Background

Shinchok, a woman with a strong sense of individuality, recounts her journey of spiritual exploration and personal growth. Raised in a Roman Catholic, Italian-American community in Springfield, Mass., she challenged conventions from a young age, such as being the first girl to wear a pantsuit for her first communion. Her curiosity and questioning nature led her to be expelled from catechism, but her spiritual journey continued.

In college, Shinchok explored Zen philosophy but found it too dry and restrictive. She then discovered the National Spiritualist Church, which dealt with topics like death and communicated with the spirit world. Intrigued by the experiences there, she delved into Zen, Hinduism, and spiritualism simultaneously.

Over ten years, Shinchok studied Zen, Hinduism, and the practices of mediums, finding a unique blend of understanding between the spirit world and various Eastern philosophies. She explored table-tipping, communicating with spirits, and delved into Tibetan Buddhism’s superstitions and practices.

As she reached the limits of her knowledge in Hinduism, Shinchok turned her attention to the Mahāmudrā, discovering that Buddhist teachings provided the answers she sought. Her desire for a genuine meditation master led her to a Buddhist center where she encountered the teachings of Jason Copper. Feeling a profound connection, she embraced Buddhism and its emphasis on devotion, recognizing it as a path to crack open her heart and discover her true self.