Our Team
Josh Ichiyo Lovejoy
(he/him)
Sangha Director
Josh Lovejoy grew-up in Buffalo, NY. In high school, he developed an interest Buddhism in connection with the Beat generation poets but it never moved beyond the superficial. Later, as an adult suffering from severe anxiety attacks and chronic migraine issues, Josh stumbled upon an interview with Tara Brach and decided to try meditation. After beginning a meditation practice he saw a remarkable improvement in his migraine and anxiety issues and became fascinated to learn as much as possible about the Buddhist teachings behind Tara Brach's work. He began reading and learning everything he could about the Dharma from various author's and traditions. The practice had a positive transforming impact on all aspects of his life. Josh realized that he wanted to learn how to best help others develop the practice that was so helpful to himself - so he enrolled in the 2-year Lay Ministry program at Bright Dawn Center of Oneness Buddhism. After completing the program, Josh decided to start Daybreak Oneness Ministries as a way to help those that are suffering and are interested in learning about the Dharma and Buddhist practice. What seemed to be lacking in Western countries was a starting point for those that are interested. Therefore, just as the Sun represents the Dharma in "Bright Dawn", Josh felt that "Daybreak" could help serve as the first glimpse for those that are looking. Josh lives with his wife, two children, dog and two cats. He works in the live events industry and enjoys hockey and video games.
You can contact Josh at ichiyo@daybreakoneness.org
Rob Kanyo Mican
(he/him)
Sangha Director
Rob Mican grew-up in Chicago, IL. As a child, his family identified as Christian but never practiced at home, and they only went to church for the occasional wedding or funeral. During his high school years, while he was bouncing back and forth between atheism and agnosticism, Rob felt like there was something spiritual missing in his life. Most of his friends who weren't Christian were Jewish, but neither Christianity nor Judaism really spoke to Rob's philosophies and needs. His search continued through his college years, when he began learning about Buddhism and Taoism in a class on Asian religions. One day, the instructor came to class and wrote on the blackboard: "BUDDHISM + TAOISM = ZEN," and Rob has never quite been the same since. After stumbling across a Zen temple that was the Buddhist equivalent of a storefront church, led by a teacher who considered himself as much of a Taoist as he was a Buddhist, Rob realized he had been a Buddhist all of his life -- it just took him twenty years to figure that out. Rob's journey eventually led him to enroll in the 2-year Lay Ministry program at Bright Dawn, which he completed in May 2017. Rob followed that by completing a certification program in methods of Japanese psychology (which grew out of Jodo Shinshu and Zen teachings) at the ToDo Institute in 2019, and he currently uses those skills to help people via life coaching. In his spare time, Rob is a musician playing taiko drums and two forms of Japanese bamboo flute.
You can contact Rob at kanyo@daybreakoneness.org
Sarah Rinyo Bourouphael
(they/them)
Sangha Director
Sarah is a non-binary human who works as an organizational culture strategist and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion practitioner. In college, they became enamored with the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh and never quite looked back, in spite of their Christian upbringing.
In the years post-undergrad, Sarah continued self-directed learning and eventually came across the podcast of Noah Rasheta, Secular Buddhism. The straightforward and practical learning approach helped Sarah cultivate perspectives and skillful practices to manage their mental health more effectively and contend with those pesky existential questions about death and the "meaning of life".
After joining Noah on a Mindful-Humanitarian trip to Uganda (2018), Sarah Rinyo enrolled in the Bright Dawn Center of Oneness Buddhism 2 year Lay Ministry program, from which Noah also graduated.
Rinyo translates to "rainy sun" or sunshower. The beloved, late Reverend Koyo Kubose of the Bright Dawn center conferred the name to Sarah sharing a message that without embracing both the sun and the rain, how can we ever have a rainbow? For Sarah Rinyo there isn't quite anything more emblematic of life and the Buddhist perspective on it than the sun boldly shining through the clouds and rain. There is something deeply freeing and joyful about standing in the open during a sunshower and being soaked through while the sun radiates its light down on you. Neither positive, nor negative, just reality such as it is.
Sarah Rinyo lives in Massachusetts with their spouse and two dogs. They enjoy hiking and adventure travel, jewelry making, and clay sculpture.
You can contact Sarah at rinyo@daybreakoneness.org
Kelly Kazeyo Cavanaugh
(he/him)
Sangha Director
Kel grew up in rural central Wisconsin and has bounced around the state of Wisconsin his entire life. His mother was a non-practicing Lutheran and his dad an atheist. From a young age, he had an interest in religion and philosophy. During most of his life he explored many religions including Christianity, Taoism, Wicca, Hinduism, Judaism,and Buddhism. At times he even identified as an agnostic and atheist. In his late 30’s he devoted himself almost exclusively to studying Buddhism after discovering Stephen Batchelor’s Buddhism Without Beliefs.
He has participated loosely in multiple Sanghas in the Madison, WI area. He was predominantly a solo practitioner before discovering Bright Dawn Center of Oneness after listening to Noah Rasheta’s podcast, Secular Buddhism. He enrolled and graduated from the two year Lay Ministry program in June of 2022. Kel believes in an non-sectarian, eclectic style of Buddhist practice that is heavily influenced by Shin teachings. He is dedicated to the concepts of Oneness and compassion.
Kel feels blessed to join the team at Daybreak Oneness after getting to know the wonderful Sangha Directors and Sangha. He hopes to contribute in any way possible to help others better understand the teachings of the Buddha and incorporate the Dharma into their daily lives. He lives near Madison, WI with his wife, daughter, pug, and a very loud bird. He enjoys hiking, movies, and spending time with his family.
You can contact Kel at kazeyo@daybreakoneness.org