ABOUT SENSEI MICHAEL BRUNNER

Sensei Michael Brunner (Soen-sensei) is a Soto Zen Buddhist priest and Zen teacher. He is the founding teacher of One River Zen, a Soto Zen temple established in 2021 in Ottawa, Illinois, and the founder of the Eternal Spring Order, a contemporary clerical order dedicated to Soto Zen practice and clergy formation.

Michael began meditation practice in 2006 and entered formal Zen training in 2009. His lineage traces through Dainin Katagiri Roshi via Rev. Dr. Sojun Diane Martin Roshi. His teaching emphasizes the integration of traditional Soto Zen discipline with contemporary daily life — an approach he describes as “Soto Zen in everyday life.”

Institutional Leadership

In 2021, he founded One River Zen as a community-centered temple committed to daily meditation, Dharma study, retreat practice, and applied compassion in everyday life.

He serves alongside Hōshi Vanessa Roddam, co-founder and senior priest, whose leadership has been central to the development and pastoral life of the sangha. Together they guide the spiritual direction and growth of the community.

As the temple has grown, Sensei Brunner has worked collaboratively with clergy and advisors to strengthen institutional structure. He has engaged senior clergy leadership to support governance and continuity, including the appointment of Chief Priest Robert Steele to assist in the maturation and oversight of the temple’s expanding programs.

The community also includes ordained clergy such as Rev. Seth Myers, whose practice and service contribute to the developing life of the sangha.

Expansion & Community Development

Under his leadership, One River Zen has expanded its presence in the Illinois Valley through both spiritual formation and civic engagement.

In 2025, the community announced the pending acquisition of the former Ottawa Times building in downtown Ottawa to expand meditation programs, clergy training, autism-affirming family services, and community outreach initiatives.

Outreach programs include:

• Karuna Pantry, a free-access micro-pantry serving local families

• David’s Clubhouse, an autism-affirming support initiative for parents and caregivers

• Contemplative arts programming and artist-in-residence collaborations

These initiatives reflect the temple’s conviction that spiritual practice and community service are inseparable.

Clergy Formation & Teaching

Sensei Brunner oversees clergy formation and ordination within the One River Zen community and the Eternal Spring Order. In 2026, he officiated the ordination of Rev. Kōsei Urasaki LaRose in a formal Soto Zen shukke tokudo ceremony, expanding the clergy body connected to the temple.

He is also the host of the Awakening Streams podcast, where he offers Dharma talks and reflections on Zen practice in contemporary life.

Sensei Brunner resides in Ottawa, Illinois, where he continues to teach, write, and develop community-centered Zen institutions.