Archives: Authors
Justin Ritzinger
Justin Ritzinger is an associate professor of religious studies at the University of Miami, whose research focuses on modern Buddhism in China and Taiwan. He spent almost a decade living, working, and traveling in the Chinese-speaking world, primarily Taiwan. The author of <em>Anarchy in the Pure Land: Reinventing the Cult of Maitreya in Modern Chinese Buddhism</em>, he is currently working on ethnographic study of a small blue-collar lay group in Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Lama Bryn Dawson
Lama Bryn Dawson, a graduate of the traditional Tibetan Buddhist three-year retreat, is a contributing teacher to Natural Dharma Fellowship. As a tantric practitioner and teacher, she endeavors to honor and support “tantric elements inherent in all paths—particularly those of healers, artists, and earth protectors.” She believes we are called to “leverage an ethic of interdependence” within today’s globalized sociocultural context and actively engages with colleagues and communities in the arts, education, activism, and psychotherapy.
Matthew Hepburn
Matthew Hepburn is a core teacher with the Cambridge Insight Meditation Center. He has also taught meditation in prisons, schools, and at the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, where he is currently enrolled in the 2017–2021 IMS Teacher Training Program. In addition, he works in content development for Ten Percent Happier (based on Dan Harris’ book about meditation).
Kokyo Henkel
Kokyo Henkel was ordained as a Zen priest in 1994 by Tenshin Reb Anderson Roshi and received dharma transmission from him in 2010. For the past three decades, he has lived and practiced in Zen residences and monasteries, including San Francisco Zen Center and Bukkokuji Monastery in Japan. In addition to his Zen training, he has studied Dzogchen with Tsoknyi Rinpoche since 2003 and plans to spend the next few years in Kathmandu, Nepal, along with his wife, Rev. Shoho Kuebast.
Katherine King
Katherine King is a clinical psychologist specializing in geropsychology and an assistant professor in the clinical psychology doctoral program at William James College. She is an authorized guide in the Shambhala Buddhist tradition and occasionally teaches at the Boston Shambhala Center, where she also serves on the board of directors. She is the host of The Well Helper, a podcast looking at self-care, and co-host of the podcast Noble Mind, which explores mindfulness, meditation, and psychology.
Doshin Mako Voelkel
Doshin Mako Voelkel began Zen practice at San Franciso Zen Center after more than a decade of practicing transcendental meditation. In 2002, she left her position teaching philosophy at City College of San Francisco to train at Tassajara, where she stayed for ten years, eventually ordaining as a student of Ryushin Paul Haller. She now serves as head teacher of Austin Zen Center.
Hilary Smith
is the author of the bestselling mental health book <em>Welcome to the Jungle: Facing Bipolar Without Freaking Out</em>. She is also a YA novelist.
Kem McIntosh Lee
Kem McIntosh Lee lives in Atlanta and is a photographer, yoga instructor, and jewelry designer.
Bill Aiken
Bill Aiken is a member of Soka Gakkai International–USA and served as its director of public affairs from 1998 to 2016. He currently serves as board president of the Interfaith Council of Metropolitan Washington.
Brad Stulberg
Brad Stulberg is the author of <em>The Passion Paradox</em> and <em>Peak Performance</em>. In his coaching practice, he works with executives, entrepreneurs, and athletes on their mental skills and overall well-being.