Mary Ann lives in Santa Rosa, in a cohousing community, along with her wife and their kitty.  She began practicing Zen in 2004 with the Lotus Sangha (later encompassed in Dharma Heart Zen) and with Everyday Zen in 2005. However, her spiritual seeking began as a child and continues to inform her life and practice today. She received priest ordination from Norman Fischer, with the assistance of Chris Fortin, in 2014.  She received dharma transmission in 2025 from Chris Fortin, with the assistance of Norman Fischer. Mary Ann considers both Norman and Chris to be her root teachers. In her teaching, she strives to translate Zen practice into the language and experience of everyday life. As a longtime gardener, the idea of cultivation, cultivating the earth, our relationships, our lives, is the work of the moment and of a lifetime.

Currently Mary Ann leads a meditation and book study group, the Yulupa Sangha, once a week for an hour on zoom.  For more information, visit the Yulupa Sangha Meditation and Book Study or contact Mary Ann directly.