Harvey Hilbert

Harvey Daiho Hilbert Roshi (born 1947) is a psychotherapist and an expert on post-Vietnam stress syndrome. He is an ordained Soto Zen priest and the founding abbot of the Order of Clear Mind Zen and a leader of the Zen community in southern New Mexico. He was featured in a documentary on Vietnam Veterans that aired on both National Public Radio's "Morning Edition" and PBS station KRWG-TV. at age 17.

Hilbert was taken to a field hospital, where bullet fragments were removed from his brain. The wounds left him paralyzed on his left side. After his release from the Army, Hilbert dedicated himself to working with those suffering from combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.

Military awards On September 27, 1966, Hilbert's unit received the Presidential Unit Citation.

Also for his service, Hilbert was awarded a Purple Heart and the National Defense Service Medal. and eventually became a student of Ken Hogaku Shozen McGuire roshi at the Dharma Mountain Zendo in Cloudcroft, New Mexico. In 2005, he was given Dharma Transmission.

In 2005, he retired from clinical practice to establish the Order of Clear Mind Zen in Las Cruces, New Mexico, with affiliates in northern California, Virginia, and West Texas. Hilbert has a history of street practice, bearing witness for peace, and continues his community service with vulnerable populations.

Books and studies Hilbert contributed to several books and studies, including Social Work Today, Volume 16. He co-authored Homelessness in Ohio: A Study of People in Need, Franklin County Report, which was published by the Ohio Department of Mental Health. He wrote the book Zen in your Pocket about Zen helping with traumatic stress and disability. Roshi Hilbert also wrote Living Zen: The Diary of an American Zen Priest, which details a year in the life of a Zen priest, and what he learned about life from the day-to-day events.

Other writings include:

Personal life Hilbert lives in Las Cruces, New Mexico with his wife the Rev. Kathryn Shukke Hilbert.