About

I have been on the path of dharma for 47 years. My inspiration is to open my heart and senses on the spot, receive the richness of the natural world, and share the profound teachings I have received.

My parents came from New York and Vermont, but I was raised in Atlanta, Georgia. Growing up, I felt like a stranger in a strange land. 
I came very close to dying twice. The first time, I was hit by a car at age 7. The second time, when I was 20, I almost drowned. This last time, I was penetrated so deeply I had to face the depths of my own mind and heart. After a long search, this brought me to the dharma and meditation practice.

I met Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche in 1975 and studied and practiced the Buddhist and Shambhala teachings for twelve years with him, and in particular worked with him on translating Tibetan texts into English. For ten years, I taught at Naropa University in the Buddhist Studies department. For many years, I served as an acharya or senior teacher for Shambhala and also studied intensively with Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche.

Now I find myself going back to my roots and simplifying the profound teachings I have received to their heart essence to make them more accessible for myself and others.

I live in Port Williams, Nova Scotia in the beautiful Annapolis Valley with my wife, Rhiannon. I have a daughter, Karuna, and a step-son, Julian.

To Know The Dark

To go in the dark with a light is to know the light.

To know the dark, go dark. Go without sight,

and find that the dark, too, blooms and sings,

and is traveled by dark feet and dark wings.

Wendell Berry, Terrapin

Photo: The Hall of the Bulls, Lascaux Cave, Dordogne, France.
Paintings from around 17,000 years ago.