Background

Jackie’s journey into the Dharma took an unexpected turn, deviating from the typical paths of seekers. As an agnostic atheist, she had dismissed her Christian upbringing, only to be thrust into a spiritual exploration through a vivid dream or vision. In this dream, a live person and a monk emerged from a Buddha garden statue, initiating a procession that led the monk to become her teacher. Intrigued by the experience, Jackie delved into Tibetan Buddhism, prompted by the vivid colors of the robes in her dream.

Her exploration intensified as she purchased every book on Tibetan Buddhism, attended retreats, and engaged with visiting monks and lamas. Despite a broad exploration of Buddhism, she struggled to find her spiritual home until a transformative weekend retreat with a born teacher. This experience propelled Jackie to focus on studying the Tibetan tradition, particularly its meditation practices and iconography.

Jackie’s attraction to Buddhism stemmed from its lack of an external deity, aligning with her agnostic or atheist perspective. The idea that everyone is born as a Buddha, with the potential for enlightenment obscured by human experiences, resonated deeply with her. The structured curriculum of Buddhism, offering a clear pathway to wisdom and inner peace, further captivated her.

As a veterinarian and environmentalist, Jackie found additional resonance in the earth-based and elemental aspects of the Tibetan tradition. The commitment to benefiting all beings, inherent in the one-to-one tradition, aligned with her compassionate nature. Since that transformative retreat, Jackie has dedicated herself to studying and exploring Tibetan Buddhism, feeling a connection that transcends not only this lifetime but possibly many lifetimes before and after.