Daniela Herzog - Muhanshim, Zen Master
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My Zen journey began 30 years ago within the European Kwan Um Zen School. Together with the father of my child I co-founded “Weissenbach Zen Center” in Germany – a zendo in our apartment, where we practiced regularly with friends while raising our children.
A life-threatening illness at just 36 years old forced me to stop formal Zen practice for several years. I was too sick and too weak to sit zazen, let alone organize or participate in retreats. Witnessing my life, my hopes, and my body fall apart was most intense Zen practice - every moment of every day, for a very long time. 

Ongoing participation in loss and nothing to hold on to. My illness has been a relentless teacher,  I am grateful for it, yet don't wish this kind of learning on anyone. 
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These days, together with a dear sangha friend I invite inquiry into the great matter of birth and death as a co-host of regular “Death Café”  in the Bluegrass and Red River Gorge area of Eastern Kentucky and elsewhere - (invite me!)

I have a master’s degree in education and worked for 12 years as en elementary school teacher before coming to Furnace Mountain. 
I am a Permaculture Designer, am trained in Nonviolent Communication (NVC), Voice Dialogue, Focusing, and Naikan introspection. and I include those modalities in my work with Zen students.

Having received Inga in 2004, I moved to FMZC in 2010 and received full dharma transmission in 2019. 
​I serve as the Vice Abbess of FMZC and as Guiding Teacher for the wonderful Sangha at Lexington Zen Center in Lexington, KY.

If you'd ask about a motto that guides my life it would be this quote by Goto Zuigan Roshi:
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“What is Zen? Simple, so simple. 
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Infinite gratitude to all things past.

Infinite service to all things present.
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Infinite responsibility to all things future.”

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You can reach me at muhanshim(at)gmail.com