About Meru Danda

Meru Doug Szper, an Actuary by training, founder of Quasar Systems, Inc., a developer of software for the Life Insurance industry. He received his BS in Math at Purdue in 1970, and his MS in Math at MIT 1973. He is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries, 1978, and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries, 1980. He was initiated into the ManKind Project at Camp Anokijig Wisconsin in March of 1999. He also attended a "Warrior-Monk" retreat in December 1998, and "Path to Spirit" in March 2002. In his practice he is actively supporting others through his work in 12-step programs, outreach to men in prison thru participation in the TRUTH Project, and leading a Buddhist Studies group in Kettle Moraine Correctional Institution. He attended his first Hollow Bones in June 2002 at Sonoma Mountain Zen Center, took lay ordination in June of 2003, and Priest Ordination in May 2004 at the Christine Center in Wisconsin. His other interests include: singing, puzzles, mathematics, and quantum physics. Doug Szper currently lives at Still Point Zen Center in Random Lake, WI.

When asked if he had a short message he would like to pass on to the community at large, he replied: "Sit down, Shut up!"