kokorozendo.life

I walk with people through Zen practice, life’s turning points, and the search for meaning.

For three and a half years I lived as uchi deshi 内弟子 — live-in disciple — to Fr. AMA Samy at Kanzeon Zendo, Perumal Malai. On 28 June 2026 he recognised me as a Zen teacher and gave me the name Shizenkara, 自然から — “of itself so.” I now live in Manthari, Bangalore, and hold Kokoro Zendo as a small grassroots circle in the spirit of Layman Pang: lay practice, no inside or outside. I am not a sage on a stage. I would rather be an anam cara — a companion at your side.

My path has been a weaving of many threads.

Zen & Tai Chi — Daily sitting, more than twenty years of Yang Tai Chi, and walking with people from their 20s to their 80s toward passion, purpose, and peace.

Coaching & Psychology — ICF-certified coach since 2014 and PCC since 2015, trained by Ram Ramanathan of Coacharya. ACT-informed, with grounding in positive psychology, NLP (Dr. Richard McHugh, Owen Fitzpatrick), and systems theory (Gene Bellinger), and an MA in Education from Azim Premji University. I have coached CXOs, KSRTC bus drivers, and many in between.

Work in the World — Thirty years in the corporate world, in change and transformation. Mentor Coach at Wipro, empanelled coach for DEI leadership programs, co-founder of the Mitr counselling initiative.

Writing & Speaking — Author of Fallen Flower, Fragrant Grass (2025), with a preface by Fr. AMA Samy; two more Zen books are fermenting. Distinguished Toastmaster and founder of the Wipro Toastmasters Club. I write without firewalls here at kokorozendo.life.

Now — Kokoro-Zen-Do in Action, a year of practice together. Cohort 2 opens in October 2026.

My interests flow across Zen, philosophy, Tai Chi, psychology, phenomenology, hermeneutics, systems theory, and writing. I live simply, grateful for ordinary joys and wary of all fanaticisms. Bhim the Zendog and Wuji the Zencat still keep the zendo at Perumal Malai.

VIA Signature Strengths: Gratitude, Kindness, Spirituality, Purpose, Honesty, Authenticity.

If something here lands, write to me: vishy.sankara@kokorozendo.life

The essays and reflections here are offered freely. If they support you, consider offering dāna to help keep this space alive.

Coaching and Kokoro-Zen-Do in Action are offered separately, with fees that flex to what each person can manage — no one is turned away for lack of means.

Zen teacher, recognised by Fr. AMA Samy (2026)  ·  ICF PCC (2015)  ·  MA Education, Azim Premji University  ·  Author, Fallen Flower, Fragrant Grass (2025)