HERE TO SERVE YOU
Drop-In Groups
There's no awakening in isolation—the Buddha made that crystal clear when he named the Sangha as one of the Three Jewels, a true refuge from the storms of greed, hatred, and delusion. My friend Bill W. dubbed it Fellowship in the rooms of AA; I lean toward Community, that alive, breathing web where we drop our masks, share the weight of our stories, and rise together, nourished and seen.
These drop-in groups are your open door to just that: warm circles for Dharma exploration, mindfulness practice, and compassionate connection. Picture this—we gather (virtually or in person, as schedules allow) for guided sits, heart-to-heart shares, and teachings drawn from the Buddha's vast toolkit, blended with modern recovery wisdom. Maybe we're unpacking impermanence through body scans, leaning into those messenger emotions like anger or fear without flinching, or simply cultivating generosity in the room's shared silence. No hierarchy, no perfection required—just show up as you are, with whatever's alive in you that week.
Whether you're new to the path, deepening your sits amid life's chaos, or seeking solidarity in recovery's ups and downs, these sessions are tailored for hungry hearts. We'll attune to the body as our anchor, observe the flow of sensations to glimpse anicca's freeing truth, and end with that spark of belonging that reminds us: freedom blooms in community. Open to all—no prerequisites, just your presence and an open mind. Spots fill quick, so when the schedule drops, jump in. You're warmly invited to come create, connect, and feel truly held.
One-on-One Mentoring
"When setting out on a journey, do not take the advice of those who have never left home." —Rumi
Mentoring isn't about quick fixes or borrowed maps—it's a compassionate partnership for the road ahead, where we co-navigate the twists of practice, recovery, and raw human living. If your old strategies feel outdated amid shifting terrain—not from lack of heart or hustle, but because the world's delusions demand fresh tactics—this is where we recalibrate, grounding in the body to uproot kleshas at their root.
Think of me as a fellow traveler with miles on the path: refuge with His Holiness the Dalai Lama at 14, first 10-day retreat in '99, teacher training with Against the Stream in 2008, and decades as an addiction counselor weaving Dharma into healing for teens, adults, and families. Shaped by guides like Geshe Tsultim Gyeltsen, Thanissaro Bhikkhu, Ajahn Viradhammo, Ayya Tathaloka, and the Dharma Teachers Sangha of Thich Nhat Hanh, I offer lived insight, not armchair theory. And crucially, I've got my own mentors—growth is endless, after all.
A good fit? Seek someone who's walked deep, cheers your breakthroughs, tends their own shadows with respect and truth, and meets you as equal in our shared humanity. Compassion thrives there, not as pity but as recognition: we've all got darkness, and naming it together lights the way. I won't prescribe; instead, I'll listen with full presence, reflecting your patterns—emotional surges, bodily whispers, cognitive loops, behavioral ruts—and trusting your innate wisdom to spot what's skillful. Your burning questions? They're our compass, guiding us into uncharted wilds with curiosity over fear. The payoff: that quiet confidence to thread these principles through daily grit, alchemizing stuck spots into gateways for joy.
Sessions flex to you: 60-90 minutes, virtual or in-person when feasible, zeroing in on meditation snags, recovery weaves, ethical dilemmas, or untangling jealousy and resentment's grip. We start embodied—body as the sacred ground—tracking impermanence in the pulse of now, fueling it all with generosity's quiet power. Let's update your inner playbook; reach out, and we'll chart the next leg.