Empty Cloud Sangha
Cultivating your Mindfulness Garden:
A Zen Based Mindfulness Training
A 4-week virtual mindfulness training
February and March 2026
Facilitators
Randy Wolbert, LMSW, Zen Rōshi
Julianne Ballón-Casement, MSW, LCSW
Details
Virtual via Zoom
February 26, 2026
March 5, 2026
March 12, 2026
March 19, 2026
8:45am-12:00pm Pacific Time (Portland)
2025 Tuition: $359
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Learning Objectives
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Describe ways of starting or sustaining a personal practice
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List at least three benefits of mindfulness practice
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Describe the origin of Zen in DBT
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List at least three ways in which Zen and Behavior Therapy differ
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List at least three ways in which Zen and Behavior Therapy are compatible
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Describe the importance of being mind and doing mind
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List the Four noble truths and the relationship to DBT
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Describe the importance of Mindfulness practice to Validation
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Describe the importance of willingness in acceptance
The Practice of Zen
The practice of Zen originated from Buddhism in China around the 6th century. Zen is the practice of mindful meditation. The practice is compatible with other spiritual practices including Christian contemplation, Kabbalah and Sufism. It was studied extensively by Marsha Linehan and is fully integrated into the practice of DBT. This workshop will explore the origins of mindfulness in psychotherapy, how to practice Zen meditation, the specific Zen related skills contained in DBT and developing and/or sustaining your own mindfulness practice.
Facilitators
Randy Wolbert, LMSW, Rōshi
Randy is a long time Zen student of Marsha Linehan. Randy was recognized by Willigis Jaeger as a Zen teacher in 2016 and was confirmed as a Zen teacher in 2018 by Marsha Linehan. In 2021 he received transmission as a dharma heir of Zen Master (Rōshi) Greg Mayers. He has lead mindfulness workshops and Zen mindfulness retreats in the US, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and Germany.
He is a certified DBT Practitioner and a former full time trainer and consultant with Behavioral tech. He has close to 30 years of experience in the provision of DBT.
Julianne Ballón-Casement, MSW, LCSW
Julianne Ballón-Casement, MSW, LCSW, became a member of the Empty Cloud Sangha in 2010. In 2011 she was among Marsha Linehan, PhD, Rōshi's first Zen students, alongside Randy Wolbert, MSW, Rōshi. A committed practitioner, Julianne has participated in numerous silent retreats including annual sesshins at the Redemptorist Retreat Center in Tucson, AZ and various locations across Seattle, San Francisco, South America, and Barcelona. In 2019, Julianne assumed the role of timekeeper (jikki) for the sangha’s silent retreats taking over from Randy Wolbert, Rōshi. She currently serves on the board of the organization and chairs the scholarship committee.