Jefre Cantu-Ledesma, a multi-instrumentalist, composer, Zen priest, and hospice chaplain, shares his unique journey blending spirituality and creativity. He delves into the transformative power of liturgy and music, discussing how rituals shape his artistic and chaplaincy practices. Cantu-Ledesma reveals how music serves as a personal offering and reflects on the significance of authenticity in both art and spiritual support. His insights into collaborative processes and communal spaces for emotional expression highlight the profound connections between grief, creativity, and devotion.
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Jefre's Path to Buddhism
Jefre Cantu-Ledesma discovered Buddhism in San Francisco in his early 30s during a difficult time.
A suggestion to read Everyday Zen and proximity to the Zen Center led him to never stop practicing Zen.
insights INSIGHT
Ordination as an Impulse
Ordination as a Zen priest came from an impulse that arose after personal psychological work.
Trusting this impulse and dedicating time led Jefre to ordination despite initial surprise.
insights INSIGHT
Meaning of Dharma Name
Jefre's Dharma name reflects his devotion and aspiration toward clear seeing.
Clear seeing is a lifelong effort recognized as a growing edge and a call for humility.
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In 'Everyday Zen: Love and Work,' Charlotte Joko Beck presents a series of dharma talks that emphasize the integration of Zen practice into daily life. The book addresses various aspects of human experience, including love, relationships, work, fear, ambition, and suffering. Beck's approach is characterized by its straightforward and compassionate tone, encouraging readers to practice Zen in a way that is relevant and effective in modern American culture. The talks are organized by themes and include discussions on embracing human feelings, the importance of consistent practice, and finding fulfillment in everyday activities. Beck's teaching stresses the importance of facing emotional realities and cultivating compassion and mindfulness in all aspects of life.
Jefre Cantu-Ledesma is a multi-instrumentalist and composer, Zen priest, and hospice chaplain based in the Hudson Valley. Since his first foray into experimental music in the 1990s, he has been a pillar of the American music underground, collaborating with a variety of artists including Liz Harris, Félicia Atkinson, and Ilyas Ahmed. Although his music has often been labeled experimental or ambient, he himself describes it as personal liturgy.
Cantu-Ledesma’s latest album, Gift Songs, takes inspiration from the forms of liturgy and ritual he has found meaningful as a Zen priest and hospice chaplain, as well as from the Shaker notion of “gift drawings,” where art is seen as a gift from God. Through minimalist acoustic arrangements and evocative improvisations, Gift Songs foregrounds chance and collaboration, putting forth a vision of art as an offering.
In this episode of Tricycle Talks, Tricycle’s editor-in-chief, James Shaheen, sits down with Cantu-Ledesma to discuss what first brought him to Buddhism, the role of devotion in his work and practice, the synergies between creative practice and chaplaincy work, and why he views his music as an offering.
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