I believe in living life with your head in the clouds and your feet planted firmly on the ground. I believe in balancing the wisdom of the heart with the practical demands of life in a modern society.
I’m deeply spiritual and I love business. I crave silence and I love to talk. You could say I’m a bit of a paradox. Gratefully, my meditation practice has taught me to hold a multitude of complexities with humility and grace.
On the spiritual side…
At age 19, I was fortunate to experience a series of life-changing events that catalyzed a profound spiritual awakening within me. The two decades that followed were a period of deep self-exploration, teaching, healing, and love. I spent years volunteering with hospice, which influenced me in the most profound ways. Death is truly one of my greatest teachers. I’ve had the great blessing of receiving my greatest death teachings through the passing of my root teacher, Diego Palma. I’ve also received the Tibetan Buddhist Bardo teachings from Ani Pema Chodron, Lama Surya Das, Sogyal Rinpoche and Pema Khandro Rinpoche. I travelled abroad and studied with shamans and curanderas in Mexico, South America, and the United States. I received formal training in energetic healing techniques and became a Reiki Master and Yoga teacher. I have had the great honor to have received intensive meditation teacher training and been certified as a Mindfulness Meditation Teacher by Jack Kornfield, Tara Brach, and Ronya Banks through the University of California’s Greater Good Science Center. I am a certified Buddhist Meditation Teacher through the Buddhist Studies Institute authorized by Pema Khandro Rinpoche. I have been a long time practitioner of both Dzogchen and Vipassana and my teaching style is influenced by both traditions. I offer weekly meditations and provide mindfulness trainings to organizations and individuals who are interested in a grounded and secular approach to bringing meditation into their organization. I’m an ordained non-denominational minister and head minister of Soul Community Church where I preside over baptisms, weddings, and funerals in both religious and secular ceremonies. I believe that ALL spiritual traditions contain valuable, timeless wisdom that can rejuvenate us and transform our lives. I am also a certified mindfulness teacher through the International Mindfulness Teachers Association.
On the business side…
I started my first business while in college and within three years I had two more businesses under my belt. One of those businesses became Ceremony Officiants, one of the largest and most successful wedding officiant companies in the United States. I’ve been a college Admissions and Academic Counselor, where I dove headfirst into formal leadership and life coach training. While working full-time and running multiple businesses, I earned my Master’s in Human Sciences (Psychology) with a specialization in Thanatology and Grief Counseling. I’m the founding president of the International Association of Professional Wedding Officiants, which has members in 17 countries on 6 continents. I have a professional certificate from UC Berkeley and The Awareness Training Institute in The Power of Awareness (mindfulness training). I am also a certified mindfulness teacher through the International Mindfulness Teachers Association and offer professional trainings and workshops in secular mindfulness for various groups and organizations. I’m a Professional Member of the National Speakers Association, and give keynote speeches and seminars around the country. I am the author of the book, The Conscious Entrepreneur: A Guide to Maximizing Your Potential for Success, Freedom, and Happiness.
As a coach, I support a select group of clients who are ready to transform their personal and professional lives through one-on-one coaching, mentorship, and retreats. As a consultant, I help businesses and organizations bring mindfulness education and practices to their employees and members. You can learn more about working with me here.
On the personal side…
In 2013, I became a mother. My daughter, Satori, whose name means “the moment of awakening to your true nature,” has certainly awoken me to mine. Being a mother has been the greatest joy of my life and has birthed from within me a great capacity to hold a safe and loving container for my family, my students, and my clients. I live in Columbia, Maryland with my partner, my daughter, two stepsons, and a very sweet and naughty Bengal kitty, named, The Dalai Lana.
What I stand for…
Ultimately, I stand for love. I believe that the ultimate ground of existence is imbued with loving compassion and the altruistic intent. I believe that we are all perfect from the beginning and that we can connect to, and find deep rest in, the naturally luminous and peaceful nature of the mind. I have dedicated my life to the heart-felt intention of easing the suffering of all beings. I pray that the fruit of all of my activities be of the highest benefit to all beings and all things everywhere.
