The Before Thought Zen Community is an American Zen Organization in the Korean Sŏn lineage of Zen Master Sŭngsan.

The Community is focused on a lay Zen practice incorporating meditation, Kōan practice and expressing the Dharma within the circumstances of everyday life.  Our approach is practice-centered, integrative and experiential.

The Community's Guiding Teacher is Paul Lynch, JDPSN, who is a Dharma Successor of Zen Master Jibong in the Golden Wind Zen Order. Our practice locations are all located in Southern California and the California Bay Area.