Kirk began Zen practice in 1993 in San Francisco. In 1997 Kirk moved to Australia and joined the Melbourne Zen Group. There, in 2016, he was invited to begin teaching. In 2023 he received transmission from Susan Murphy Roshi, which authorised him as an independent teacher. Kirk also teaches in Hobart with the Mountains and Rivers Zen Group.

As a Zen teacher, Kirk has a love for story and listening, and a focus on sangha practice. All awakening opens us to who we are in relationship. We practice together and wake up to our togetherness.
 

More about Kirk

Kirk had an early history of social justice activism. He was a campaign director with the PIRG, a citizen’s action group, and he took part in social activism as a member of the Society of Friends (Quakers). Kirk also performed and directed music for peace and justice related events. 
 
Professionally, Kirk went into teaching and became a change agent for education. He started and led two independent schools focussed on student discovery and responsibility. He eventually became a consultant to schools, and he became involved in organisational change. He became the head of faculty for the National Excellence in Schools Leadership Institute, and principal director of learning and development for the Australian School of Applied Management.

Kirk and his wife Sharon are parents of three adult children and are grandparents to their grandson. He has a master’s degree by research in developmental psychology and a master’s in counselling.