Cynthia is Guiding Teacher of Great Spirit Sangha and Women of the Way Sangha. She is also a senior teacher of Meditation in Recovery. Receiving Jukai with Paul Haller in 2004, Cynthia was subsequently ordained in 2008 and then Dharma Transmitted in 2010 by her heart teacher, Darlene Cohen.
Great Spirit Sangha (GSS) meets twice monthly at HSZC in person and via zoom, has two annual practice periods and frequent zazenkais and sesshins. Sub classes of GSS include Precepts Study, Zen Foundations, Bodhisattva Sangha (student-led), Dogen study and priest training. Sewing, upon teacher approval, is also available.
Cynthia serves as Visiting Teacher for Upaya Zen Center, co-leading spring practice period. Additionally, she teaches throughout the Bay Area at sanghas such as Sacramento Buddhist Meditation Group. She will be publishing Alive for It All, a book on Darlene’s wisdom and teachings, in 2026.
Cynthia’s primary practice interest is skillfulness and vow, freedom and joy, peace and ease. Right here. Right now. Just as the world is. Just as we are. You can contact her at cynthiakear@gmail.com or visit her website at cynthiakear.com.