Neil has spent years training extensively in meditation and now teaches retreats, workshops and private sessions. Neil’s first immersion into the practice was on a 5 day retreat with the late Zen Master, Thich Nhat Hanh in 2002. He has received teachings from H.E. Kalu Rinpoche, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, Lama Karma Drodhul, and other various Lamas and Khenpos of the Karma Kagyu and Shangpa traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. Neil has worked closely under the guidance of Zen Roshi Dr. John Meyerson, David Nichtern and Claudia Hansson. His teaching emphasizes our capacity to know our experience directly in a way that is not constructed or limited by the conceptual mind. Meditation is a path of freedom from suffering (dukkha; sanskrit), but it is not an escape from the struggle of our lives. Rather, it helps us change the way we experience what arises in our life. The practice of meditation is often mis-understood, and so it is important to let go of our ideas about what it is, in order to understand what it truly is. The capacity to be still with oneself and train in attention does not require one to calm or quiet their mind. That might be an outcome, but it is not a technique. To be still is a skill and any skill requires some amount of training. Neil provides guidance along the path in a supportive community. For more information on classes and retreats click here. For more information on Meditation Coaching click here.
