Laura Kaigetsu Eldred
Assistant Teacher
Laura Kaigetsu Eldred is a Hoshi (assistant teacher) in the White Plum lineage and a novice Soto Zen priest. She began a formal meditation practice in 2015 and began sitting with Red Rose Sangha in 2016. She took Jukai in December 2017, served as Shuso in 2021, became a dharma holder in December 2021, and received Shukke Tokudo in 2022 from Sangetsu Sullivan Sensei. She has a doctoral degree in literature from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2007) and a certificate from Cornell in conflict mediation. She enjoys hiking, spending time with Sangha friends and colleagues, and watching horror movies. Kaigetsu works to support Red Rose Sangha as an inclusive and diverse community of Zen practitioners who also pursue social justice initiatives in the community.
Clair Daisetsu Helsel
assistant teacher
Clair Daisetsu Helsel (assistant teacher) in the White Plum lineage and a novice Soto Zen priest. He came to Red Rose Sangha in 2012 in search of a meditation practice. With Red Rose Sangha, he found that, as well as a community. He took Jukai in 2017 and in 2019 became Shuso. In December 2021, Daisetsu was made a Hoshi. In May of 2022, he took Shukke Tokudo thus becoming a priest. Daisetsu’s hobbies include cooking and woodworking. He has 2 daughters, who are 9 and 13.