Mindfulness Meditation Teacher

Ken Daigu Hillman

Ken is certified by ZLMC as a “Mindfulness and Meditation Teacher”.

Born and raised in New York City, Ken Daigu Hillman spent formative years commuting an hour each way by subway to high school. His career in the food business began as a vendor at Madison Square Garden, selling ice cream, soda, and pretzels at everything from professional sporting events to rock concerts and the circus.

He attended college in Williamstown, Massachusetts, where he majored in English and rowed crew, then launched a career in sales, marketing, and business development.

Ken was drawn to Eastern philosophy and religion by its teaching that "the fall" is internal rather than external—meaning we are responsible for our own healing. He became a member of ZLMC immediately after meeting Roshi June on a Zoom call with members of his synagogue, where she taught a comparative religion class on Buddhism.

A natural seeker who finds comfort in understanding, Ken values study as the perfect complement to his sitting practice. He has thoroughly enjoyed all the classes he's taken at ZLMC, while also learning an important lesson: "Not every thought that gets manufactured in my head needs to be delivered out the mouth."

A smiling middle-aged man with gray hair and a beard, sitting in a car, wearing a gray shirt with a badge and a necklace.
  • A woman with gray hair and glasses, dressed in a black outfit, participating in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, assisted by another woman with curly hair, wearing a black shirt and red apron, who is holding a flower in a vase and bowing her head in respect.

    Student Ceremonies

  • A Buddhist monk with hands in prayer position speaking with a woman, both standing outdoors next to beige walls and green foliage.

    Buddhist Services

  • People sitting in a circle during a discussion. One person is holding a microphone and smiling. A man in a green shirt is sitting on a chair, with a black camera strap around his neck. The setting appears to be a cozy indoor space with wooden furniture and decorative items.

    Conversations with teachers

  • People seated with eyes closed, meditating in a room with a whiteboard in the background.

    Meditation