Jude and Emma

Olympia, WA

For Jude and Emma, Buddhism is not simply a practice that happens on the meditation cushion—it has become part of their marriage, parenting, careers, and everyday relationships. Raised in Catholic families in Kansas, their spiritual journeys gradually led them toward Buddhism, from early encounters with Zen to Tibetan Buddhist teachings, meditation, sangha, and the exploration of emptiness and interdependence.

Over more than two decades of marriage, their Buddhist paths have evolved in different ways. Jude remains drawn to the discipline and simplicity of Zen alongside Tibetan Buddhist philosophy, while Emma finds meaning in mindfulness, community, and bringing Buddhist practice into ordinary human connection. Rather than pulling them apart, these differences have become part of their practice together.

Through marriage, raising children, navigating careers, and confronting the inevitable conflicts of family life, Jude and Emma have discovered that some of Buddhism’s deepest teachings are revealed through relationship. Their story explores what it means to move Buddhist practice beyond the cushion—to see marriage as a practice of letting go, parenting as an opportunity for mindfulness, and interdependence not simply as Buddhist philosophy, but as something lived every day.

Experience

15-30 Years XP

Tradition

Vajrayana

Background

Jude Burkamp, a Kansas native with a unique cultural background, shares his journey of spiritual exploration. Raised in a household where his mother’s Indian heritage met his father’s Kansas roots, Jude’s early exposure to Buddhism came from trips to India, witnessing Buddha’s images, and discussions on Buddhism and Hinduism within his family.

While growing up in Kansas and attending Catholic school, Jude felt a strong connection to Catholicism, considering a path to becoming a Catholic priest like his father had contemplated. Simultaneously, Jude delved into martial arts, finding solace in this Asian-influenced practice, which later led him to more traditional Japanese martial arts deeply rooted in Zen Buddhism.

Jude’s fascination with Buddhism intensified during his later teenage years, primarily focused on the Zen tradition. His father’s openness to various spiritual traditions and an extensive library, including works by figures like Carl Jung, broadened Jude’s understanding of different philosophies.

Parallel to his interest in Buddhism, Jude felt a pull towards Western psychology, dedicating his academic pursuits to the subject. Upon leaving Kansas and relocating, he gained increased access to individuals studying and teaching Buddhism, allowing him to delve deeper into the Eastern tradition academically.

Jude’s journey reflects a lifelong exploration of the intersections between Western psychology and Eastern Buddhism, seeking common ground and connections between the two realms. His diverse cultural background and experiences have shaped a nuanced perspective, allowing him to appreciate the parallels and crossovers between seemingly distinct spiritual and psychological traditions.