Al Rapaport, Sensei has practiced and taught Zen for 40 years. He studied with Kozan Roshi, Maezumi Roshi, and Genpo Roshi until moving to Florida in 2001. He received Dharma Transmission within the Soto Zen Lineage from Shuzen Sensei in 2008.

An experienced retreat leader, Al currently has students all over the United States. From 1997 to 2001 he was Producer of the Buddhism in America Conference, which was the largest gathering of Buddhist meditation teachers and students in history. These conferences took place in Boston, San Diego, Colorado and New York City. In addition, Al was Founder of the Yoga Journal Conference and Producer of the Yoga Spirit Teacher Training Conferences.

Al is author of "Open Mind Zen: A Guide to Meditation", and editor of "Buddhism in America". He currently serves as Director of Open Mind Zen Meditation Center in Melbourne, Florida, and is a member of the White Plum Asangha and the American Zen Teachers Association.

Open Mind Zen is a unique form of Zen practice based on long-standing methods such as sitting meditation and koan practice, but also incorporating more modern modalities. We believe that the core of Zen Practice is realization and actualization of Awakened Mind in everyday life.