Growing up in a predominantly white suburb outside of Houston, I grew up with the ache of being the other. This ache has been a driving force through my life and career — to find ways that we can change the systems and the world we live in. It is through this journey of striving and reaching for change, I have had to heal the deeply wounded pain rooted in racism, sexism, homophobia and fat phobia. Through this exploration, I have found myself frustrated with what I can and cannot change.
And yet, somehow through the tools of mindfulness and Buddhism, I have still managed to find joy, light. I have found power in storytelling, in community, my ancestors and these incredibly potent teachings. I am driven to share these insights with the hope that it will help you as much as it has helped me; I've done that in a variety of ways in the last 10 years — through talks, workshops, writings and a non-profit I founded. I am currently a student in Zen Master Thích Nhất Hạnh’s Plum Village Buddhist tradition and was given the dharma name Tâm Giáng Tỗ (Ancestral River of the Heart) to widen and deepen the insight from Buddhist teachings.
After pounding the pavement, working at global brands and non-profits like MTV and TED for 15 years in New York City, I moved upstate shortly after the pandemic to the original lands of Munsee-Lenape, Haudenosaunee and Mohican people, now colonized as the Western Catskills, for a simpler, quieter life. (You can view my full professional history here.)
Most mornings, you'll find me on my meditation cushion or watching the water cascade down the Willowemoc before I start my work day. I currently uplift the stories and needs of low-income Asian American youth during the week. On the weekends, you can either find me teaching at a retreat, working on a home reno project with my incredible wife or dancing in my living room with my two Tabby cats.
It with a deep aspiration that my work will bring you joy, ease and liberate you from the confines of our society and our minds.
List of Study
2024-present
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BIPOC Intergenerational Justice and Healing Fellowship with Kaira Jewel Lingo and Dr. Marisela Gomez at the Garrison Institute
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Buddhist Leadership Mentorship with Kaira Jewel Lingo
2023
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Somatic Abolitionism with Resmaa Menakem at the Education For Racial Equity
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Facilitator training with Essential Partners.
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Additional Buddhist study: Love and Rage with Lama Rod Owens, Brahmaviharas with Dr. Larry Ward and Dr. Peggy Ward.
2022-2023
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Meditation Teacher Training and Buddhist Immersion with Susan Piver at the Open Heart Project
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Additional Buddhist study of: The Heart Sutra with Susan Piver at the Open Heart Project and the Brahmaviharas with Marisa Viola
2021
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Community Resilience Model training with the Trauma Resource Institute
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Anti-Racism with Kelley Palmer at Accessible Yoga School
2020
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Five Mindfulness Trainings with Plum Village
2018-2019
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200 HR Yoga Teacher Training
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Additional yogic study of: Bhakti, Myths and Asanas and Energy and the Subtle Body