Senior MRO Degna Chikei Levister
Degna Chikei Levister is the Director of the Elder Law Project at the City Bar Justice Center, where she leads legal services, pro bono initiatives, community partnerships, and educational programming serving low-income older adults across New York City, with a focus on advance care planning and elder justice. Prior to joining the Justice Center, Chikei spent more than two decades at CUNY School of Law as a Clinical Law Professor, Associate Dean for Enrollment; and Executive Director of the Pipeline to Justice program, which expands access to legal education for individuals historically excluded from the legal profession. They are also a registered nurse.
Chikei has been a practicing member of the Mountains and Rivers Order for more than twenty-five years and has maintained a continuous meditation practice since becoming a formal student in 1997. She currently serves on the MRO Ethics Committee and previously served on the Sangha Harmony Advisory Council, co-led the Women’s Affinity Group, and served on the MRO Board of Directors. She lives on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.
Events with Senior MRO Degna Chikei Levister
Radiant BIAPOC ZazenkaiOctober 17, 2026
If this will be your first zazenkai or sesshin, please call the Temple Office at (718) 875-8229 for a brief interview. Due to the intensive nature of this retreat, we ask that all participants complete a beginning instruction session with the MRO and establish a regular zazen practice prior to registration. Please join us for the 1st BIAPOC Zazenkai at Fire Lotus Temple. This retreat is open if you identify as Black, Indigenous, Asian, and Persons of Color. The day includes, zazen, walking meditation, oryoki (simple meal received in meditation), liturgy, Seniors talk and face to face teaching with Hojin Sensei.…
