Background

Aaron’s journey began at the age of 18 when he discovered a book on yoga before heading to college. Intrigued, he delved into the practices, particularly exploring breath work exercises in the Book of Pranayama. Despite warnings, he experimented with these exercises, leading to a profound awakening experience that changed the course of his life.

Identifying the energy he discovered as Kundalini, Aaron realized the need for support from Eastern traditions. Seeking guidance, he reached out to Angela, his father’s ashtanga yoga teacher in Ann Arbor. She provided breathing exercises and encouraged him to decide whether to walk the path. Aaron embraced the transformative yet challenging experiences, incorporating ashtanga yoga to ground himself.

Taking a year off from college, Aaron ventured to India, studying yoga and gradually integrating these practices into his life. Despite the difficulty of finding a supportive community in college, he persisted. In 2017, a connection led him to visit Diversity Zendo, a Zen monastery in upstate New York, marking a powerful encounter with Zen and the Dharma.

Aaron’s dedication to Zen and monastic practices intensified throughout college, with visits to various monasteries, including Great Vow Zen Monastery and the Ann Arbor Zen Buddhist temple. A pivotal moment occurred after participating in Great Vow’s summer program, inspiring him to bridge the gap between young people and Zen monasteries.

Collaborating with Miles, a fellow practitioner, Aaron founded Dharma Gates, a nonprofit aimed at connecting young people with Zen practice. After graduating, he moved to the Ann Arbor Zen Buddhist temple, later spending nine months at the monastic academy in Vermont. Aaron continues to balance his passion for Ashtanga and Buddhism, navigating his unique spiritual journey while working towards furthering Diamond Gates’ mission. The future holds possibilities of returning to monastic life or pursuing deeper retreat practices.