about susa.
I’m a meditation teacher, artist, and writer. I’ve been writing poems and making art for most of my life—trying to understand, in a direct way, the mystery and miracle of being a creative, messy, feeling-full human.
I came to meditation because I began to notice that my mind wasn’t always a reliable narrator – that it could tell me very convincing stories that weren't always true. Stories that led to a lot of heartache and confusion. But also to a deeper curiosity: if I can’t always rely on the thoughts or stories in my mind, what can I rely on? How do I know what’s true?
That inquiry led me to insight meditation and my primary teacher, Sayadaw U Tejaniya, with whom I temporarily ordained in 2010. I've been practicing with Sayadaw for almost 20 years and his approach is simple: be aware, in a relaxed way, and let wisdom unfold naturally. This continues to be the guiding orientation of my own practice and life.
I’ve also received teachings in the Tibetan tradition, specifically Path of Liberation transmission, from Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche.
In 2017, I co-founded an insight meditation community with Alexis Santos in Portland, Maine. And spent 4 years as a senior meditation producer with Happier Meditation, working with Dan Harris, Joseph Goldstein, Sharon Salzberg and many other wise and wonderful humans.
I bring a lifetime of experience living with ADHD to my current work of meditation mentoring and teaching both online and in-person retreats.
I also draw and make art. Including a line of greeting cards available in shops around the US and online HERE.
gratitude to my teachers and practice lineage.
Boundless gratitude to my primary teacher Sayadaw U Tejaniya and his teacher Shwe Oo Min Sayadaw; to Steve Armstrong (may his memory be a blessing), Carol Wilson, and Alexis Santos.
And to countless teachers for their wisdom, transmission, mentorship and instruction, and for sharing these wisdom teachings – both oral and written – that have been stewarded and studied and passed down from Asian Buddhist monastics and laypeople for more than 2600 years.
It is with a full heart and grateful acknowledgement that I take part in the continuation of these teachings.