First Annual West Coast Daoist Conference 2026
December 5–6, 2026 | Live Online
Explore the Wisdom and Living Traditions of Daoism
Two days of teachings, practical insights, and meaningful conversations with Daoist teachers and practitioners.
Explore Daoist philosophy, spiritual cultivation, and the practical application of traditional wisdom in modern life. Whether you're beginning your exploration of Daoism or deepening an established practice, this online conference offers an opportunity to learn, reflect, and connect with others who share your interest in the Daoist tradition.
December 5–6, 2026
Starting at 7:00 AM Pacific Time each day
Live online conference
Why Attend
Why Attend the Daoist Conference 2026?
A two-day online gathering designed for learning, reflection, and connection with others interested in the Daoist tradition.
Explore Traditional Wisdom
Discover perspectives from Daoist philosophy and spiritual traditions that remain relevant to contemporary life.
Deepen Your Understanding
Learn about Daoist cultivation, practice, and philosophy through educational presentations and discussions.
Learn From Experienced Teachers
Hear from participating teachers and practitioners who bring different perspectives to the Daoist tradition.
Connect With a Community
Join people who share an interest in Daoist learning, cultivation, and personal development.
Speakers
Meet Our Speakers
Learn from experienced teachers and practitioners sharing the wisdom, philosophy, and living traditions of Daoism.
Additional speakers will be announced.
Presentations
Discover What You'll Learn
Explore the presentations and practical teachings being shared by our conference speakers.
Shifu Bernard Shannon
Purify the Heart (净心神咒): Prayer, Ritual, and the Dao
Sifu Diego Sanmiquel
The Blueprint of the Unseen: Why Daoist Teachings Matter More Now Than at Any Other Time
Dr. Christine Sanmiquel
What Women's Physiology Teaches Us About Creation, Transformation, and Cultivation
Tiān Fú (天福)
Incense Studies & Incense Cultivation
Shifu Michael Rinaldini
Zuowang, The Daoist Art of Meditation
Dr. Jack Schaefer
Nourishing Life in Harmony with the Dao: Yangsheng, Virtue, and the Cultivation of Human Well-Being
Josh Paynter
Navigating the Goals of Cultivation: Chapter 38 of the Daode jing as a compass through the maze of practice.
Sifu Harinder Singh
Rooting the Mind - From Knowledge to Embodiment: A New Way of Being, Relating, and Creating
Dr. Dawn Sanchez
The Virtue of Not Knowing
Dr. Jerry Alan Johnson
Lingbao Alchemy: Secret Levels of Radiant Transformation
Dr. Nate Rifkin
Daoism That Works: What 18 Years of Testing Practice Taught Me About Transformation.
Jake Pinnick
To Be Announced
Ken Cohen
The Dao De Jing Decoded: Key to Daoist Wisdom & Practice
Dr. William Welch Jr.
The Three Levels of Truth
Additional presentations will be announced as they are confirmed.
Explore All PresentationsTwo-Day Program
Daily Conference Schedule
December 5–6, 2026 | Pacific Standard Time (PST)
Saturday, December 5, 2026
Pacific Standard Time (PST)
TimePresentation TitlePresenter
- 6:30–7:00 AMOptional Morning Qigong & MeditationDaoist Priest Nate Rifkin
- 7:00–7:10 AMWelcome and Opening Orientation
- 7:10–8:40 AMThe Dao De Jing Decoded: Key to Daoist Wisdom & PracticeKen Cohen
- 8:50–9:50 AMWhat Women's Physiology Teaches Us About Creation, Transformation, and CultivationDr. Christine Sanmiquel
- 10:00–11:30 AMPurify the Heart (净心神咒): Prayer, Ritual, and the DaoShifu Bernard Shannon
- 11:45 AM–12:45 PMDaoism That Works: What 18 Years of Testing Practice Taught Me About Transformation.Lunch Hour SessionDr. Nate Rifkin
- 1:00–2:00 PMNourishing Life in Harmony with the Dao: Yangsheng, Virtue, and the Cultivation of Human Well-BeingDr. Jack Schaefer
- 2:10–3:10 PMThe Three Levels of TruthDr. William Welch Jr.
- 3:20–4:50 PMIncense Studies & Incense CultivationTiān Fú (天福)
- 6:30–7:00 AMOptional Morning Qigong & MeditationDaoist Priest Nate Rifkin
- 7:00–7:10 AMWelcome and Opening Orientation
- 7:10–8:40 AMThe Dao De Jing Decoded: Key to Daoist Wisdom & PracticeKen Cohen
- 8:50–9:50 AMWhat Women's Physiology Teaches Us About Creation, Transformation, and CultivationDr. Christine Sanmiquel
- 10:00–11:30 AMPurify the Heart (净心神咒): Prayer, Ritual, and the DaoShifu Bernard Shannon
- 11:45 AM–12:45 PMDaoism That Works: What 18 Years of Testing Practice Taught Me About Transformation.Lunch Hour SessionDr. Nate Rifkin
- 1:00–2:00 PMNourishing Life in Harmony with the Dao: Yangsheng, Virtue, and the Cultivation of Human Well-BeingDr. Jack Schaefer
- 2:10–3:10 PMThe Three Levels of TruthDr. William Welch Jr.
- 3:20–4:50 PMIncense Studies & Incense CultivationTiān Fú (天福)
Schedule Notice: The conference agenda, presentation times, and speakers are subject to change without prior notice.
Begin Each Day in Practice
Meet Your Morning Practice Leaders
Start your conference morning with guided Qigong and meditation led by experienced Daoist practitioners. These sessions offer an opportunity to settle the mind, cultivate awareness, and prepare for the day's teachings.
Nate Rifkin
Daoist Priest | Morning Practice Leader
- Day
- Saturday, December 5, 2026
- Time
- 6:30–7:00 AM Pacific Standard Time
- Practice
- Qigong and Meditation
Steve Leavitt
Daoist Priest | Morning Practice Leader
- Day
- Sunday, December 6, 2026
- Time
- 6:30–7:00 AM Pacific Standard Time
- Practice
- Qigong and Meditation
Tickets & Comparison
Choose Your Conference Experience
General Admission offers live access to the full two-day conference. The All-Access Pass adds 12 months of access to the event recordings.
General Admission
Two-Day Live PassBest for live participation across both days.
Current Registration Rate
$97Early Bird Active
Early Bird Pricing
Price increases to $147 on November 16, 2026.
- Live online access to the two-day conference, December 5–6, 2026
Most Complete Experience
All-Access Pass
Live + RecordingsBest for revisiting the teachings long after the live event.
All-Access Pass Price
$497
One payment • All-Access Pass for the full two-day conference.
Continue Learning Long After the Conference Ends
Attend the live two-day conference and enjoy 12 months of access to event recordings. Revisit the teachings, deepen your understanding, and study at your own pace.
- Everything in General Admission
- 12 months of access to the conference recordings
Ticket Comparison
| What's included | General Admission | All-Access Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Live online access to the two-day conference | ||
| 12 months of access to the conference recordings | — |
Live online access to the two-day conference
General Admission: ✓ IncludedAll-Access: ✓ Included
12 months of access to the conference recordings
General Admission: —All-Access: ✓ Included
Our Conference Sponsors
Supporting the preservation and sharing of Daoist wisdom.
Opportunities
Interested in Contributing or Partnering?
Two quiet ways to take part beyond attending. Inquiries are reviewed separately and do not confirm participation, benefits, or placement.
Contribute
Interested in Speaking?
Share your background and proposed contribution for consideration in a future conference program.
Partner
Sponsor Inquiry
Explore ways your organization may support or participate in the conference.
About
About the West Coast Daoist Conference
The Daoist Conference 2026 brings together people interested in studying, practicing, and understanding Daoist traditions. Over two days of live online sessions, the conference offers an opportunity to learn from multiple teaching perspectives and engage in thoughtful conversation with others who share that interest.
Whether you are new to Daoist philosophy or have an established practice, the gathering is intended to support continued learning and connection without prerequisites or assumptions about prior study. The association remains the event's identifiable organizer, and additional verified information about the organization will be added here as it is confirmed.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
December 5–6, 2026.
STAY INFORMED
Be First to Receive Teacher and Program Announcements
Receive updates as confirmed teachers, sessions, registration details, and event access information are announced.
Make Space for Two Days of Learning and Connection.
Join the live conference, or choose the All-Access Pass for 12 months of access to the recordings.
Prefer to browse first? .