In an age where countless spiritual options are available at our fingertips, Beyond the Cushion envisions a trustworthy gateway for modern seekers to discover the depth and transformative power of an authentic spiritual path—one refined through centuries of lived wisdom.

By inspiring practitioners to connect with and support their local communities, this platform aspires to strengthen the vitality and sustainability of the sangha, fostering a contemporary expression of the Three Jewels in today’s world.

Beyond the Cushion began as a book project and has since evolved into a multi-channel platform dedicated to illuminating the Buddhist path in a modern world.

Our mission is to:

• Offer an authentic view of Buddhist practice through the voices of everyday practitioners.
• Emphasize the importance of genuine teachers and established lineages.
• Encourage practitioners to engage with and support their local sanghas.
• Highlight the rich diversity of Buddhist traditions, especially among underrepresented communities in the West.
• Demonstrate how Buddhist wisdom and practice can address the cultural and global challenges of our time.
• Build the infrastructure and collective tools for Buddhist communities to flourish together.

In the long term, this vision extends beyond media—to the creation of a nonprofit organization devoted to empowering local communities and sustaining the living heart of Buddhism in a changing world.

What began as a simple personal impulse—to make sense of my own spiritual path in modern life—has evolved into something much deeper and more expansive. In the early days of my professional photography career, the initial seed for this project was planted during a meditation retreat. At the time, my motivation was fairly straightforward: I saw an opportunity to document a cultural and spiritual transformation unfolding quietly in the West. This was before the ubiquity of digital photography or the reach of the internet, so the act of using my creative skills to witness and preserve something sacred felt both timely and personally meaningful.

Though the idea stayed with me, many years passed before the project truly took root. In that time, my own Buddhist practice matured—I continued attending retreats, searching for a teacher, and exploring the possibility of sangha. My “conversion” to Buddhism wasn’t catalyzed by a single book or teaching, but by the direct, embodied experience of extended meditation retreats. That’s where I gained confidence in the path. And over time, the project transformed from a professional aspiration into a personal calling.

Beneath the surface motivation to create a body of work, I felt a deeper sense of responsibility—to offer something of value to other spiritual seekers who, like me, were navigating a modern world saturated with conflicting signals and endless spiritual offerings. As I watched the rise of secular mindfulness being absorbed into tech companies, corporate wellness programs, and self-help culture, I couldn’t help but wonder: would Buddhism in the West suffer the same fate as yoga—distilled, commercialized, and stripped of its depth?

The Buddha’s teachings have historically adapted to new cultures as they spread, but the Western landscape presents unique challenges. In a pluralistic, consumer-driven society, where lineage is optional and attention is fragmented, I worried that the integrity of the teachings would erode. These concerns became the foundation for refining the focus of the project.

At its heart, this project is an offering. While it may be modest in the scope of the larger Dharma world, I see it as a meaningful expression of my own vow—as both a practitioner and a documentarian. The first book focuses on a simple but essential question: What does authentic, transformative practice look like in real life? Not in idealized or romantic terms, but in the lives of ordinary people who show up to the path with sincerity, doubt, discipline, and heart.

After finishing the manuscript for the first volume, I realized I had used only a fraction of the material I’d gathered over the years. A second book was already quietly forming in the back of my mind. The idea of highlighting the diversity and depth of Buddhist communities in the West became central—not just as a continuation of the project, but as a bridge to a larger vision.

Over the years, I’ve volunteered, sat with, and visited many sanghas across the U.S. Those experiences confirmed for me that local communities are the true heart of Western Buddhism. They are where the teachings take root—or don’t. My long-term aspiration is to launch a nonprofit that supports these local communities by raising visibility, sharing resources, and fostering connections. While I understand the industry emphasis on building an author platform for marketing purposes, I also view this as an opportunity to do something larger: to use that platform to uplift others, to create something that endures beyond the books themselves.

For me, this is no longer just a creative project or professional endeavor—it has become a living practice. One that integrates the outer expression of my skills with the inner arc of my path.

This isn’t just a book project—it’s a long-term vision to uplift authentic Buddhist practice, support local communities, and offer a grounded path in a world full of noise. Here’s how we’re building this platform, step by step, with your support.

Phase 1: Rooting in Community

Where we are now

We’re beginning by reconnecting with the heart of the Dharma: the people who are already practicing, teaching, and showing up for the path.

• Sharing portraits, video stories, and reflections from lay practitioners around the country
• Featuring short teachings from local and national teachers
• Inviting contributions for Volume II with a focus on reaching underrepresented Buddhist communities, including immigrant, BIPOC, and smaller regional sanghas
• Building our email list and newsletter community
• Creating space for dialogue around lineage, sangha, and what practice looks like in real life

This is the ground we’re standing on—community first, depth over hype, and a commitment to inclusivity.

Phase 2: Reaching a Wider Circle

Coming in the few years

Once the foundation is built, we’ll open the circle wider—to anyone who’s ever meditated, read a Dharma book, or wondered what Buddhism might look like in everyday life.

• Sharing stories that speak to universal themes—anxiety, belonging, awakening, compassion
• Appearing on podcasts, Dharma media, and mindfulness platforms
• Actively seeking a traditional publisher for the first book to ensure it reaches bookstores, libraries, and sanghas across the country
• Promoting the release of the book and a national photo/story tour
• Highlighting the depth and diversity of Buddhist practice in the West

Whether you’ve been practicing for years or just beginning to ask the deeper questions—this phase is for you.

Phase 3: Lifting Up Local Sanghas

Our long-term vision

Once the book is in the world, we’ll turn our attention toward building something that lasts.

• Launching a nonprofit dedicated to supporting local Buddhist communities
• Creating tools to help people discover and connect with authentic sanghas
• Uplifting lesser-known teachers and under-resourced communities across the U.S.
• Running awareness campaigns to promote in-person practice and long-term commitment
• Offering free resources and guides for newcomers navigating the spiritual path

Because the Dharma lives in community—and this work doesn’t stop with a book.