Teacher Profiles 2012–2013
Core
Guy Armstrong
Guy Armstrong has practiced insight meditation for over 30 years, including training as a Buddhist monk in Thailand with Ajahn Buddhadasa. He began teaching in 1984 and has led retreats worldwide. He is an IMS guiding teacher and a governing teacher at Spirit Rock Meditation Center.
Listen to one of Guy's talks: Working with Difficult Emotions given at IMS on October 2, 2009 – 62 minutes, 42.5 MB (Download, Stream)
Steve Armstrong
Steve Armstrong, a co-founding teacher at the Vipassana Metta Foundation's dhamma sanctuary on Maui shares the Buddha's teachings on human development and liberation of mind. Out of compassion for future generations he plants trees and directs the Burma Schools Project.
Listen to one of Steve's talks: Four Noble Truths given at IMS on August 13, 2009 – 66 minutes, 45.1 MB (Download, Stream)
Christina Feldman
Christina Feldman is an IMS guiding teacher and co-founder of Gaia House in England. She has been teaching insight meditation retreats since 1976 and has recently been involved in the dialogue between cognitive therapies and Buddhist practice. Her books include Compassion and The Buddhist Path to Simplicity.
Listen to one of Christina's talks: The Wisdom of Disappointment given at IMS on March 11, 2007 – 44 minutes, 10.1 MB (Download, Stream)
Joseph Goldstein
Joseph Goldstein is a co-founder and guiding teacher of IMS's Retreat Center and Forest Refuge programs. He has been teaching vipassana and metta retreats worldwide since 1974 and in 1989 helped establish BCBS. The author of A Heart Full of Peace, One Dharma and other publications.
Listen to one of Joseph's talks: Liberation Through Non-Clinging given at IMS on November 19, 2008 – 61 minutes, 28.2 MB (Download, Stream)
Michael Liebenson Grady
Michael Liebenson Grady has practiced insight meditation since 1973. He also trained with the late Master Sheng Yen in the Chan tradition which emphasizes that each moment of your life is a practice opportunity. Michael is currently a guiding teacher at the Cambridge Insight Meditation Center.
Listen to one of Michael's talks: Not Self: We Are Included in Nature given at IMS on August 25, 2009 – 52 minutes, 35.3 MB (Download, Stream)
Narayan Liebenson Grady
Narayan Liebenson Grady is a guiding teacher of IMS and the Cambridge Insight Meditation Center and a regular contributor to Buddhadharma magazine. Her training includes over 30 years in the Theravada tradition as well as in Chan with the late Master Sheng Yen.
Listen to one of Narayan's talks: Compassion given at IMS on August 23, 2007 – 45 minutes, 8 MB (Download, Stream)
Kamala Masters
Kamala Masters began practicing in 1975. Trained by Anagarika Munindra and Sayadaw U Pandita, she offers the dharma in the US and abroad. She is a co-founder and guiding teacher of the Vipassana Metta Foundation on Maui and is currently developing a dhamma sanctuary there.
Listen to one of Kamala's talks: Three Pillars of the Dharma given at IMS on August 14, 2009 – 56 minutes, 38.3 MB (Download, Stream)
Michele McDonald
Michele McDonald has taught insight meditation around the world for 30 years, helping individuals to find their own natural entry points into stillness and deep liberation. She is a co-founder of Vipassana Hawai'i as well as a leader of retreats for youth and Burma relief projects.
Corrado Pensa
Corrado Pensa teaches insight meditation in Italy and the US and has been the guiding teacher of the Association for Mindfulness Meditation in Rome since 1987. He is also a professor of Eastern Philosophy at the University of Rome and a former psychotherapist.
Yanai Postelnik
Yanai Postelnik has practiced insight meditation for over 20 years and has been teaching internationally since 1992. He is inspired by the Thai Forest tradition and the natural world, and is a guiding teacher of Gaia House, England.
Listen to one of Yanai's talks: Vulnerability, Not Knowing and Openness given at IMS on July 13, 2011 – 54 minutes, 37.6 MB (Download, Stream)
Larry Rosenberg
Larry Rosenberg studied with J. Krishnamurti and practiced Zen before coming to vipassana meditation. The founding teacher of Cambridge Insight Meditation Center and a former IMS guiding teacher, he is the author of Living in the Light of Death and Breath By Breath.
Listen to one of Larry's talks: Dogen's Instructions to the Cook - Part 1 given at IMS on July 10, 2010 – 47 minutes, 32.6 MB (Download, Stream)
Sharon Salzberg
Sharon Salzberg, a co-founder of IMS and BCBS, has practiced Buddhist meditation since 1971 and has been teaching worldwide since 1974. She is an IMS guiding teacher and author of Real Happiness, Faith and Lovingkindness.
Listen to one of Sharon's talks: Three Personality Types given at IMS on March 23, 2004 – 48 minutes, 11.1 MB (Download)
Rodney Smith
Rodney Smith has taught insight meditation since 1984. He is a former Buddhist monk and worked in hospice care for 17 years. The author of Lessons From the Dying and Stepping Out of Self-Deception, he founded and guides Seattle Insight Meditation Society. He is also an IMS guiding teacher.
Listen to one of Rodney's talks: Radical Accountability given at IMS on December 29, 2006 – 47 minutes, 10.8 MB (Download, Stream)
Ajahn Sucitto
Ajahn Sucitto was ordained in Thailand in 1976. He has been closely associated with Ajahn Sumedho for 30 years, and is currently abbot of Cittaviveka Buddhist Monastery in Chithurst, England. He has taught at IMS since 1989.
Carol Wilson
Carol Wilson has been practicing insight meditation since 1971 with a variety of teachers, including Sayadaw U Pandita and Ashin U Tejaniya as well as spending a year as a nun in Thailand. An IMS guiding teacher, she has been offering retreats worldwide since 1986, including the annual IMS Three-Month course.
Listen to one of Carol's talks: Perception of Impermanence given at IMS on October 22, 2006 – 60 minutes, 13.9 MB (Download, Stream)
Visiting
Akincano
Akincano lived as a monastic for 20 years in the Forest monasteries of Thailand and Europe. He has studied Pali and scriptures, holds an M.A. in Buddhist psychotherapy and now lives in Cologne, Germany. He teaches dhamma and meditation internationally.
Gloria Taraniya Ambrosia
Gloria Taraniya Ambrosia is a student of the Western forest sangha and a Lay Buddhist Minister in association with Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery in CA. She has been a dhamma teacher since 1990, served as IMS Resident Teacher in the 1990s, and is a Core Faculty member at BCBS.
Ayya Anandabodhi Bhikkhuni
Ayya Anandabodhi is co-founder of Aloka Vihara, a Theravada monastic residence for women in San Francisco, CA, where she currently resides. She started meditating in 1989, and trained at Amaravati and Chithurst monasteries from 1992-2009. She received bhikkhuni ordination in 2011.
Sally Armstrong
Sally Armstrong worked at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in several roles in the 1990s, including executive director. She began teaching insight meditation in 1996. Now a guiding teacher at Spirit Rock, she also leads its Dedicated Practitioners Program.
Listen to one of Sally's talks: What is Mindfulness? given at IMS on September 12, 2011 – 57 minutes, 39.6 MB (Download, Stream)
Pascal Auclair
Pascal Auclair has been immersed in the dharma since 1997, studying with revered Asian monastic and lay Western teachers. A co-founder of True North Insight Meditation Centre in Canada, he enjoys sharing the Buddha's teachings with all curious people.
Listen to one of Pascal's talks: Four Ways We Get Too Tight given at IMS on August 2, 2011 – 64 minutes, 44.3 MB (Download, Stream)
Rebecca Bradshaw
Rebecca Bradshaw is the guiding teacher of the Insight Meditation Center of Pioneer Valley, MA. She leads vipassana retreats in the US and abroad and also works as a psychotherapist. Her teachings invite exploration of the convergence of love and wisdom.
Listen to one of Rebecca's talks: Happiness of Equanimity given at IMS on June 10, 2009 – 57 minutes, 38.5 MB (Download, Stream)
Bhante Buddharakkhita
Bhante Buddharakkhita was born in Uganda. Meditating since 1993, he was ordained as a Theravada Buddhist monk in 2002. Founder of the Uganda Buddhist Centre, he teaches worldwide. He is a Spiritual Director of Flowering Lotus in MS, and author of Planting Dhamma Seeds.
Eugene Cash
Eugene Cash has taught meditation since 1992. He is the founding teacher of San Francisco Insight and co-leads Spirit Rock Meditation Center's Community Dharma Leaders training. He also teaches the Diamond Approach ® in the Bay Area with A.H. Almaas.
Pat Coffey
Pat Coffey has over 30 years of meditation experience, including intensive training with Pa Auk Sayadaw. He teaches internationally, founded the Insight Meditation Community of Charlottesville, VA and the Blue Ridge Prison Project, and co-founded The Meditation Teacher Training Institute.
Howard Cohn
Howard Cohn has been leading vipassana retreats internationally since 1985. A psychotherapist and an original member of the Spirit Rock Teachers Council, he brings joy and passion to his teaching with an emphasis on reawakening our natural freedom.
Mark Coleman
Mark Coleman has taught retreats since 1997, following extensive training in several Buddhist traditions. He leads Wilderness Meditation courses, has a private practice in counseling and coaching, and is the author of Awake in the Wild.
Matthew Daniell
Matthew Daniell, a Buddhist meditation and yoga practitioner since 1984, teaches vipassana and Mindfulness Yoga, inspired by the tradition of T.K.V. Desikachar. He is a founder and the guiding teacher at the Insight Meditation Center of Newburyport, MA.
Sky Dawson
Sky Dawson has practiced vipassana meditation since 1981, and also has extensive experience in hospice and palliative care in Western Australia. She has taught at IMS for several years and is now the Teacher-in-Residence at the Forest Refuge.
Listen to one of Sky's talks: Equanimity - Finding Balance of Mind given at IMS on June 13, 2011 – 54 minutes, 37.1 MB (Download, Stream)
Chas DiCapua
Chas DiCapua, a graduate of the IMS/Spirit Rock Teacher Training, has offered meditation since 2001. He is interested in how all aspects of the personal can be used towards awakening. Currently the IMS Resident Teacher, he teaches throughout the US.
Listen to one of Chas's talks: The Illusion of Not Good Enough given at IMS on October 8, 2011 – 67 minutes, 45.8 MB (Download, Stream)
Bonnie Duran
Bonnie Duran, Dr.P.H., began Buddhist meditation practice 30 years ago and is a graduate of the Spirit Rock/IMS Community Dharma Leader Program. An associate professor of public health, she conducts research in partnership with US tribal organizations.
Jean Esther
Jean Esther has trained in meditation since 1975. Informed and inspired by the integration of the Buddha's teachings within modern life, she teaches at the Insight Meditation Center of Pioneer Valley, MA, Smith College and nationally, and is a psychotherapist.
Andrea Fella
Andrea Fella has practiced insight meditation since 1996, studying with both Western and Asian teachers. With an emphasis on clarity and practicality, she teaches at the Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, CA, and nationally.
Anushka Fernandopulle
Anushka Fernandopulle has practiced and studied meditation for most of her life. She teaches regularly at East Bay Meditation Center, San Francisco Insight and Spirit Rock Meditation Center, and also works as an executive/life coach and management consultant.
Listen to one of Anushka's talks: Metta: Digging a Good Trench in the Heart given at IMS on August 1, 2009 – 54 minutes, 37.6 MB (Download, Stream)
Patricia Genoud-Feldman
Patricia Genoud-Feldman has been practicing Buddhist meditation (vipassana and Dzogchen) in Asia and the West since 1984 and teaching vipassana internationally since 1997. She is a co-founder and guiding teacher at the Meditation Centre Vimalakirti in Geneva, Switzerland.
Listen to one of Patricia's talks: Purifying the Mind and Heart given at IMS on November 13, 2008 – 66 minutes, 30.3 MB (Download, Stream)
Ed Hauben
Ed Hauben, a long-term meditator and friend of IMS for over 30 years, has served on its Board and assisted with the teen and family retreats since the 1980s.
Ofosu Jones-Quartey
Ofosu Jones-Quartey has been practicing vipassana meditation since 2000. He is a member of the Bhavana Society community and a student of Bhante Buddharakkhita. He is also a solo artist, making both pop and Buddhist-inspired music.
Myoshin Kelley
Myoshin Kelley began meditation practice in 1975. Studying with teachers in both the Theravada and Tibetan Buddhist traditions, she has offered retreats worldwide since 1995. Her teaching style emphasizes a relaxed, caring and attentive attitude combined with joyful interest.
Listen to one of Myoshin's talks: Living A Life of Dharma Inquiry given at IMS on October 24, 2007 – 54 minutes, 24.9 MB (Download, Stream)
Bhante Khippapanno
Bhante Khippapanno, ordained a Buddhist monk in 1949, practiced vipassana in India and Burma with Dipa Ma, Mahasi Sayadaw and Shwe Oo Min Sayadaw. He founded Jetavana Vihara, Washington, DC, 1982, and Sakyamuni Meditation Center, CA, 1988. He helped establish Phuoc Son Meditation Center, Vietnam, 1994.
Kittisaro
Kittisaro, a Rhodes Scholar, spent 15 years as a monk in the Forest Sangha. A director of Dharmagiri Hermitage and Outreach in South Africa, he has completed two year-long self retreats and teaches worldwide.
Listen to one of Kittisaro's talks: Ice to Water as Dukkha to Peace given at IMS on March 9, 2011 – 33 minutes, 22.7 MB (Download, Stream)
Maddy Klyne
Maddy Klyne teaches retreats, practice groups and beginners’ workshops, as well as programs for young people at the Cambridge Insight Meditation Center, MA.
Listen to one of Maddy's talks: Life is Fleeting given at IMS on September 15, 2007 – 47 minutes, 21.5 MB (Download, Stream)
Dori Langevin
Dori Langevin, Psy.D., has studied and practiced insight meditation since 1997, and has taught since 2003. She enjoys teaching family, young adult and women’s retreats, and is also interested in the interface between Buddhist practice, addiction recovery and emotional healing.
Jesse Maceo Vega-Frey
Jesse Maceo Vega-Frey's meditation teaching aims to inspire the faith, determination and skill necessary to realize the deepest human freedom.
Listen to one of Jesse's talks: Rooting Our Faith in the Deepest Truth given at IMS on June 11, 2011 – 55 minutes, 38.2 MB (Download, Stream)
Catherine McGee
Catherine McGee has practiced and studied Buddhist meditation since 1992, and has taught at Gaia House in England and internationally since 1997. She is also a student of the Diamond Approach of A.H. Almaas.
Winnie Nazarko
Winnie Nazarko started dharma practice 30 years ago, asking, 'Why does there have to be suffering in the world?’ A graduate of the IMS/Spirit Rock Teacher Training Program, she teaches to help individuals realize their full potential for clarity, balance, kindness and wisdom.
Listen to one of Winnie's talks: Seeing the Good given at IMS on November 11, 2011 – 55 minutes, 37.8 MB (Download, Stream)
Annie Nugent
Annie Nugent has practiced since 1979 and was an IMS Resident Teacher, 1999-2003. Her teaching style aims to reveal how all aspects of our lives can help us come to a clear and direct understanding of the Truth.
Listen to one of Annie's talks: Trust in the Unfolding Process of the Dharma given at IMS on February 28, 2008 – 55 minutes, 23.2 MB (Download, Stream)
Susan O'Brien
Susan O'Brien has been practicing vipassana meditation since 1980 and has studied with a variety of Asian and Western teachers. She began teaching in 1996 and coordinates the Insight Meditation correspondence course.
Listen to one of Susan's talks: Refuge given at IMS on July 13, 2010 – 51 minutes, 35.1 MB (Download, Stream)
John Peacock
John Peacock has taught meditation for almost 30 years. He currently teaches Buddhist Psychology at Oxford University in the MBCT masters program. He is also Associate Director of the Oxford Mindfulness Centre and is a member of Gaia House's Teacher Council.
Deborah Ratner Helzer
Deborah Ratner Helzer has practiced with Western and Asian teachers in the Theravada tradition since 1995, including a year as a nun in Burma. She has been teaching in the Washington, DC area and around the country since 2001.
Sharda Rogell
Sharda Rogell has been teaching insight meditation worldwide since 1987 and is a governing teacher at Spirit Rock Meditation Center. Influenced by many spiritual traditions, including the Diamond Approach, her primary interest is integrating the awakening heart/mind with embodied presence.
Listen to one of Sharda's talks: Confronting Reality given at IMS on April 12, 2009 – 56 minutes, 38.4 MB (Download, Stream)
Marcia Rose
Marcia Rose has practiced Buddhist meditation since 1970. She is the guiding teacher for The Mountain Hermitage in Taos, NM and was IMS Resident Teacher, 1991-1995. Her international teaching is rooted in the Pa Auk Forest Monastery and Mahasi lineages.
Listen to one of Marcia's talks: Kamma given at IMS on October 22, 2009 – 53 minutes, 33.4 MB (Download, Stream)
Ayya Santacitta Bhikkhuni
Ayya Santacitta has practiced meditation since 1988 and is co-founder of Aloka Vihara, a Theravada monastic residence for women in San Francisco, CA. She trained as a nun in both East and West, primarily at Amaravati Monastery from 1993-2009, and received bhikkhuni ordination in 2011.
Greg Scharf
Greg Scharf has been meditating since 1992 and teaching since 2007. He has studied with Asian and Western teachers and trained as a monk in Burma. His teaching emphasizes the confluence of love and wisdom on the path to liberation.
Listen to one of Greg's talks: Renunciation given at IMS on April 8, 2011 – 54 minutes, 37.6 MB (Download, Stream)
Gina Sharpe
Gina Sharpe has studied and practiced the dharma for many years in Asia and the US. She has been teaching since 1994 and is the guiding teacher of New York Insight Meditation Center, which she co-founded in 1998.
Listen to one of Gina's talks: Compassion - When Love Meets Suffering given at IMS on August 30, 2011 – 57 minutes, 39.1 MB (Download, Stream)
Sayadaw U Tejaniya
Sayadaw U Tejaniya trained in Burma under the late meditation master Shwe Oo Min Sayadaw. After a career in business and life as a householder, he became a monk in 1996. He now teaches worldwide and is the author of several books, including Dhamma Everywhere.
Thanissara
Thanissara, a practitioner since 1975, was a Buddhist nun for 12 years and teaches internationally. She is a director of Dharmagiri Hermitage and Outreach in South Africa and has an M.A. in Mindfulness Psychotherapy Practice.
Listen to one of Thanissara's talks: Without Walls of the Mind given at IMS on March 10, 2011 – 39 minutes, 27 MB (Download, Stream)
Sayadaw U Vivekananda
Sayadaw U Vivekananda has trained under Ven. Sayadaw U Pandita since 1988. He has taught internationally since 1998, guiding meditators in English, Burmese, German and French. He is the resident teacher at Panditarama Lumbini International Vipassana Meditation Center in Nepal.
Spring Washam
Spring Washam has been practicing meditation since 1997. She is a founding teacher of the East Bay Meditation Center in Oakland, CA and currently teaches retreats and workshops nationally.
Listen to one of Spring's talks: Freedom Through Letting Go given at IMS on September 24, 2011 – 60 minutes, 41.7 MB (Download, Stream)
Pamela Weiss
Pamela Weiss has practiced Buddhism for over 20 years and is a graduate of the IMS/Spirit Rock Teacher Training Program. She is a pioneer in bringing the principles and practices of mindfulness to the workplace.
Lila Kate Wheeler
Lila Kate Wheeler attended her first vipassana retreat in 1977 and completed the IMS/Spirit Rock teacher training program in 2010. In addition to teaching meditation, she writes fiction, travel journalism and spiritual essays.
Listen to one of Lila's talks: Unconditional Mindfulness given at IMS on January 28, 2011 – 60 minutes, 41.1 MB (Download, Stream)
