What do I teach?

I teach drawing on my practice in the Buddhist lineages of Theravada, Vajrayana, Zen, Dzogchen, and teacher-training through Unified Mindfulness, a secular system of meditation designed and refined by Shinzen Young.

My path has been focused on insight within a Buddhist context: awakening. Supporting you in the same in a pragmatic, metaphysically neutral manner is my motivation for teaching.

If for whatever reason we don't fit or I know someone I believe will be able to help you better than I can, I'll be delighted to refer you out to trusted friends, my own teachers, and respected colleagues.

I can also provide help in discerning appropriate intensive retreat options, both short and long-term.


What is working with me like?

Beginning, it’s clarifying to identify what your aspirations are. On that basis we can discern which methods may best accomplish them. Together we can chart a course, and as time goes on and practice takes its course adjust to your interests, opportunities, and necessity.

In early sessions there will probably be more to discuss. As and if we see more of each other more of our time will likely be devoted to interactive, real-time guidance.

Periodically, as new territory comes up for you in practice, we'll probably have more to talk about again, and your aspirations may change.

Everything is a response to context, but that's the general rhythm.


What’s the cost?

In gratitude for all the freely offered and heavily discounted instruction, hospitality, and kindness I’ve received along the Way I’ve chosen to teach meditation likewise on a dāna (donations) basis.

I invite you to donate according to your means to support my ongoing service, training, and livelihood.


  • Sasha Chapin:

    “Wystan is the best kind of practice nerd. He combines a deep knowledge of the contemplative territory with curiosity and humility about the particular journey of whoever he’s talking to. He seems to be concerned with basically two things in life: deepening his practice and using his practice as a wellspring for the benefit of those around him. He’s the real deal, and a good person to talk to whether you’d like to reduce your stress a little or fundamentally reformat your mind.”

A heuristic schematic of the types and levels of human happiness. All are important, and all are benefitted by dedicated practice.

Each column delineates a happiness type, or happiness goal.

Each row represents a depth to which these happiness types, or goals, may be fulfilled, from surface (1), to deep (4). The language of ‘surface’ and ‘deep’ does not connote an absolute hierarchy of value, but rather is meant to highlight the relative obviousness (1) or obscurity (4) of the respective happiness levels to most people.