about this guy…
The short:
Suffered lots. Meditated lots. Suffer lots less now. Happy to help.
The Long:
Ever since I picked up a copy of Shinzen Young’s book, The Science of Enlightenment, I’ve been continually impressed by the conceptual clarity and practical utility of his style of teaching. I’m now thrilled to carry it forward as a Teacher of Unified Mindfulness.
Several years before training in Unified Mindfulness, I was intent on going forth into the homeless life and spending my remaining days as a Buddhist monastic. My aspiration was rooted in philosophical conviction and brief experiences of self-transcendence following a long period of severe depression, anxiety, and suicidality in adolescence. Seeking relief from my own suffering while despairing at the present state and projected trajectory of the world, actualizing the Bodhisattva ideal appeared the appropriate response.
I trained for a year in monasteries in Thích Nhất Hạnh’s lineage as a lay-person and briefly as an anagārika, after which I turned shortly to monasteries in Ajahn Chah’s lineage. However, it suddenly came clear ordained monasticism was not my path. Nonetheless, monastic life and ideals continue to greatly influence and inspire me. Subsequent to training as a Unified Mindfulness Teacher I completed a year of intensive practice and service in residence at Zen Mountain Monastery.
I continue to learn and practice within classical Buddhist contemplative traditions under teachers within the lineages of Theravada, Vajrayana, Zen, and Dzogchen, all amidst integrating this secular life.
I teach grounded in Shinzen’s secular system of attention training; my competency and certification therein is my primary qualification. That being said, my past and ongoing experience in multiple Buddhist traditions’ paradigms combined with Unified Mindfulness’ universal applicability and adaptability afford traction and enthusiasm discussing and hopefully helping along with any and all attentional practices spiritual, religious, or otherwise identified.
In my home practice I’ve been immeasurably helped by Shinzen Young and Unified Mindfulness’ teacher training program, Justin von Bujdoss, Stephen Snyder, Leigh Brasington, the Zangthal Sangha, the Dharmachanics, Rob Burbea’s writing and recorded retreats, The Mind Illuminated, innumerable other teachers’ texts and recordings, and the ethos and community of Pragmatic Dharma.
Some of my other interests include philosophies of mind, morals, and metaphysics, cognitive and neuro-science, assisting empirical inquiry into emergent phenomenology, advising qualia research, psychedelics, and any art which poignantly depicts the homeostatic activity of autopoietic agents eliding entropy. I enjoy interviewing and hosting conversations about these and related topics, and when I can’t ignore the damnable itches any longer I assemble essays, blatherblog, and produce poetry.
I intend to realize and make available the benefits of dedicated contemplative practice for all.
I teach within the guidelines, ethics, and professional standards of Unified Mindfulness, which I encourage you to read about here.
May you and all beings likewise live happily, free from suffering in sympathetic joy and profound equanimity!