RUZAN (PHIL) JOHNSON
Priest-In-Training
Ruzan (Phil) started his spiritual journey in 1992, when he began practicing aikido in Duluth, MN. It was there he was exposed to aspects of zen and koans as part of his training. In 1996 he moved to the Twin Cities and began teaching in multiple locations.
After moving, he always felt like part of his practice was missing but didn’t know what it was. After searching and giving up multiple times, he found MZMC in 2019 and met with his teacher Tim Burkett shortly after. He received jukai in 2021 and was ordained by Tim in 2023.
He finds nourishment in practicing zen and aikido in everyday activity and encouraging others to find their deep stillness to cultivate love and compassion for self and others. He views daily practice as the penultimate exercise of his goals and has a deep yearning to be conscientious in his expression of his zen.
By day, he leads teams of software engineers and sees it as a prime opportunity to practice the bodhisattva ways. He resides in Burnsville with his amazing wife Paige, three boys, and at least 10 animals, but he keeps losing count.
Priest-In-Training
Ruzan (Phil) started his spiritual journey in 1992, when he began practicing aikido in Duluth, MN. It was there he was exposed to aspects of zen and koans as part of his training. In 1996 he moved to the Twin Cities and began teaching in multiple locations.
After moving, he always felt like part of his practice was missing but didn’t know what it was. After searching and giving up multiple times, he found MZMC in 2019 and met with his teacher Tim Burkett shortly after. He received jukai in 2021 and was ordained by Tim in 2023.
He finds nourishment in practicing zen and aikido in everyday activity and encouraging others to find their deep stillness to cultivate love and compassion for self and others. He views daily practice as the penultimate exercise of his goals and has a deep yearning to be conscientious in his expression of his zen.
By day, he leads teams of software engineers and sees it as a prime opportunity to practice the bodhisattva ways. He resides in Burnsville with his amazing wife Paige, three boys, and at least 10 animals, but he keeps losing count.
