about this guy…
The short:
Suffered lots. Practiced. 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 thrilled to carry it forward as a Teacher of Unified Mindfulness.
Years before training in Unified Mindfulness I was intent to go forth from home into homeless life as a Buddhist monk. My aspiration was rooted in philosophical conviction coupled with experiences of self-transcendence following a long period of severe depression, anxiety, and suicidality in adolescence. Seeking ending suffering and despairing at this state and projected trajectory of our world, actualizing the Bodhisattva ideal appeared an appropriate response.
I trained for a year in monasteries in Thích Nhất Hạnh’s lineage as a lay-person and anagārika after which I turned to Ajahn Chah’s lineage chasing after ascetic rigor. However, it suddenly came clear ordained monasticism is not my path. Nonetheless, monastic ideals continue to inspire me. Subsequent to training as a Teacher of Unified Mindfulness I completed a year of intensive practice and service in residence at Zen Mountain Monastery.
I continue learning within the classical contemplative lineages of Theravada, Vajrayana, Zen, and Dzogchen, all amidst integrating this secular life.
I teach today grounded in Shinzen’s secular system of attention training; my competency and certification therein is my primary qualification. That being said, my ongoing fluency in multiple Buddhist traditions’ paradigms and practices combined with Unified Mindfulness’ universal applicability and adaptability afford traction and enthusiasm discussing and helping along with any and all attentional practices spiritual, religious, or otherwise identified.
In my own practice I’ve been immeasurably helped by Lama Justin von Bujdoss, Meido Moore Roshi, Shugen Roshi, Hojin Sensei, Hogen Sensei, Shinzen Young, Stephen Mugen Snyder, Sensei, Leigh Brasington, the Zangthal Sangha, the Dharmachanics, Rob Burbea’s writing and recorded retreats, 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 actualize 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!