I was first introduced to Buddhism during a course in college on world religions. I was raised Lutheran but was so confused and questioning of it my entire childhood.

Nothing seemed to fit, however, until I began to be introduced to Buddhism. At first it was Insight Meditation, and then I moved to a town where the only Buddhist community was a Tibetan Buddhist Center.

Genjo’s journey into Zen began with skepticism and a search to understand the nature of existence. What he discovered was not a belief system, but a practice grounded in direct experience. Moving from Soto to Rinzai Zen, decades of meditation, retreats, koan study, teaching, and community engagement shaped his understanding that awakening cannot remain on the cushion. The meditation hall is the laboratory; everyday life is where the practice is tested. For Genjo, Zen means meeting ordinary life with awareness—through relationships, work, service, social responsibility, and the inevitable difficulties of being human. His approach also challenges the idealization of spiritual teachers, emphasizing that teachers are human and that life itself ultimately becomes our greatest teacher.

I faithfully, joyfully attended AA meetings for 5 years. During this time I searched for a teacher of meditation. In 1980 I met the 16th Karmapa as above and then Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche and began the Tibetan Buddhist Path, though I have a PhD in world religions and psychology I got during this time.

Dennis's journey from Christianity to Zen Buddhism is a deeply personal exploration of faith, freedom, and what it actually means to wake up. Through years of meditation and Zen practice, Dennis has come to see enlightenment not as a spiritual prize or final destination, but as an ongoing opening into life as it is. There is nothing to acquire and nowhere special to arrive. The practice is about letting go of clinging, loosening our attachment to the self, and becoming fully present to the ordinary life already in front of us. For Dennis, enlightenment doesn’t mean becoming perfect—it means becoming freer.

Jackie never expected Buddhism to become the foundation of her life. Raised Christian before identifying as an atheist, an extraordinary dream led her to discover the ancient Bon tradition of Tibet. What began as intellectual curiosity evolved into decades of dedicated practice, study, and retreat under respected Bon teachers. Today, Jackie explores profound topics like death, reincarnation, enlightenment, and meditation with both scientific curiosity and deep spiritual conviction. Her story reveals how Bon Buddhism offers a practical path for transforming fear into wisdom, integrating contemplative practice into everyday life, and recognizing that enlightenment is not something we acquire—it is our true nature waiting to be uncovered. Whether discussing retreats in France, Tibetan yoga, or preparing for death with awareness rather than fear, Jackie offers a compelling perspective on one of the world's oldest spiritual traditions and its relevance for modern life.

John has spent more than five decades immersed in the Buddhist path, from ordaining as a monk in Thailand's renowned Forest Tradition to becoming a respected Insight Meditation teacher in the West. After training with legendary masters including Ajahn Chah, Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, and S.N. Goenka, he dedicated his life to helping others discover that awakening is not confined to monasteries or meditation cushions—it is found in every moment of daily life. Drawing from Theravada Buddhism, Vipassana, and years of monastic training, John teaches that true freedom comes through direct experience, balanced wisdom, and compassionate living. His story offers a rare bridge between the ancient traditions of Southeast Asia and the practical realities of modern mindfulness, inspiring practitioners to trust their own experience and walk the path with humility, kindness, and curiosity.

How do you teach a 2,500-year-old tradition to people living busy, modern lives? Sensei Michael believes the answer is simple: start with experience, not theory. A Zen teacher, artist, and designer, Michael has spent decades adapting authentic Zen practice for contemporary students while preserving its essential heart. Rather than emphasizing ritual or doctrine, he encourages people to sit, observe their minds, and discover wisdom through direct experience. His teaching explores Zen lineage, meditation, creativity, and the challenge of making Buddhism accessible without sacrificing its depth. Through practical guidance, interactive teaching, and a deep respect for tradition, Michael demonstrates how Zen can become a living practice—one that transforms everyday life rather than remaining confined to the meditation cushion.