A Dharma heir of Charlotte Joko Beck, Christensen was ordained a priest at the Zen Center of Los Angeles by Taizan Maezumi-roshi in 1976 and served as his personal attendant. Larry, a licensed psychoanalyst, is also a member of the White Plum Asanga, the American Zen Teachers Association, The Soto Zen Buddhist Association and the Lay Zen Teachers Association.