James Crews

James Crews is the author of <a href="http://www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/product/Book-of-What-Stays,674869.aspx" rel="noopener"><em>The Book of What Stays</em></a>, a collection of poetry published by the University of Nebraska Press. In his free time, James writes for <a href="http://www.eou.edu/basalt/" rel="noopener"><em>basalt</em> magazine</a>, which he co-edits and regularly contributes to the (London) Times Literary Supplement. He has worked as a salesman of bespoke wallpaper, an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer and an English teacher in rural Oregon. He is now living and teaching in Lincoln, Nebraska where he’s working on a PhD.

Caitlin Strom

Caitlin Strom is a filmmaker, photographer and Buddhist living in Brooklyn. Visit her online at caitlinstrom.com.

Chuck Brown

Chuck Brown is a musician, writer and special education teacher, serving boys with severe emotional disturbance. He, his wife and their four children live in beautiful Nevada City, California. He has released two albums, and is currently working on his first book, a combination of essays exploring Buddhism and its essential role in his recovery from severe drug addiction and alcoholism. Visit him online at buddhistinrecovery.net.

Peter Fernando

Peter Fernando trained as a Buddhist monk for seven years, and lived in a monastic practice environment for most of his twenties. Upon returning to lay life he was invited to teach in Wellington by New Zealand meditation teacher Stephen Archer, and was one of the founders of Original Nature Meditation Centre in 2009, and created an ongoing online course, A Month of Mindfulness, in 2011.

Dave Chang

Dave Chang lives in Vancouver, British Columbia and has been practicing Zen for over 10 years. He teaches English at a local high school and is currently finishing his MA in neuroscience, meditation and ecology.

Ryan Winger

Ryan Winger is a music lover and member of the Orange County Shambhala Center.

Lisa Wilson

Lisa Wilson is an awareness artist, spending life practicing awareness and expressing the experience through various media. At present, she is sharing stories and her art online through her website, LifeUnity.com. Lisa lives in Indiana with her husband and two young children.

Peter Bregman

Peter Bregman speaks, writes, and consults about how to lead and how to live. He is the CEO of Bregman Partners, Inc., a global management consulting firm, and advises CEOs and their leadership teams. He is the author of <i>Point B: A Short Guide To Leading a Big Change.</i>

Sarah Schneider

Sarah Schneider has been practicing Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism since 1999 when she met her Root Lama, Garchen Rinpoche. She lived at the Garchen Institute for five years, practicing in many retreats, including three-year retreat. After leaving three-year retreat, Sarah lived in Nepal for two years studying and translating Tibetan language. She currently lives in Santa Monica, CA, where she works as a Tibetan translator.

Zachary Bremmer

Zachary Bremmer writes about the intersection of Buddhist meditation, philosophy, and the happiness of everyday life.

Yael Shy

Yael Shy

Yael Shy is the Senior Director of the NYU Global Spiritual Life Center, Founder and Director of MindfulNYU, Director of the Of Many Institute for Multifaith Leadership, as well as the author of the forthcoming book, <em>What Now? Meditation for Your Twenties and Beyond</em>.

Gesshin Greenwood

Gesshin Greenwood

Gesshin Greenwood is the author of <em>Bow First, Ask Questions Later</em> and <em>Just Enough: Vegan Recipes and Stories from Japan’s Buddhist Temples</em>.

photo of Lama Tsomo

Lama Tsomo

Lama Tsomo is an American Buddhist teacher in the Namchak lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. She is the author of <em>Why Is the Dalai Lama Always Smiling?</em>

Van Jones

Van Jones

Van Jones is a lawyer, CNN political commentator, and founder of The Dream Corps. His new book is <em>Beyond the Messy Truth: How We Came Apart, How We Come Together</em>.

Bob Doppelt

Bob Doppelt facilitates the Dharma teachers Climate Collaborative and directs the Resource Innovation Group. He is the author of <i>From Me to We: The Five Transformational Commitments Required to Rescue the Planet, Your Organization, and Your Life.</i>

Dosho Port

Dosho Port is the founder and guiding teacher of <i>Vine of Obstacles: Online Support for Zen Training</i> and the author of the blog Wild Fox Zen.

Patrick Brady

Patrick Brady is an inmate at the California State Prison in Corcoran.