Tim Colohan is a Ji Do Poep Sa Nim which translates to “Guide to the Way,” or “Dharma Master,” in the Kwan Um School of Zen. While waiting tables in Los Angeles and pursuing a fine arts career Tim found Zen, or it found him. Tim’s very first introduction to Zen principles was in a biography of California artist Robert Irwin titled, “Seeing Is Forgetting the Name of the Thing Seen.” It grabbed his attention and led him down a path where he started training with Zen Master Seung Sahn at the Dharma Zen Center in 1985. Tim then took The Five Precepts in 1991 and The Ten Precepts in 1993.
In 1992 he began a career in set decoration for TV and Film and found his practice supporting him in the daily realities of the contemporary world. While working on the television show “ER” he found production work was strenuous and challenging but was able to apply the benefits and wisdom of these retreats into the “marketplace” of his work.
Tim traveled to Korea once in 1995 and again a few years later to attend a 90 day silent Kyol Che retreat. Tim was inspired to use his down time from the television production to attend a 21 day solo retreat in 2001.
Tim trained at the Golden Wind Zen Center in Long Beach in 2005 and took The Sixteen Precepts. He began leading an annual series of 90 day American Kyol Che retreats in 2008 and continued doing so for over a decade. In 2015 he completed his training with the Golden Wind Zen Center and in 2022 received Inka teaching authority, the full and final Seal of Independence from Zen Master Soeng Hyang.
Tim includes Yoga Nidra and MBSR in his approach to meditation in practice and teaching of Zen. He currently enjoys practicing at Dharma Zen Center in Los Angeles and teaches regularly at Long Beach Meditation. Tim also practices with Silver Lake Meditation Group and a Pasadena interfaith group composed of Muslims, Christians, Jews, Buddhists and Baha’i that is close to his heart.
