My life and work is inspired by more than 45 years of Buddhist meditation practice and study combined with a personal journey to positively change my mind and heart through a wide range of spiritual and psychological techniques.  It is my aspiration to share with others whatever I have learned that might be of value.

Particularly during this difficult time in history, I am inspired to support others to access their deepest resources in order to meet life and all its individual, relational and collective challenges, with as much calm presence, good heart and clear awareness as possible.

I have found the Buddhist understanding of the causes of suffering and the sources of freedom to be extremely accurate, practical, and totally applicable to our 21st century lives. I do my best to translate that understanding into practical terms that can fruitfully be applied to our personal, interpersonal, professional and organizational relationships, challenges, habit patterns, and aspirations.  In more recent years, my own healing journey has also taught me the power of using collective fields of attunement, meditation and intentional support to create positive change and transformation.

I hold a master’s degree in psychology and have trained intensively in a variety of spiritual practices in all three schools of Buddhist meditative traditions (Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana), including mindfulness, concentration, loving kindness, compassion and altruistic motivation. I bow in gratitude to all the teachers, mentors, counselors, and spiritual friends who have offered me teachings and nurtured my path.  For me, meditation and various forms of heart-mind training have been essential elements in learning to lead a happy and meaningful life.

My professional career has included project management, writing, research,  substance abuse counseling, and private practice as a counselor and coach. In 1995 I first developed workshops in mindfulness of listening for counseling professionals and have since taught secular applications of meditative presence in a variety of venues.  You can view my professional experience and resume here.

I now offer individual consultation and coaching tailored to the goals of each person or organization, as well as workshops and virtual gatherings to learn and practice caring presence.  I offer introductory spiritual guidance with an emphasis on connecting with altruistic motivation, good heart, embodied relaxed concentration, and mindfulness.  I am also available for editorial consultation and short-term editing  or writing projects.

Details of my meditation training and academic education include:

Buddhist meditation and training

  • Study, practice and intensive silent retreats in the three major schools of Buddhism, 1974 – present.
    • Theravada:   Vipassana practice with Joseph Goldstein, Sharon Salzburg, Jack Kornfield, Myoshin Kelley and others; including numerous 10 day retreats and five longer retreats of 30+ days at Bucksport, Maine, Insight Meditation Society and The Forest Refuge, beginning in 1974.
    • Mahayana:   Zen residential practice at Providence Zen Center under the guidance of Zen Master Seung Sahn; including self-retreat of 100 days and 49 days, plus multiple 7 day retreats, 1977 – 1985.  Study and practice in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh with Dharma Teacher Joanne Friday, 2000 – 2017.
    • Vajrayana:   practice and study under the guidance of Nyingma lineage holder H.E. Dza Kilung Jigme Rinpoche, including multiple 7 day retreats, self-retreat of 30+ days, and 7 years of Shakgya non-residential year-long program, 2010 –2022.  Retreats and teachings from other great lineage holders, including Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, Tsoknyi Rinpoche, Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, and Phakchok Rinpoche, as well as Western lamas including Lama John Makransky, 2002 – 2017.
  • Advanced Study and Practice Program, Barre Center for Buddhist Studies, Barre, MA, 2006-07.
  • Certified Instructor in The Relaxed Mind seven meditation series by Dza Kilung Rinpoche, 2017

Secular meditation training

  • Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Training, UMass Medical Center, 1999.
  • Thomas Huebl Practice Group Leader in Transparent Communication, since 2021.

Academic education and licensing

  • B. A., Liberal Arts, State University of New York at Old Westbury, New York.
  • M. A., Psychology, California State College at Sonoma, Rohnert Park, California.
  • Licensed Chemical Dependency Professional, State of Rhode Island, 1991 – 1998.