About the project
Over two decades ago, a retreat at Spirit Rock in California planted the seed for this project. My own challenges on the Buddhist path in the modern landscape fueled my commitment to embark on this long-term endeavor. Initially envisioned as a coffee table book exploring the visual aspects of Buddhism in the West in 2016, the project has since transformed into a multimedia undertaking focused on highlighting genuine lineages and the transformative power of Buddhist practice.
Given the rising popularity of mindfulness practices in various secular domains, I sensed an opportune moment to share the origins of meditation and other profound teachings of the Buddha as they adapt to contemporary society. By featuring the experiences of lay practitioners and teachers, this project offers a unique visual and anecdotal representation of the Buddhist path from diverse perspectives.
For those curious about Buddhism, the project frames the foundations of Buddhist practices through the lens of spiritual friendship and the essential components of building a transformative practice. May the stories depicting how the teachings and practices can support a transformative shift inspire a deeper investigation beyond personal salvation. Even for seasoned practitioners, may these stories renew your commitment to traverse the path through fruition.
About me
Born into a Buddhist household, one might assume a straightforward journey onto the Buddhist path. However, my quest for my own path was more intricate than anticipated. Rediscovering the dharma after college marked the initial step in my journey. The first decade involved chasing retreats and attempting to establish a daily meditation practice. Despite being drawn to the experiential aspect, significant changes in my perspective and habits were elusive. Shifting to Tibetan Buddhism during an ‘advanced’ retreat at Spirit Rock, progress was impeded by the absence of a formal teacher and sangha.
Regarding my professional life, I began as a software engineer during the dot-com boom of the late 1990s and later became a professional photographer after the boom ended. Although the project’s idea was conceived early on, I didn’t believe I could handle it professionally while growing an agency and raising a family. Inspired by a vision quest and Elizabeth Gilbert’s “Big Magic,” I finally initiated the project at the end of 2016.
Naturally, the project embodied my personal and professional interests and was a crucial turning point in finding deeper meaning while living the American dream. Despite outward success, my disillusionment with the American dream and my habitual patterns left me feeling dissatisfied. As the project progressed and I began my ngondro practice, I began to see the project as an integral part of my spiritual journey. As I deepen my practice, I hope that the wisdom gleaned from hearing all these stories will inform the final form of the project. Regardless, it was important for me to dedicate the merits of this practice/project to the benefit of all sentient beings on a continuing basis. Additionally, I plan to donate a portion of the profits from this project to support my root teacher’s Tsoknyi Nepal Nuns Foundation. Although I have been fortunate enough to experience teachings from a variety of Tibetan teachers such as Mingyur Rinpoche, Khandro Rinpoche, and Anam Thubten, I am currently with Karuna Buddhist Center under the tutelage of Khenpo Tshering Chophel.
The Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland CA. The great Sufi poet Rumi said, “The wound is the place where the light enters you.”
The Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland CA. The great Sufi poet Rumi said, “The wound is the place where the light enters you.”
During my visit to Taos, I explored several remarkable sites, including Taos Pueblo, a Native American community that has been continuously inhabited for over 1,000 years. It’s fascinating to see the blend of tradition and modernity in such contexts; overall, I felt the community preserved its visual heritage. While much of the interaction with visitors revolved around commercial exchanges, I suppose that’s just part of the tourist experience. The San Francisco de Asís Mission Church in Taos is said to be "one of the most photographed and painted churches in the world," according to the chamber of commerce. 📸✨ #Taos #CulturalHeritage #TravelAdventures
During my visit to Taos, I explored several remarkable sites, including Taos Pueblo, a Native American community that has been continuously inhabited for over 1,000 years. It’s fascinating to see the blend of tradition and modernity in such contexts; overall, I felt the community preserved its visual heritage. While much of the interaction with visitors revolved around commercial exchanges, I suppose that’s just part of the tourist experience. The San Francisco de Asís Mission Church in Taos is said to be "one of the most photographed and painted churches in the world," according to the chamber of commerce. 📸✨ #Taos #CulturalHeritage #TravelAdventures
without purpose, the beauty of the the superficial
can leave a bitter after taste
with motivation beyond the confines
of the ego
the beauty can be an offering
to all the sublime beings
that have demonstrated
the immeasurable vastness
of our potential.
without purpose, the beauty of the the superficial
can leave a bitter after taste
with motivation beyond the confines
of the ego
the beauty can be an offering
to all the sublime beings
that have demonstrated
the immeasurable vastness
of our potential.
The american soutwest is playground for the mind body and soul. I have to admit, being able to see it from a higher perspective makes it even more enduring. It`s very appealing distraction to spend the winter months in this area. This particular shot is near Hanksville UT and goblin valley state park. Cloudy mornings make for sublime capture.
#LandscapePhotography #AdventurePhotography #OutdoorAdventures #NaturePhotography #TravelPhotography #ScenicViews #WildernessExploration #MountainViews #NatureLovers #AdventureAwaits #HikingAdventures #ExploreTheWorld #Wanderlust #WildlifePhotography #EpicLandscapes #SunsetPhotography #AdventureSeeker #OutdoorLife #NatureScapes #ChasingViews
The american soutwest is playground for the mind body and soul. I have to admit, being able to see it from a higher perspective makes it even more enduring. It`s very appealing distraction to spend the winter months in this area. This particular shot is near Hanksville UT and goblin valley state park. Cloudy mornings make for sublime capture.
#LandscapePhotography #AdventurePhotography #OutdoorAdventures #NaturePhotography #TravelPhotography #ScenicViews #WildernessExploration #MountainViews #NatureLovers #AdventureAwaits #HikingAdventures #ExploreTheWorld #Wanderlust #WildlifePhotography #EpicLandscapes #SunsetPhotography #AdventureSeeker #OutdoorLife #NatureScapes #ChasingViews
First destination on this journey was Taos, a quaint artsy town with a population of just 6,000. I`ve heard many wonderful things about Taos, but my two nights there during the depths of winter didn`t quite create a lasting impression. However, I would definitely consider returning in better weather to discover the beauty that lies beyond the hype. Typically, I don’t take many portrait-oriented photos, but I`ve really enjoyed capturing moments with the Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses.
#Taos #TravelDiaries #WinterWonders #SmallTownCharm #ArtsAndCulture #MetaRayBan #SmartGlasses #PhotographyAdventure #ExploreMore #NatureLovers #TravelPhotography #HiddenGems #VisitNewMexico #Wanderlust #AdventureAwaits 🌄📸
First destination on this journey was Taos, a quaint artsy town with a population of just 6,000. I`ve heard many wonderful things about Taos, but my two nights there during the depths of winter didn`t quite create a lasting impression. However, I would definitely consider returning in better weather to discover the beauty that lies beyond the hype. Typically, I don’t take many portrait-oriented photos, but I`ve really enjoyed capturing moments with the Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses.
#Taos #TravelDiaries #WinterWonders #SmallTownCharm #ArtsAndCulture #MetaRayBan #SmartGlasses #PhotographyAdventure #ExploreMore #NatureLovers #TravelPhotography #HiddenGems #VisitNewMexico #Wanderlust #AdventureAwaits 🌄📸
Just wrapped up my first big trip with the truck and trailer, and it turned out to be a solid practice run on multiple levels. As a first-time truck owner, I wasn’t entirely sure where this rig could take me, but for the most part, the off-road trails were pretty manageable. ‘Easy’ doesn’t mean you’d take a regular car out there—far from it. I actually had to put several of the truck’s off-roading features to work to get myself out of some tricky situations.
Winter camping means solitude—very few people out in these remote places—and having the right tools can make all the difference in not having to be rescued. The pace of the trip ended up being too fast; I was moving spots every few days, and I realized I need to adjust how I travel moving forward. To be honest, after a decade on the road, I’ve seen so many incredible places that what keeps these trips meaningful isn’t just the scenery—it’s stepping out of my comfort zone, over and over again.
One milestone for this trip was practicing the dharma consistently on the road. It wasn’t easy, but I reminded myself: if I have time for a hike, I have time to practice. More than that, it was about the informal practice—learning to flow with uncertainty, to stay present in the unknown. There were more than a few moments where I had to face fear head-on, sit with the reality of impermanence, and lean on practice to meet the vastness of solitude with quiet confidence.
#NissanFrontier #TruckLife #OffRoadAdventures #WinterCamping #AdventureAwaits #ExploreTheOutdoors #TravelDiaries #NatureLovers #OutdoorExploration #WildernessJourney #RoadTripReady #AdventureSeeker #HikingAdventures #MountainEscapes #SolitudeInNature #EpicJourneys #TruckCamping #NatureScapes #AdventurePhotography 🌲🚙🏞️
Just wrapped up my first big trip with the truck and trailer, and it turned out to be a solid practice run on multiple levels. As a first-time truck owner, I wasn’t entirely sure where this rig could take me, but for the most part, the off-road trails were pretty manageable. ‘Easy’ doesn’t mean you’d take a regular car out there—far from it. I actually had to put several of the truck’s off-roading features to work to get myself out of some tricky situations.
Winter camping means solitude—very few people out in these remote places—and having the right tools can make all the difference in not having to be rescued. The pace of the trip ended up being too fast; I was moving spots every few days, and I realized I need to adjust how I travel moving forward. To be honest, after a decade on the road, I’ve seen so many incredible places that what keeps these trips meaningful isn’t just the scenery—it’s stepping out of my comfort zone, over and over again.
One milestone for this trip was practicing the dharma consistently on the road. It wasn’t easy, but I reminded myself: if I have time for a hike, I have time to practice. More than that, it was about the informal practice—learning to flow with uncertainty, to stay present in the unknown. There were more than a few moments where I had to face fear head-on, sit with the reality of impermanence, and lean on practice to meet the vastness of solitude with quiet confidence.
#NissanFrontier #TruckLife #OffRoadAdventures #WinterCamping #AdventureAwaits #ExploreTheOutdoors #TravelDiaries #NatureLovers #OutdoorExploration #WildernessJourney #RoadTripReady #AdventureSeeker #HikingAdventures #MountainEscapes #SolitudeInNature #EpicJourneys #TruckCamping #NatureScapes #AdventurePhotography 🌲🚙🏞️
Forgetting to enjoy the present moment but the remembrance is the start.
Second time to this wonderful trail outside of Vegas. Only 6 miles round trip but the hot springs in the slot canyon makes it more than worthwhile.
Second time to this wonderful trail outside of Vegas. Only 6 miles round trip but the hot springs in the slot canyon makes it more than worthwhile.
how many countless lives
have i cause sufferings
to those close and far
may i purify my defilements
in this life
for benefit for all.
how many countless lives
have i cause sufferings
to those close and far
may i purify my defilements
in this life
for benefit for all.
Just decided to put my snowshoeing gear to the ultimate test with a 1.6-mile hike to a glacier. Now, I’ve only snowshoed a few times during my 4 years in Michigan, but with Denver’s endless sunshine calling my name, I’m ready to embrace the winter sport lifestyle. Who has the energy for the whole skiing and snowboarding circus anyway? Snowshoeing lets me take it slow and enjoy the scenery! But note to self: it`s a lot chillier and windier up in the mountains where the trails start at over 8k elevation! 🥶❄️
#LandscapePhotography #AdventurePhotography #OutdoorAdventures #NaturePhotography #TravelPhotography #ScenicViews #WildernessExploration #MountainViews #NatureLovers #AdventureAwaits #HikingAdventures #ExploreTheWorld #Wanderlust #WildlifePhotography #EpicLandscapes #SunsetPhotography #AdventureSeeker #OutdoorLife #NatureScapes #ChasingViews
Just decided to put my snowshoeing gear to the ultimate test with a 1.6-mile hike to a glacier. Now, I’ve only snowshoed a few times during my 4 years in Michigan, but with Denver’s endless sunshine calling my name, I’m ready to embrace the winter sport lifestyle. Who has the energy for the whole skiing and snowboarding circus anyway? Snowshoeing lets me take it slow and enjoy the scenery! But note to self: it`s a lot chillier and windier up in the mountains where the trails start at over 8k elevation! 🥶❄️
#LandscapePhotography #AdventurePhotography #OutdoorAdventures #NaturePhotography #TravelPhotography #ScenicViews #WildernessExploration #MountainViews #NatureLovers #AdventureAwaits #HikingAdventures #ExploreTheWorld #Wanderlust #WildlifePhotography #EpicLandscapes #SunsetPhotography #AdventureSeeker #OutdoorLife #NatureScapes #ChasingViews
Great dunes national park in southern colorado wasn`t really on my bucket lists of National parks to visit but since I was in Crestone, a nearby town, I could resist checking it out. I didn`t have too much expectation from the park but naturally when I was there, i was pleasantly surprise by just how grand the sand dunes were. I was only able to spend an afternoon there but I can definitely see myself revisiting for a long time and do some off roading adventures around the area!
#GreatSandDunes #NationalPark #Crestone #ColoradoAdventures #OffRoading #NatureLovers #TravelDiaries #ExploreMore #Wanderlust #HiddenGems #OutdoorAdventure #ScenicViews #SandDuneExploration #VisitColorado 🌄🏜️
Great dunes national park in southern colorado wasn`t really on my bucket lists of National parks to visit but since I was in Crestone, a nearby town, I could resist checking it out. I didn`t have too much expectation from the park but naturally when I was there, i was pleasantly surprise by just how grand the sand dunes were. I was only able to spend an afternoon there but I can definitely see myself revisiting for a long time and do some off roading adventures around the area!
#GreatSandDunes #NationalPark #Crestone #ColoradoAdventures #OffRoading #NatureLovers #TravelDiaries #ExploreMore #Wanderlust #HiddenGems #OutdoorAdventure #ScenicViews #SandDuneExploration #VisitColorado 🌄🏜️
the beacon.