About Us
The White Sands Zen Center is a Buddhist Temple dedicated to teaching of the Dharma, Ayurvedic Yoga, and Holistic Health. Offering classes, teachings, and educational information about health, healing, and hope along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Our Story
The Lake Michigan shores, the beaches, the sand, waves, and sun--even the storms, ice banks, thunder and lightning are all magical and a bit mystical to all of us who call this home. There is a certain draw to these waters that many of us consider Spiritual and Sacred. There is a Oneness and a Wholeness about these waters. As one Zen Master put it, "The wave does not have to become enlightened to know that it is part of the ocean." Nor do we have to become enlightened to know that we are a part of the Oneness of the water, wind, sun, waves, and sand. We are One with the All!
It was based on these ideas and thoughts that a small group of us in the West Michigan shoreline community hatched the idea of a center that would host several like-minded entities under one banner: The White Sands Zen Center. Within this setting would be housed a Zen Buddhist Spiritual Community, with meditation, classes, Dharma teachings, and more. Additionally, this community will include Ayurvedic Yoga, Holistic Health Segments, Healthy Eating, and Holistic Health Products. It is being created with the idea in mind that wholeness is health...and health is wholeness. It is our mission to bring this health and wholeness to our Lakeshore community. We invite you to join us in this grand adventure. Who knows?? Along the way, you just might meet yourself!!
Namaste!
The White Sands Zen Center is a totally volunteer nonprofit organization supported fully by the generosity of people like you. Please consider a one-time or ongoing donation to support this West Michigan Spiritual Community by clicking the donate button below. Thank you for being a supportive part of our endeavors!!
Meet The Team
Am Koe Beighley Su, Abbot
Dr. David Am Koe Beighley Su is an Ordained Buddhist Monk in the Korean Taedo Tradition.
Jenn Jettner
From a young age, Jenn has always felt the healing energy from the forest and had a deep rooted love for nature.
Arya Vinaya Lachney Su / Dr. Morgan Lachney
Arya Vinaya Lachney Su/Dr. Morgan Lachney is an ordained Boddhisatva and Buddhist Dharma Teacher.
Meet The Board
Kim Milewski
Chairwoman
Kim is a resident of Spring Lake, living with her partner, Nate, her daughter, and her fur-baby, Maize. Her passions and loves involve being outdoors, boating, dedicated family time and holistic health. As well as being Chairwoman of the Board, Kim is a White Sands Zen Center Strategic Holistic Health Partner as a Purehaven Consultant.
"I am honored to be a part of the White Sands Zen Center and to help ring the Buddha's Teachings and Dharma into the community for the first time."
Andrew Witter
Vice-Chairperson
From the Central regions of Michigan, Andrew came to West Michigan to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music at Grand Valley State University, graduating in December of 2020. During that time, he became an "explorer of consciousness", extensively reading and studying Eastern Religion, spirituality, and philosophy, and reading the Bhagavad Gita, Autobiography of a Yogi (by Yogananda), listening to Ram Das, Jack Kornfield, and Thich Nhat Hanh. Finding himself specifically drawn to Zen Buddhism, he began attending WSZC and is working on a better understanding of how he can best serve in creating a revolution of compassion.
Kim Holton
Treasurer
Kim is a West Michigan Native, born and raised in the greater Grand Rapids area. After living out of state for six years, Kim returned to Michigan and settled in Spring Lake, falling in love with the natural beauty and the strong sense of community. Her 25-year-old son, Austen, lives in Ann Arbor and her 23-year-old daughter, Lauren, lives with Kim in Spring Lake. After a first career as a Buyer for the Meijer Corporation, where she enjoyed extensive international travel, she obtained a degree in nursing to follow her passion for caring for others. She has been the Director of Hospice and Palliative Care of North Ottawa Community for five years. She is working on Her Master's Degree in Complementary and Integrative Therapies to help promote traditional and holistic care within the Western medicine systems.