Communicate!: A Zen Guide To Compassionate Communication
Associated Locations

Murphys, California, Mountain View, California, Palo Alto, California, Sequim, Washington

Influenced By

Jay Dupont

Birth Place
United States
Primary Language Of Works

English

Role Type
Notable Status

About Cheri Huber

Cheri Huber is an American meditation teacher associated with the Sōtō School of Zen Buddhism tradition. Born around 1944, she is recognized as the founder of the Zen Monastery Peace Center, established in Murphys, California, in 1993 on a 320-acre property purchased in 1987. She also founded Living Compassion, a nonprofit organization dedicated to peace and service, in 1997.

Biography and Teachings

Raised in the San Francisco Bay area, Huber has stated she studied Zen under Jay DuPont. While some in the traditional Zen community have questioned her lineage authorization, Huber herself emphasizes her role as a "student" of Zen, dedicating her life to helping others cultivate "conscious, compassionate awareness." She founded her first Zen center in Mountain View, California, in 1983, which later relocated to Palo Alto as the Palo Alto Zen Center. Her current center, Four Acre Zen Center (FAZC), is located in Sequim, Washington.

Huber is a prolific author, with numerous books published on themes of Zen awareness, relationships, self-discovery, and overcoming fear and self-hate. She has also developed interactive email courses and hosts a weekly podcast that began as a call-in radio show. Her bibliography includes titles such as "How You Do Anything Is How You Do Everything," "The Fear Book," and "There Is Nothing Wrong with You."

Source: Wikipedia ↗

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Cheri Huber?

Cheri Huber is an American meditation teacher recognized within the Sōtō School of Zen Buddhism. She is also the founder of Zen Monastery Peace Center and the nonprofit Living Compassion.

What is Cheri Huber known for?

Huber is known for her extensive work as a meditation teacher, authoring numerous books on Zen principles, and establishing spiritual centers. Her teachings emphasize conscious, compassionate awareness and practical application of Zen principles in daily life.

Where is Zen Monastery Peace Center located?

Zen Monastery Peace Center, founded by Cheri Huber, is located in Murphys, California. The land for the center was purchased in 1987, and the center was constructed in 1993.

Has Cheri Huber been formally authorized to teach Zen?

While Cheri Huber has founded and teaches at Zen centers, some within traditional Zen communities have questioned her formal authorization. Huber herself states she considers herself a "student" and has never claimed authorization from a specific lineage.

What kind of books has Cheri Huber written?

Cheri Huber has authored and co-authored many books that explore Zen awareness, relationships, self-discovery, and practical approaches to life's challenges. Titles include 'How You Do Anything Is How You Do Everything' and 'There Is Nothing Wrong with You.'

What is Living Compassion?

Living Compassion is a nonprofit organization founded by Cheri Huber in 1997. It is dedicated to promoting peace and service, aligning with the compassionate principles central to her teachings.