keyboard_arrow_down Before this project, there was a quiet assumption of what a “Buddhist” looks like.

These portraits slowly undo that assumption.

The journey onto a Buddhist path is rarely one defining moment but a series of insights and experiences. Even though the Buddhist philosophy appeals to the rational/intellectual mindset, the journey really begins with embodied practice.

Donovan's journey is a familiar theme in which substance abuse led to overwhelming suffering for him and his family. He tried the traditional approaches was able to 'recover' but the deep healing didn't come into he met a teacher from the Bon Lineage. Listen to his story. George's journey into the dharma is not typical but nonetheless relatable. From a simple book about mindful eating, George dived hard into the practice and had a strong desire to share the teachings. Learn about his path. Kalpana spent her childhood in India surrounded by the countries rich spiritual tradition. Immigrating to the US to practice western medicine, she became disillusion by the western approach to healing and pivoted to acupuncture. Her discovery of Won Buddhism later in life was timely in supporting the challenges of old age and sickness. Listen to her journey. Amber grew up in a fairly well to do upbringing yet suffering still played a significant role in her life. Although a strong yoga practice supported her in young adulthood, a meeting with a Tibetan monk blew open the doors into the dharma in a dramatic fashion. She then she has wholehearted embrace the practice and recognize the significance of her suffering as a foundation into the path. Learn about his story.

As the journey progresses, the integration and work becomes more subtle. The work to experience the the path not just a formal sitting but a continuous activity on multiple fronts. At some point, there is a point of no return and the question becomes how far will the path take us.

Grace was born into a family of practitioners but had to forge her own path within the western expression of the lineage. Her appreciation of the practice didn't come until she dealt with her father's death and saw firsthand the transformation that he embodied through the practice. Learn about her story. Christopher was drawn to a spiritual path since his teenage years and explored a number of traditions including Mormonism. Even though he was interested in Zen and Jodo Shinshu lineages, he ultimately crafted own practice and founded the Salt Lake City Buddhist Fellowship. Learn about his path. Cythnia's journey into the dharma was through AA's 12 step program. Like others that achieved 'success' from the western perspective and recognized its limitation, she pivoted her life into finding true liberation through the teachings. Listen to her journey.

What does a lifetime of practice look like in this modern age? With the diversity of linages, the goal isn't always about enlightenment but the fullest expression of that lineage. For the dharma to be deeply rooted in the modern world, it will be the lineage holders that will anchor the blossoming.

Rigzin's journey into the dharma is particularly interesting considering the intimacy she has had with Tibetan lineage masters. Her experience runs the gamut of having completed the traditional 3 year retreat, marrying a Tibetan lama and living as a modern day yogi with wolves. Learn about her story. Nancy has a rich spiritual history where you explored a number of traditions. A brief encounter with the Dalai Lama accelerated her path onto Vajrayana. She experienced a devastating physical disability for over 10 years and tribute her ability to skillfully navigate that challenge to her practice. Learn about her challenge. The american success story didn't quite live up to Bruce's expectation and his spiritual journey stemmed from that realization. Even though he spent much time with Tibetan Buddhism, he ultimately become a monk within the Zen lineage for some time. Listen to his journey.